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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Earth
Posts: 5,678
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Life After Iraq -- With Certain Lessons in Mind
This has to do with the rancor over at the Surge Report thread, let's look at the future for a moment, instead.
What the world had in Saddam was order -- order by rape room and plastic shredder -- but it was order all the same. For one reason or another -- and that means variations of a complete misreading of Iraq -- the invasion has opened up a serious Pandora's box. It seems to me that the ME is full of several Iraqs, (or even Gazas?) just waiting for their genies to be let out by "bad" foreign policy. Take Pakistan and Egypt. Both are run by strongmen, (read: clever thugs) and IIRC, both are attempting to stifle some seriously fundamentalist Muslim interests that would control the country, if democracy were allowed to run its course. What we should do in terms of continuing to prop up those regimes, and what would be the consequences of continuing/not continuing to support [specifically] these two regimes?
In our desire to impose form on the world and our lives we have lost the capacity to see the form that is there;
and in that lies not liberation but alienation, the cutting off from things as they really are. -- Colin Gunton Last edited by dmz; 09-08-2007 at 11:49 PM.. |
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: In rehab for sex addiction
Posts: 9,481
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I've got an idea: How about we neither prop them up nor overthrown them!
An Islamic state need not conflict with the US or world interests. Turkey is a good example. The problems seem to start when we (the US) props them up and/or overthrows them. |
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 473
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Saddam Hussein and his regime represented modernity, secularism and evilness in Iraq. The genocide against the kurds during the Iraq-Iran-war was symptomatic.
Iran supported the kurds in Northern Iraq in an attempt to destabilise Iraq, the kurds used that support to build up insurgent-groups that fought against the Baath-regime. The regime reacted with a genocide, destroying villages, emprisoning the populations in concentration camps and massexecuting the male-part between 15 and 70 years old, of course after being tortured to reveal any possible information about Iran and the kurdish insurgency. All the while, the US was a key-ally to Iraq and taking it off of the list of states supporting terrorism in order to be able to better prop it up with weapons and technology, espescially WMD's, like chemical and biological agents. When Iran then occupied a kurdish town, Iraq used chemical bombs against the town. After this indiscrimate attack on civilians, the US tried their best to make the case that Iran were responsible for the chemical gas-attack, and changed that argument only reluctantly, under the pressure of massive proof to the contrary, in 1999. The reason for the reluctance was that the US was a complice in the attack, having helped to build up Iraq's chemical weapon-programme. I'm happy that the amoral baath-regime and saddam hussein are gone and history, but their big supporter the US-regime is unfortunately still existing. That the US-regime has disposed the Baath-regime is not something to thank the US for, because it was the US that installed the Baath-regime and built it up, and only turned against it when the interests of itself and Israel came in danger. All this evilness installed and propped up, only in order to suppress communism and islamism. Nightcrawler
I disagree, and could prove you're wrong; care to offer any proof that you're not wrong?
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#4 | |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Village
Posts: 7,528
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Quote:
plastic shredder propaganda conclusively debunked ***cough***
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#5 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Earth
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Quote:
Now answer the darn question!
In our desire to impose form on the world and our lives we have lost the capacity to see the form that is there;
and in that lies not liberation but alienation, the cutting off from things as they really are. -- Colin Gunton Last edited by dmz; 09-09-2007 at 12:25 PM.. |
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#6 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Earth
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Quote:
I guess I'm asking if either one of those two assumptions are faulty -- but if they're not, what would it mean of the MB to be running Egypt?
In our desire to impose form on the world and our lives we have lost the capacity to see the form that is there;
and in that lies not liberation but alienation, the cutting off from things as they really are. -- Colin Gunton |
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#7 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Earth
Posts: 5,678
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Quote:
In our desire to impose form on the world and our lives we have lost the capacity to see the form that is there;
and in that lies not liberation but alienation, the cutting off from things as they really are. -- Colin Gunton |
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#8 |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Village
Posts: 7,528
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Why is it a bad thing?
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
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That's what I'm implicitly asking -- to point out if that's a false path.
I'm assuming that if a fundamentalist group takes control, that we would have Afghanistan lite -- another country with modesty police and a willingness to export terror, or some variation on that theme.
In our desire to impose form on the world and our lives we have lost the capacity to see the form that is there;
and in that lies not liberation but alienation, the cutting off from things as they really are. -- Colin Gunton |
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#10 | |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Village
Posts: 7,528
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Quote:
Really all nations are the same here - what we are really discussing is the 'flavour' of the ruling group. Examples: Many US and UK people state that they are prepared to 'give up their freedoms' in return for what they imagine to be protection from their rulers. This exactly the same as in an Islamist state with the only difference being that the freedoms are being exchanged for a perceived protection on the spiritual rather than material level (ie wear a burkha be protected from hell etc). So it is exactly the same - the debate is merely about who tells you to give up which freedoms. Which is why when Hamas were democratically elected (and Ahmedinejad) then the process of democracy is not respected by the west. Or, conversely if you prefer, why when anti-democratic Nazis like the Sauds and Musharaf oppress their people it is ok. As I say, it's all about the flavour not the principle.
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#11 |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
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@DMZ: one more thing:
As long as such choices ARE really choices (unlike Saudi and Pakistan say) then I think it is ok. What is wrong is over-riding the will of the people. For example; personally I have a lot of criticism for the West and Western Society in general but as it is clearly the will of the shee...err...people then one has to accept that is how things are. BUT that does not mean that it should be introduced somewhere it does not exist and I think many Islamist groups are 100% right to oppose western interference in their countries and affairs. They are also 100% wrong to try to impose their values on the west by the same token.
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#12 | ||
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Banned
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Alliston Ont. Canada
Posts: 1,483
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Quote:
Very dishonest of you dmz Quote:
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#13 | |||||
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Banned
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Alliston Ont. Canada
Posts: 1,483
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Quote:
I can't see these bumbling boneheads doing anything positive in the region to gain trust from the populace. http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=594 Quote:
Quote:
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These people aren't stupid, Quote:
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#14 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Earth
Posts: 5,678
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Quote:
One thing should be clear: in the ME, and SE Asia, with a few exceptions, the people will elect a blend of democracy-autocracy, wholly informed by Muslim theocratic principles, if allowed to. The question is still whether the West should "allow" that to happen, and what would the world look like if it did? (and yes, that assumes we have the right, bla, bla, bla.)
In our desire to impose form on the world and our lives we have lost the capacity to see the form that is there;
and in that lies not liberation but alienation, the cutting off from things as they really are. -- Colin Gunton |
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#15 | |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Village
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Quote:
What do you think?
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#16 | |
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Banned
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Alliston Ont. Canada
Posts: 1,483
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Quote:
Imposing your ideals, "Enlightened" as you believe them to be, on a culture that has it's own ideals. Allow it to happen, arrogance yet again, will you never learn that respect demands more than threats, payola and our way is the right way. There are other ways to "impose" your will, the crowd "running things" now, haven't got a clue other than force. |
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#17 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Earth
Posts: 5,678
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Quote:
I'm going to have to go Ron Paul on that one. It's probably none of our business (unless they attack us directly.) I can see Dububbubba's point in trying to have his wedge and eat it too, in Iraq -- but they've misread the Muslim ethos so badly, they literally don't know how to deal with it once they have it in hand. With the statist mindset, too, prying them loose from the impulse to preemptively solve the world's problems might be a little tough. With Egypt and Pakistan, it may be time to let it go, and literally hope to God there is there's a reward for acting on principle.
In our desire to impose form on the world and our lives we have lost the capacity to see the form that is there;
and in that lies not liberation but alienation, the cutting off from things as they really are. -- Colin Gunton |
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#18 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Beverly Hills
Posts: 711
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This thread by DMZ is truly amazing. It is the first post I've ever read from him that seems to have sincere, kind intentions. He is really saying "This is a bad situation, what can be done?" It isn't one of those "If fat people just chose moderation and came over to God's grace they wouldn't be outcasts." threads. It isn't one of those threads where he does something selfish, like sending other people off to war, and then stonewalls when anyone asks him if he notices the downsides of the whole thing. It isn't veiled bigotry, like when he once condemned "abortioninsts, drug users, and homosexuals", carefully forgetting that the third once is not an actual choice. And it isn't one of those "We should teach abstinence in schools even though 95% of people have always had premarital sex and teaching abstinence has no chance of making anything better."
Really amazing. I was wondering where the catch was going to be when I was reading it, but it was actually fairly nice. |
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#19 |
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth
Posts: 4,647
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The first thing that would benefit the entire world would IMHO be for Sean Hannity and those like him to stop their echo chamber rhetoric of "evil doers" "islamofascists" etc. etc. etc. in their spirited rush to find any reason like a bad itch to start war with Iran for example. I would also hope that Rudy Giuliani tone down his rhetoric of the "T" word in regard to 9/11 as he is so good at. The "T" this, the "T" that T T T T T T and the T want to do this to us and that to us and on 9/11 the T....yada yada yada. With 9/11/2007 just around the corner and Rudy running for president I will be paying attention to see if the man has any self control or if the rhetoric will only get louder and more pronounced.
The United States in my view needs to stop playing World and should manage itself at home first. This could mean less work for defense contractors but I think we need to reflect on what matters in life not how much money can be kicked back to politicians and how many votes can be bought when certain defense business is floated with tax payer funded contracts related to war activity. Ron Paul has the best take on this in my view with the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGyk4TbEiaI and: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HD9n...5Fdebate%2Ehtm Fellows
May the peace of the Lord be with you always
Share your smile, Have respect for others, and be loving to all peoples Paul in Athens: Acts 17 : 16-34 |
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#20 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,043
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Um...Turkey is a secular state that is muslim. Not a muslim state. There is cause to think that Turkish Army may intervene if the muslim president does anything too religious.
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#21 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: In rehab for sex addiction
Posts: 9,481
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Um... That is exactly the point. The ruling party is an "Islamist" party that stands for secularism and democracy.
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#22 | |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Village
Posts: 7,528
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Quote:
That is not to say there are no Islamist elements but for various reasons they have not taken root as they have elsewhere in the region.
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#23 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,043
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Quote:
Having Egypt go the way of Iran likely means yet another war with Israel. Having Pakistan go the way of Iran likely means a nuclear war with Israel. I don't have that big an issue with Iran getting the bomb per se. I DO have a big issue with the IRG getting the bomb. Those guys would lob a bomb at Tel Aviv because they could. And given the IRG controls Iran's missile forces... |
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#24 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,043
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Quote:
Jordan and Morocco are constitutional monarchies not religious states and both are considered secular. Equating secular governments like Turkey with a muslim population with a muslim states is disingenuous. For example Turkey is not governed under Sharia law. Iran is. |
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#25 | |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Village
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Quote:
But if you like let's look at it from the opposite view; you cannot get more shariah than Saudi - far more than Iran for example which tolerates many other religions (Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians) which are all banned in Saudi - and they are #1 ally and Bush even occasionally praises the way their society is. So, what's the problem? At worst there would be a new country to build airbases in to bomb other people.
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#26 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,195
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Get US out of the ME!
All I can do is post some links;
History of the Middle East Petroleum politics Partitioning of the Ottoman Empire History of the State of Israel 1973 oil crisis 1979 energy crisis Gulf War Oil price increase of 1990 Iraq War Oil price increases of 2004-2006 World Nominal Oil Price Chronology: 1970-2007 ![]() I "guess" you could say that ... the ME has US "over a barrel?" ![]() |
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#27 | |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Village
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Yes, they have your sig on them too:
Quote:
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#28 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,195
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???
Please google;
"This article has been tagged since November 2006." site:wikipedia.org Or be more explicit in your reply! Because I have NO idea what you're talking about. ![]() Last edited by franksargent; 09-10-2007 at 11:48 AM.. |
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#29 | ||
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Banned
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,195
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Quote:
Oil Fields as Military Objectives: A Feasibility Study, Report Prepared by the Congressional Research Service, 94th Cong., 1st sess., August 21, 1975 Quote:
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#30 | |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
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Quote:
I merely found it amusing that you as someone who never cites sources or references their frequently outlandish allegations, would in trying to remedy this cite an article which is labeled as desperately needing references and citations.... Seemed amusing that's all....
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#31 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 5,766
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Quote:
I'm no square but isn't that counter-indicated by my operations manual?
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#32 | |
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The New Number 2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: The Village
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Quote:
The IRG are under the direct control of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ahmedinejad has no power over them. It is Khamenei who would issue orders for 'lobbing bombs at Tel Aviv' if indeed, such bombs were to be lobbed. Luckily - unluckily for wingers and their fatuous arguments - Ayatollah Khamenei is the same man who issued a fatwa banning the production of nuclear arms and stating that a nuclear weapon is un-Islamic and haram. Of course we all know that all ragheads are liars intent on wiping Israel off the map so this probably means he has one fired up and ready to go.....
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#33 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,043
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Quote:
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#34 | |||
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,043
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
So there's a real fatwa against nukes that is accepted by other marjas مرجع? But oddly the legislature that he nominally controls didn't pass a bill saying the same thing and and there are still folks that say there are no religious restriction on having nukes? Sounds like maybe not. And of course the prohibition against music, repression of women, axing reformist political parties from the elections and rejecting Khatami election promise for a Sunni mosque in Tehran is still on the books. Yeah. I have a dislike for clerics controlling a state outside a tiny city-state like the Vatican. I wouldn't trust the Pope with nukes either and these days the Catholic church is pretty benign. |
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#35 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,195
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Quote:
Think big picture, OK? I'm talking about the West's (particularly GB and the US) meddling in the ME for the past century! That was my main point, something you apparently couldn't see if it hit you in the head! Get it yet?And please address with specificity this part of your reply - " ... you as someone who never cites sources or references their frequently outlandish allegations ... " since I think I post more links per post than anyone else around here, when I'm not being sardonic, that is! ![]() Some people are just bound to be a little slow I suppose. ![]() BTW, I'm very busy these days, so if I didn't do my usual fact checking, well EXCUSE ME! ![]() |
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#36 | |
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Banned
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,195
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Quote:
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#38 | |
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Banned
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,195
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Quote:
![]() Unless you can supply links to support your rhetoric too. |
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#39 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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#40 |
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Banned
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