Politics

[John Wasmuth]

I'm sure the Hamas peace agreement will last about a day......maybe 2.

Think it’ll be that long? I’m thinking more like 12 hours…..

 

[Betterinthebush]

@Red Leg interesting, educational and informative historical breakdown. I appreciate the time you spent posting all that knowledge.

 

[steve white]

I hope it does not escape our attention that Islam is every bit as much a political movement as it is a religious one. Mohammed failed to gain many converts when he presented his new religion as only the competition of ideas. He only gained traction, loot, and power when he introduced the sword to "conversion."
If you are only thinking of competition of ideas, then you are in for a surprise. You will also be introduced to a strong measure of CONTROL.

 

[Red Leg]

has there been a response from the military about the speech? I suspect their job prohibits any public statements. I have seen various comments by retired officers. But I see the wisdom of the fact the forces swear an oath to the constitution and not the head of state. I think we are seeing the edge of the relationship with the elected branch being brought into sharp focus. Interesting times.

True. The ethos of the US military is to be strictly apolitical. It is why so many serving and retired officers were unhappy with Milley's seemingly unquestioning embrace of the Biden woke agenda and active disparagement of the Trump administration. It is also why not one of those general officers or Sergeants Major would utter a syllable or a laugh during either harangue at Quantico.

 

[Red Leg]

I hope it does not escape our attention that Islam is every bit as much a political movement as it is a religious one. Mohammed failed to gain many converts when he presented his new religion as only the competition of ideas. He only gained traction, loot, and power when he introduced the sword to "conversion."
If you are only thinking of competition of ideas, then you are in for a surprise. You will also be introduced to a strong measure of CONTROL.

Not limited to Islam. History is replete with examples of Christians, in the name of religion, subjugating other cultures. The bloody story pretty much begins with Charlamagne's subjugation of the then pagan Saxons, then the Teutonic Knights subjugating the Baltics, the siege of Jerusalem in 1099 and the massacre of its Muslim and Jewish inhabitants during the First Crusade, the atrocities committed by Spanish Conquistadores in the Americas, and the brutal wars of faith between protestant and catholic among Christians themselves. One has only to scratch the surface of Ireland to see those animosities remain only lightly papered over. All had a political component as well.

I will admit. largely due to the collapse of religious commitment in the West, that modern day religious fervor is more likely to be Islamic. But they are hardly alone in history.

 

[Russ16]

Not limited to Islam. History is replete with examples of Christians, in the name of religion, subjugating other cultures. The bloody story pretty much begins with Charlamagne's subjugation of the then pagan Saxons, then the Teutonic Knights subjugating the Baltics, the siege of Jerusalem in 1099 and the massacre of its Muslim and Jewish inhabitants during the First Crusade, the atrocities committed by Spanish Conquistadores in the Americas, and the brutal wars of faith between protestant and catholic among Christians themselves. One has only to scratch the surface of Ireland to see those animosities remain only lightly papered over. All had a political component as well.

I will admit. largely due to the collapse of religious commitment in the West, that modern day religious fervor is more likely to be Islamic. But they are hardly alone in history.

It has been said that religion has led to more wars and deaths than any other cause.

That’s probably true and few religions are exempt.

Often it is leaders is using the idea of religion to justify their actions or using it to manipulate their populace.

 

[steve white]

Not limited to Islam. History is replete with examples of Christians, in the name of religion, subjugating other cultures. The bloody story pretty much begins with Charlamagne's subjugation of the then pagan Saxons, then the Teutonic Knights subjugating the Baltics, the siege of Jerusalem in 1099 and the massacre of its Muslim and Jewish inhabitants during the First Crusade, the atrocities committed by Spanish Conquistadores in the Americas, and the brutal wars of faith between protestant and catholic among Christians themselves. One has only to scratch the surface of Ireland to see those animosities remain only lightly papered over. All had a political component as well.

I will admit. largely due to the collapse of religious commitment in the West, that modern day religious fervor is more likely to be Islamic. But they are hardly alone in history.

The Catholic inquisition, wedding of church and state was a mistake--I don't know how even they could deny it. But Christianity today is not spread by sword or control, and that is as it should be.
When a religion ceases to operate on the basis of free investigation of thought, it not only impedes free will/choice, but becomes a source of religious control and resultant violence/martyrdoms. Every jurisprudence which enforces a separation of church and state visited on the USA in the last decades is obliterated under Sharia. Is it not appropriate to ask; If no one is allowed to criticize Islam or the Koran or a prophet that marries 6 yr olds as an example of what the perfect man is encouraged to do, then does anyone even have the ability to investigate and make an informed choice. God knows everyone and his dog has tried to undermine the Bible--bring it, it still stands. If the Koran falls, don't uphold it by killing. Let that pot stand on its own bottom. If the emperor has no clothes, so be it.

No one bullied Islam as they established a beach head in the UK, but now they are going into gear to conquer, and bend the nation to their will. There is a plain lesson in front of our eyes. The same movement that pledged to "break all your crosses...and 'sell your sons on their slave markets" is coming contest your world view in the near future. Will we make the same mistakes?

At the end of the day, the West operates under a Christian world view. We should not be ashamed to defend it, especially against those who wish to wreck it. If they want to live under Sharia--let them go home! As of now, I see NOTHING that resembles a golden age in the house of Islam.

 

[fourfive8]

Northern Manitoba caribou hunt
View attachment 717376

The Catholic inquisition, wedding of church and state was a mistake--I don't know how even they could deny it. But Christianity today is not spread by sword or control, and that is as it should be.
When a religion ceases to operate on the basis of free investigation of thought, it not only impedes free will/choice, but becomes a source of religious control and resultant violence/martyrdoms. Every jurisprudence which enforces a separation of church and state visited on the USA in the last decades is obliterated under Sharia. Is it not appropriate to ask; If no one is allowed to criticize Islam or the Koran or a prophet that marries 6 yr olds as an example of what the perfect man is encouraged to do, then does anyone even have the ability to investigate and make an informed choice. God knows everyone and his dog has tried to undermine the Bible--bring it, it still stands. If the Koran falls, don't uphold it by killing. Let that pot stand on its own bottom. If the emperor has no clothes, so be it.

No one bullied Islam as they established a beach head in the UK, but now they are going into gear to conquer, and bend the nation to their will. There is a plain lesson in front of our eyes. The same movement that pledged to "break all your crosses...and 'sell your sons on their slave markets" is coming contest your world view in the near future. Will we make the same mistakes?

At the end of the day, the West operates under a Christian world view. We should not be ashamed to defend it, especially against those who wish to wreck it. If they want to live under Sharia--let them go home! As of now, I see NOTHING that resembles a golden age in the house of Islam.

Agreed. I too do not buy into the “both sides” debate technique which seems to be so trendy these days.

 

[Red Leg]

The Catholic inquisition, wedding of church and state was a mistake--I don't know how even they could deny it. But Christianity today is not spread by sword or control, and that is as it should be.
When a religion ceases to operate on the basis of free investigation of thought, it not only impedes free will/choice, but becomes a source of religious control and resultant violence/martyrdoms. Every jurisprudence which enforces a separation of church and state visited on the USA in the last decades is obliterated under Sharia. Is it not appropriate to ask; If no one is allowed to criticize Islam or the Koran or a prophet that marries 6 yr olds as an example of what the perfect man is encouraged to do, then does anyone even have the ability to investigate and make an informed choice. God knows everyone and his dog has tried to undermine the Bible--bring it, it still stands. If the Koran falls, don't uphold it by killing. Let that pot stand on its own bottom. If the emperor has no clothes, so be it.

No one bullied Islam as they established a beach head in the UK, but now they are going into gear to conquer, and bend the nation to their will. There is a plain lesson in front of our eyes. The same movement that pledged to "break all your crosses...and 'sell your sons on their slave markets" is coming contest your world view in the near future. Will we make the same mistakes?

At the end of the day, the West operates under a Christian world view. We should not be ashamed to defend it, especially against those who wish to wreck it. If they want to live under Sharia--let them go home! As of now, I see NOTHING that resembles a golden age in the house of Islam.

In large measure I agree with you. The more militant elements of Islam such as ISIS and Al Qaeda have proven themselves to be savages. The poorly educated and destitute classes that make up a large portion of Muslim refugees being welcomed in the West, have zero concept of the tolerance of Islam at its height in the early Middle Ages. They are the worst possible choice for integration into post enlightenment western societies as one could find anywhere on the planet. That is currently being played out daily in places like Manchester, Paris, and Dearborn. What is frustrating is how the uninformed liberal elites in the West somehow anticipate otherwise. You would think they could figure this out. After all, they would be instantly critical of a high school drop out from Montgomery trying to make a home in Sanaa or Tabriz.

None of which changes the actual history of the two cultures.

 

[Red Leg]

Another of these short clips that can offer far broader conclusions. This is what the result looks like of an unsupported infantry attack against a prepared position. Judging by the lack of depth of the attempted penetration, it is unlikely Ukrainian forces suffered many casualties at all. This has been going on all summer until very recently as the latest Russian offensive effort collapsed.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/1nya8p5/countless_russian_corpses_piling_up_in_the

 

[Pheroze]

The strategy of liberals over the last decade looks like a playbook. It’s common wisdom that new immigrants tend to vote liberal. Liberals in Canada at least are seen as more likely to have policies that allow for family units to immigrate. And I am trying to keep my tinfoil hat in its container here. But the immigration system was largely based on merit or wealth until around 2015 or so. Then immigration was expanded and Canada, France,USA etc like a common plan. The governments allowed in a larger volume of immigrants through student visas, refugees and more relaxed immigration thresholds. Basically the strategy is to import votes. This changed the social class immigrating.

This plan has created a problem with affordability as real estate prices went up. In Canada a lot of the economic benefit from new immigration artificially floated the economy. Now the problem is affordability. A greater strain on resources because of the poorly planned influx. And a cultural shift to more orthodoxy within the communities. The liberal elite are now seeing the problem as it is eroding their grip on power. So we see a shift in these same groups to restrict immigration. I think it’s elitism at its finest because they use hopeful and vulnerable people to further their ambitions. The local population then turn on immigrants, who really just want a better place for their families. It’s sad really.

 

[Pheroze]

Another of these short clips that can offer far broader conclusions. This is what the result looks like of an unsupported infantry attack against a prepared position. Judging by the lack of depth of the attempted penetration, it is unlikely Ukrainian forces suffered many casualties at all. This has been going on all summer until very recently as the latest Russian offensive effort collapsed.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/1nya8p5/countless_russian_corpses_piling_up_in_the

The stench must be unbelievable. What a revolting situation

 

[Pheroze]

I follow the DA and I note they are turning traditionally ANC ridings. I don’t understand the electoral structure in South Africa, but there does seem to be a shift happening since the last election. Is there a noticeable shift in politics to those who live there?

 

[roverandbrew]

U.S military smokes another drug trafficking boat near Venezuela.

We have been interdicting maritime vessels and aircraft continuously since the 1980s. We just never posted it for the public to see. Interesting it is of interest now to everyone.

 

[CJW]

Moving forward many hundreds of years in America no less...

4⅝

The useful idiots in these videos live up to their name being too stupid to figure out why they don't live in or even near their ancestral homes. They play the, "well someone else is more successful and evolved than us so we must be victims" card. The cause couldn't possibly be every 7th century belief they hold onto. They're essentially Californians. Hate where they came from but bring all of their problems with them to ruin the next place. Absolutely no self awareness in their brainwashed, tribalistic minds. Me, me, me, submit to allah and the prophet, paradise.


Meanwhile the modern Christian west has evolved and built thriving, advanced, secular societies where everyone is welcome and has accomplished things like effectively ending slavery worldwide and going to the moon.

 

[CJW]

Hitchens warning about what is currently happening in the UK.

 

[Brent in Az]

We have been interdicting maritime vessels and aircraft continuously since the 1980s. We just never posted it for the public to see. Interesting it is of interest now to everyone.

And?

At least now, we get get the satisfaction of seeing it.

 

[CJW]

Douglas Murray spot on as usual.

 

[WAB]

First of all, let me say that I do not claim to be an expert on comparative religion. But I am a product of the Walsh School of Contemporary Arab Studies and the Foreign Service Institute. I also spent most of my career in and around the Middle East. I'll offer a few thoughts.

A major "problem" with Islam is that while it has schisms, it has never gone through a reformation. Christianity went through a fairly violent one over a couple of hundred years as political, national, and cultural groups fueled sides. Judaism experienced a very quiet one.

To be a "good Christian," a believer has numerous options. He or she can choose the comfort of the rituals of Catholicism or the Episcopal church; or opt for the strict social conventions and guidance of the Southern Baptists; or perhaps the intellectual approach to God of the Presbyterians; and the emotional release of Evangelicalism. While these groups may disagree among themselves as to the "correct" way to properly worship God and lead a righteous life, there are no shortage of fellow believers to offer a community of shared belief among any of these.

Judaism is divided among orthodox and reform communities. Those more comfortable in the cultural traditions of the Jewish faith have orthodox synagogues and communities to support those traditional practices, while reform synagogues offer a far more liberal approach to worship and cultural requirements. While both can, and too often do, disagree vehemently with the practices of the other, the individual, like a Christian, has a number of options where he or she can find a community of like believers to be a "good Jew."

Islam has never had such a social transformation. To put it simply, one is either a "good" or "bad" Muslim. One either adheres to the strict cultural requirements around diet, prayer, fasting etc or one doesn't. Culturally, over the last century strict adherence to the requirements of Islam was often governed by economic and social standing. This is a generalization, but the better educated, traveled, and compensated one was, the less one was likely to strictly adhere to religious requirements. It is why many of us here have "normal" or Western interaction with many Muslims in this country or in Europe.

But there lies a two-fold trap.

First, are the options available to the sons and daughters of worldly families who suddenly decide to become "good" Muslims. Unlike, a rebellious child in a Western agnostic home who has numerous Christian religious options at hand, the Muslim youth is all too often left with only the radical choices that he or she finds on the internet. There have been numerous incidents of self-radicalization in West over the decades that led to violence and death. These individuals remain invisible and unidentifiable potential sleeper agents of terror.

Secondly, because of the impact of class, poorer and less well educated Muslims tends to be far more strict in their adherence to the strictures of Islam and their particular Islamic culture. Regrettably, with respect to the West, the migration of immigrants in recent decades has primarily come from these classes. Not only do these groups too often grimly hold onto traditions we in the West find appalling such honor killings and child brides, but they are also the groups most offended by western traditions and cultural norms. It is only surprising incidents like the horrific Yom Kippur attack in Manchester aren't more common.

Finally, Islam itself is confused with respect to its relationship with Christianity and Judaism. On the one hand all three great monotheistic religions embrace belief in the same God. Cultural norms between Orthodox Jews and Muslims are very similar and both worship what is essentially a common history as found in the Old Testament and Koran. At the same time Islam also embraces many of the traditions of the New Testament. Though Islam does not view Jesus as God or son of God, Islam does proclaim him the next greatest prophet after Mohammed. In Islam, salvation is open to Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike because all three communities are "People of the Book."

Yet, at the same time, there is still a powerful sense of "Jihad" - the desire to spread the new religion. This has both a purely religious context and a social one. Islam has the concept of "Dar el Islam" and "Dar el Harb." This loosely translates as the House or World of Islam, where Muslims are protected by their religion as expressed in Sharia Law, or the House or World of War where Muslims are not protected and Sharia Law is not yet enforced. This sets something of a precedent for behaviors, even resistance, to what Westerners would consider political, social, and governance norms.

Back to our second point these conflicts are most easily stirred among those less well educated classes - the very ones currently being embraced by the West. The chances of true assimilation seem very small to me.

I would add that the different Christian denominations find common ground in the core tenets of their faith. I am Presbyterian but have good friends who are Baptist, Anglican, Catholic and Pentecostal. We differ on second and third tier theological issues, but can agree on the core tenets of our faith. I don’t see the same continuity amongst the adherents of Islam. They appear to be very much ‘my way or the highway’, or perhaps somewhat worse.

 

[Brent in Az]

Pro Bass fishing has really gone downhill over the years. Many reasons behind that.

This guy was just indicted on 3 counts of manslaughter for this accident that happened back in April.