a web-log for Cleveland-area conservative readers, started in the wake of the 2008 elections, as a way for conservatives to meet, and "let our hair down"
Isn't it funny, in regards to conservatives letting their hair down, that we have to go into hiding and ultra-liberal clowns can parade freely spewing that violent verbiage under the guise of democracy.
Since Obama's been in office, my husband and I have yet to meet anyone who voted for him. Odd, because our circle of associations is large and crosses many lines. Statistically, it does not work out.
One more thought. What a society we come from when Whoopi Goldberg is the person the media quotes when trying to show that they have their fingers on the pulse of America.
The following file was prepared providing amplification and background information to complement a book review. There is a tremendous amount of information contained in the outline that touches on many aspects sourced from a number of references that I have not seen of yet portrayed together in one template. Glad to share and welcome the opportunity for comment. Stealth Jihad How Radical Islam is Subverting America Without Guns or Bombs
By Robert Spencer Regnery Publishing, Inc. 2008
A book discussion outline with topical additional comment
I. A quick synopsis a) An excellent overview of current cultural trends in the United States b) Discussion - personal experiences
II. Reviewer comment a) Weaknesses/ Strengths weakness - repetitive in places/ not as focused as it could be/ lacks sufficient background on Islamic fundamentals/lacks recommendations for personal action strength - 80% accurate/ many good examples b) Useful additional information that could have been added to this book: What actions you personally can take Emphasizing that there are no extremist Muslims (extremism is a western interpretation of behavior), only less or more supportive Muslims that all believe the same principles All Muslims worldwide and in the US work in concert, there is no disagreement when it comes to seeking Muslim superiority over the West, only levels of intensity
III. Rosetta Stone for understanding Islam and “Muslim intentions” a) the religion in context It is a young religion full of rabid enthusiasm and aggression devoted to expanding and fighting for its existence. b) Islam may continue to change and mature over time as internal re- evaluations continue, no different than other religions that have matured in the past b) the Ten Commandments revisited (the Western misunderstanding of Muslim cultural foundations) a) Thou shalt lie if it’s helpful b) The high art of “double speak” c) Hostage taking is a business practice d) Thou wilt covet thy neighbor’s possessions – because it should have been yours e) Only a Muslin can interpret or speak of Islam (that is why Mr. Spencer received condemnation from Muslims for speaking what he believed to be the truth, even quotations, because not being a devout Muslim makes you prone to misrepresenting the facts
IV. The President and Islam a) Defending the United States b) The world view/ opinion c) Why is the President visiting Turkey? d) What are his goals?
V. A war of religion, culture, and race a) Since the “Peace of Westphalia”, roughly 1500-1600’s, international affairs have been predicated upon “nation states” protecting citizens with standing armies (citizens swear an oath of allegiance, pay taxes, and expect protection) b) The present conflict between Dar Al-Islam and Dar Al-Harb is supra-national, with combatant entities not limited to political national boundaries, but composed of groups unified by religious and cultural ties that bind a people together over a broad territory c) The US response to attack motivated by religion and culture has been bound by conventionally accepted international treaties, alliances, and military tactics d) Since the American Civil War, Americans have become prejudiced to fighting conflicts on enemy territory, and unaccustomed to combat amongst the indigenous population on home turf e) The US has developed an enormous capability to fight nation state wars (military-industrial complex), but an aversion to conflict outside of the conventional military domain, even though the present conflict is one based on religion, culture, and race, the effort remains in the “military domain with new unconventional warfare skills” being developed in the military f) The State Department is a traditionally liberal institution that avoids conflict and promotes international affairs in a conventional manner (see above points regarding present conflict vs. traditional affairs) g) The result is “global war on terror” - Iraq, Afghanistan
VI. Background useful when reading Stealth Jihad a) Western misconceptions of Islam: Mosque is not a church Friday does not equal Sunday Koran is not the Bible Sheikhs are not priests There are no moderate, conservative, or radical Muslims There is no democracy in Islam
b) Tenants In Islam the opposite of tyranny is “justice” not freedom Peace vs. absence of conflict Islam must be superior to other religions Nationalism (i.e. separation of church and state) is a western term, in Islam loyalty only to God Turkey was the center for Islam at one time (that is why eliminating the Turkish secular govt. has been Iran’s #1 goal since 1979)
c) Useful Definitions 1. Political community of Islam is the “Ummah”, a fusion of politics and religion, developed by the Prophet Muhammad in the 600s 2. World consists of two irreconcilable camps: Believers “DAR AL-ISLAM” or territory of Islam Non-believers “DAR AL-HARB” or “territory of war” (the US is included in this territory) 3. Prophet Muhammad – “Unbelief is one nation”; therefore, permanent peace treaties and political borders are not recognized 4. Ibn Kathir noted 14th century Islamic jurist: “Any act of war against Dar Al-Harb is morally justified, legal, and exempt from any ethical judgment” d) Islamism is an internal struggle for the future of Islam, not a war against the west Islamists are not revolutionaries in our sense of the term, they look to rebuild internally by reaching to past strengths to restore the “glory of Islam” (e) Sayyid Qutb, Islamist writer from the “Signposts on the Path” – The west is not bankrupt or lost its military strength, the western order has simply played it’s part and no longer possesses that stock of values which gave it it’s predominance. The turn of Islam has come. (f) Islamists strive to build constructive society on “justice” using the best moral values (g) Prophet Mohammed – Christian and Jewish scriptures are divine revelations, but have been altered over the centuries and can no longer be trusted (h) Important texts: 1) Koran – 114 chapters – Islamic law, God’s revelations to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel 2) Hadith – Supplement to the Koran, offers daily guidance on justice, property, responsibilities, personal and family behavior. Considered the “tradition of Islam”. (i) Five Pillars of Islam: 1) Profession of Faith – There is no God, but God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God – “La Ilaha Ill Allah Muhammad Rasul Allah” – Say these words and believe them, you are a Muslim 2) Prayer “Salat” 5 times/ day (re – noise ordinances in the US) 3) Fasting – Commemorate the journey from Mecca to Medina 4) Giving of Alms – “Zakat” 2.5% of your earnings 5) Pilgrimage – “Hajj” once in a lifetime to Mecca (j) Bonus effort – “Jihad” – A communal religious duty, not intended to convert non-believers, but the gaining of political control over the collective affairs of society to run IAW the principles of Islam (if you die you are a martyr given a special place in paradise), this is an inner spiritual struggle not just a Holy war (k) Shari’a “way” – developed end of the 9th century, encompasses all areas of society – marriage, divorce, property, food, commercial and criminal law, etc. It’s the sole authority for govt. in Muslim countries (l) Woman’s rights – “Purdah” women tend to the home, misunderstood in west as discrimination, but actually offers protection and a place of respect in society (m) Why is America the “Great Satan”? 1) Satan is God’s enemy, 2) Anyone fighting DAR Al-Islam is Satanic, 3) America is the leader of the west and it’s culture, ideals, and military oppose Islam, 4) Therefore, America id the “Great Satan” (n) 7th-8th Century – Byzantine Empire (Christian) vs. Persian Empire (Islamic), no one controlled the Arabian Peninsula – nomads in pre-Islamic Arabia, they were polytheists, sacrifices to deities, Mecca was a central Red Sea trading city with 2,000 camel logistic trains passing through. Yathrib (future “Medina”) to the north was the home of three Jewish tribes and Arabs, Mohammed got his start preaching there - *** he expected Christians and Jews to accept him as their newest Prophet – didn’t happen *** Hijrah – migration of Muhammad to Yathrib (renamed Medina – “City of the Prophet”) Muhammad founded the “Ummah” – a combination of religion and politics (o) Battle of Badr (south of Medina, north of Mecca) – smaller force beat larger group, had religious significance, (p) Battle of Uhud – Muslims lost more men than the enemy, this was the beginning of a “return to traditional values in the face of Islamic defeat”, a recurring theme in vogue today (q) “Tribute” – The Pact of Kaybar – Islamic conquerors extracted taxes from Jews and Christians, in return for “tolerated and protected” status, a result of “natural inequality” of Jews and Christians, because they failed to acknowledge Muhammad as their prophet (r) Dhimmi status – 1,000 year practice from the Covenant of Ummar (s) Discriminatory taxes: Kharaj, tax on cultivating land; Jizyah, a humiliating poll tax (hit on head) receipt worn around the neck as a mark of dishonor; Construction of new Churches and Synagogues forbidden (church bell ringing forbidden); Dhimmi cemeteries not respected (Realm of hell); Dhimmi testimony not accepted (perverse and diabolic); cannot hold public office; smaller houses; Jews & Christians destined for manual labor and cannot ride horses (t) Arab sciences (experimentation with chemicals) were advanced at one time: all Arab names – Alcohol/ Alkali/ Soda/ Alembric/ Syrup; Flasks and beakers were adopted by the world from Arab alchemists (u) Elegant hand crafted pottery/ mapping/ calculus/ trigonometry/ geometry/ circle shaped symbol “0”/ literature (v) From 1095 start of the Crusades there was a tremendous back and forth of defeat and victory between the Christian west and Islamic empire culminating with defeat at Vienna, Austria 1683 (at one time Islam ruled all of Spain, north Africa, Greece, India). Napoleon huge negative impact as the first Northern conqueror in Africa and Arab lands 1800’s, begins a three hundred year slide that culminated in the establishment of a Jewish state of Israel (w) Remember – religious equality is heresy, inherent inequality of Muslims and Dhimmi a key to their culture – that is why there can never be permanent peace between Israel and Islam (x) Today the west appears in decline – the innovations of secular govt in Islam by Ataturk in Turkey are being overturned, Israel has ceded conquered territory to achieve temporary peace, the west is under attack by Islamic Jihad – hence efforts by authors such as Robert Spenser to warn the public about Stealth Jihad
Isn't it funny, in regards to conservatives letting their hair down, that we have to go into hiding and ultra-liberal clowns can parade freely spewing that violent verbiage under the guise of democracy.
ReplyDeleteSince Obama's been in office, my husband and I have yet to meet anyone who voted for him. Odd, because our circle of associations is large and crosses many lines. Statistically, it does not work out.
One more thought. What a society we come from when Whoopi Goldberg is the person the media quotes when trying to show that they have their fingers on the pulse of America.
The following file was prepared providing amplification and
ReplyDeletebackground information to complement a book review. There is a
tremendous amount of information contained in the outline that touches
on many aspects sourced from a number of references that I have not seen
of yet portrayed together in one template. Glad to share and welcome
the opportunity for comment.
Stealth Jihad
How Radical Islam is Subverting America Without Guns or Bombs
By Robert Spencer
Regnery Publishing, Inc. 2008
A book discussion outline with topical additional comment
I. A quick synopsis
a) An excellent overview of current cultural trends in the United States
b) Discussion - personal experiences
II. Reviewer comment
a) Weaknesses/ Strengths
weakness - repetitive in places/ not as focused as it could be/ lacks
sufficient background on Islamic fundamentals/lacks recommendations for personal action
strength - 80% accurate/ many good examples
b) Useful additional information that could have been added to this book:
What actions you personally can take
Emphasizing that there are no extremist Muslims (extremism is a western interpretation of behavior), only less or more supportive
Muslims that all believe the same principles
All Muslims worldwide and in the US work in concert, there is no disagreement when it comes to seeking Muslim superiority over the West, only levels of intensity
III. Rosetta Stone for understanding Islam and “Muslim intentions”
a) the religion in context
It is a young religion full of rabid enthusiasm and aggression devoted to expanding and fighting for its existence.
b) Islam may continue to change and mature over time as internal re- evaluations continue, no different than other religions that have matured in the past
b) the Ten Commandments revisited (the Western misunderstanding of Muslim cultural foundations)
a) Thou shalt lie if it’s helpful
b) The high art of “double speak”
c) Hostage taking is a business practice
d) Thou wilt covet thy neighbor’s possessions – because it should have been yours
e) Only a Muslin can interpret or speak of Islam (that is why Mr. Spencer received condemnation from Muslims for speaking what he believed to be the truth, even quotations, because not being a devout Muslim makes you prone to misrepresenting the facts
IV. The President and Islam
a) Defending the United States
b) The world view/ opinion
c) Why is the President visiting Turkey?
d) What are his goals?
V. A war of religion, culture, and race
a) Since the “Peace of Westphalia”, roughly 1500-1600’s, international affairs have been predicated upon “nation states” protecting citizens with standing armies (citizens swear an oath of allegiance, pay taxes, and expect protection)
b) The present conflict between Dar Al-Islam and Dar Al-Harb is supra-national, with combatant entities not limited to political national boundaries, but composed of groups unified by religious and cultural ties that bind a people together over a broad territory
c) The US response to attack motivated by religion and culture has been bound by conventionally accepted international treaties, alliances, and military tactics
d) Since the American Civil War, Americans have become prejudiced to fighting conflicts on enemy territory, and unaccustomed to combat amongst the indigenous population on home turf
e) The US has developed an enormous capability to fight nation state wars (military-industrial complex), but an aversion to conflict outside of the conventional military domain, even though the present conflict is one based on religion, culture, and race, the effort remains in the “military domain with new unconventional warfare skills” being developed in the military
f) The State Department is a traditionally liberal institution that avoids conflict and promotes international affairs in a conventional manner (see above points regarding present conflict vs. traditional affairs)
g) The result is “global war on terror” - Iraq, Afghanistan
VI. Background useful when reading Stealth Jihad
a) Western misconceptions of Islam:
Mosque is not a church
Friday does not equal Sunday
Koran is not the Bible
Sheikhs are not priests
There are no moderate, conservative, or radical Muslims
There is no democracy in Islam
b) Tenants
In Islam the opposite of tyranny is “justice” not freedom
Peace vs. absence of conflict
Islam must be superior to other religions
Nationalism (i.e. separation of church and state) is a western term, in
Islam loyalty only to God
Turkey was the center for Islam at one time (that is why eliminating
the Turkish secular govt. has been Iran’s #1 goal since 1979)
c) Useful Definitions
1. Political community of Islam is the “Ummah”, a fusion of politics and religion, developed by the Prophet Muhammad in the 600s
2. World consists of two irreconcilable camps:
Believers “DAR AL-ISLAM” or territory of Islam
Non-believers “DAR AL-HARB” or “territory of war” (the US is
included in this territory)
3. Prophet Muhammad – “Unbelief is one nation”; therefore, permanent peace treaties and political borders are not recognized
4. Ibn Kathir noted 14th century Islamic jurist: “Any act of war
against Dar Al-Harb is morally justified, legal, and exempt from any ethical judgment”
d) Islamism is an internal struggle for the future of Islam, not a war
against the west
Islamists are not revolutionaries in our sense of the term, they look
to rebuild internally by reaching to past strengths to restore the
“glory of Islam”
(e) Sayyid Qutb, Islamist writer from the “Signposts on the Path” –
The west is not bankrupt or lost its military strength, the western
order has simply played it’s part and no longer possesses that stock
of values which gave it it’s predominance. The turn of Islam has
come.
(f) Islamists strive to build constructive society on “justice” using the
best moral values
(g) Prophet Mohammed – Christian and Jewish scriptures are divine revelations, but have been altered over the centuries and can no longer be trusted
(h) Important texts:
1) Koran – 114 chapters – Islamic law, God’s revelations to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel
2) Hadith – Supplement to the Koran, offers daily guidance on justice, property, responsibilities, personal and family behavior. Considered the “tradition of Islam”.
(i) Five Pillars of Islam:
1) Profession of Faith – There is no God, but God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God – “La Ilaha Ill Allah Muhammad Rasul Allah” – Say these words and believe them, you are a Muslim
2) Prayer “Salat” 5 times/ day (re – noise ordinances in the US)
3) Fasting – Commemorate the journey from Mecca to Medina
4) Giving of Alms – “Zakat” 2.5% of your earnings
5) Pilgrimage – “Hajj” once in a lifetime to Mecca
(j) Bonus effort – “Jihad” – A communal religious duty, not intended to convert non-believers, but the gaining of political control over the collective affairs of society to run IAW the principles of Islam (if you die you are a martyr given a special place in paradise), this is an inner spiritual struggle not just a Holy war
(k) Shari’a “way” – developed end of the 9th century, encompasses all areas of society – marriage, divorce, property, food, commercial and criminal law, etc. It’s the sole authority for govt. in Muslim countries
(l) Woman’s rights – “Purdah” women tend to the home, misunderstood in west as discrimination, but actually offers protection and a place of respect in society
(m) Why is America the “Great Satan”?
1) Satan is God’s enemy,
2) Anyone fighting DAR Al-Islam is Satanic,
3) America is the leader of the west and it’s culture, ideals, and military oppose Islam,
4) Therefore, America id the “Great Satan”
(n) 7th-8th Century – Byzantine Empire (Christian) vs. Persian Empire (Islamic), no one controlled the Arabian Peninsula – nomads in pre-Islamic Arabia, they were polytheists, sacrifices to deities, Mecca was a central Red Sea trading city with 2,000 camel logistic trains passing through. Yathrib (future “Medina”) to the north was the home of three Jewish tribes and Arabs, Mohammed got his start preaching there - *** he expected Christians and Jews to accept him as their newest Prophet – didn’t happen *** Hijrah – migration of Muhammad to Yathrib (renamed Medina – “City of the Prophet”) Muhammad founded the “Ummah” – a combination of religion and politics
(o) Battle of Badr (south of Medina, north of Mecca) – smaller force beat larger group, had religious significance,
(p) Battle of Uhud – Muslims lost more men than the enemy, this was the beginning of a “return to traditional values in the face of Islamic defeat”, a recurring theme in vogue today
(q) “Tribute” – The Pact of Kaybar – Islamic conquerors extracted taxes from Jews and Christians, in return for “tolerated and protected” status, a result of “natural inequality” of Jews and Christians, because they failed to acknowledge Muhammad as their prophet
(r) Dhimmi status – 1,000 year practice from the Covenant of Ummar
(s) Discriminatory taxes: Kharaj, tax on cultivating land; Jizyah, a humiliating poll tax (hit on head) receipt worn around the neck as a mark of dishonor; Construction of new Churches and Synagogues forbidden (church bell ringing forbidden); Dhimmi cemeteries not respected (Realm of hell); Dhimmi testimony not accepted (perverse and diabolic); cannot hold public office; smaller houses; Jews & Christians destined for manual labor and cannot ride horses
(t) Arab sciences (experimentation with chemicals) were advanced at one time: all Arab names – Alcohol/ Alkali/ Soda/ Alembric/ Syrup; Flasks and beakers were adopted by the world from Arab alchemists
(u) Elegant hand crafted pottery/ mapping/ calculus/ trigonometry/ geometry/ circle shaped symbol “0”/ literature
(v) From 1095 start of the Crusades there was a tremendous back and forth of defeat and victory between the Christian west and Islamic empire culminating with defeat at Vienna, Austria 1683 (at one time Islam ruled all of Spain, north Africa, Greece, India). Napoleon huge negative impact as the first Northern conqueror in Africa and Arab lands 1800’s, begins a three hundred year slide that culminated in the establishment of a Jewish state of Israel
(w) Remember – religious equality is heresy, inherent inequality of Muslims and Dhimmi a key to their culture – that is why there can never be permanent peace between Israel and Islam
(x) Today the west appears in decline – the innovations of secular govt in Islam by Ataturk in Turkey are being overturned, Israel has ceded conquered territory to achieve temporary peace, the west is under attack by Islamic Jihad – hence efforts by authors such as Robert Spenser to warn the public about Stealth Jihad