Iran & Nazi Germany

Time to go read the Captain again -- here's an excerpt:

Iran, like Germany in the late 20s and early 30s, has a restive population wishing for a sharp improvement in their standard of living. Ahmadinejad has to either deliver that or explain why he cannot. For this purpose, he has turned to Islamic anti-Semitism and as the Times reports, he has started to raise up a new intellectual elite that uses Jews as a scapegoat for the domestic woes Iranians suffer. They quote an unnamed political-science professor in Teheran as saying, "He is reshaping the identity of the elite. Being against Jews and Zionists is an essential part of this new identity." He has also started large government-works programs and promised all sorts of welfare to garner a populist following.

We have seen this path before. The world should recognize the signs, and the West had better start looking for Churchills rather than Chamberlains, and quickly.

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Haditha

I heard Murtha over the weekend again spouting off in public and speculating on the as yet incomplete investigation of a possible unjustified killing of 15 Iraqi citizens in Haditha.

I'd been tipped off to this story a couple of months ago, that it was coming out and that it wasn't going to be pretty. I believe (sadly) there's a good chance that the core of the story is true -- that 15 Iraqis who probably shouldn't have been targeted were deliberately shot and killed. If true, this is a terrible thing indeed by anyone's (well, except an Islamist's) standards.

There are several possible scenarios ranging from mistaken identity and delayed realization that led to the killing of any witnesses to just an absolutely berserk-o "cold blooded" killing rampage.

Let's suppose, for the sake of argument, that the worst is true. A relatively small group of Marines, for whatever reason, criminally went out looking for Iraqi blood -- any Iraqi blood. The worst. Criminals in the Marine Corps. (Again, I'm not saying this was the case, but we're going to assume for this argument that it was.)

In a perfect world, once the incident was discovered by the Marines, the Marines would pull those Marines out of combat and stick them in the brig while they investigated, and perhaps disclose the incident and the fact that there was an investigation going on to the public.

If something like this happened in peacetime, that's probably what would hapen.

But this isn't peacetime, and it isn't a perfect world. The United States has enemies both outside and inside our borders who salivate for isolated incidents such as this to use as encictments of the entire military, the Bush Administration, and the war itself. And Murtha is one of them, along with an alarmingly large part of the Democratic party base.

Never mind the other 130,000 troops who are good and decent people who actually care about the Iraqi citizens they are protecting with their lives, who are struggling to make Iraq better, to make it work in spite of all of the problems they face, whether they agreed with the initial invasion or not.

Nope, to the enemies on the left, it's Bush Lied, Blood for Oil, Halliburton, Bush-is-Hitler, Hegemony, Industrial-Military Imperialism, and every unfortunate, gory detail is held up behind a magnifying glass as "proof" that evil intent that goes "all the way to the top" is behind all of this.

I watched a lot of stuff this weekend on the History Channel -- a large portion of it was "Band of Brothers" -- a 10 part detailing the experience of Easy Compnany of the Army's 101st Airborne in WWII. Just as bad stuff happened in that war. We had good soldiers and bad -- mostly good, but some undoubtedly very bad soldiers.

Stuff like this happens in wars. It's not right. This is not an excuse. We should punish those responsible for these things. But to whine about coverups is to misunderstand the nature of war, especially in the instant information age. The propaganda war is at least as important as the actual fighting. The Islamists know this and admit it openly and freely. Unfortunately, Americans such as John Murtha are on the same side of the propaganda war as the Islamists, and that doesn't bode well for America.

Jihadi Justification

Mohammed Reza Taheri-azars, the guy who attacked UNC students with an SUV back in March in an act of "internal struggle", at least did us the service of sharing his research. I've seen a graphic of the notes he took detailing his justification for the killing and further attempted murder of random civilians on the UNC campus.

It is an impressive list of about 150 Qur'an (or Koran) verses. Still, it was just a bunch of numbers to me. I decided it would be instructive to personally go look all of them up and compile them to see what such a list really looks like.

I am not surprised by what I found. Still, the sheer volume, and seeing them in one place is a bit overwhelming. Kind of puts to rest the whole "religion of peace" argument. There may be peaceful Muslims. But Islam is not a peaceful and tolerant religion.

Did I do this out of hate? Not in the least. I did this out of a sense of survival -- not only of myself, but of all that I consider good and decent. In the words of my favorite relatively unknown writer (Bill Whittle)

What’s worse than crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage?

NOT crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage.

Sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see what you don't want to see does not make a problem go away. Sometimes, you gotta get the flashlight out and take a look underneath under that rock and see what's going on so you understand what you're dealing with.

If you don't believe me, look them up yourselves.

So here it is, the complete compilation of Koran verses that Taheri-azars cited in justification for his attack on civilians:

Meditation II: Qur'an Notes Relevant to 3/3/06 Attack May 2, 2006 p 3 of 3

G. Instructions and guidelines for fighting and killing in the cause of Allah
1. Reasons for fighting in the Cause of Allah
a) To stop persecution and oppression of Allahs Followers:

[2.193] And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors
[8.39] And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do.
[8.73] And (as for) those who disbelieve, some of them are the guardians of others; if you will not do it, there will be in the land persecution and great mischief.
[85.10] Surely (as for) those who persecute the believing men and the believing women, then do not repent, they shall have the chastisement of hell, and they shall have the chastisement of burning.

b) To release Anger and rage from Allah's followers' hearts:

[9.14] Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace, and assist you against them and heal the hearts of a believing people.
[9.15] And remove the rage of their hearts; and Allah turns (mercifully) to whom He pleases, and Allah is Knowing, Wise.

c) To test Allah's followers' faith:

[8.17] So you did not slay them, but it was Allah Who slew them, and you did not smite when you smote (the enemy), but it was Allah Who smote, and that He might confer upon the believers a good gift from Himself; surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing.

d) To retaliate against enemies who attack first:

[9.13] What! will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed at the expulsion of the Apostle, and they attacked you first; do you fear them? But Allah is most deserving that you should fear Him, if you are believers.

e) to prevent mishcief on earth:

[2.251] So they put them to flight by Allah's permission. And Dawood slew Jalut, and Allah gave him kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of what He pleased. And were it not for Allah's repelling some men with others, the earth would certainly be in a state of disorder; but Allah is Gracious to the creatures.

f) To be rewarded by Allah:

[2.154] And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive.
[9.19] What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people.
[9.20] Those who believed and fled (their homes), and strove hard in Allah's way with their property and their souls, are much higher in rank with Allah; and those are they who are the achievers (of their objects).
[9.21] Their Lord gives them good news of mercy from Himself and (His) good pleasure and gardens, wherein lasting blessings shall be theirs;
[9.22] Abiding therein for ever; surely Allah has a Mighty reward with Him.
[9.111] Surely Allah has bought of the believers their persons and their property for this, that they shall have the garden; they fight in Allah's way, so they slay and are slain; a promise which is binding on Him in the Taurat and the Injeel and the Quran; and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? Rejoice therefore in the pledge which you have made; and that is the mighty achievement.
[9.120] It did not beseem the people of Medina and those round about them of the dwellers of the desert to remain behind the Apostle of Allah, nor should they desire (anything) for themselves in preference to him; this is because there afflicts them not thirst or fatigue or hunger in Allah's way, nor do they tread a path which enrages the unbelievers, nor do they attain from the enemy what they attain, but a good work is written down to them on account of it; surely Allah does not waste the reward of the doers of good;
[9.121] Nor do they spend anything that may be spent, small or great, nor do they traverse a valley, but it is written down to their credit, that Allah may reward them with the best of what they have done.

2. Obligation to fight:

[2.44] What! do you enjoin men to be good and neglect your own souls while you read the Book; have you then no sense?
[8.72] Surely those who believed and fled (their homes) and struggled hard in Allah's way with their property and their souls, and those who gave shelter and helped-- these are guardians of each other; and (as for) those who believed and did not fly, not yours is their guardianship until they fly; and if they seek aid from you in the matter of religion, aid is incumbent on you except against a people between whom and you there is a treaty, and Allah sees what you do.
[9.38] O you who believe! What (excuse) have you that when it is said to you: Go forth in Allah's way, you should incline heavily to earth; are you contented with this world's life instead of the hereafter? But the provision of this world's life compared with the hereafter is but little.

2.1. Disabled persons exempted:

[9.91] It shall be no crime in the weak, nor in the sick, nor in those who do not find what they should spend (to stay behind), so long as they are sincere to Allah and His Apostle; there is no way (to blame) against the doers of good; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful;
[48.17] There is no harm in the blind, nor is there any harm in the lame, nor is there any harm in the sick (if they do not go forth); and whoever obeys Allah and His Apostle, He will cause him to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow, and whoever turns back, He will punish him with a painful punishment.

3. Rules for declaring Peace:

[4.89] They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.
[4.90] Except those who reach a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people; and if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they should have certainly fought you; therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not given you a way against them.
[4.91] You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given.you a clear authority.

4. Methods of fighting in the cause of Allah
4.1 To inflict equal casualties on the enemies of Allah's followers as the enemy has inflicted:

[2.178] O you who believe! retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the slain, the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female, but if any remission is made to any one by his (aggrieved) brother, then prosecution (for the bloodwit) should be made according to usage, and payment should be made to him in a good manner; this is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy; so whoever exceeds the limit after this he shall have a painful chastisement.
[2.179] And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O men of understanding, that you may guard yourselves.
[5.45] And We prescribed to them in it that life is for life, and eye for eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth, and (that there is) reprisal in wounds; but he who foregoes it, it shall be an expiation for him; and whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the unjust.
[42.39] And those who, when great wrong afflicts them, defend themselves.
[42.40] And the recompense of evil is punishment like it, but whoever forgives and amends, he shall have his reward from Allah; surely He does not love the unjust.
[42.41] And whoever defends himself after his being oppressed, these it is against whom there is no way (to blame).
[42.42] The way (to blame) is only against those who oppress men and revolt in the earth unjustly; these shall have a painful punishment.

4.2. Cutting of limbs and crucifixion:

[5.33] The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement,

4.3. Beheading and removing fingers:

[8.12] When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
[47.4] So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates. That (shall be so); and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have exacted what is due from them, but that He may try some of you by means of others; and (as for) those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will by no means allow their deeds to perish.

4.4. Ambush (the method I chose on 3/3/2006)

[9.5] So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

5. Additional relevant verses:

[2.190] And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits.
[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
[2.192] But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[2.193] And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.
[2.194] The Sacred month for the sacred month and all sacred things are (under the law of) retaliation; whoever then acts aggressively against you, inflict injury on him according to the injury he has inflicted on you and be careful (of your duty) to Allah and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).
[2.216] Fighting is enjoined on you, and h is an object of dislike to you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know.
[2.217] They ask you concerning the sacred month about fighting in it. Say: Fighting in it is a grave matter, and hindering (men) from Allah's way and denying Him, and (hindering men from) the Sacred Mosque and turning its people out of it, are still graver with Allah, and persecution is graver than slaughter; and they will not cease fighting with you until they turn you back from your religion, if they can; and whoever of you turns back from his religion, then he dies while an unbeliever-- these it is whose works shall go for nothing in this world and the hereafter, and they are the inmates of the fire; therein they shall abide.
[2.218] Surely those who believed and those who fled (their home) and strove hard in the way of Allah these hope for the mercy of Allah and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[2.243] Have you not considered those who went forth from their homes, for fear of death, and they were thousands, then Allah said to them, Die; again He gave them life; most surely Allah is Gracious to people, but most people are not grateful.
[2.244] And fight in the way of Allah, and know that Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
[2.245] Who is it that will offer of Allah a goodly gift, so He will multiply it to him manifold, and Allah straitens and amplifies, and you shall be returned to Him.
[3.141] And that He may purge those who believe and deprive the unbelievers of blessings.
[3.142] Do you think that you will enter the garden while Allah has not yet known those who strive hard from among you, and (He has not) known the patient.
[3.156] O you who believe! be not like those who disbelieve and say of their brethren when they travel in the earth or engage in fighting: Had they been with us, they would not have died and they would not have been slain; so Allah makes this to be an intense regret in their hearts; and Allah gives life and causes death and Allah sees what you do.
[3.157] And if you are slain in the way of Allah or you die, certainly forgiveness from Allah and mercy is better than what they amass.
[3.158] And if indeed you die or you are slain, certainly to Allah shall you be gathered together.
[3.167] And that He might know the hypocrites; and it was said to them: Come, fight in Allah's way, or defend yourselves. They said: If we knew fighting, we would certainly have followed you. They were on that day much nearer to unbelief than to belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and Allah best knows what they conceal.
[3.168] Those who said of their brethren whilst they (themselves) held back: Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed. Say: Then avert death from yourselves if you speak the truth.
[3.169] And reckon not those who are killed in Allah's way as dead; nay, they are alive (and) are provided sustenance from their Lord;
[3.170] Rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His grace and they rejoice for the sake of those who, (being left) behind them, have not yet joined them, that they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.
[3.171] They rejoice on account of favor from Allah and (His) grace, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers.
[3.172] (As for) those who responded (at Ohud) to the call of Allah and the Apostle after the wound had befallen them, those among them who do good (to others) and guard (against evil)shall have a great reward.
[3.173] Those to whom the people said: Surely men have gathered against you, therefore fear them, but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the Protector.
[3.174] So they returned with favor from Allah and (His) grace, no evil touched them and they followed the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.
[3.175] It is only the Shaitan that causes you to fear from his friends, but do not fear them, and fear Me if you are believers.
[4.66] And if We had prescribed for them: Lay down your lives or go forth from your homes, they would not have done it except a few of them; and if they had done what they were admonished, it would have certainly been better for them and best in strengthening (them);
[4.74] Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this world's life for the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward.
[4.75] And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who say: Our Lord! cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper.
[4.76] Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the way of the Shaitan. Fight therefore against the friends of the Shaitan; surely the strategy of the Shaitan is weak.
[4.77] Have you not seen those to whom it was said: Withhold your hands, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate; but when fighting is prescribed for them, lo! a party of them fear men as they ought to have feared Allah, or (even) with a greater fear, and say: Our Lord! why hast Thou ordained fighting for us? Wherefore didst Thou not grant us a delay to a near end? Say: The provision of this world is short, and the hereafter is better for him who guards (against evil); and you shall not be wronged the husk of a date stone.
[4.78] Wherever you are, death will overtake you, though you are in lofty towers, and if a benefit comes to them, they say: This is from Allah; and if a misfortune befalls them, they say: This is from you. Say: All is from Allah, but what is the matter with these people that they do not make approach to understanding what is told (them)?
[4.84] Fight then in Allah's way; this is not imposed on you except In relation to yourself, and rouse the believers to ardor maybe Allah will restrain the fighting of those who disbelieve and Allah is strongest in prowess and strongest to give an exemplary punishment.
[4.95] The holders back from among the believers, not having any injury, and those who strive hard in Allah's way with their property and their persons are not equal; Allah has made the strivers with their property and their persons to excel the holders back a (high) degree, and to each (class) Allah has promised good; and Allah shall grant to the strivers above the holders back a mighty reward:
[4.96] (High) degrees from Him and protection and mercy, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[4.104] And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer pain, and you hope from Allah what they do not hope; and Allah is Knowing, Wise.
[5.54] O you who believe! whoever from among you turns back from his religion, then Allah will bring a people, He shall love them and they shall love Him, lowly before the believers, mighty against the unbelievers, they shall strive hard in Allah's way and shall not fear the censure of any censurer; this is Allah's Face, He gives it to whom He pleases, and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.
[6.162] Say. Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds;
[8.12] When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
[8.13] This is because they acted adversely to Allah and His Apostle; and whoever acts adversely to Allah and His Apostle-- then surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil).
[8.14] This-- taste it, and (know) that for the unbelievers is the chastisement of fire.
[8.15] O you who believe! when you meet those who disbelieve marching for war, then turn not your backs to them.
[8.16] And whoever shall turn his back to them on that day-- unless he turn aside for the sake of fighting or withdraws to a company-- then he, indeed, becomes deserving of Allah's wrath, and his abode is hell; and an evil destination shall it be.
[8.38] Say to those who disbelieve, if they desist, that which is past shall be forgiven to them; and if they return, then what happened to the ancients has already passed.
[8.39] And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do.
[8.40] And if they turn back, then know that Allah is your Patron; most excellent is the Patron and most excellent the Helper.
[8.52] In the manner of the people of Firon and those before them; they disbelieved in Allah's communications, therefore Allah destroyed them on account of their faults; surely Allah is strong, severe in requiting (evil).
[8.53] This is because Allah has never changed a favor which He has conferred upon a people until they change their own condition; and because Allah is Hearing, Knowing;
[8.54] In the manner of the people of Firon and those before them; they rejected the communications of their Lord, therefore We destroyed them on account of their faults and We drowned Firon's people, and they were all unjust.
[8.55] Surely the vilest of animals in Allah's sight are those who disbelieve, then they would not believe.
[8.56] Those with whom you make an agreement, then they break their agreement every time and they do not guard (against punishment).
[8.57] Therefore if you overtake them in fighting, then scatter by (making an example of) them those who are in their rear, that they may be mindful.
[8.58] And if you fear treachery on the part of a people, then throw back to them on terms of equality; surely Allah does not love the treacherous.
[8.59] And let not those who disbelieve think that they shall come in first; surely they will not escape.
[8.60] And prepare against them what force you can and horses tied at the frontier, to frighten thereby the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them, whom you do not know (but) Allah knows them; and whatever thing you will spend in Allah's way, it will be paid back to you fully and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.
[8.61] And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah; surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
[8.62] And if they intend to deceive you-- then surely Allah is sufficient for you; He it is Who strengthened you with His help and with the believers
[8.65] O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.
[8.66] For the present Allah has made light your burden, and He knows that there is weakness in you; so if there are a hundred patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a thousand they shall overcome two thousand by Allah's permission, and Allah is with the patient.
[8.72] Surely those who believed and fled (their homes) and struggled hard in Allah's way with their property and their souls, and those who gave shelter and helped-- these are guardians of each other; and (as for) those who believed and did not fly, not yours is their guardianship until they fly; and if they seek aid from you in the matter of religion, aid is incumbent on you except against a people between whom and you there is a treaty, and Allah sees what you do.
[8.73] And (as for) those who disbelieve, some of them are the guardians of others; if you will not do it, there will be in the land persecution and great mischief.
[8.74] And (as for) those who believed and fled and struggled hard in Allah's way, and those who gave shelter and helped, these are the believers truly; they shall have forgiveness and honorable provision.
[8.75] And (as for) those who believed afterwards and fled and struggled hard along with you, they are of you; and the possessors of relationships are nearer to each other in the ordinance of Allah; surely Allah knows all things.
[9.12] And if they break their oaths after their agreement and (openly) revile your religion, then fight the leaders of unbelief-- surely their oaths are nothing-- so that they may desist.
[9.13] What! will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed at the expulsion of the Apostle, and they attacked you first; do you fear them? But Allah is most deserving that you should fear Him, if you are believers.
[9.14] Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace, and assist you against them and heal the hearts of a believing people.
[9.19] What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people.
[9.20] Those who believed and fled (their homes), and strove hard in Allah's way with their property and their souls, are much higher in rank with Allah; and those are they who are the achievers (of their objects).
[9.21] Their Lord gives them good news of mercy from Himself and (His) good pleasure and gardens, wherein lasting blessings shall be theirs;
[9.29] Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
[9.36] Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah's ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth, of these four being sacred; that is the right reckoning; therefore be not unjust to yourselves regarding them, and fight the polytheists all together as they fight you all together; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).
[9.39] If you do not go forth, He will chastise you with a painful chastisement and bring in your place a people other than you, and you will do Him no harm; and Allah has power over all things.
[9.44] They do not ask leave of you who believe in Allah and the latter day (to stay away) from striving hard with their property and their persons, and Allah knows those who guard (against evil).
[9.45] They only ask leave of you who do not believe in Allah and the latter day and their hearts are in doubt, so in their doubt do they waver.
[9.52] Say: Do you await for us but one of two most excellent things? And we await for you that Allah will afflict you with punishment from Himself or by our hands. So wait; we too will wait with you.
[9.81] Those who were left behind were glad on account of their sitting behind Allah's Apostle and they were averse from striving m Allah's way with their property and their persons, and said: Do not go forth in the heat. Say: The fire of hell is much severe in heat. Would that they understood (it).
[9.56] And they swear by Allah that they are most surely of you, and they are not of you, but they are a people who are afraid (of you).
[9.57] If they could find a refuge or cave or a place to enter into, they would certainly have turned thereto, running away in all haste.
[9.58] And of them there are those who blame you with respect to the alms; so if they are given from it they are pleased, and if they are not given from it, lo! they are full of rage.
[9.93] The way (to blame) is only against those who ask permission of you though they are rich; they have chosen to be with those who remained behind, and Allah has set a seal upon their hearts so they do not know.
[9.94] They will excuse themselves to you when you go back to them. Say: Urge no excuse, by no means will we believe you; indeed Allah has informed us of matters relating to you; and now Allah and His Apostle will see your doings, then you shall be brought back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, then He will inform you of what you did.
[9.100] And (as for) the foremost, the first of the Muhajirs and the Ansars, and those who followed them in goodness, Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flOw, to abide in them for ever; that is the mighty achievement.
[9.123] O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).
[16.110] Yet surely your Lord, with respect to those who fly after they are persecuted, then they struggle hard and are patient, most surely your Lord after that is Forgiving, Merciful.
[22.39] Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allah is well able to assist them;
[22.40] Those who have been expelled from their homes without a just cause except that they say: Our Lord is Allah. And had there not been Allah's repelling some people by others, certainly there would have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques in which Allah's name is much remembered; and surely Allah will help him who helps His cause; most surely Allah is Strong, Mighty.
[22.58] And (as for) those who fly in Allah's way and are then slain or die, Allah will most certainly grant them a goodly sustenance, and most surely Allah is the best Giver of sustenance.
[25.68] And they who do not call upon another god with Allah and do not slay the soul, which Allah has forbidden except in the requirements of justice, and (who) do not commit fornication and he who does this shall find a requital of sin;
[26.227] Except those who believe and do good and remember Allah much, and defend themselves after they are oppressed; and they who act unjustly shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back.
[33.25] And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.
[33.26] And He drove down those of the followers of the Book who backed them from their fortresses and He cast awe into their hearts; some you killed and you took captive another part.
[33.60] If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease and the agitators in the city do not desist, We shall most certainly set you over them, then they shall not be your neighbors in it but for a little while;
[33.61] Cursed: wherever they are found they shall be seized and murdered, a (horrible) murdering.
[33.62] (Such has been) the course of Allah with respect to those who have gone before; and you shall not find any change in the course of Allah.
[47.20] And those who believe say: Why has not a chapter been revealed? But when a decisive chapter is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein you see those in whose hearts is a disease look to you with the look of one fainting because of death. Woe to them then!
[47.21] Obedience and a gentle word (was proper); but when the affair becomes settled, then if they remain true to Allah it would certainly be better for them.
[47.35] And be not slack so as to cry for peace and you have the upper hand, and Allah is with you, and He will not bring your deeds to naught.
[48.16] Say to those of the dwellers of the desert who were left behind: You shall soon be invited (to fight) against a people possessing mighty prowess; you will fight against them until they submit; then if you obey, Allah will grant you a good reward; and if you turn back as you turned back before, He will punish you with a painful punishment.
[48.17] There is no harm in the blind, nor is there any harm in the lame, nor is there any harm in the sick (if they do not go forth); and whoever obeys Allah and His Apostle, He will cause him to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow, and whoever turns back, He will punish him with a painful punishment.
[48.18] Certainly Allah was well pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance to you under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquillity on them and rewarded them with a near victory,
[48.19] And many acquisitions which they will take; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
[48.20] Allah promised you many acquisitions which you will take, then He hastened on this one for you and held back the hands of men from you, and that it may be a sign for the believers and that He may guide you on a right path.
[48.21] And others which you have not yet been able to achieve Allah has surely encompassed them, and Allah has power over all things.
[48.22] And if those who disbelieve fight with you, they would certainly turn (their) backs, then they would not find any protector or a helper.
[48.29] Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves; you will see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking grace from Allah and pleasure; their marks are in their faces because of the effect of prostration; that is their description in the Taurat and their description in the Injeel; like as seed-produce that puts forth its sprout, then strengthens it, so it becomes stout and stands firmly on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the unbelievers on account of them; Allah has promised those among them who believe and do good, forgiveness and a great reward.
[49.9] And if two parties of the believers quarrel, make peace between them; but if one of them acts wrongfully towards the other, fight that which acts wrongfully until it returns to Allah's command; then if it returns, make peace between them with justice and act equitably; surely Allah loves those who act equitably.
[49.10] The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren and be careful of (your duty to) Allah that mercy may be had on you.
[49.15] The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Apostle then they doubt not and struggle hard with their wealth and their lives in the way of Allah; they are the truthful ones.
[57.10] And what reason have you that you should not spend in Allah's way? And Allah's is the inheritance of the heavens and the earth, not alike among you are those who spent before the victory and fought (and those who did not): they are more exalted in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards; and Allah has promised good to all; and Allah is Aware of what you do.
[57.11] Who is there that will offer to Allah a good gift so He will double it for him, and he shall have an excellent reward.
[59.13] You are certainly greater in being feared in their hearts than Allah; that is because they are a people who do not understand
[59.14] They will not fight against you in a body save in fortified towns or from behind walls; their fighting between them is severe, you may think them as one body, and their hearts are disunited; that is because they are a people who have no sense.
[61.4] Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks as if they were a firm and compact wall.
[61.11] You shall believe in Allah and H,is Apostle, and struggle hard in Allah's way with your property and your lives; that is better for you, did you but know!
[61.12] He will forgive you your faults and cause you to enter into gardens, beneath which rivers flow, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetuity; that is the mighty achievement;
[73.20] Surely your Lord knows that you pass in prayer nearly two-thirds of the night, and (sometimes) half of it, and (sometimes) a third of it, and (also) a party of those with you; and Allah measures the night and the day. He knows that you are not able to do it, so He has turned to you (mercifully), therefore read what is easy of the Quran. He knows that there must be among you sick, and others who travel in the land seeking of the bounty of Allah, and others who fight in Allah's way, therefore read as much of it as is easy (to you), and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and offer to Allah a goodly gift, and whatever of good you send on beforehand for yourselves, you will find it with Allah; that is best and greatest in reward; and ask forgiveness of Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Oh, but they don't mean Jews and Christians. They are "People of the Book". Really? And even if that's true, are we suggesting that it's peacful and tolerant to slay Buddhists, Hindus, followers of American Indian religions, agnostics, and athiests?

----
update: Really? So they're cool with "People of the Book"?

KORAN [9.30] And the Jews say: Uzair [Ezra] is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!

HADITH Sahih Bukhari [4:52:176] Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.' "

Dead Bin Laden "Speaks" Again

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

Bin Laden is dead. The latest audio tape, released today, was accompanied by a still photograph of the dead man, while he was still living. Why? Because you can't film a dead man talking, and nothing would be a bigger coup for Al-Queda than to prove Bin Laden is still alive. They can't, or they would. He's not.

Anyway, Fake Bin Laden (FBL) says Moussaui "didn't do it" -- that he had nothing to do with 9/11.

Frankly, I don't care if he did or didn't. Given what the man said and the ideology he spewed, if he said he did it that's good enough for me whether he's lying or not.

FBL wants to cast doubt upon the American Justice System, and take away any feelings of "victory" America might feel over his conviction. And like I said, I don't really care if FBL is lying or not.

Speaking of lying, next time someone talks to you of the Religion of Peace, Google This: Al-Taqiyah

Yep. In Islam, it's ok to lie to infidels to decieve them about Islam or to sew discord among Islam's enemies. It's ok to make false, temporary alliances and friendships. It's ok to say it's peaceful even if you know darned well it isn't.

Now I understand that some Muslims don't believe this (We think! how can we really KNOW if they can say anything to make Islam look less threatening to infidels?) But the important thing is, many do and they can and do find passages in the Koran and Hadiths to justify it.

Let Me Get This Straight

Hamas, who has us as a close #2 on their list of sworn enemies, blames us -- accuses us -- of starving the Palestinian people because -- get this ...

won't give them (Hamas) any money.

Hamas, actively working with groups, if not working themselves, to bring down our country along with the rest of the Western World .... is pissed off at us for not funding them.

To Hamas and the Palestinians:

Elections have consequences. Your continued support for global Jihad, your continued call for the destruction of Israel, your continued call for and contributions to the deaths of Israeli citizens ... have consequences. We used to have some sympathy for you. 9/11 changed all that. It's time for you to help yourselves, because we're sure not gonna help you in your attempts to destroy your neighbors, and more importantly, we're certainly not going to help you and your "internally struggling" buddies in their attempts to destroy us.

Excellent Article on Why They Hate Us

Evan Coyne Maloney of Protesting the Protesters fame (my first experience with his work) hasn't been as prolific recently as he has been in the past... but sometimes quality makes up for lack of quantity, and he's shown that with his latest

Why Do They Hate Us?

A few of the better bits:

Some people ask that question rhetorically: to them, the answer to "Why do they hate us?" always leads one place: it's our fault. To these people, any horrific act anywhere in the world is a game of Six Degrees of Separation that traces back to something--anything--done by the United States.

and...

First, let's define "they." For the purposes of this article, "they" refers to Jihadists: a radical subset of Muslims who believe it is their duty to kill anyone who refuses to abide by their religious law.

followed by...

Now that we know who "they" are, who's "us"? Even though the "us" that "they" hate pretty much amounts to all of Western society, I will take "us" to mean the United States, since in the eyes of many in the non-Western world, the U.S. symbolizes Western society.

And what I think is my favorite bit:

But many Americans believe that occasionally employing brutality to protect ourselves and free others is a legitimate option when the only path of moral purity leads directly to death.

The whole thing is really very well thought out and well written, and I encourage anyone to give it a read.

But it's a religion of Peace, see?

Surah 5:32

Because of this, we decreed for the Children of Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder
or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people.
And anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people.
Our messengers went to them with clear proofs and revelations,
but most of them, after all this, are still transgressing.

See? It says in the Koran not to kill people. It is against Islam.

But wait....

Surah 5:33

The just retribution for those who fight GOD and His messenger,
and commit horrendous crimes,
is to be killed, or crucified, or to have their hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, or to be banished from the land.
This is to humiliate them in this life, then they suffer a far worse retribution in the Hereafter.

So basically, the Koran teaches the proper punishment for anyone who "fights God and his messenger" is death. This which can easily be interpreted as, and is indeed often interpreted in the Jihad movement as, non-Muslims.

The last part of 5:32 says "see, we went and told them this, but most of them aren't listening." So they are fighting God and his Messenger, in effect. Death to them. Get it?

Note that Muslims are free to punish percieved non-believers in this life, whereas Christians and Jewish texts leave it up to God in the afterlife.

But see, they are merciful, too:

Surah 5:34

Exempted are those who repent before you overcome them. You should know that GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

In other words, unless they become Muslims.

Islam is not compatible with Liberal Western thought. The leaders of the Jihad movement(s) not only know this, they proclaim it often in their speech and writings.

See these peaceful folks?

Please Wake Up, America!

Please! Before it's too late!

Here's the San Fransisco Chronicle article about it -- note that it's an article about the court ruling, not about the content of the program.

Now go check out Michele Malkin's site where she has excerpts (and, indeed, you can download the whole curriculum in PDF form from her site) and decide for yourself if the California 9th Circuit Court ruling is in line with "not promoting" a religion.

Daniel Pipes has more.

Murtha's Mouth

Our favorite traitor .... ok, one of our favorite traitors (there seem to be so many of them these days) is mouthing off about an ongoing investigation that'll be splattered all over the headlines, no doubt.

The incident he's referring to happened last November and has been under investigation inside the Navy for a while now.

Murtha may very well be correct, I must point out. It may have gone down the way he says it did. If so, it was probably wrong -- though we should let the Navy figure that one out, not Murtha or the New York Times.

My question to Murtha is... what point are you trying to make? War BAD!!!??? Everybody knows war is hell. Some more than others. Is he indicting the Marine Corps or the Navy Department? Is he questioning the general moral character of people in the entire U.S. Military? Is he trying to score political points against Bush? (ding! ding! ding! We have a winner!)

Does he want the US to pull out because a small group of Marines did something they probably shouldn't have one day in November? Does he think that any war in history has ever been fought without some of the good guys behaving badly? Does America truly think that? Does he think such an incident means they're all washed up in a "culture of corruption"?

Does he just like cameras?

Come on out, John, and say what you really mean.

I agree with what a lot of my fellow conservative bloggers are saying -- that this is at best an enormously irresponsible statement ("I'll tell you excactly what happened") by one of our public "leaders" that, once again at best -- predicts the verdict of an investigation that isn't complete yet. But what bearing should an incident like this have on the big picture?

None.

The tireless Michelle Malkin has a good roundup.

Ann Coulter Hits the Nail on the Head

And gets me ROTFL in the process...

READ MY LIPS: NO NEW AMNESTY

If I had half the wit that woman has....

Here's my favorite bit:

Bush has also apparently learned that the word "amnesty" does not poll well. On Monday night, he angrily denounced the idea of amnesty just before proposing his own amnesty program. The difference between Bush's amnesty program and "amnesty" is: He'd give amnesty only to people who have been breaking our laws for many years — not just a few months. (It's the same program that allows Ted Kennedy to stay in the Senate.)

Bush calls this the "rational middle ground" because it recognizes the difference between "an illegal immigrant who crossed the border recently and someone who has worked here for many years." Yes, the difference is: One of them has been breaking the law longer. If our criminal justice system used that logic, a single murder would get you the death penalty, while serial killers would get probation.

Bush claimed the only other alternative — I assume this is the irrational extreme" — is "a program of mass deportation." Really? Is the only alternative to legalizing tax cheats "a program of mass arrest of tax cheats"?

This is the logic of the pro-abortion zealots (aka "the Democratic Party"): Either lift every single restriction on abortion or ... every woman in America will be impregnated by her father and die in a back-alley abortion!

Those are your only two answers? Do you need another minute?

Ain't No Demon, Either

"The West ain't no angel, but the West ain't no demon."

-- Ahmed Abaddi, Morocco's director of Islamic affairs

In a conversation earlier this week, a co-worker stated, "well, we aren't the nicest country in the world."

And that little voice in my head that's been wanting to speak up for so long said, "Oh, but I think we are the nicest country in the world."

Will someone show me this virtuous country that sets the standard to which all countries should live up to?

Hmmmm????

Oh, and make sure it's a not a country that can rely on the United States to come to its defense if attacked -- allowing it the luxury of either not having a usable military power or the will to use it themselves.

Better to let the U.S. spend its blood and sweat so it can be demonized by all who smugly proclaim their pacifism under its umbrella.

What country is more generous (and don't just look at government, look at American Private Charity -- religious and non)? What country does more to advance the causes of human rights, (for all the complaints of American violations against them)?

We do make mistakes. And there are Americans who are evil. No, we're not perfect.

But we ain't no demon, either.

An encouraging story

Always encouraged by stories like this... too bad they're so rare.

Some Sanity on the Web

Pat Santy, alias Dr. Sanity and I are apparently on the same wavelength regarding Leftist Christianophobes (I called them Christophobes).

Really good post by her.

The Real Cause of Global Warming

Is Hell actually freezing over -- you know, conservation of energy and all. If Hell gets colder, it has to get warmer somewhere, right?

No, actually the hell freezing over reference is an article in a major mainstream newspaper which appears to take seriously (which is highly unusual) an argument that maybe, just maybe, Mankind has little if anything to do with our meager 0.6 degree Celcius rise in the nebulous and ill-defined "Global Mean Temperature" over the last century.

Kudos to the London Telegraph for actually presenting at least a small piece of the other side of the story. I was surprised to see such a story at all.

Speaking of connecting the dots...

Mark Steyn wrote an excellent piece on it.

hat tip to Cox & Forkum

Too bad Mark is Canadian and can't run for President.

Connecting the Dots

So Armani-jihad sent an 18 page letter to President Bush which, among other things, schooled Bush on being a good Christian. You know, about all the evil un-Christian things America does in the world, like paying people to strap bombs to their chest and walking in to a crowded restaurant and blowing themselves... wait... wrong religion.

I just read the whole thing. I had only skimmed it before.

After re-reading the passage regarding monotheism, I think Robert Spencer's argument was interesting but ultimately doesn't stand up. I don't believe that it was calling Bush to join Islam. If it did, I was going to say we should watch for an attack targeting President Bush, specifically (not that that couldn't still be the case -- but I wouldn't take this letter as a clue pointing to it.)

Amadinejad's letter was not intended to appeal to President Bush, but rather as a piece of political propaganda aimed at fueling the passions of the American (and world) Left, and also to appeal to America's religious right. Both are intended to put pressure on the Administration to stay its hand, and I believe, to buy more time for Iran to achieve the goals he speaks of from the other side of his mouth. A world without America. A world without Israel. The Twelfth imam. The new Caliphate.

I find particularly ... I hate to use the word "amusing" ... that the leader of one of the most oppressive regimes in the world takes it upon itself to lecture the United States on torture, prisons, and illegal acts of war.

I'd like to ask -- what rules of War does Iran follow? The fact of the matter is, the Iranians do want nukes as a prestige symbol and as a deterrent against attack, and I've got no problem with that for a nation that has a level head and plays nicely with others.

But I don't really think, unless they're really crazy, they would use one -- that is, launch a missile or a plane bearing a nuclear warhead, against another country. This would clearly be suicide. Not that that seems to be a problem for the suicide bomber.

Which brings us to the next point. What Iran does do is avoid all of the mess of having a "legal" war waged against them which they probably know they would surely lose -- by funding covert groups of people not officially associated with the Iranian government -- often not Iranians at all -- to do their bidding. We typically call these people terrorists. And the reason we call them terrorists as opposed to armies or soldiers is that their modus operandi is to attack soft targets -- unprotected civilians -- in the hope of spurring political destabilization. Up until now they've had access to simple conventional explosive devices which on a "good" day (for them) might take out 100 people.

If they could build a small nuclear bomb, it could be smuggled somewhere and kill from hundreds of thousands to millions -- and say "hey, it wasn't us!" And the U.N. would agree. "You can't attack a country for the actions of individuals." And so it could continue. This is what they are counting upon. They want us to adhere to international rules while they bypass them because it gives them an advantage. It is suicide to allow them to play that way.

Anyone with any part of themselves firmly rooted in reality knows that the United States has no desire to perpetrate, and has no stomach for -- the torture or killing of the innocent. In the ideal Hollywood world where innocents are spared by heroism (except one or two just to show you how evil the evil are) and only the evil are punished is fantasy. It is the way we all wish it could be. That's why we make movies about it. It's the only way we will get to see it.

But when I see a banner draped across the side of a missile in a show of military prowess that says "We will crush America under our feet" -- well, as I'm afraid we shall all soon find out, you have to take the gloves off if you want to deal with it. To think that diplomacy can change that attitude -- in the face of what those in power in Iran believe -- to them suddenly singing "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" is fantasy. And I'm afraid it's probably going to take a nuclear detonation in a metropolitan area to get a lot of people to realize that. Even then, there will be those who will say that "we" caused it.

I'll tell you a little about responsibility. I was involved in a minor traffic accident a couple of days ago. It was my fault. I put my foot on the gas without checking to see if my path was clear. My foot, my gas pedal, my car, my fault. Now my wife felt guilty because it happened while I was detouring my normal path to work to drop off something she needed where she works. She blamed herself. It was most definitely NOT her fault. I was driving the car. It was my responsibility to do it safely and in a manner that did not unduly endanger life, health, or property. It is not the fault of anyone who might have cut me off or upset me (not that that happened -- this is now a mind exercise). It was not the fault of anyone who said anything or did anything to me earlier. Maybe I had a bad childhood. Maybe my neighbor hates me because I'm white. Doesn't matter. My fault.

When this bomb is set off, it will be set off by one or more people who, until the moment the button is pushed, have a moral choice. Whoever makes the moral choice to push it -- it is their fault. In this case everyone who planned the detonation and knowingly assisted will be at fault as well. (In my accident, nobody planned anything.)

I obviously don't think it is a crime for a country to own a nuclear weapon. I do think it's a crime for the world to stand back and watch a regime such as the current Iranian regime with all that we know about them to build one because, "hey, all these other countries have them. Why not Iran?"

I just told you why not.

Iran(t)

I'm not sure what it is we should do about Iran, but I'll guarantee you it ain't nothin'.

It's something.

We've got guys in Washington and all over the world who we pay to figure that out. Here's what I do know, though.

I'm watching the Today Show this morning... which is odd because I never do, I just happened to flip it on to make sure cable was set up for my mother-in-law, and they run this story about Iran and the current state of affairs -- and right in the middle of it I see footage that I found out later was from a parade in Tehran a year or two ago -- kind of like a May Day parade in the old USSR -- parading missiles and stuff, which is fine.

But on the side of the missile-bearing truck was a banner which said in plain English (and I presume in Farsi as well) "We will crush America under our feet."

So, the President of Iran, who is apparently a Mahdi adherent -- spends lots of time talking about a world without America, a world without Israel, and (have you read the article yet?) believes that chaos will bring the return of the Twelfth imam and the beginning of a new world Caliphate. And he's developing nuclear technology. For energy purposes, of course -- yes, one of the richest nations in oil needs nuclear energy.

Let's see, stated desire to crush the United States and Israel. Wants to create chaos. Brags about the ability to build a bomb (even though he isn't doing it, see), and sends a letter to President Bush inviting him (and us) to convert to Islam (update: I no longer think this argument pertains in the case of this letter -- still, I believe the basic argument my own post is making in general) ... something that is required in the Q'uran before attacking your enemies...

But diplomacy will turn him around. Just talk. Like we did with the Viet Cong.

Yep. I was right. ANSWER. Again.

ANSWER, "Act Now to Stop War and End Racism" -- was behind many of the large (illegal) immigrant ... um... rallies.

It looks like this groups modus operandi is to encourage dissent and stoke class warfare inside the United States whenever where ever possible... which is standard operating procedure for Communist/Socialist revolutions.

check out
http://www.answerla.org
http://www.actionsf.org
http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7637
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20060409221942885

or just do a google search on answer and immigrant protest

They don't love this country. They hate this country and everything it ever stood for.

No, no, no, no, no

Apparently Sen. Lamar Alexander has introduced some sort of resolution that says the national anthem should only be sung in English.

The national athem should, at public events, be sung in English, but no laws should be passed demanding it. The national anthem can, as far as I'm concerned, be sung in any language anyone wants to sing it in as long as the meaning of the lyrics is true to the original. Otherwise, it should not be called "the" or "a" national anthem, at least not for the United States of America.

I suppose if a "resolution" means a "non-binding statement" -- as it seems to with the U.N. ... well, as long as it only means "we think it should be sung in English" -- I'll go along with it. But no laws, please. The first amendment doesn't need to be stomped on to drive the point home.

To Anacreon in Heaven

In all fairness, it turns out the Star Spangled Banner itself used a tune borrowed from a British Music and Merriment club's song of the joys of women and wine, an ode to the Greek Poet Anacreon.

To which I say, "hear, hear!"

It does not change my stance on Nuestra Himna at all. While songs, especially in years past -- recycled melodies, the intent of The Star Spangled Banner was never meant as a substitute or to have any sort of equal footing to To Anacreon in Heaven or vice versa.

It's the intent and subjugation I object to.

A Nuclear Middle East

Very interesting article in the Washington Post about a New Strategy on Iran

With the Russians and Chinese seemingly determined to block sanctions, our efforts at the United Nations promise to evolve slowly while Iran presses ahead with its plans. If we stay on the same path, we will be left with two choices: accept the reality of Iran's nuclear weapons capability or take military action to set back its ambitions.

Either outcome could prove disastrous. If Iran succeeds, in all likelihood we will face a nuclear Middle East. The Saudis -- fearing an emboldened Iran determined to coerce others and to promote Shiite subversion in the Arabian Peninsula -- will seek their own nuclear capability, and probably already have a deal with Pakistan to provide it should Iran pose this kind of threat. And don't expect Egypt to be content with Saudi Arabia's being the only Arab country with a nuclear "deterrent."

Hmmm. A nuclear Middle East. Does detante work in Arab culture?

That somehow conjures images of missles flying hither and thither from one capital to another in a quest to dominate the region. Could be bad for the world in the short term. On the other hand, and this is purely for conjecture ...

• barren, oil-laden sand self-purged of its population
• The sane world's oil companies.
• Hazmat radiation suits.

Some assembly required.

Jose, Can You See?

Ok, so this morning I read at Cox & Forkum something about a Briton being behind "The Anthem that Enraged Bush". That wasn't Forkum's language, he was just quoting the article.

I heard Bush's comments last Friday. "Enraged" is quite a overstated spin. Bush emphatically said "I think the National Anthem ought to be sung in English". Enraged? No. Strongly disapprove? Yes. I agree. And so do most others. I'm personally thankful the man had the cajones to say it and not mince words.

Personally, I think you can sing it in whatever language you want as long as you are singing it. However, I do agree with the president that it ought to be sung in English -- our standard language.

Sure, "My Country 'Tis of Thee" is a re-write of "God Save the Queen". But it was a re-write for a new country in a time of revolution, not an "alternate" version meant to substitute ... unless revolution is what these folks have in mind. If that's the case, deportation is too good for them (but I'd settle for it). It was not meant to substitute in Britian for the Brittish national Anthem.

“My people keep fighting/ It’s time to break the chains.”

Yeah, what part of the Star Spangled Banner did that come from? "Your people"??? You know, our people are not Hispanic. Our people are English and French and Hispanic and Spanish and Portugese and German and Nigerian and Arab and Russian and Japanese and the list goes on and on, and they're all "WE" and "WE" are Americans. "Your people" my rear end! Not in our faces! Jimmy Hendrix didn't change the words or the meaning of the National Anthem.

So here we have a non-American behind such an "alternate" version of the American national anthem to be sung by non-Americans who are in America in violation of Federal law and are demanding the rights of American citizens. Here in America, not in their home countries.

So I went and read the article.

And I have to take issue with several of the smug lines I read.

Adam Kidron, 46, released Nuestro Himno — Our Anthem — on Friday as a gesture of support for Hispanic immigrants. He has outraged rightwingers [...]

Um, I don't think it's just "rightwingers" -- check out this thread.

Kidron [the Briton behind replacement anthem] said he was “disgusted” by America’s lack of generosity towards workers whose cheap labour is regarded by many as crucial to the US economy.

Employers who break labor laws by hiring illegal aliens are every bit as guilty as the aliens themselves. This argument that "America" (once again) is the cause of oppression of people who are here voluntarily and against the law is bogus. Some Americans encourage it. It doesn't make it right. And it doesn't make it America's fault.

“I suppose I had a faint idea that if you do something a bit different, someone always complains,” he said. “But it just seemed really cool to do something that was artful, emotional and, to some extent, patriotic.”

To what extent is it patriotic -- and patriotic to what country? It is a song of protest against this country.

Kidron said he was appalled by the argument that Hispanic immigrants should leave their past behind in order to become Americans. “Look at how many Americans parade their Irish roots on St Patrick’s Day,” he said. “And go down to Little Italy in New York. When you hear people speaking Italian in those restaurants, you think, oh good, it’s authentic, the food must be good.

What a twisted argument. Who has demanded that Hispanic immigrants leave their past behind in order to become Americans? [chirping crickets]. Nobody is opposed to celebrating Hispanic holidays, or people speaking spanish, or celebrating hispanic culture in any way, shape, or form. And frankly, yes, I like hearing spanish in Mexican restaurants as much as I like hearing Italian or French in Italian or French restaurants. Besides, when those Irish and Italians go down to the license beaurau, they read applications in English and fill them out in English. They don't demand that caution signs also have Gaelic and Italian translations. And most importantly... they and their ancestors came here legally!!!!

These people and their supporters (I suspect our enemies -- the socialists and anarchists are only too happy to encourage this) keep trying to change the argument from one of a crime against American law to some sort of unfair oppression being forced upon people who came here, once again, voluntarily and knowingly against Federal law.

What part of "illegal" do they not understand? Do we need to say it en Español? It's not that much different, amigos.

ilegal

“Yet it seems to be a qualification for Hispanic immigrants that they mustn’t carry the flag of the country they were born in and they mustn’t sing in their own language because it proves they are not assimilating.”

You mustn't carry your the flag of your country of origin when you're here illegally and marching at a protest rally that we're letting you do on our soil demanding rights from a country that you snuck into against the laws of that country. if you want us to take seriously the idea that you just wanna belong, especially if you're going to be singing revolutionary versions of our own anthem in our faces en Español!

But it is typical of Lefty freaks to help bleach out the context and make simpleton arguments of self-righteousness. Especially if it paints the country they hate in a bad light. So those groups will be trying to cast it as a dumb red-neck issue.

So, Jose, can you see that we're just a little fed up with tired charges of racism and oppression?