Going the other way on Scientology

In other tax break news, South Africa now has officially recognized Scientology as a "public benefit organization", after 42 years and 26 applications.


Hebbard beat me to it the other day posting that certain German politicians are interested in banning Scientology, and I was going to say that it’s intriguing to see how countries abroad see our little baby religion in its bourgeoning state. Even though here in the States it’s still roundly lambasted, it’s working its way into our cultural speak, whether we like it or not.

Thus, I found this news to be a nice contrast in the way the world is viewing the Fighting Tom Cruises.

Another clash between Islam and the West?

Though I am ideologically opposed to generalizing an entire half of the world against a specific religion (especially when a strong majority of that religion isn't made up of radical militants), here's an interesting story regarding a Dutch politician's most recent attempt to incite rage in the local (and global) Islamic community.

To reiterate, I don't see this as part of the epic battle between the “West vs. Islam,” but more appropriately, it's a specific jab at radical Muslims that will not accept criticism of their religion. I do think that Geert Wilders (pictured), the man in question who desires to make a film depicting the less-than-virtuous side of the Prophet's life, makes a good point in trying to stand up for free speech with regards to all things Islam, because the violence that comes from criticism on this topic is unconscionable.

However, that does not preclude the fact that his idea for the film is anti-Islam propaganda, and though it is his goal, Wilders' proposition will stir up a lot of negative (and possibly needless) controversy. That said, I think he should produce his film if he feels strongly about it, though antagonism never really gets people very far.

My question is, though, how can he advocate “free speech” and then call for the Qur’an to be banned? If he wants a war, then he’ll get it. Sadly, this exposes exactly the thing he wants to do, which is incite militant Muslims to riot against him. Clearly he doesn’t want this problem to be mitigated, otherwise he wouldn’t fan the flames.

The main point here is that calling this a war between "the West" and Islam is very unfair to the rest of us. Most Muslims are not at war with Western Culture; in fact, many of them are simply trying to live within their tradition apart from the radical theocracy that is abundant in the Middle East, because they don't see their own beliefs reflected there, either. Therefore, while Wilders' objection to militancy is understandable, simply pissing people off is only going to make life harder for the Muslims that are not involved with that small minority; because no effort is being made to understand the religion as a whole, or engage with particular individuals, each Muslim gets lumped into a negative category.

In this sense, there is a conflict between Western Culture and Islam, because there is a perceived rift. If we're talking about being champions of free speech and free expression, then we need to be able to differentiate between those who are utilizing that freedom appropriately and constructively and those who are not, on both sides of the "clash." If unjustified violence and blind hatred fall into the realm of "not," then there's work to be done on all sides.

Updates!

I am in the middle of finals this week so I don't have much time to post, but I wanted to give a few quick updates on some big stories from last week:

- Putin's United Russia wins control of the parliament in dominating fashion; the West calls for investigations of suspected fraud.

- Hugo Chavez's effort to become dictator of Venezuela was turned back at the polls.

- The teacher involved in the Sudanese teddy bear scandal has been pardoned and released from prison.

"Let's Get 'Em": Evangelical warmongers

First of all, I have to give a nod to the gentleman from whom I gathered this story, as the meta-tag to his blog is "The musings of an eccentric and sometimes heretical Episcopalian priest." It's always refreshing to me to hear a clergy member a.) have a sense of humor, and b.) not be afraid to speak his or her mind.

On that note, the aforementioned Father Jake posted an article regarding the lack of hesitation in spreading Christianity through violence.

Calling out others who see proselytizing as the main goal of our political situation in the Middle East, he says:

"Franklin Graham, the evangelist (and son of Billy Graham), boasted that the American invasion of Iraq opens up exciting new opportunities for missions to non-Christian Arabs. This is not what the Hebrew or Christian prophets meant by righteousness and discipleship. In fact, the grotesque notion that preemptive war and the destruction of innocent life pave the way for the preaching of the Christian message strikes me as a mockery and a betrayal. . . One would hope that we are seeing the American evangelicals' trend of depicting Jesus as the new Rambo finally coming to an end."

(editor's note: lifted from his site is this glorious picture in context with his analogy)



Though I will not agree that our involvement in Iraq (and now Iran, Pakistan, can't forget Afghanistan, and soon Russia and Venezuela — see Greg's posts earlier today) is unjustified, I certainly do think it is from a religious perspective, and I think Father Jake here nails that on the head.

Speaking of Totalitarianism...

Vlad Putin will consolidate his power in this Sunday's elections; he plans to use fraud and intimidation to ensure an overwhelming victory. The UK's Guardian reports:

"Local administration officials have called in thousands of staff on their day off in an attempt to engineer a massive and inflated victory for President Vladimir Putin and his United Russia party. Voters are being pressured to vote for United Russia or risk losing their jobs, their accommodation or bonuses, the Guardian has been told in numerous interviews with byudzhetniki (public sector workers), students and ordinary citizens."

By the way, has anybody heard from Chechnya lately?

On the Venezuelan Constitutional Referendum

Hugo Chavez is in the process of putting the final pieces of his "socialist paradise" together in Venezuela. On Sunday, the people have been asked to vote for constitutional amendments that will do away with presidential term limits, end the right to be tried by an independent tribunal, allow the president to declare emergency rule indefinitely, and allow for the censorship of news organizations.

The New York Times has a piece describing the growing opposition to Chavez's power grab. Unfortunately, I am afraid it is too little, too late; Chavez's political machine is far too big to lose at this point. I hope that the people can eventually wrest control away from their new totalitarian dictator. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the vast wealth of oil found within Venezuela's borders will be squandered.

Is China's Economy Really Approaching Super Power Status?

The Financial Times doesn't think so; new research by the Asian Development Bank shows that China's economy is both smaller and poorer than previously reported. From the article:

"The results tell us that when the World Bank announces its expected [Purchasing Power Parity] data revisions later this year, China’s economy will turn out to be 40 per cent smaller than previously stated."

Read the whole article for an explanation on what Purchasing Power Parity is, why it is a good gauge of an economy's size, and why it shows that China's economy is smaller than expected.

Along with their growing ecological nightmare, news that China's economy is nearly half the size that was being reported is further evidence that the Chinese are no closer to eclipsing the American market than the Japanese were in the 1980's. Phew.

The UN Asks NATO to Tackle the Opium Trade in Afghanistan

CNN has an article discussing the current international discussion on the Opium trade in Afghanistan. From the article:

"'Since drugs are funding the insurgency, NATO has a self-interest in supporting Afghan forces in destroying drug labs, markets and convoys,' Costa said in a written statement to coincide with the release of the survey. 'Destroy the drug trade and you cut off the Taliban's main funding source.'"

I have an idea. Instead of vilifying people and burning their fields, how about we take the opium production out of the black market? Legalize the poppy farms and then the international community can buy the product at fair market value. The poppies can be used to produce morphine, which has a legitimate medical use.

Religion and the Pakistani Government

In an attempt to cover religious news that doesn't in some way reflect American Christianity, here's a take on the Pakistani conflict from a religious perspective.

Briefly, the article explains:

"A helpful way to [recognize religion's role in the Pakistani political situation] would be to compare Pakistan and other Middle Eastern countries dominated by Muslim politics. Some are comparing the situation in Pakistan to the pre-revolution situation in Iran. But how does the presence of the highly professional military in Pakistan negate that factor, and what does religion have to do with it?

Another significant religion ghost that could receive more attention concerns former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. What is the religious significance that the opposition leader in an Islamic country is a woman? What does that tell us about the way Islam is taught and applied in the country?"

It shall be interesting to see how this all plays out, and by interesting, I mean we'll see how long it takes before full-scale theocratic war erupts. From a selfish standpoint, I hope we don't get caught in the middle of a religious war that we shouldn't be a part of, but it looks like it might already be too late for that.

Update: Nuclear Apocalypse Friday

Pakistan is swearing that its nuclear arms are completely secure. From Yahoo! News:

"Responding to comments by former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton and others in Washington, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Sadiq said "there are multiple layers of command and control and the weapons are not in danger of falling into any hands."

Phew!

Happy Friday, Kids!

Since the Quail has been a whole lot of gloom, doom, and coverage of droughts, flies, and other signs of the endtimes today, I have some non-news to report.

Today...in Snakes!
- A local Texan, Jackie Bibby, set a new world record on Monday by lying in a bathtub for 45 minutes with 87 rattlesnakes, none of which were defanged. If this guy isn't single, he should be. Yikes.
- Theives in the West Midlands, UK stole a six-foot boa constrictor, ten other snakes (including a four-foot Black King snake), cash, and a Nissan Micra. The robbery itself is weird enough, but who the hell keeps that many snakes on hand?

African Pundits Make Keen Insights into U.S. Politics
- AllAfrica.com reprinted Nicholas Sengoba's column from this week's Kampala "Monitor" about Why "Big Brother Is Better Than Elections". The article actually parallels the reality show to Ugandan politics, but I find that you can just as easily substitute "American elections" and "American Idol."

Biscuits and Beer: All That's Missing Are the Fine Bitches (Who Will Be at Quail-fest Tonight)
- For those of you who are punking out, not coming to tonight's Quail extravaganza, and going to Atlanta instead, note that the Candler Park Flying Biscuit has a Sweetwater beer dinner special tonight, November 9. Basically, the Biscuit will be serving a special three-course meal with three separate Sweetwater select brews. More details after the jump.

Oprah Gives Love Advice
- CNN has a link to Oprah.com on "How to (Not) Get a Man", looking at the advice given by books like "The Rules" and explaining why that doesn't work. Now, like every other middle class woman--hell, every woman--in America, I love me some Oprah. Which is why I'm not going to make a joke here about Oprah not actually having a man herself. I'll leave that to y'all.

[Insert Magic Wand Joke Here]
- And "Equus," also known as the "Naked Harry Potter Play," is coming over to Broadway in September 2008. Daniel Radcliffe will be reprising the central role for the play's '08 Broadway run.

Nuclear Apocalypse Friday!

In my post about the situation in Pakistan earlier in the week, I neglected to mention the biggest issue of all: What is happening with Pakistan's nukes?

Luckily, In From the Cold has it covered. From the post:

"This much we know: trying to monitor, control (or even, eliminate) Pakistan's nuclear arsenal amid escalating violence would be difficult, if not impossible, for a variety of reasons. Three decades after Islamabad launched its efforts to get the bomb--and almost a decade after the country's first announced nuclear tests--there is much we don't know about Pakistan's program, including the status of its weapons, their locations, and security measures in place at various nuclear-related facilities."

Scary stuff. I am hoping that our military leadership is more competent than our civilian leadership, because this is a pretty awful situation. How should this effect our stance towards the current political standoff?

OK, sorry about all the doom and gloom. Have a good weekend everybody. If you are in Athens tonight, be sure to stop by our little shindig. I promise there will be no discussion of nuclear weapons, internet pornography, or condo booms.

'Saudi and Egyptian Nukes Would Mean Apocalypse', Says Israeli Minister

This is exactly why we can't have an Iranian Nuke. From the Jerusalem Post:

"Egyptian and Saudi Arabian intentions to begin or revive their nuclear programs in the face of Iran's continued race toward nuclear power present an "apocalyptic scenario" for Israel as well as for the rest of the world, Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday."

The jury is still out on whether the Iranians actually have the capability or will-power to build a bomb and the necessary delivery systems. However, as they inch closer to those achievements, the other states in the region are certain to get nervous and start thinking about their own preservation. If a nuclear arms race takes off in the Gulf, we are all in very big trouble.

Not To Be Upstaged By Pakistan, Former Soviet Republic Georgia Hosts Coup Attempt, Declares State of Emergency

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has declared a 15-day national state of emergency. Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli claims that the "Russian Special Services" are involved in the civil unrest, which has endured for 6 days now, and is also claiming that a coup attempt has taken place. This is a shame, following only 3 years after Saakashvili was elected (Wikipedia on the "Rose Revolution").

Here are a few pictures of the riot police and the protesters; and here's to hoping that everything is resolved in a peaceful, democratic manner.

Ridiculous British Laws

Yep, this is just like it sounds.

A couple choice favorites:

The Number One: "It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament."

"In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter." Good to know when you're walking home wasted, as can be the case in Scotland.

"It is illegal to avoid telling the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing." How do they enforce this??

Thanks to my sister Rita for sending this along.

Pakistan in Turmoil

Pakistan was thrown into political chaos on Saturday when President Pervez Musharraf declared 'emergency rule', fired the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and placed many of the nations leading judges, lawyers, and opposition party members in state custody. From CNN:

"Musharraf's declaration [of emergency rule] noted a "visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks" and it blamed a judiciary that was "at cross purposes" with his government's efforts "to control this menace.""

This is the second time this year that the Chief Justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, has been fired. His strict interpretation of the Pakistani constitution appears to be preventing Musharraf from running the type of dictatorship that he sees necessary. Again from CNN:

"Chaudhry, who was reinstated to the court in July, has led key rulings that have weakened Musharraf's grip on power -- including lifting the exile imposed on opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted by Musharraf in a 1999 bloodless coup."

As you might imagine, this whole situation creates a difficult spot for the US. Musharraf's government has emerged as a reluctant ally in the war on terrorism; additionally, Pakistan has become perhaps the most important location on the planet for controlling the training and supplying of radical Islamic fighters. While Musharraf certainly could have done more to help the US and its allies in the region, he has at least allowed access to the country's most troubled locales.

This is where the problem arises, the administration wants to support democracy and needs the government of Pakistan to support its continued fight in the area, but it is unsure of what type of reception it would get from a democratically elected one. The administration risks hypocrisy if it gives full support to the dictator Musharraf, but it risks heavy military and strategic losses if it doesn't.

AT this point the Bush administration seems to be erring on the side of supporting democracy in Pakistan. Bush has demanded that the current regime hold elections as soon as possible, and that Musharraf should remove his ties to the military. The administration has also threatened to cut aid to Pakistan, but it is unlikely that this will happen for fear of alienating moderate Muslims. Since aid is the only practical leverage that the US has against the Musharraf regime look for lots of talking coming out of Washington, but little to no action designed to oust the current government.

For more information - The New York Times has an article on the initial government crackdown here. CNN has excellent running coverage on the crisis, which can be found here. Finally, Slate has an article explaining why Pakistani lawyers always seem to be mixing it up with government forces; find that here.

Has the US Defeated Al-Qaida in Iraq?

Michael Yon, a former member of US Special Forces and current citizen journalist in Iraq, files a report claiming that Al-Qaida can no longer count on the local populace to protect them from justice; apparently, their strategy of brutally killing innocent civilians has backfired.

While you are at Michael's site, I recommend that you take a look at some of the other reports he has filed; I especially enjoyed his series on the US attack on Baqubah earlier this year.

Is Waterboarding Torture?

I think the answer to that question is yes. While the policy makers may quibble over definitions, former soldiers seem to be in agreement. Malcolm Nance at the Small Wars Journal makes no bones about it, and Revolutionary War Hero and 2008 Presidential Candidate John McCain, a former POW himself, is in agreement.

From what I can understand, waterboarding is not "simulating drowning", but is in fact actually drowning the victim, but allowing them to draw in enough oxygen to keep them conscious. It's close enough to killing someone that the Army and the CIA have a doctor and a psychologist on-hand, as well as specially trained "strap-in, strap-out" teams in case removal from the waterboard to administer medical assistance is necessary.

We, the citizens of the United States of America, are faced with a serious moral dilemma. The "War on Terror" has thrown us into a conflict with an enemy that will resort to anything to destroy us. We know they have no compuction about torturing, maiming, and murdering; we know they have no regard for the distinction between military personnel and civilians. Their hatred for us drives them single-mindedly to anything they can use to their advantage. Faced with such a foe, how long can we hold the moral high ground? And at what cost?

Iran Preparing For War

The British paper, the Telegraph, is reporting that Iranian President Ahmadinejad has begun a campaign to promote political hardliners to key government positions ahead of a possible war with the US. From the article:

"Western diplomats have also been alarmed by the appointment of General Mohammad Ali Jafari, who took part in the storming of the US Embassy in Teheran in 1979, as head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, one of the most powerful institutions in Iran."

In likely related news, the Iranian military is praising suicide bombing as a right and just method of attack on the enemy. From the CNN:

"'If necessary, we will use the element of martyrdom-seeking and we will become people of Ashura,' Fars quoted Gen. Ali Fadavi as saying. Ashura refers to the day marking the death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Mohammed's grandson, who is revered by Shiite Muslims."

I'm not sure that hell exists, but if it does I hope there is an especially terrible place reserved for people of authority that encourage their poor and uneducated followers to strap on explosive vests and kill innocent by-standers.

Update: The Situation in Turkey

Tensions continue to simmer between Iraq and Turkey, as diplomatic discussions have been unable to achieve a long term solution. So far, Turkey has not launched a full fledged invasion of Northern Iraq in pursuit of rebel Kurdish fighters. However, Reuters is reporting that the Turkish military has commenced with an aerial assault on bases across the border. It appears that the situation could go either way, but I would assume that fighting will increase before things settle down.

In related news, the proposed bill in the US Congress to condemn the Ottoman genocide against the Armenians has stalled. CNN reports that the White House has succeeded in convincing supporters of the bill to withdraw it and consider it at a more opportune time.

Update: CNN has an updated report on today's events in Turkey here.

Update: Check here for our previous post on the Turkey-Iraq situation.