Another young lad at another school tried to commit an act of violence in Missouri the other day. Fortunately, someone was able to wrestle the gun away from him.
Three bodies were found in a house in Milwaukee today. No further information is available at this time.
Another report is coming out of Palestine of the brutal murder of a young wife who was trying to explain that her husband couldn't respond to the Israeli soldiers because he is deaf. Apparently they didn't want to hear any excuses. They shot her in cold blood.
A journalist was laid to rest. It's assumed she was assassinated by those who didn't want her to exercise her freedoms and open secrets to the world.
And four American troops died in Iraq today.
All murder and tyranny is terror. It doesn't matter who is committing it. All human life is valuable.
Meanwhile, the Republicans in Congress continued working to cover their lies and scandals. And was George Bush out campaigning again? He sure is a good Republican fundraiser isn't he? Too bad it's not the job he's being paid to perform.
Oh, and according to the latest celebrity gossip. . .
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Monday, October 09, 2006
Not A Political Symbol
When I converted to Islam, I actually knew very little about my new faith. I had read the Qur'an, cover to cover, and spoken with some Muslims--all men. I was shocked when, a week after my conversion, I traveled to a somewhat larger town and met a gentle Muslim woman from Sudan who told me I would need to cover my head. It's in the Qur'an, but I guess I didn't pay close enough attention.
Six months passed before I was able to commit to wearing the headscarf. I was prompted after being cursed at by a narrow-minded person (also known as Rednecks) in our small town who said (remember this was 1980) he'd like to "take one of those Iranians and drag him through the street behind my pickup." When another girl and I challenged him, he called us filthy names. And I swore no one would ever talk to me that way again. On went the scarf.
I cover because I feel more dignified doing so. I can be judged by the contents of my mind rather than my physical appearance. I also cover because, now that I'm married, it's a special feeling to know that even my hair will not be seen by any men except my husband, sons, and nephews. And I cover because it is commanded by Allah in the Qur'an.
Wearing a scarf is not a political statement--at least not for any women I've met. It's a deeply personal commitment of faith.
Today Morocco joined other Arab countries in discouraging the scarf. I don't know how they can read the Qur'an, profess to be Muslims, and take such an action. They said they want to discourage extremism. If it is extremist to believe in the Qur'an as the revealed word of Allah, and strive to follow it, then I guess that's what I am. No apologies.
Six months passed before I was able to commit to wearing the headscarf. I was prompted after being cursed at by a narrow-minded person (also known as Rednecks) in our small town who said (remember this was 1980) he'd like to "take one of those Iranians and drag him through the street behind my pickup." When another girl and I challenged him, he called us filthy names. And I swore no one would ever talk to me that way again. On went the scarf.
I cover because I feel more dignified doing so. I can be judged by the contents of my mind rather than my physical appearance. I also cover because, now that I'm married, it's a special feeling to know that even my hair will not be seen by any men except my husband, sons, and nephews. And I cover because it is commanded by Allah in the Qur'an.
Wearing a scarf is not a political statement--at least not for any women I've met. It's a deeply personal commitment of faith.
Today Morocco joined other Arab countries in discouraging the scarf. I don't know how they can read the Qur'an, profess to be Muslims, and take such an action. They said they want to discourage extremism. If it is extremist to believe in the Qur'an as the revealed word of Allah, and strive to follow it, then I guess that's what I am. No apologies.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Will it really change anything?
The Republicans are shaken after this latest pedophile scandal. Shaken, but not backing down.
I caught a snippet of Hastert's press conference. He came off, to me at least, as unrepentant and worried not so much about the pedophilia itself--after all, he already knew--but about the political repercussions.
I remember in 1964 when Nelson Rockefeller was stymied in his presidential dreams because he had been divorced. In 1964, divorce alone was enough to ruin a politician.
But we're living in the Reagan/Bush era when a scandal only counts if it's committed by someone other than a Republican. Reagan was the Teflon president. G. W. Bush has him beat by a mile.
Democrats and independents are punished. Republicans can do pretty much whatever they want. That's the unhappy reality of living in 21st century America. I hope it will change, but I won't hold my breath. I'll vote in November, but I don't know if my vote will count.
I don't go to church, but I am interested in knowing if any preachers--you know, the ones who swore by the current Bush--will continue to stand by him and his party. Maybe pedophilia isn't a sin if a Republican commits it.
I caught a snippet of Hastert's press conference. He came off, to me at least, as unrepentant and worried not so much about the pedophilia itself--after all, he already knew--but about the political repercussions.
I remember in 1964 when Nelson Rockefeller was stymied in his presidential dreams because he had been divorced. In 1964, divorce alone was enough to ruin a politician.
But we're living in the Reagan/Bush era when a scandal only counts if it's committed by someone other than a Republican. Reagan was the Teflon president. G. W. Bush has him beat by a mile.
Democrats and independents are punished. Republicans can do pretty much whatever they want. That's the unhappy reality of living in 21st century America. I hope it will change, but I won't hold my breath. I'll vote in November, but I don't know if my vote will count.
I don't go to church, but I am interested in knowing if any preachers--you know, the ones who swore by the current Bush--will continue to stand by him and his party. Maybe pedophilia isn't a sin if a Republican commits it.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
I didn't pay much attention to the news today but I know that. . .
. . .the Republican party is trying to cover its tracks in the wake of the latest scandal. Wouldn't it be nice if our leaders actually admitted when they are wrong?
. . .people are still dying in Iraq and Afghanistan--soldiers and civilians. It's not a clash of civilizations. It's a simple case of citizens defending their land against invaders.
. . .the situation grows worse each day in Gaza. Israeli troops have destroyed homes and crops and prevented many from earning an livelihood.
. . .the news is a ridiculous presentation of infotainment which I can barely stand to watch.
. . .and in Pennsylvania, a grandfather forgave a gunman. I believe in peace, but I don't think I could be that generous.
. . .people are still dying in Iraq and Afghanistan--soldiers and civilians. It's not a clash of civilizations. It's a simple case of citizens defending their land against invaders.
. . .the situation grows worse each day in Gaza. Israeli troops have destroyed homes and crops and prevented many from earning an livelihood.
. . .the news is a ridiculous presentation of infotainment which I can barely stand to watch.
. . .and in Pennsylvania, a grandfather forgave a gunman. I believe in peace, but I don't think I could be that generous.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Violence and Muslims
Have you ever had an argument with a friend or family member? The other person becomes extremely tense. When you remind him or her to calm down, the reply is "I am calm!"
Muslims are peaceful. We keep telling everyone how peaceful we are. And if they don't believe it we will throw rocks through their windows and burn them in effigy.
Islam is a peaceful religion. Really. But the Muslim world needs to learn a thing or two about anger management. No matter what anyone says about Islam, we don't need to react with violence and rage. Everyone has the right to an opinion. And we will all find out who was right, and who was wrong, on the Day of Judgement.
So the next time someone criticizes Islam, use a gentle word of correction and then go about your business. We can't teach about the peace of Islam by threatening to kill--or actually killing, in the case of that nun. Who is more righteous? The man who kills an innocent women, or the one who refrains from violence?
I have been a Muslim for 26 years but I am not a violent person. Except, maybe, when my kids have been making noise for three weeks straight and I can't take it anymore. But that's not Islam either. That's my anger speaking, not my faith.
Islam is peaceful. Islam is peaceful. Islam is peaceful. I pray for the day when Muslims will be peaceful too.
Muslims are peaceful. We keep telling everyone how peaceful we are. And if they don't believe it we will throw rocks through their windows and burn them in effigy.
Islam is a peaceful religion. Really. But the Muslim world needs to learn a thing or two about anger management. No matter what anyone says about Islam, we don't need to react with violence and rage. Everyone has the right to an opinion. And we will all find out who was right, and who was wrong, on the Day of Judgement.
So the next time someone criticizes Islam, use a gentle word of correction and then go about your business. We can't teach about the peace of Islam by threatening to kill--or actually killing, in the case of that nun. Who is more righteous? The man who kills an innocent women, or the one who refrains from violence?
I have been a Muslim for 26 years but I am not a violent person. Except, maybe, when my kids have been making noise for three weeks straight and I can't take it anymore. But that's not Islam either. That's my anger speaking, not my faith.
Islam is peaceful. Islam is peaceful. Islam is peaceful. I pray for the day when Muslims will be peaceful too.
Monday, October 02, 2006
American Crisis
According to the Decider, we Americans should be very afraid of shadowy foreigners (or converted Americans) who threaten our very existence.
But our enemies are not in Iraq, Iran, or North Korea. Our enemies are in Washington D.C. And last week they voted on legislation to take away our rights.
The Decider tells us he's fighting to spread freedom and democracy. He says this while he takes away freedom and democracy from his own people.
This country is under attack. Not from without, but from within.
I'll close with a statement I'm sure many are making these days. In the world of bloggers and truth-tellers, I am very low on the totem pole. But if I ever disappear, you know why. And I will never commit suicide.
But our enemies are not in Iraq, Iran, or North Korea. Our enemies are in Washington D.C. And last week they voted on legislation to take away our rights.
The Decider tells us he's fighting to spread freedom and democracy. He says this while he takes away freedom and democracy from his own people.
This country is under attack. Not from without, but from within.
I'll close with a statement I'm sure many are making these days. In the world of bloggers and truth-tellers, I am very low on the totem pole. But if I ever disappear, you know why. And I will never commit suicide.
How many people have to die before we call it terror?
How many school shootings have there been in the last week? Three, I think. It could have been more.
And the assailants were not just loners dressed in black who sought revenge after a lifetime of bullying. Two of the attacks involved grown men who intruded into the schools and singled out girls as their victims.
Imagine if something like this happened in a Muslim country? It would be portrayed as a reflection of the myth that Islam supports the degradation of women.
But all the school shootings, drive-by shootings, domestic murder-suicides, and so on, are not labeled terrorism because there is no common thread. Except that every one of the gunmen has been an American. Usually male. Usually white. And because white male Americans control the media, we're not going to hear about white male American terrorists.
But we are living in terror.
What should we call it?
And the assailants were not just loners dressed in black who sought revenge after a lifetime of bullying. Two of the attacks involved grown men who intruded into the schools and singled out girls as their victims.
Imagine if something like this happened in a Muslim country? It would be portrayed as a reflection of the myth that Islam supports the degradation of women.
But all the school shootings, drive-by shootings, domestic murder-suicides, and so on, are not labeled terrorism because there is no common thread. Except that every one of the gunmen has been an American. Usually male. Usually white. And because white male Americans control the media, we're not going to hear about white male American terrorists.
But we are living in terror.
What should we call it?
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