A House Divided. . .Is Easily Conquered

Cheney delivered a strong warning to Pakistan today. They must be tougher on "terrorism."

Musharraf, the Pakistani president and recipient of the rebuke, was understably upset. He is in a difficult position. Having gained his leadership through force, not democracy, he has walked a thin line between trying to please the White House, which has bolstered Musharraf's position of power, while appeasing the Muslim population of his country and avoiding a coup. Frankly, I'm surprised he has managed to stay in power this long.

But the vice-president is threatening to upset this delicate balance. The U.S. insists upon complete allegiance from its allies--especially when it comes to controlling the Muslim masses. Egypt's Mubarak is another American ally. Ask the average Egyptian if he has freedom of speech.

The agenda of American foreign policy is to divide and conquer. Dictate to the dictator who will use force to suppress resistance. Marginalize the Muslims.

But this policy is in danger in Pakistan. And Cheney may discover that he pushed too hard.

Another flashpoint

There are many places where war, or more war, is simply a step--a single mistake--away. One is the Persian Gulf.

Another is Jerusalem. Tomorrow--today--is Friday. Will Israeli troops bar worshipers from Masjid Al-Aqsa? Will the worshipers become angry and become engaged in another battle of rocks vs. bullets? And what is the Israeli government allowing to be done to the structure? Will it all collapse one day? And if it does, will the Muslim world rise up?

Jerusalem has been a holy city for centuries. After the creation of Israel, it was designated as an international city where all three Abrahamic faiths could worship without difficulty. That sounded nice on paper, but it isn't working.

Masjid Al-Aqsa has a special place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It is the third of three holy places, the first two being in Makkah and Madinah. Salahuddin liberated Jerusalem from the Crusaders. I've heard many Muslims ask when the next Salahuddin will come. Some give their sons that name. And some sons hope to be the one to free the holy city.

Cooperation would have been nice, if it had worked. It's too late for that now. The conflict will eventually explode. The only question is, When?

Peace has always been elusive, but it is ever more so these days.

Peer pressure

I am usually a non-conformist. I march to the beat of a different drummer. I never had trouble with peer pressure because I always followed my own path.

But even a lifelong non-conformist like me knows when it's time to stop being stubborn and realize your friends may be right.

So, George, take the hint. Your friends are abandoning the coalition. Isn't it time to reassess your resolve?

Forget about religion and politics. What about Social Security?

Muslims don't believe in the separation of "church" and state. The ideal Islamic state would include religion precepts as an integral part of it's operations.

But we don't live in an Islamic state. We live in the United States. This country was founded strictly on the basis of separation, and I don't believe it could function any other way. Yet, people try.

The issue of the day is that Mitt Romney is a Mormon. I lived in Massachusetts for a year while Mitt Romney was governor and, while he did leave behind some major accomplishments, I would not vote for him for president. But it has nothing to do with his religion.

Hillary Clinton is a woman. Do you know how many other countries have had women leaders? Yet, in the U.S., the land of freedom, it's an issue.

Barack Obama is black. South Africa, which had such a bad record of racial apartheid that it was internationally boycotted, has had a black president. But in the U.S., the land where all men are created equal, it's a problem.

And Mitt Romney is a Mormon. So what? John Kennedy was a Catholic and people made an issue of that, but he was probably the best president of the twentieth century--and far superior to what we have in the twenty-first.

It's the economy, stupid. And health care. And the wars. And American foreign policy. And the environment. The list goes on.

Why do Americans allow ourselves to be distracted by non-issues? We need to remember that that's how we ended up with the mess we have today.

It's coming!

Over the weekend, I received two orders for copies of Turbulence. The manuscript is heading for the printer. Two more weeks.

Turbulence is different. Edgier. The narrator isn't Joshua this time, but his oldest brother, Brad. Joshua is easy-going. Brad is intense. Joshua is open and friendly. Brad has many secrets--some of which even he isn't aware.

But I would never forget Joshua. He's still a key character in Turbulence. And he's still the same. In Turbulence, though, the reader sees Joshua, and everyone else, through Brad's eyes.

I won't say anything more. Except that I consider Turbulence to be my best work yet. But I'll let you, my reader, be the judge of that.

Inching toward war

We all know George Bush is too unpopular to initiate war with Iran. He got by with it once, loudly proclaiming the threats posed by Saddam's non-existent weapons of mass destruction. But the majority of Americans won't be fooled again, and there's no Colin Powell to give a 90-minute presentation of lies and half-truths (and I know Powell regrets that presentation).

So what's a president to do but provoke Iran into war? Two cross border attacks in Iran last week are said to have the earmarks of American involvement. U.S. warships are in the Persian Gulf. An Iranian diplomat has been seized in Baghdad. How much can Ahmedinejad take before he retaliates?

Fortunately, Ahmedinejad is much more intelligent than Bush, and he understands what's at stake. But how much will he tolerate?

Apocalyptic freaks pray for a world war, but the rest of us are scared--or should be. An attack on Iran will drag Russia, and possibly China, into the fray. And Iran, which has not been weakened by thirteen years of sanctions, is much stronger than Iraq was. Even at that, no rational person can say the U.S. is winning in Baghdad.

George Bush is on a holy mission. Control oil and wipe out Islam. Neither of these goals is feasible. But he is determined to continue on his path of destruction.

We all need to pray that he does not drag all of us along with him.

That's why I write

This evening I received an email from a 14-year old girl who read my book, Rebounding, and loved it. She said the story helped her appreciate Islam.

And that makes it all worthwhile.