Are we reading the same Koran?

Here we go again...

Yes, people throughout history have justified horrible things in the name of the gods they worship.

When people do these things, they should be punished.

But when evil arises, we need to fight the people committing evil.  And not the ones that don't.

But, hey.  Here's a viral emailer who may disagree with that.

The Joys of Being A Muslim Wife

This was written by a woman born in Egypt as a Muslim.  This is not hearsay, and it will scare  you.

Viral email is, by definition, hearsay.  It may be true - but sources need to be checked.

As to the claim that this was "written by a woman born in Egypt as a Muslim" - we'll get to that later.

Joys of Muslim Women

by Nonie Darwish

According to Snopes, this was not written by Nonie Darwish.  It's a highly editorialized restatement of some of the things she's said, and taken out of context.  She's never endorsed this viral email, as far as I can tell.

In her public appearances, however, she's very clear.  This is about a subset of people who are following traditions not espoused in the Koran.

In the Muslim faith a Muslim man can marry a child as young as 1 year old and have sexual intimacy with this child, consummating the marriage by 9.  The dowry is given to the family in exchange for the woman (who becomes his slave) and for the purchase of the private parts of the woman, to use her as a toy.

If we're going to say something is "in the Muslim faith", I consider the Koran to be the ultimate arbiter.

Now, I'm not a Muslim.  I can't claim to understand the religion as well as a practitioner.  And I certainly can't read the Koran in it's original Arabic.

But I can provide quotes from an English text.  And I have a free copy of "Interpretation of the Meaning of The Glorious Qur'an", by Prof. (Dr.) Syed Vickar Ahmed.  So I'll go ahead and try to use it.

Now, let's get down to the "marrying a one year old" thing.  Quran 4.19 clearly states, "You are forbidden to inherit women against their will."  I don't know of anyone who would consider a one-year-old bride to be "willing".

Even though a woman is abused, she can not obtain a divorce.

Quran 4.35:  If you fear a break up between the two of them [ed: Husband and Wife], appoint (two) individuals (to settle their differences), one from his family, and the other from her's (her family); If they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation"

And if they don't wish for peace?  Nothing else is said, except for the husband's duties to ensure support and fair division of property.

To prove rape, the woman must have (4) male witnesses.

Let's get to the Quranic source.  4.15-17: "And if any of your women are guilty of being illicit in (sexual) conduct, take the evidence of four witnesses from your (own) people against them; and if they testify, confine them to the house until they die or Allah decides some (other) way for them.  And the two persons among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both; and if they repent and improve, leave them alone; Surely, Allah Forgives and Accepts repentance (Tawwab), Most Merciful (Raheem)."

It's hard to say that a rape victim is "being illicit".  Even so, the four male witnesses are a protection for her, and not for a rapist.  Even if a claim of sexual impropriety is made against a woman, if one of four witnesses disagree, or if four witnesses can't be found, the woman can't be punished for the impropriety.  And this case, punishment is imprisonment in the home until they repent.

Often after a woman has been raped, she is returned to her family and the family must return the dowry.  

Quran 4.19 comes closest to this, but still refutes it: "that you may take away part of the dowry you have given to them - except where they have been guilty of open illicit sexual deeds (lustfulness);"

Again, I don't see how this would apply to a woman being raped.

The family has the right to execute her (an honor killing) to restore the honor of the family.

It seems to me that Quran 4.92 is quite clear on the topic of "honor killing" - "And a believer should never kill a believer."

 Husbands can beat their wives 'at will' and the man does not have to say why he has beaten her.

Quran 4.34: "As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, caution (and warn) them (against the specific faults, at first), refuse to share their beds (next), beat them (lightly, at the very last);"

Well, ancient religious texts tend to go for corporal punishments not condoned in modern societies.  But this text would hardly excuse a man from civil penalties for beating his wife.  After all, alternatives (including divorce mediation) are provided in the context of the Koran.  And, of course, Quran 4.19 commands it's believers that husbands need to "live with them [ed: their wives] on a basis of kindness and justice."

So, even in ancient societies, "at will" wife-beating is clearly banned.

The husband is permitted to have 4 wives and a temporary wife for an hour (prostitute) at his discretion.

The text of the Quran allows for multiple wives.  However, it's quite a responsibility, and one that should not be undertaken if he's unable.  4.3: "If you fear that you shall not be able to act justly with the orphan (girls), then marry (other) women of your choice, two, or three, or four; But if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly (with them), then marry one"

At the time the Quran was written, marrying multiple women made sense - men died in war.  A lot.  The practice was probably helpful for a lot of war-widows.

But, again, when civil laws prevent one from marrying more than one wife, and I'm sure most modem Muslims would recognize that it's unjust to ask someone to break the law by becoming a second wife.  And multiple marriages are far from being a religious obligation.

As far as "temporary marriages" go?  Please.  2.226-233 clearly state that, for a divorce to take place, there's a waiting period of months - in order to insure the woman's welfare, and that of a potential unborn child.

The Shariah Muslim law controls the private as well as the public life of the woman.

Again, this is totalitarianism in the name of Islam.  But it's not the Muslim faith.

We should treat it with disgust, and do what we can to end the injustice.  Unfortunately, in foreign countries, our options are pretty limited.

In the Western World ( America ) Muslim men are starting to demand Shariah Law so the wife can not obtain a divorce and he can have full and complete control of her. 

If you want to argue for something that fits in your personal perversion of Islam, you're more than welcome to petition the government - It's one of our freedoms.  

However, American law treats divorce as a civil affair.  It has a tradition of adjudicating divorce even when religious authorities don't recognize divorce at all (such as some Catholics) , or the terms of the divorce (for example, an orthodox Jewish woman seeking a divorce without the man's agreement).

So, no.  I just don't see how they'll get it in American society.

 It is amazing and alarming how many of our sisters and daughters attending American Universities are now marrying Muslim men and submitting themselves and their children unsuspectingly to the Shariah law.

Sorry, American divorce law trumps religious divorce law.

By passing this on, enlightened American women may avoid becoming a slave under Shariah Law.

Repeating it doesn't make it true.

Ripping the West in Two. Author and lecturer Nonie Darwish says the goal of radical Islamists is to impose Shariah law on the world, ripping Western law and liberty in two.

Again, this is a defining property of totalitarianism.  Not of Islam.

 She recently authored the book, Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law.

Darwish was born in Cairo and spent her childhood in Egypt and Gaza    before immigrating to America in 1978, when she was eight years old. Her father died while leading covert attacks on  Israel .  He was a high-ranking Egyptian military officer stationed with his family in Gaza .

When he died, he was considered a "shahid," a martyr for jihad. His posthumous status earned Nonie and her family an elevated position in Muslim society.

Uhhhmmmm.... not quite right. 

But Darwish developed a skeptical eye at an early age. She questioned her own Muslim culture and upbringing.  She converted to Christianity after hearing a Christian preacher on television.

The article above confirms she converted to Christianity.  I can't confirm or refute the rest in my half-assed google searches.

In her latest book, Darwish warns about creeping sharia law - what it is, what it means, and how it is manifested in Islamic countries.

For the West, she says radical Islamists are working to impose sharia on the world. If that happens, Western civilization will be destroyed. Westerners generally assume all religions encourage a respect for the dignity of each individual.  Islamic law (Sharia) teaches that non-Muslims should be subjugated or killed in this world.

Peace and prosperity for one's children is not as important as assuring that Islamic law rules everywhere in the Middle East and eventually in the world.

While Westerners tend to think that all religions encourage some form of the golden rule, Sharia teaches two systems of ethics - one for Muslims and another for non-Muslims. Building on tribal practices of the seventh century, Sharia encourages the side of humanity that wants to take from and subjugate others.

While Westerners tend to think in terms of religious people developing a personal understanding of and relationship with God, Sharia advocates executing people who ask difficult questions that could be interpreted as criticism.

Again, this is the nature of totalitarianism.  And, under freedom of speech, we can't punish them for saying it.  But it doesn't mean that it's going to happen in America.  And our laws protect us against it quite nicely.

It's hard to imagine, that in this day and age, Islamic scholars agree that those who criticize Islam or choose to stop being Muslim should be executed. Sadly, while talk of an Islamic reformation is common and even assumed by many in the West, such murmurings in the Middle East are silenced through intimidation.

While Westerners are accustomed to an increase in religious tolerance over time, Darwish explains how petro dollars are being used to grow an extremely intolerant form of political Islam in her native Egypt and elsewhere.

Again, our options in foreign countries are pretty limited.  And our viral email author offers no solutions.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President by themselves! 

Interesting statement.  I'm sure that the "proof" of this statement is just as... interesting.

Rest assured they will do so... You can look at how they have taken over several towns in the USA .. Dearborn Mich. is one... and there are others...

I'm Jewish.  I've been to Dearborn.  I've lived to tell the tale.  And I know plenty of Jewish-Owned businesses who are also doing just fine down there.

Sure, there are Muslims there.  But there's no enforcement of Sharia law that I can see.

I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!

Yeah.  Because the ACLU is all about silencing our freedom of speech. Riiight.

It is too bad that so many are disillusioned with life and Christianity to accept Muslims as peaceful.. some may be but they have an army that is willing to shed blood in the name of Islam.. the peaceful support the warriors with their finances and own kind of patriotism to their religion. While America is getting rid of Christianity from all public sites and erasing God from the lives of children the Muslims are planning a great jihad on America ..

So, we should dismantle the separation of church and state for Christianity.  But not for Islam.

Nothing hypocritical or inconsistent about that.  No-sir-ree Bob.

This is your chance to make a difference...! Pass it on to your e-mail list or at least those you think will listen..

Or those who want to confirm that you're an idiot.

Glenn Beck: The Comedic Highlights

For the most part, this blog is dedicated to poking fun at empty-headed right-wing emails.

Usually, I leave the "poking at empty-headed right-wing talking heads" up to other people.

But here's a good "top ten outrageous statements" list for our dear friend, Glenn Beck.

Courtesy of the Christian Science Monitor.  Which is far from left-leaning in it's editorial stance.

Tired? A Nap is More Refreshing than an Unfocused Rant...

Update, September 22, 2011: Apparently, an edited version of this email now attributes the article to Bill Cosby.  However, it's original authorship (as below) has been verified - and it's definitely not Bill Cosby.

And if you're wondering what Bill Cosby thinks about this email, you can read his reaction here.  Suffice it to say, he's not happy about it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And, once again, here comes a 65 year old, writing in his blog.

Except it's been heavily edited from his original post.  Such is the nature of right-wing viral emails.


This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the UK , United States of America  , Canada,  Australia and New Zealand .  And South Africa


You hear me, Switzerland?   Because I'm not talking to you.
  
"I'm 65 and I'm Tired"
By Robert A. Hall

I'm 65.  Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired. 
  
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. 


So, the government should be funding the retirement you think you deserve.  Even if you're too lazy to save for yourself.  Or live on the social security, medicare, VA medical, military and state senate pensions that you've probably earned from other hard-working taxpayers.

Oh, public money is only good when you're the beneficiary.  Got it.

I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.   


And how much of "the money I earned" is funding the programs where money is being funneled to people "too lazy to earn it"?  What do you propose to do differently?

Specifics matter.  And I'm waiting.  And I think I'll wait even longer while you explain how the money you save on these programs will help your retirement - because most of our tax monies go to completely different entitlement programs.
    
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens 


In the whole world?  Why, there are dozens!  You hear me?  Dozens!


of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honour"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls;


I see a lot of Christians in jail for offenses to mankind as well.  A lot more than a few dozen.


 all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari's law tells them to.   


I'm sure that quite a few of the Christians in jail are also telling folks that G-d told them to do it.  That doesn't make it right either.

Should we blame Islam or Christianity for their crimes?  Because you sure seem unhappy about blaming "society" for everything else.
    
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America and Canada ,


Yeah, I wish they didn't teach anti-western propoganda in their schools either.  But what do you suggest we do about it?  Other than whine in your blog?

We could stop using oil - but that's not terribly practical.

We could invade and occupy their countries, forcing them to stop.  It worked out great for the British Empire, didn't it?

So... what are your ideas?  Because I'm not hearing any.


 while no American nor Canadian group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.   


I'm feeling a lot of love and tolerance from you, my friend.  And you still haven't explained how we can force them to do this.


I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.


Wait...  you're debating it right now.  And you're not being jailed, fined, or beaten.

I didn't say you're debating it well.  I'm just pointing out that you're still allowed to say what you want.


I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? 


So, a drug user says s/he wants to get clean, and become a productive, tax-paying member of society.  What do you suggest we do?  Put them in jail where they live off the backs of hard-working taxpayers and never pay us back?
  
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.   


Personally, I'm kind of happy with freedom of speech.  In exchange for that, we need to put up with people who say idiotic things.

We also have the freedom to tell them that they're idiots.  Or ignore them.
  
I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.  


Wait... aren't you blaming the government for your problems?  Why aren't you taking responsibility for finding better solutions?  Instead of just whining and belly-aching?
  
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 65. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter. 


Maybe if she becomes a hard-working, productive member of society, she can do well.  Or she can bellyache and whine like her dear old grandpa.


I suppose it will be her choice, huh?  
  
Robert  A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts   State Senate.


There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!
This is your chance to make a difference.



" I'm 65 and I'm tired.  
If you don't forward this you are part of the problem.

Lee Iacocca's Zombie speaks - before he's even dead.

This article seemed pretty interesting.

As some of you might know, Lee Iacocca was a former CEO of Chrysler.  Back in 1979.

In that year, Chrysler was doing very badly, and came to the US government for loan guarantees.

The Republican Party fought against it.  But, in 1979, the Democrats held the majority in the House and Senate.  And President Carter was in office.  So, it passed over Republican objections.

Popular opinion holds that he's been a life-long Democrat since.  Which isn't entirely true - but members of the Democrat party have attempted to draft him to run for president.  As a Democrat. 

Which is why this email surprised me.

Friends, would you believe that Lee Iacocca is 82 years old and is still kickin’ butt?  Check out his latest rant.
Just as true today as it was when his book  first came  out.
He was, and still is, a  brilliant businessman!
Often we need to be  reminded of Iacocca's  words.
  Remember Lee  Iacocca, the man who rescued Chrysler Corporation from its death  throes?  He's now 82 years old and has a new book, 'Where  Have All The Leaders  Gone?'. 

Lee Iacocca  Says:'Am I the only  guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where  the hell is our outrage with this so called president? We should  be screaming bloody murder! We've got a gang of tax cheating  clueless leftists trying to steer our ship of state right over a  cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we  can't even run a ridiculous cash-for-clunkers program without  losing $26 billion of the taxpayers' money, much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and  nods their heads when the politicians say, 'trust me, the economy  is getting  better..' Better? You've  got to be kidding. This is America , not the damned 'Titanic'.  I'll give you a sound bite: 'Throw all the Democrats out, along  with Obama!' 

You might think  I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I  have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this  country  anymore..

The most famous  business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs.. While we're fiddling in Afghanistan , Iran is  completing their nuclear bombs and missiles and nobody seems to  know what to do. And the liberal press is waving 'pom-poms'  instead of asking hard questions. That's not the promise of the  ' America ' my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for.  I've had enough. How about  you? 

I'll go a step  further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not  outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have. The  Biggest 'C' is Crisis! (Iacocca elaborates on nine C's of leadership, with crisis being the  first.)

Leaders are  made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's  easy to sit there with thumb up your butt and talk theory. Or  send someone else's kids off to war when you've never seen a  battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world  comes tumbling  down.

On September 11,  2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our  history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of the ashes. A  hell of a mess, so here's where we stand. 

We're immersed  in a bloody war now with no plan for winning and no plan for  leaving..  But our soldiers are dying  daily.

We're running  the biggest deficit in the history of the world, and it's  getting worse every day!

We've lost the  manufacturing edge to Asia , while our once-great companies are  getting slaughtered by health care  costs.

Gas prices are  going to skyrock again, and nobody in power has a lucid plan to  open drilling to solve the problem.  This country has the  largest oil reserves in the WORLD, and we cannot drill for it  because the politicians have been bought by the flea-hugging  environmentalists.

Our schools  are in a complete disaster because of the teachers'  union. 

Our borders are  like sieves and they want to give all illegal's amnesty and free  healthcare. 

The middle class  is being squeezed to death every  day. 

These are times  that cry out for  leadership.

But when you  look around, you've got to ask: 'Where have all the leaders  gone?' 

Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are  the people of character, courage, conviction, omnipotence, and  common sense? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think  you get the  point..

Name me a leader  who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take  off our shoes in airports and throw away our  shampoo? 

We've spent  billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we  know how to do is react to things that have already  happened.

Everyone's  hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping the government will make  it better for them.  Now, that's just crazy.. Deal with  life.

Name me an  industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can  restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have  believed that there could ever be a time when 'The Big Three'  referred to Japanese car companies? How did this happen, and  more important, look what Obama did about  it!

Name me a  government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the  debt, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care  problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that  are eating away at our country and milking the middle class  dry.

I have news for  the Chicago gangsters in Congress. We didn't elect you to turn  this country into a losing European Socialist state. What is  everybody so afraid of? That some bonehead on NBC or CNN news  will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show  some spine for a  change?

Had Enough? Hey,  I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here.  I'm  trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope - I  believe in America .. In my lifetime, I've had the privilege of  living through some of     America 's greatest moments.  I've also experienced some of our worst crises: The 'Great  Depression,' 'World War  II,' the 'Korean War,' the  'Kennedy Assassination,' the 'Vietnam War,' the 1970's oil  crisis, and the struggles of recent years since  9/11. 

Make your own  contribution by sending this to everyone you know and care  about. It's our country, folks, and it's our future. Our future  is at  stake!!

Now, it's time to apply some math skills.  Because we know that most right-wing email forwarders are incapable of this.

This email claims that Lee Iacocca is 82 years old.

Lee Iacocca's birthday is October 15, 1924.  So he's 86 years old now.  Which means that the original text of this email (before it got serially edited by right-wing hacks) was written 4 years ago.

This is before President Obama was elected.  Or even taken seriously as a presidential candidate.  And way before anyone would have dreamed of "cash for clunkers", or the financial collapse and/or stimulus programs.

So, what happened here?

Turns out, Snopes has a copy of the original email.

And, as you'd predict, it was quite a stinging rebuke of the George W. Bush administration.

I guess that some right-wing email creators can't wait for a guy to die before rewriting the history of his life and his quotations.  Sad, really.

A Gas Station Serenity Prayer

Not all of my dad's email forwards have to do with politics.

Here's another recent piece of nonsense:

New way to get swindled. I will clear from now on.

Using the "clear" button
Using credit/debit card?
Read this note very carefully.

I did not know about the clear button, but I will be pushing the clear button before I swipe my gas or debit card and after just to be safe.

People are getting really desperate due to the constantly rising gas prices.

A friend just told me about something that happened to one of his coworkers.
She used her credit/debit card to purchase gas at the pump (like most of us do). She received her receipt like normal. 

However, when she checked her statement, there were 2 $50.00 charges added in addition to her purchase. Upon investigation, she found out that because she did not press the 'clear' button on the pump, the employee inside the store was able to use her card to purchase his/her own gas! 

To keep this from happening, after you get your receipt, you must press the 'CLEAR' button or your information will be stored until the next customer inserts their card.
Be sure to tell all your friends/family so that this doesn't happen to them. I had never noticed the clear button but I got gas the other day and sure enough it is there. I shall be using it from now on.

Well, needless pressing of a "clear" button probably isn't going to hurt anyone.  Is it?

Well, keypads do wear out over time.  I'd imagine this would send a few to early retirement.

And, of course, there are your random nutbags who will forget to hit the "clear" button, rush back to the gas station, and accost the staff out of fear that their identities might be stolen.

I suppose, if these things become prevalent, it will cost the gas stations money.  And of course, you know where that money is going to come from - increased prices at the pump.  So, yes.  Hysteria like this can cause harm for the rest of us.

"But", you may ask, "is there any credence to the idea that failing to 'clear' the pump of data might allow a gas station employee to use someone's credit card number?"

Absolutely not.  Once collected and immediately transmitted, credit card numbers are usually not stored at the retail site.  Most companies prefer not to take the risk of being sued for data breaches.  And even the ones that do want to keep credit card data (for some weird reason) are obliged to keep the data encrypted.  And a gas station attendant isn't going to have access to it.

Now some folks might say, "Well, if that's true, how did this original poster get stuck with a couple of $50 charges?"

Well, they could have made it up.  It seems a little bit strange for an identity thief to stop after collecting $100.

But, if they weren't, I'd lay odds on the gas pump being modified with a skimmer.  If a pump were illegally modified, then, yes, it could store or transmit data to a thief.

But the "clear" button won't help you to defeat a skimmer.

Thankfully, they're still rare.  And if they were more common, credit card companies would be devising countermeasures.

But if you're worried - check the benefits on your credit card.  They usually have good protections against identity theft.

And that will help you a lot more than worrying about if you hit a "clear" button.

Things Are Slow in Email Forward Land...

I get confused when my father forwards messages like this one.

We're Jewish.  And my father was never particularly religous.  In fact, he's pretty antagonistic to organized religion in any sense.  And, normally wouldn't agree with right-wing religious folks.

So, why is he starting to forward "christian right" emails?

Beats me.

Here it is:

Only 31 words --- Think about it

Isn't life strange?
I never met one Veteran who enlisted to
fight for Socialism
86% will send this on.

Only 31 words --- Think about it

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!

I think it bears pointing out that the pledge of allegiance was written in 1892, with "Under G-d" added in 1954.  (Normally, I don't cite Wikipedia - but this is pretty well-referenced.)  When the pledge has been in existence longer without "under G-d" than with "under G-d", I'd consider it's presence a "matter of debate" rather than tradition.

If Muslims can pray on Madison Avenue, why are
Christians banned from praying in public and erecting religious displays on their holy days?

Because private individuals are using their own money to buy land, and participate in legal activity behind closed doors in their shared space.  Which is not the same as forcing non-believers to permit (or, even, pay for) promotion of a religion that they don't share on public space.

I was asked to send this on if I agree, or delete if I don't.

In other words, "Only those who agree with me should say anything."  Got it.

It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.

... So are you saying that we should ignore that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" thing that we put in our constitution?

Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why
there is such a problem in having 'In God! We Trust' on our money and having 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I believe it's time we stand up for what we believe!

That's fine.  I'll respect your  for standing up for what you believe.  As long as you respect my right to disagree.

If you agree, pass this on, if not,
delete

So much for respect.

The Suicide Bombings of 2005: Too Bad You Missed 'Em.

Oh, great.  Another "The Terrorists are Coming" message.

Let me sum this one up for you beforehand.

• Snopes identifies this email as arising in 2005.  And, yet, somehow, this author's predictions of multiple simultaneous suicide bomb strikes on US and English soil haven't come to pass.  Despite his dire warnings that this would happen in "the next few months".
• Some journalists have pointed out that there's no evidence that this source has served in Mossad, or any other Israeli intelligence service.  It's also noted that he failed basic commando training.
• Snopes did check Fox News footage during the week before the London bombing.  They didn't see Mr. Juval on at all, much less predicting the bombing.
• I've found no records of any testimony to congress or the president before the 9/11 attacks.  Nor have others who've looked.

Bottom line?  I don't give this "expert" any more credence than any other chicken little.

But, if you still want to read?  Here you go.  But, personally, I think another viewing of "Outbreak" will teach you just as much.

And "Outbreak" was an awful movie.

A LITTLE LONG BUT BE WARNED IT WILL BE DIFFERENT

                Next Terrorist Attack will be different.....


 
Israel is realistic and US is foolish!
 
   
Advice from an Israeli Agent
 

 Juval Aviv was the Israeli Agent upon whom the movie ' Munich ' was based. He was Golda Meir's bodyguard, and she appointed him to track down and bring to justice the Palestinian terrorists who took the Israeli athletes hostage and killed them during the Munich Olympic Games.

 In a lecture in New York City he shared information that EVERY American needs to know -- but that our government has not yet shared with us.

 He predicted the London subway bombing on the Bill O'Reilly show on Fox News stating publicly that it would happen within a week. At the time, O'Reilly laughed, and mocked him saying that in a week he wanted him back on the show. Unfortunately, within a week the terrorist attack had occurred.
 
Juval Aviv gave intelligence (via what he had gathered in Israel and the Middle East ) to the Bush Administration about 9/11, a month before it occurred. His report specifically said they would use planes as bombs and target high profile buildings and monuments. Congress has since hired him as a security consultant.
 
Now for his future predictions. He predicts the next terrorist attack on the U.S. Will occur within the next few months.
 
Forget hijacking airplanes, because he says terrorists will NEVER try and hijack a plane again as they know the people onboard will never go down quietly again.. Aviv believes our airport security is a joke -- that we have been reactionary rather than proactive in developing strategies that are truly effective.

 For example:

 1) Our airport technology is outdated. We look for metal, and the new explosives are made of plastic.

 2) He talked about how some idiot tried to light his shoe on fire. Because of that, now everyone has to take off their shoes. A group of idiots tried to bring aboard liquid explosives. Now we can't bring liquids on board. He says he's waiting for some suicidal maniac to pour liquid explosive on his underwear; at which point, security will have us all traveling naked!
 Every strategy we have is reactionary.

 3) We only focus on security when people are heading to the gates.

 Aviv says that if a terrorist attack targets airports in the future, they will target busy times on the front end of the airport when/where people are checking in. It would be easy for someone to take two suitcases of explosives, walk up to a busy check-in line, ask a person next to them to watch their bags for a minute while they run to the restroom or get a drink, and then detonate the bags BEFORE security even gets involved. InIsrael , security checks bags BEFORE people can even ENTER the airport.
 
Aviv says the next terrorist attack here in America is imminent and will involve suicide bombers and non-suicide bombers in places where large groups of people congregate. (I.e., Disneyland, Las Vegas casinos, big cities ( New York , San Francisco , Chicago , etc.) and that it will also include shopping malls, subways in rush hour, train stations, etc., as well as, rural America this time.. The interlands
 ( Wyoming , Montana , etc.).

 The attack will be characterized by simultaneous detonations around the country (terrorists like big impact), involving at least 5-8 cities, including rural areas.

 Aviv says terrorists won't need to use suicide bombers in many of the larger cities, because at places like the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, they can simply valet park a car loaded with explosives and walk away.
 
Aviv says all of the above is well known in intelligence circles, but that our U. S.. Government does not want to 'alarm American citizens' with the facts. The world is quickly going to become 'a different place', and issues like 'global warming' and political correctness will become totally irrelevant.

 On an encouraging note, he says that Americans don't have to be concerned about being nuked. Aviv says the terrorists who want to destroyAmerica will not use sophisticated weapons. They like to use suicide as a front-line approach. It's cheap, it's easy, it's effective; and they have an infinite abundance of young militants more than willing to 'meet their destiny'.
 
He also says the next level of terrorists, over which America  should be most concerned, will not be coming from abroad.  But will be, instead, 'homegrown', having attended and been educated in our own schools and universities right here in the U.S. He says to look for 'students' who frequently travel back and forth to the   Middle East . These young terrorists will be most dangerous because they will know our language and will fully understand the habits of Americans; but that we Americans won't know/understand a thing about them.

 Aviv says that, as a people, Americans are unaware and uneducated about the terrorist threats we will inevitably face.  America still has only a handful of Arabic and Farsi speaking people in our intelligence networks, and Aviv says it is critical that we change that fact SOON.
 
So, what can America do to protect itself? From an intelligence perspective, Aviv says the U.S. needs to stop relying on satellites and technology for intelligence. We need to, instead, follow Israel 's, Ireland 's and England 's hands-on examples of human intelligence, both from an infiltration perspective as well as to pay attention to, and trust 'aware' citizens to help. We need to engage and educate ourselves as citizens; however, our U. S. government continues to treat us, its citizens, 'like babies'. Our government thinks we 'can't handle the truth' and are concerned that we'll panic if we understand the realities of terrorism. Aviv says this is a deadly mistake.

 Aviv recently created/executed a security test for our Congress, by placing an empty briefcase in five well-traveled spots in five major cities. The results? Not one person called 911 or sought a policeman to check it out.. In fact, in Chicago , someone tried to steal the briefcase!
 
In comparison, Aviv says that citizens of Israel are so well 'trained' that an unattended bag or package would be reported in seconds by citizen(s) who know to publicly shout, 'Unattended Bag!' The area would be quickly & calmly cleared by the citizens themselves.
 
Unfortunately, America  hasn't been yet 'hurt enough' by terrorism for their government to fully understand the need to educate its citizens or for the government to understand that it's their citizens who are, inevitably, the best first-line of defense against terrorism.

Aviv also was concerned about the high number of children here in America who were in preschool and kindergarten after 9/11, who were 'lost' without parents being able to pick them up, and about our schools that had no plan in place to best care for the students until parents could get there. (In New York City , this was days, in some cases!)

He stresses the importance of having a plan, that's agreed upon within your family, of how to respond in the event of a terrorist emergency. He urges parents to contact their children's schools and demand that the schools too, develop plans of actions, just as they do in Israel .

 Does your family know what to do if you can't contact one another by phone? Where would you gather in an emergency? He says we should all have a plan that is easy enough for even our youngest children to remember and follow.

 Aviv says that the U. S. government has in force a plan, that in the event of another terrorist attack, EVERYONE's ability to use cell phones, blackberries, etc., will immediately be cut-off, as this is the preferred communication source used by terrorists and is often the way that their bombs are detonated.

 How will you communicate with your loved ones in the event you cannot speak to each other? You need to have a plan.

If you understand, and believe what you have just read, then you must feel compelled to send this to every concerned parent, guardian, grandparents, uncles, aunts, whomever. Don't stop there. In addition to sharing this via e-mail, contact and discuss this information with whomever it makes sense to. Make contingency plans with those you care about. Better that you have plans in place, and never have to use them, then to have no plans in place, and find you needed them.

If you choose not to share this, or not to have a plan in place, and nothing ever occurs -- good for you! However, in the event  something does happen, and even more so, if it directly affects your loved ones, then this e-mail will haunt you forever.

Telling yourself after the fact, "I should have sent this to so and so, but deleted it as so much trash from old Bill Ralph, plus, I just didn't believe it", will not change anything. You were alerted, had the chance to do something, and instead of erring on the side of caution, you chose to disregard, if nothing else, a sensible, valuable warning.