Hi Rasheed,
>First of all, it's quite a statement to call Yasser Arafat a hypocrite
with
>no material backing whatsoever. I'm not a hardcore defender of him or
>anything, but i do think that you should factually explain to me why
you
>think the way you do. I think the Palestinians need to move on and
need to
>see things in a more pragmatic light than they are now.
I know that Arafat has been linked to many terror attacks in the past,
which is why the USA formerly branded him as a terrorist. Whether or not
the man who wore a pistol to address the United Nations General Assembly
is now reformed is a moot point. Apparently the latest State Department
report raises some serious concerns - see the following URL:
http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/09/24/News/News.35210.html
. . . And yes, I know it's partisan.
Unfortunately for both the Palestinians and Israel, Arafat is the man
who heads the PA..
In spite of all, I believe that talking to Arafat is productive and
still provides the best chance for peace.
Rasheed, you say that you are not a "hardcore" defender of Arafat.
Similarly, I am not a hardcore opponent, so let's leave it there.
>I have never seen nor heard of any hate teachings spread in the many US
>mosques to which i have been. I'm quite sure that this would represent
a
>minority view, and if you can provide specifics to your assertion, i
would
>like to see them.
I am glad to hear that. I do not frequent mosques, but I have seen
Muslim clerics interviewed on TV, and heard incendiary things said about
the USA, Israel, Jews and about Salman Rushdie. I hope that this
"minority view" is insignificant enough to keep under control.
>I would like to see Bin Laden destroyed as much as, if not more than,
anyone
>else. Even if he wasn't responsible for the attack, he still gives
Islam a
>bad name to people not wise enough to research its true meaning. But i
fail
>to see how killing this one person would do anything besides make him a
>martyr for his cause and increase zealousy among his followers.
I agree fully. Bin Laden is just the tip of the iceberg. I also fully
agree with your comments on the need for better air security. I recently
argued with a friend who thought it OK for security staff to routinely
subject people to "extra" screening according to their dress or
appearance. I strongly oppose this. Just to make my point, a recent
suicide bomber in Jerusalem was dressed as a Hasidic Jew. Looks are
deceptive! As far as I am concerned, airport security should treat ALL
of us (me included) as suspect until we satisfy them otherwise.
All the best,
Jonathan
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