This is totally Off Topic but none the less....

[Desert_Seg]

Pam - If you want to lock this down or delete it feel free. I'm posting under the guise of "education" and don't necessarily look for any responses.

This video is an interview with Wafa Sultan, who is an Arab-American Psychologist. Her topic, "There Is No Clash of Civilizations but a Clash between the Mentality of the Middle Ages and That of the 21st Century" really outlines what I believe is the issue going on in the Middle East right now.

The video was originally aired on Al-Jazeera TV on February 21, 2006.

Video can be seen at:
http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_MemriTV_Popup/video_480x360.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=null

Transcript can be read at:
http://www.memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=1050

I am not trying to denigrate Islam or in any way shape or form make Islam look less than it is. What I'm trying to do is educate and show that even Muslimes (Wafa is a Muslim) believe that change has to take place within.

Commentary is always welcome but before you do please also read

http://jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/007434.php

which was a previous interview given by Wafa. She is a very courageous woman and one who, believe it or not, speaks for many millions of Muslims!

Enjoy and I hope we can all learn something from her.

Steven


--- EAMUS CATULI! ---

No person is truly useless. They may always serve as a bad example!

[pam]

As long as we can just discuss the issues and don't get into name calling, even indirectly, I see no reason to delete this. I'm speaking for myself, but I know my knowledge of the muslim community is not strong - I've studied some sufi poetry, and lived through the last several years, but I've not spent time actually studying the culture(s).
Pam

[GyroGo]

There is NO topic more important to our entire civilization than this.

Nuclear weapon technology can only be kept out of the hands of angry irrational people for so long. Only a lifting of the human spirit of brotherhood is our hope for continuing survival as creatures of this universe.

Teach your children love and tolerance.

[KSagal]

It does not surprise me that there are different perspectives in many different camps.

There is room for many different takes on this. I believe that the conflict between those who feel that 9-11 was justified and those who call it terrorism is the pivotal issue of our day...

I fear that if this conflict is not resolved and endorsed by both sides, it will escalate into a globe altering event.

The globe is already changed and changing more, and it is time to take control of that change, and stop trying to just roll with the punches...


Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Any truth to this?

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/03/22/D8GGPJJG3.html

Workers Riot at Site of Dubai Skyscraper

Interesting.
Peace.


"Wherever you go, there you are."
- Buckaroo Banzai

[Buckaroo Banzai]

More on Dubai... hope this too is BS.

Migrants and the Middle East: Welcome to the other side of Dubai

For the people who visit, it is a world-class centre of finance and tourism. But for the people who are building it - mainly labourers from the Indian subcontinent - the reality is very different. Kim Sengupta reports on a rising tide of protest

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article354070.ece

Peace.



"Wherever you go, there you are."
- Buckaroo Banzai

[Desert_Seg]

Josh,

Not sure the point you are trying to make but both those articles are true....almost in their entirety.

Yet the point you and the reporters seemed to have missed is that change IS taking place...two or three years ago they would have been swiftly deported. Yes, there are still issues to be resolved and yes, there are warts that remain to be excised but change, positive change, is taking place.

And, as an "oh by the way", the Dubai Government has indicated they will be accrediting their first labor union soon, a move in the right direction and one that will likely lead to more strikes.

Finally, don't forget, the US just went through this less than a century ago, Russia and other countries in the last decade. So, while I'm always unsure of your point, I hope you take into account that change takes time....regardless of where you are in the world.

Steven

--- EAMUS CATULI! ---

No person is truly useless. They may always serve as a bad example!

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Just wanted to keep all this UAE promoting "fair and balanced".
Also wanted your take on these new articles.

Peace.


"Wherever you go, there you are."
- Buckaroo Banzai