tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post7171372035693647244..comments2024-01-17T13:19:24.071-06:00Comments on Salvation And Survival: Syria: What Is The End Game?Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-65388950457980975682013-01-15T15:24:53.512-06:002013-01-15T15:24:53.512-06:00Thank you for bringing this subject up, it has bee...Thank you for bringing this subject up, it has been on my mind, along with other examples of persecution of which we Americans are ignorant. (Tomorrow's post will be a good wake-up call). We are so spoiled and take our First Amendment rights for granted. Pam Kohlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-24636513203567199402013-01-15T11:33:50.771-06:002013-01-15T11:33:50.771-06:00Speaking of political correctness, I recommend you...Speaking of political correctness, I recommend your readers become aware of the Copts who are fleeing Egypt to escape persecution. Many wish to come to America. Our current Dear Leader doesn't want to make this issue overly public as it is at cross-purposes with his "respect" for Islam.<br />Ask your Representatives, Senators and clergy if they are aware and what can be done to help. In the aftermath of the Viet Nam war, our church hosted Vietnamese families fleeing the Communists. It was one of the most humbling and wonderful experiences of my life. I can only think that America can open its doors to hard-working, moral and devout Christians who seek refuge from the intolerance of Islam. They flee evil that will turn the Arab Spring quickly into the Islamist Wasteland.Green Eyed Jinnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-60688528223729364572013-01-15T09:14:39.314-06:002013-01-15T09:14:39.314-06:00Oohh, you are so wise! And I applaud you for stat...Oohh, you are so wise! And I applaud you for stating the truth, regardless of its' "political correctness". I can always count on you to give us a clear and concise picture of the lay of the land. You've been there and know the culture up close and personal. I always appreciate your willingness to give us facts; we need to face reality and know where we stand. Pam Kohlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-12471750956881218242013-01-15T08:53:31.480-06:002013-01-15T08:53:31.480-06:00I see Syria as a cynical "pressure relief&quo...I see Syria as a cynical "pressure relief" valve in the Middle East right now. It is a direct religious conflict of Sunni vs Shi'a. The al-Qaeda jihadists get to go fight against the Mahdi "Twelvers." All of them vying for the favor of Allah. Geopolitically, it equally drains resources from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and Iran and Lebanon (Hezb'ullah). <br />Terribly, there is the innocent population caught in the middle. This would be the time where I would uproot my family and vote with my feet. But many who live there will just stay put and accept it all as insh'allah (the will of God).<br />Looking at it from a perspective of Real Politik, Syria is one of the rare flashpoints where the US and Russia can have their cake and eat it, too. If I were the decision maker, I would have nothing to do with it, other than to help with borders of Israel, Iraq and Turkey (the last two being erstwhile allies at best).<br />But from an even larger view, just as you discussed with Mali, this type of conflict stems from a tide that will continue to rise in the Middle East, North Africa and the muslim parts of Asia. At the core, the philosophy, theology and culture is an absolutist, violent and malevolent creed: agree and submit, or die. In the struggle of Good vs Evil, I have no trouble identifying what they represent.<br />(And for any reading this who want to hand-wring about my condemnation of all those who could be benovolent/benign/ignorant muslims, realize that I condemn the action before the creed. But you can't have one without the other, and the cause can't be detached from the effect.)Green Eyed Jinnnoreply@blogger.com