----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Pat Fannin
To: Sam Kegley
Sent: Thu, June 10, 2010 6:16:09 AM
Subject: FW: Let's get this circulating by July 4th
I HOPE THERE ISN'T ANYONE ON MY E-MAIL LIST THAT WON'T KEEP THIS GOING.
Happy 4th of
July!....
.....let' s get this started now,
So it will be out there on the fourth!!!!
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
FLAG, OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ,
AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR
WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
KEEP IT LIT!
[cid:3.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
KEEP IT LIT!
For
All of our other military personnel, where ever they may be
Please
Support all of the troops defending our Country.
[cid:4.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
And God
Bless our Military who are protecting our Country for our
Freedom.
Thanks
To them, and their sacrifices we can celebrate the 4th of July
[cid:5.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
We must never forget who
Gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be
Eternally grateful..
[cid:6.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com][cid:7.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com][cid:8.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com][cid:9.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
I watched the flag
Pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
[cid:10.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
A young Marine
Saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..
I looked at
Him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square
And eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
[cid:11.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
I thought how many men
Like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign
Soil
How many mothers' tears?
[cid:12.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
How many pilots' planes
Shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers'
Graves ?
No, freedom isn't free
I heard the sound of Taps
One night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler
Play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant 'Amen,'
[cid:13.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
When a flag had draped a
Coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
[cid:14.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com][cid:15.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
I thought of all the
Children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and
Husbands
With interrupted lives.
I
Thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
[cid:16.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
Of unmarked graves in
Arlington .
No, freedom isn't free.
[cid:17.134595063@web52305.mail.re2.yahoo.com]
Enjoy Your Freedom
&God Bless Our Troops
When
You receive this, please stop for a moment
And
Say a
Prayer for our servicemen.
Of all the gifts you could give
A US Soldier, Prayer is the very best
One.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
From: www.silkroadsandsiamesesmiles.com-Women in Afghanistan
Afghanistan, burqa, chidari, girls, women
Under the thumb of Islam — Women in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, culture on April 5, 2008 at 6:19 am
Afghanistan. Infamous for the Burqa or Chidori. It’s the land that the Taliban made famous by oppressing women. The famous scene of the woman being shot with an AK-47 by a cold and heartless talib. The women here are a mystery to me. I’ve met a couple. One who spoke almost no English. One who had lived in exile with her family in London and returned briefly to live with her Aunt and Uncle.
Walking around Kabul, you see Afghani women covered from head to toe in the burqa or chidari. You’ll see women covering themselves with the hijab. Occasionally, you see Afghan women who go uncovered in public. It’s rare. Usually she will be from a family who had spent time outside of Afghanistan during the past 30 years of war. Families who have adopted a Western and liberal attitude.
What I find ludicrous about the whole hijab, burqa, chidori tradition is that it is in no way a choice of the woman. If you ask an Afghani male, he will usually tell you that she is wearing it because of her family or her husband. “If you have a beautiful wife and you don’t want other men looking at her, you tell her to cover herself.” “Her family is traditional so they tell her to cover herself.” Men in Afghanistan think that it is a stain upon their honor if other men look at their wives. Somehow that blame is transferred to the women. It is their fault that men find them attractive. Therefore, the women must cover themselves.
The Arab Islamic attitude with which I have become acquainted is even more weak of mind and spirit. If a woman is raped, it is her fault because she put herself in that situation. She put herself in that situation because she allowed herself to be alone with a man not of her family. It’s her fault because she went uncovered. It’s her fault because she wore tight, form fitting clothing as opposed to the loose clothing prescribed by Allah and Muhammad. The man shares no blame even though he committed the heinous act. It’s not the man’s fault that he raped her. He couldn’t help himself because he was overcome with lust. His weakness is forgiven. Tolerated. Excused. In my opinion, that weakness of spirit is encouraged in the Arab Islamic tradition. We are to believe that Muslim men have no more control over their lust than toddlers have over their bowel movements? This attitude towards women spreads with Islam. In Islam, women are objects to be controlled, owned, traded, bartered for and sold away. Mere property at the whim and mercy of men. Yet, we are told that women have rights in Islam.
In accordance with Islamic sharee’ah, women who are raped must have four male witnesses. If these four witnesses are not forthcoming and the woman admits that she is raped, she is guilty of adultery. Punishable by death. If she is not put to death then she is exiled from family and community.
This is Islamic Justice!
An interesting story illustrates the attitudes of Islamic men towards women. I was driving around Kabul with an Afghani. As usual, I was taking pictures. Each time I took a picture of a woman, he would get upset and grunt or in some way express his disapproval to me indirectly. Finally, I asked him what the problem was. He told me that I should not be taking pictures of women. His real problem was that I was taking pictures of Afghani women. Islamic women. Yet this same man carries around a phone with a gigabyte of hardcore porn which he will show you in the manner of a bragging adolescent. I mean hardcore as in animals and women. I told him that he was a hypocrite. I offered a deal. I would stop taking pictures of Afghan women if he would erase all of his porn. Of course, he balked. I told him to shut up and drive. lol
Another ludicrous example of the traditions here and elsewhere in the world of Islam. I met a young woman who had lived most of her life in Switzerland. She had gone to all western schools from grade school through University. Her family moved back to Afghanistan a couple of years ago. They spent most of their family money in the process of returning. This girl is quite beautiful. So her father used her beauty to form a business partnership. She is to be married to a man in his 60s. She will be his second wife. Expected to give him the son that his first wife had yet to produce. She has a degree in mathematics that will be for naught as her husband to be is a traditionalist. She will be required to wear a chidari and will not be allowed to leave the house much less hold a job. Once she stepped back inside the world of Islam, she became property. She has no choice in this matter. No say.
This is the world of Islam. The justice that Islam affords women.
These are Islams victims. Future and present.
NGO volunteers from London pose with their students in Kabul.
As mysterious as she is beautiful.
Hijab, Chidari, Burqa … the arrogance and folly of Islamic men. Why would you cause to be hidden such beauty.
▶ 9 Responses
I THINK ENLIGHTENING AND RAISING CONSCIOUSNESS IS ALWAYS THE NOBLE WAY.
IT HASN’T BEEN LONG AGO THAT WOMEN WERE PROPERTY OF THEIR HUSBANDS IN THE US. THEY WEREN’T ALLOWED TO VOTE OR OWN PROPERTY.
I AM NOT CLEAR ON THIS STATEMENT: THEY COULD BE BEATEN AS LONG AS THE STICK WAS THE APPROPRIATE LENGTH AND THICKNESS. THIS MAY HAVE
ONLY BEEN THE LAW IN ENGLAND. HOWEVER, CLOSE ENOUGH. IF A WIFE WAS TOO OUT OF SORTS SHE WOULD BE PUT AWAY IN AN ASYLUM OR WHATEVER. HOPEFULLY, THINGS WILL EVENTUALLY CHANGE IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD.
THEY ARE STILL CHANGING HERE. A LITTLE HISTORY OF CHANGE.
THIS IS FROM A 1978 SOCIOLOGY BOOK.
WOMEN
IN 1944, THE SWEDISH ECONOMIST, GUNNAR MYRDAL, IN “AN AMERICAN DILEMMA”, DREW A PARALLEL BETWEEN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION OF BLACKS AND WOMEN. HE CONTENDED THAT AMERICAN BLACKS AND WOMEN ARE VICTIMS OF A PATERNALISTICALLY DOMINATED SOCIETY AND QUOTES FROM GEORGE FITZHUGH’S SOCIOLOGY FOR THE SOUTH TO ILLUSTRATE HIS POINT:
“A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE AND ILLUSTRATION……IS FOUND IN THE INSTANCE OF THE PATRIARCH ABRAHAM. HIS WIVES AND HIS CHILDREN, HIS MEN SERVANTS AND HIS MAID SERVANTS, HIS CAMELS AND HIS CATTLE, WERE ALL EQUALLY HIS PROPERTY. HE COULD SACRIFICE ISAAC OR A RAM JUST AS HE PLEASED. HE LOVED AND PROTECTED ALL, AND ALL SHARED, IF NOT EQUALLY, AT LEAST FAIRLY, IN THE PRODUCTS OF THEIR LIGHT LABOUR. WHO WOULD NOT DESIRE TO HAVE BEEN A SLAVE OF THAT OLD PATRIARCH, STERN AND DESPOTIC AS HE WAS?…….PRIDE, AFFECTION, SELF-INTEREST MOVED ABRAHAM TO PROTECT, LOVE, AND TAKE CARE OF HIS SLAVES. THE SAME MOTIVES OPERATE ON ALL MASTERS AND SECURE COMFORT, COMPETENCY, AND PROTECTION TO THE SLAVE. A MAN’S WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE HIS SLAVES, AND DO THEY NOT ENJOY, IN COMMON WITH HIMSELF, HIS PROPERTY.”
THE BOOK, SOCIAL PROBLEMS, GOES ON TO STATE: ” THIS LEGACY STILL INFLUENCES THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN WOMEN LIVE.”
THANKS FOR THE FORUM DAVID.
Reply
Mildred 5 April 2008 at 7am
there are no words that can describe the disgust that you feel when you read these ways women are being treated all in the name of their religion. as usual men are in control of these women and it is truly sad that they cant do anything about it. it was like that with Christianity as well in the past. men were to rule over women and control them. they were property of the men, as well as the children. the law wouldn’t interfere with any abuse of the women or children because they were seen as the mans property. there are diaries of women who were caught up in this as soon as the late 1800′s. there are even diaries of men who knew things were wrong with families they knew but wrote how they couldnt do anything because it was nt there place and it was legal because the children and women were the mans to do with what he wants to. it wasnt that long ago we were in the similar situation. we had a little more rights than the afgan women. hopefully if people are more aware by reading these reports of the abuse people will start to try and stop it.
Reply
Ginger 5 April 2008 at 7am
http://www.islamfortoday.com/ummzaid06.htm
Reply
Jihadi 5 April 2008 at 7am
SOMEBODY PLEASE PULL THE TRIGGER. LETS GET IT OVER WITH!
Reply
JR 6 April 2008 at 2am
Dave, I am quite taken by some of these photos, would you mind if I use some of these for my paintings? I am currently working on a rather large painting presently that holds 7 young women with children (they’re own? the ‘women’ are pratically children themselves). Your words ring true, the failings of that religion, anything that subjugates one humanbeing beneath another cannot be devine, not of God, but of man, and therefore flawed, such is religion.
Reply
Janie G 7 April 2008 at 12pm
Janie, you can use any of these photos. The images don’t belong to me. The belong to the women themselves. I’ve just borrowed them.
It’d be cool to see some of them in your paintings.
Dave
Reply
alphaheretic 7 April 2008 at 1pm
This article is nonsense. While it may be that the Muslim women of Afghanistan are oppressed by their ignorant men folk, this is not a true representation of Islam at all. No where in the quran does Allah/God endorse such harsh and barbaric treatment of women. Allah is just, merciful, full of pity and compassionate. Women are given a noble status in the quran. The shariah does not sanction stoning in fact the only reference in the quran to stoning is when its used as a threat by the ‘PAGANS’ against prophets and messengers. I converted to islam from Christianity and i have never experienced such spiritual beauty and peace in my life. Stop spreding lies about Islam and get the facts not some twisted taliban version.
Reply
maria 26 September 2008 at 7am
Maria,
I agree with you that Islam as individual spirituality can be a beautiful and uplifting experience. The sad fact is that Islam, like Christianity before it, is used to oppress others. The why of it matters very little. Look around you. Look at the world. Where in the world where Islam is strong is it not oppressive.
If Islam is law, women are not given the choice of how to present themselves. And even where Islam is not law, the men of Islam use the religion to oppress women.
It was the same with Christianity.
A woman who walks around uncovered is called all manner of names in the lands of Islam. Often times, it goes beyond mere names to physical assault.
A religion is only what it’s people makes of it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Islam has been made a cruel mockery of beauty.
Do you live in America?
Try living Islam in Iran. Iraq. Syria, Egypt. Dubai. Kuwait. Saudi Arabia. Afghanistan. Pakistan. India. See how free and beautiful you feel then.
This is the representation of Islam on planet Earth. Perhaps, the Quran meant it differently. Perhaps, God and Mohammad (PBUH) meant it differently. And Perhaps George Bush meant to be a better President.
Last time I saw, Allah wasn’t stopping any of the violence or ignorance in the Muslim world.
Maybe it’s just me.
Stoning might not be in the Qu’ran. Fact is. This form of punishment is used in the Muslim world. You’re getting your beautiful book confused with the reality on the ground.
I have visited or lived in almost every Muslim country out there. Universally, the Muslim world treats women as 2nd class citizens. Doesn’t much matter what the Quran says when men twist it to their ends. Now does it.
I challenge you. Go live in Iran or Iraq. Go live in Syria. Even Egypt. Egypt is the most tolerant of Muslim nations in the Arab crescent. Live there. See how free and noble you feel.
Reply
alphaheretic 26 September 2008 at 9am
I am not innocent of being jealous of a beautiful wife, Dave, Yes I am a Christian. I am like Christ except that I am far from perfect. Shariah law, as I understand it, is as you describe.
From early schooling here in America, it is far too evident that women can think and do many of the things men can, as well as or better.
I am happy that God made men and women of different characteristics. In His way, God has blessed us all and there will be a better hereafter.
Thanks for your efforts here on earth!
Reply
SamKat 10 June 2010 at 5pm
Click here to cancel reply.
Blog Stats
378,885 hits
Under the thumb of Islam — Women in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, culture on April 5, 2008 at 6:19 am
Afghanistan. Infamous for the Burqa or Chidori. It’s the land that the Taliban made famous by oppressing women. The famous scene of the woman being shot with an AK-47 by a cold and heartless talib. The women here are a mystery to me. I’ve met a couple. One who spoke almost no English. One who had lived in exile with her family in London and returned briefly to live with her Aunt and Uncle.
Walking around Kabul, you see Afghani women covered from head to toe in the burqa or chidari. You’ll see women covering themselves with the hijab. Occasionally, you see Afghan women who go uncovered in public. It’s rare. Usually she will be from a family who had spent time outside of Afghanistan during the past 30 years of war. Families who have adopted a Western and liberal attitude.
What I find ludicrous about the whole hijab, burqa, chidori tradition is that it is in no way a choice of the woman. If you ask an Afghani male, he will usually tell you that she is wearing it because of her family or her husband. “If you have a beautiful wife and you don’t want other men looking at her, you tell her to cover herself.” “Her family is traditional so they tell her to cover herself.” Men in Afghanistan think that it is a stain upon their honor if other men look at their wives. Somehow that blame is transferred to the women. It is their fault that men find them attractive. Therefore, the women must cover themselves.
The Arab Islamic attitude with which I have become acquainted is even more weak of mind and spirit. If a woman is raped, it is her fault because she put herself in that situation. She put herself in that situation because she allowed herself to be alone with a man not of her family. It’s her fault because she went uncovered. It’s her fault because she wore tight, form fitting clothing as opposed to the loose clothing prescribed by Allah and Muhammad. The man shares no blame even though he committed the heinous act. It’s not the man’s fault that he raped her. He couldn’t help himself because he was overcome with lust. His weakness is forgiven. Tolerated. Excused. In my opinion, that weakness of spirit is encouraged in the Arab Islamic tradition. We are to believe that Muslim men have no more control over their lust than toddlers have over their bowel movements? This attitude towards women spreads with Islam. In Islam, women are objects to be controlled, owned, traded, bartered for and sold away. Mere property at the whim and mercy of men. Yet, we are told that women have rights in Islam.
In accordance with Islamic sharee’ah, women who are raped must have four male witnesses. If these four witnesses are not forthcoming and the woman admits that she is raped, she is guilty of adultery. Punishable by death. If she is not put to death then she is exiled from family and community.
This is Islamic Justice!
An interesting story illustrates the attitudes of Islamic men towards women. I was driving around Kabul with an Afghani. As usual, I was taking pictures. Each time I took a picture of a woman, he would get upset and grunt or in some way express his disapproval to me indirectly. Finally, I asked him what the problem was. He told me that I should not be taking pictures of women. His real problem was that I was taking pictures of Afghani women. Islamic women. Yet this same man carries around a phone with a gigabyte of hardcore porn which he will show you in the manner of a bragging adolescent. I mean hardcore as in animals and women. I told him that he was a hypocrite. I offered a deal. I would stop taking pictures of Afghan women if he would erase all of his porn. Of course, he balked. I told him to shut up and drive. lol
Another ludicrous example of the traditions here and elsewhere in the world of Islam. I met a young woman who had lived most of her life in Switzerland. She had gone to all western schools from grade school through University. Her family moved back to Afghanistan a couple of years ago. They spent most of their family money in the process of returning. This girl is quite beautiful. So her father used her beauty to form a business partnership. She is to be married to a man in his 60s. She will be his second wife. Expected to give him the son that his first wife had yet to produce. She has a degree in mathematics that will be for naught as her husband to be is a traditionalist. She will be required to wear a chidari and will not be allowed to leave the house much less hold a job. Once she stepped back inside the world of Islam, she became property. She has no choice in this matter. No say.
This is the world of Islam. The justice that Islam affords women.
These are Islams victims. Future and present.
NGO volunteers from London pose with their students in Kabul.
As mysterious as she is beautiful.
Hijab, Chidari, Burqa … the arrogance and folly of Islamic men. Why would you cause to be hidden such beauty.
▶ 9 Responses
I THINK ENLIGHTENING AND RAISING CONSCIOUSNESS IS ALWAYS THE NOBLE WAY.
IT HASN’T BEEN LONG AGO THAT WOMEN WERE PROPERTY OF THEIR HUSBANDS IN THE US. THEY WEREN’T ALLOWED TO VOTE OR OWN PROPERTY.
I AM NOT CLEAR ON THIS STATEMENT: THEY COULD BE BEATEN AS LONG AS THE STICK WAS THE APPROPRIATE LENGTH AND THICKNESS. THIS MAY HAVE
ONLY BEEN THE LAW IN ENGLAND. HOWEVER, CLOSE ENOUGH. IF A WIFE WAS TOO OUT OF SORTS SHE WOULD BE PUT AWAY IN AN ASYLUM OR WHATEVER. HOPEFULLY, THINGS WILL EVENTUALLY CHANGE IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD.
THEY ARE STILL CHANGING HERE. A LITTLE HISTORY OF CHANGE.
THIS IS FROM A 1978 SOCIOLOGY BOOK.
WOMEN
IN 1944, THE SWEDISH ECONOMIST, GUNNAR MYRDAL, IN “AN AMERICAN DILEMMA”, DREW A PARALLEL BETWEEN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION OF BLACKS AND WOMEN. HE CONTENDED THAT AMERICAN BLACKS AND WOMEN ARE VICTIMS OF A PATERNALISTICALLY DOMINATED SOCIETY AND QUOTES FROM GEORGE FITZHUGH’S SOCIOLOGY FOR THE SOUTH TO ILLUSTRATE HIS POINT:
“A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE AND ILLUSTRATION……IS FOUND IN THE INSTANCE OF THE PATRIARCH ABRAHAM. HIS WIVES AND HIS CHILDREN, HIS MEN SERVANTS AND HIS MAID SERVANTS, HIS CAMELS AND HIS CATTLE, WERE ALL EQUALLY HIS PROPERTY. HE COULD SACRIFICE ISAAC OR A RAM JUST AS HE PLEASED. HE LOVED AND PROTECTED ALL, AND ALL SHARED, IF NOT EQUALLY, AT LEAST FAIRLY, IN THE PRODUCTS OF THEIR LIGHT LABOUR. WHO WOULD NOT DESIRE TO HAVE BEEN A SLAVE OF THAT OLD PATRIARCH, STERN AND DESPOTIC AS HE WAS?…….PRIDE, AFFECTION, SELF-INTEREST MOVED ABRAHAM TO PROTECT, LOVE, AND TAKE CARE OF HIS SLAVES. THE SAME MOTIVES OPERATE ON ALL MASTERS AND SECURE COMFORT, COMPETENCY, AND PROTECTION TO THE SLAVE. A MAN’S WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE HIS SLAVES, AND DO THEY NOT ENJOY, IN COMMON WITH HIMSELF, HIS PROPERTY.”
THE BOOK, SOCIAL PROBLEMS, GOES ON TO STATE: ” THIS LEGACY STILL INFLUENCES THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN WOMEN LIVE.”
THANKS FOR THE FORUM DAVID.
Reply
Mildred 5 April 2008 at 7am
there are no words that can describe the disgust that you feel when you read these ways women are being treated all in the name of their religion. as usual men are in control of these women and it is truly sad that they cant do anything about it. it was like that with Christianity as well in the past. men were to rule over women and control them. they were property of the men, as well as the children. the law wouldn’t interfere with any abuse of the women or children because they were seen as the mans property. there are diaries of women who were caught up in this as soon as the late 1800′s. there are even diaries of men who knew things were wrong with families they knew but wrote how they couldnt do anything because it was nt there place and it was legal because the children and women were the mans to do with what he wants to. it wasnt that long ago we were in the similar situation. we had a little more rights than the afgan women. hopefully if people are more aware by reading these reports of the abuse people will start to try and stop it.
Reply
Ginger 5 April 2008 at 7am
http://www.islamfortoday.com/ummzaid06.htm
Reply
Jihadi 5 April 2008 at 7am
SOMEBODY PLEASE PULL THE TRIGGER. LETS GET IT OVER WITH!
Reply
JR 6 April 2008 at 2am
Dave, I am quite taken by some of these photos, would you mind if I use some of these for my paintings? I am currently working on a rather large painting presently that holds 7 young women with children (they’re own? the ‘women’ are pratically children themselves). Your words ring true, the failings of that religion, anything that subjugates one humanbeing beneath another cannot be devine, not of God, but of man, and therefore flawed, such is religion.
Reply
Janie G 7 April 2008 at 12pm
Janie, you can use any of these photos. The images don’t belong to me. The belong to the women themselves. I’ve just borrowed them.
It’d be cool to see some of them in your paintings.
Dave
Reply
alphaheretic 7 April 2008 at 1pm
This article is nonsense. While it may be that the Muslim women of Afghanistan are oppressed by their ignorant men folk, this is not a true representation of Islam at all. No where in the quran does Allah/God endorse such harsh and barbaric treatment of women. Allah is just, merciful, full of pity and compassionate. Women are given a noble status in the quran. The shariah does not sanction stoning in fact the only reference in the quran to stoning is when its used as a threat by the ‘PAGANS’ against prophets and messengers. I converted to islam from Christianity and i have never experienced such spiritual beauty and peace in my life. Stop spreding lies about Islam and get the facts not some twisted taliban version.
Reply
maria 26 September 2008 at 7am
Maria,
I agree with you that Islam as individual spirituality can be a beautiful and uplifting experience. The sad fact is that Islam, like Christianity before it, is used to oppress others. The why of it matters very little. Look around you. Look at the world. Where in the world where Islam is strong is it not oppressive.
If Islam is law, women are not given the choice of how to present themselves. And even where Islam is not law, the men of Islam use the religion to oppress women.
It was the same with Christianity.
A woman who walks around uncovered is called all manner of names in the lands of Islam. Often times, it goes beyond mere names to physical assault.
A religion is only what it’s people makes of it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Islam has been made a cruel mockery of beauty.
Do you live in America?
Try living Islam in Iran. Iraq. Syria, Egypt. Dubai. Kuwait. Saudi Arabia. Afghanistan. Pakistan. India. See how free and beautiful you feel then.
This is the representation of Islam on planet Earth. Perhaps, the Quran meant it differently. Perhaps, God and Mohammad (PBUH) meant it differently. And Perhaps George Bush meant to be a better President.
Last time I saw, Allah wasn’t stopping any of the violence or ignorance in the Muslim world.
Maybe it’s just me.
Stoning might not be in the Qu’ran. Fact is. This form of punishment is used in the Muslim world. You’re getting your beautiful book confused with the reality on the ground.
I have visited or lived in almost every Muslim country out there. Universally, the Muslim world treats women as 2nd class citizens. Doesn’t much matter what the Quran says when men twist it to their ends. Now does it.
I challenge you. Go live in Iran or Iraq. Go live in Syria. Even Egypt. Egypt is the most tolerant of Muslim nations in the Arab crescent. Live there. See how free and noble you feel.
Reply
alphaheretic 26 September 2008 at 9am
I am not innocent of being jealous of a beautiful wife, Dave, Yes I am a Christian. I am like Christ except that I am far from perfect. Shariah law, as I understand it, is as you describe.
From early schooling here in America, it is far too evident that women can think and do many of the things men can, as well as or better.
I am happy that God made men and women of different characteristics. In His way, God has blessed us all and there will be a better hereafter.
Thanks for your efforts here on earth!
Reply
SamKat 10 June 2010 at 5pm
Click here to cancel reply.
Blog Stats
378,885 hits
Dawood Kahn is a good friend who has worked in and traveled in the Middle East for several years. He has largely been an instructor for the US Army of indigenous safety enforcers.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: Silk Roads and Siamese Smiles
To: skegley@columbus.rr.com
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 03:18
Subject: [New post] An Afghan Challenge -- Instructing and Mentoring
An Afghan Challenge -- Instructing and Mentoring
Dawood Khan
April 30, 2008 at 1:07 am
Tags: Afghansitan, Instructing, Logistics, Mentoring
Categories: Afghanistan, Politics, culture
URL: http://wp.me/pa0gv-bT
For the past week or so, I've been at one of the Regional Training Centers (RTC). My task is to advise and assist the RTC staff on logistics functions of what has been dubbed the Focused District Development or FDD. The FDD takes a District Police element pluses up it's manning. Re-equips them and re-trains the District as a whole unit.
To say that the process is problematic is an understatement.
Half of the numbers show for the training. They come in looking half taliban and half homeless. It would be funny if it were really a joke. I assisted in disarming them as they came into the FOB this cycle. As they were being searched, they were relieved of everything from opium to hashish to strange unidentifiable objects that no one wanted to ask about. Confiscate it and move on. lol Their weapons were in a sad state of disrepair. They brought in a tripod mounted PKM that was damaged to the point of uselessness. It had to be a left over from the Soviet Invasion. It was that old.
Aside from assisting and advising the Military and DynCorps RTC staff in their logistical functions and methodology, I give a general logistics seminar to all of the trainees and a more detailed seminar to the District Leadership and Logisitics Staff.
The instruction for the District trainees is fairly dry. It's logistics. Accountability, Responsibility, types of responsibilities, Hand Receipt procedures and OCIE. I usually throw in some "Dave pearls of wisdom" and a few jokes to keep the kids awake. I try to tell them how to take care of themselves when becoming responsible and accountable for property. Try to throw in a bit about husbanding resources as a means of furthering their country down the road to self sufficiency. That kind of thing. Throw in a bit of "Afghan pride." Who knows if any of it sinks in or if they remember anything I said 15 minutes after they walk out the door.
Each iteration of the FDD comes from a different Province or Region within Afghanistan. Farah, Qandahar are the groups we have trained thus far. These boys are like the backwoods Mississipians of Afghanistan. Totally backward. Completely illiterate. Uncouth. Unclean. Indescribable. If the movie Slingblade had been filmed about an Afghani, it would have been set in Qandahar.
During last FDD cycle, the Qandaharis were on the firing range. They were practicing--more likely being taught--marksmanship. As the men were firing on the range, Afghan children were running about collecting the expended brass. They literally run out while the men are firing at the targets. Pop, pop, pop. Weapons firing down range and little kids trying to run out and collect the brass. The RTC staff have to continually run them off. Aside from the distraction. It's a total safety hazard. For the kids, the staff and the trainees.
The Qandahar trainees asked the staff to allow them to catch the kids. They wanted to take them back to the barracks and they weren't shy about it. Qandaharis are infamous for this sexual proclivity. They're fairly open about their sexaul activities. Lascivious. Boastful. Proud even. Even going so far as to offer one of the RTC language assistants money to come back to the barracks. Quite disgusting.
Yet, they can't have sex with women because it's against the Qu'ran. Go figure. Strange culture.
This class is from Farah. A bit further North and West. Today. When I walked into class. I fired up my laptop. 60 Afghans almost simultaneously ask me to play them a "sex movie." I started laughing and told them that I'd get fired if I did that. That broke the ice for me.
After that, the class went pretty smoothly. I only had to get loud one time to tell a couple of guys in the back to stop talking. I yelled; "I'm in charge here. The only Bubbas that should be talking is my terp and me. If you don't like that, get the hell out of my class." Then told my terp to translate that exactly as I said it. All the while, staring down the offending party. They're like really bad children. Many of them look like children.
The only real problem with the class was that most of them probably hadn't bathed in months. They stank so bad that my eyes immediately started to burn/ Tears were actually running down my face until I got used to the stench. The smell of 60 Afghan country bumpkins in a 20' x 20' room is pretty ornery. It quite literally singes the nose hairs.
Interacting with Afghanis is quite the experience though. Most of the guys stare at me like I'm from another planet. One kid was falling asleep and when his head drooped his eyes nearly popped out of his head. He looked straight up at me as if he were a small child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
After I finished boring them to death with my little seminar, I wished them luck, yelled to them to remember what I'd told them and said "Khoda Hafez." (May God Protect You). What's funny is that my terp always translates everything. Even when I throw out what little Dari that I've picked up along the way. I always get a kick out of that.
Innocuous odors aside, I enjoy interacting with the Afghans. Many of them aren't much different from the boys out there in Rineyville, Vine Grove, Pikeville or Hazard, KY. Just good old boys trying to survive. People of this world oftentimes aren't all that different.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: Silk Roads and Siamese Smiles
To: skegley@columbus.rr.com
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 03:18
Subject: [New post] An Afghan Challenge -- Instructing and Mentoring
An Afghan Challenge -- Instructing and Mentoring
Dawood Khan
April 30, 2008 at 1:07 am
Tags: Afghansitan, Instructing, Logistics, Mentoring
Categories: Afghanistan, Politics, culture
URL: http://wp.me/pa0gv-bT
For the past week or so, I've been at one of the Regional Training Centers (RTC). My task is to advise and assist the RTC staff on logistics functions of what has been dubbed the Focused District Development or FDD. The FDD takes a District Police element pluses up it's manning. Re-equips them and re-trains the District as a whole unit.
To say that the process is problematic is an understatement.
Half of the numbers show for the training. They come in looking half taliban and half homeless. It would be funny if it were really a joke. I assisted in disarming them as they came into the FOB this cycle. As they were being searched, they were relieved of everything from opium to hashish to strange unidentifiable objects that no one wanted to ask about. Confiscate it and move on. lol Their weapons were in a sad state of disrepair. They brought in a tripod mounted PKM that was damaged to the point of uselessness. It had to be a left over from the Soviet Invasion. It was that old.
Aside from assisting and advising the Military and DynCorps RTC staff in their logistical functions and methodology, I give a general logistics seminar to all of the trainees and a more detailed seminar to the District Leadership and Logisitics Staff.
The instruction for the District trainees is fairly dry. It's logistics. Accountability, Responsibility, types of responsibilities, Hand Receipt procedures and OCIE. I usually throw in some "Dave pearls of wisdom" and a few jokes to keep the kids awake. I try to tell them how to take care of themselves when becoming responsible and accountable for property. Try to throw in a bit about husbanding resources as a means of furthering their country down the road to self sufficiency. That kind of thing. Throw in a bit of "Afghan pride." Who knows if any of it sinks in or if they remember anything I said 15 minutes after they walk out the door.
Each iteration of the FDD comes from a different Province or Region within Afghanistan. Farah, Qandahar are the groups we have trained thus far. These boys are like the backwoods Mississipians of Afghanistan. Totally backward. Completely illiterate. Uncouth. Unclean. Indescribable. If the movie Slingblade had been filmed about an Afghani, it would have been set in Qandahar.
During last FDD cycle, the Qandaharis were on the firing range. They were practicing--more likely being taught--marksmanship. As the men were firing on the range, Afghan children were running about collecting the expended brass. They literally run out while the men are firing at the targets. Pop, pop, pop. Weapons firing down range and little kids trying to run out and collect the brass. The RTC staff have to continually run them off. Aside from the distraction. It's a total safety hazard. For the kids, the staff and the trainees.
The Qandahar trainees asked the staff to allow them to catch the kids. They wanted to take them back to the barracks and they weren't shy about it. Qandaharis are infamous for this sexual proclivity. They're fairly open about their sexaul activities. Lascivious. Boastful. Proud even. Even going so far as to offer one of the RTC language assistants money to come back to the barracks. Quite disgusting.
Yet, they can't have sex with women because it's against the Qu'ran. Go figure. Strange culture.
This class is from Farah. A bit further North and West. Today. When I walked into class. I fired up my laptop. 60 Afghans almost simultaneously ask me to play them a "sex movie." I started laughing and told them that I'd get fired if I did that. That broke the ice for me.
After that, the class went pretty smoothly. I only had to get loud one time to tell a couple of guys in the back to stop talking. I yelled; "I'm in charge here. The only Bubbas that should be talking is my terp and me. If you don't like that, get the hell out of my class." Then told my terp to translate that exactly as I said it. All the while, staring down the offending party. They're like really bad children. Many of them look like children.
The only real problem with the class was that most of them probably hadn't bathed in months. They stank so bad that my eyes immediately started to burn/ Tears were actually running down my face until I got used to the stench. The smell of 60 Afghan country bumpkins in a 20' x 20' room is pretty ornery. It quite literally singes the nose hairs.
Interacting with Afghanis is quite the experience though. Most of the guys stare at me like I'm from another planet. One kid was falling asleep and when his head drooped his eyes nearly popped out of his head. He looked straight up at me as if he were a small child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
After I finished boring them to death with my little seminar, I wished them luck, yelled to them to remember what I'd told them and said "Khoda Hafez." (May God Protect You). What's funny is that my terp always translates everything. Even when I throw out what little Dari that I've picked up along the way. I always get a kick out of that.
Innocuous odors aside, I enjoy interacting with the Afghans. Many of them aren't much different from the boys out there in Rineyville, Vine Grove, Pikeville or Hazard, KY. Just good old boys trying to survive. People of this world oftentimes aren't all that different.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Songs- John Stuart Hamblen Thanks Judi Cole!
A Neat Story
This is such a great story !
Back in the 50's there was a well known radio
host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named
Stuart Hamblen who was noted for his drinking,
womanizing, partying, etc.
One of his bigger hits at the time was
"I won't go hunting with you Jake,
but I'll go chasing women."
One day, along came a young preacher holding
a tent revival. Hamblen had him on his radio show
presumably to poke fun at him.
In order to gather more material for his show,
Hamblen showed up at one of the revival meetings.
Early in the service the preacher announced,
"There is one man in this audience who is a big fake."
There were probably others who thought the same thing,
but Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher
was talking about (some would call that conviction)
but he was having none of that.
Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple
of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's
hotel door around 2AM demanding that the preacher
pray for him!
But the preacher refused, saying, "This is between you and God
and I'm not going to get in the middle of it."
But he did invite Stuart in and they talked until
about 5 AM at which point Stuart dropped to his
knees and with tears, cried out to God.
But that is not the end of the story.
Stuart quit drinking, quit chasing women,
quit everything that was 'fun.' Soon he began
to lose favour with the Hollywood crowd.
He was ultimately fired by the radio station when
he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor.
Hard times were upon him. He tried writing a couple
of "Christian" songs but the only one that had
much success was "This Old House",
written for his friend Rosemary Clooney.
As he continued to struggle, a long time friend
named John took him aside and told him,
"All your troubles started when you 'got religion,'
was it worth it all?"
Stuart answered simply, "Yes."
Then his friend asked, "You liked your booze so much,
don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was,
"No." John then said, "I don't understand how
you could give it up so easily."
And Stuart's response was, "It's no big secret.
All things are possible with God."
To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase.
You should write a song about it."
And as they say, "The rest is history."
The song Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote was "It Is No Secret."
"It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll welcome you.
It is no secret, what God can do...."
By the way... the friend was John Wayne.
And the young preacher who refused to pray for
Stuart Hamblen?
...That was Billy Graham.
Share this with your friends ... I did
This is such a great story !
Back in the 50's there was a well known radio
host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named
Stuart Hamblen who was noted for his drinking,
womanizing, partying, etc.
One of his bigger hits at the time was
"I won't go hunting with you Jake,
but I'll go chasing women."
One day, along came a young preacher holding
a tent revival. Hamblen had him on his radio show
presumably to poke fun at him.
In order to gather more material for his show,
Hamblen showed up at one of the revival meetings.
Early in the service the preacher announced,
"There is one man in this audience who is a big fake."
There were probably others who thought the same thing,
but Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher
was talking about (some would call that conviction)
but he was having none of that.
Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple
of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's
hotel door around 2AM demanding that the preacher
pray for him!
But the preacher refused, saying, "This is between you and God
and I'm not going to get in the middle of it."
But he did invite Stuart in and they talked until
about 5 AM at which point Stuart dropped to his
knees and with tears, cried out to God.
But that is not the end of the story.
Stuart quit drinking, quit chasing women,
quit everything that was 'fun.' Soon he began
to lose favour with the Hollywood crowd.
He was ultimately fired by the radio station when
he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor.
Hard times were upon him. He tried writing a couple
of "Christian" songs but the only one that had
much success was "This Old House",
written for his friend Rosemary Clooney.
As he continued to struggle, a long time friend
named John took him aside and told him,
"All your troubles started when you 'got religion,'
was it worth it all?"
Stuart answered simply, "Yes."
Then his friend asked, "You liked your booze so much,
don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was,
"No." John then said, "I don't understand how
you could give it up so easily."
And Stuart's response was, "It's no big secret.
All things are possible with God."
To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase.
You should write a song about it."
And as they say, "The rest is history."
The song Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote was "It Is No Secret."
"It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll welcome you.
It is no secret, what God can do...."
By the way... the friend was John Wayne.
And the young preacher who refused to pray for
Stuart Hamblen?
...That was Billy Graham.
Share this with your friends ... I did
Monday, June 7, 2010
Baloons- Thanks Fred RTamsey!
PS: I am truly sorry that I cannot presently add the picture to this blog post. I have added it onto my computer as the screen saver. I am praying for the soul of your daughter and have confidence in the "advocator" of us all, Jesus Christ.
Fred,
God bless you and your family, Fred, even in the loss of your daughter, Carole Lee Ramsey. I am sure that she is more valuable than a very beautiful and colorful baloon.
We are all kids who love the beautiful things of life!
Great attitude! Keep the faith!
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: Fred Ramsey
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 23:47
Subject: BALLOONS
I always loved a balloon.........................Fred
>> THIS IS FOR YOU! Read
>>> under the photo too!
Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy.
They just promised it would be worth it.
Friends are like balloons.
Once you let them go, you can't get them back.
So I'm gonna tie you to my heart so I never lose you.
Send these balloons to your friends.
You must also return it to me.
If four balloons are returned to you,
something you have been waiting for a long time will happen!!!!
DUI WV style- Thanks Judi cole!
Betty, that's pretty clever!
On Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 9:12 PM, judith Colewrote:
Subject: Fw: DUI - WEST VIRGINIA STYLE
Only a person in West Virginia could think of this.
From the county where drunk driving is considered a sport, comes this true story. Recently a routine police patrol parked outside a bar in Clarksburg , WV after last call the officer noticed a man leaving the bar so apparently intoxicated that he could barely walk.
The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes, with the officer quietly observing. After what seemed an eternity in which he tried his keys on five different vehicles, the man managed to find his car and fall into it.
He sat there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off.
Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off--it was a fine, dry summer night--, flicked the blinkers on and off a couple of times, honked the horn and then switched on the lights.
He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little and then remained still for a few more minutes as some more of the other patrons' vehicles left.
At last, when his was the only car left in the parking lot, he pulled out and drove slowly down the road.
The police officer, having waited patiently all this time, now started up his patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and administered abreathalyzer test.
To his amazement, the breathalyzer indicated no evidence that the man had consumed any alcohol at all!
Dumbfounded, the officer said, I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the police station.
This breathalyzer equipment must be broken.'
'I doubt it,' said the truly proud Redneck. 'Tonight I'm the designated decoy.'
On Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 9:12 PM, judith Cole
Subject: Fw: DUI - WEST VIRGINIA STYLE
Only a person in West Virginia could think of this.
From the county where drunk driving is considered a sport, comes this true story. Recently a routine police patrol parked outside a bar in Clarksburg , WV after last call the officer noticed a man leaving the bar so apparently intoxicated that he could barely walk.
The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes, with the officer quietly observing. After what seemed an eternity in which he tried his keys on five different vehicles, the man managed to find his car and fall into it.
He sat there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off.
Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off--it was a fine, dry summer night--, flicked the blinkers on and off a couple of times, honked the horn and then switched on the lights.
He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little and then remained still for a few more minutes as some more of the other patrons' vehicles left.
At last, when his was the only car left in the parking lot, he pulled out and drove slowly down the road.
The police officer, having waited patiently all this time, now started up his patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and administered abreathalyzer test.
To his amazement, the breathalyzer indicated no evidence that the man had consumed any alcohol at all!
Dumbfounded, the officer said, I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the police station.
This breathalyzer equipment must be broken.'
'I doubt it,' said the truly proud Redneck. 'Tonight I'm the designated decoy.'
Friday, June 4, 2010
FWD: Hi !
----- Original Message -----
From: Clay Vice
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 07:53
Subject: Fw: [Fwd: Fw: Hi]
Is this how HE will look when
HE comes back for us?? !!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Isn't this the most awe inspiring
picture you've ever seen?
I am sending HIM to you because
you are a Special Person in my life. When HE gets to your computer,
please escort HIM to the next
points on HIS journey.
Please don't allow HIM
to sleep in your inbox.
The message HE is carrying
is so very important and
needs to continue on its journey.
May GOD bless you
as you do this.
AMEN
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Jesus is walking around the world via e-mail...
Say a prayer,
and then pass HIM
on to Bless others.
Our assignment is to
love others and
spread the Gospel
throughout the world!
Have a Blessed Day
and reach out and touch someone's life today!
I just did.
"With GOD...
ALL things
are possible."
Matthew 19:26
"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God,
then we will be a nation gone under.." Ronald Reagan
GOD BLESS
From: Clay Vice
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 07:53
Subject: Fw: [Fwd: Fw: Hi]
Is this how HE will look when
HE comes back for us?? !!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Isn't this the most awe inspiring
picture you've ever seen?
I am sending HIM to you because
you are a Special Person in my life. When HE gets to your computer,
please escort HIM to the next
points on HIS journey.
Please don't allow HIM
to sleep in your inbox.
The message HE is carrying
is so very important and
needs to continue on its journey.
May GOD bless you
as you do this.
AMEN
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Jesus is walking around the world via e-mail...
Say a prayer,
and then pass HIM
on to Bless others.
Our assignment is to
love others and
spread the Gospel
throughout the world!
Have a Blessed Day
and reach out and touch someone's life today!
I just did.
"With GOD...
ALL things
are possible."
Matthew 19:26
"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God,
then we will be a nation gone under.." Ronald Reagan
GOD BLESS
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