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TechnoratiWhat's the Difference Between Palin and Muslim Fundamentalists? Lipstick
A theocrat is a theocrat, whether Muslim or Christian.
John McCain announced that he was running for president to confront the "transcendent challenge" of the 21st century, "radical Islamic extremism," contrasting it with "stability, tolerance and democracy." But the values of his handpicked running mate, Sarah Palin, more resemble those of Muslim fundamentalists than they do those of the Founding Fathers. On censorship, the teaching of creationism in schools, reproductive rights, attributing government policy to God's will and climate change, Palin agrees with Hamas and Saudi Arabia rather than supporting tolerance and democratic precepts. What is the difference between Palin and a Muslim fundamentalist? Lipstick.
McCain pledged to work for peace based on "the transformative ideals on which we were founded." Tolerance and democracy require freedom of speech and the press, but while mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Palin inquired of the local librarian how to go about banning books that some of her constituents thought contained inappropriate language. She tried to fire the librarian for defying her. Book banning is common to fundamentalisms around the world, and the mind-set Palin displayed did not differ from that of the Hamas minister of education in the Palestinian government who banned a book of Palestinian folk tales for its sexually explicit language. In contrast, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it."
Palin argued when running for governor that creationism should be taught in public schools, at taxpayers' expense, alongside real science. Antipathy to Darwin for providing an alternative to the creation stories of the Bible and the Quran has also become a feature of Muslim fundamentalism. Saudi Arabia prohibits the study, even in universities, of evolution, Freud and Marx. Malaysia has banned a translation of "The Origin of the Species." Likewise, fundamentalists in Turkey have pressured the government to teach creationism in the public schools. McCain has praised Turkey as an anchor of democracy in the region, but Turkey's secular traditions are under severe pressure from fundamentalists in that country. McCain does them no favors by choosing a running mate who wishes to destroy the First Amendment's establishment clause, which forbids the state to give official support to any particular theology. Turkish religious activists would thereby be enabled to cite an American precedent for their own quest to put religion back at the center of Ankara's public and foreign policies.
The GOP vice-presidential pick holds that abortion should be illegal, even in cases of rape, incest or severe birth defects, making an exception only if the life of the mother is in danger. She calls abortion an "atrocity" and pledges to reshape the judiciary to fight it. Ironically, Palin's views on the matter are to the right of those in the Muslim country of Tunisia, which allows abortion in the first trimester for a wide range of reasons. Classical Muslim jurisprudents differed among one another on the issue of abortion, but many permitted it before the "quickening" of the fetus, i.e. until the end of the fourth month. Contemporary Muslim fundamentalists, however, generally oppose abortion.
Palin's stance is even stricter than that of the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2005, the legislature in Tehran attempted to amend the country's antiabortion statute to permit an abortion up to four months in case of a birth defect. The conservative clerical Guardianship Council, which functions as a sort of theocratic senate, however, rejected the change. Iran's law on abortion is therefore virtually identical to the one that Palin would like to see imposed on American women, and the rationale in both cases is the same, a literalist religious impulse that resists any compromise with the realities of biology and of women's lives. Saudi Arabia's restrictive law on abortion likewise disallows it in the case or rape or incest, or of fetal impairment, which is also Gov. Palin's position.
Theocrats confuse God's will with their own mortal policies. Just as Muslim fundamentalists believe that God has given them the vast oil and gas resources in their regions, so Palin asks church workers in Alaska to pray for a $30 billion pipeline in the state because "God's will has to get done." Likewise, Palin maintained that her task as governor would be impeded "if the people of Alaska's heart isn't right with God." Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of Iran expresses much the same sentiment when he says "the only way to attain prosperity and progress is to rely on Islam."
Not only does Palin not believe global warming is "man-made," she favors massive new drilling to spew more carbon into the atmosphere. Both as a fatalist who has surrendered to God's inscrutable will and as a politician from an oil-rich region, she thereby echoes Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has been found to have exercised inappropriate influence in watering down a report in 2007 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Neither Christians nor Muslims necessarily share the beliefs detailed above. Many believers in both traditions uphold freedom of speech and the press. Indeed, in a recent poll, over 90 percent of Egyptians and Iranians said that they would build freedom of expression into any constitution they designed. Many believers find ways of reconciling the scientific theory of evolution with faith in God, not finding it necessary to believe that the world was created suddenly only 6,000 ago. Some medieval Muslim thinkers asserted that the world had existed from eternity, and others spoke of cycles of hundreds of thousands or millions of years. Mystical Muslim poets spoke of humankind traversing the stages of mineral, plant and animal. Modern Islamic fundamentalists have attempted to narrow this great, diverse tradition.
The classical Islamic legal tradition generally permitted, while frowning on, contraception and abortion, and complete opposition to them is mostly a feature of modern fundamentalist thinking. Many believers in both Islam and Christianity would see it as hubris to tie God to specific government policies or to a particular political party. As for global warming, green theology, in which Christians and Muslims appeal to Scripture in fighting global warming, is an increasing tendency in both traditions.
Palin has a right to her religious beliefs, as do fundamentalist Muslims who agree with her on so many issues of social policy. None of them has a right, however, to impose their beliefs on others by capturing and deploying the executive power of the state. The most noxious belief that Palin shares with Muslim fundamentalists is her conviction that faith is not a private affair of individuals but rather a moral imperative that believers should import into statecraft wherever they have the opportunity to do so. That is the point of her pledge to shape the judiciary. Such a theocratic impulse is incompatible with the Founding Fathers' commitment to tolerance and democracy, which is why they forbade the government to "establish" or officially support any particular religion or denomination.
McCain once excoriated the Rev. Jerry Falwell and his ilk as "agents of intolerance." That he took such a position gave his opposition to similar intolerance in Islam credibility. In light of his more recent disgraceful kowtowing to the Christian right, McCain's animus against fundamentalist Muslims no longer looks consistent. It looks bigoted and invidious. You can't say you are waging a war on religious extremism if you are trying to put a religious extremist a heartbeat away from the presidency.
176 Comments so far
Show AllSince this is a code word lipstick article, I must say that I don't think Obama got the issue at all when he said you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.
He could have gotten to the point and asked how do republicans change pigs? Lipstick.
Palin is the "Same" as Islamo-fascists?
Hmmm, how many infidels has she beheaded?
Which Islamofascist religious leader has she threatened to murder, like the Muslims threatened the pope?
When did she instigate riots over Maplethorpe's "Piss Christ" exhibit, and how many died in them?
How many female genitals has she mutilated?
Just wondering, they are the same, aren't they?
She has indicated that torture is a better way to deal with her version of infidels.
She doesn't indicate she will have mercy on any Islamofascist religious leader when she uses war as a first option because diplomacy seems to be out of the picture.
She has tried to instigate riots over books and bad-ex's. Forget about anything else.
She doesn't believe a woman has the right to choose, and if you don't think birth mutilates a woman genitals, you need to watch one. Rape can mutilate a womans genitals too, as well as her ovaries, womb, etc.
So any way, you have any other questions?
I am interested in the "riots" over the books. Are you including the four Harry Potter books that she wanted banned before they were even written?
What!?
Okay you're right she hasn't done that but do you think McCain/Palin is a good ticket?
SNOW WOLF: Short allegory/true story: a friend of mine is of German background and his father fought in WW II as a nazi, probably against (at least symbolically) my own father. His father came to America and became an alcoholic. And who do you suppose rescued him from the moral ditch he'd fallen into but a gracious-hearted Jewish woman.
I mention this because you are so sure America is the one true land, that these artificial boundaries devised by nations justify the hatred bred among their differing peoples. I predict for you that as America goes through a long and painful transition into what is next, for She has abused the GRACE God shed on "thee," that YOU will find yourself befriended by the least likely individual, someone who does not reflect your race, ethnicity or religion. And in this "congress" you will realize the futility of the pompous, narrow-minded beliefs you coveted for too many years of your present existence.
Enlightenment (in other words) happens!
well I think you're putting words in my mouth...but hey...I'll be looking forward to that redemption....
I don't think America is infallible...we have warts and all
but compared to just about everywhere else (and I've been around the world)
we are much better off here...but because we have incredible freedoms here there will always be an internal struggle (like on these pages) but that is really healthy for a Democracy...I think because its an election year they are particularly sharp right now
but hey...I think even you would admit the attacks on Sarah Palin have been a train wreck for the Democratic Party
Well said Siouxrose!
Palin is NOT a feminist; that is an insult to feminism. She is a rank breath of stale right wing air spun to be "new, maerick and different".
Religious fanaticism breeds intolerance and injustice...we don't need more of that.
I am a woman but won't just vote for ANY WOMAN, I want someone global who can embrace the diversity of this country and the world...not just those who agree with her.I want a woman who excepts different ideas and who would never consider silencing the voices of others (see Banning Books).She does not speak for me and the women I know and she is certainly not what we've been "waiting for".
If I didn't have to live here and endure 4-8 years of HELL I''d agree that "WE DESERVE HER"!
Right on Rockerbabe1!
Sarah Pallin brought irrelevant, polarizing national political issues to tiny Wasilla, Alaska like the USA brought empire to Iraq. Neither wanted it nor needed it. This feauture of hers is most enthusiastically embraced by the criminal enterprise in Washington. It's the imperial agenda in the most abstract... Starbuckz & McDonnald where they are not wanted worldwide. Bring the Inuit what they don't need - dependence on white man. Bring the people more fossil fuel- what they don't need. This is what capitalists do best.
FREDERICK JOHNSON: When you ask "who cares about the candidate's religious affiliation" that would be a viable question, were the entire orientation of a Christian theocracy not making headroads over ALL aspects of AMerican life. There IS no separation from the authoritarian mindset, now politically empowered, and the decisions that impact our economy, free access to media diverse views, priorities around guns versus butter, etc. Don't be so naive!
IEB: Good responses.
EPHRAIM: Right on!
I have a whole HELL of a lot more respect for somebody who actually uses their moral compass when making decisions than some milquetoast wimp like John Kerry who says...well I personally oppose abortion...but here...let me vote for it...
If you can't stand up like a Man and vote what you believe then you're nothing
if you don't like Sarah Palin...Don't Vote for her but don't belittle her because she actually stands for what she believes...that used to be an admirable trait...still is with me
and this isn't an endorsement for or against Abortion...its simply an example of one issue...and since I don't recall President Kerry's Administration I would guess more people think as I do then don't
You're not scared of Sarah Palin....you're terrified. She's a breath of cool, fresh Alaskan air.
Don't hate or insult those with opposing viewpoints. No one learns from either when you do.
Exactly why are feminists attacking her anyway? She's married to a stay at home father, she is the bread winner, she has power, lots of it....etc.
Everything you've craved for decades.
Don't be nasty....be open-minded. We all may learn something.
We'll learn what we already know - conservative republicans with a religious bent are incapable of governing.
Actually no one is scared of Sarah Palin. She is a pawn and a willing participant in a game the right-wing is playing to achieve their personal agenda. They use semantics and the re-definition of terms and catch words that tap into archetypal stories that trigger personal experiences in the voting public. The result is an emotional response whether or not the trigger is a valid one. The result can be likened to beating a horse repeatedly. If you associate that beating with "warmth" and "safety" and "patriotism" through the deceit of a false definition, that horse will continue to allow itself to be beaten pure and simple.
Many people would vote for the devil himself if the right triggers were applied to the issues.
The real tragedy is that the right-wing is USING and ABUSING the american people through playing this game with rules that, so far, they've written and we accept. We accept their rules by accepting their terminology even if we don't accept their platforms.
Insidious? You betcha!
Time to change the rules folks... for democracy's sake.
What rules would you like to change?
"What rules would I like to change?" --> The rules of the "game"... the perception and qualification of issues that have been co-opted and whose meaning has been twisted by the Right Wing for their own personal benefit.
New definitions and expressions that actually support and truly reflect democracy need to be put into place and used. We need to rethink how we talk about issues in order to not buy into and participate in the endless cycle of destructive name calling. (Read through the comments a lot of people make on this and other websites and you'll see this destructive cycle.)
Currently, I'm in the process of figuring out the best way for me to do this going forward. For me, its a relatively new way of looking at and understanding why america is in this mess.
I would encourage everyone to actually study how the Right Wing has phrased and defined issues particularly over the last 10 years, reject these phrases and definitions and instead create new ones that more truthfully support democracy.
Think about the issues that are important to you and find a way of distilling them into catch phrases that tap into archetypal stories that resonate with people across the US.
Here's an example. George Lakoff points out that we almost always use the term "illegal immigrants" as opposed to "illegal employers".
Lakoff also notes, "...The radical conservative political and economic agenda is putting public resources and government functions into private hands, while eliminating the capacity of government to protect and empower the public." GW Bush, by coining the phrase "tax relief" and using it repeatedly in association with his policy of "lowering" taxes, has defined taxes as being "bad". By his party's definition: Tax="bad" and Relief="feeling better". We, by agreeing to use the phrase "tax relief", implicitly suggest that we accept and agree with that interpretation. Never mind that taxes are good and important for a healthy infrastructure. Because we've bought into the phrase "tax relief" which paints any tax as bad, we undercut any opposing argument.
I hope that helps to clarify a bit. Thanks for asking!
What is the difference of what quarterback Micheal Vick did to those dogs in Atlanta and what governor Sarah Polin is doing to those wolves in Alaska? Lipstick!
The DVD, Obsession, a film produced by the Clarion Fund, so I've learned, has been shipped to many people's mailing addresses. From various blogs, it seems that the DVDs have appeared as advertising in second rate papers in major markets (the NY Post in NYC, the Washington Times in D.C., etc) like the Midwest, Colorado, Michigan, NY, Florida and PA. The fillmakers were also distributing their DVD at the RNC Convention.
The nonprofit organization, The Clarion Fund, is a 501C, nonprofit that is linked with in various ways to:
• JihadWatch,
• FrontpageMag.com
• WatchObsession.org
• terrorismawareness.org/
• http://www.discoverthenetworks.org. This web site, that claims to be a guide to the political left, has hot links with names like Barack Obama Muslim…text that associates radical Islam with Obama and a link that goes nowhere
• http://www.the1stamendment.us/ --web site created in 2008, features plugs for NRA and Bible, links Obama’s community work with youth to organizing Hitler youth
What seems to be alarming is the Obama character assassination, the Bush-style fear-mongering, and the connection of the liberal left with all ideas gone wrong. It’s curious that the film also includes interviews with guerilla fighters, former Hitler Youth members, and terrorist operatives as they discuss the role and function of extremist political and religious groups.
Watch Obsession was also listed on the Christian News Wire about the RNC Convention. Also the producers have hit the speaking circuits on Fox and other outlets (no surprise).
Similar question: What is the difference between Bush and Bin Laden?
Similar question: What is the difference between Bush and Bin Laden?
Just in case your main stream media is not discussing this with the American people. Nothing like keeping fools in the dark.
Gosh, when it comes to voting…let's see…consider my following remarks as taken from my crystal ball. Since the Democrats are such chicken sh*ts and are NOT putting up enough of a stink about Palin.
1) Barak Obama will NOT be elected President of the United States of America.
2) John McCain will become President of the United States of America….by hook or crook.
3) John McCain will shortly die in office due to his infirmities.
4) Palin will become President of the United States of America.
5) The United States becomes the Imperial outpost of the Alaskan Ozarks. Caribou Barbie and the Right Wing Republicans win because no one got angry enough to fight for this country.
I believe there are some here that need to look up the meaning of intolerance. Double standards are not really admirable.
Being intolerant of intolerance is not a double-standard.
"I do not agree with her social views, but I am sure she is in no position to ban abortions or impose the teaching of creationism."
Actually, her views mirror John McCain's, who has publicly called for a Constitutional amendment banning abortion, and vowed if elected to appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade. If elected, he will most certainly be in a position to do precisely that. Anyone who doesn't think SCOTUS ever changes it's mind should ask Dred Scott.
Think about that while you're contemplating negating your vote by casting it for Nader, McKinney, or Barr.
She is not in position yet.
So fake war hero Hanoi Hilton "Songbird" McCain is banging on about victory in Iraq when in fact U$A hasn't won a war (including Iraq) for over 60 years.
And "Lets blow up the world for Jesus" Palin reckons she's doing God's will.
Doomsday cults like Assemblies of God preach war and anti-Christian dogmas in the name of Jesus, and are actively trying to self fulfill a morbid fantasy - Apocolypse of St John - which is a shortened plagiarism of the Vedic/Hindu myth - Markandeya Purana - with character name changes and re-cast as supposed future events - prophecy.
Personally I think religion is a disease and the symptoms are psychosis.
But what makes psuedo-Christianity more dangerous than other superstitions, is they actually want to destroy my planet and claim it is "God's plan".
So to save the world, we need to kill the Christian deity and abolish churches.
SnowWolf wrote:
Quote - a friend of mine who was (and doubtless still is) what you might call a Jesus Freak once told me...
"Mike, Life is simply energy and energy cannot be created or destroyed. It merely changes form"
and I chewed on that a moment and thought....
"Fuck, he's right" - End quote.
Well Snowy, your Jesus freak mate is correct, but it's not a Christian belief. It's a Hindu belief. It's in the Rig Veda.
Got any idea how much the rest of the world hates Amerika?
Down in Sydney's Paddy's markets you can buy T-shirts with Arabic script on it.
The translation reads "I am not American".
Now get off my planet doomseeker!
Well...either way I think there might be something to it...who knows?
and since when is it your Planet?...got your name on it?...huh?...*s*
I think in a communal or shared human reality, there is no room for doomsday cults who get goosebumps at the thought that they are the only people on earth who really understand THE TRUTH...
This type of evangelism is pathological. Palin is therefore pathological.
Off your meds huh?
This: "not open to understanding that in the Islamic tradition reason, logic, and common sense are considered proof on par with the religious texts" is scary. This equivalency statement says it all.
“Election campaigns matter because who gets elected can change reality. But election campaigns are primarily about the realities of voters' minds, which depend on how the candidates and the external realities are cognitively framed. They can be framed honestly or deceptively, effectively or clumsily. And they are always framed from the perspective of a worldview.” – George Lakoff.
Mr. Lakoff, Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at UC Berkeley, provides an insightful window into how the game of politics works.
The following article in the Huffington Post by Lakoff is well worth reading and will give you more of an idea:
“The Palin Choice and the Reality of the Political Mind”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lakoff/the-palin-choice-and-the_b_123012.html
Also, his book “The Political Mind... Why You Can’t Understand 21st-Century American Politics with an 18th-Century Brain” gives even more detailed insight. I’m only on page 42 and so far it is FANTASTIC! It’s like having someone explain the machinations of a magic trick!
Take a look…
Bonatti, The People of the United States, and I specifically include those of ALL religions, should read the Declaration of Independence,the Constitution of the United States, and just as important, the Federalist Papers, which reflect the thoughts and opinions of Our Founding Fathers, when they wrote the Constitution.
The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights establishes, as Jefferson stated, "a wall between government and religion," and anyone who claims otherwise is spreading a myth and an outright LIE. Religion is a PERSONAL belief, between each individual and God, and those of you who believe you are so EXALTED to dictate how others should think and believe, better think hard and twice. Be careful, for you will surely reap what you sow. The Radical (so-called) Religious Right is as much a threat to Our Nation as the Radical Islamic Terrorists.
An Old Soldier who Defended the Constitition of the United States, Against All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic for 43 years.
"Against All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic for 43 years."
So, who are your enemies, care to name them? And what is their location? Do you consider the children of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Palestine to be your enemies?
It is irrelevant whether the killing is done in the name of religion, ala - McCain, or in the name of some secular god who you might follow, in the name of the constitution, ala Obama. As someone said, a war monger is a war monger - does not matter what their religion, or lack of religion, or constitution is...
Fact is, you have no enemies - you only create enemies because of the desire of the US to exert hegemony (i.e. empire) over the rest of the planet. And that is the policy and goal of both the god and godless imperialists.
http://almusawwir.org/resistance/
They are the same enemies you have...only you don't know you have them because men like him kept them at bay while you were blissfully unaware and living under the umbrella of their protection
I'd rather not have men like him keeping anyone at bay - that is the "I'm protecting you against your enemy" argument of militarism. Especially the part about, oh- you do not know who your enemies are, we do. At this point, the identified enemy by both Obama/McCain are the people of Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Pakistan, - I think Obama/McCain even threw in Venezuela at some point. I don't need enemies, so quit making up enemies on my behalf.
http://almusawwir.org/resistance/
Someones got to defend America...Hippies ain't gonna do it
If America wasn't an imperialist colonizing power sticking its nose everywhere we wouldn't have so many enemies.
I agree with those who have expressed reservations with regards to this article by Cole --- Note that Cole "welcomed" the fanatic zionist Biden to the "Democratic Party ticket" on his blog...
I'll pay more attention to the likes of Cole, when he even handedly points out how Obama's policy of attacking and killing more people in Afghanistan is the same as that of Bush, except that Obama wants more killing. Not only is Obama more of the same, he is worse of the same (same as McCain).
“”His (Bush) plan comes up short — it is not enough troops, not enough resources, with not enough urgency,” Obama said.”"
http://almusawwir.org/resistance/
What's the difference between McCain and Obama on imperialism and militarism?
Nothing
A Warmonger is a Warmonger!!!
Who cares about Palin's religious affiliations or for that matter Obama's? Focus on what Mccain and Obama plan to do about the current mess in America. They're the one's who'll be setting the agenda, well one of those two anyway. Better yet, let's add in the third party candidates in the case America actually wakes up and puts the anti-two-party sentiment into turbo mode and a 3rd party candidate actually wins. Palin's just another VP candidate like Joe Biden. You people are making a big deal about people's religious faiths. You people who are making a big deal over Obama's or Palin's religious shit ought to grow the FUCK up.
The economy's doing badly, the Iraq war is FAILING big time, the Taliban has pretty much retaken Afghanistan save Kabul, Russia is already stronger than the USA, China and other nations from which money is being borrowed to pay for tax cuts for the rich and the failed war turned occupation in Iraq are not far from forcing America to start paying up, the environment and healthcare are in shambles, homeland security is going down the tubes thanks to pols kissing up to the corporatist NRA and allowing open borders so that employers can exploit illegal labor, product safety is being compromised, consumer rights are smashed, the Constitution is pretty much being shredded or made irrelevent with political lawbreaking against the public, the failures of "free" trade are showing in the form of more illegals and toxic imports. When will you people learn to snap out of this silly culture war?
By the way, doesn't anyone remember that nearly all allies of the US have left Iraq? And in case nobody remembers, it's because the US wouldn't pay up. So much for saying that the oil revenue would "pay for itself" !
karlof1 wrote,
"I know from personal experience that he most certainly allows comments from those opposing his views and analysis. And yes, I've read his blog almost daily for years now, and you will find many of my comments there to be radical when compared to his. But as I mentioned, he has moved more toward my position as he has gained experience."
I never said he doesn't allow comments contrary to his own. But he also censors the comments. When you read them, you are reading only the comments he has selected for public viewing. He doesn't hide this, it's written quite clearly right here:
http://www.juancole.com/2005/11/comment-section-rules-comment-section.html
Try comparing the comments he receives here on CD (unfiltered) to the comments the same material receives on Informed Comment (filtered). I prefer unfiltered, don't you? For years I read his blog and wondered why there were so few comments and so few critiques of his writing. Then I bothered to read the comment policy. Bingo! Personally, I think editing the comments like that creates a false representation of readers actual responses. It's behavior I would expect from B.O. or Sean Hannity. It's like those TV news "viewer email" segments where they display comments from "ordinary people", or those fake broadcast "town hall meetings" that political candidates attend.
In addition, the comments are not saved in the older archives. The post I quoted from 2003 is purged of comments, and for the 2005 post I quoted, there were originally many comments under it, but there is now only one left. This is probably a space/tech issue, but is still rather ironic for a site called "Informed Comment" to not save the readers comments.
As far as Juan shifting his views, I see no evidence of this. I'm also a long time reader of his blog, and as far as I can remember, he has never distanced himself from his earlier statements. Recently, he has become little more than a cheerleader for Obama. Which is hardly supporting an "out now" position for Iraq or Afghanistan, and isn't really a departure from his earlier views. I think people overestimate Juan Cole's opposition to the use of American military force. After all, how many of his casual readers even realize that he supported the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, and has repeatedly argued against a full withdrawal from either country?
I'm still waiting for him to own up to writing in 2003:
"I remain convinced that, for all the concerns one might have about the aftermath, the removal of Saddam Hussein and the murderous Baath regime from power will be WORTH THE SACRIFICES that are about to be made ON ALL SIDES."
Hi z--Well, much of what you say about Juan is correct. Most moderated blogs clip the amount of comments and don't bother using those that aren't civil. I do know the past 5 years have radicalized him as he is far bolder and opinionated. His choice of Obama is unfortunate, but predictible. He clearly isn't as radical as you, I, or Zinn, but he's younger than both Zinn and I, which is to say we've had an opportunity to learn more. The blogosphere would be much poorer if his blog didn't exist.
Juan Cole is what is called an Americanist, basically he wants a kinder gentler face of American imperialism.
http://almusawwir.org/resistance/
What's the difference?
Hmm....
Palin is anti-abortion. Anti abortion terrorists have, in the USA in the last quarter century maybe (and I stress maybe) murdered 50 people.
The Islamo-fascists, in that time have:
Flown airplanes into buildings...
Starred themselves in beheading videos (has Palin?)...
Provoked riots in which hundreds or more died over some funny cartoons in Danish newspapers (What was Palin's reaction to the far more offensive "Piss Christ" "art" exhibit; how many did she kill while rioting?)...
The Pope said the Muslims are some violent SOBs, so they immediately threatened to behead the Pope (Palin is like this how?)...
And on And on And on...
Sure, they are equal. Uhuh...
Hey dude, don't forget the tens of thousands (if not more?) that Christians killed during the Crusades, thousands during the Inquisition, and oh, a few million when conquering the Western Hemisphere 'in the name of Christianity' (they often had priests with them). Oh, and in case you forgot, a great majority of the people dying from terrorist attacks are Muslims.
P.S. Terrorist attacks in Ireland/Britain ring a bell? Done by Christians.
Religious nutjobs kill tons of people, no matter their religion.
religion for religion, it doesn't matter wich side you are, it is a waste of time. don't be an idiot. go to school to educate yourself don't rely on religion. As for Palin, she is just another pupet, like you probably. uhuh... dum ass.
AldoinSF
“Election campaigns matter because who gets elected can change reality. But election campaigns are primarily about the realities of voters' minds, which depend on how the candidates and the external realities are cognitively framed. They can be framed honestly or deceptively, effectively or clumsily. And they are always framed from the perspective of a worldview.” – George Lakoff.
Have you seen the documentary "Jesus Camp"? I suggest you watch it as an additional accent to what religion is and does in certain areas of this country.
Clearly Palin's rhetoric of "god's will" linked with specific policies ("gas line"/"Iraq war") doesn't bother you. But it is an opening for more "like" language to be used in the halls of politics. The more we become used to such language the more possible it will be to insert greater religious control re. policy-making in future. GW used a certain amount of this rhetoric. Personally I don't want this and mistrust it. The religious right currently wields excessive control over the Republican Party helping, in great part, to shape their policies and guide its direction. The Republican Party has changed over the years.
Look what is happening with our civil liberties. The Patriot Act is put into effect. Little by little... the more strident actions of the police increase. Preemptive raids become more commonplace. Our privacy is further infringed, yet... it is happening slowly and the bulk of the population finds it familiar and is corralled by manipulation and fear... and the bulk of the population isn't directly effected by it... yet.
Things to consider.
Wait until you get Xtian Fundamentalist dictating what your child will be tought in school. That you have to swear on the bible.
Once the laws start swaying to a more fundamentalist Christian way.. people WILL get extremist.. it is the way mobs are.
"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity" Horace Mann First President of Antioch College.
We already have secular fundamentalists dictating that our children have to read "Heather Has Two Mommies", and watch "An Inconvenient Truth", presesnted as if it WERE the truth..
What's the difference?
What's the difference... between... what exactly? The secularist fundamentalist dictating xyz and ???? Would you mind more specifically explaining what you're comparing this to? Thanks.
Something must be in the air...I was musing this morning about how "fundamentalist" the Republicans are, and Cole comes up with this piece. Using Fundamentalism as a way to frame McCain/Palin would be a campaign strategy based on Truth. As Jean Houston states: any time a social order faces great change there will be a fundamentalist backlash with in it. Thus, all we have to fear is fear itself...let our fellow Citizens know that there is a much more appealing and pleasurable way to look at and be with the world than as a "dangerous place". When one compares the slaughter we exact on ourselves on the highways and with our behavior with guns, the toll of "terrorism" finishes a distant third, more people are killed by inappropriate drug usage in hospitals; thus the cost of stress due to the fear-mongering of the "threat of terror" is not merited...as the human culture continues to move toward a global village, a "dangerous place" pales in comparison to the brilliant light of human potential.
One of the things that has been very educational is that those who I once admired based on their articles over the last 8 years are now exposing themselves as agents of the elite, they are just controlled dissidents ready to be controlled supporters, depending on which party is in power.
Whats lost on most people is that the focus on Palin has not been very helpful to Obama. I am not an Obama supporter, nor McCain. Both are bought and owned by the corporate elite and will do their bidding. The Palin bashing is not helpful to your candidate.
Look at Obamas VP. I prefer an inexperienced VP to a VP with Bidens experience. And look at Obamas experience. He has less than Palins, never having had responsibility for a town or state, or even a corporation. He has been a senator since 2005. The first year he spent "writing" his book, and the last 2 running for President. He has been a do nothing Senator, and supported that FISA amendment.
I do not agree with her social views, but I am sure she is in no position to ban abortions or impose the teaching of creationism. Her views on global warming are refreshing, the first signs of intelligence I have seen in this campaign.
As for the fired librarian who in the end wasn't fired, for not censoring books she was never asked to censor, just asked if she would if requested (either a loyalty test or integrity test). Please, do not embarass yourself. I mean, books are being censored all the time by the elite who control the publishing industry. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn last book, 200 hundred years together (history of Jewish Russian relations) is not translated or published in the US.
And they have a data base of all books in every library in the US and the world and books exposing the truth and the conspiracy are "disappearing" all the time.
Read Double Fold by Nicholson Baker
"Baker started the American Newspaper Repository in 1999, when he discovered that the only existing copies of several major U.S. newspapers were going to be auctioned off by the British Library. Not only were U.S. libraries not interested, it turned out that they'd tossed their own copies years before. Why? Baker uncovered an Orwellian universe in our midst in which preservation equals destruction, and millions of tax dollars have funded and continue to fund the destruction of irreplaceable books, newspapers and other print media. The instruments of that destruction microfilm, microfiche, image readers and toxic chemicals are less to blame than the cadre of former CIA and military operatives at the Library of Congress in the 1950s who refused to acknowledge that those technologies were, in fact, inferior to preserving and storing the originals. They were more concerned with ways to (in the words of one) "extract profit and usefulness from" old books while at the same time "prevent [them] from clogging the channels of the present.""
http://www.youseemore.com/bentonville/hotpicks.asp?isbn=0375504443&Author=Nicholson+Baker&Title=Double...
If you control the history of the past, you can control the present, and if you can control the news of the present AND the history of the past, you can control the future.
MiMiCcS-- I think its pretty easy to step on a pedestal (as you have) and lecture and bandy about the word "elite" with an air of cynicism while telling us you support neither of the main candidates. What would be the candidate of your choice? And how would this candidate govern? Would they mix the rhetoric of church and state? And what about Civil Liberties? Doesn't the erosion of civil liberties over the last 8 years bother you? The increased level of fear-mongering?
Isn't it, rather, those who control the dissemination of information that ultimately fudge the past, bamboozle the present and control/prevail in the future? (Kind of like the current incarnation of the Republican Party?)
Good points: MONISH, WC DEVINS, ROCKERBABE (and others).
On an earlier thread someone was kind enough to provide me with Sarah Palin's date of birth, and I checked her chart components. In a nutshell, they reflect what Mr. Cole relates in the above article.
The sun (12 sun signs = 12 Disciples = 12 tribes of Abraham = the basis protoypes of human personality) in her chart is in Aquarius in a tight bond (this is called a conjunction) with Mars (the principle of ego & where one will fight, Mars being the 'god' of war), AND Saturn (the most rigid, authoritarian and pro-tradition planet).
In other words, although her sun is in the highly charismatic sign of Aquarius, it's connected to Mars (fighting) and Saturn (conservatism). She TRULY believes she is on a Divine mission, and is unable to recognize that her narrow-mindedness is a a profound spiritual flaw. Such true believers who also entertain the belief that they are CHOSEN for a DIVINE mission, one that includes violence towards "other" are among the most dangerous species of ego alive on our planet today. She IS a warrior, and she believes in "father knows best," or that there is ONE authoritarian way that ALL are supposed to subscribe to. I can only imagine the berating verbiage used on her daughter for embarassing her, and NOT following the family rules.
Ms. Palin has 4 or 5 (if she's born before 8 PM) planets in Aquarius, or HALF her make-up and all of them oppose OBAMA, who's a Leo. In 2009, particularly at the onset of the year, AQUARIUS is the favored sign. I sure hope this does not mean this lady has reason to celebrate! Any predictive science can only work through the human consciousness conceiving it, and thus, I can't predict ALL the variables. AS I said earlier on CD, perhaps this woman gets her own TV talk show or has some other means of more access to the public. The fact her sign is favored in 2009 may not necessarily mean a win for this team.
Doesn't she look like Tiny Fay on Saturday Night Live? And really, she and McCain resemble the host and co-host of some quasi news-infotainment TV show, which really defines what politics have become (for most) in the US today.
An astute comment I lifted from Cloe's blog:
"One also might question Palin's conservative credentials in light of the fact that the state she grew up in and loves is the closest thing to a welfare state in the USA. In 2008 every man, woman, and child resident received $3,269. That's $13,076 for a family of four. They didn't have to work for a single penny of that, and it goes to millionaires as well as paupers."
We don't usually get nearly that much, this year the Permanant Fund Dividend, due to the high price of crude oil, was $2,069.
Usually it's more like around a thousand dollars. The remaining $1200 is a one-time fuel allowance which Sarah pushed through this summer and many people thought should have been administered differently (why should everyone in a household get a fuel allowance, for example ?)
Next time you get all hot under the collar about our 'free money', pay attention to the 'freeways' of your locale. How much do you think those cost per mile ? Do you pay for them ? We have two, count them two, highways in all of alaska. One runs from Anchorage to Fairbanks, the other from Fairbanks to Valdez. They are two-lane roads, one southbound land, one northbound lane. The 'haul road' (another two-laner) to Prudhoe Bay is paved as far as Livengood -- the next 400+ miles are dirt. Think about that next time you are cruising the interstates !
And didn't I just read that New Orleans has spent 14 + billion dollars since Katrina ? This city is below sea level and sinking.
Does that make sense ? At least our 'free' money didn't come from federal coffers, like 'freeway' money and shoring up a sinking city. You can come live here too, if you think our dividend money goes so far. (It doesn't, everything is more expensive here).
My son is spending his Fund on college tuition. My daughter is using hers to cover rent while she's at medical school. My husband is buying a new wood stove. And I always, since the very first permanent fund dividend, buy perennial flower bulbs
(mostly lilies) and nursery stock (mostly lilacs) to grow out and sell at our Farmers Market, as that is the best use i can come up with for oil dollars -- plant them !
As I stated at the top, the comment was from Cole's blog. I have no problems with Alaskans getting royalty checks. You'll need to go to Cole's blog and repost your response to the proper individual.
Maybe if the Federal government would give them back their land and butt out of their affairs. The state owns only 28% of Alaska, and private ownership is less than 1%.
As a nation Alaska would be quite prosperous. Sewells folly turned out to be quite profitable. Most people do not know we were forced to buy Alaska to pay back Russia for their support in the Civil War. Without Russias naval support preventing a British naval blockade, the outcome of the war would be quite different.
I was listening to an interview (Bill Maher and Larry Charles re. their upcoming documentary "Religulous") where a Canadian reporter mentioned the upcoming elections there and how religion was so separate from the body politic in Canada that he didn't even know the religion or faith of either of the parties running. Wow! What a concept. How the heck did we end up with so many wingnuts in this country who insist on the merging of church and state?
Actually it might be a very good thing to know about, as Stephen Harper is one of those ultraconservative fundamentalists.
‘Crack Coke’ for the Masses
Welcome to the new dark ages.
Welcome to jihad and the chosen who
Welcome to the opiate…. the pie high sages.
Welcome to fundamentalists everywhere,
No matter which jealous God they spew.
Marked in by the corporate few
The divide and conquer crew.
Arm the jihadists
Arm the likudists
Arm insurgents everywhere
It’s all good for the corporate few.
Welcome to the compassionate baby burning crew,
The same few who have a monopoly on God’s wrath,
the same non-being corpo-crew who push
war profit for the us(US), the few.
Welcome to the wrathful God
For who, we’re the chosen, the many few
The who,.. who push war profit
For my prophet (profit) told me to.
Welcome to the new dark age crusade,
The under god, …. Born again bombers
Have ‘endarkenment’ for you.
Welcome to the Ghengas Khan of the shining city on the hill.
So enlist and you’ll have virgins too.
Pass on depleted U
So you and your kin
Can enjoy the rapture too!
Welcome to the new dark ages
Welcome to the opiate of the people
Welcome to the jihad and the chosen who
For your profit (Prophet) told you to
I know you are very serious, but you crack me up! Keep the word-fun coming.
What do they call Sarah Palin around Washington ?
George Bush with lipstick.
SnowWolf wrote,
"I wouldn't waste my time on that LSD soaked Clown...."
Is it because you are busy wasting all your time writing insane right-wing comments on a left-wing website?
You have exposed yourself. That sounds like religion where only those who believe in the religion can come to church.
Consensus building is founded on the Hegelian dialectic of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, with synthesis becoming the new thesis. The goal is a continual evolution to "oneness of mind" (consensus means solidarity of belief) - the collective mind.
In thesis and antithesis, opinions or views are presented on a subject to establish views and opposing views. In synthesis, opposites are brought together to form the new thesis.
Through a continual process of evolution, "oneness of mind" will supposedly occur, otherwise known as consensus.
This can be called intelligent discussion.
In group settings, such as Internet discussions, the Delphi Technique is being employed. This is an unethical method of achieving consensus on controversial topics. It requires "facilitators" or "change agents," who deliberately escalate tension among group members, pitting one faction against another to make a preordained viewpoint appear "sensible," while making opposing views appear ridiculous.
In other words, it prevents any intelligent discussion where right and left might actually reach a consensus. Our elite fear this, because it is the right vs left polarization keeping them in power. If left and right, black and white were to unite, the elite would be messing their pants.
The internet is littered with change agents, thats why they keep the internet alive, the illusion of discussion is provided when in fact agents have hijacked the discussion on those issues of importance to the elite, and this prevents people from detecting the truth a legitimate consensus would reveal, preventing the internet from being a threat to their deception. If anything, it enhances their control of the truth.
I've exposed myself?...Good Heavens!
*Checking my zipper* (Impressive, eh?)
Um...I think you're overanalyzing this just a tad
in fact...on 2nd read...I'm not even sure what you're trying to say
Wasting my time here?...No Way
insane?...geez...now that really hurt...
nah...you guys are like my own little ant farm
Yet again, many thanks to Juan Cole for a lucid and terse summation of the facts, and of Sarah Palin's positions on the issues. I can always count on him to bring it on home in well-chosen words, and I'm grateful he's out there in the world.
“CHOICES AND CHANGES”
Or, Do As I Say, Not As I Do
The Woman who wants to tell us what to do as vice-president says she is all for “Choice” at least for whether women with disabled infants and pregnant teenagers should be allowed to work full time as a governor and potential president or stay at home and take care of the kids.
She says in her campaign propaganda she wants to allow all kinds of happy Choices once she is in control. . .
• so long as the Choices do not involve women learning how to prevent pregnancies,
• so long as the Choices do not involve women having sex prior to marriage, and
• so long as the Choices do not involve women terminating an unwanted pregnancy even if the lack of Choice threatens the life or health of the women.
That’s not really much of a Choice, is it? And, don’t you have reason to suspect that if she herself was not stuck with a disabled infant plus a pregnant teenager, she would be insisting there should be no Choice on even that? In light of her other positions, don’t you suspect she would normally deny choice for someone in that predicament?
The voters do have a choice though. Voters can chose to say no to those who want to order women what to do even when it is a woman doing the ordering.
Signed: Lawlessone [for more irreverence, see resistence-is-possible.blogspot.com]
Despite the customary obfuscation attempts from the usual suspects (Snow Wolf really showed his Republican forum troll colors this time around), it is dawning on American that Sarah Palin is a card carrying Buchananite (old Pat was beside himself when she was announced), and just as Pat Buchanan declared his "Kulturekampf" at the 1992 Republican Convention & America puked, so too has the urge to upchuck begun in regards to Palin. This is thanks to this simple act: Google "Sarah Palin" and be horrified. Juan Cole is merely one of an avalanche of negative reaction to the Karl Rove imposed selection: even The Economist's US columnist, Lexington (who is no friend of Obama) has stated that Palin's selection causes one to question McCain's judgement. Palin was selected to excite the Evangelical Republican base, nothing more. Qualification and competence was nowhere in the equation.
Was there something Snow Wolf said about Palin that wasn't true?
"Was there something 's No Wolf said about Palin that wasn't true?"
Pretty much everything...he is either a Right-Wing dupe or a lying Republican scumbag, after all. He's a coward, too - notice how he never showed up on yesterday's article about more Afghan kids dying in US raids with his inflated-chest BS about how the US military never kills a civilian.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html
obviously you missed this...
and I said they never TARGET a civilian...God...I'm beginning to think you are from the WAY shallow end of the gene pool, fella
I didn't miss it, pal - it's more right-wing propaganda, as evidenced by the waving flags on the masthead. Did you read my prior post in which I debunked your "debunks" with actual facts?
When you drop bombs and raid indiscriminantly you target civilians whether you want to admit it or not. You're a warmongering dupe.
I agree. Saying you aren't targeting civilians while regularly dropping bombs on their heads makes abouut as much sense as saying you don't smoke marijuana, honestly, I just regularly smoke the paper around these funny cigarettes.
The road to hell is paved with "good intentions" or smart bombs.
Civilian casualties are not humans, right? They are collateral damage. It's accidental mass murder. Simply do a little PR, say you're sorry, and then it's okay to do it again tomorrow.
They'd prefer to believe the "banned book list" crock...makes them feel more secure
Never let facts get in the way of a good rant...
She has an 80% approval rating up there as Governor and right up until McCain picked her even the Democrats liked her
But now we gotta pick sides and Demonize people
By all accounts, this current book list floating around as Palin's is a crock. However, I'm inclined to believe she inquired about limiting which books were available in the library. Perhaps she didn't use the the word "banned" but it all comes to the same intent.
And hey! Judging someone's intent is supported and encouraged by the Patriot Act, so I'm surprised you have a problem with this ;)
you have a valid point...I am curious as to the circumstances of the "What if" question myself
However...the amount of Lies (most of which can be traced to 2 people in the Obama campaign by the way) are pretty disturbing from my standpoint
And you can bet they are hurriedly manufacturing her positions as we speak. The new model will be rolled out momentarily. As a woman I am thoroughly disgusted. And by the way; THE IRAQI'S DON'T WANT US THERE........
Speaking of the 'new model', is there really a Sarah Palin doll out there already ?
Was this done with her approval (one would think it would have to be)
What a mom ! Here, kiddies, mommy's busy but you can play dolls with my fake plastic figurine !
Isn't there something in the Old Testament about 'not having any other gods before me, which if
my memory serves me, includes 'not making graven images of false deities' ?
How does the Sarah Palin doll get explained by OT Fundamentalists, anyway ?
Good questions.
BBC News has a video piece on the Palin dolls:
Palin 'lookalikes' go on sale
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7607497.stm
In my opinion they're a bit gnarly looking. Don't think I'd want to own one. Although it might make a good chew toy for a dog...
Damn...you're right. My dog's current favorite toy is looking kinda ratty and needs replacing.
I hope everyone here knows that, unlike CD, Juan Cole censors the comments on his blog at his own whim and without explanation.
Everyone here should go and try to comment on Juan Cole's site, Informed Comment. Let's see which comments he will allow and which he will censor.
z--What you've documented is the ongoing education and radicalization of a university professor who was deluded by the very effective Propaganda and Indoctrination systems present in the US Empire. I know from personal experience that he most certainly allows comments from those opposing his views and analysis. And yes, I've read his blog almost daily for years now, and you will find many of my comments there to be radical when compared to his. But as I mentioned, he has moved more toward my position as he has gained experience.
I wouldn't waste my time on that LSD soaked Clown....
In 2005 Cole wrote,
"Personally, I think "US out now" as a simple mantra neglects to consider the full range of possible disasters that could ensue. For one thing, there would be an Iraq civil war. Iraq wasn't having a civil war in 2002. And although you could argue that what is going on now is a subterranean, unconventional civil war, it is not characterized by set piece battles and hundreds of people killed in a single battle, as was true in Lebanon in 1975-76, e.g. People often allege that the US military isn't doing any good in Iraq and there is already a civil war. These people have never actually seen a civil war and do not appreciate the lid the US military is keeping on what could be a volcano."
Would anyone vote for someone who publically stated that Bilbo Baggins, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Tinkerbell and the Tooth Fairy formed a PAC and asked them to run for office?
Claiming some invisible, mysterious "GOD" did is about the same thing....religion is pablum for weak minds that cannot deal with their own mortality and eventual demise.
Face it, there is no supreme being, there is no life after death, you get one go at life, and then are worm food, so enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Once you get your mind around THAT, life becomes much more simple and enjoyable.
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats