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It All Depends On Where You Are Standing

Reader comment on item: It Takes a Ph.D. in Political Science …

Submitted by JOverton, California (United States), Sep 29, 2006 at 12:14

This conclusion by Warner and Wenner of the inherently decentralized and therefore centrifigal nature of Islamic faithful as a group is potentially really harmful. It arises, draped in the cloak of absolutely fixed characteristic, in the T. E. Lawrence book , an idea gra[phically driven home for modern audiences in the film.

It ignores the Muslim tenent and belief that they as are a nation of faith, in faith. It puts a coat of paint over the characteristic that while Muslims may fight to the death between and amongst themselves for sectarian reasons, they can and do get organized against outsiders and heathens who threaten the faith. It may well ignore the effect that fifty years of post-WWII experiences have had on them. Furthermore, Wah'hab was focused on a Muslim Reformation, not a favoritism of one group over some other group within Islam. It is this anti-Western reformation spirit that is driving a surprisingly large element of the Muslim rank and file today.

For some random reason, The thesis of inherent and centrifigal disorganization being offered up by these two analysts is for me analogous to Buster Keaton standing in front of the falling building. They are defining a situation in which they are placed perfectly, in their case by logical analysis, under where the open window will fall. Fine for them, as they are perfectly placed in their minds and hence believe they will not get crushed. For the rest of us, the falling structure will not be a sight gag at all.

The problem is: they are advising us all to not let our hearts be troubled when anyone with some perspective on the situation can see the likely outcome, particularly if the whole structure holds together as it comes down on us.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (17) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Diverse immigrants become homogenized in new society [644 words]Jason KeuterOct 20, 2006 01:0462153
1It takes a Ph.D. in Political Science [67 words]S.C.PandaOct 4, 2006 05:5058864
The possible future of a Muslim Bloc in Western Europe [107 words]TL MillerOct 3, 2006 10:2458730
1They are wrong, but they have a point [168 words]Jim EckertOct 2, 2006 10:5658592
Counter arguments? [198 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
naeOct 1, 2006 21:1558530
Academics, Diplomats and Journalists - Follow the $, € & £ [123 words]Jeff BurkeSep 30, 2006 16:4858371
1I am just so relieved. . .?!? [303 words]Richard C. KressSep 30, 2006 16:1158364
decades of embracing population control [141 words]sueSep 30, 2006 14:3158352
Warner and Wenner in Dreamland [91 words]LeonardSep 29, 2006 21:2158262
Turning a blind eye! [378 words]NickSep 29, 2006 20:1058255
Turning a blind eye [93 words]nickSep 29, 2006 19:4458250
Islam is facscist , militant, totlitarian, terrorism & racist [93 words]f.shakkiSep 29, 2006 18:4058236
Christian Europe will disappear [56 words]Melvin A. FechterSep 29, 2006 12:5058204
1It All Depends On Where You Are Standing [295 words]JOverton, CaliforniaSep 29, 2006 12:1458198
How much in common? [124 words]Barbara MoellerSep 30, 2006 21:4658198
Europe [79 words]JaySep 29, 2006 09:5258180
NO DRASTIC DECLINE of serious crime in many big American cities [91 words]debbieSep 29, 2006 03:4758153

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