Here is today's list to be read and understood:
Wahhabi Muslim
Sufi Muslim
Salafi Muslim
Kurdish Sunni
Pakistani Sunni
Saudi Muslim (Sunni)
Secular Sunni
Daesh Sunni
Iranian Shiite
Iraqi Shiite
Secular Shiite
Ahmadiyya
Yazidi
Bahai
Two of the above are not considered muslim, and one considers itself muslim although not by other muslims.
Answers:
Yazidis are not Muslim
Bahai are not Muslims either, although they were derived from the Shiite denomination.
Secular Shiites and secular Sunnis are pretty much like secular people of other religions in that they view their religion largely in cultural terms rather in in theological terms. However, it should be noted that the Shiites in Iran speak farsi. The Shiites in Iraq speak Arabic.
The Kurds are Sunni The are muslims that speak a Turkic language. Also, culturally their relationship with women is more Western than Islamic.
Daesh is a fanatical Sunni movement that aspires to conquer the world in behalf of Islam. Their first goal is an Islamic State. Their movement is referred to by English speaking people as ISIS.
The Ahmadiyya are a variation of Sunni. They consider themselves Muslim but are not accepted as muslims by other muslims.
Sufis are a peaceful people who stem from the Shiite religion. From the sufis come the whirling dervishes.
Salafi muslims favor an extreme form of the Sunni religion. They strive live as Mohammed lived.
Wahhabism is an extreme form of the Sunni religion that is salafist in nature. It was fostered by a a Saudi Arabian cleric whose name was affixed to this extreme form of Islam.
The Sunnis and the Shiites differ primarily in who they believe should be viewed as the true inheritor of the prophet Mohammed's teachings. Today, it's come down to a struggle for dominance between the Saudis and the Iranians.
That's it for today. Study hard. And, here's a question for next time:
Is America allowed by law to draw a distinction between those groups we choose to admit to America and those we do not? Can we favor Ahmadiyya and Sufis and Kurdish muslims over the muslims who subscribe to Daesh and a Salafist way of life? And, can we make a special allowance for Yazidis and middle eastern Christians who are generally abused in muslim countries -- and, in the case of Yazidis, nearly wiped out?
Friday, August 19, 2016
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
When A Mighty House Of Mirrored Glass Begins To Crack
This August of 2016 sees the Trump campaign begin to fall apart. What's going on? What happened? Didn't this man go through the primaries like a hot knife through butter? And, if there were inconsistencies in his message, why did they become apparent only now?
As I struggle to understand what happened to the Trump phenomenon, there comes to mind the image of a mighty house of mirrors that begin to crack. I see riots of African Americans, not in cities ruled by whites, but rather in cities with African American mayors and councilmen and police departments in which are found goodly numbers of African American officers. I see politicians, blind to the lack of economic opportunities for the less well educated, whether white or black, who tell us how great this country is. I see this country's leaders pointing to our wonderful fighting men and women and glossing over the realities of a military falling behind in equipping these men and women with the tools to conduct war. I see leaders who can't even identify our enemy or name those who would upend our way of life. How did we come to this sorry state?
I trace our present problems to a self delusional way thinking that can be found in JFK's quote, borrowed from George Bernard Shaw; namely, "Some men see things as they are and say why, I dream things that never were and say why not?" When you avoid seeing reality as it is and go to things that are not, you begin to build a house of glass mirrors. Consider issues faced by America in the past -- slavery and then Jim Crow. America was not unique in facing these problems. More slaves were shipped to Brazil and to Caribbean countries than were to America. But whether slavery was unique or not, America asked why? Why slavery? And, there was no answer consistent with the country's true values. It took a fearful war to end slavery, a war that saw enormous numbers killed and maimed. But, ultimately America ended the practice of slavery. Ending Jim Crow did not require near so many lives, but there was nevertheless a toll that had to be paid and required brave men and women, mostly black, but also many whites, to stand up to this dreadful way of treating our fellow man.
But despite our desire to see equality for all, we have long been aware that blacks have not faired as well as whites financially and educationally. Then too, street crime seems to be a feature of the black inner city. Why? Sen. Moynihan, a man who was both a sociologist and a legislator, studied the problem and arrived at what many considered to be the answer; namely, the breakdown of the black family. It was an answer many did not choose to hear. Indeed, the senator has been reviled for his findings ever since.
Liberal minded people see all people as being the same and that is true. However, they fail to understand that not all cultures are the same. Examine the cultures that prevail in countries throughout the world and this becomes immediately obvious. There is the Russian culture, the Italian culture, the Jewish culture, the Chinese culture, and an Islamic culture found in countries like Egypt and Pakistan. And, while the cultures of Pakistan and Egypt differ in a number of ways, they do share many beliefs and attitudes. Liberals tend to dismiss these differences. And, a man like Trump seems to exaggerate them, but they do exist and the failure to see this is just one more crack in the mirror.
We draw red lines which we disregard. We empty Guantanamo of truly dangerous terrorists. And, the question is why? Why do we do so many things that end in easily predictable failures? It seems to be because we don't want to accept reality. We'd rather dream things that never were (and never will be) and struggle with a pointless why not? It's not that there's anything wrong with asking why not, but it's in solving the knotty problems immediately before us that deserve the greatest attention and energy that we can bring to bear.
I am reminded of the tourist who was taken through a zoo in Israel. The the tourist was amazed to see a lion and a lamb share the same pen. "How did you manage to do that. How did you get a lion and a lamb to share the same space?
"Easy," chuckled the guard. "Every morning we put in a new lamb."
As I struggle to understand what happened to the Trump phenomenon, there comes to mind the image of a mighty house of mirrors that begin to crack. I see riots of African Americans, not in cities ruled by whites, but rather in cities with African American mayors and councilmen and police departments in which are found goodly numbers of African American officers. I see politicians, blind to the lack of economic opportunities for the less well educated, whether white or black, who tell us how great this country is. I see this country's leaders pointing to our wonderful fighting men and women and glossing over the realities of a military falling behind in equipping these men and women with the tools to conduct war. I see leaders who can't even identify our enemy or name those who would upend our way of life. How did we come to this sorry state?
I trace our present problems to a self delusional way thinking that can be found in JFK's quote, borrowed from George Bernard Shaw; namely, "Some men see things as they are and say why, I dream things that never were and say why not?" When you avoid seeing reality as it is and go to things that are not, you begin to build a house of glass mirrors. Consider issues faced by America in the past -- slavery and then Jim Crow. America was not unique in facing these problems. More slaves were shipped to Brazil and to Caribbean countries than were to America. But whether slavery was unique or not, America asked why? Why slavery? And, there was no answer consistent with the country's true values. It took a fearful war to end slavery, a war that saw enormous numbers killed and maimed. But, ultimately America ended the practice of slavery. Ending Jim Crow did not require near so many lives, but there was nevertheless a toll that had to be paid and required brave men and women, mostly black, but also many whites, to stand up to this dreadful way of treating our fellow man.
But despite our desire to see equality for all, we have long been aware that blacks have not faired as well as whites financially and educationally. Then too, street crime seems to be a feature of the black inner city. Why? Sen. Moynihan, a man who was both a sociologist and a legislator, studied the problem and arrived at what many considered to be the answer; namely, the breakdown of the black family. It was an answer many did not choose to hear. Indeed, the senator has been reviled for his findings ever since.
Liberal minded people see all people as being the same and that is true. However, they fail to understand that not all cultures are the same. Examine the cultures that prevail in countries throughout the world and this becomes immediately obvious. There is the Russian culture, the Italian culture, the Jewish culture, the Chinese culture, and an Islamic culture found in countries like Egypt and Pakistan. And, while the cultures of Pakistan and Egypt differ in a number of ways, they do share many beliefs and attitudes. Liberals tend to dismiss these differences. And, a man like Trump seems to exaggerate them, but they do exist and the failure to see this is just one more crack in the mirror.
We draw red lines which we disregard. We empty Guantanamo of truly dangerous terrorists. And, the question is why? Why do we do so many things that end in easily predictable failures? It seems to be because we don't want to accept reality. We'd rather dream things that never were (and never will be) and struggle with a pointless why not? It's not that there's anything wrong with asking why not, but it's in solving the knotty problems immediately before us that deserve the greatest attention and energy that we can bring to bear.
I am reminded of the tourist who was taken through a zoo in Israel. The the tourist was amazed to see a lion and a lamb share the same pen. "How did you manage to do that. How did you get a lion and a lamb to share the same space?
"Easy," chuckled the guard. "Every morning we put in a new lamb."
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Trump: Why I Continue To Support Him
The promise of a Trump presidency is beginning to fad a bit. Of course, we still have some time before the elections, but now, mid-August, it's not looking all that good. I, however, am still supporting Trump and here's why:
1. The press: There is absolutely no question as to the tremendous bias against Trump by the press.
When he was running for the candidacy of the Republican Party, the press was aghast. How could this new comer be wiping the slate clean of all the well known and seasoned Republican candidates? The press didn't realize that the Republican man-in-the-street was tired of the same-old-same-old. They wanted something new. For the press, which is largely Democratic, it was a phenomenon that warranted their full attention. And, the coverage they gave him did help him enormously.
Now, the situation is different. They might have thought that Jeb Bush, or the others, were better than Trump, but these other candidates were not people that they, themselves, would ever embrace. Now, that Trump has won the candidacy, the situation is entirely different. Hillary is their person. Sure, she's got a barrel of negatives. But, she represents the Obama legacy. She also represents a lot more. By becoming the next president, if that happens, she will have the Attorney General's office working for her. Prosecution for any wrong doing would now rest with the Congress, which can call for hearings (assuming the Republicans can hold on to the Congress), but which is not as good as the Attorney General's office for prosecuting illegal activities. Consider just one example; namely, the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Foundation. If ever there was a charity that deserved investigation, this is it.
But, with Hillary as president, it will never happen. Why do I put this comment under the category of "the press?" Because our fourth estate has often served to shed light on shady doings. Remember the work of Bernstein and Woodward in exposing the Nixon tapes? If only the press would pursue the wrong doings of Hillary as aggressively.
2. Republicans against Trump: You hear a lot of Republicans (Katich, Ridge, etc.) saying they will either vote for Hillary or some third party candidate. But, it is because of these Republican elites that rank and file Republicans voted for Trump. W.Bush was no prize and average Republicans know this. They want something different. They want a change. And, Trump is the only candidate who has any chance of giving them this. Will he succeed? Who knows?
I should also comment on the remarks made by the Collins woman from Maine who said she was voting for a third party candidate but felt it was important to keep a Republican Congress to maintain a check on Hillary. Really? Why not vote for Trump but keep a Republican Congress to maintain a check on Trump?
3. The Trump style: We should call to mind the presidential race of 1928, when Hoover ran against Smith. Smith lost for the following reasons: a. He was Catholic in an anti-Catholic country. b. He was against Prohibition. d. His name was connected with Tammany Hall. Hoover enjoyed a wave of support resulting from the prosperity that America enjoyed in the early and mid-twenties.
So what happened? Prohibition was happily ended, and America's prosperity went into depression. It could easily be argued that Al Smith would have been a better choice. Oh, and one more thing -- Al Smith had a terrible New York accent which didn't go well in the rest of the country. But, today, America is a different country. Trump's style seems to offend the media. Will it offend ordinary Americans?
1. The press: There is absolutely no question as to the tremendous bias against Trump by the press.
When he was running for the candidacy of the Republican Party, the press was aghast. How could this new comer be wiping the slate clean of all the well known and seasoned Republican candidates? The press didn't realize that the Republican man-in-the-street was tired of the same-old-same-old. They wanted something new. For the press, which is largely Democratic, it was a phenomenon that warranted their full attention. And, the coverage they gave him did help him enormously.
Now, the situation is different. They might have thought that Jeb Bush, or the others, were better than Trump, but these other candidates were not people that they, themselves, would ever embrace. Now, that Trump has won the candidacy, the situation is entirely different. Hillary is their person. Sure, she's got a barrel of negatives. But, she represents the Obama legacy. She also represents a lot more. By becoming the next president, if that happens, she will have the Attorney General's office working for her. Prosecution for any wrong doing would now rest with the Congress, which can call for hearings (assuming the Republicans can hold on to the Congress), but which is not as good as the Attorney General's office for prosecuting illegal activities. Consider just one example; namely, the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Foundation. If ever there was a charity that deserved investigation, this is it.
But, with Hillary as president, it will never happen. Why do I put this comment under the category of "the press?" Because our fourth estate has often served to shed light on shady doings. Remember the work of Bernstein and Woodward in exposing the Nixon tapes? If only the press would pursue the wrong doings of Hillary as aggressively.
2. Republicans against Trump: You hear a lot of Republicans (Katich, Ridge, etc.) saying they will either vote for Hillary or some third party candidate. But, it is because of these Republican elites that rank and file Republicans voted for Trump. W.Bush was no prize and average Republicans know this. They want something different. They want a change. And, Trump is the only candidate who has any chance of giving them this. Will he succeed? Who knows?
I should also comment on the remarks made by the Collins woman from Maine who said she was voting for a third party candidate but felt it was important to keep a Republican Congress to maintain a check on Hillary. Really? Why not vote for Trump but keep a Republican Congress to maintain a check on Trump?
3. The Trump style: We should call to mind the presidential race of 1928, when Hoover ran against Smith. Smith lost for the following reasons: a. He was Catholic in an anti-Catholic country. b. He was against Prohibition. d. His name was connected with Tammany Hall. Hoover enjoyed a wave of support resulting from the prosperity that America enjoyed in the early and mid-twenties.
So what happened? Prohibition was happily ended, and America's prosperity went into depression. It could easily be argued that Al Smith would have been a better choice. Oh, and one more thing -- Al Smith had a terrible New York accent which didn't go well in the rest of the country. But, today, America is a different country. Trump's style seems to offend the media. Will it offend ordinary Americans?
Monday, August 8, 2016
Trump: Why I Am Choosing Him
In a previous posting I pointed out why I felt the negatives of supporting Hillary were greater than whatever negatives one might perceive for Trump.
There are however factors in this election that would seem to make a reasonable citizen support Trump. Here is my listing:
1. Economic policy
Controlling inflation and developing a reasonable path forwards. The Democrats point to declining joblessness. The Republicans point to a sickly GDP growth figure. The problem is that statistics do sometimes lead the conditions that will ultimately face the American citizen and sometimes lag forthcoming events.
A conference was convened led by Simpson and Bowles. It set a path for the American economy, but was considered too severe. But, a path must be found if we are not to find ourselves with a very real economic disaster. Remember, things always look at their best before the bubble bursts. I see Trump trying to deal with this very difficult situation. The Democrats don't even try.
2. Education in America
This is a real can of worms, but it's also critically important. We discuss employment as growing or declining. Actually there are two sets of American citizens; the educated and the uneducated, or under educated. We must find ways of raising the educational level of our under educated people.
Educational Innovation must begin at the state level. America is too diverse for one system that will work well everywhere. I believe Trump understands this better than the Democrats. Certainly, Obama showed us nothing that worked during his tenure. As I see it, Hillary is simply a continuation of Obama.
3. Foreign policy -- Military/Political engagement. Our efforts in the international arena have been pitiful. We've drawn red lines that have no meaning. We destroyed the Iraqi government without doing anything to see that some sort of governance was maintained. And, in this the Republicans have been as bad as the Democrats. That's why you now see these military "experts" responsible for the present mess coming out against Trump. They want to keep digging the hole we find ourselves in.
4. Military -- I feel we're not doing what needs to be done. This really calls for a long and technical discussion. At this point, I'm just presenting my feelings.
5. Race relations -- Obama messed this up from the beginning. He is quoted as saying, "If I had a son he would look like Trayvon Martin." But what he would look like is not the issue. The real question is whether he would act like Trayvon Martin acted. Some police officers have been coarsened by their work in the streets day after day. It seems to be an occupational hazard. We must do more to see that they maintain an appropriate attitude towards their work. But the criticism and abuse they have been suffering is uncalled for.
6. They say Trump is not fit to be president. But from what I see of the Benghazi situation and from the way Hillary treated America's secrets, I'm a lot more worried about her than I am about Trump.
7. Say what you will, I believe Trump understands women's rights and the needs of the LGBT community.
8. Israel: Anyone who follows the relationship between the current administration and Israel understands clearly how much better this relationship would be with a Republican administration.
9 Islamic fundamentalism: We see what's happening in Europe and Obama still doesn't perceive the threat to America's values!
10. The need for defined and controlled national borders. Trump gets it.
Anyway, that's my list for now.
There are however factors in this election that would seem to make a reasonable citizen support Trump. Here is my listing:
1. Economic policy
Controlling inflation and developing a reasonable path forwards. The Democrats point to declining joblessness. The Republicans point to a sickly GDP growth figure. The problem is that statistics do sometimes lead the conditions that will ultimately face the American citizen and sometimes lag forthcoming events.
A conference was convened led by Simpson and Bowles. It set a path for the American economy, but was considered too severe. But, a path must be found if we are not to find ourselves with a very real economic disaster. Remember, things always look at their best before the bubble bursts. I see Trump trying to deal with this very difficult situation. The Democrats don't even try.
2. Education in America
This is a real can of worms, but it's also critically important. We discuss employment as growing or declining. Actually there are two sets of American citizens; the educated and the uneducated, or under educated. We must find ways of raising the educational level of our under educated people.
Educational Innovation must begin at the state level. America is too diverse for one system that will work well everywhere. I believe Trump understands this better than the Democrats. Certainly, Obama showed us nothing that worked during his tenure. As I see it, Hillary is simply a continuation of Obama.
3. Foreign policy -- Military/Political engagement. Our efforts in the international arena have been pitiful. We've drawn red lines that have no meaning. We destroyed the Iraqi government without doing anything to see that some sort of governance was maintained. And, in this the Republicans have been as bad as the Democrats. That's why you now see these military "experts" responsible for the present mess coming out against Trump. They want to keep digging the hole we find ourselves in.
4. Military -- I feel we're not doing what needs to be done. This really calls for a long and technical discussion. At this point, I'm just presenting my feelings.
5. Race relations -- Obama messed this up from the beginning. He is quoted as saying, "If I had a son he would look like Trayvon Martin." But what he would look like is not the issue. The real question is whether he would act like Trayvon Martin acted. Some police officers have been coarsened by their work in the streets day after day. It seems to be an occupational hazard. We must do more to see that they maintain an appropriate attitude towards their work. But the criticism and abuse they have been suffering is uncalled for.
6. They say Trump is not fit to be president. But from what I see of the Benghazi situation and from the way Hillary treated America's secrets, I'm a lot more worried about her than I am about Trump.
7. Say what you will, I believe Trump understands women's rights and the needs of the LGBT community.
8. Israel: Anyone who follows the relationship between the current administration and Israel understands clearly how much better this relationship would be with a Republican administration.
9 Islamic fundamentalism: We see what's happening in Europe and Obama still doesn't perceive the threat to America's values!
10. The need for defined and controlled national borders. Trump gets it.
Anyway, that's my list for now.
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