Gone?

What a "surprise". How could all these ungrateful posters leave such a liberal site, where moderators permit the free exchange of the ideas  demonstrating the model of the unbiased approach to Muslims and Non-Muslims alike? How could these ungrateful posters leave this poor site with just  a couple like kirilova and yackitack ?

I was told by a friend that some 6 years ago there were more questions and answers posted on this forum in a day than now in a months.

You are the old timer, cyberer, tell me if it is true?

It has to do with the muslim holy month.

Ya..That yack guy is a real piece of work isn't he.

If I never see him again it will be too soon.

IOL doesn't have many genuine posters to begin with.

It had A LOT of imposters and also posters who post nothing but insults and hatred towards Islam and Muslims.

It also had posters who post nothing but insults and hatred towards non-Muslims.

It also had posters who post nothing but insults and hatred towards those who post nothing but insults and hatred.

I've been gone for quite sometime now but I notice that some of those posters are still around.... sadly.

May God guide us all.

Hello ceberers, we're back now, it was Eid vacations and the forum too was on vacation so nice of you to miss us.

The moderators have ruined this site for everyone. Hope you and kiri enjoy each other's company.

BB

I agree with the consensus that the problems with this forum stem from the moderators. 

In particular, I think the slide began during that period 2 or 3 years ago when Bennite, Cyberers, and YingYang were allowed  by the moderators to post incredibly offensive nonsense.  It was at that point that the posters with moderate views (both muslim and non-muslim) began to disappear.

I find it interesting that the moderators allowed offensive non-muslim posters to drive away moderate muslim posters. 

Yeah Bob, the Mod's band me too....... or so they though.

Simply can't stand the truth and debate.

One way, their way.

They expect people to sit by and let Muslims slander, lie and insult Christians and Jews with no recourse or response.

They've ruined it, and maybe it's just as well since no one of any intelligence is posting, no one is reading their garbage.

They deny they've banned/moderated me but any fool can look at the dates of my posts on the threads and compare them to the dates of my posts under my profile and see that the dates do not match. That's because the few posts that do make it past the moderators take days or weeks to make it on the board. Why should I bother using a proxy? Facebook is much more open to debate. Anyone can find and befriend me under Bobalu Chowdury.

BB

Hello BOB, out of curiosity, which dates under your profile, I can’t see any dates!  Can the difference in time occur because of the difference in time between your country and Egypt?

Can the difference in time occur because of the difference in time between your country and Egypt?

Bob is a slow typer. Not just that, but I think he must mail the post to IOL.  lol... maybe air mail would be faster.

Air mail, do you think people are still using it? probably not like before the net.

Air mail, do you think people are still using it? probably not like before the net.

I was kidding Bob. Sure people still use air mail..If the letter or parcel is sent to Euro or a far away country. It ony goes by air mail. Not like local delivery. But the time of posting on IOL..my time show's you posted about half hour after I did. You are in Egypt.

Re: Where is everyone? Posted: Oct 23, 2009 9:22 PM

 Maryam post..Air mail, do you think people are still using it? probably not like before the net.

Re: Where is everyone?
Posted: Oct 23, 2009 8:59 PM   in response to: Maryam95

  Reply

Can the difference in time occur because of the difference in time between your country and Egypt?

Bob is a slow typer. Not just that, but I think he must mail the post to IOL.  lol... maybe air mail would

The site is dead....................... half of the more intelligent posters Meagain, bob etc were banned and others have just drifted away. It is a shame because if you filtered out the loonies on here there are/were some great posters both Muslim and non Muslim, but the moderators decided to take the site in a different direction. All I see now is the loonies still posting and anyone dare question or try and present a alternative argument is automatically branded a Zionist.

I pop on most evenings to see what is going on but for me........................ my family, Job and my photography are far more important.

Cheers

Grant

OTT?

I've seen that name before... is that really you?

As I've only got one post today LOL, just thought I would say hi OTT good to see you back.

Regards

Grant

Greatings and Peace always be with you Steven.

First, I would like to thank you for your kind words. I too use to once enjoyed the stimulation of debate with those others whom visited IOL.

Though I understand and realize heated passions can flare up in the formu, and comments can be posted before one might retract them, I also believe that the moderators have spent so

much time enforcing one set of rules on non-Muslims while ignoring the same violations made by Muslims (which many seem to be able to do with impunity),

has contributed greatly to the disapearance of posters.

I stopped posting at IOL some time ago since I felt the moderators were not sincere in allowing a fair forum for debate, but instead had an agenda

to allow anti-Western propaganda to flourish and delete anyone whom might wish to counter such claims.

There are many serious issues Muslims face throughout the world, and we should take every opportunity we can to calmly and rationally explain our

possition to those that might not understand it.

It's difficult to do so when thost irrate posters seem to be more from the Muslim side of the issue than those we would seek to inform.

Greetings and Blessings upon you Steven.

Each journey begins with a first step.

How far we go and to what depth our destiny is revealed is unknown unless we have the courage to take that first step.

Be it personal or in a community, finding a path suited for one's self is always a struggle and never comes without challenge.

Governments do not rule people, people simply stand by and do nothing, allowing governments to represent them in ways they would

rather not be represented.

When good men stand by and do nothing, evil men will have their way.

When relating ideas and issues to people from different parts of the world, of different religions and cultures, one must never be

judgmental or narrow minded.

You can't allow your voice to be silenced when you have something important to say.

Patience, timing, moments of enlightenment all play a part in conveying our unique message to those that my never otherwise hear that

message.

As I have said before, it is from within ones own society, from within one's own self, that we find solutions.

I would never presume that institutions like the KKK or political parties represent the inner you.

I would never insist or demand that the path of Islam is the sole path for you and that without it, you are damned.

It is for you and others to seek that path of enlightenment and to convince yourself of the justice of the message, or lack thereof.

All history hides horror of those that would try to say otherwise.

Islam is no exception.

But if you search deeply enough for the truth, you will find there is more to the message than what is written in the pages of books.

Passion fuels our desire.

Controlling those passions clears the way for understanding all sides of an issue.

Be it Palestine or Iraq, Afghanistan or Sudan, all sides have a point of view that is worthy of hearing.

Why are those few institutions that fly the standard of Islam teaching hatred?

Why are those few institutions of Christianity preaching that Islam is a threat to society and the world?

Why?

Because good men stand by and do nothing.

Be not that man my friend.

Speak with measured words of truth and present your views with the understanding of those things others might not see at first.

As here on IOL, many claim to represent Islamic or Muslim view points without even knowing the truth of the situation from which they try

to speak for.

Many times I've read individual postings from persons that travel no further that the front door of their home.

Their passion of hatred for this or that, meaningless since they have no conviction to go and be part of the solution.

There is no Islamic horde ranting at the gates of the West.

It is simply a projection of fear that has been built by years of mistrust and misunderstanding.

Only through understanding and patience will two paths become one.

I do not need to convert you or dominate you to live in peace with you.

All I or any other Muslim ask for is respect and understanding.

As I respect and seek to understand you.

May God bless you and be with you always my friend.

Peace

What's up OTT?

Yeah, I miss those "reason minded" Muslims too.

Anti-Israel ABSOLUTELY yes,

anti-Western no.

Anti Western people no,

 anti Western govnts yes, only those who came to our land occupy it and kill us

Define the reason minded! Do you mean like those who are called " the moderate countries = Egypt, Jordan and Saudi = your Agents"?

Those traitors who helped you to kill our brothers?

No Maryam, I don't mean "agents" of the US.

I mean being able to TALK to Muslims without them INSTANTLY claiming the West is all evil, the US is the center of all Muslim pains and Muslims never do anything WRONG.

Oh yeah, and blaming the Jews for everything not covered by the above.

Hi OTT,

Long time no see!!

Hi Ott,

Yes, I'm fine.  After a long bout of unemployment, I am once again happily working.

Susan

Yes, many people are absent. I wonder where are songyang fetra and the others! However, gpa some people are coming here ONLY to abuse Islam and Muslims. It's OK to have differences and opposite views but that should be in a decent manner and some of the posters are way from being decent and what they’re posting is totally unacceptable. Those can go away with our thanks, but most of them changed their names and are still here.

gpa some people are coming here ONLY to abuse Islam and Muslims.

I agree and I dislike them as much as you do.................... but conversely we also have people like Nosrul who do the same to anyone who does not follow his interpretation of Islam.............. yet they remain.  I also find the use of the word N-gger or kill all Jews etc etc offensive, however IOL are quite happy for it to carry on.

Both Bob and MeAgain were banned or at least moderated which is one in the same.  I deplore users who use multiple names........................I see no reason at all for doing so..........   Cybers/Yack to name one.

Fitra was one of the worst offenders of multiple name use and also I suspect very young, as for the Songster, I think he has moved into the movie business and is now producing youtube clips about the Thieves,Robbers and Rapists.

As I have said before it makes no difference to me.................it's IOL's site so it is up to them to run it as they see fit...................   As far as I can see it is running just the way they want it.

Greetings and blessings upon you and all those that you love.

I've been fine my dear brother Mustaf.

I just returned several days ago from the Philippines after a delivery of canned goods and rice I purchased after much difficulty and pains.

But Allah was with me as always, and he guided me to an area just outside of the calamity area that had sufficient provisions still on hand, and the

merchant was willing to part with them for a high, but under the current situation, reasonabaly fair price.

It was of no matter to me since I would have gladly paid ten times that much to aquire some food stuffs for those poor suffering people that the

world has ignored in their time of need.

I've found so many gracious and thankful people when they see an Arab Muslim handing out care packages and they look to us with thanks and favor.

I simply tell them "Praise be to Allah that he has gifted me with the means to be of some small help in your time of need".

Many fellow Muslims gifted me money before I left so they too are only giving to you that which Allah has guided them in their hearts to give.

I would implore all of you to reach into your wallets and send what ever your heart tells you to send to these poor helpless people in so much need.

Nations have ignored their pleas and all I saw assisting were US military men.

I could not help but feel a pain of embarrassment that no other representative of the Muslim world was to be seen.

I placed the Red Cresent at our tent/issuing point as a sign of brotherhood towards the people of the Philippines and Praise Allah they found several

smiling and helping Muslims to render them what small aid we could.

As for the loving and kind people of Indonesia?

I have for many years done what modest things I could do for our brothers and sisters there.

It dumbfounds me as to why such a sweet people must see so much calamity and pain year in year out.

As it is Allah's Will when these terrible things happen, I implore them to seek out Allah in these horrid times and to return faithfully to the path He

has told us to maintain, for He is all forgiving to those of true faith.

Peace

I don’t know why participants have left this blog but judging by the response a lot of old timers are still watching yet not posting. I don’t think it has as much to do with the moderators but more to do with the effectiveness of words spoken. I think what is happening is that people have simply given up that their words will have any affect on the military/industrial complex nation state status that now exist throughout the globe. What it amounts to is a lot of bull words from people like Obama with no change in the war machinery that actually determines how this world will be for you and me and those that are in the direct line of fire due to military weaponry and those that would launch it.

Israel and states aligned with Israel will continue to have the highest military budgets and do the most damage with the Earth and its inhabitants. All of those that would take the time to deliver a sincere message feel overwhelmed by the power of propaganda and feel it is no longer useful to try and fight the power. Israel and the US media/military machinery have drowned out the words of truth and blog spots like I.O.L are no longer are able to speak freely. The moderators have families to feed house and clothe and going to the heart of the matter (Israel) is simply not an option that can be explored by the corporate internet providers. The politicians are liars when they make promises they do not keep, initiate actions opposite of what they say and write memoirs defending their lying words.

I have only one more rant: If America and Israel are democracies why are Palestinian children’s bodies smaller than their years of age? Why does a ten year old Palestinian boy or girl have the body of a six year old? I will tell you why; Israel and the United States along with the UN has decided to starve the people of Palestine for no other reason than that Israel wants to own the land of Palestine and the US has abided this genocide because of its symbiotic relationship between governments and the War Industry. If you wish to understand why there is war then look to the war machinery manufactures i.e. Israel and the US along with England Germany France and of course Russia. Until we understand that profits make wars and not ideology or religion we will continue to argue without understanding; why are things thus?

Greetings, and Peace be with you MediaWhite.

Interesting thought you have, and I would go as far as to say in a great many cases, you are correct.

But I really think it isn't so much "the words" spoken as it is the meaning behind them.

Duplicity cannot be a status signature for Muslims or those that we wish to reach in the rest of the world.

Nor do we have to speak with one voice to get our point across.

The US has many racial/militant groups within its own borders, yet they use "blanket statements" that effectively suggest all Muslims are

terrorist and or support terrorism.

Are there many Muslims that cannot understand the affinity the US political system has for Israel?

Certainly there are.

Are there many Muslims that cannot understand the logic of the current bloodshed in Iraq or Afghanistan?

Again the answer would be yes.

And can you blame them?

Step back from the spectrum and see what we see.

I know in reading your posting you feel as I. (I hope I am not assuming too much).

We must put "meaning" in the words we speak and they must be words of understanding and peaceful disagreement.

We must help those that do not understand our pain, understand.

We can't do that in a comabative confrutational manner.

Peace.

Well put TEXAS!

I'm afraid you're right! This is all going to come down to a conflict of religion/culture/ideology.

Islam doesn't accept our freedom's and we can't accept Islam's dominance over us.

Hold on buddy when was the last time that Islam dominated us?

I notice your username is Texas jihad2, where is Texas jihad1?

Anyway you state that Israel is a democracy and this begs the question as to what your definition of a democracy is. Is a democracy a system that can jail over twelve thousand of its citizens without being obligated to charge or bring them to trial? Is a democracy a system that can steal the land from one ethnic group and give it to another ethnic group based on race? Is a democracy a system that has a lawmaking representative body and by law does not let a third of the lawmakers have a vote in Knesset because they are Palestinian; just to name a few of the violations of a democracy that goes on in Israel and the lands in Palestine it illegally occupies.

Perhaps you believe Israel is a democracy but I can assure you it is not. If you live in the US (Texas) you have been told in one way or the other that Israel is a democracy by both Israel and the US media machine. Think about this for a moment; if someone is paid to tell or teach you can they not also accept pay to teach you a lie?

Here is the problem: truth tellers do it for free and liars always have a motive other than truth. Truth and love is not an agenda, greed and power are. Greed and power look for a personal payoff while truth and love simply looks toward the good of all.

Governments have professional liars that rock around the clock looking for ways to convince you to vote against the interest of the people’s welfare and even your own.

Israel is a rogue state and the US has proved by its actions that it is the enabler therefore the US is a rogue State. When was the last time a rogue State was also a Democracy?

When I give a fact and you rebut that fact it then becomes a dispute which is the key to keeping a conflict going which is exactly what Israel does to justify its occupation of Palestine and proclaim the land theft of Palestinian land a ‘dispute’. There is no dispute Israel has its borders and Palestine has its borders, it’s that simple. If Israel would honor its borders with Palestine there would be no conflict and all of us could go about our business happy that peace in the Middle East rules the day, but such is not the case.

When you make a statement that no civilized society acts as the Gazans I have to agree since no civilized society is systematically deprive of the necessities of life as are the Gazans. I would also have to say that no civilized society would act to deprive another of food, water, education and medical needs as does Israel in Gaza and I might add the United States with its adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan that go about to bomb, starve and destroy other civilizations as does Israel in Palestine and Lebanon. Israel and the US are the predator twins born from the same creature called greed and to the profits of making the war machinery that pay the lawmakers and appropriators their pound of flesh that lay on the decks of their expensive yachts, homes and bank accounts.

It appears that you have come into this arena of digressive squalor without a clue as to what motivates war. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘follow the money’? It means just what it says and if you do not see that Israel is trying to get the Palestinians to simply go away so that Israel can expand its territory beyond resolution 242 illegally then you have not been paying attention. The Israeli monetary system needs growth and right now the smart money is investing in Palestine. The land is dirt cheap.

Maybe the Israelis won’t invade Palestine any longer when it is populated with rich American and European Jews and the Palestinian’s are the servant class as are the Iraqis.

Oh baby wake up you're sleepin’.

Greetings and peace be with You Texas.

The question of Islamic domination comes forth time and time again.
But just what "is" this "Islamic" domination the West fears?
Our Prophet waged war against regimes that enslaved and surpressed the poorest and weakest.
He instilled a form of "law" (yes, it is religious law) that was no different in the basic way pagan nations existed at the time.
Rome, worshiping a plethora of unholy god idols.
Asyrians, Babylonians, all these nations and kingdoms enslaved those around them and worships gods of both good and evil attributes.
Islam brought to these peoples a fare system of justice and a religion of one God, no different than the efforts made by all the
Christian Crusades.
Within that establishment, knowledge and culture grew and flourished.
It was the Islamic world that brought Europe out of the "Dark Ages" and into it's Renaissances period.
As the faith and reach of Islam spread, scholars found haven in Madras.
Within a few years, great civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet, 'seeking knowledge is an
obligation for every Muslim man and woman'. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old, brought about great
advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems such
as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval
Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery were developed, including the
astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps.
The Islamic empires, in the early 6th centuries, were the inheritors of the scientific tradition of late antiquity. They preserved it,
elaborated it, and finally, passed it to Europe. This time period, which was Europe's dark ages, were, for Muslim scholars, a time of
philosophical and scientific discovery and development. The Arabs at the time not only assimilated the ancient wisdom of Persia, and the
classical heritage of Greece, but adapted their own distinctive needs and ways of thinking. Muslim scholars studied the ancient civilizations
from Greece and Rome to China and India. The works of Aristotle, Ptolemy, Euclid and others were translated into Arabic. Muslim scholars and
scientists then added their own creative ideas, discoveries and inventions, and finally transmitted this new knowledge to Europe, leading
directly to the Renaissance. Many scientific and medical treatises, having been translated into Latin, were standard text and reference books
as late as the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe.
But unfortunately, the leaders of the Islamic realm forgot their reasoning and turned corrupt.
With World War I tearing the foundations of the Islamic Ummah asunder.
Today's Islam is not what is was founded to be.
The institutions that lead Islam for so long have been lost or corrupted to the point of not being recognizable to the educated Muslim.
It has become an "ideology" that for many seems hateful and evil.
But that is not TRUE Islam my friend.

Peace my friend

Greetings and may peace be with you Texas,

First let me say thank you for your reply. I hope that in my responce we might grow to understand the point of view we each share and come closer to
understanding each other.

There can be no argument that our past instills a certain impression on our present being. I don't believe I denied that.

But in as much as we all change with time and experience (some for good some for bad) we cannot stay stuck in the past for a refrence of our current
situation or possible future.

I hope you don't believe I was somehow using the Middle East as some "sterling" example" of the perfect situation.
I was not.

I have traveled to your great country many times, and I'm always amazed at the wonderous things going on there. But at the same time, I wonder to myself
how much grander the US could be if the people of that great land were more associated with the rest of the world.

Would you not agree with me that a generation of your youth has grown up as the "self described" me generation?

And as such, teens in America are dis-connected with the rest of the world?

This IS your future don't you think?

Most US teens cannot find the Middle East on a map.

But that's straying from the topic. Forgive me.

I don't intend nor have I ever (in my mind) made "excuses" for the Muslim/Arab world. We have much work to do to rectify our own situations without adding
to them.

But with all that said, and all the know difficulties we have, how are we to ever advance with bombs dropping on our children and destruction of our
cities continuing on a daily basis.

Thankfully, many nations in the Middle East have thus far been spared the current wars horror, but as a community, we feel the pain of our brothers and
sisters everyday.

A majority of the US doesn't have a clue as to what's really going on here.

They're much to busy earning money for Christmas shopping to see the pain and sorrow elsewhere.

That's not to say that many American's aren't giving, for they are. American's as a whole are some of the world's greatest donors to the poor and needy.

But if the world in which we live in wasn't being destroyed by US bombs, we might not need so much donations.

As for the comment of "stable prosperous" nations. Have you ever been to the UAE?
As I've said, I've been to your country multiple times. Can you say the same?
Our people greet peoples from all around the world and we have a large robust international community.
The UAE has seen little damage from the finacial fallout (created by the US no less) and our people need for little.
Our healthcare system provides free treatment for all our citizens. Can you claim the same?
Our education system is free and students wishing to attend college go for free. And if they qualify, they can attend college anywhere in the world for
free, to inclued the USA. Can you claim the same?
Our crime rate is a small fraction of the US.
Our military has never invaded any nation nor waged war against any people. Can you claim the same?
Though our system of democracy is not exactly as yours, we do have an elective government in our parlament. The Emir provide us with stability and
guidance. Through his efforts our nation has gone from desert dwellers to high tech citizens of the world in less than 50-years. It took the US some 200
years plus didn't it??
True, many in the world have gained by the advances of US technology, but without the oil of our nation, and those nations of the Middle East, how advanced
do you think you'd be?
We in the UAE ARE stable and prosporous. The ONLY instability is US forces throughout the Middle East creating a hostile enviroment.
How can nations grow when the West continues to meddle in our affairs?
How can we be FREE to make our own choices when the West continues to force upon us its will?
I can assure you Texas, there are no massive Muslim armies waiting to attack you or anyone else for that matter.Can you claim the same?
I think it is the West and in particular the US that needs to return to it's own shores and stop claiming the mantle of "democracy" for the world.
The world doesn't need to immulate the US. For Allah knows if it did that their'd be no world left.
Our people are not pointing nuclear weapons at you.
No mighty Muslim fleets sit off your shorelines, and NO Muslim troops occupy your lands.
How is it the nations of the Middle East threaten you again?
Maybe your wife can clearify some of these things for me?
Though I'm no scholar of Western civilization, I do see the destruction the Western civilization has currently brought to our neighbors.
Who's next?

And when you speak of the founder of Islam, should we also speak of the founding fathers of your great land? Slave owners themselves. Leaders of military
armies themselves. Manifest Destiny? Conquered native Americans killed by the millions for nothing more than the land they lived on for thousands of
years?

I'm not sure what your "dog fighting" comment pertains too, but since my nation doesn't allow such barbaric violent contest, maybe you could clearify it
for me?

Peace.

I second that Mustaf.

The issue here is debating,speaking,talking and typing with respect. I disagree with many posts and idea's here but I really try to be respectful. I have had my run in's with the odd members but feel ultimately I have resolved any issues I have created.  Speak your mind, but know when to say " I'm wrong ".

The issue for me here is that those educated enough to know how to get there point across without causing offense, a rare trait on this site, also get banned. I do get angry when someone declares an opponent a Zionist when in reality the questionnaire has  legitimate question.

There are those that have an agenda, I have learned after catching them out countless times just to ignore them as debate is just a waste if time.

Lets look at Nosrtul, an evil person but freely allowed to post here or Cyber's/Yack who posts under different names but according to the rules is forbidden......... why ?

Why are we moaning about the Mods, it's their site, they make the rules and we have to abide by them.  Do I think it is biased.................... yep but you have no issue from me, what do you expect ?

The really sad thing is that we have lost some well educated members because they asked questions that were INMO impossible to answer........ 

This os IOL site, thier rules....................................deal with it. 

Mustaf_Asay wrote:

Want a really good laugh? Watch how educated Americans are here -- LOL


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiZ4ocNK4Wk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp4iI59BfpQ

An Aussie heaving a croc out the pool at the Taz Mahal before going for his morning dip

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,7136327,00.jpg

No offence Tex but you gotta admit it’s soooo funny! :D

LOL Mustaf  those videos are so funny really. Is it that bad over there though?

Greetings to you Mr. Texas and blessing upon you and those you love.

Thank you for being so receptive to the point of view of others.

I have always said that it is simply our lack of effort in understanding the personal points of views of others that sets us all off down the road of

ignorance and intolerance.

If you think me a "humanist", well, that's just find by me since I believe that Islam is a humanist religion that is representative of the nature of all

men and women, both good and bad.

I know you've heard it said yourself (about your own religion maybe) that our's is a perfect "religion". I believe with all my heart and soul it is, but

I do not believe it is meant for all men/women.

Religion is developed through culture and reached through heart and mind through dedication and devotion.

I cannot expect nor should I expect an individual raised in a Christian or Jewish culture to simply throw away all they've ever known or understood and

accept Islam as the law. That is simply rediculous for anyone to believe.

But I do (and I believe everyone should) have a reasonable expectation of some form of understanding of the differences of man and culture. Your wife

is an example of specializing in that field.

I travel throughout the world (and my children go with me on many occasions) and I've noticed that much of the world, no matter how remote, knows

something of America.

They can tell you of it's movies (which reflects the society in which movies are made to entertain, example being the American infatuation of guns) or of

American pop music (in which violent suggestive songs are memorized and sung by children who can't seem to memorize simple mathematical equations).

Please Texas, do not think I am being unfairly harsh on ALL American children, for I'm not, I'm simply stating what I've personally witnessed myself and

read in your own publications on the topic.

American youth is not unique in it's problem, but I think we both can agree it is leading the way in many of these issues.

I hope you can understand when the rest of the world sees these forms of "entertainment" we also see way the hundreds of thousands of your youth in your

military can conduct so much destruction willfully and without much thought, and find justification for their actions in "patriotism" and "duty".

I found your comment "2.get a good education in a useful profession," is a bit contradict since you yourself claim to have "home schooled" your own

six children. From everything I've been exposed to and read, America's education system is failing it's youth. You are clear example of that.

You chose to educate your own children at home instead of exposing them to the termoil found in your public school system.

I can't blame you for that.

You bring up the point of the Gulf War and oil.

I've heard this argument "you've got the oil now and the world needs it, but one day it will run out and THEN let's see".

Thank Allah each and everyday Mr. Texas that he has granted America the vast resources you've taken since the discovery of America. Had the Native

American's been left in peace, the US would not be the US.

That being said, we Arabs have only the gift of oil in our OWN lands, and do not seek the natural resources of others through intervention and invasion.

Harsh words I know, but true.

Your own government refers to Middle East oil as a "national security" interest.

That imply's one simple thing, that if anything interferes with your oil supply, America feels justified in using it's military to ensure that oil

Supply is secure.

Which I often find strange since the US and Middle East have been down this road (1973 oil crisis) before, and OPEC nations learned that holding back oil

supplies did little in gaining a political edge.

True, oil is our life's blood for now, but as with the US, our nations are diversion into tourism, trade and world infrastructure. The UAE is currently

leasing vast areas and implementing farming projects to provide us with food stocks for the future. We do this through peaceful cooperation with other

nations. We have many national companies within the UAE and throughout the world involved in manufacturing products.

True, the Middle East is not a major industrial nation, but we are going about it in a different manner than the US. Our nation is not as wasteful

as America is and thus doesn't consume as much per capita.

Our people have had little for ever, so we don't need as much as American's seem to need. (Though many with money do consume more than the average UAE

citizen) it isn't the norm.

I do not believe for one minute that the US would have come to the aid of our brothers and sisters in Kuwait had not Kuwait been sitting on vast reserves

of oil that the US needs. Do you agree?

America, like all nations does what it thinks is best for it's national interest. Had Kuwait been any other poor, resource depleted nation, it would still

be under Iraqi occupation today. Or US as it were.

Your statement that "America doesn't start wars" is interesting too.

South Korea/Vietnam asked for help?

I could be wrong, but I believe that the US/UN intervened in the Korean war under a policy of stopping the spread of communism. To prevent what your

government termed "the domino" effect, meaning if one nation falls to communism then others will topple too.

The leader of the young divided nation of Korea (a nation created by the victorious allied nations of World War II) was a military dictator was he not?

And had not the ally nations divided Korea up in the first place, would such a war even happened? Possibly not.

Again, interference in other nations business by the US caused a war in which millions of Koreans died.

Vietnam?

Yet another dictator installed by the US and yet another nation divided by the West into two parts, north and south.

There is a "natural order" Mr. Texas. These nations should have been given the opportunity to solve their OWN internal issues, be the results good or bad

as seen by the US. Take Vietnam for instance. The war has been over for more than 30-years now, and Vietnam has been under communist rule, something

the US was determined to prevent.

Has the world been over run by Communist Vietnam?

Have Vietnamese troops marched down the streets of the US?

True, they intervened in Laos to destroy the Khamere genoside, but they left after that intervention.

How much better off is Vietnam today because of US involvement?

How many millions of Vietnamese are still suffering because of the US intervention in Vietnam. And for what?

No, I don't think such lofty words as "the US doesn't start wars" fits the true agenda of facts my friend.

You make the statement: I do agree that we have much better means to deal with the ME problems than war. I do

not think we should have gone into Iraq 1991 or in 2003, or in Afghanistan. I believe that the Saudis bear the

full responsibility for 9/11 and they have the means for full restitution. I want the US to focus on eliminating

Islam from America and deporting the people who hate us.

I'm glad to hear you think there are better ways than war to settle disputes. That makes my heart glow.

But I fear holding an entire nation responsible for the acts of 19 mis-guided extremist isn't the answer.

Again I find the duplicity of the US and the way it props up dictatorships and then condemns them (and the whole nation)

as terrorist when something evil arises out of these countries is interesting to say the least.

Was it just in 2001 that the US realized that the royals of Saud are in association with the Wahabist?

Who is it that you think put the Saud family in power? Maybe you should read some items on the family of Saud and then

we could discuss this?

The Wahabist form of Islam is not looked upon as favorable by the rest of the Arab nations. They are our neighbors and

we wish them no harm, but we do not allow them to infiltrate into our societies. That is why when you walk down the

streets of Dubai or Kuwait city, you see women driving and wearing different style of clothing.

That is why you see women ministers and women doctors.

That is why there is a more moderate view point from us and not them.

When you say: "I think that the past few years have led many people in the world to conclude that it is Islam that brings

death and destruction around the world", do you truly mean that?

It is not Islam that brings this destruction, but the warped idealism taught to these young men who do these evil deeds.

There are billions of Muslims in the world today living peacefully and productively. Right now, down your street there is

a Muslim family sitting down to dinner, planning vacation or talking about topics of interest. But they are not plotting

to overthrow the US.

Please, do not judge us all by the acts of a few.

I have witnessed Christians tear themselves apart in Ireland.

History shows Christian armies invading and killing on a grand scale. World War II was not an Islamic war.

In fact, Islamic armies that invaded much of North Africa did so to destroy corrupt unjust governments. They installed

a system of justice not seen before and gave the people of those lands a equality and voice they had never before had.

Were injustices done in the name of Islam by men of low moral charactor? Yes, surely they did. But that was not Islam,

that was the acts of individuals.

But the Pope of Christianity pointedly called for the destruction of our faith and our peoples.

And in the same manner, wrongly guided individuals do the same in the name of Islam.

You say: "One thing is clear you are completely comfortable in your sense of moral superiority and to some extent so am I".

Please believe me when I say, I am not "superior" to you in any way. I see you as my equal. My brother in this world. My

neighbor. I do not wish you to be conquered and destroyed by Islam or any other form of government or religion. I want only

peace and happiness for you and yours.

I do not want bombs dropped on your cities in the name of Islam or to see your children ripped apart and maimed in the name

of Islam or national security.

Nor does ANYONE I know.

You comment: "I am not sure where you got that view or early America but I assume it is common propaganda".

Please my friend, if ANYTHING I've said is wrong or historically incorrect, point it out to me. If I am wrong, I will admit as

much and thank you for correcting me.

You state: "I want my world to be isolated for the Islamic world and so do you".

I'm sad to hear you say that. For it is not true on my part or many of my people's part. Our people have long associated in trade

and commerce with many nations throughout the world. We understand that you must get along with people of differnt outlooks.

We see American's as people's of our world and people we can learn much from. Not as enemies.

We respect your faith, your prophets and your God, for they are our God and prophets too.

America cannot "isolate" itself from the rest of the world, nor should it. It is a great nation that has much to give the world.

If only it would understand that the rest of the world is not it's backyard to do with as it wishes.

Yours is a great and powerful nation, and with that power comes much responsibility. You cannot preach democracy with a gun.

You cannot demand other nations to form democratic institutions while supporting undemocratic leaders.

You cannot expect the world to become the same as America.

You comment that: "However, If Muslims come and fly our planes into our buildings to kill our women and children then I want

those nuclear bombs to hit the very center of Islam and make it a barren waist-land".

Distressing words if I ever heard them. It was not Islam or Muslims that attacked New York, it was 19 individuals that made

claims about being Islamic and following the faith of Islam.

Would you be so ready to launch a nuclear attack on the city of Timothy McVay for his terrorist acts?

Or destroy the town of some anarchist that shot and killed the children of Columbines?

These are not the thoughts of a civilized person Texas. These are deep emotions that I truly understand.

Lashing out in anger at innocent people is not the answer.

Had the US used it's vast resources in law enforcement, these terrorist cells could have been isolated and destroyed without

all the massive destruction and bloodshed we currently have.

It is that "knee jerk" reaction from you and the American people that the rest of the world fears.

To instantly seek justice upon a mass of innocent people for the acts of a few.

That isn't the answer my friend.

The US had world sympathy after 9/11, because we too felt shame and pain in seeing this senseless act of violence. But then

what happened? The US threw all that good will away with it's continued attacks against innocent people.

Sad isn't it?

"If things were reversed -- Islam would have already done that to my world and you know that is true".

I'm assuming you are trying to justify America's reactions by turning the card around? We cannot say whether or not if roles

were reversed this is what we might have done. They're not.

It is today that we must deal with. Though some Muslim nations have taken the example of the US and strived to create those massive

nuclear bombs, I do not believe they would unleash them on innocent people.

Pakistan has had nuclear bombs for some years now, and I'm sure they see it as a form of "protection" the same as you do.

Is that what it will take to free our lands of American intervention?

The development of destructive nuclear arsenals?

Don't you find it strange the US never attacks other nuclear armed nations?

That you deal with North Korea diplomatically, even after they've proven the ability to detonate a nuclear device, yet you

wish the destruction of Muslims for an act of terror by 19 people?

Duplicity at it's best.

I hope you see some of my reasoning and I hope to continue this conversation with you.

I've learned that there is much we both need to talk about so we can better understand our points of view.

Peace.