Someone ought to remind Mr. Trump and his crew that "radical" Christianity was responsible for the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition. Islam is not alone in having its radical elements.
34
Maybe the press could educate the American public, and the President along the way, about the different words and concepts that are being dropped into this debate.
A Muslim is not an Islamist even if he or she is part of Islam. Opposing radical islamism is praiseworthy, opposing Islam is not. How about showing us you understand the difference Mr. Trump? Hello?
A Muslim is not an Islamist even if he or she is part of Islam. Opposing radical islamism is praiseworthy, opposing Islam is not. How about showing us you understand the difference Mr. Trump? Hello?
16
I am Muslim, I am American, I don't hate us.
43
He's not "undermining their message," as you say, he's underlining it. The propaganda that militant fundamentalists use to recruit adherents is affirmed when the president of the US espouses criminal actions like taking Iraq's oil and declares--as usual, with no evidence--that Islam hates us.
13
Flynn and Gorka are correct. And just because Presidents Obama and Bush "generally agreed" that terrorists had perverted the teachings of Islam doesn't make it so.
16
This is shaping up to be not only a war against terrorists, but a war against Islam. Have Trump’s advisors figured out how to defend America after all our traditional allies abandon us?
13
Egypt. Tunisia. Libya, and Syria was on deck. I loved President Obama but he handed these countries over to the Muslim Brotherhood.
15
"...and is opposed by Mr. Trump’s own defense secretary"
This statement was made during confirmation hearings. Given trumpo's notorious disregard and/or manipulation of the truth, why would you believe his nominee's are going to be any more candid? The people he picks won't fall far from the tree. That's why he picked them.
This statement was made during confirmation hearings. Given trumpo's notorious disregard and/or manipulation of the truth, why would you believe his nominee's are going to be any more candid? The people he picks won't fall far from the tree. That's why he picked them.
4
I will like to ask one question to all the people on Trump's bandwagon> How many Muslims have you talked to? How many Muslim countries have you visited? There are extremists on all sides. There are extremists in Israel who deny basic rights to Palestinians. There are extremist Christians in the US and in Europe who would like to eradicate Islam without having any reason other then hate. It is time to read up real facts not base everything on fake news and conspiracy theories.
18
Maybe if we said "pretty please" the Islamic extremists would go away and leave us alone.
18
One might write about the history of Islamic-American relations and the connection to Israeli-American relations since 1948. One might write about the longer Islam versus European geographic frictions. One might write about the varying influences within the various Islamic sects, ethnicities, and nationalities. But what Trump is claiming about this issue and much else comes down to is this: Trump is nuts.
21
The NYT takes Trump to task for using the phrase "radical Islam," but freely calls out "the radical Right" and "Radical Jewish Settlers" - neither of whom were responsible for taking down the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, not to mention the continuing carnage in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and numerous recent bombings in Europe.
Yes, the Left is not immune from hypocrisy.
Yes, the Left is not immune from hypocrisy.
49
Early days yet in this new presidency (sorry, I still cannot utter those words Trump and 'presidency' in the same breath), and every day a fresh breath of inanity . . . I shudder at the days, weeks, and months ahead. There appears to be no limit . ..
11
Islam may not hate America but I doubt that it will ever have many non-Muslim friends either.
20
We're in a lot more danger from radical Christians than radical Islam. Unfortunately, they're running the Republican Party and perhaps the country right now.
39
All the teaches of Islam preach death to the non-believers (that would be everyone else who doesn't believe in Islam, so yes, us, New York Times) and an express mandate to conquer the world and Islamize it.
Now, there are Muslims who take these teaching literally and Muslims who don't. The YouTube is full of Muslim Imans from Europe and other places who state clearly that any true Muslim should take the teachings of Islam literally.
Now, there are Muslims who take these teaching literally and Muslims who don't. The YouTube is full of Muslim Imans from Europe and other places who state clearly that any true Muslim should take the teachings of Islam literally.
37
Until Muslims in general and countries ruled under Islamic dictates, welcome Christians, Jews, Buddhists and other non Muslims into their midst, and grant them equal rights in all domains as granted to Muslims, then we have no obligation to accept adherents of Islam into our midst.
41
Every lethal terrorist attack in the U.S. in the past decade and a half has been carried out by American citizens or legal permanent residents who have no formal connections or training from terrorist organizations like al Qaeda or ISIS. Omar Mateen, the Orlando bomber, was born in the U.S., Tsarnaev brothers and Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 at Fort Hood, were legal permanent residents (and Hasan was even a major in the U. S. army!). Let’s not forget Timothy McVeigh, Ted Kaczynski and Dylann Roof, all White, American-born terrorists who held radical, extreme, right-wing views.
Trump and others have encouraged a fear of foreigners in the U.S. that simply isn’t backed up by facts. How will Trump’s efforts to eradicate extremism have any effect on the Americans who are drawn to right-wing radicalism that Trump himself encourages?
Trump and others have encouraged a fear of foreigners in the U.S. that simply isn’t backed up by facts. How will Trump’s efforts to eradicate extremism have any effect on the Americans who are drawn to right-wing radicalism that Trump himself encourages?
15
Weather you like it or not, the fundamental act of faith, through which a Muslim goes directly to "Heaven", is "kill the infidel" (Christians, Jewish, polytheistists, agnostic, etc) and it is literally written in the Qoran. Another theological principle of Islam is "lying is approved by Allah" in order to beguile (by pseudo charm and purported peacefulness) and destroy the infidel by surprise attack. Mohammed created Islam with an act of revenge, attacking Mecca from Medina with an Islamic army he created, murdering all the merchants and every "worshipers of stone gods". In the Middle East, Sharia Law violates the human rights of women and Christian and secular people more than any other dictatorship in history of human kind. Why don't leftist femenists and the press denounce it? Wise up folks! Don't be so naive.
38
Don't listen to conservative Republicans' opinions of radical Islam.
Listen to progressive Muslims' opinions of radical Islam. Dr. Bassam Tibi is especially erudite and articulate on this topic, but there are many others as well.
They are sending us warnings from within Islam. We should open our minds and listen to them.
Listen to progressive Muslims' opinions of radical Islam. Dr. Bassam Tibi is especially erudite and articulate on this topic, but there are many others as well.
They are sending us warnings from within Islam. We should open our minds and listen to them.
26
The Puppet has zero clue.
9
Here is thought. Perhaps the problem is religion.
17
President Trump talks tough, but has been insulated from the need to be tough by having inherited obscene amounts of money. He's about as tough as a buttered muffin.
If he would like to make good on his many boasts about how tough he is about absolutely everything, he could always take up Joe Biden's offer to meet behind the barn, or wherever it was. That would be the shortest fight ever. But if Trump chose to televise it, the ratings would be "yuuuuuuuuge".
He is a bigger embarrassment every day. We need to switch over to a parliamentary system.
If he would like to make good on his many boasts about how tough he is about absolutely everything, he could always take up Joe Biden's offer to meet behind the barn, or wherever it was. That would be the shortest fight ever. But if Trump chose to televise it, the ratings would be "yuuuuuuuuge".
He is a bigger embarrassment every day. We need to switch over to a parliamentary system.
13
Don't talk about terrorism before you know what it means. The last time I checked the list of "muslim countries" whose people Trump bans from entering the US, they are all the countries that had suffered from our pre-emtive drone strikes.
7
"A fearful tone permeates Mr. Flynn’s book, which warns, “We’re in a world war against a messianic mass movement of evil people, most of them inspired by a totalitarian ideology: Radical Islam.” For Mr. Flynn and fellow radicals, the fight isn’t against a small number of religious fanatics who seek to attack the West and its Arab allies, but an entire religion."
Has the NYT decided to respond to Trump by becoming more like him, or it is a reading comprehension problem that led it to conflate Mr. Flynn's statement about radical Islam to the entire religion?
Has the NYT decided to respond to Trump by becoming more like him, or it is a reading comprehension problem that led it to conflate Mr. Flynn's statement about radical Islam to the entire religion?
7
He possesses stamina, but is nuts. A very dangerous combination.
5
99% of Muslims also hate "Radical Islam" or "Radical Islamic Terrorism" or anything that you wish to call it Mr. President. The overwhelming majority of people imprisoned, tortured and killed by these terrorists are Muslims.
However, what aren't threats are civil liberty organizations like CAIR and people like Huma Abedin, Linda Sarsour and Congressman Keith Ellison who are fighting for civil rights and equality for all Americans- but have been labeled and attacked by high ranking people in your administration for trying to allow minorities equal rights and opportunities as White Christian Men.
American Muslims only care about living peacefully, raising their children and living as Americans. The new administration seems to only care about isolating and persecuting them.
However, what aren't threats are civil liberty organizations like CAIR and people like Huma Abedin, Linda Sarsour and Congressman Keith Ellison who are fighting for civil rights and equality for all Americans- but have been labeled and attacked by high ranking people in your administration for trying to allow minorities equal rights and opportunities as White Christian Men.
American Muslims only care about living peacefully, raising their children and living as Americans. The new administration seems to only care about isolating and persecuting them.
11
On one hand, this editorial criticizes Trump for being too lenient on Saudi Arabia (a "fraught alliance" if there ever was one), then two paragraphs later, the same editorial criticizes Trump for being unnecessarily antagonistic with Turkey. Is it too much to ask for consistency? From both our press and our politicians?
In the view of this reader, alliance with the United States ought to be a privilege, not a right. Illiberal regimes like Saudi Arabia and Erdogan's Turkey do not deserve our friendship.
In the view of this reader, alliance with the United States ought to be a privilege, not a right. Illiberal regimes like Saudi Arabia and Erdogan's Turkey do not deserve our friendship.
11
Thank goodness President Trump is in charge of foreign policy and not the NYT editorial board.
What the President and his cabinet are doing about Islam is exactly what we voted to have happen. I am extremely pleased and relieved by the actions being taken.
What the President and his cabinet are doing about Islam is exactly what we voted to have happen. I am extremely pleased and relieved by the actions being taken.
43
Saudi Arabia is the elephant in the room but no one wants to take them on for the hypocrisy of pretending to be a friend of the United States. Instead of bullying Mexico to grab a headline or two, Trump should spend some time studying the Saudi history. Oh, I forgot, he doesn't like to read.
14
The US has never cared about Islam or the Middle East save for one characteristic: it holds 200 billion barrels of crude petroleum. It is a gasoline can to America's motorists and nothing else.
We aim to steal their oil or actually do so; all the rest is commentary.
We aim to steal their oil or actually do so; all the rest is commentary.
7
Again we see the politically correct idea that Islamic terrorists react to provocation when in fact it is the "corrupting" West that is their "provocation".
11
Understanding the problem is the key to finding solution.
Muslims are in a deep state of denial and there is an aversion to seeing terrorism as a Muslim problem and responsibility.
While Muslim leadership may condemns Islamic terrorism but don't accept any responsibility. Instead of taking the lead in tackling the problem it has chosen to look the other way.
Terrorism is a Muslim problem. Terrorist incidents actually occurred within the Muslim world. Pakistan, for example, terrorist violence is endemic and now have spread terror throughout the country.
There is no Muslim country that is not plagued by terrorism.
Yet Muslims have stubbornly refused to see terrorism as an internal problem. They have blamed everyone but themselves. It's 'the West', or the CIA, or 'the Indians', or 'the Zionists'
This means Muslims are incapable to deal with problems of terrorism. Violence, has now become such an integral part of Islamic societies.
"The leadership passed from intellectuals to semi-literate demagogues. Instead of allowing debate, and a rethinking about the contemporary meaning of Islam, fundamentalist notions became something to die for and finally something to kill and destroy for in pure hatred" says Ziauddin Sardar.
Political freedom, open debate, the liberation of society to be civil, plural and humane needed but the Islamic movements have become a barrier to them.
Muslims are in a deep state of denial and there is an aversion to seeing terrorism as a Muslim problem and responsibility.
While Muslim leadership may condemns Islamic terrorism but don't accept any responsibility. Instead of taking the lead in tackling the problem it has chosen to look the other way.
Terrorism is a Muslim problem. Terrorist incidents actually occurred within the Muslim world. Pakistan, for example, terrorist violence is endemic and now have spread terror throughout the country.
There is no Muslim country that is not plagued by terrorism.
Yet Muslims have stubbornly refused to see terrorism as an internal problem. They have blamed everyone but themselves. It's 'the West', or the CIA, or 'the Indians', or 'the Zionists'
This means Muslims are incapable to deal with problems of terrorism. Violence, has now become such an integral part of Islamic societies.
"The leadership passed from intellectuals to semi-literate demagogues. Instead of allowing debate, and a rethinking about the contemporary meaning of Islam, fundamentalist notions became something to die for and finally something to kill and destroy for in pure hatred" says Ziauddin Sardar.
Political freedom, open debate, the liberation of society to be civil, plural and humane needed but the Islamic movements have become a barrier to them.
18
"Mr. Trump was planning to block Syrians and others from “terror prone” nations from entering the United States, at least temporarily..."
This is a nation where we have mass shootings every week, practically all by people who are at least nominally "Christian". And we have millions of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, even the dreaded "secular humanists" who go on every day not terrorizing their neighbors.
It's not the faith. If it was, why are far more Muslims being killed in terror attacks than people of any other faith?
So let's not condemn people of faith - many Christians here improperly feel they're under attack. Attacking another group who worships the same God is not the answer.
Leaving the Guantanamo camp open is an ad for terrorist recruiting.
Threatening to act like terrorists and bring back torture and secret prisons destroys our own morals while encouraging enemies.
This is a nation where we have mass shootings every week, practically all by people who are at least nominally "Christian". And we have millions of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, even the dreaded "secular humanists" who go on every day not terrorizing their neighbors.
It's not the faith. If it was, why are far more Muslims being killed in terror attacks than people of any other faith?
So let's not condemn people of faith - many Christians here improperly feel they're under attack. Attacking another group who worships the same God is not the answer.
Leaving the Guantanamo camp open is an ad for terrorist recruiting.
Threatening to act like terrorists and bring back torture and secret prisons destroys our own morals while encouraging enemies.
8
I find it generally shocking that American leaders have not sought out basic information on Islam. If they feel it is a danger to us, they should learn about it. The connection between the Talban and Iraq was laughably absurd to anyone with a rudimentary understanding of the history surrounding Islam. Yet, it largely was the justification of going to war in Iraq - that they were in cahoots. I know there were claims of weapons of mass destruction, but even for those of us outside the experts, it was clear that the only likely weapon was mustard gas which is a century old technology. Trump's broad brush approach may the one think that will elicit the antipathy of all Islam to the US!
6
"Take Iraqi oil" is plundering natural resources of a state occupied after a conflict That is a war crime, and it should be called that.
The NYT and the rest of our media does no one any favor by using obfuscatory language such as "violation of international law", "enhanced interrogation" etc. Such soft-peddling, coupled with the Obama administration's desire to look forward and not prosecute the war criminals within the Bush administration is precisely why we are where we are today.
The NYT and the rest of our media does no one any favor by using obfuscatory language such as "violation of international law", "enhanced interrogation" etc. Such soft-peddling, coupled with the Obama administration's desire to look forward and not prosecute the war criminals within the Bush administration is precisely why we are where we are today.
6
Trump may be clever and he is definitely a showman, but for the life of me, I cannot see him as smart or organized. I don't believe he purposely creates chaos, so much as that he embodies immaturity and chaos.
I think it is time that we start publicly scrutinizing the man behind Mr. Trump: Steve Bannon, the Grand Puppeteer. His strategies, his alt-right beliefs, his fingerprints are all over Trump, including his white supremacist, anti-Muslim view. Perhaps if Mr. Bannon can be drawn significantly into the spotlight, an insecure and jealous Trump will scream, "You're fired!" and rid us of this scourge - making the world a safer place for all.
I think it is time that we start publicly scrutinizing the man behind Mr. Trump: Steve Bannon, the Grand Puppeteer. His strategies, his alt-right beliefs, his fingerprints are all over Trump, including his white supremacist, anti-Muslim view. Perhaps if Mr. Bannon can be drawn significantly into the spotlight, an insecure and jealous Trump will scream, "You're fired!" and rid us of this scourge - making the world a safer place for all.
8
The editors miss two important points: it is Stephen K. Bannon, not Flynn, who is molding Donald's thinking on geopolitics. Bannon wrote Trump's inaugural address, and is responsible for many of his memorable aphorisms, such as "a nation without borders is not a nation". Also, it is the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Nakba that continues to fuel the clash of western and middle eastern civilization.
7
"endless world war" This is exactly what the GOP war mongers want. They profit the most from this.
5
The danger in this is that now many people in United States hate our president as much as Isis does. Our president is now as corrupt and unqualified to be a leader has any Isis leader is. Now anything they say about the United States is true. Millions are going to join their ranks. We have lost the moral high ground.
7
"[T]he ideas of Mr. Flynn and others, if adopted, seem like a recipe for endless world war."
Guess the Times' editorial board has recently re-read 1984. There's no question they will need to keep it nearby for the next four years, assuming we last that long (in case anyone missed that the Doomsday Clock ticked forward 30 seconds today).
Guess the Times' editorial board has recently re-read 1984. There's no question they will need to keep it nearby for the next four years, assuming we last that long (in case anyone missed that the Doomsday Clock ticked forward 30 seconds today).
3
This is not on topic, but could you have Krugman or someone else with expertise explain a bilateral trade with the U.K.? I can't think of anything the U.K. would want from us or anything we would want from them. U.K. is largely financial and we don't need that. Scotland et al won't want them taking our ag. None of us wants the other's cars (and U.K. doesn't make them anyway). What then?? Video games? Wedgewood china? I'm not being facetious. I really do not get it.
3
This don the con fraudster loves to breath hate and fire as it is the motivation that inspires his troops. Sow hate and reap the benefits of the division and conquering. People he is going to have world war 3 going in to time. Before you can say liar liar pants on fire. keep watching
1
"The president has a responsibility to defend the country against extremist threats"
Then he should fire Flynn and resign.
Then he should fire Flynn and resign.
6
"Washington “should consider how to change Iran from within.'"
How quickly we forget! The US already did that by propping up the Shah, helping to depose the democratically elected Prime Minister, who had nationalized the oil industry, thus preventing US oil companies from going in. The Shah's brutality and suppression of political dissent, among many things, gave us what started out as protests from various factions, and that quickly turned into the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Now look were we are.
How quickly we forget! The US already did that by propping up the Shah, helping to depose the democratically elected Prime Minister, who had nationalized the oil industry, thus preventing US oil companies from going in. The Shah's brutality and suppression of political dissent, among many things, gave us what started out as protests from various factions, and that quickly turned into the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Now look were we are.
4
Trump's swagger might appeal to those who aren't prone to thoughtful and multilayered approaches, but it's completely counterproductive practically.
Simple Question: How can 40,000 people defeat a military like Saudi Arabia's, let alone the United States or Western Civilization?! But, what happens when you increase those numbers to 10 Million let alone 1.6 Billion. How does it make sense to make an entire religion feel like they are the enemy? There's an old proverb about giving a dog a bad name...
Further, does Trump want to send American soldiers everywhere? Why? When we have a few hundred advisers working right now in Iraq (with Iraqi military) why does it make sense to put thousands of American lives at risk should they stop collaborating? Are Trump's sons and daughters going to fight there? Why should we risk American lives?
To President Obama's immense credit he minimized loss of American lives when facing a difficult situation. Trump's plans will do the exact opposite.
Simple Question: How can 40,000 people defeat a military like Saudi Arabia's, let alone the United States or Western Civilization?! But, what happens when you increase those numbers to 10 Million let alone 1.6 Billion. How does it make sense to make an entire religion feel like they are the enemy? There's an old proverb about giving a dog a bad name...
Further, does Trump want to send American soldiers everywhere? Why? When we have a few hundred advisers working right now in Iraq (with Iraqi military) why does it make sense to put thousands of American lives at risk should they stop collaborating? Are Trump's sons and daughters going to fight there? Why should we risk American lives?
To President Obama's immense credit he minimized loss of American lives when facing a difficult situation. Trump's plans will do the exact opposite.
3
Maybe "endless world war" is the goal of the Trump administration. It takes the public's focus off of domestic failures and will increase tolerance for all kinds of otherwise unacceptable executive actions. Putin loves stuff like that, too.
5
Donald Trump is a full blown narcissist who's belief system is that everything revolves around him. This is a dangerous man surrounded by like minded men. If he starts sending our treasure into harms way and we start seeing flag draped coffins returning to our shores, there will be a reckoning for Donald and his ilk. I do not think that the American people are going to support another staggering round of death and injury to our men and women. This is a time to return to the streets and make it known that he and his minions will be held accountable.
3
Most of the world hates US, or at least the US who voted for the Demagogue Trump. And I don't blame them one iota.
I see Mexico's prez woke up and realized he didn't want to become Trump's pinata. Viva Mexico.
He and his fellow citizens are welcome any time here in NYC or California. After all, the border between Mexico and California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas is actually hundreds of miles North of the Rio Grande. The US for decades has not enforced the agreement reached between our two countries. But do you think any poorly politically educated Trump voter is aware if this? Nah, they're too stupid to know where the real border was settled on after the war.
And now the poorly politically educated have the perfect person in the White House, one of equal or lesser caliber than themselves.
DD
Manhattan
I see Mexico's prez woke up and realized he didn't want to become Trump's pinata. Viva Mexico.
He and his fellow citizens are welcome any time here in NYC or California. After all, the border between Mexico and California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas is actually hundreds of miles North of the Rio Grande. The US for decades has not enforced the agreement reached between our two countries. But do you think any poorly politically educated Trump voter is aware if this? Nah, they're too stupid to know where the real border was settled on after the war.
And now the poorly politically educated have the perfect person in the White House, one of equal or lesser caliber than themselves.
DD
Manhattan
9
Trump says "I think Islam hates us" in order to arouse the fears of people. This is called propaganda. He cares little or nothing for the veracity of his words. He is only interested in their effect on listeners. Trump hopes correctly that people whose fears are aroused can be manipulated into supporting his actions. He knows that fear is very often the greatest motivator, the most powerful persuader.
If truth is to reign supreme, Trump's one man digital news machine must be emasculated.
If truth is to reign supreme, Trump's one man digital news machine must be emasculated.
3
Maybe - just maybe the killing of hundredtousands of people in the Middle East in wars started by the USA in some way could be a bit unpopular among the locals. If you on top of that support the most radical extremists - namely the Saudis, who by the way are bombing in Yemen with american weapons - some of the unpopularity must be said to be well earned. Add to that around 15 million refugees - also destabilising the EU - ruined housing, infrastructure, industry and a general economic misery caused by all that destruction. And the mother of all that was the illegal invasion in Iraq in 2003.
5
One line from the editorial particularly struck me. It described Mr. Flynn's ideas as "but the ideas of Mr. Flynn and others, if adopted, seem like a recipe for endless world war." Perhaps that explains the sudden renewed popularity of George's Orwell's "1984" where the English were constantly at war with Eurasia or Oceania, depending on what the leader felt like at the moment. The constant existence of a dreaded enemy was the key to maintaining the subservience of the population. Is that what Trump has in mind?
1
What we are seeing is an attack on our allies from within our country, an attack on our alliances from Trump. Congress, with its partisan lack of focus, does not see the danger and is apparently not yet alarmed.
England focused on diplomacy and building alliances during the reign of Queen Victoria, prior to World War I. Germany did not build comparable alliances. England's alliances were decisive in World War I. Germany lost the war.
Allies were similarly decisive for America in World War II. Great scientists, engineers, officers and soldiers, as well as their respective countries, from all over the world, joined the Allies and helped the United States win the war against the Nazis.
Mexico is one of our essential Allies. We cannot have an enemy on our southern border. Yet Trump is attacking Mexico with racist anger. Mexico has traded fairly with the US under the law. Loss of jobs in this country because of automation, computerization, price competition, and lack of education cannot be blamed on Mexico.
Attacking our Allies, Mexican or Muslim, with racist rants, will not repeal the law of supply and demand. American workers will not work for Mexican wages. Jobs that pay these wages are not coming back to the United States.
American workers must be retrained and re-educated. Congress must spend money to create jobs, including hiring for efficient government, and to educate workers.
We need free trade and moral leadership. We need Allies. We don't need Trump.
England focused on diplomacy and building alliances during the reign of Queen Victoria, prior to World War I. Germany did not build comparable alliances. England's alliances were decisive in World War I. Germany lost the war.
Allies were similarly decisive for America in World War II. Great scientists, engineers, officers and soldiers, as well as their respective countries, from all over the world, joined the Allies and helped the United States win the war against the Nazis.
Mexico is one of our essential Allies. We cannot have an enemy on our southern border. Yet Trump is attacking Mexico with racist anger. Mexico has traded fairly with the US under the law. Loss of jobs in this country because of automation, computerization, price competition, and lack of education cannot be blamed on Mexico.
Attacking our Allies, Mexican or Muslim, with racist rants, will not repeal the law of supply and demand. American workers will not work for Mexican wages. Jobs that pay these wages are not coming back to the United States.
American workers must be retrained and re-educated. Congress must spend money to create jobs, including hiring for efficient government, and to educate workers.
We need free trade and moral leadership. We need Allies. We don't need Trump.
9
Is radical Islam not spreading its wings globally faster in twentieth first century than in the twentieth century? Why ? ll other religions are losing appeal and following in this age of technology. Only four recent Christians are reported to visit Churches. Similar is the case with Budhists and Hindus.
Why are Muslims more observant today than ever before? It is because of systematic efforts and initiatives including use office to force to make Muslims to obey these dictates. We have radicalisation at all levels of the society including the highly educated and the affluent.
The challenge is grave and needs much greater attention than the media and the progressives suggest. Our lives have been made difficult by security drills and concerns. The costs and inconveniences are already high and rising. The challenge canbe countered only when Muslims all over the world come forward and take the challenge head on. Thus far we have not seen this happening at a meaningful level. In fact it is rare to witness the condemnation of terror attacks on a scale it happens in the West. This silence has to end.
Why are Muslims more observant today than ever before? It is because of systematic efforts and initiatives including use office to force to make Muslims to obey these dictates. We have radicalisation at all levels of the society including the highly educated and the affluent.
The challenge is grave and needs much greater attention than the media and the progressives suggest. Our lives have been made difficult by security drills and concerns. The costs and inconveniences are already high and rising. The challenge canbe countered only when Muslims all over the world come forward and take the challenge head on. Thus far we have not seen this happening at a meaningful level. In fact it is rare to witness the condemnation of terror attacks on a scale it happens in the West. This silence has to end.
6
President Tump's lies, missteps and misapprehensions are indeed worrisome.
Beneath these, however, is the most frightening aspect of Trump's comportment: His abysmal "use" of the English language.
The run-on sentences, the sentence fragments, the endless repetitions of trite "pronouncements", the fifth-grade level of vocabulary, the non-sequiturs, the lack of all semblance of logic--these are emblematic of a stunted and fragmented personality, and of a jejune, limited and totally out of focus world-view.
"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Wittgenstein's claim provides a key insight: Self, language and world are intimately related.
Indeed, I suspect what Donald Trump "articulates" scarcely merits the term "world-view". More likely his experience seldom amounts to anything other than the unreflective actings-out of a wholly dysfunctional, insecure and narcissistic personality.
Trump's typical behavior seems to be largely reflex and Id driven. His responses to the slightest provocation are immediate, uncensored, often vengeful and contrary to his own and the GOP's interests.
He scarcely acknowledges that there is a world out there, inhabited by other people, concerning which he should form something like a coherent vision, or over and against which he should reflect on the quality of his own character and comportment.
Can the US and the world survive what would certainly be a solipsistic, narcissistic Trump presidency?
Beneath these, however, is the most frightening aspect of Trump's comportment: His abysmal "use" of the English language.
The run-on sentences, the sentence fragments, the endless repetitions of trite "pronouncements", the fifth-grade level of vocabulary, the non-sequiturs, the lack of all semblance of logic--these are emblematic of a stunted and fragmented personality, and of a jejune, limited and totally out of focus world-view.
"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Wittgenstein's claim provides a key insight: Self, language and world are intimately related.
Indeed, I suspect what Donald Trump "articulates" scarcely merits the term "world-view". More likely his experience seldom amounts to anything other than the unreflective actings-out of a wholly dysfunctional, insecure and narcissistic personality.
Trump's typical behavior seems to be largely reflex and Id driven. His responses to the slightest provocation are immediate, uncensored, often vengeful and contrary to his own and the GOP's interests.
He scarcely acknowledges that there is a world out there, inhabited by other people, concerning which he should form something like a coherent vision, or over and against which he should reflect on the quality of his own character and comportment.
Can the US and the world survive what would certainly be a solipsistic, narcissistic Trump presidency?
5
Trump damages American credibility on every legitimate level.
9
Trying to "undermine the message" of radical extremist killers, even of their own people, justified by their interpretation that their religion approves and demands their unthinkable violence has never worked in the past, nor will it work against sub-humans such as ISIS and Boko Haram etc. If you are right that their are only 40,000 of these radical religious based savage killers around the globe, the bombs they explode among the endless innocents they slaughter can't be stopped by words. And where did you come up with that number?
4
The are some problems with thsi editorial.
Islam in the countries in which it is dominant is also the government.
Christians ,Jews, Bahai's and Other religions are certainly discriminated against often violently as with the Copts in Egypt and the Christians in Pakistan.
America is a country run by numbers. If there are enough Muslims here to effect the political changes they want then we will become as other Muslim majority countries. Even if the New York Times denies it.
Islam in the countries in which it is dominant is also the government.
Christians ,Jews, Bahai's and Other religions are certainly discriminated against often violently as with the Copts in Egypt and the Christians in Pakistan.
America is a country run by numbers. If there are enough Muslims here to effect the political changes they want then we will become as other Muslim majority countries. Even if the New York Times denies it.
11
ATTENTION :
They do hate us.
What on earth are the writers at the NY Times thinking, of course they hate us. We have been at war with Islam since the Crusades.
There was no formal ending of hostilities between the Western World and Islam. The philosophies of Islam contain the elements that cause the clash, it is fundamentally impossible for the co-existence of the Christian/Judeo concepts of life and mortality and that of the Islamic concepts. They are diametrically oppossed.
The best long term formula is to keep our distance from the Islamic world and allow them their space.
While President Obama did keep a constant pressure on the Islamic caliphate, his quarreling with Russia, his lines in the sand and his inability to preceive the threat to begin with has shown clearly his technic did not work. President Trump will bring about a different approach. It is obvious the other approach of long distance aerial warfare is not effective.
21
Well, if they didn't before, they sure as heck do now...our Election told the world that Americans are anti-Islamic, anti-black, anti-Mexican, anti-Woman...mostly just haters.
So, yes, if I were them I would hate us too!
So, yes, if I were them I would hate us too!
6
It gets tedious seeing people trying to create equivalence between "extremist Islam" or whatever we're supposed to call it and "extremist Christians" or "Judaic terrorists" as one person wrote in response to my earlier comment.
When 10s of thousands of "extremist Christians" are rampaging across America, seizing territory illegally, killing local politicians, taking control of oil refineries and selling the oil on the black market so that they can be heavy weaponry, BEHEADING people in the streets ... when vigilante groups stone adulteresses and throw gays off rooftops, while their society consents ... when fathers AND mothers genitally mutilate their daughters, and society consents ...
Then we can start to talk about an equivalence.
When 10s of thousands of "extremist Christians" are rampaging across America, seizing territory illegally, killing local politicians, taking control of oil refineries and selling the oil on the black market so that they can be heavy weaponry, BEHEADING people in the streets ... when vigilante groups stone adulteresses and throw gays off rooftops, while their society consents ... when fathers AND mothers genitally mutilate their daughters, and society consents ...
Then we can start to talk about an equivalence.
20
Two forces drive American hatred of Muslims. The first is the evangelical movement. It sees Islam as a competitor that must be destroyed. The second is the Israel lobby. It see Muslims as the enemy simply because Muslims are in the way of Israel's expansion to the Greater Israel always envisioned by the founding Zionists. Demonizing Muslims serves both camps.
9
Islam is interpreted in many ways, much of it beautiful - the Muslim Brotherhood is a hate group and terrorist group, its hardline Salafist philosophy threatens Islam and the rest of the world - wake up Editorial Board!
7
President Trump is rather closer to the truth than is the NY Times. As the incomparable Ayaan Hirsi Ali explains it: There are millions of moderate Muslims, but there is no moderate Islam.
Necessarily, therefore, a pool of Muslims will always be an endless source of terrorists, even if not every Muslim becomes one. In other word, importing Muslims to help us fight Islam is a losing proposition.
Necessarily, therefore, a pool of Muslims will always be an endless source of terrorists, even if not every Muslim becomes one. In other word, importing Muslims to help us fight Islam is a losing proposition.
20
Yet, America has been surprisingly peaceful despite it having over 7 million Muslims. Your logic does not hold, perhaps because it is overshadowed by your bigotry. 92% of the casualties incurred by militant Islam are Muslim, according to the Department of Homeland Security's own terrorism database, meaning Muslims are being terrorized in the largest numbers by the forces of radicalism.
4
President Trump is putting our troops in danger. We have 5000 (?) men helping fight ISIS in Mosul right now. And Trump is once again talking about "Taking THEIR oil". Not only is this against the law, it is also putting our men in jeopardy.
Ads on Iraq television are playing all of Trump's comments on Iraq and taking their oil. How long before they decide the troops present a threat to their authority and do something about it?
Someone in the White House should offer advise to Trump before it is too late.
Ads on Iraq television are playing all of Trump's comments on Iraq and taking their oil. How long before they decide the troops present a threat to their authority and do something about it?
Someone in the White House should offer advise to Trump before it is too late.
8
This editorial and the views expressed in here is one reason for Trump phenomena. Not a day goes by without reading articles on Muslims in countries around the world in various stages of committing acts terrorism.
While most rational and decent people around the world understand that it the entire faith of Islam may not be against everything non-Islamic, but there is overwhelming evidence to support the view that practices and preaching are problematic and are breeding deep seeded hatred and bigotry.
This is a conversation we need to have openly. Trump is opening it up for debate and conversation. Islamic State and terrorist acts committed in the name of Islam has *something* to do with Islam.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/02/opinion/paradise-the-new-muslim-utopi...
This article covers some of it nicely.
While most rational and decent people around the world understand that it the entire faith of Islam may not be against everything non-Islamic, but there is overwhelming evidence to support the view that practices and preaching are problematic and are breeding deep seeded hatred and bigotry.
This is a conversation we need to have openly. Trump is opening it up for debate and conversation. Islamic State and terrorist acts committed in the name of Islam has *something* to do with Islam.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/02/opinion/paradise-the-new-muslim-utopi...
This article covers some of it nicely.
12
Extremism and extremist terrorists can be found in and among all faiths.
But the Abrahamic faiths have led the way with Zionist Judaism, Christian crusaders, evangelists and supremacists and Islamic jihadists.
European Christian nations and churches were behind the diasporas, crusades, inquisitions, pogroms, ghettoes and genocides that devastated Jews and Muslims and each other. Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, Daoists, Sikhs, Shintoism and pagans have done likewise.
Israel was founded and has been sustained by radical Zionist Jewish terrorism and terrorists. Israel is an ethnic sectarian supremacist colonial apartheid Jim Crow state sponsor of terrorism with nukes.The IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad are the most powerful terrorist organizations in the Middle East. Neither Christians nor Muslims are welcomed in Israel.
Only 20% of the planets 1.6 billion Muslims are Arabs. And America is allied with ethnic sectarian autocrats and secular Arab Muslim dictators that along with the Iraqi invasion, Libyan and Egyptian coups are prime generators of terrorism. America hates Arab Muslims.
While from Jim Jones to David Koresh to Tim McVeigh to Eric Frein to Eric Rudolph and Cliven Bundy you have the face of the domestic terrorism. Trump is a moral degenerate serial adulterer lover of money heathen hedonist pagan by nature and nurture.
But the Abrahamic faiths have led the way with Zionist Judaism, Christian crusaders, evangelists and supremacists and Islamic jihadists.
European Christian nations and churches were behind the diasporas, crusades, inquisitions, pogroms, ghettoes and genocides that devastated Jews and Muslims and each other. Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, Daoists, Sikhs, Shintoism and pagans have done likewise.
Israel was founded and has been sustained by radical Zionist Jewish terrorism and terrorists. Israel is an ethnic sectarian supremacist colonial apartheid Jim Crow state sponsor of terrorism with nukes.The IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad are the most powerful terrorist organizations in the Middle East. Neither Christians nor Muslims are welcomed in Israel.
Only 20% of the planets 1.6 billion Muslims are Arabs. And America is allied with ethnic sectarian autocrats and secular Arab Muslim dictators that along with the Iraqi invasion, Libyan and Egyptian coups are prime generators of terrorism. America hates Arab Muslims.
While from Jim Jones to David Koresh to Tim McVeigh to Eric Frein to Eric Rudolph and Cliven Bundy you have the face of the domestic terrorism. Trump is a moral degenerate serial adulterer lover of money heathen hedonist pagan by nature and nurture.
14
"While people from Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Iraq would be blocked by a monthlong ban, Mr. Trump appears, inexplicably, to be exempting Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, home of 15 of the 19 extremists who hijacked the planes on Sept. 11."
Correct, but why did you mention only 9/11 and not every other act of terrorism that has Saudi footprints?
And why didn't you mention the Unholy Alliance between Wahhabi Arabia and Israel that gives the Saudis power over U.S. Middle East policy?
The Editorial didn't go far enough in naming and shaming.
Correct, but why did you mention only 9/11 and not every other act of terrorism that has Saudi footprints?
And why didn't you mention the Unholy Alliance between Wahhabi Arabia and Israel that gives the Saudis power over U.S. Middle East policy?
The Editorial didn't go far enough in naming and shaming.
15
“…Mr. Trump appears, inexplicably, to be exempting Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, home of 15 of the 19 extremists who hijacked the planes on Sept. 11.”
The House of Saud has had this mysterious spell on each and every U.S. administration in the post-WWII era – so Saudi Arabia can do no wrong, even for our self-proclaimed, great “radical Islamic terror” exterminator, President Trump.
And, speaking of inexplicable exclusions, how about Pakistan being kept off the list? Faisal Shahzad, a Pakistani failed in his attempt to set off a car bomb in Times Square back in 2010. Then Syed Rizwan Farook, a Pakistani-American and Tashfeen Malik, his Pakistani wife, orchestrated a homegrown lone wolf terror attack in San Bernardino in December 2015 killing 14 Americans.
These incidents should not put all Pakistanis on Trump’s list but the Pakistani Taliban have made our job in Afghanistan very, very difficult for the past 15 years. One would expect Trump the dealmaker to at least use a carrot and stick approach with Pakistan for some better cooperation in dealing with the Taliban menace and help bring our soldiers home faster.
The House of Saud has had this mysterious spell on each and every U.S. administration in the post-WWII era – so Saudi Arabia can do no wrong, even for our self-proclaimed, great “radical Islamic terror” exterminator, President Trump.
And, speaking of inexplicable exclusions, how about Pakistan being kept off the list? Faisal Shahzad, a Pakistani failed in his attempt to set off a car bomb in Times Square back in 2010. Then Syed Rizwan Farook, a Pakistani-American and Tashfeen Malik, his Pakistani wife, orchestrated a homegrown lone wolf terror attack in San Bernardino in December 2015 killing 14 Americans.
These incidents should not put all Pakistanis on Trump’s list but the Pakistani Taliban have made our job in Afghanistan very, very difficult for the past 15 years. One would expect Trump the dealmaker to at least use a carrot and stick approach with Pakistan for some better cooperation in dealing with the Taliban menace and help bring our soldiers home faster.
14
1.6 billion muslims is all there are in total ? Gee when you put it that way you really do get a sense of what a small minority of earthlings the islamic movement is.
6
“Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel.” – Deuteronomy 17:12
And anyone arrogant enough to believe that the Koran is unique in its call to persecute the nonbeliever, he/she needs to do a bit more reading.
And anyone arrogant enough to believe that the Koran is unique in its call to persecute the nonbeliever, he/she needs to do a bit more reading.
21
Please, spare us your false equivalency.
4
The president doesn't read books, that would probably include the Bible, Koran, Torah, or any other religious book.
And in that statement--that he doesn't read books--but gets all his information from television--is the heart of our problem.
And in that statement--that he doesn't read books--but gets all his information from television--is the heart of our problem.
4
No, Islam does not hate America. However undemocratic and semi-democratic rules throughout the Middle East have used Islam to promote anti-American, anti-European, anti-Semitic messages as a means to legitimize their rule and to justify their own oppression.
These voices of hate, intolerance, cruelty, in the name of Islam, whether from ISIS, Hamas, Hezbolla or the governments of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Syria, Libya, (and the list goes on) are all complicit in forming the foundation of hatred and resentment that lead to the radicalization of the fringe.
Islam may not be to blame, but those who rule in the name of Islam are absolutely to blame.
These voices of hate, intolerance, cruelty, in the name of Islam, whether from ISIS, Hamas, Hezbolla or the governments of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Syria, Libya, (and the list goes on) are all complicit in forming the foundation of hatred and resentment that lead to the radicalization of the fringe.
Islam may not be to blame, but those who rule in the name of Islam are absolutely to blame.
20
I think the NYT hates America.
31
Why are we alarmed at President Trump's actions? He got elected to this office by playing the hate card. Now we have to live with the consequences of our action/inaction during the election process. In 2 years we can change these abhorrent policies of hate and despair by changing the composition of US Congress. If the Republicans and for that matter Democrats do not stand up to these un-American policies then they need to be replaced by progressives in both parties who would actually be America Firsters in deed and not just in words.
This EO and others like it are designed to benefit the super 1% of our wealthy people – has nothing to do with being America Firsters either as you have rightly pointed out that Saudi Arabia is missing from the list of affected country from where we had 16 of the 19 hijackers of 9-11. The ideology of hate that President Trump refers to emanates from the Wahhabi/Saudi interpretation of Islam. It is being followed by ISIS, Jabth al Nusra, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, & Taliban, etc.
Did President Trump read the document before signing as 'Mission Accomplished’? A better approach would be to work with countries which are stable as you have mentioned Iran; but that would require to counter President’s son in law Jared – I wonder if our President is ready for that.
I guess our best approach would be to start work on 2018 election of US Congress and try to “SAVE AMERICA AGAIN” from the Extremists.
This EO and others like it are designed to benefit the super 1% of our wealthy people – has nothing to do with being America Firsters either as you have rightly pointed out that Saudi Arabia is missing from the list of affected country from where we had 16 of the 19 hijackers of 9-11. The ideology of hate that President Trump refers to emanates from the Wahhabi/Saudi interpretation of Islam. It is being followed by ISIS, Jabth al Nusra, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, & Taliban, etc.
Did President Trump read the document before signing as 'Mission Accomplished’? A better approach would be to work with countries which are stable as you have mentioned Iran; but that would require to counter President’s son in law Jared – I wonder if our President is ready for that.
I guess our best approach would be to start work on 2018 election of US Congress and try to “SAVE AMERICA AGAIN” from the Extremists.
45
Perhaps no-filter Trumpism is what it will take to stand up to the Saudi Wahhabi curriculum that is being exported throughout the world. If there's a starting point for creating radical extremists, learning intolerant bigoted chauvinistic Wahhabi Islam in school is it. Maybe Trump can put a sock in that by standing up and telling them it is unacceptable.
7
If that were what he plans, he would have included Saudi Arabia in the ban, which he did not.
2
Don't forget that Trump intends to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem... that will lead to even more anti-American sentiment in that region.
7
Congratulations to the NYT! Finally, it is written "Iran, one of the few intact countries" in the Middle East. Yes, it is true. Christians celebrated Christmas in peace and security, and Jews celebrated Hanukkah in peace and security. In no other nation or region of the ME was this true, including Israel. We may not like the ayatollahs, and many older Iranians hate us for what Saddam did to them with US support, but Iran is a successful country.
12
Trump's call for eradication of the terrorist Islamism is one of very few things that I agree with him. However, I doubt the corre4ctness of the Editorial statement, "President Barack Obama did just that" [i.e., fight ISIS and related groups]. Obama did it halfheartedly and reluctantly: he lacked the understanding of interdenominational hatred and deeper causes of wars of religion.
13
What about Radical Christians? Yeah, lets talk about this. I hear somewhere in their texts are plans for global destruction. Looks like the radical christians have taken over the government and are planning to destroy the world.
Also, where would President Thumb even put all of Iraqs oil and you do realize we created international law we would be breaking, right? I know these pesky details.
Also, where would President Thumb even put all of Iraqs oil and you do realize we created international law we would be breaking, right? I know these pesky details.
Trump is playing checkers in n-dimensional Hilbert space.
2
And Trump understands these things? Really?
"...the ideas of Mr. Flynn and others, if adopted, seem like a recipe for endless world war."
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black there oh Iraq war cheering, Libya and Syria intervention-demanding NYT Editorial Board.
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black there oh Iraq war cheering, Libya and Syria intervention-demanding NYT Editorial Board.
12
While I despise Mr. Trump, perhaps his ascent will put an end to that most perplexing of shibboleths, "radical Islam." Does anyone disagree that ISIS, Boko Haram and the like are radicals? And isn't their radicalism completely entangled with their views about Islam? Is there any empirical proof that Muslims who do not ascribe to ISIS's radical notions about Islam take offense when we call a spade a spade?
Honestly, the excruciating qualms over the use of the term "radical Islam" are all too reminiscent of the wave of grievance politics that is sweeping the campuses of some elite universities. Rejecting the use of the well-founded term "radical Islam" is right up there will obsessing over microagressions, which pronoun to use and demanding trigger warnings and safe spaces.
Honestly, the excruciating qualms over the use of the term "radical Islam" are all too reminiscent of the wave of grievance politics that is sweeping the campuses of some elite universities. Rejecting the use of the well-founded term "radical Islam" is right up there will obsessing over microagressions, which pronoun to use and demanding trigger warnings and safe spaces.
15
Nihilism seems to be quite ecumenical. It comes from the left, it comes from the right, it comes from up, and it comes from down. The urge to burn does not discriminate.
1
Exactly! It doesn't matter if terrorists interpret the Quran incorrectly. What matters is that extremists believe that the Quran justifies violence.
1
If you want to fight radical Islamic terrorism you have to fight radical Islam and no country represents radical Islam better than Saudi Arabia, our so-called ally. Radical Islam, i.e. Wahhabism, is their state religion. They behead people in public squares for crimes such as apostasy, witchcract, and gay sex.
12
Whereas all America does is deny gays families insurance and equality while christian radicals manufacture more extremists for war profits. Come on.
Mr. Trump, if you are serious about eradicating Radical Islamic Terrorism, then you must direct your fire at Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Kingdom is the beast that finances, sponsors, perpetuates, Radical Islamic Terrorism all over the world. After all, Saudi Arabia is responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Please do not let my support and my vote for you go to waste.
6
He's not going to do that, or they'd be on the ban list.
I'm sure he thinks there 'great!' because they're gaudily rich. Sad!
I'm sure he thinks there 'great!' because they're gaudily rich. Sad!
1
This article begins with the premise "President Obama did that for eight years". You can stop reading there as this is major false underlying premise #1. President Obama did not fight radical terror for 8 years. He spawned ISIS, practically personally provided the geographic and geopolitical incubator for them, calling them "the JV team" while they were amassing land, recruits, weapons, oil (a source of perpetual funding), and media capabilities, building cells across the ME and globe. He further promulgated ISIS by creating humanitarian crises in both Lybia and Syria...and leaving the rest of the world to clean up his mess while he walked away for the disasters he and Hillary created via a series of enabling and at best inept actions. This article is a farce. Carry on.
13
President Obama didn't invade and occupy Iraq. He didn't start Syria's civil war and he didn't cause the Libyans to overthrow Gaddaffi.
Only those who traffic in conspiracy theories or really wants to send in US troops believe otherwise.
Only those who traffic in conspiracy theories or really wants to send in US troops believe otherwise.
4
Not surprised to add Islam to T's and ,unfortunately too many members of Congress's ,bag of deplorable ignorance. There are 3 sects of Islam. The Wahabis, who were the 9/11 perpetrators;The Sunnis behind ISIS, The Shiites, of Iran..who not incidentally are giving their blood against ISIS. Each of these sects have their leaders who interpret the Koran differently,(not unlike the 3 divisions within Judaism).Dumping them all into "radical Islam, only deters the rational Progressives within each group from raising their voices against the 40,000.
12
The editorial is not boring.
Does President Erdogan of Turkey, unique NATO member, suggest General Flynn's Muslim thesis?
No, because:
Erdogan's real politik of friendship with the Muslim Brotherhood & simultaneously a key NATO membership suggests to me Middle Eastern political reality as convoluted.
Consistency doesn't always apply, though subtle delicacy does.
That's what political reality seems to be, and Michael Flynn, as DJT's national security advisor, reluctantly must factor in too.
Does President Erdogan of Turkey, unique NATO member, suggest General Flynn's Muslim thesis?
No, because:
Erdogan's real politik of friendship with the Muslim Brotherhood & simultaneously a key NATO membership suggests to me Middle Eastern political reality as convoluted.
Consistency doesn't always apply, though subtle delicacy does.
That's what political reality seems to be, and Michael Flynn, as DJT's national security advisor, reluctantly must factor in too.
"But his use of slogans like “radical Islam,”...implies a naïve reading of the threat from about 40,000 extremists, while demonizing and alienating many of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims.
Are not the 40,000 extremists radical Islamists? Don't these radical Islamists KILL more of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims than any other group? Shouldn't these 1.6 billion Muslims realize this treat from radical Islamists is aimed mostly at them?
Do you believe that 1.6 billion Muslims are stupid and don't know who is threatening their very lives? Who is being naive now or is it really just more Trump bashing?
Are not the 40,000 extremists radical Islamists? Don't these radical Islamists KILL more of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims than any other group? Shouldn't these 1.6 billion Muslims realize this treat from radical Islamists is aimed mostly at them?
Do you believe that 1.6 billion Muslims are stupid and don't know who is threatening their very lives? Who is being naive now or is it really just more Trump bashing?
11
Whoever these radicals are, they seem to share a rationale to the effect a divine creator will reward them after death for killing some number of happy people going about their affairs. I am not sure how to distinguish this from striking wedding parties with missiles from drones.
RADICAL ISLAM Has A More Precise Name, Wahhabism, Which Is Supported And Financed By The House Of Saud.
AND for some reason Saudi Arabia does not appear on the Administration's list not to mention Pakistan and Afghanistan.
AS for including Iran on this list, it is aimed at dismantling the JCPOA, the Iran Nuclear Deal.
THE net result of Trump Administration's Irrational stands from Insulting Mexicans to Imaginary Voters Fraud to Banning Muslims, would be more Anti-Americanism around the Globe from the America's to Europe and Asia.
AND Trying To Manufacture Enemies Right Out Of The Gate Is The Wrong Tone For The New Administration And Is Bound To Backfire As The Mexican President Is Considering To Cancel His Trip To Washington.
Sad Days Ahead.
AND for some reason Saudi Arabia does not appear on the Administration's list not to mention Pakistan and Afghanistan.
AS for including Iran on this list, it is aimed at dismantling the JCPOA, the Iran Nuclear Deal.
THE net result of Trump Administration's Irrational stands from Insulting Mexicans to Imaginary Voters Fraud to Banning Muslims, would be more Anti-Americanism around the Globe from the America's to Europe and Asia.
AND Trying To Manufacture Enemies Right Out Of The Gate Is The Wrong Tone For The New Administration And Is Bound To Backfire As The Mexican President Is Considering To Cancel His Trip To Washington.
Sad Days Ahead.
11
Trump has risen all the way to the top of the American pyramid by starting fights. He's on a roll nobody can check.
Trump the Idiot, what ludicrous act will he commit to today?
Will some credible journalist out there please ask that alternative facts Trump stooge, Sean Spicer, if Trump has ever been examined by a psychiatrist? If not, when will that examination be occurring?
This charade of a deranged lunatic posing as president has run its course. He's had his fun, signing papers, looking at TV in the White House, twiddling his thumbs. Someone please get this guy in a straight jacket and send him back to his asylum in the Trump Tower of Babel where he can tweet on the toilet to his heart's content.
The joke is over, America. Wake up, this isn't a Reality TV show.
DD
Manhattan
Will some credible journalist out there please ask that alternative facts Trump stooge, Sean Spicer, if Trump has ever been examined by a psychiatrist? If not, when will that examination be occurring?
This charade of a deranged lunatic posing as president has run its course. He's had his fun, signing papers, looking at TV in the White House, twiddling his thumbs. Someone please get this guy in a straight jacket and send him back to his asylum in the Trump Tower of Babel where he can tweet on the toilet to his heart's content.
The joke is over, America. Wake up, this isn't a Reality TV show.
DD
Manhattan
10
"40,000" extremists. The Muslim Brotherhood are extremists. Salafist Islam is extremist. Large swaths of the Muslim world support death for apostasy, execution of gays, the institution of Sharia (yes I know there are many different versions). This number is naive. Soft Jihad? Cultural Jihad? The numbers are huge.
15
So much of all this is just semantics. I think our leaders are not disposed to elaborating what they mean by the terms they use precisely because they want the terms to be variously interpreted. All well as fake news, we have fake speech.
1
Where is the Times getting the figure "40,000 extremists." I understand from the Pew Research Center, that it is around 160,000,000, or 10%, at the very minimum.
16
"If they are extremists in pursuit of liberty, they are without vice."
(Conjuring Barry Goldwater.)
(Conjuring Barry Goldwater.)
I think that in this article you are attacking Trump on something that he may have, in part, gotten right. The use of the term "radical Islam" is not a misnomer. The Muslim Brotherhood poses an international threat, especially to women, and we can't afford to kowtow to Erdogan. I agree with Bill Maher on his assessment of Islam and the West.
We must be careful to call Trump out about his predations and depredations like his recent attacks on health care and the environment. The center left has become phobic about "Islamophobia."
We must be careful to call Trump out about his predations and depredations like his recent attacks on health care and the environment. The center left has become phobic about "Islamophobia."
11
Your statement: "Mr. Obama and former President George W. Bush generally agreed that terrorists had perverted the teachings of Islam, not that Islam was the problem" has been seriously criticized by many, including the clear thinking Sam Harris.
The Canon of the Islam faith states they should kill all infidels and it is promoted by many of their leaders and taught to their young children in their schools. It is clearly stated in the Koran and cannot be perverted because it is clearly, very clearly outlined. Christians of course have the same statements in Deuteronomy but they keep it "under control." Muslims do not.
The Canon of the Islam faith states they should kill all infidels and it is promoted by many of their leaders and taught to their young children in their schools. It is clearly stated in the Koran and cannot be perverted because it is clearly, very clearly outlined. Christians of course have the same statements in Deuteronomy but they keep it "under control." Muslims do not.
13
"Christians of course have the same statements in Deuteronomy but they keep it "under control."
Weasel.
Weasel.
1
Let's just backup and look how we got here.
We got here because the conservative right in this country understands sales and marketing, how to sell and market ideas and manipulate public opinion, and spent decades driving home ad hominem attacks on their political foes uch as Hillary Clinton. We got here because the official political opposition to the conservative right, known as THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, has been out of touch with reality, has hierarchy totally disconnected with the majority of people in this country in the central time zone, hasn't a clue how to take the pulse of the majority of voters, hasn't a clue how to sell or market ideas, positions and candidates, hasn't a clue how ruthless their opposition is, and has spent the past 30 years, while admirable, fighting for the rights and inclusiveness of minorities and the poor while losing focus on the common needs of ALL our citizens.
The key is total and immediate reform of the Democratic Party. Immediately. It, and only it, already has the legal structure in the states and she. Congress, to take backe power.
Lastly the blame is on the people of this country, who choose not to take time to read history and learn from it, choose to not educate themselves and participate in elections and government, are self-centered and focused on glitter, gadgets, football, and reality shows, and take everything they have for granted. And don't give a damn about anyone but themselves and their immediate families.
We got here because the conservative right in this country understands sales and marketing, how to sell and market ideas and manipulate public opinion, and spent decades driving home ad hominem attacks on their political foes uch as Hillary Clinton. We got here because the official political opposition to the conservative right, known as THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, has been out of touch with reality, has hierarchy totally disconnected with the majority of people in this country in the central time zone, hasn't a clue how to take the pulse of the majority of voters, hasn't a clue how to sell or market ideas, positions and candidates, hasn't a clue how ruthless their opposition is, and has spent the past 30 years, while admirable, fighting for the rights and inclusiveness of minorities and the poor while losing focus on the common needs of ALL our citizens.
The key is total and immediate reform of the Democratic Party. Immediately. It, and only it, already has the legal structure in the states and she. Congress, to take backe power.
Lastly the blame is on the people of this country, who choose not to take time to read history and learn from it, choose to not educate themselves and participate in elections and government, are self-centered and focused on glitter, gadgets, football, and reality shows, and take everything they have for granted. And don't give a damn about anyone but themselves and their immediate families.
14
The article touts cooperation from our Muslim allies in combating terrorism. Identify these allies please. I don't see much cooperation; if anything, unspoken moral support for Jihad.
13
Try that same comment with another designation, say
"I think Christianity hates us." And that means what?
"I think Christianity hates us." And that means what?
Our president has a personality disorder. He is run by it 24/7. Everything that comes out of his mouth serves it. We have to stop analysing the "why" of what he does and get down to the WHEN, and that would be his impeachment.
1
You don't have to be a Muslin to be disgusted by the Predator-In-Chief's language and behavior. Any decent person with a functioning moral compass abhors Donald. His administration is a "vicious cancer" on the world and humanity and the sooner it is cut out, by whatever means necessary, the better.
1
I take exception to this comment:
"They will also inspire fear in law-abiding Muslims everywhere, but especially those in America, whose help is crucial to identifying and pre-empting young people tempted by extremism."
These extremists are NOT Muslim! We, Muslims do not know who they are, the FBI or CIA know much more. Please do not distill our multi-faceted lives down to being on the forefront of Islamic extremism. The vast majority of us have no connection to anyone who has ever been radicalized.
"They will also inspire fear in law-abiding Muslims everywhere, but especially those in America, whose help is crucial to identifying and pre-empting young people tempted by extremism."
These extremists are NOT Muslim! We, Muslims do not know who they are, the FBI or CIA know much more. Please do not distill our multi-faceted lives down to being on the forefront of Islamic extremism. The vast majority of us have no connection to anyone who has ever been radicalized.
7
In addition to Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, why isn't Pakistan on this list of countries? How much longer is the United States going to be in denial about the role that country plays in promoting terrorism?
9
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
"No one would argue with fighting back against the Islamic State . . . For eight years, President Barack Obama did just that . . . Obama made significant progress in degrading this threat."
The Islamic State did not exist when Obama took office, it was born into a power void related to the U.S. pull-out of Iraq (the exact blame is debatable), and ask people in France or Florida or California if they feel like the threat to them from terrorism has been degraded (even if ISIS no longer controls as big a territory, for whatever that's worth).
There is much to criticize and fear about Trump's policies and statements. But let's not pretend that Obama's approach or record were all that rosy.
"No one would argue with fighting back against the Islamic State . . . For eight years, President Barack Obama did just that . . . Obama made significant progress in degrading this threat."
The Islamic State did not exist when Obama took office, it was born into a power void related to the U.S. pull-out of Iraq (the exact blame is debatable), and ask people in France or Florida or California if they feel like the threat to them from terrorism has been degraded (even if ISIS no longer controls as big a territory, for whatever that's worth).
There is much to criticize and fear about Trump's policies and statements. But let's not pretend that Obama's approach or record were all that rosy.
11
I believe that Mr. Trump is radical in most of his initiatives but it´s important to overview what´s going on on this planet. The chaos has taken over and sadly the things which scare most are the radical Islamics. what other religion do you know that kill people simply because they don't follow the same rules, doctrines or whatsoever? I am a Christian, obviously, I don't agree with a lot of thoughts and behavior, like same-sex dating, but I respect the free will of anyone, regardless if I agree or not. Generally, Muslims don't respect free will and it´s really really dangerous, they seem to be gracious and kind, but try to open a church in their homeland, on the opposite way it´s okay for them because we allow anyone to worship in here.
8
Mr. (ret Lt. General) Flynn's views reflect a generalization of true problems but misapplied to entire populations, and these generalized views are shared by many seemingly intelligent conservatives. It would be interesting to know the psychology of why these people have to group criminals (ISIS, et al) with the vast majority of Muslims (all hateful politics aside). This generalization is not limited to Muslims, obviously and I'd like to understand what the source is.
"Mr. Trump appears, inexplicably, to be exempting Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, home of 15 of the 19 extremists who hijacked the planes on Sept. 11."
The editorial should know better that none of the 19 extremists were from Afghanistan, and there is no logic for conflating the 15 Saudi nationals with Afghans.
The editorial should know better that none of the 19 extremists were from Afghanistan, and there is no logic for conflating the 15 Saudi nationals with Afghans.
5
Let us not forget that Trump is now cozying up to India. He may think their large population is a potential counter balance to China who he is antagonizing. Or it may be an extension of his campaign against Muslims. We should not forget the reason Pakistan exists and the antagonisms that exist between Nuclear armed Pakistan and India. Trump has put all USA forces at risk serving in countries that have oil, particularly in the Middle East. His sons, son-In-Law and daughters are of age to serve in our military. Perhaps if some of his children were at risk his rhetoric would not be so harsh. Of course his children may have inherited their Father's bone spur problem. If he was healthy enough to be one of the greatest baseball players to play in New York ever, he should have been fit enough to serve with us during the Vietnam Era.
4
Perhaps Trump should be declared a Clear and Present Danger, and by constitutional means, deposed. The bad news is that Mike Pence may be saner, but is still a grave danger to women, to the environment, etc. We really do not have a functioning president, in a way that meets the definition, but we have an insecure person, and a Liar-in-Chief.
5
Maybe trump plans on fighting terrorists by twittering them to death.
2
On the contrary --
The real concern is that terrorists may fight us because of Trump's tweeting them to death...
The real concern is that terrorists may fight us because of Trump's tweeting them to death...
1
What inflames opinion is attacking those who are not our enemies.
Killing civilians as collateral damage inflamed. Wedding parties. Children. Women. First responders in follow up strikes. The wrong guy altogether, coverd by lies.
Torture inflamed. Hypocrisy inflamed. Taking over Saddam's prisons and doing the same things he did in them inflamed.
Muslims know very well who among them is our enemy. Those enemy's loudly proclaim themselves to their fellows, as part of their method.
Muslims expect us to defend ourselves. They also have reasonable hopes we will not lash out and wipe out vast numbers of innocents.
Clear talk, strong, does not inflame. It is reckless, careless actions that inflame.
Inflaming is what we've done for 15 years.
Will Trump do better? He has said nothing to suggest that. Will he do worse? So far, he has done nothing, just talk. Talk alone won't outdo the drone attacks on innocents, the lies, the torture, the occupation.
Keep this in perspective. We've fouled this up beyond all repair. Trump's talk is not the problem, even if it is no solution.
Killing civilians as collateral damage inflamed. Wedding parties. Children. Women. First responders in follow up strikes. The wrong guy altogether, coverd by lies.
Torture inflamed. Hypocrisy inflamed. Taking over Saddam's prisons and doing the same things he did in them inflamed.
Muslims know very well who among them is our enemy. Those enemy's loudly proclaim themselves to their fellows, as part of their method.
Muslims expect us to defend ourselves. They also have reasonable hopes we will not lash out and wipe out vast numbers of innocents.
Clear talk, strong, does not inflame. It is reckless, careless actions that inflame.
Inflaming is what we've done for 15 years.
Will Trump do better? He has said nothing to suggest that. Will he do worse? So far, he has done nothing, just talk. Talk alone won't outdo the drone attacks on innocents, the lies, the torture, the occupation.
Keep this in perspective. We've fouled this up beyond all repair. Trump's talk is not the problem, even if it is no solution.
6
Indeed we need to agree on what the truth is first, regardless of our political position.
1
Mark,
very objective and right on the money
very objective and right on the money
2
One fact that Trump and his people seem to be unaware of is that although our action have utterly destabilized the Middle East,we have taken in a minuscule number ofSyrian refugees. Fewer thanCanada,Germany, and many europeancountries.Jordan has taken in most of the Syrian refugees.
In addition, Syrians are facing violence and terror at home. To deny them sanctuary is simply in humane.
In addition, Syrians are facing violence and terror at home. To deny them sanctuary is simply in humane.
2
I argue that fighting against the Islamic State is a waste of American lives and resources. ISIS has not attacked Americans, but will do so when attacked by us. The Nintendo-war fought by drones should stop, and our military forces should be called home - even from Afghanistan and Iraq. If a country cannot stand on its own, then it is simply a cesspool which we are wise to avoid. If either country becomes a threat to us in the future, then we use all of our available resources to punish and destroy the threat, so that it cannot harm us again. THAT is how WW2 ended with peace. Note that we did not approach Afg. or Iraq in that warlike manner - we attempted to use "Just War Theory" instead, a deranged religious-based view of enemies that has never worked and has only ever sacrificed our troops for the good of others.
Islam has always been a religion of violent conquest. It cannot be anything else - those "moderates" claiming that this view of Islam is "prejudiced" are attempting to evade the real history of the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th century Arab conquests, all of which amounted to "surrender, convert, or die". So long as Islam creates, inculcates, celebrates, and motivates killers in its ranks, it is still a religion of violent conquest.
Islam has always been a religion of violent conquest. It cannot be anything else - those "moderates" claiming that this view of Islam is "prejudiced" are attempting to evade the real history of the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th century Arab conquests, all of which amounted to "surrender, convert, or die". So long as Islam creates, inculcates, celebrates, and motivates killers in its ranks, it is still a religion of violent conquest.
3
And the Christian Crusades were a peaceful, non-violent movement?
War makes money for Trump's friends. period.
2
No one would argue against fighting back against the Islamic State? I guess it depends what you call fighting back. Because I would argue against US intervention in the Middle East on the grounds that it's just going to perpetuate this whole situation.
1
"The problem is that his approach, as we know it, is more likely to further inflame anti-American sentiment around the world "
I think this is the key to Trump's policy. While he made a couple statements during the campaign to the effect he was against 'stupid wars', the MSM ran with this, claiming he was the peacemaker and Hillary was the war monger.
Wrong.
He wants some kind of 'elbow brush' with someone, somewhere, anywhere. He needs a major war with someone in order to promote his program and attack his opposition at home.
I think this is the key to Trump's policy. While he made a couple statements during the campaign to the effect he was against 'stupid wars', the MSM ran with this, claiming he was the peacemaker and Hillary was the war monger.
Wrong.
He wants some kind of 'elbow brush' with someone, somewhere, anywhere. He needs a major war with someone in order to promote his program and attack his opposition at home.
1
Time to reinstitute the draft. We are going to need millions of Christian soldiers to fight this new war on Islam, and with all the hypocritical angry white men not joining Trumps new army we need a draft. If Bin Laden were still alive he would declare victory. Defeat your enemy from within. The bankrupter in chief is now our mad king. Onward Christian soldiers,
4
The U.S. would be much more effective addressing terrorism as a police-enforcement matter rather than as the object of an endless "global war". In the last decade, there have been far more American deaths from gun violence than from terrorist attacks: nearly 300,000 killed by guns versus a few hundred by terrorism. John Kerry was the first national-level American politician to advocate a strategic shift in focus and approach in facing terrorism. In 2004, in an 8,000-word New York Times Magazine article as the Democratic presidential nominee, he recognized that the war on terror requires a multi-pronged approach stating “It's not just the military aspect, but you need diplomacy … It's something that you continue to fight, but it's not threatening the fabric of your life.''
3
This article is disingenuous because it conflates two very different issues: Trump's description of the enemy, and his plan to fight it. The second is illegal and ineffective. Torture does not work; invading more countries and stealing their oil will solve nothing; and while I agree with the need for extreme vetting, it cannot be confined to specific countries. Plenty of radical Muslims in Europe. However, calling radical Islam a cancer of the modern world is accurate. Sorry but on this I have to agree with Trump. Islam as a whole is a problematic religion in many ways but its current mutation into a worldwide political movement is a clear and present danger to world peace.
5
How have you based your conclusion? Maybe you should visit a country such as Iran, agreed that there are extremists in Islam but they are a threat where ever they are, they are not widely accepted in countries they live in. Don't you think that there are extremists Jews in Israel? How about extremists Christians in US and in Europe.
1
Do you understand what the ancient Arabs did to the Koran and the true faith?
They distorted and ruined it.
They made the faith be about the Arab culture, dogmas, rituals, traditions, customs and loyalties.
That’s why the early Arabs had to spread it with the swords and wars.
True faith is about friendship, love, team spirit, solidarity, hard work, honesty, character, and our ability to control personal ego, hubris, conceit, bias, prejudice and hatred.
We don’t need the swords to spread those universal messages. The people are craving for them.
Why did the early Arabs launch the endless wars and conquests? Because they didn’t understand the faith at all. They equaled it with being an Arab and made it about the Arab language, culture and blood.
According to the well documented facts, when the early Muslims chose their first leader after the death of prophet Mohammed, those closest to him believed that the true faith was exclusively within Mohammed family and tribe, so they chose according to that principle.
The direct consequence is that if you didn’t belong to narrow inner circle, you weren’t qualified to be in power. Isn’t that the most discriminatory public policy?
That’s not what he told them. The man even refused to have his face represented anywhere. That meant one thing only. The true faith had nothing to do with him personally, his relatives or his personal actions...
The true faith is coming solely from the Almighty...
They distorted and ruined it.
They made the faith be about the Arab culture, dogmas, rituals, traditions, customs and loyalties.
That’s why the early Arabs had to spread it with the swords and wars.
True faith is about friendship, love, team spirit, solidarity, hard work, honesty, character, and our ability to control personal ego, hubris, conceit, bias, prejudice and hatred.
We don’t need the swords to spread those universal messages. The people are craving for them.
Why did the early Arabs launch the endless wars and conquests? Because they didn’t understand the faith at all. They equaled it with being an Arab and made it about the Arab language, culture and blood.
According to the well documented facts, when the early Muslims chose their first leader after the death of prophet Mohammed, those closest to him believed that the true faith was exclusively within Mohammed family and tribe, so they chose according to that principle.
The direct consequence is that if you didn’t belong to narrow inner circle, you weren’t qualified to be in power. Isn’t that the most discriminatory public policy?
That’s not what he told them. The man even refused to have his face represented anywhere. That meant one thing only. The true faith had nothing to do with him personally, his relatives or his personal actions...
The true faith is coming solely from the Almighty...
3
From I.C.E to ISIS, Mr Trump's tweets. threats, and pronunciamentos have alarmed the majority of our citizens, our neighbors, and our allies. He has been in office less than a week, so some on his staff are probably hoping that he will both learn and "grow in the job". But from past evidence, this is unlikely.
We can't wait. He may wreck our nation before we can act. So I would hope that the Democrats in Congress will call for an impeachment inquiry as soon as possible.
We can't wait. He may wreck our nation before we can act. So I would hope that the Democrats in Congress will call for an impeachment inquiry as soon as possible.
4
Seems to me it's a safe bet that Trump has business interests in the two nations he's exempting from the ban -- Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan -- and I hope The Times is investigating that possibility.
Every American needs to ask themselves how safe they really are when control over their lives is in the hands of a man whose decisions will always based on his own best interest, not theirs.
If you don't feel that your food, your water, your family, your only planet, your retirement income, and your life are all safe, then it's time to do everything you can to obstruct Trump and those who help him.
Every American needs to ask themselves how safe they really are when control over their lives is in the hands of a man whose decisions will always based on his own best interest, not theirs.
If you don't feel that your food, your water, your family, your only planet, your retirement income, and your life are all safe, then it's time to do everything you can to obstruct Trump and those who help him.
5
What made two young men in Boston believe that their lives would be better if they placed a pressure cooker bomb in the midst of people watching a marathon?
Was it because they had come to see the bigotry in America that claims to be a blessing for all races and creeds. Or did they succumb to the belief that the warped version of Islam that ISIS and others spout will change the world?
IMO, if Trump and his supporters continue in this vein of bigotry and racism and fear, we will begin to see more young men who have everything going for them begin to see how bigotry and racism will not make their lives safe. And they will be disillusioned enough, perhaps, to think that pressure cooker bombs might be the answer.
Was it because they had come to see the bigotry in America that claims to be a blessing for all races and creeds. Or did they succumb to the belief that the warped version of Islam that ISIS and others spout will change the world?
IMO, if Trump and his supporters continue in this vein of bigotry and racism and fear, we will begin to see more young men who have everything going for them begin to see how bigotry and racism will not make their lives safe. And they will be disillusioned enough, perhaps, to think that pressure cooker bombs might be the answer.
4
Young people need to keep their eyes open and trust their own experiences rather than what Turnip and his friends are saying. Never trust anything a fascist says.
6
They hate us because we've bombed and drone struck parts of the Muslim world back into the Stone Age as we molly coddle Saudi Arabia, a country with the absolute worst human rights track record in the world. Not only are we violently aggressive, we're also hypocritical. How this isn't plain for anyone to see is simply beyond me.
8
So you're solution is fight the enemy, just don't name the enemy. Classic liberal nonsense.
11
If Donald thinks he'll scare Islam (whatever that means in his stupid little mind) into submission he's grossly mistaken. Religions are expressions of tribalism and no one likes to see their tribe insulted. Some Muslims (not all) will take Donald at his word and will get back at him for insulting their tribe. Yeah, this will end up well.
4
Mike Flynn may well be the most dangerous man in America. He holds dangerous and counterproductive ideas, traffics in rumors, and has the ear of the President (watch the YouTube video of the CIA visit in which Trump gives shout outs to Flynn at least twice).
4
I don't think that even Mr. Trump is suggesting that all Muslims are this or all Muslims are that, but It seems to me that the billion plus "law abiding Muslims everywhere" could do more to control radical extremists in their midst.
9
How? Turkey for instance...the vast, vast majority are peaceful people, supporting their families, working hard, bringing up their children properly...tell me how they, or the vast majority of Muslims in other countries 'can do more' to control a tiny handful of bad people, who operate under the radar, that nevertheless cause mayhem.
How about we give Muslims a dose of reality by telling them that there is no "soul", there is no "heaven" or "hell". There is no world to come. There is no Alla and that Mohamed was a fake, phony fraud. It's all make-believe! They carry on with their craziness and their little costumes and ancient headgear for no good reason.
That the concept of a "soul" was made up by people who could not deal with the notion of death, their own and that of their loved ones and that, in actuality, when you die it's over. You are done! You will not get to hang out with make-believe "god" or angels, you will not be reunited with anyone, you will not get to watch over people, and no one is watching over you. When you're dead it's over for you. Sorry, that's the way it is.
Of course, we will also have to throw all of the other religions out the window too.
So live your life. Live up to your responsibilities, take care of your loved ones and sneak in a little fun once in a while.
It's 2017. We have planes and cars and computers and internet and a whole bunch of other stuff that was inconceivable not that many years ago. I am surprised that these ancient notions and superstitions have survived this long.
That the concept of a "soul" was made up by people who could not deal with the notion of death, their own and that of their loved ones and that, in actuality, when you die it's over. You are done! You will not get to hang out with make-believe "god" or angels, you will not be reunited with anyone, you will not get to watch over people, and no one is watching over you. When you're dead it's over for you. Sorry, that's the way it is.
Of course, we will also have to throw all of the other religions out the window too.
So live your life. Live up to your responsibilities, take care of your loved ones and sneak in a little fun once in a while.
It's 2017. We have planes and cars and computers and internet and a whole bunch of other stuff that was inconceivable not that many years ago. I am surprised that these ancient notions and superstitions have survived this long.
5
"-Mr. Trump’s plans would damage America’s credibility as guardian of human rights-": NYT Editorial Board
You're joking! Right?
Since when does the USA extend the same rights to every person within it's boundaries?
Never.
1. The USA has the least protection for works of any other workers of Western Civilization.
2. Debtor’s Prison? Ugh. The current President would know for sure had he been dealt with as most bankrupt persons have been.
3. 14th Amendment violations
4. Invasion of privacy of its citizens, police brutality, police impunity, imprisonment of citizens for profit, mistreatment of prisoners, having the longest internment-sentences of any country, and continuing the application of the death penalty.
5. The continued support of foreign dictators.
6. Etc., etc., etc..
Of course, The Editorial Board is speaking with tongue-in-cheek.
You're joking! Right?
Since when does the USA extend the same rights to every person within it's boundaries?
Never.
1. The USA has the least protection for works of any other workers of Western Civilization.
2. Debtor’s Prison? Ugh. The current President would know for sure had he been dealt with as most bankrupt persons have been.
3. 14th Amendment violations
4. Invasion of privacy of its citizens, police brutality, police impunity, imprisonment of citizens for profit, mistreatment of prisoners, having the longest internment-sentences of any country, and continuing the application of the death penalty.
5. The continued support of foreign dictators.
6. Etc., etc., etc..
Of course, The Editorial Board is speaking with tongue-in-cheek.
The editorial's concerns regarding civil liberties and unnecessary hysterias, the imposition of Sharia law in the US, are noted, Obama's refusal to acknowledge the enemy, demonstrate leadership, apologize for our past actions, and engage in false moral equivocations made the effort to eradicate radical Islamic extremism ineffective.
You can not fight and enemy you refuse to name. Euphemisms like violent extremism and calling terrorism "alleged" attacks were damaging. Saying other religions have extremists was stupid as no other religion has engaged in terror to this degree. Constantly invoking Timothy McVeigh, who as far as anyone knows was not a Christian, is played and dated. When people scream "Allahu akbar" and open fire at a military base like Nidal Hassan, it's Islamic terror. Same is true in San Bernadino.
No American leader should ever apologize or seek to explain previous actions done in the interest of our national security and other democracies. Israel is a democracy who has engaged in multiple peace processes just to be burned each time either by increasing terror or complete and utter non-compliance with previous agreements. Demands on Israel for unilateral concessions were absurd and made peace harder to obtain.
Obama frequently abdicated leadership to a morally foolish UN. He endangered our security by refusing to acknowledge that refugees who don't share our values are a risk. Trump's plan is not perfect, but it's an improvement.
You can not fight and enemy you refuse to name. Euphemisms like violent extremism and calling terrorism "alleged" attacks were damaging. Saying other religions have extremists was stupid as no other religion has engaged in terror to this degree. Constantly invoking Timothy McVeigh, who as far as anyone knows was not a Christian, is played and dated. When people scream "Allahu akbar" and open fire at a military base like Nidal Hassan, it's Islamic terror. Same is true in San Bernadino.
No American leader should ever apologize or seek to explain previous actions done in the interest of our national security and other democracies. Israel is a democracy who has engaged in multiple peace processes just to be burned each time either by increasing terror or complete and utter non-compliance with previous agreements. Demands on Israel for unilateral concessions were absurd and made peace harder to obtain.
Obama frequently abdicated leadership to a morally foolish UN. He endangered our security by refusing to acknowledge that refugees who don't share our values are a risk. Trump's plan is not perfect, but it's an improvement.
9
Think of yourself listening to Donald Trump while he castigates in hideous language ALL members of your race, culture, sex, religion and political affiliation. His powers extend over intelligence services, the FBI, all other federal employees—whom he can send to find you and any other members of your class that he knows are terrorists. A lowly Senator did just that in the 1940s-1960s. Senator Joseph McCarthy led a witch hunt for communists that imprisoned many but found few communists. Trump can and looks like he will find people guilty of bombing the US or voting multiple times. He has to, he promised he will.
4
What is not to love about the marvellous eloquence of our new leader who declared "I think Islam hates us".
To paraphrase this 'bigly' greatest phrase of his he'll next say "I think logic and critical thinking hate me".
And when it comes to taking the oil of Iraq, maybe someone should remind him that under the Geneva Convention taking the natural resources of an occupied country is a war crime, and torture is as well.
To him not only NATO is obsolete, but the Geneva Convention is as well.
Meanwhile he has already scared the bejesus out of all our allies across the world with most of his word salads, tweets and actions. And that all happened while his presidency is not even a week old.
A man that boasts about only needing three hours per night is a walking, talking, and ticking time-bomb. Republicans in Congress should listen to their opposition and not allow that stubby short fingered, thin skinned, narcissistic man with numerous personality disorders to not use the bisquick in his pocket for a first strike.
To paraphrase this 'bigly' greatest phrase of his he'll next say "I think logic and critical thinking hate me".
And when it comes to taking the oil of Iraq, maybe someone should remind him that under the Geneva Convention taking the natural resources of an occupied country is a war crime, and torture is as well.
To him not only NATO is obsolete, but the Geneva Convention is as well.
Meanwhile he has already scared the bejesus out of all our allies across the world with most of his word salads, tweets and actions. And that all happened while his presidency is not even a week old.
A man that boasts about only needing three hours per night is a walking, talking, and ticking time-bomb. Republicans in Congress should listen to their opposition and not allow that stubby short fingered, thin skinned, narcissistic man with numerous personality disorders to not use the bisquick in his pocket for a first strike.
6
You can't beat the Jesus or Allah out of someone. History has proven time and again that this tends to have the opposite effect.
Those of us who see the Islamists for what they are, petty narcissists lost in a sea of lies, it is clear that the best approach is to avoid further grievances and engage with Muslims as humans. It is clear that helping the victims of the Islamists, who are overwhelmingly Muslims, is the best strategy to defeat them and encourage moderation.
Those of us who see the Islamists for what they are, petty narcissists lost in a sea of lies, it is clear that the best approach is to avoid further grievances and engage with Muslims as humans. It is clear that helping the victims of the Islamists, who are overwhelmingly Muslims, is the best strategy to defeat them and encourage moderation.
1
A few more months of Trump being in office and the whole world will hate us and with good reason.
9
This is one thing which Trump gets right, and which westerners misunderstand, informed as they are by their own faith and views of humanity and tolerance. And therein lies the danger. First of all, Islam cannot be put on the same footing as other religions because their aim remains to convert or kill us all, to this day. It as reported here, in the pages of this hallowed and sanctimonious paper not long ago, how the child of a high official enquired of a reporter in Saudi Arabia, "are you a kafir?" when the latter did not go down his knees at the call for prayer. The violence, the dualism (one treatment for the believers, another treatment for unbelievers), encouragement of duplicity...all make for bad politics sanctioned by Allah that anyone can read.
We are within our rights to protect our borders from this onslaught.
We are within our rights to protect our borders from this onslaught.
13
Trump and nuance---they just do not go together---and yet, the reality is we live in a highly nuanced world.
4
Amazingly, they don't hate us. If they had done to my home what we did to theirs, I think I'd hate them.
4
Yes we deposed a dictator and tried to give them elections and a constitution, of course we deserve to die!
5
Max, we also killed hundreds of thousands of them, created millions of refugees and bombed their cities. Get real!!
1
President Trump claims that "Islam hates us."
But, several million of our fellow Americans are Muslim. In other words, the ARE "us."
Unfortunately, our new president disagrees. He has made it crystal clear that in Trump's America, people who pray, speak, or look a certain way are not to be considered Americans.
In normal times, I'd end by saying that I hope he apologizes. Sadly, in 2017 America, I have to end by saying: (a) I hope he doesn't put his feelings into action and take tangible harmful actions against our fellow Americans who happen to be Muslim; and (b) we must all speak out and condemn the normalizing of decreeing certain groups less American than others.
For shame, President Trump. For shame.
But, several million of our fellow Americans are Muslim. In other words, the ARE "us."
Unfortunately, our new president disagrees. He has made it crystal clear that in Trump's America, people who pray, speak, or look a certain way are not to be considered Americans.
In normal times, I'd end by saying that I hope he apologizes. Sadly, in 2017 America, I have to end by saying: (a) I hope he doesn't put his feelings into action and take tangible harmful actions against our fellow Americans who happen to be Muslim; and (b) we must all speak out and condemn the normalizing of decreeing certain groups less American than others.
For shame, President Trump. For shame.
8
After watching ABC's interview with Trump only one word comes to mind "demented" For those who come from Middle Eastern or South American countries and have become American citizens Trump must be terrifying. Trump has given the green light to the question "where are your papers"
8
While "terrorists had perverted the teachings of Islam", we need to gain a serious understanding at how domestic terrorists have perverted Christianity, in all its myriad permutations, with most of those efforts in the post WWII days originating from the U.S. Trump and his acolytes are the most recent manifestation.
5
We can't expect to combat the worst of Islam, (the Wahabi minority) by becoming the Christian equivalent. Their extremist leaders use hate and fear to stoke the most vicious tendencies of their followers. In America, I give you Donald J. Trump.
9
For many centuries Mr. Flynn's religion was used by many to murder and dominate with intent to eliminate those not of that religion (Inquisition anyone?). Other religions including Islam centuries ago tried the same. Does Trump know these things? Can we see his high school and college transcripts to see if he learned anything about such things?
9
If you have to go back 800 years to make the comparison, I'm afraid you've lost the argument.
1
The Crusades didn't end all that well for the West but Trump doesn't read history (or read at all).
14
The Crusades motivated the Reconquista, which wasn't terribly great for Islam.
1
Mr. Trump seems to have made a career of trying to fabricate a common enemy or two to publicly advance his own name and rally people to his cause.
In the 1980s, it was the Japanese and young black males. His more recent litany of vitriol began with birtherism, which conveniently for him tied together his fanning xenophobic, anti-black and anti-Muslim prejudices. His entire campaign utilized a divide and conquer strategy that largely allowed him to advance with mere pluralities of voters.
Having ultimately lost the popular vote, and given his current low approval ratings across all Americans, Mr. Trump may feel the irrepressible urge to consolidate his power by seeking to convince a majority of us to goose-step behind him against a bogeyman or two.
Of his recent bogeymen, it seems that Mr. Trump (and all the officeholders falling in line) may consider Muslims to be the best scapegoat because Muslims alone do not represent a large political threat in the US. In his relentless quest for power and popularity, perhaps it is most expedient to disparage approximately 25% of humanity as evil rather than trying to constructively root out the insane, radicalized people, of whatever faith if any, who would commit violent acts.
Let's not allow Mr. Trump's autocratic tendencies to distort our Constitutional and civic responsibilities to stand up for all peaceable people that he seeks to marginalize and scapegoat. Now more than ever we must all stand together against tyranny.
In the 1980s, it was the Japanese and young black males. His more recent litany of vitriol began with birtherism, which conveniently for him tied together his fanning xenophobic, anti-black and anti-Muslim prejudices. His entire campaign utilized a divide and conquer strategy that largely allowed him to advance with mere pluralities of voters.
Having ultimately lost the popular vote, and given his current low approval ratings across all Americans, Mr. Trump may feel the irrepressible urge to consolidate his power by seeking to convince a majority of us to goose-step behind him against a bogeyman or two.
Of his recent bogeymen, it seems that Mr. Trump (and all the officeholders falling in line) may consider Muslims to be the best scapegoat because Muslims alone do not represent a large political threat in the US. In his relentless quest for power and popularity, perhaps it is most expedient to disparage approximately 25% of humanity as evil rather than trying to constructively root out the insane, radicalized people, of whatever faith if any, who would commit violent acts.
Let's not allow Mr. Trump's autocratic tendencies to distort our Constitutional and civic responsibilities to stand up for all peaceable people that he seeks to marginalize and scapegoat. Now more than ever we must all stand together against tyranny.
6
The essential way to combat anti-American hate in the Middle East would be to have all American actions in the region governed by fairness and justice. Stop giving Israel a free pass to trample the self determination of the Palestinians. Stop supporting authoritarian regimes that trample the human rights of their own citizens. Look at the reasons cited by the perpetrators of the 1993 and 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. However, after the invasion of Iraq, it will be hard to win hearts and minds.
5
Another invasion of Iraq to sieze the oil? Wouldn't that require a clandestine deal with Russia, and agreement to allow Putin something of equal value?
For the past 8 years we have had paper success fighting terrorism. By that I mean the media propped up their boy, with no real results. Remember the 2012 campaign, when we were told terrorism was fading. How wrong was that!
So, if Trump is going in a new direction, and this newspaper doesn't like it...I'm all for it. As this newspaper no longer enjoys a reputation for honest journalism I can only conclude their objections are part of a continuing hatchet job on the president.
So, if Trump is going in a new direction, and this newspaper doesn't like it...I'm all for it. As this newspaper no longer enjoys a reputation for honest journalism I can only conclude their objections are part of a continuing hatchet job on the president.
9
The entire Islamic world does not hate us. There are small numbers of "Islamic" people who do, however. And these extremists have been sensationalized and magnified to lead us to believe they represent all of Islam. That's too bad, I've met many Muslims through my adult life who are good people.
So I must ask - Do the "good" people of the Westboro Baptist Church represent all of Christianity here in this country? I would venture an opinion that the laws of this country are the only thing stopping them from committing some nasty atrocities. Just listen to their vile. Should all of our citizens be aligned with likes of Westboro, or KKK, or some White Nationalist group?
Having said all of that, disclosure: I am an atheist, and although religion has its good points, I believe it has hindered our development as human beings.
So I must ask - Do the "good" people of the Westboro Baptist Church represent all of Christianity here in this country? I would venture an opinion that the laws of this country are the only thing stopping them from committing some nasty atrocities. Just listen to their vile. Should all of our citizens be aligned with likes of Westboro, or KKK, or some White Nationalist group?
Having said all of that, disclosure: I am an atheist, and although religion has its good points, I believe it has hindered our development as human beings.
2
The difference in the case of Christian extremists is that the rest of us don't allow them to take over.
While in the Muslim world, poles show that most Muslims worldwide want to live by Sharia law and sympathize with atrocities like honor killings and the Charlie Hebdo shootings, and the Danish cartoonist murders.
I know it's comforting to believe it's just a few bad apples but there are much larger forces at work here.
While in the Muslim world, poles show that most Muslims worldwide want to live by Sharia law and sympathize with atrocities like honor killings and the Charlie Hebdo shootings, and the Danish cartoonist murders.
I know it's comforting to believe it's just a few bad apples but there are much larger forces at work here.
4
Maybe if the media had spent more time discussing Trump's proposals on their merits instead of assuming that he either a) didn't mean it or b) wouldn't get elected, we wouldn't be in this pickle.
7
The first step to solving a problem is knowing that it exists in the first place. For the Times and Obama to refuse to use the phrase "radical Islam" tells us that they have no clue. Unfortunately, Islam is the only mainstream religion that calls for the formation of a caliphate, by violent means, and the elimination of non-believers. We really do not see any mainstream Muslims willing to go vociferously out and contradict the Koran. Maybe they are afraid of reprisal from the radicals, or maybe they are content to let the radicals do their bidding. Either way, it makes sense to keep people from extremist Muslim countries out of the US until we have a vetting system. Maybe Trump will come around to include Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia as well.
8
The Times said "Mr. Trump’s plans to eradicate violent extremists are not only at odds with Mr. Obama’s; they trample on American values and international law." That's because Mr Trump isn't a Muslim, he's an American. Obama's phony heritage is vanishing fast.
2
Trump has no understanding of the complexity of the world. His simplistic solutions would be laughable if human lives were not at stake. "Bomb them," he exhorted at his rallies and the crowd ate that up. If only that step was the answer. When you have a militia embedded in a populous city innocent lives would taken with such a tactic. It has taken much hard work to recapture the territory ISIS once controlled. Behind the scenes cyber steps have limited their once bountiful funding. I wasn't surprised that Flynn holds a high position in Trump World since his rants are really off the tracks of reality.
2
The Obama administration funded Isis and other rebel groups in Syria, David and bombing was Obama's favorite way to kill except for drones.
1
I'm not sure how Trump's attitude to Islam will work out, but I see a lot of comments tarring Christianity with the same brush as Islam. Christians consider the New Testament more important than the Old, and the New Testament has, I think, one count of advocating violence (which is generally taken to be metaphorical). The Koran has many and they are in the later more important part. A big difference between Christianity and Islam is that Jesus was an outsider, an outcast, whereas Mohammad was a ruler. I know most Muslims are well-meaning people but that doesn't mean that there aren't structural problems with Islam. Can Islam reform? Maybe. But we shouldn't just assume that it will. Also, for those people attacking conservative Christians, Christians are not advocating for the murder of gays, the stoning of adulteresses, the execution of those who blasphemy, or codes of modesty so restrictive that half the population is covering their face. There is a big difference between even very fundamentalist Christians in certain conservative places versus a lot of regular Muslims in the Middle East. I'd rather live in rural Alabama than Pakistan.
5
Very true Cath Hunt, very true.
1
This piece is laughable. It was Obama's feckless, lead from behind policy that allowed terrorism to flourish and expand to dozens of countries. ISIS was made possible by Obama's unprecedented failure to understand the situation, refusal to heed the advise of his generals and his dictatorial demands that terrorist threat reports be falsified so he could bury his head in the sand. Failure to fall in line and you met the same fate as Mike Flynn. Will someone please stop using minimalist successes to shore up the most failed legacy in modern times Stop engaging in revisionism. The NYT has been rife with negative articles, opinions and Op-Ed pieces to undermine Trump before finishing the first week. One can only take it as a sign that the louder and more outrageous the crying from the left, the more confidence you should have that he is doing a good job.
11
Liberals have been in denial about Obama and his real legacy-- the continuation of the Bush Doctrine. Did people really think there would be no consequences for American democracy after what it did in Yemen? Syria? Libya? Trump is karma for 15 years of terror war, 1.5 million Muslim deaths (imagine how we'd respond if those were Americans), targeted assassinations, what's increasingly looking like a US supported genocide in Yemen. If you don't like Trump's plays, reflect on the recent past. Obama may not use this hateful rhetoric, but in 2016, Syria was bombed more than any of the eight countries the US is actively bombing, and without new authorization from Congress because the last two presidents have used the original authorization for the War on Terror in 2001 as justification. I'm here to say, folks, you have been had! You sacrificed your democracy on the altar of revenge after 9/11 and look what it bought you. You cheered when Osama bin Laden was 'canoed' by Seal Team 6 (look it up), never thinking twice about summary execution and how extrajudicial killing damages democracy, due process, and human rights. The trouble with American democracy began long before the Trump presidency and what's worse it seems that only the progressives have known this because they are willing to critique flaws in Obama's (and Clinton's) foreign policy, while die hard Dems can only view the faults of Republicans.
4
There are approximately 1 billion Muslims and approximately 100,000 radical Islamic terrorists. That means there are one tenth of 1% radicals and 99.9% peace-loving Muslims. After 50 years of murderous actions by the radicals that give Islam a bad name, I would think that the 99.9% would HATE the radicals and want someone (most capable--the U.S.) to wipe those evil people off the face of the Earth. I realize it is hard for the 99.9% to speak up as they would fear for their lives, but why would any peace-loving Muslim be opposed to Trump's stated intentions? Yes, his actions would spur additional hate from the radicals, but will it be any worse that the current situation where radical Islamics kill tens of thousands of innocents around the globe?
3
mr reason
You said "realize it is hard for the 99.9% to speak up as they would fear for their lives." 99.9 percent of the people in NY do not read the Times, it's the one percent that agree with the Times.
You said "realize it is hard for the 99.9% to speak up as they would fear for their lives." 99.9 percent of the people in NY do not read the Times, it's the one percent that agree with the Times.
1
The Board is correct; we shouldn't characterize all Muslims as extremist. We should not make enemies of 1.5 Billion people. They aren't our adversaries; if anything, moderate Muslims are our allies. We both desire the elimination of Salafist ideology that is poisoning the well of Islam.
This article fails to mention the need for a theological approach to Islamism that needs to accompany our foreign policy strategy. Underscoring the importance of religion does not aid our mission.
However, this Editorial is unfair to General Flynn, who for all his faults understands the enemy and is correct in assessing "Islamism as a 'vicious cancer.'" The Board makes it seem like he is somehow characterizing all of Islam as radical, but he does not. This article takes a hard line against a man that knows the situation quite well, at least in comparison to the President, and we should be happy to have such a skilled man giving Trump advice.
This article fails to mention the need for a theological approach to Islamism that needs to accompany our foreign policy strategy. Underscoring the importance of religion does not aid our mission.
However, this Editorial is unfair to General Flynn, who for all his faults understands the enemy and is correct in assessing "Islamism as a 'vicious cancer.'" The Board makes it seem like he is somehow characterizing all of Islam as radical, but he does not. This article takes a hard line against a man that knows the situation quite well, at least in comparison to the President, and we should be happy to have such a skilled man giving Trump advice.
5
Chance Layton,
It's nice to read something truthful and intelligent in the Times, most of the time it is hard to find there.
It's nice to read something truthful and intelligent in the Times, most of the time it is hard to find there.
2
The terrorist cancer growing within Islam is still within Muslims' power to contain and end it these days. If Islam fails to act, however, the industrialized Christian West (and the Chinese) will have no alternative than dealing as effectively with it as it did with Hitler and the Soviet threat.
The post-seventh century world can only wait so long. Islam's crisis is that it has no structure and no self-monitoring ability, so that as various tyrants need to use extremists for their worldly demands, Islamic extremism becomes a weapon.
The post-seventh century world can only wait so long. Islam's crisis is that it has no structure and no self-monitoring ability, so that as various tyrants need to use extremists for their worldly demands, Islamic extremism becomes a weapon.
7
I support Trump's idea of strongly vetting immigrants.
It's better than Obama's idea of murdering Muslims abroad, and I think Muslim's would favor vetting immigrants over the murders abroad.
I suggest that we confess that terrorism from abroad is America's fault, that our goal is to begin minding our own business except in peaceful love, and our goal is to be able to feel secure in having peaceful loving relationships with Muslims in America and abroad.
It's better than Obama's idea of murdering Muslims abroad, and I think Muslim's would favor vetting immigrants over the murders abroad.
I suggest that we confess that terrorism from abroad is America's fault, that our goal is to begin minding our own business except in peaceful love, and our goal is to be able to feel secure in having peaceful loving relationships with Muslims in America and abroad.
4
More typical headinthesand drivel from progressives. Islam does hate us. In every country where it is the dominate religion. it is not hard to see. Iran. Iraq. Syria, Yemen. North Africa. Even our "friends like Saudi Arbia Egypt, Afghanistan, & Pakistan all have strong religious & political leaders that preach hate against us. A quick examination of the countries in Europe and Scandinavia are evidence of the problems with trying to assimilate Muslims into a culture where freedom is allowed. While Indonesia & Turkey are exceptions people like to point to, the fact is their problems with "true believers" are rising. While I do not agree with everything Mr. Trump is suggesting, I am encouraged that he is willing to honestly call something for what it is.
10
Almost all Americans will have blood on our hands, thanks to our President.
1-Those who voted for Trump, surely.
2-Those who refused to vote, or voted 3rd party, because they thought there wasn't a dime's worth of difference between Clinton and Trump.
3-Those who insisted the Democratic nominee be the person they favored, rather than the person who inspired the 'not a dime's worth of difference' folks to come vote for the Democratic nominee.
A pox on all your houses.
The only Americans with clean hands are the children, and the disenfranchised felons.
1-Those who voted for Trump, surely.
2-Those who refused to vote, or voted 3rd party, because they thought there wasn't a dime's worth of difference between Clinton and Trump.
3-Those who insisted the Democratic nominee be the person they favored, rather than the person who inspired the 'not a dime's worth of difference' folks to come vote for the Democratic nominee.
A pox on all your houses.
The only Americans with clean hands are the children, and the disenfranchised felons.
5
Our president is a dullard and a fool of spectacular proportions. Which would be laughable except for all the misery and death his stupidity could cause.
6
Sam Harris estimated that there are about 40 million Islamists in the world who are determined to destroy the free world culture. This 40 millions are spread on all Muslim communities in the world and in all countries. Definitely it is a world war type problem. Obama administration never tried to identify these people, and rather focused on few organization like ISIS and Al Queada. I hope Trump will change the strategy and put in place a process to do this task. Once identified, there may be different methods to de-radicalize them - reeducation, punishment and killing. Let us do not say that Trump's policy is to consider all Muslims are terrorist - Muslim community must work against their religious teachers who are working to create this hate message by civil protests. We rarely see such movements in the world - have you seen protests like women protest in the world against terrorism in a Muslim country? I am sure we will see protest marches all over the Muslim countries against Trump policy - it is good, but it should not be limited only against Trump.
8
So the gap between a "peaceful" muslim, and a terrorist, is somewhere between 40,000 and 6 billion. No one reading this article is that naive. And that lame mathematical analysis is numerical manipulation. Look how much damage a handful of terrorists have done? How many were actually terrorists versus just "muslims" is not relevant.
7
Oh really? And if so, why could that possibly be, when we have not done anything to those people except help destroying and destabilizing most of their countries.
1
"But his use of slogans like “radical Islam,” which echo the views of his closest advisers, implies a naïve reading of the threat from about 40,000 extremists, while demonizing and alienating many of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims."
Yeah right it's just 40,000 bad apples. And the 1.6 billion Muslims and 1 billion Catholics should all continue to be demonized for their institutional misogyny and hatred towards the gays.
Religions are predicated on a willing suppression of reason and they should be feared!
Yeah right it's just 40,000 bad apples. And the 1.6 billion Muslims and 1 billion Catholics should all continue to be demonized for their institutional misogyny and hatred towards the gays.
Religions are predicated on a willing suppression of reason and they should be feared!
3
Trump and his advisors are playing a global game of Risk. But they are not moving plastic pieces, those are human beings whose lives will be destroyed. Those will be our sons and daughters deployed to fight. And when retribution happens, it may be ordinary Americans who pay in the worst way.
Islam is a religion, not a slogan or a catchphrase or even the enemy. Just because your enemies happen to be Muslim does not make all Muslims evil. It's just another form of racism because most Muslims don't happen to be white. The vast majority of the 1.6 billion Muslims in this world just want to live in peace. I agree that a lot of their thinking could be updated for the 21st century but it has to be done at their pace, not ours.
Islam is a religion, not a slogan or a catchphrase or even the enemy. Just because your enemies happen to be Muslim does not make all Muslims evil. It's just another form of racism because most Muslims don't happen to be white. The vast majority of the 1.6 billion Muslims in this world just want to live in peace. I agree that a lot of their thinking could be updated for the 21st century but it has to be done at their pace, not ours.
1
Taken together, Mr. Trump’s plans would damage America’s credibility as guardian of human rights, anger allies and undermine civil liberties at home.
One first have to have credibility in order to damage it. We lost that years ago with phony WMDs, torture, Gitmo, black sites, inner city police tactics, empty promises and blind eyes to Syrians and Rwandan civilians being slaughtered who needed help, plus a host of others. Where you been all these years?
One first have to have credibility in order to damage it. We lost that years ago with phony WMDs, torture, Gitmo, black sites, inner city police tactics, empty promises and blind eyes to Syrians and Rwandan civilians being slaughtered who needed help, plus a host of others. Where you been all these years?
2
The fact is Islam hates me. I am a woman and the fact is 90% of muslims throughout the world believe a husband is owed absolute obedience from his wife. That stat applies to virtually all Islamic countries from Afghanistan to Albania. And many would like to lie to themselves and claim that Christians believe the same. They happen not to. Less than 5% of the UK total pop believes a husband is owed obedience from his wife. Only 4% of muslims in the ME believe a woman should be able to wear whatever she wants. This paper likes to obfuscate these facts and pretend as though Islam is so complex and varied that one can ignore its overwhelming penchant towards state enforced religious bigotry and misogyny. Stop pretending that only the terrorists are the problem. Pakistan has jailed more women for reporting they were raped than it has jailed rapists. It's the population that keeps such laws in power. The only reason refugees from Saudi and Pakistan were not banned is because those countries are not at civil war anyways, so no one should have been able to apply for asylum from there to begin with. It's wrong to pretend that ordinary muslims are not responsible for terrorism when in fact their beliefs promote the violent patriarchy that is needed as a bedrock for terrorism to flourish. It wasn't effective to obfuscate these facts as the democrats do. It is simply cowardice.
13
Finally, a realistic comment. Above has been a melange of crazy stuff. Just all over the map!!
Radical Islam hates the West. They have said it!! The Caliphate wants to impose itself world-wide. What's up with NYT readers who comment?
If someone tells you what they intend to do to believe it.
You would think that the millions of women who marched last week would favor this comment. Not to do so is a prime example of how the spoiled elite on the left have lost whatever minds they had. Ask Ashley Judd. Holy mackerel!!
Radical Islam hates the West. They have said it!! The Caliphate wants to impose itself world-wide. What's up with NYT readers who comment?
If someone tells you what they intend to do to believe it.
You would think that the millions of women who marched last week would favor this comment. Not to do so is a prime example of how the spoiled elite on the left have lost whatever minds they had. Ask Ashley Judd. Holy mackerel!!
5
The numbers here are striking. The world holds 1.6 billion Muslims, and only about 40,000 of them are extremists, according to the NYT. For those counting, that's .000025% of Muslims who have hate in their hearts and who act to impose their views on a world that rejects them.
How much power do we give these nihilists when our president and his cronies demonize the entire religion? How many moderate Muslims, fed up with the rhetoric, turn to anti-US sentiment to make sense of their place in the world? How many suppressed feelings of distrust, xenophobia, and bigotry emerge as a result of such statements from Trump? How may extremists are created when entire religions are characterized as evil?
It is (almost) unbelievable that our "leaders" could be so incapable of critical thought that they do not realize that extremists exist in all religions, in all societies, in all corners of the globe. Do they not see white nationalists--who celebrate the idea of lynching blacks, who bask in imagery reminiscent of slavery and Jim Crow (I'm looking at you, inaugural concert Toby Keith), who worship Trump as some sort of God--as a threat? Do they not recognize that armed insurrection and takeover of federal lands, as we saw in recent history, is a dangerous precedent for our homegrown right-wing extremists here in the US?
The hypocrisy here is palpable. How can Trump speak of unity when his disparages the religion of 3.3 million Muslim-Americans and celebrates hatred in another color?
How much power do we give these nihilists when our president and his cronies demonize the entire religion? How many moderate Muslims, fed up with the rhetoric, turn to anti-US sentiment to make sense of their place in the world? How many suppressed feelings of distrust, xenophobia, and bigotry emerge as a result of such statements from Trump? How may extremists are created when entire religions are characterized as evil?
It is (almost) unbelievable that our "leaders" could be so incapable of critical thought that they do not realize that extremists exist in all religions, in all societies, in all corners of the globe. Do they not see white nationalists--who celebrate the idea of lynching blacks, who bask in imagery reminiscent of slavery and Jim Crow (I'm looking at you, inaugural concert Toby Keith), who worship Trump as some sort of God--as a threat? Do they not recognize that armed insurrection and takeover of federal lands, as we saw in recent history, is a dangerous precedent for our homegrown right-wing extremists here in the US?
The hypocrisy here is palpable. How can Trump speak of unity when his disparages the religion of 3.3 million Muslim-Americans and celebrates hatred in another color?
1
The month-long travel ban affects only a small percent of Muslims and is limited from about five countries.
2
We all know there are no easy answers to what has plagued humans for 10,000 years.
We have enemies. Just a reality on this planet. We have to try and evaluate the threat, how serious is it, what is its scope and cause, and how can it potentially harm the US or US interests.
Once the scope and severity is determined based on the best information we have, what should be our response.
Unless the threat is clearly another Hitler, we probably don't need to engage in large scale military warfare, using bombs, bullets and missiles.
In fact our approach 99% of the time should be economic and resource isolation of an enemy when warranted. Not guns and violence.
And of course we can try persuasion based on ideas or ideals we think are better, but that seldom works when deep seated beliefs are involved.
We know extremists especially the religious variety are rarely open to any kind of realistic negotiation, they want us and anyone opposed to their ideology dead or enslaved, basically.
So let's try and defeat ISIS and other terrorists through isolation, and generally keep our troops and arms out of the mideast or wherever.
There is no perfect answer other than enough individuals changing what resides in their heart. And only they can change that if somehow moved to do so. Each of us in our own lives however can try to set the right example.
And we can let trump know we don't support his approach.
We have enemies. Just a reality on this planet. We have to try and evaluate the threat, how serious is it, what is its scope and cause, and how can it potentially harm the US or US interests.
Once the scope and severity is determined based on the best information we have, what should be our response.
Unless the threat is clearly another Hitler, we probably don't need to engage in large scale military warfare, using bombs, bullets and missiles.
In fact our approach 99% of the time should be economic and resource isolation of an enemy when warranted. Not guns and violence.
And of course we can try persuasion based on ideas or ideals we think are better, but that seldom works when deep seated beliefs are involved.
We know extremists especially the religious variety are rarely open to any kind of realistic negotiation, they want us and anyone opposed to their ideology dead or enslaved, basically.
So let's try and defeat ISIS and other terrorists through isolation, and generally keep our troops and arms out of the mideast or wherever.
There is no perfect answer other than enough individuals changing what resides in their heart. And only they can change that if somehow moved to do so. Each of us in our own lives however can try to set the right example.
And we can let trump know we don't support his approach.
1
A former UC Chemistry professor I knew years ago was very impressive with his sharp, quick, clear mind. But, he also dressed and drove very humbly.
The explanation for his seemingly impoverished appearance:
He grew up in a Russian agricultural community in upstate NY that emphasized modesty in manner for a very sound reason.
The community depended on mutual cooperation to help one another with seasonal tasks and occasional catastrophes.
It was very important to maintain mutual respect and trust because pride and envy were the greatest threat to harmony and therefore, effectiveness.
He was taught never to display pride in possessions -- because that would break down cooperation so necessary for maintaining community and cooperation -- as it has in the US.
We all want to be understood and accepted -- it's fundamental.
People and cultures have different ways of expressing it.
But, one thing is certain:
Thoughtless expediency begets the same.
Humility is the name of the game.
Not the art of the deal -- or the steal.
Build bridges of decency across cultural boundaries both within and outside of this country.
Not walls of decadence and distrust.
It is best to be respected for fairness and honesty.
It takes performance to achieve that - and it can be destroyed by a bird song.
Have our policies and relations been honest?
Will we be honest as April 15th again approaches?
The explanation for his seemingly impoverished appearance:
He grew up in a Russian agricultural community in upstate NY that emphasized modesty in manner for a very sound reason.
The community depended on mutual cooperation to help one another with seasonal tasks and occasional catastrophes.
It was very important to maintain mutual respect and trust because pride and envy were the greatest threat to harmony and therefore, effectiveness.
He was taught never to display pride in possessions -- because that would break down cooperation so necessary for maintaining community and cooperation -- as it has in the US.
We all want to be understood and accepted -- it's fundamental.
People and cultures have different ways of expressing it.
But, one thing is certain:
Thoughtless expediency begets the same.
Humility is the name of the game.
Not the art of the deal -- or the steal.
Build bridges of decency across cultural boundaries both within and outside of this country.
Not walls of decadence and distrust.
It is best to be respected for fairness and honesty.
It takes performance to achieve that - and it can be destroyed by a bird song.
Have our policies and relations been honest?
Will we be honest as April 15th again approaches?
3
Here is the deal.
Trump is a single individual. There are more than 300 million other Americans.
My priority is to stop my fellow citizens from being polarized and divided, mutually hateful and to point out at their personal mistakes.
If I knew how to do that I would help the entire country.
Only afterwards I could afford to focus on the mistakes of a single individual...
Trump is a single individual. There are more than 300 million other Americans.
My priority is to stop my fellow citizens from being polarized and divided, mutually hateful and to point out at their personal mistakes.
If I knew how to do that I would help the entire country.
Only afterwards I could afford to focus on the mistakes of a single individual...
2
As Indian Prime minister very often advocates, there is a need to define what constitutes terrorism by the world body. If each country tries look this problem with the prism that suits them, terrorism can not be eliminated. Look at the irony of except one country , all other members of the security council are labeling one perticular person living in Pakistan. This one objection from the perticular country is halting labeling the individual as a terrorist.
I wonder, whether all nations agree at all. For every individual as well as the country , what is good for me, I will do.
I wonder, whether all nations agree at all. For every individual as well as the country , what is good for me, I will do.
1
I am heartsick over this new executive order about refugees. It makes me ashamed that our country fell to this level. My father immigrated to this country from Italy as a little boy with my grandparents. That was back when America was a refuge to people looking for a better life.
And I'm going to assume he followed the law leading to citizenship. The problem the Trump administration has is with illegal immigrants, those individuals who enter the U.S. illegally.
3
I reject most of this editorial. What gives the Editorial Board the right to define what American values are? Our values, and the foundation of our laws, include separation of church and state. Islamists reject that foundation. Like it or not we have been at war with terrorism for decades now. And while we have made progress against ISIS, it is the vacuum we left when we exited Iraq that enabled it's emergence. If using the term radical islamic terrorist inflames anti-American sentiment so be it - these are most certainly terrorist, they are Islamic, and they are radical. There is too much about this editorial to address in brief comments but we've a long way to go before we can accuse Trump of doing a worse job than his predecessors on terrorism. In the meantime when I think about people taking an oath about being a citizen of this great country is it wrong to insure they accept our fundamental separation of church and state? I say no.
4
Flynn is even more mentally disturbed than Trump. We are in a terrifying new world where the inmates have truly taken over the asylum.
2
Obama's approach to fighting the Islamic terrorists and the IS was the "I don't want to get my hands dirty" approach. Unfortunately wars that are clean are never won. The notion that drones can win wars is silly. Air power doesn't do it and never has, with the obvious examples of WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and the gulf war.
Obama's approach was quite frankly a failure, unless unending conflict was the goal.
Obama's approach was quite frankly a failure, unless unending conflict was the goal.
6
Threatening days ahead. Sounds like Trump's actions will cause more bloodshed in the world while significantly increasing the threat of homegrown acts of violence. Some of his top advisors are extremists like he is.
2
Regime change in Iran? We've been here before. Mohammad Mosaddegh, "the first and last father of Persian democracy" was the secular and progressive leader of Iran, democratically elected in 1951, and overthrown by 1953 in a coup instigated by American and British intelligence agencies to thwart Mosaddegh's intention to nationalize foreign oil companies operating in Iran. The corrupt tyrannical regime installed in his place with the help of Western powers and lead by the hated Reza Shah Pahlavi was overthrown in 1979, to be replaced by an oppressive, revolutionary theocracy, whose regime our new regime in Washington would like to replace. Been there. Done that. The outcome was disastrous then, and, with our profound ignorance of the Middle East, any future outcome of US regime-change ambitions is, more than likely, destined to backfire as badly or worse than the first time. The Republicans not only want to take the nation back to 1952. They seem intent upon ignoring the lessons history has taught us and repeating all the same mistakes.
5
Trump is going for a replay of "Onward Christian Soldiers." Since he is totally ignorant of history, he will likely ensnare the U.S. in a Holy War. Someone, please tell him how that turned out.
3
Trump is anti-American terrorism's made to order dream come true. They're undoubtedly thrilled at the prospect of his ire being directed at their entire religion. The recruiting opportunities will be boundless.
4
There is a middleground between the NYT and Trump and it is vital to making any real progress here. Yes, Trump goes too far in painting all Muslims as dangerous. And yet the NYT refuses to acknowledge any connection whatsoever between Islam and terrorism (like Obama, like Clinton) Solving any problem requires addressing it honestly without flinching. The reason Trump got elected was a response to the very mindset behind this editorial... an unwillingness to admit an uncomfortable truth for the sake of sanctimony. When liberals fail to address real problems they hand over the reigns to far-right demagogues and real bigots to do the work for them, and then the work gets done poorly and backfires. It's truly a shame. This is happening throughout Europe which has a much deeper and worse problem with its Muslim population. Will middle-ground politicians gain the courage to speak honestly over there or will all of Europe fall to the far-right as well? The time fir empty self-righteous sanctimony is over... there is a problem with Islam and we need courage to solve it the right way without wanton bigotry... god help us all
6
The one thing I will say in Trump's defense is that Obama's respectful approach towards Islam has not resulted in a decrease of extremism. Islamic Terror attacks are happening every day, all over the world, and it doesn't seem to be getting better-- in fact, it seems to be getting worse. That doesn't mean the opposite approach will work. But to say that Trump's "tough" rhetoric will create more extremism ignores the fact that extremism is on the rise anyway. We all know that terrorists are a small part of the Muslim population, but we also know that these terrorists are deeply devoted to their religion-- and if drawing that connection (i.e., saying the truth) upsets the Muslim world and leads to more violence-- then so be it. Because we've seen what happens when you do the opposite and try to downplay religion and talk about "violent extremism" instead of Islamic radicalism. Nothing happens. It continues to get worse. That doesn't mean Trump's approach will work any better-- but I'm not nervous about Trump inspiring more terrorists after seeing terrorism rise with Obama's friendlier approach.
8
Seems The Donald is trying to pick a war. As soon as the "enemy" engages with some sort of response, mighty Donald will wage havoc to " protect us " . And the feeble minded supporters will cheer.
2
I believe that our current U.S. President should be referred to as "President Trout." There is clearly something "fishy" about many of his policy pronouncements. Additionally, he has reeled in a significant portion of the electorate hook, line, and sinker.
Someone needs to inform him that the U.S. Constitution is considerably more than some "quaint" piece of antiquity.
Someone needs to inform him that the U.S. Constitution is considerably more than some "quaint" piece of antiquity.
2
I believe Mr. Trump intends to start a war. He's a classic film-flam man, creating chaos and disorder to distract the press and the public from his real mission of starting a war. He evidently believes that war is good for the economy (creates jobs), good for him (we won't worry about his tax returns or conflicts of interest), and gives him a chance to be that heroic wartime president that exists only in the movies.
Please, please NYT, focus on the 'big picture' of the disastrous path he's creating and taking us along with him!
Please, please NYT, focus on the 'big picture' of the disastrous path he's creating and taking us along with him!
142
Yes, the president is a flimflam man. He's really good at creating a diversion while he picks your pocket, and that is what he is doing right now.
We need to keep our eyes on what he's doing (and what Congress is doing) with the treasury and the laws. We need to prevent him from running up the national debt for walls, wars, and billionaire tax cuts, at the expense of our children, the elderly, and the average citizen (who will not be able to afford health care in an open market, even with a "voucher."
Resist, resist, resist. Now, go pick up that phone and call your Congressperson and Senators.
We need to keep our eyes on what he's doing (and what Congress is doing) with the treasury and the laws. We need to prevent him from running up the national debt for walls, wars, and billionaire tax cuts, at the expense of our children, the elderly, and the average citizen (who will not be able to afford health care in an open market, even with a "voucher."
Resist, resist, resist. Now, go pick up that phone and call your Congressperson and Senators.
1
I doubt Trump will deliberately start a war. He is on record saying that he wants to create the world's strongest military that will never be used. In fact, I think quite the opposite: He might not rush to defend NATO against Russian aggression, Trump might not rush to Japan's side - per our treaty with Japan - should China and Japan get into a shooting war over those rocks in the South China sea, etc.
Now, he might stumble into a war due to his isolationism, as we withdraw from the world and that vacuum is filled with our adversaries...
Now, he might stumble into a war due to his isolationism, as we withdraw from the world and that vacuum is filled with our adversaries...
1
I've been saying it in these comments, every second day it seems, for several months: you are going to war with Iran. Flynn, Bolt, and Bannon ("FBB") are all "clash of civilization" ideologues, with Iran at the centre. Once the flurry of photo-ops around republican executive orders dies down, FBB will re-focus trump on their plans. Here's hoping the Democrat bill to remove the president's privilege to launch a nuclear first strike without the approval of Congress passes. I'll be watching to see if any Republicans will finally have the guts to acknowledge the man is nuts and vote in favour of the bill.
2
Seems likely that Trump's stirring up hatred for Islam is exactly intended to stir up radical Muslims to launch attacks on US citizens, reinforcing the hatred and support for fighting Islam thus perpetuating a vicious cycle that chiefly benefits Trump as the protector of the American people. This is another indication of the downward spiral the US find itself in after "electing" Trump. I see this strategy played out in other areas like the wall and trade.
The idea is to enact policies that sound like they help solve problems but actually make the problem worse requiring strengthening those policies and the implementer, Trump. This is exactly Trump's game to gather all power to himself, the country be dsmned.
The idea is to enact policies that sound like they help solve problems but actually make the problem worse requiring strengthening those policies and the implementer, Trump. This is exactly Trump's game to gather all power to himself, the country be dsmned.
1
It was Christian Crusade who invaded the middle east for the longest war. It was British and western nations who colonized the middle east. It was USA who supported dictators in the middle east for the energy and trade. It is no wonder that there are small group of terrorists who are lashing out against their own governments who are deemed as proxies of western nations. Now, we want to expand this war against 1.7 billion muslims all over the world ??? Words matter. This administration just gave the most justifiable cause to the terrorists to fight more and recruit more. Now it will be much more dangerous for us. Border cannot secure us. We all travel for vacations, businesses, etc. Are we to now imprison ourselves within the border and live among Americans only? This is so unbelievably stupid.
4
A war against Islam will keep Trump in power for as long as that war only affects the professional warrior class, and not the majority of voters. Roman Emperors (and the Republic, before them) realized this. Wars at the frontiers kept the populace in Rome and the Provinces happy. Nothing has really changed in 2,000 years. Of course, there was that whole "dark ages" thing that happened afterwords...
3
Perhaps some of the right to lifers should march against the many babies we're throwing out with the bathwater while the bull runs through our carefully drawn international policies - the devil is indeed in the details and this man has never acknowledged the complexity of anything-- pardon the cliches but they seem apt in an electorate moved by simple slogans.
The so-called religious beliefs of some should not obstruct the civil rights of all people and all life on Earth. Violence in the name of a religion? That is insane. There should be no tolerance for violence and these ancient "traditional" beliefs are clearly no excuse. Criminal anti anti-social behavior is exactly what it is and calling it "religious" only gives it undeserved credibility. Crime is crime.
5
Let me see if I have this straight, President of the Electoral College T-Rump is banning those who are fleeing the terror of Assad who is supported by his friend and ally Putin, but welcoming those from Saudi Arabia which is the actual source, funding, and educator of the vast majority of terrorist that have attacked Western interests. Bizarro World.
3
It is bizarre indeed. And may I add that the outrageousness of Trump's beliefs and agenda make what he says appear akin to fiction. That is, so grotesque, one would think they were reading a exaggerated story that couldn't possibly be true but is no less riviting.
I can see the preposterousness of Trump's approach leading many to tune him out or throw their hands up I'm frustration not knowing what to believe. In the latter case, Trump seems to be banking on the idea that a so-called counter history will redeem him. In the meantime, there will be no peace for as long as Trump remains in office.
I can see the preposterousness of Trump's approach leading many to tune him out or throw their hands up I'm frustration not knowing what to believe. In the latter case, Trump seems to be banking on the idea that a so-called counter history will redeem him. In the meantime, there will be no peace for as long as Trump remains in office.
2
There is a reason why the world considers America to be the undisputed "leader" of this world. There is a reason why people, the world over, considers America to be "great". There is a reason why 'everybody' wants to come to America. Let me give a small example - we spend billions of dollars on agencies like FAA or FDA to formulate zillions of important guidelines and protocols and regulations that the world eventually follows. Thats a small reason why America is considered to be the leader. Trump and many of his supporters may think that to be a "waste" of money. But with this vision it wouldn't be long before the world starts looking at us and China through the same lens! Thats precisely the reason why a good businessman doesn't have to be a good leader. Trump isn't!
1
The rightwing has suffered from the loss of their great satan, communism, via Soviet and Chinese. Every despicable act by the U.S. and our allies was justified in a feverish fear and paranoia that this great enemy would destroy our civilization. Our clumsy brutality alienated many potential allies and created numerous new foes (Iran, Viet Nam, Chile). Many hearts must be trilling now as Trump and his minions seem hell bent on recreating this new great satan in the guise of Islamism.
2
Should Mr. Trump's views become ascendant throughout the Western world it would seem that the 1.6 billion Muslims might find it in their interest to engage and curtail the 40.000 radicals that have somehow managed to take title to their entire religion. That's the upside. The downside is we may find that among the 1.6 billion Muslims in the world many are indifferent at best or supportive at worst of the radical movements. Pick your poison.
7
I think the administration and many of its supporters detest all of Islam because it presents a resilient, competitive alternative to their vision for supposedly-Christian world domination. I'm afraid my experiences with such Islamophobes have convinced me that there is virtually nothing one can say to reason with people like Flynn or Trump. They're simply bigoted about Islam, and resolved to stay that way. They don't know Islam any better than oppressors ever know their victims, or soldiers in the heat of battle ever genuinely understand soldiers and their families on the other side. Moreover, Trump, at least, doesn't care. I believe this will be a serious problem unless and until the current administration is gone.
3
With Trump, unfortunately, the White House has become the 'Mad House', with passive acceptance on the part of the population.
Instead, in front of such insane statements and politics, there should be millions of citizens demonstrating day and night around the White House, until this president is dismissed.
Instead, in front of such insane statements and politics, there should be millions of citizens demonstrating day and night around the White House, until this president is dismissed.
1
During the last part of Obama's presidency, and the failed Clinton campaign, a mistake that was both damaging and easily avoided was the refusal to speak more frankly about the Islamic character of Islamic terrorism. It led to a situation where only Trump and his allies appeared to be clear-eyed on the issue. The Democrats perhaps thought that Obama's actions on this issue would speak loudly enough, no matter how euphemistic the talk from their side. But it's never good to deny, to an electorate before an election, what they can see before their eyes.
5
Oy vey. Here we go again. The President and his team's testosterone-driven, anti-intellectual, Manichean world view rears its head yet again.
I'll try to break this all down in a way that makes sense, even to those leaders who don't like to read:
1) The premise of President Trump's quote is absurd. Islam is a religion. It can't hate us or love us.
2) Some people who are Muslim hate "us." But if President Trump, Mr. Flynn, and their acolytes had the will or desire to actually get to know people who are Muslim, they'd find that number is relatively low.
3) A number of people who are Muslim dislike or even hate things that we collectively "do" as a nation. That is quite different from hating "us." Mature leadership would rationally evaluate the reasons why some of our policies and actions may engender opposition. And then would determine the risks and benefits of continuing said policies and procedures. We do not have mature leadership.
4) Many in the U.S. and elsewhere ask Muslim people to disclaim acts of terror, etc., even though only a tiny number of Muslims engage in those acts. It is not right, but it happens and we hear assertion after assertion of "they do not represent us."
Accordingly, to my Muslim friends and fellow human beings, please know that President Trump, Mr. Flynn, and those like them do not represent all of "us" either.
I'll try to break this all down in a way that makes sense, even to those leaders who don't like to read:
1) The premise of President Trump's quote is absurd. Islam is a religion. It can't hate us or love us.
2) Some people who are Muslim hate "us." But if President Trump, Mr. Flynn, and their acolytes had the will or desire to actually get to know people who are Muslim, they'd find that number is relatively low.
3) A number of people who are Muslim dislike or even hate things that we collectively "do" as a nation. That is quite different from hating "us." Mature leadership would rationally evaluate the reasons why some of our policies and actions may engender opposition. And then would determine the risks and benefits of continuing said policies and procedures. We do not have mature leadership.
4) Many in the U.S. and elsewhere ask Muslim people to disclaim acts of terror, etc., even though only a tiny number of Muslims engage in those acts. It is not right, but it happens and we hear assertion after assertion of "they do not represent us."
Accordingly, to my Muslim friends and fellow human beings, please know that President Trump, Mr. Flynn, and those like them do not represent all of "us" either.
2
All religions pose a threat to our nation. Christianity gets a free pass only because it's been a part of American society since day one.
Trump has no problem with atheist Arabs. In other words, race isn't the problem, religion is. Considering right-wing religion is what enabled Trump to win the election, liberals should be supporting polices that prevent the further penetration of religion in our country.
Trump has no problem with atheist Arabs. In other words, race isn't the problem, religion is. Considering right-wing religion is what enabled Trump to win the election, liberals should be supporting polices that prevent the further penetration of religion in our country.
2
There will always be angry people. My opinion is that the extremist sort is what we have to worry about whether it be here or abroad. Look at the mass shootings etc. we've had in this country. At present, we have more to fear from this local type of terrorism. We need to team up with behavioralists, psychiatrists and the like to understand who these people are and how to prevent them from doing harm. And perhaps, the terrorists abroad have more in common than our local "terrorists" than we appreciate.
1
Mexicans seem like a peaceful people among our populations . However, by vilifying them, Trump turning the risk of bring terrorism here! Desperate people who are vilified might turn to desperate measures, which may include terrorism. So Trump could be making America much more unsafe by scapegoating a relatively peaceful community.
2
We are certainly threatened by Sharia Law in this nation - of the extremist Christian right wing variety. The preposterous irony of these medieval idiots and fools in red states which rush to pass legislation banning Sharia Law are so blind and deluded, it defies belief. Every patriarchal organized religion seeks to control women: the extreme Orthodox Jewish sects, extreme Christian sects, and extreme Islamic adherents as well. The potential for evil exists among fanatics of all major religions - which is why it is so vital to preserve and aggressively protect our Constitutional separation of church and state. The GOTP is enslaved to its fanatic Christian base, which seeks to establish their theocracy in this nation. This, in turn, threatens the entire globe, and exacerbates already fraught, charged international relations. Trump and the GOTP must be stopped before they destroy us all. 1/26, 10:22 AM
3
Trump will likely radicalize a few million more muslims.
All the while, Pence will empower christian zealots to show their true intentions.
There is a huge price to pay by respecting ancient superstitions and delusions.
When religion normalizes hate and destruction, it proves that all of it is ready for the dustbins of history.
Like it or not, we're in a New Age, and religion is part of the old.
All the while, Pence will empower christian zealots to show their true intentions.
There is a huge price to pay by respecting ancient superstitions and delusions.
When religion normalizes hate and destruction, it proves that all of it is ready for the dustbins of history.
Like it or not, we're in a New Age, and religion is part of the old.
2
Only a liberal would put so much stock into international law. Since when was it the cool thing to let hostile foreign nations dictate what America is allowed to do? Has international law ever stopped nations like Russia or China from acting in their best interests? Obama's faith in the United Nations (which is dominated by dictators) has led to America becoming a joke to much of the world
5
Agree. International law is a joke; one that the world uses against the US when it suits them.
2
Close the portcullis, raise the drawbridge and flood the moat. We need Castle America to be cleansed of the 'excremental excess' inimicable to Trump's ideological purity.
For Pax Trumpiana to succeed we need to rid our nation of - Bolshy women and kids, the uppity minorities, aliens, intellectuals, animal rights supporters, environmentalists journalists and particularly those investigative journalists who advocate awkward facts that are true as opposed to alternative facts.
Then, the Great Donald can walk thru his new development and declare everything is 'pristine'. A term his racist father used to describe a property that pleased him and that he would not be offering to racial minorities. he also encouraged his son to think of himself as a 'Killer' and a 'King'.
Donald Trump worships his father.
Like his son, the elder Trump, cared little for truth and decency and no doubt the current owner of the brand is busy instilling into his kids the idea that they too have inherited his murderous greed and longing for power.
His greed for power is not over yet. We have not seen his Constantinian conversion and the dominance he will adopt by hamming it up - like Richard III - before he too was begged to take the crown while in religious retreat. Will he want his own religion? The urge will arise in him and he will not be able to stop himself. No self control.
Very worrying!
For Pax Trumpiana to succeed we need to rid our nation of - Bolshy women and kids, the uppity minorities, aliens, intellectuals, animal rights supporters, environmentalists journalists and particularly those investigative journalists who advocate awkward facts that are true as opposed to alternative facts.
Then, the Great Donald can walk thru his new development and declare everything is 'pristine'. A term his racist father used to describe a property that pleased him and that he would not be offering to racial minorities. he also encouraged his son to think of himself as a 'Killer' and a 'King'.
Donald Trump worships his father.
Like his son, the elder Trump, cared little for truth and decency and no doubt the current owner of the brand is busy instilling into his kids the idea that they too have inherited his murderous greed and longing for power.
His greed for power is not over yet. We have not seen his Constantinian conversion and the dominance he will adopt by hamming it up - like Richard III - before he too was begged to take the crown while in religious retreat. Will he want his own religion? The urge will arise in him and he will not be able to stop himself. No self control.
Very worrying!
2
The United States will be at war with {fill in the blank} ASAP because Trump's team knows that Rally Around The Flag works when you want to slam in lots of legislation without much notice. And and others will call out any opposition as UnAmerican and/or treasonous traitors. His team is playing this game to win, at any and all costs. So called Islamist terrorism will be the main evil villain right now because its easy to get the Americans that voted him in to rally with him. Eventually, we may see China and other nations jumping in and a World War is not far behind. It scares me, and I just hope Trump and his team can be stopped somehow before they really get going.
Research and experience have shown that terrorists are a small group of fanatics tolerated by a much larger community who shares their grievances, but feels they have no legitimate way to address them. Thus, to end terrorism, you have to address the grievances, demonizing the whole community just increases the number of people feeling frustrated and angry.
Europe has had plenty of experience with this, none of it resolved through force. But, of course, Trump isn't interested in that, just his gut.
Europe has had plenty of experience with this, none of it resolved through force. But, of course, Trump isn't interested in that, just his gut.
All evidence points to Trump having some degree of mental illness. Other than the report last summer of "astonishingly excellent" health from his personal physician no competent medical or psychiatric authority has examined Trump to determine if he is fit to hold his office.
Ignoring Trump's behavior, wringing hands and writing editorials about his irrational actions serves and feeds his paranoia and retreat from reality.
Must we wait for Trump to cause irrepairable damage to the country and the world before recognizing his irrational behavior will have disastrous and long term consequences?
Ignoring Trump's behavior, wringing hands and writing editorials about his irrational actions serves and feeds his paranoia and retreat from reality.
Must we wait for Trump to cause irrepairable damage to the country and the world before recognizing his irrational behavior will have disastrous and long term consequences?
Far from countering the message of Muslim extremism, the President seems hell-bent on reinforcing it. Into this misbegotten bargain, he gratuitously launches hostile action against Hispanics, journalists, refugees, immigrants, the poor, the ill, the powerless, states, cities and towns.
The President is all about punishment and conflict. To him, this is what "toughness" means: bullying imagined "enemies" so that they are turned into real enemies.
This is the new face of America, disfigured for the first time into a joyless snarl projected outwardly to an apprehensive world and injected into a home front made suddenly fearful and angry. We chose this malignant mutation of leadership; only we can excise it.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
The President is all about punishment and conflict. To him, this is what "toughness" means: bullying imagined "enemies" so that they are turned into real enemies.
This is the new face of America, disfigured for the first time into a joyless snarl projected outwardly to an apprehensive world and injected into a home front made suddenly fearful and angry. We chose this malignant mutation of leadership; only we can excise it.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
1
Trump has limited knowledge (much of it wrong) and unlimited power. That is a dangerous combination. It is important to find out where he gets his information and misinformation. Perhaps one of the most important things we can do is see that he starts going to his daily intelligence briefings. At least this way he can get so" true facts" (as opposed to alternate facts) without having to read all those dull briefing books.
As for President Trump, it is easy to understand how a man who is going to investigate 3 to 5 million fraudulent votes that were not there, can confuse the numbers 40,000 and 1.6 billion. As for Flynn, we did intervene in Iran's government before, by installing the Shah. That hasn't worked out too well. Incompetence and stupidity are everywhere in the Trump administration. And when Trump gets lucky and picks an intelligent and competent person like Defense Secretary Mattis, his first instinct is to ignore his ideas.
With every passing day it appears that there has been a fascist takeover of our government and that our Constitution and our core values are at extreme risk by inexperienced amateurs. We have a dictator who thinks he is a king who is running the government for his own financial interest and wants America to become a kleptocracy. He is now working to rig the next election with lies about the last one.
All we have is a Democratic party which needs a stiffer spine and the majority of Americans. We must make it clear that we regard this president to be illegitimate and his policies unAmerican. We must make it impossible for these fascists to govern. These huge demonstrations are a good start. If these fascists are to govern make it necessary for them to need teargas, peper spray, machine guns and tanks to do so.
You cannot dislodge a fascist dictator ship with letters to the editor. We have to do it before the Trump Concentration Camp Construction Co., starts building places for people who don’t keep their mouths shut and do as they are told.
All we have is a Democratic party which needs a stiffer spine and the majority of Americans. We must make it clear that we regard this president to be illegitimate and his policies unAmerican. We must make it impossible for these fascists to govern. These huge demonstrations are a good start. If these fascists are to govern make it necessary for them to need teargas, peper spray, machine guns and tanks to do so.
You cannot dislodge a fascist dictator ship with letters to the editor. We have to do it before the Trump Concentration Camp Construction Co., starts building places for people who don’t keep their mouths shut and do as they are told.
2
The newly installed president is clinically paranoid. This is likely and extension of his demonstrably proved mental condition of Narcissism.
In any other political cycle the above statement would be over-heated rhetoric, but unfortunately we are dealing with an actual mental health crisis with global consequences.
And the problem is exacerbated when several of his associates appear to have the same or similar maladies and the president is cocooned in a personal environment that reinforces and exploits his mental illness.
Those Republicans who may pass as sane but are cynically riding out this drama for personal gain do not provide a counter-balance against this danger.
The danger with paranoids is that they will manufacture combative circumstance to justify their paranoia and counter-attack. Judging by Trump's entire 40-year career, and his first week in office, this compulsive aggression unleashed in all directions will continue to his last day in office.
In any other political cycle the above statement would be over-heated rhetoric, but unfortunately we are dealing with an actual mental health crisis with global consequences.
And the problem is exacerbated when several of his associates appear to have the same or similar maladies and the president is cocooned in a personal environment that reinforces and exploits his mental illness.
Those Republicans who may pass as sane but are cynically riding out this drama for personal gain do not provide a counter-balance against this danger.
The danger with paranoids is that they will manufacture combative circumstance to justify their paranoia and counter-attack. Judging by Trump's entire 40-year career, and his first week in office, this compulsive aggression unleashed in all directions will continue to his last day in office.
2
The overarching question is how, short of impeachment, can Congress remove his undisputed control over US nuclear weapons? From his secure underground location outside DC, he could well outlive millions of us.
1
I had no idea how religion can affect people until I came to Tennessee. When we bought our house and met our next-door neighbors, they asked what church we went to before we could even exchange names. Apparently, "none of the above" was not an acceptable answer. They haven't spoken to us since. It's like some kind of weird mental disease.
President Obama tried to bring us together, but that only made people dig their heels in and become more forceful in their differences. Donald is trying to pit us against one another, and is apparently succeeding quite nicely. Not bad for a guy who until now switched political alliances on a whim and was apathetic about every god except himself.
President Obama tried to bring us together, but that only made people dig their heels in and become more forceful in their differences. Donald is trying to pit us against one another, and is apparently succeeding quite nicely. Not bad for a guy who until now switched political alliances on a whim and was apathetic about every god except himself.
4
The thing about standing up for something (freedom, equality, and all those little things that make America a beacon) is that there is a cost to it. If there was no cost, no consequences or even the possibility of consequences, everyone would do it. It would be easy. In order to have equality, you must not only swallow those little nudges that may be bigotry (and everyone has them), you must defend equality to others. Yes, there may be a terrorist trying to get in, but you trust that others have put in place an excellent screening screening process. Those that have developed the process are protecting not just the nation, but also their own loved ones.
There is always a cost to being American or from any country espousing the modern principles of freedom and equality, but that's the point. For hundreds of years, citizens have accepted the cost to have those principles, but are now on the verge of turning their back on the principles.
There is always a cost to being American or from any country espousing the modern principles of freedom and equality, but that's the point. For hundreds of years, citizens have accepted the cost to have those principles, but are now on the verge of turning their back on the principles.
3
We are fast becoming Fortress America, with additional resources going to the military and border forces, that while it pursues radical Islamists around the globe is also sanctioning radical evangelical Christians domestically. Many leaders in government, in our military, and in our corporate structures, now seemingly more unrestrained and interlinked than ever, are known supporters of this approach. This path moves us firmly and significantly away from our constitutional roots and from our secular diverse and welcoming culture. It is, in short, a formula for failure in the world and at home. It can happen here.
1
Prayer is a ritual aiding us to reconnect with the most healing messages and visions we entertain about life, carefully kept in our hearts, like Maria kept the words of Jesus. Many Muslims pray 5 times a day. We tend to look in dismissive dismay at their ways of praying, but the wisdom and generosity of heart in the Quran is as rich as that in the Bible. In its flawed human filtering of the assumed divine the Quran is a direct response to same in our ancient scripture and the way religious Bible and Torah torch bearers used to express that, a 6th century mirror so to speak of both our best and partly unfortunately primitive (mis)takes on life. Islam is a filial of our own eager religious business.
Hallo pro-lifers? Why wanting to abort what we conceived ourselves? Wisdom is still in an embryonic state in our world. We witness the labor. Let's not go for a violent abortion so late in the pregnancy.
In the OT over a million people are killed at the orders or at the directly intervening hand of God, if deemed justified "go into the tents and kill the children and women first". Sheep are assumed to get white lambs if we just paint the fences white. The list of biblically stupid and horrible is as unfathomably endless as that of pure wisdom's gold.
Let's not fall back in primitive vengeful retaliation, but give our other wisdom shop, that we basically set up and decorated and keep supplying with inventory ourselves, a chance to heal and evolve in lockstep with us. We are one.
Hallo pro-lifers? Why wanting to abort what we conceived ourselves? Wisdom is still in an embryonic state in our world. We witness the labor. Let's not go for a violent abortion so late in the pregnancy.
In the OT over a million people are killed at the orders or at the directly intervening hand of God, if deemed justified "go into the tents and kill the children and women first". Sheep are assumed to get white lambs if we just paint the fences white. The list of biblically stupid and horrible is as unfathomably endless as that of pure wisdom's gold.
Let's not fall back in primitive vengeful retaliation, but give our other wisdom shop, that we basically set up and decorated and keep supplying with inventory ourselves, a chance to heal and evolve in lockstep with us. We are one.
2
Primo Levi, the holocaust survivor and scholar, made it explicit that the people in Germany looked aside and did not raise question the authoritarian genocidal behaviors going on.
Primo Levi said this looking aside and not doing what can be done to stop authoritarianism and the destructive behaviors authoritarianism employs cannot be explained away nor forgiven.
Here in America, we must, everyday, do all we can to stop Trump and his cohorts if and when they express authoritarian dictatorial attitudes, actions, policies and procedures.
When those in elected office are self-serving, greedy and cruel we need to stop them.
And, when they manipulate, using others for their own greedy and cruel satisfactions, when they manipulate the people in the white working class, people who have been subjugated and used for hundreds of years in America, compelling them to carry out acts of repression and suppression - - we must stop them.
Being authoritarian is favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom.
We need to stop Trump from his ultra-dangerous words and acts against Freedom of The Press, Freedom of the Press which is one of the mainstays of American democracy.
And, at times, Trump's speech comes close to crossing the line between Freedom of Speech and calling out "fire" in a crowded theatre.
Primo Levi said this looking aside and not doing what can be done to stop authoritarianism and the destructive behaviors authoritarianism employs cannot be explained away nor forgiven.
Here in America, we must, everyday, do all we can to stop Trump and his cohorts if and when they express authoritarian dictatorial attitudes, actions, policies and procedures.
When those in elected office are self-serving, greedy and cruel we need to stop them.
And, when they manipulate, using others for their own greedy and cruel satisfactions, when they manipulate the people in the white working class, people who have been subjugated and used for hundreds of years in America, compelling them to carry out acts of repression and suppression - - we must stop them.
Being authoritarian is favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom.
We need to stop Trump from his ultra-dangerous words and acts against Freedom of The Press, Freedom of the Press which is one of the mainstays of American democracy.
And, at times, Trump's speech comes close to crossing the line between Freedom of Speech and calling out "fire" in a crowded theatre.
4
I am as compassionate as anyone else when it comes to giving asylum to people that are being forced to leave their country for various reasons, however,I am not willing to open our borders to potential terrorists that are indeed radical Muslims.If there is one terrorist in 10,000 refugees, that is one too many. Please lets not play Russian Roulette with innocent Americans that are the prime victims of these murders. Heaven knows we have our own problems with controlling murder within America, we don’t have to import more potential killers. There is an alternative to banning refugees from terrorist infested countries, & that is to admit educated people with skills to add to our brain trust, rather than those that will become a burden on the Tax payers.The educated are less likely to be religious fanatics.
9
He said he was going to do all that, remember? There are no surprises here. I think the point is that President Trump hasn't been in office for a week yet and so far has gone quite a way down his list of campaign promises, implementing them as he goes. You may not agree with all of his policies and proposed actions (I surely don't) and we may all look with apprehension upon the Orwellian doctrine of "alternative facts" (I surely do), but Mr. Trump is already proving himself unique among recent presidents in that, however much the "alternative facts" continue to pile up, on questions of policy, he meant what he said and is doing what he promised. Which is to say, we appear to have a president who, rather uniquely, will keep his promises to the voters who elected him--to the likely relentless chagrin of those who did not.
4
Trumps work of operating out of vengeance and personal gain for his mafia styled organization and household.
Never in history has building a wall proven to work, just ask the Chinese, the Russians and all other dictatorial countries.
Nor is banning Muslims, being anti science, anti environmental protection, denying climate change etc. These are not policies, these are rambling thought by a psychological deranged man, who thinks he alone can control the world and be his Emperor, no matter that the emperor is without clothes.
The religious right Catholics and Christian are more out of control than most religions in the world, but you clearly to think that Americans are better than the rest of the world and get upset if the world doesn't let you steal his heir their assets.
Your view of the world is so primitive so arrogant that you should be very careful with what all of you Trump lovers wished for.
As history has proven over and over that the real outcome will be very different especially for the supporters. Just ask the Nazi sympathizers, or all other white men who followed dictators.
Never in history has building a wall proven to work, just ask the Chinese, the Russians and all other dictatorial countries.
Nor is banning Muslims, being anti science, anti environmental protection, denying climate change etc. These are not policies, these are rambling thought by a psychological deranged man, who thinks he alone can control the world and be his Emperor, no matter that the emperor is without clothes.
The religious right Catholics and Christian are more out of control than most religions in the world, but you clearly to think that Americans are better than the rest of the world and get upset if the world doesn't let you steal his heir their assets.
Your view of the world is so primitive so arrogant that you should be very careful with what all of you Trump lovers wished for.
As history has proven over and over that the real outcome will be very different especially for the supporters. Just ask the Nazi sympathizers, or all other white men who followed dictators.
1
Our President is an uneducated man, without insight or understanding. In the conflict he describes, we, not Islam, will fall to the forces of history. His plan for his presidency seems to be a constant stream of impossible or outlandish pronouncements to keep our national eye off his ability to lead or even inform us in this increasingly complicated world.
Te MSM chase his every misdirection down a rabbit hole, while ignoring the the larger story. This man is simply not competent to govern or lead, will be a tool of the Republican Congress and his friend Mr. Putin, and cause vary serious harm to the Country.
The issue isn't his politics, as I'm not sure he has a set of political beliefs. The issue is his ignorance and lack of character. If the House could Impeach President Clinton over lying about sex, this should be a no brainer.
Te MSM chase his every misdirection down a rabbit hole, while ignoring the the larger story. This man is simply not competent to govern or lead, will be a tool of the Republican Congress and his friend Mr. Putin, and cause vary serious harm to the Country.
The issue isn't his politics, as I'm not sure he has a set of political beliefs. The issue is his ignorance and lack of character. If the House could Impeach President Clinton over lying about sex, this should be a no brainer.
2
"Don't do stupid stuff" was Pres. Obama's short-hand for a more-thought-less-muscle approach to navigating the extremely complex set of belief systems and alliances that currently muddle Middle East foreign relations. I fear that Flynn et al. will -- in true "America First" mode -- default quickly to force over forethought in the months and years to come.
One can almost hear the Donald's wheels turning: "What are all these bombers and carriers and missiles for if I never get to use them to eradicate something?"
One can almost hear the Donald's wheels turning: "What are all these bombers and carriers and missiles for if I never get to use them to eradicate something?"
4
Trump seems to reflect the simplistic beliefs of tens of millions of U.S. citizens that we can use our powerful military to eradicate extremists. Six hundred thousand ground troops in Vietnam plus incessant bombing couldn't soundly defeat the National Liberation Front because the NLF was dedicated to its cause. We should pursue the politics of containment rather than squander our public treasure and soldiers' on these cockroaches which will be on our planet for years to come.
2
Stupid move. Painting an entire religion of over a billion people as extremists who "hate us" will erode any goodwill we have with Muslims both at home and abroad, and give yet more recruitment tools to extremists.
Have we learned nothing? It was less than fifteen years ago when we had a bombastic, shoot-first President whose rhetoric and actions destroyed a region of the planet, tanked our international standing, and crashed our economy into the dirt. We, and the world we inhabit, have yet to recover from the fallout from Bush's incredible mistakes, and now we have a impulsive narcissist who seems eager to do the same, if not worse.
Donald Trump disgusts and frightens me. He disgusts me because of his gleeful bigotry, which runs counter to our stated values, and my personal experiences with the Muslims who are my neighbors, colleagues, or friends. He frightens me, as he lacks perspective and impulse control, and has surrounded himself with sycophants and jingoistic lunatics.
We, as citizens, must do everything we can to stand against and thwart Trump's extremism. We also count upon elected officials and government employees to do their part as well. This is no time to go along to get along.
Have we learned nothing? It was less than fifteen years ago when we had a bombastic, shoot-first President whose rhetoric and actions destroyed a region of the planet, tanked our international standing, and crashed our economy into the dirt. We, and the world we inhabit, have yet to recover from the fallout from Bush's incredible mistakes, and now we have a impulsive narcissist who seems eager to do the same, if not worse.
Donald Trump disgusts and frightens me. He disgusts me because of his gleeful bigotry, which runs counter to our stated values, and my personal experiences with the Muslims who are my neighbors, colleagues, or friends. He frightens me, as he lacks perspective and impulse control, and has surrounded himself with sycophants and jingoistic lunatics.
We, as citizens, must do everything we can to stand against and thwart Trump's extremism. We also count upon elected officials and government employees to do their part as well. This is no time to go along to get along.
7
The issue of Moslem immigration is one of the most difficult.
The American Moslems I know are, without exception, wonderful people. They accept our basic values; that’s probably why they chose to live here. They are productive contributors to the US, a nation of immigrants.
Yet, worldwide, there are concerning aspects of mainstream Islam. The Pew Research Center has published surveys which suggest that most Moslems support Sharia law, and of these almost half feel it should apply to all; probably half feel the penalty for leaving the religion should be execution. Most believe in severely restricted rights for women. Only a minority believe suicide bombing is acceptable, but it is a sizable, and very worrisome, minority. The surveys are available online.
The motto of the NY Times is “All the News That's Fit to Print.” The paper has published art depicting the Virgin Mary covered with dung and the Pope fashioned from condoms, but the Times tellingly refused to publish a highly newsworthy illustration of Mohammed on the cover of Charlie Hebdo. The Times may have been concerned about retaliation.
Just about all moral individuals feel great empathy for the plight of Moslem refugees in countries like Syria. Moslem immigration and the pathways to US citizenship under our longstanding existing rules should surely continue. But it may be rational to restrict large scale Moslem immigration out of concern for public safety. The issue is not a simple one.
The American Moslems I know are, without exception, wonderful people. They accept our basic values; that’s probably why they chose to live here. They are productive contributors to the US, a nation of immigrants.
Yet, worldwide, there are concerning aspects of mainstream Islam. The Pew Research Center has published surveys which suggest that most Moslems support Sharia law, and of these almost half feel it should apply to all; probably half feel the penalty for leaving the religion should be execution. Most believe in severely restricted rights for women. Only a minority believe suicide bombing is acceptable, but it is a sizable, and very worrisome, minority. The surveys are available online.
The motto of the NY Times is “All the News That's Fit to Print.” The paper has published art depicting the Virgin Mary covered with dung and the Pope fashioned from condoms, but the Times tellingly refused to publish a highly newsworthy illustration of Mohammed on the cover of Charlie Hebdo. The Times may have been concerned about retaliation.
Just about all moral individuals feel great empathy for the plight of Moslem refugees in countries like Syria. Moslem immigration and the pathways to US citizenship under our longstanding existing rules should surely continue. But it may be rational to restrict large scale Moslem immigration out of concern for public safety. The issue is not a simple one.
10
Perhaps we should all step back for a moment and consider what we know and don't know. Most of us (myself included) are not experienced experts in making strategic-level military decisions. As a layperson, I may be willing to concede that people with greater access to information and experience in military matters may suggest things that do not sound like good ideas to me. HOWEVER, while a layperson may not be able to weigh in authoritatively on the merits of sweeping military strategies, we are perfectly capable of evaluating the nature of the person suggesting a strategy.
Trump and friends have not yet shown themselves to be well-grounded, reasonable people. The wild rhetoric, the constant exaggerations, the inconsistencies and the outright lies Trump has been peddling for well over a year now are a problem for him because it takes an enormous amount of trust to go along with a plan on faith alone. It's all well and good to imagine Trump's arbitrary nature will wreak havoc on hated political insiders. It's another matter entirely to apply those chaotic themes to military actions. We would all be foolish to believe that checks and balances are sufficient to prevent an atrocity. Trump is Commander in Chief. Congress has not declared war in many decades, but that hasn't stopped Presidents from using the military. So the question is: What is Trump's reputation for self-control and restraint? Is he easily provoked? The answers do not bode well.
Trump and friends have not yet shown themselves to be well-grounded, reasonable people. The wild rhetoric, the constant exaggerations, the inconsistencies and the outright lies Trump has been peddling for well over a year now are a problem for him because it takes an enormous amount of trust to go along with a plan on faith alone. It's all well and good to imagine Trump's arbitrary nature will wreak havoc on hated political insiders. It's another matter entirely to apply those chaotic themes to military actions. We would all be foolish to believe that checks and balances are sufficient to prevent an atrocity. Trump is Commander in Chief. Congress has not declared war in many decades, but that hasn't stopped Presidents from using the military. So the question is: What is Trump's reputation for self-control and restraint? Is he easily provoked? The answers do not bode well.
6
What nonsense from the Editorial Board. More political correctness too. Young Muslim men---yes Muslim---have been on a killing spree in the name of Islam in Europe and the Middle East as well as parts of Africa. The Times refuses to acknowledges this and instead preaches to us about how we must be more understanding of Islam. Wake up and grow a spine.
6
Why is it so easy for the Times to see hostility and intolerance in the hearts and minds of devout Christians but so hard for it to imagine those things could exist in those of devout Muslims (aside from the 40,000 it counts as extremists)?
A literal interpretation of Islam's scriptures (and Pew Research Center polling shows more than half the population in most Muslim countries interpret their religion that way) plainly indicates non-muslims are morally inferior and do not deserve the same consideration as Muslims.
How is that not at least as bad as the Evangelical Christian attitudes the Times has no trouble condemning?
A literal interpretation of Islam's scriptures (and Pew Research Center polling shows more than half the population in most Muslim countries interpret their religion that way) plainly indicates non-muslims are morally inferior and do not deserve the same consideration as Muslims.
How is that not at least as bad as the Evangelical Christian attitudes the Times has no trouble condemning?
5
The editors seem horrified at the idea of "destabilizing Iran, one of the few intact countries in the Middle East." Do the editors not realize that Iran is an avowed enemy of the United States and the very nation that is destabilizing other neighboring nations?? I do not think the U.S. should work to do anything less than destabilizing Iran.
2
To the comments here which say that the words are not significant, I point out that many Presidential candidates and two Presidents disagree.
Let me illustrate. America has radicals too; suppose one of them were to carpet bomb the world with palladium pills disguised as contraceptives so as to punish the wicked and rid us of women who would defy His will that they should multiply ... would you want that described as American radicalism? Would that association not threaten the security, let alone influence, of every American abroad, or even lead to a ban on all Americans from leaving their country? All because of a few crazies.
Crazy is crazy, not a religion, nor a country ... although perhaps a democracy affirms its identity through its leader ...
Let me illustrate. America has radicals too; suppose one of them were to carpet bomb the world with palladium pills disguised as contraceptives so as to punish the wicked and rid us of women who would defy His will that they should multiply ... would you want that described as American radicalism? Would that association not threaten the security, let alone influence, of every American abroad, or even lead to a ban on all Americans from leaving their country? All because of a few crazies.
Crazy is crazy, not a religion, nor a country ... although perhaps a democracy affirms its identity through its leader ...
4
Trump's suggestion that the U.S. should seize ISIS's oil supply is ridiculous, since even if the U.S. could somehow pull this off, we'd only further destabilize the region and increase Iraqi and Syrian suffering. However, this article mostly states the obvious: of course the U.S. needs good partnerships with Middle Eastern allies to defeat ISIS. During Obama's presidency, the U.S.'s disregard for credible Lebanese intelligence and pleas for intervention about the growth and spread of ISIS was a main contributor to its current strength. Maybe Trump will be more willing to listen when our allies request our help?
1
We Americans are always so quick to vilify other people we overlook the fact that we had no problem in the Muslim world until 1953 when our CIA under Dwight Eisenhower overthrew the legitimate government of Iran and placed a puppet, Shah Pahlavi on the Peacock throne.
That act, and more like it since then, have crated the anti US climate that extremists have built on to by our aiding or siding with dictators like Saddam Husain when we needed them. And this does not even get into the whole Israel vs, Palestinian quagmire that is being pressed by Evangelical crack pots.
I'm sure there are many Muslims hate us. After all look how many thousands we have killed, maimed and displaced with our never ending interference and military adventures into their land.
That act, and more like it since then, have crated the anti US climate that extremists have built on to by our aiding or siding with dictators like Saddam Husain when we needed them. And this does not even get into the whole Israel vs, Palestinian quagmire that is being pressed by Evangelical crack pots.
I'm sure there are many Muslims hate us. After all look how many thousands we have killed, maimed and displaced with our never ending interference and military adventures into their land.
7
So your new president actually believes demonizing the faith of a third of our fellow human beings is a good idea? Not a week in office and he's already giving the whole world very real cause to worry that one of its few superpowers has lost its collective mind. Either this doesn't end well for your new president, or it doesn't end well for the whole world. No brainer!
6
What a horrifying spectacle ... drip by drip, hammer blow by hammer blow, we're witnessing a veritable huge Trump train wreck in progress unfolding daily before our very eyes!
6
This is anecdotal, I know, and it is ONLY my personal experience and the experience of thousands of fellow Americans and fellow Westerners who shared my "experience," but I worked in Islamabad, Pakistan and Istanbul, Turkey in the late 1990's and the early 2000's, and I came out alive to tell the tale.
For seven years, I swam in the waters of Islam, coming home from work each day and heading out for long walks in the suburban sectors of Islamabad and along the Bosporus. I'm a walker. Sometimes I walked alone and sometime I walked with friends. Nothing bad ever happened to me. I wasn't attacked. I wasn't insulted. I didn't get angry "looks." I got as many smiles as I would walking on any busy street in America. Walking among Muslims (thought I didn't think of it that way) was something I enjoyed.
But it wasn't only me. I lived in an extended American and Western "network" of people. Anything untoward that happened to a Westerner in Pakistan or Turkey would instantly be communicated on the grapevine. There was no perception that we were "hated" by the locals inhabitants. I have good memories of those years, especially from Turkey.
Times have changed, I know. Especially after Bush invaded Iraq & Afghanistan. I remember sitting in a barbershop in Nişantaşı during the first days of the war and listening to the outrage at lurid pictures of bomb victims in Bagdad. No anger was directed at me, personally.
No, I don't think Islam hates me, but Trump might.
For seven years, I swam in the waters of Islam, coming home from work each day and heading out for long walks in the suburban sectors of Islamabad and along the Bosporus. I'm a walker. Sometimes I walked alone and sometime I walked with friends. Nothing bad ever happened to me. I wasn't attacked. I wasn't insulted. I didn't get angry "looks." I got as many smiles as I would walking on any busy street in America. Walking among Muslims (thought I didn't think of it that way) was something I enjoyed.
But it wasn't only me. I lived in an extended American and Western "network" of people. Anything untoward that happened to a Westerner in Pakistan or Turkey would instantly be communicated on the grapevine. There was no perception that we were "hated" by the locals inhabitants. I have good memories of those years, especially from Turkey.
Times have changed, I know. Especially after Bush invaded Iraq & Afghanistan. I remember sitting in a barbershop in Nişantaşı during the first days of the war and listening to the outrage at lurid pictures of bomb victims in Bagdad. No anger was directed at me, personally.
No, I don't think Islam hates me, but Trump might.
6
To the Editors,
And much as the "Crusaders" of an earlier attempt at "settling" the Mid-East problem found to their dismay, it can't be done.
Nothing short of an absolute appearance by one of the 2 gods, either Christian or Muslim, will solve the riddle and even if that were to occur, a good chunk of the populace would not believe it.
I suggest Mr.Trump, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Bannon, etc. just let the Russians try to solve the problem. Their track record in Afghanistan was just about as poor as ours in the same country and there's no reason to believe that ANY "infidel", outside group will bring peace to an area rife with internecine, religious inspired bloodletting that has been going on since the 8th Century or so.
But Mr. Trump's ego probably won't allow him to back down on his pledge to destroy DAESH and, perhaps, with his buddy Mr. Putin, the two of them can increase the body count of 19 and 20 year old American kids dying for nothing. As long as it's not HIS kids, Mr. Trump will be just fine with it.
My suggestion? Become "energy independent" and not worry about "oil" from the area.
And much as the "Crusaders" of an earlier attempt at "settling" the Mid-East problem found to their dismay, it can't be done.
Nothing short of an absolute appearance by one of the 2 gods, either Christian or Muslim, will solve the riddle and even if that were to occur, a good chunk of the populace would not believe it.
I suggest Mr.Trump, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Bannon, etc. just let the Russians try to solve the problem. Their track record in Afghanistan was just about as poor as ours in the same country and there's no reason to believe that ANY "infidel", outside group will bring peace to an area rife with internecine, religious inspired bloodletting that has been going on since the 8th Century or so.
But Mr. Trump's ego probably won't allow him to back down on his pledge to destroy DAESH and, perhaps, with his buddy Mr. Putin, the two of them can increase the body count of 19 and 20 year old American kids dying for nothing. As long as it's not HIS kids, Mr. Trump will be just fine with it.
My suggestion? Become "energy independent" and not worry about "oil" from the area.
there have been several demonstration across the middle east for 40 years with chants of "death to America". this has been going on for way before ISIS, and in the case of Iran, is state-sponsored. these demonstraters are not terrorists, they are usually students, they hate us based on their religion but they, ironically, all want to live in the West and enjoy it's lifestyle. a very confused group.
3
Islam doesn't hate us, it is Mr. Trump. If you didn't vote for him he hates you and will spend his time in office having revenge on you with his executive orders and twitter policies. This includes everyone in foreign countries Islam or not, as they did not vote for him. The exception is Russia whom he wants to emulate. His view of the world is 3 countries: Russia, US, and China. Scary person. Hopefully we have laws that will counteract him. Hopefully we have impeachment.
3
The primary promoter of "radical Islam" has been and continues to be our so-called ally Saudi Arabia and their explicit acceptance of Wahhabism. Unless and until the Saudi's stop funding these Wahhabi schools that teach the male children to hate all things not of the 12th-century Islam worldview, we are just wasting our national treasue and our children's lives. We need to be honest on this point, unlike our approach for the past 50-years.
168
I can't tell you how encouraged I am by reading this piece. Finally a leader in this country that understands the insidious threat of radical Islam. The time of ignorant naïveté is finally over. You may not be interested in war with the Islamists, but the Islamists are interested in war with you. Time to eradicate this problem.
2
Let's try to simplify.
...we know that
1. ISIS (DAESH) wants to impose the islamic sharia law from the Holy Koran
2. ISIS & Co. operate expressly to either convert to Islam or ... kill "infidels"
3. Muslims are of 2 kinds: the radical, and the silent majority who fears retribution if they contradict the radical
.... therefore
4. Either we submit and convert or defend ourselves
5. Since 99.99% of terrorist attacks worldwide are done by Radical Islam
6. And since most experts recommend that attack is the best defense
.... then
7. This is total war, like it or not.
Simple, right?
...we know that
1. ISIS (DAESH) wants to impose the islamic sharia law from the Holy Koran
2. ISIS & Co. operate expressly to either convert to Islam or ... kill "infidels"
3. Muslims are of 2 kinds: the radical, and the silent majority who fears retribution if they contradict the radical
.... therefore
4. Either we submit and convert or defend ourselves
5. Since 99.99% of terrorist attacks worldwide are done by Radical Islam
6. And since most experts recommend that attack is the best defense
.... then
7. This is total war, like it or not.
Simple, right?
1
The omission of Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan is mind blowing. I wonder why we did not include those two countries in the list? Also, we have to thread lightly with labeling the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group. Egypt and -if I am not mistaking- the UAE are the ones pushing for that because of their own agendas. And in my opinion the whole thing of adamantly detesting ISIS is offensive to some Muslims is politically correct propaganda. I don't know a sane person that would defend ISIS or get offended by calling ISIS the most despicable group on earth. Papers can leave that lie out and still point out the flaws in Mr Trump's plan. You will convince more people that way.
Please don't normalize Trump's fantasies as "ideas."
They are only excuses and justifications to bully anyone who disagrees with him.
They are only excuses and justifications to bully anyone who disagrees with him.
3
What weakens our response to "radical Islam" and strengthens "radical Islam is a contradiction in our official language and our alliances.
Al Qaeda, ISIS, Boka Haram, the primary sources of terrorist attacks all originate from the philosophical/theological Wahhabi sect that thrives in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf monarchies and are Sunni. Most telling is American support and supply of the Saudi-Sunni-ISIS war against the rebel Shiite Houthis. In Yemen we are assisting the Saudis help ISIS fight the Shiites, really.
Years of the "War on Terror" has absolutely failed to curtail the poisonous spread of Wahhabism or to target Wahhabi madrasas. Americans have been confused by deliberate portrayal of Iran being the source of radical Islam instead of Saudi Arabia. Our foreign policy has been crippled by our allegiance to Saudi oil and banking interests. Instead of attacking Iraq, a primarily Shiite Country, why didn't we attack the source of the 9/11 terrorists and the source of Al Qaeda? In the fictional narrative, Flynn can emerge from the fog and offer crack-pot solutions because they are as stupid as our alliance with Saudi Arabia and our Israeli inspired Iranian propaganda.
Liberals and progressives have tolerated and promoted the status quo in direct relationship with their loyalty to oil, banks, and Netanyahu. Republican are just delighted to fight an endless war from which they profit and that drives terrorism upon which Republicans rely.
No help in this column. Whackamole.
Al Qaeda, ISIS, Boka Haram, the primary sources of terrorist attacks all originate from the philosophical/theological Wahhabi sect that thrives in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf monarchies and are Sunni. Most telling is American support and supply of the Saudi-Sunni-ISIS war against the rebel Shiite Houthis. In Yemen we are assisting the Saudis help ISIS fight the Shiites, really.
Years of the "War on Terror" has absolutely failed to curtail the poisonous spread of Wahhabism or to target Wahhabi madrasas. Americans have been confused by deliberate portrayal of Iran being the source of radical Islam instead of Saudi Arabia. Our foreign policy has been crippled by our allegiance to Saudi oil and banking interests. Instead of attacking Iraq, a primarily Shiite Country, why didn't we attack the source of the 9/11 terrorists and the source of Al Qaeda? In the fictional narrative, Flynn can emerge from the fog and offer crack-pot solutions because they are as stupid as our alliance with Saudi Arabia and our Israeli inspired Iranian propaganda.
Liberals and progressives have tolerated and promoted the status quo in direct relationship with their loyalty to oil, banks, and Netanyahu. Republican are just delighted to fight an endless war from which they profit and that drives terrorism upon which Republicans rely.
No help in this column. Whackamole.
1
As a religious Jew interested for many years in Jewish mysticism and Hasidism, I appreciate Sufi Islam, for example, as one of the greatest examples of the human religious spirit in history. Islam has much to be proud of. Yet to claim that "40,000 extremists" are the only expression of dangerous trends in Islam is to hide your heads in the sand. Over the past 3 decades, Saudi Arabia has spent an estimated 100 billion dollars spreading Wahabi Islam across the globe. Wahabi today is suffused with hatred for the other, in particular for Sufis and especially for Jews. Hundreds of millions of Muslims believe that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion is true, and that Israel and Jews are behind nearly everything evil that is happening on the planet. In Bangladesh, in Pakistan, in Palestine and in Ethiopia, Sufism is under siege, often violently, because of the rise of Wahabi. In reliable polls, some 20% of world Muslims support radical Islamic theology. The majority of Muslims are obviously ordinary people trying to live their lives and keep the faith. It does not do them a service to minimize the threat of radical Islam, and to clearly identify real threats. Nor does it behoove the Times to ignore the deep and real threat of Wahabi Islam's anti-Semitism, which the paper consistently does. Yes to Islam. No to Wahabi. No to false claims that the problem is tiny, limited and under control.
6
It is true that the current version of Wahabism being propagated by a corrupt Saudi leadership is highly dangerous in its interpretation and practice. This false interpretation is being sold to a largely illiterate and impoverished populace.
It is also true that moderate and more educated (in the true sense of the word), truly faithful Muslims, and peoples of all faiths and beliefs must speak and act on behalf of Islam and on behalf of humanity. It seems that we are running out of time. Trumpism will not be the answer.
It is also true that moderate and more educated (in the true sense of the word), truly faithful Muslims, and peoples of all faiths and beliefs must speak and act on behalf of Islam and on behalf of humanity. It seems that we are running out of time. Trumpism will not be the answer.
2
I'm a Trump zealot, and a Manichean (Mani was Persian, what we now call Iran, home of shia, or the pure ones), and I hold that Islam has been at war with the infidel, and with itself, for 1300 years, and that this war will go until the heat death of the sun, or longer - if we colonize exo-planets,
and when I read most of the comments here, I think I have wandered into the Flat Earth Society, or the UFO society, or anti vaxxers, or anti GMO, or those think ZOG runs USG.
The chasm of difference between the War World (Islam and Manicheanism) and the blame America folks here,
is the chasm between matter and anti matter, or worse;
=
So NYT etc, speak up and organize and vote and shout into the echo chamber. Each of us does;
Awesome.
=
Somewhere high up on the list, are those still in denial that T means what he says and will govern as he campaigned, and that he has yuuuge (gotta love a man who invents new words because the lexicon is not,um, yuuge enough for him) swathes of the country behind him;
and that the world has changed, towards Trump-ism (undefined) globally, at least the northern hemisphere;
=
which all somehow coincides (!) with the years since 1979 when Khomeini came to power in Iran, think Jimmy Carter; and 1993, the first Muslim attack on my neighbor, the Twin Towers (I live a few hundred yards from the crater), and 2001, the second attack;
and think that this is all somehow a misunderstanding, or a self-created hardship.
and when I read most of the comments here, I think I have wandered into the Flat Earth Society, or the UFO society, or anti vaxxers, or anti GMO, or those think ZOG runs USG.
The chasm of difference between the War World (Islam and Manicheanism) and the blame America folks here,
is the chasm between matter and anti matter, or worse;
=
So NYT etc, speak up and organize and vote and shout into the echo chamber. Each of us does;
Awesome.
=
Somewhere high up on the list, are those still in denial that T means what he says and will govern as he campaigned, and that he has yuuuge (gotta love a man who invents new words because the lexicon is not,um, yuuge enough for him) swathes of the country behind him;
and that the world has changed, towards Trump-ism (undefined) globally, at least the northern hemisphere;
=
which all somehow coincides (!) with the years since 1979 when Khomeini came to power in Iran, think Jimmy Carter; and 1993, the first Muslim attack on my neighbor, the Twin Towers (I live a few hundred yards from the crater), and 2001, the second attack;
and think that this is all somehow a misunderstanding, or a self-created hardship.
2
"Mr. Trump’s plans would damage America’s credibility as guardian of human rights, anger allies and undermine civil liberties at home. " such a perception is absolutely confined to the illusionary mind sets of certain american politicians who are puppets of business corporations, but such a perception does not exist in the minds of majority of americans represented by TRUMP and the rest of the world.
Trump is doing the right thing but american Corporatocrazy is not used to the politicians doing what yhey had said they would do if elected.
Trump is NOT a career politician but an honest business man at heart and he is doing exactly what he said he would do .Political commentators are shocked and surprised at forth right honest behavior . Thats all there is to it.
Trumpdoes not mince words does not prevaricate . He has certain beliefs which he had said openly and just walking the talk. Trump is breathing fresh air into politics .WELL DONE SIR> KEEP AT IT >TRUMP you are doing great and "we the people" now more than ever believe that YOU CAN MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN ! "We the people" are with you !
Trump is doing the right thing but american Corporatocrazy is not used to the politicians doing what yhey had said they would do if elected.
Trump is NOT a career politician but an honest business man at heart and he is doing exactly what he said he would do .Political commentators are shocked and surprised at forth right honest behavior . Thats all there is to it.
Trumpdoes not mince words does not prevaricate . He has certain beliefs which he had said openly and just walking the talk. Trump is breathing fresh air into politics .WELL DONE SIR> KEEP AT IT >TRUMP you are doing great and "we the people" now more than ever believe that YOU CAN MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN ! "We the people" are with you !
2
My father was a survivor of one of the worst WW2 troop disasters. Arriving in North Africa after hours in Mediterranean, he and others were taken in by local Muslim families. As children, he told many stories of their unselfish kindness, their belief in helping the helpless, even if it meant giving someone their own last drink of water. Over the years I have found this to be the true story of Islam. It is time to stop these immoral lies, no matter what the hidden agenda. This is similar to the lies told in the 1930's (and still being told) about Judaism. This posture is beneath a nation founded on the sanctity of religious and personal liberty.
6
Well, if there would be any good news to your editorial, according to reports, President Trump hasn't read Flynn's book. Of course, the fact that Flynn now has President Trump's ear should instill fear in all of us. The fact that many of President Trump's advisors mirror an anti-Islamic policy builds support for radical Muslims.
Paranoids think everyone hates them. Islam? CIA? Media? Democrats? But not the Russians.
Paranoids think everyone hates them. Islam? CIA? Media? Democrats? But not the Russians.
2
The Palestinian movement for self-determination was secular under the PLO. It only became Islamic in nature after Israel conspired to create Hamas as an alternative to the secular PLO, much as the religious fanatics in Afghanistan were supplied with weapons, cash and religious training by the United States in our proxy war with the Soviets.
The demonization of Muslims by Trump and his grotesque supporters is music to the ears of ISIS. The terrorists have laid out their agenda in their glossy magazine, called Dabiq. Here they describe their plan to destroy "the grey zone." The grey zone refers to inclusive societies where Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus as well as atheists can live together in an atmosphere of mutual tolerance and respect. That is the whole point of attacks like those we saw in Paris--to generate fear and contempt for Muslims, who are then forced into the arms of ISIS, once they are rejected by their pluralistic societies. This was precisely the tactic used in Iraq to force moderate Sunni to seek protection under ISIS.
Trump and his gang are the best propagandists ISIS could hope for. If they are not sending him a monthly check, they should be.
The demonization of Muslims by Trump and his grotesque supporters is music to the ears of ISIS. The terrorists have laid out their agenda in their glossy magazine, called Dabiq. Here they describe their plan to destroy "the grey zone." The grey zone refers to inclusive societies where Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus as well as atheists can live together in an atmosphere of mutual tolerance and respect. That is the whole point of attacks like those we saw in Paris--to generate fear and contempt for Muslims, who are then forced into the arms of ISIS, once they are rejected by their pluralistic societies. This was precisely the tactic used in Iraq to force moderate Sunni to seek protection under ISIS.
Trump and his gang are the best propagandists ISIS could hope for. If they are not sending him a monthly check, they should be.
6
Can we all just agree that that Green statue in NY harbor is just a hunk of metal, signifying absolutely nothing? Time to rename it.
6
I have been heartened that the Times has decided to call a spade a spade, such as calling out Trump for lying, instead of using tact and diplomacy in dealing with him. To that end, it should declare that Trump's utterance that Islam hates us speaks to his stupidity and what could be lethal blunders by allowing Islamaphobe Flynn to feed him hateful rhetoric.
6
Imagine a young Muslim child in an Islamic country listening to Mr. Trump's comments. Trump's "us versus them" mentality is clearly going to drive that young child, and many more, towards radicalization. Anyone can see it. Trump is going to get someone killed. It's a matter of time.
6
I see. So if we don't let them freely bomb us, we'll offend their next generation.
1
Although Islam is blamed endlessly for all the terrible things that have happened, are happening, or will happen, let us examine our role in all this
1. Constant exploitation of resources of muslim countries, mainly oil.
2. Installing & supporting dictators & Kings to rule these countries.
3.Killing of an enormous number of muslim populations in Iraq, Afghanistan etc. in recent wars
4. killing of large numbers of innocent civilians in drone strikes in many countries.
5.Open ended unfair support of Israel.
6. Purposeful denigration of Muslims by people like Gen Flynn & others of his ilk..
To justify all these actions & then blaming Islam for all the mayhem does not appear right.
By the way, the so-called 'Sharia" is not practiced anywhere in the muslim world. The lawlessness practiced by Saudi Arabia, ISIS, & other terrorist groups in the name of Islam is not Sharia but an abomination of Islamic & Quranic teachings.
A large body of muslims are very poor, uneducated( & even illiterate) trying to survive & sustain their families.
To paint them with a broad brush & label them as terrorist is neither fair nor logical.
ISIS & its affiliates are psychopaths & should be dealt with with the cooperation of all muslims.
We need a fair & thoughtful approach & not the one we seem to be following.
1. Constant exploitation of resources of muslim countries, mainly oil.
2. Installing & supporting dictators & Kings to rule these countries.
3.Killing of an enormous number of muslim populations in Iraq, Afghanistan etc. in recent wars
4. killing of large numbers of innocent civilians in drone strikes in many countries.
5.Open ended unfair support of Israel.
6. Purposeful denigration of Muslims by people like Gen Flynn & others of his ilk..
To justify all these actions & then blaming Islam for all the mayhem does not appear right.
By the way, the so-called 'Sharia" is not practiced anywhere in the muslim world. The lawlessness practiced by Saudi Arabia, ISIS, & other terrorist groups in the name of Islam is not Sharia but an abomination of Islamic & Quranic teachings.
A large body of muslims are very poor, uneducated( & even illiterate) trying to survive & sustain their families.
To paint them with a broad brush & label them as terrorist is neither fair nor logical.
ISIS & its affiliates are psychopaths & should be dealt with with the cooperation of all muslims.
We need a fair & thoughtful approach & not the one we seem to be following.
12
There are some Republicans in Congress who understand what's wrong with the Trump/Flynn way: John McCain and Lindsey Graham for example. They need to speak out on this. Demonizing a religion with over a billion adherents will sabotage our relations with the very governments who have been most helpful to us in stopping terrorists.
8
Radical Islam is composed of much more than the 40,000 ISIS fighters the writer refers to. There are other groups such as Al Qaeda, Hizbulla, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood, etc. it's countries like Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. And it's tens of millions of supporters around the world. If only it was just ISIS...
7
Yes, large numbers of them hate us; this editorial doesn't mention all the reasons why -- Israel among the foremost.
But Trump's policies will just foment more hatred. Caligula's motto: "oderint dum metuant" (They may hate us so long as they fear us) did not work for Caligula or Rome.
And perhaps the worst of it is that Trump wants the hatred, is using it to increase American hatred and polarization. It is the classic behavior of "authoritarians" (read "fascists"): create a rage of grievances and hatred of an enemy, start a war.
Trump does not have any plan to defeat radical Islam, nor does he really want one. Radical Islam serves Trump's purposes, and he serves theirs. That is the terrible truth here.
But Trump's policies will just foment more hatred. Caligula's motto: "oderint dum metuant" (They may hate us so long as they fear us) did not work for Caligula or Rome.
And perhaps the worst of it is that Trump wants the hatred, is using it to increase American hatred and polarization. It is the classic behavior of "authoritarians" (read "fascists"): create a rage of grievances and hatred of an enemy, start a war.
Trump does not have any plan to defeat radical Islam, nor does he really want one. Radical Islam serves Trump's purposes, and he serves theirs. That is the terrible truth here.
6
Usama bin Laden said the same thing in his speech just before Bush's last election in 2004 (of which only a few carefully selected quotes were ever printed in the U.S. media. He said that many must think that he and Bush are working together. He also made it clear that Bush's incompetently slow reaction during the 9/11 attacks pleased him and made Bush look like an easy mark. If you can google an entire translation of the speech, you'd see that he was much happier having Bush as an opponent than Kerry.
Kerry was leading by several points before the speech, but CIA officials say that when the first US news reports came out about the selected quotes from the speech, a top CIA official stormed into a strategy meeting, slapped the Washington Post on the table and said bin Laden just guaranteed a Bush victory. bin Laden, a college-educated man with wide business experience across the world, CEO of a major construction company, multi-hundred-millionaire, and with business connections to the Bush family (in part with Bush's dad at the Carlisle Group, was certainly smart enough to know how to "select" the weaker opponent. bin Laden, James Comey, not much difference in calculated last-minute meddling in our elections. Stupid American voters. Stupid Trump. How Sad.
Kerry was leading by several points before the speech, but CIA officials say that when the first US news reports came out about the selected quotes from the speech, a top CIA official stormed into a strategy meeting, slapped the Washington Post on the table and said bin Laden just guaranteed a Bush victory. bin Laden, a college-educated man with wide business experience across the world, CEO of a major construction company, multi-hundred-millionaire, and with business connections to the Bush family (in part with Bush's dad at the Carlisle Group, was certainly smart enough to know how to "select" the weaker opponent. bin Laden, James Comey, not much difference in calculated last-minute meddling in our elections. Stupid American voters. Stupid Trump. How Sad.
Ignorance, incuriosity, a belligerent attitude, political power, and a big military. Quite a winning combination, there.
5
There seems to be an idea which many commentators and parts of Mr.Trump's cabinet buy into: that the Quran preaches hatred for other religions, and that Muslim societies repress hate other groups. This represents a misunderstanding of the Quran, in that there are many ways to read the text, and that it can be as easily read to justify tolerance as violence. Historically, Muslim societies have been more tolerant of other religions that most other religions. Even today, the vast majority of Muslims favor a tolerant reading of the text, particularly within the U.S. It is unfortunate, but by taking an aggressive (and to my mind uninformed) view of Islam and Muslims, the U.S. will further encourage radicals, and undermine its own values.
1
The same is true of the Christian Bible. There's the old cliche "Even the Devil can quote Scriptures." As the abolitionists in the 19th century rallied around progressive church leaders (and the same in the 20th century under the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.), the segregationists repeated a host of quotations from the New Testament justifying slavery, setting rules on how to treat slaves, and exhorting slaves to be extra hard-working if their masters were Christians.
Any religion can find suitable material in their holy books (except, perhaps, the Jains in India) to justify peace and to justify killing all who don't believe as your god demands.
Any religion can find suitable material in their holy books (except, perhaps, the Jains in India) to justify peace and to justify killing all who don't believe as your god demands.
1
So let me see if I have this right. Our “Christian” nation is going to go to war against radical followers of another religion. Not clear yet how we make that distinction. And while we’re doing that, in violation of international law we are going to torture people who may be illegally detained. And at the same time we will permit immigration from Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan and deny it from Syria? And while we’re doing that, we are going to tangle with China over Taiwan, again? Where exactly is the “light” that Trump mentioned in his inauguration speech going to come from? Just a guess, but I don’t think any of this is what Jesus meant by loving your neighbor including your enemies – which is a radical Christian idea.
5
It may be a mistake to take what Donald Trump says about anything seriously. That would include the threat "radical Islam" presents. He knows that the crowds of his supporters like when he inveighs against Islam and promises to eradicate terrorism. Apparently, he listens when Gen. Flynn advises him and we would do well to pay attention to what he says. Similarly for Steve Bannon.
It would also help to get people on the morning news shows to present alternative views to what Trump may hear from his advisors.
It would also help to get people on the morning news shows to present alternative views to what Trump may hear from his advisors.
1
The country,the press the Republican Party have all failed by not doing enough to expose this man. The cabinets picks and Supreme Court nominees should be turned away.His road if not obstructed legally will cause havoc to our democracy.
2
"No Drama" Obama kept his eye on the ball till the very last minute, sending B-2 bombers to bomb ISIS camps a couple of days before the inauguration of "All Drama All the Time" Trump. https://nyti.ms/2k4cjK2
With the outrageous things he and Flynn says about a major religion, and giving Carte Blanche to Israel to build more and more settlements in occupied territories, Trump is taking the country on a slippery path, a path that is sure to lead to danger.
With the outrageous things he and Flynn says about a major religion, and giving Carte Blanche to Israel to build more and more settlements in occupied territories, Trump is taking the country on a slippery path, a path that is sure to lead to danger.
3
We need to provide more jobs and opportunities for ISIS, the Islamic crazies, so they will start behaving better. The NYT Editorial Looney Tunes should get imbedded with ISIS fighters for better coverage. LOL
Damning all of Islam because a small sliver of Islamic fundamentalists perpetuate terror is like calling all Catholics terrorists because a few IRA members killed some British soldiers. What Trump forgets is that Islamic terrorists kill far more Muslims than any other group. The vast majority of the 1.7 billion Muslims around the world abhor terrorism, and do not support the Wahhabists and Salafists who come from Saudi Arabia to sow so much hate and discord. It is a trap beyond Trump's comprehension for America to get drawn into this war of sectarian ideologies in the Mid-East.
What's next, Mr. President? Rebuilding the numbers of American ground forces in the region? Even 165,000 American troops couldn't tame the slaughter between Sunni and Shia there. I'd ask if that taught you any lessons, but your rhetoric demonstrates an abject lack of historical understanding.
This is a time to support Islam in their fight against terrorism, not to isolate America from them and construct more fear against them. If there is a terrorist regime to fight against in America, look home to the white supremacists who back you. They are the ones who commit the overwhelming majority of terrorist attacks against your own citizenry. And look to your partners-in-oil, the Saudis, too. They enable terrorism against American interests while at the same time soaking up so many American petrodollars.
What's next, Mr. President? Rebuilding the numbers of American ground forces in the region? Even 165,000 American troops couldn't tame the slaughter between Sunni and Shia there. I'd ask if that taught you any lessons, but your rhetoric demonstrates an abject lack of historical understanding.
This is a time to support Islam in their fight against terrorism, not to isolate America from them and construct more fear against them. If there is a terrorist regime to fight against in America, look home to the white supremacists who back you. They are the ones who commit the overwhelming majority of terrorist attacks against your own citizenry. And look to your partners-in-oil, the Saudis, too. They enable terrorism against American interests while at the same time soaking up so many American petrodollars.
170
The man is plainly immoral. And, as a nation, we had better fund basic education ... after we wrest control of the government back, perhaps. The best option, at this point, is to make sure the three branches of governance function, as best as possible. Please hold him accountable ... free speech is paramount.
3
Extremism of any type is frequently a problem because it is usually unreasonable and immoderate. But is not Trump himself an extremist?
1
“But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
5
"I. alone, can save us." If we build the wall, if we kick out the immigrants, if we declare the election system rigged and create the rules to favor us, if we force the rest of the world to join us or get out of the way, we become great again And we finance all this with bringing all the corporations back into the country and using fossil fuels once again. And Russia will join us as we form the greatest superpower the world has ever known. And who is going to step in to stop the madness this time?????Europe? China? Watch Trump try to crush any politicians who try to oppose him. Look at them now, they cower at his every tweet. "Mr. president, you shouldn't say that, it's going to hurt you from governing". You think this is fantasy or exaggeration? Watch. Someone, somewhere is designing the uniform to go with the hat.
1
"Taken together, Mr. Trump’s plans would damage America’s credibility as guardian of human rights." What credibility?
4
You boldly say, "the ideas of Mr. Flynn and others, if adopted, seem like a recipe for endless world war". As if that's a bad thing.
Which explains both the bizarre decades long power of the Right and your inability to comprehend or counter it.
(Which of course you don't want to do, being such a paragon of journalistic neutrality that you very much aided the campaign of our newest, dearest leader).
Be that as it may: think of it! Another war! And a wall, too!
Oh my god, the money, the profits, the nationalistic fervor, the confidence that comes with knowing your President is looking out for you, the easy satisfaction of a readily identifiable and easy to hate enemy.
More than one enemy! Could this GET any better?
Because now we can have a war AND build a wall!
Oh my god, a wall. Billions of dollars, heroic engineering, triumph over nature and landscape, the answer to our economic prayers and focus for the nation. Bright and shiny, a way to keep out the Juans. THIS IS AWESOME!!!
It's also, along with discrediting academia and the media, the classic first step of every liar and dictator since forever. But really, so what? It's easy! And it's fun!
Trump and his blitzkrieg are sweeping through the nation's capital and its noblest traditions, and while we focus on the bright, shiny gewgaws he strews in his path. And you get to help!
Who cares if any of this is legal ? It should be! And besides, HE PROMISED!!
OMG! AWESOME!
We LOVE Trump!!!
Which explains both the bizarre decades long power of the Right and your inability to comprehend or counter it.
(Which of course you don't want to do, being such a paragon of journalistic neutrality that you very much aided the campaign of our newest, dearest leader).
Be that as it may: think of it! Another war! And a wall, too!
Oh my god, the money, the profits, the nationalistic fervor, the confidence that comes with knowing your President is looking out for you, the easy satisfaction of a readily identifiable and easy to hate enemy.
More than one enemy! Could this GET any better?
Because now we can have a war AND build a wall!
Oh my god, a wall. Billions of dollars, heroic engineering, triumph over nature and landscape, the answer to our economic prayers and focus for the nation. Bright and shiny, a way to keep out the Juans. THIS IS AWESOME!!!
It's also, along with discrediting academia and the media, the classic first step of every liar and dictator since forever. But really, so what? It's easy! And it's fun!
Trump and his blitzkrieg are sweeping through the nation's capital and its noblest traditions, and while we focus on the bright, shiny gewgaws he strews in his path. And you get to help!
Who cares if any of this is legal ? It should be! And besides, HE PROMISED!!
OMG! AWESOME!
We LOVE Trump!!!
3
It seems to me that radical Christianity poses a much more immediate and deeper threat to American values, freedom, liberty, and prosperity than radical Islam, based on the sheer number of believers already present in the country and their substantial presence in American politics. Will Trump save women, LGBT, and atheists from Christian Shariah?
10
Actually, a form of Shariah law, public law and policy based on religious beliefs, Christian "Shariah" law, is being imposed on the citizens of the U.S. in violation of the Constitution. The latest example is Trump's executive concerning foreign aid, NGOs and abortion. Right out of V.P Pense' evangelical playbook.
11
Years have passed since 911 and we continue to strike the hate and fear cords. We discredit our nation and shame ourselves by not distinguishing terrorist from peoples living in certain countries. Our fear of the unknown is causing us to abandon our principles, as well as, the principles of international law. Torture and hate will only sow more torture and hate. Many of those fleeing countries on 'the select list' are victims of religious persecution, and extreme violence. Yet we make no distinction. Many of those fleeing are just ordinary citizens caught up in violent times. Yet our mantra is no longer 'Give me your weak, your oppressed, or those who just want to seek a better opportunity'.
So, I wonder where are all those good American Christians? Why aren't churches speaking out against this national disgrace? Why are we a nation that doesn't respect or welcome our immigrants and instead view all of them as illegals? Why are we no longer the home of the FREE and the BRAVE?
So, I wonder where are all those good American Christians? Why aren't churches speaking out against this national disgrace? Why are we a nation that doesn't respect or welcome our immigrants and instead view all of them as illegals? Why are we no longer the home of the FREE and the BRAVE?
5
Because those "good American Christians" are also a single issue voting block whose myopic focus on abortion made them look the other way on a candidate who was as far from Christian values as one can be. Shameful. This man is an ignorant, cruel tyrant and possesses no moral compass, only an insatiable craving for power and attention. Heaven help us.
1
Extremist threats from within. Start buying those defense stocks...
The Quran has words both peace and war, of love and hate. Thus Islam has brought the world life affirming Sufis and soul crushing Salafis. Beyond ignorant and incompetent, it is political malpractice to view the Islamic world as a unified group of people adhering to one set of beliefs. It is unAmerican to demonize any people because of their religion.
United States Army Captain Humayun Khan was as American as any Pilgrim and served this country as valiantly as Colonel Joshua Chamberlain at Gettysburg. Khan gave the last full measure of his devotion to this country.
Let's not forget that.
United States Army Captain Humayun Khan was as American as any Pilgrim and served this country as valiantly as Colonel Joshua Chamberlain at Gettysburg. Khan gave the last full measure of his devotion to this country.
Let's not forget that.
1
No religion preaches violence; so is the case of Islam. It is certain interpreters of the religion who sow the seed of violence among the people. It is only after the export of Wahhabism, a violent brand of Islam, especially from Saudi Arabia did one see this side of Islam. What is unforgivable is countries who were more interested in Saudi oil did precious little to bring pressure on Saudi government. Today, the very beneficiaries of Saudi munificence (Wahhabism was exported along with petro dollar to militant groups) have now turned their guns towards their benefactor. It is too late to undo the mischief.
There are also few instances where certain the governments are fanning the religious sentiments of people and forcing them to launch attacks on other countries. A case in point is Pakistan. What did America do when Osama bin laden was given refuge in Pakistan, when they all along there were misleading the United States that he was hiding in a cave in Afghanistan. The US simply let them off the hook with the result they now have more Osamas in their training camps ready to launch attacks.
It is the human inaction, and not Islam, that is the root cause of growing Islamic terrorism all over the world.
There are also few instances where certain the governments are fanning the religious sentiments of people and forcing them to launch attacks on other countries. A case in point is Pakistan. What did America do when Osama bin laden was given refuge in Pakistan, when they all along there were misleading the United States that he was hiding in a cave in Afghanistan. The US simply let them off the hook with the result they now have more Osamas in their training camps ready to launch attacks.
It is the human inaction, and not Islam, that is the root cause of growing Islamic terrorism all over the world.
2
Adding to my earlier comments, today that Afghanistan suffers is due to cold war. The reason ISIS has a hold and terrorizes Iraqis are due to US invasion of Iraq in 2003. The reason Saudis are funding extremism all over the world is due to US developing, buying and protecting Saudi oil. The reason Iranians are suffering under the regime of Ayatullahs in Iran is the toppling of their democratically elected prime minister, Mosadigh. There are more... Trump is not solving this world's problem, rather he is compounding it by thoughtless reasons and actions.
2
I think our fearless leader will in his alt-factual, egotistical, self-serving, thin-skinned, shallow but insanely calculating way will muck up about anything he puts his hands on. Be it geopolitical or domestic. That is to say he will make the World and this Nation less united for good, less safe, less friendly, less livable, less environmentally sound, and more illiberal overall.
He'd wants to inflict his BRAND of (anti) salvation on us while he basks in glory from his minions for inflicting it. A familiar road he takes.
He is a conman who has made a fortune (or not) putting his BRAND on things good or not so good for us. What counts is increasing the value of his BRAND. Nothing else.
In America he found something sellable that he leveraged to the max. Thus winning himself the ultimate thing to BRAND. The USA. Clever.
Even lying cons need their victims to be susceptible in some way (greed, resentment, fears, weaknesses, naivete, etc.). To give their ploy traction they expose, then amplify and exploit elements of truth that resonate with the susceptible.
Got to hand it to him he read the board well and played it perfectly.
The rub here is that the Left gave him a major element of truth (or truthiness) that allowed his victory (con to work). That is the Left's denial that this hyperbolic statement is essentially correct “We’re in a world war against a messianic mass movement of evil people, most of them inspired by a totalitarian ideology: Radical Islam.”
He'd wants to inflict his BRAND of (anti) salvation on us while he basks in glory from his minions for inflicting it. A familiar road he takes.
He is a conman who has made a fortune (or not) putting his BRAND on things good or not so good for us. What counts is increasing the value of his BRAND. Nothing else.
In America he found something sellable that he leveraged to the max. Thus winning himself the ultimate thing to BRAND. The USA. Clever.
Even lying cons need their victims to be susceptible in some way (greed, resentment, fears, weaknesses, naivete, etc.). To give their ploy traction they expose, then amplify and exploit elements of truth that resonate with the susceptible.
Got to hand it to him he read the board well and played it perfectly.
The rub here is that the Left gave him a major element of truth (or truthiness) that allowed his victory (con to work). That is the Left's denial that this hyperbolic statement is essentially correct “We’re in a world war against a messianic mass movement of evil people, most of them inspired by a totalitarian ideology: Radical Islam.”
2
My wife managed an incentive trip for Lincoln Mercury dealers to South Africa in 2001. Many dealers were from the Middle East. This happened during 9/11. They cheered! She was shocked. Stop calling Islam a religion of peace. It is a religion of conquest and it does teach hatred of the west! Know your enemy. They cannot govern themselves and have warred among themselves and now want to be welcomed as refugees! They keep to themselves and do not want to accept our values. Let them alone and stay where they are. Let's let the persecuted christian refugees in before they are exterminated.
4
From the Islamic perspective:
1. America hates Islam (major premise)
2. Jihad is a path to paradise (minor premise)
3. Jihad against America is a path to paradise (conclusion)
Screaming "Radical Islamic Terrorism" at the top of our lungs SUPPORTS extremist views in the Islamic world in their major premise. One does not extinguish a fire with gasoline.
How much better would it be if we forcefully said America hates criminals and criminal behavior? We all can agree with this, Americans and Muslims alike and it blows a hole in the argument used by extremist recruiters.
1. America hates Islam (major premise)
2. Jihad is a path to paradise (minor premise)
3. Jihad against America is a path to paradise (conclusion)
Screaming "Radical Islamic Terrorism" at the top of our lungs SUPPORTS extremist views in the Islamic world in their major premise. One does not extinguish a fire with gasoline.
How much better would it be if we forcefully said America hates criminals and criminal behavior? We all can agree with this, Americans and Muslims alike and it blows a hole in the argument used by extremist recruiters.
8
Why he left off Saudi Arabia off the list is perhaps explainable by their wealth and his business dealings. But why leave Pakistan and Afghanistan off? Strange.
6
The largest threat to national security is Donald Trump. Not ISIS.
11
Shariah law IS being imposed on Americans. But not by Muslim. The Christian extremists, like VP Pence, want ALL Americans to obey the "laws" from the Bible written by their God, the one and only. And the 70% of Americans who aren't evangelicals let them get away with it.
11
What do you call an elected official who wants to bring back torture, claims that an entire religion is evil, and is unequivocally behind Israeli apartheid? Not President, not my President anyway. I think he's a terrorist.
8
The crusades taught the Church that Holy War does not really work. It is an unholy shame that Pres. Trump and those Christians who support him have failed to learn this basic lesson.
We cannot put Islam behind a fence. We no longer live in that kind of world and real Christians do not want to live in that kind of world.
The Muslims world is a closed world governed by a closed legalistic ethical system. Jihadists fear Christianity and the West because it is open. In Nigeria the worst Jihadist group anywhere is named Boko Haram, which means Western education is forbidden (evil.) It attacks kills or enslaves all who attend public schools.
This is spiritual war which requires spiritual tactics. The problem with Pres. Trump and his allies is that they have no spiritual stature and depth. The proposal to steal the oil fields in the Middle East reveals his true concerns. His willingness to go along with Putin and Assad in Syria confirm his humanitarian concerns.
We cannot put Islam behind a fence. We no longer live in that kind of world and real Christians do not want to live in that kind of world.
The Muslims world is a closed world governed by a closed legalistic ethical system. Jihadists fear Christianity and the West because it is open. In Nigeria the worst Jihadist group anywhere is named Boko Haram, which means Western education is forbidden (evil.) It attacks kills or enslaves all who attend public schools.
This is spiritual war which requires spiritual tactics. The problem with Pres. Trump and his allies is that they have no spiritual stature and depth. The proposal to steal the oil fields in the Middle East reveals his true concerns. His willingness to go along with Putin and Assad in Syria confirm his humanitarian concerns.
10
If Trump actually seeks out and destroys or otherwise neutralizes the wahabbi imams in Saudi Arabia, then his efforts will be effective. Too often, his approaches to problems, much like his bluster, lack any insightful, precise focus. Let's hope he improves.
1
The need is for quiet concerted action to finish ISIS, Al Qaeda and Taliban. Some of it has to do be with military force. And some of it by squeezing the forces that back them such as Pakistan and Saudi with respect to Al Qaeda and Taliban, along with the use of force as needed. There are several Islamic countries that have tried build educated middle class societies such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Lebanon, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Brunei, Kuwait, Egypt, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and even Iran. US needs to be their respectful ally.
The boorish public talk against Islam is indecent, against civilised behaviour and morally wrong. It will create a backlash and innocents will pay.
The boorish public talk against Islam is indecent, against civilised behaviour and morally wrong. It will create a backlash and innocents will pay.
1
In Donald’s head, this is just policy continuity. After all, Pres. Obama and Hillary “founded” ISIS; Donald is now doing his best to rejuvenate it.
The good news is that, unlike Dubya, Dick, and Donald R., Donald T. is openly encouraging war crimes. So if any American military or CIA personnel follow his lead and actually engage in torture or pillage, Donald can easily be prosecuted – whether here, abroad, or in the ICC (if they assert universal jurisdiction) - for aiding and abetting.
The good news is that, unlike Dubya, Dick, and Donald R., Donald T. is openly encouraging war crimes. So if any American military or CIA personnel follow his lead and actually engage in torture or pillage, Donald can easily be prosecuted – whether here, abroad, or in the ICC (if they assert universal jurisdiction) - for aiding and abetting.
1
The bully will pay an awful price. Hopefully, American citizens won't spill blood for his profound ignorance. #lockhimup
2
The was one critical appointment that both parties were in agreement that should be appointed. It was the request to be able to allow one of the very best experts in attacking ISIS's finance. The person is Adam Zubin, which was blocked by Senator Mitch McConnell. If President Trump is truly focused on defeating ISIS, the he should ask the Senate leader, Mitch McConnell to expedite his confirmation as quickly as possible! The lifetime cost of support for a maimed serviceman by car bombs or IED's is in the millions, and blocking funds to purchase materials of mutilation and death is over million dollars per person! Attacking ISIS finances by allowing the best talent to do his job is one of the best investment ever!
1
Dear Friend,
It was a gift to hear from you, and by now you must be settled at home in your beautiful Country but you are missed. You were the one who patiently taught me the rules and regulations of our Humanitarian Agency. The time that I was asked to come in on the weekend and send our library on Water Technology and progress to over 200 countries. I was ready to walk, but you came in, and sent me home when it was you who needed to rest.
The time you showed me where the Slavery Trade at the Gate took place, while I blinked, but for you it was all about forgiveness and a matter in the Past.
You gently told me when I was being insensitive to another colleague and you never took short-cuts in your life. 'My religion 'Islam' is about Love not Hate', you wrote and I believe you. Smiling because of your grace and stature. You have always reminded me of The Statue of Liberty, tall and strong.
We both love America but I am glad you are not here. A war is going on. We will prevail but prayers are needed from Africa, Israel and everywhere. We are marching for Democracy. Some of us have taken Liberty, Freedom and Justice for granted, but not anymore. Perhaps one day I will believe and pray but right now your help is needed. Thank you for your friendship.
It was a gift to hear from you, and by now you must be settled at home in your beautiful Country but you are missed. You were the one who patiently taught me the rules and regulations of our Humanitarian Agency. The time that I was asked to come in on the weekend and send our library on Water Technology and progress to over 200 countries. I was ready to walk, but you came in, and sent me home when it was you who needed to rest.
The time you showed me where the Slavery Trade at the Gate took place, while I blinked, but for you it was all about forgiveness and a matter in the Past.
You gently told me when I was being insensitive to another colleague and you never took short-cuts in your life. 'My religion 'Islam' is about Love not Hate', you wrote and I believe you. Smiling because of your grace and stature. You have always reminded me of The Statue of Liberty, tall and strong.
We both love America but I am glad you are not here. A war is going on. We will prevail but prayers are needed from Africa, Israel and everywhere. We are marching for Democracy. Some of us have taken Liberty, Freedom and Justice for granted, but not anymore. Perhaps one day I will believe and pray but right now your help is needed. Thank you for your friendship.
1
Islam does not hate us. It is mere coincidence that all the terrorists are muslims shouting ali akbar before committing there heinous acts.
3
Okay, I know its early in the game but here goes. Onward christian soldiers is not a strategy. Flynn is one of those, formerly in the military, that drank some pretty foul Kool-aid. It cost America a couple trillion dollars, thousands of lives and the aforementioned general his job. Call it what you like, a grand crusade against Islam is a fool's folly. Anyone with half a wit can see what it takes to recapture even Mosul. You cannot bomb them into submission, though Obama tried. Moreover, does the American public look like it wants Trump to lead us into another ground war in the Middle East? Led by the likes of Flynn? Who will follow them? For us non-believers this is made to look like a war of religions, but know better thanks to our former President and his leadership. There's always a pent-up energy for war in the rising officers in our military, and some will follow the likes of Flynn. As a nation we must RESIST.
3
Get your facts clear. Mr. Obama flooded this country with illegals. He did not care about the working American, although he put up a great show for eight years. People did not want any more tickets to that failure show of his. Americans pay for all of this. People have grandchildren and children. They do not plan to pay for people as the U.S. is not the orphanage of the world. Isis never should have been enabled. Obama did nothing for the U.S. or the world. And he proved it.
1
Jan, you are talking about the people who are willing to do things like picking our tomatoes or cleaning our buildings and who it seems pretty much go on to be good citizens - which is one of the things for instance that Europe is begging for.
In the alternative, I'm pretty sure that you and I are not willing to do these kinds of jobs. So who is?
In the alternative, I'm pretty sure that you and I are not willing to do these kinds of jobs. So who is?
Reasons for Mr. Trump's executive orders to stop acts of terrorism on American soil or its interests by banning or restricting Muslims entering the US is based on what? September 11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. ISIS's ideological source is Saudi's Salafi and Wahhabi interpretation of Islam. Leaked Clinton emails implicate Saudis funding ISIS. Saudis government and private citizens fund Taliban. Saudis fund extremist madrasas all over the world including in Europe and America. So why is Saudi Arabia not on the list? Just because Saudis fund some of CIA expenses? US seems to have a bad arrangement with the Saudis, by tolerating their self-generating viruses (Saudi funded and inspired terrorism) for a few band-aid.
With these executive orders Trump's remedy is misplaced.
Trump should know that the targeted nations are the most who suffer from the terrorism that we all want to end. If Trump keeps playing politics with "terrorism" then good luck.
With these executive orders Trump's remedy is misplaced.
Trump should know that the targeted nations are the most who suffer from the terrorism that we all want to end. If Trump keeps playing politics with "terrorism" then good luck.
2
As long as we are fighting what Mr. Flynn calls Radical Islam, let's fight all the radical, hateful, stupidity that goes along with religion, credulity, and putting belief ahead of reason. Terrorists shooting up restaurants are frightening indeed. So too melting glaciers.
4
Trump is creating more radical extremism her in the US.He has given rise to the KKK, White Supremacist. and the radicalized christian base. While Trump rails against the horrors that ISIS has committed, which is true, he forgets the lynchings and torture that was committed by the KKK and what the white christans did to the Native Americans. This is not ancient history. When Russia invaded Iraq the US armed and trained the radicial terrorist to fight against the Russians. They are the same terrorist we have been fighting since then.
3
I abhor Trump and everything he stands for, but I also abhor misogyny and brutality in the name of a religious ideology. I agree that Islamic jihad is an existential threat akin to the Nazis' ideology. They both believe in "purifying" the world and only value a specific type of Muslim and they use barbarity and genocide to accomplish those goals. But I also believe that Islam is in the grips of their own types of sectarian schisms and political power struggles not unlike what Europe experienced in the middle ages with the Christian Church breaking apart that was all politically motivated by the various monarchies and empires, just as we see with Iran and Saudi Arabia fighting for dominance.
We also need to acknowledge that Islam is a colonizing religion. It seeks converts often through violence just as Christianity did throughout the Americas and parts of Africa. By converting people you colonize them, this process goes hand in hand and is multifaceted, that is a fact, so by extension we in the west must face the reality that we are on the brink of a global colonizing religion called Islam. How we adjust is the more important issue and we need to stop deluding ourselves that this is about religious freedom and stop excusing ignorance, violence, misogyny and genocide under religious liberty. I want my country to protect my right to be free of religious ideology as well! After all, religious ideology is the original and ultimate ,"alternative facts".
We also need to acknowledge that Islam is a colonizing religion. It seeks converts often through violence just as Christianity did throughout the Americas and parts of Africa. By converting people you colonize them, this process goes hand in hand and is multifaceted, that is a fact, so by extension we in the west must face the reality that we are on the brink of a global colonizing religion called Islam. How we adjust is the more important issue and we need to stop deluding ourselves that this is about religious freedom and stop excusing ignorance, violence, misogyny and genocide under religious liberty. I want my country to protect my right to be free of religious ideology as well! After all, religious ideology is the original and ultimate ,"alternative facts".
10
With such prejudicial view of Islam and impatience to declare the whole faith and its adherents as the radical Islamic terrorists Trump is not only fuelling a crusade against Islam but also exposing the US to the wrath of the entire Muslim world in general and the 9/11 like renewed Islamist threats in particular.
63
I am sure that the US would need only a portion of its nuclear weapons to completely wipe Islam off the face of the earth forever.
@Prof.Jai
"...but also exposing the US to the wrath of the entire Muslim world"
My question- Why not harness the "wrath of the entire Muslim world" against the radicals in your religion?
"...but also exposing the US to the wrath of the entire Muslim world"
My question- Why not harness the "wrath of the entire Muslim world" against the radicals in your religion?
Hey! Job security for guys like Flynn and other career military clowns. Forever war! And no problem getting tightwad rich Americans to pay taxes to fund it. That's ALL they like paying for: cops and the Armed Forces. Let's not confuse these clowns with decent, honorable, highly educated career military officers and soldiers such as Retired Admiral Mike Mullen and DOD Secretary James Mattis.
With Trump as president, we are no longer the "guardians of human rights." Kiss those long held and cherished principles goodbye. We are now reduced to vengeful thugs who spout fake "facts" and produce policies based on prejudice. Disgraceful!
19
Actually the problem is with all religions, not just Islam. By definition they are irrational ideologies with absurd components. As Voltaire wrote, it's a short step from absurdity to atrocity.
40
You need to talk to your doctor and have your medications changed? I don't see Christians or Jews chopping children heads or advocating a radical version of their beliefs that if not conformed to will mean death.
While it is true that the "United States must find more effective ways to defeat the terrorists, including by undermining their message" I'm afraid that it is vital that some smart responsible people who surround Trump must find a way to stop Flynn from influencing him. Doesn't anyone have any plagiarism or secrets or dirt on him?
5
The NYT editorial board should be aware that even a liberal acceptance of Islam imposes certain strictures on its adherents; directs them to not tolerate or listen to any genuine informed discussion on the religion (that may be remotely against it). If any one does, he or she is considered disloyal, traitor, apostate or kafir etc. That's the reason any debate or discussion within Islam is prohibited or unworkable even in the liberal environment of Europe or North America.
As a result, the concerned genuine Muslim citizens don't and wouldn't dare to complain against the sleeper cells or report on a disguised suspicious terrorist among them. Any reference to law enforcing agencies would mean violating the principles of Islam or going against the community of co-religionists.
That's the danger North America and Europe will have to confront. It will be seen how far DT and his team will be successful.
As a result, the concerned genuine Muslim citizens don't and wouldn't dare to complain against the sleeper cells or report on a disguised suspicious terrorist among them. Any reference to law enforcing agencies would mean violating the principles of Islam or going against the community of co-religionists.
That's the danger North America and Europe will have to confront. It will be seen how far DT and his team will be successful.
38
Binoy - I dont doubt you're correct in what you say about the principles of Islam and how it forbids muslims to listen to discussions of religions that might be against it. However I refuse to regard the muslims of the world as one monolithic block of sheep following these principles and refusing to inform authorities about sleeper cells in their midst - any more than catholics (aside from church hierarchy) would cover for a pedophile. Whenever I hear these statements about how some other group (religious or nationality) are somehow trying to hurt us, from people who are either unsophisticated/unthinking and looking for someone to blame, or cynically trying to advance their agenda I switch off. If I didn't, I would have to somehow convince myself that many of my relations, friends and supportive contacts who are from different religions or nations are trying to hurt me - something I know from experience to be false, or to use a current term, an alternative fact. The world is made up of individuals who hurt and bleed - just like us. Some of these individuals, unfortunately, are bad seed; but thats not the fault of their nation or religion.
This is just not true. First, concerned Muslims here can and do report on suspicions. This is partly how we have remained quite safe over the last 15 years. Second, while it is true that in some countries, like Pakistan, it would be dangerous to openly question Islamic ideology, in many others, people follow many interpretations and there are also many non-practicing members and atheists.
that's entirely not true. if you switch on any of the many several arabic tv stations in the middle east, you will often see debate programs where different religious topics are debated/discussed between liberals/more secular individuals and the more conservative. not sure where you're getting your facts from.
So he thinks that Islam hates us. We descend into a clash of civilizations, in the age of nuclear weapons, because he thinks something. Never mind the facts or what the facts say, describe or conclude. This is foolishness at its most perilous level. The anemic Republican Congress needs to activate their collective vertebrae finally and well, get on with the responsibility of representing.
20
When will the GOP majority become as alarmed as I am that about the man with little knowledge and less impulse control who lies as easily as he breathes? He seems to thrive on anger, on grievance and on his need to prove himself the meanest bully in the schoolyard. His inflammatory rhetoric will make things worse. Pointing that out isn't appeasement but common sense. Not just sad; very bad.
31
If Donald wants to eradicate extremism he should start right here in the USA. All he has to do is look at the most rabid of his own followers to find it.
Any church that engages in politics should be taxed. Period.
Any church that engages in politics should be taxed. Period.
54
Political orginizations are tax exempt too.
Who are you speaking about Congressman Paul Ryan or Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell? Hardly unreasonable radical people. Maybe you should have stepped forward with your advice during the first two years of the Obama Presidency when ACA was being developed and passed by arrogant Democratic Leadership that didn't allow any input or even discussion of Republican congressional and senate members. But of course like all liberal member divisive behavior is always JUSTIFIABLE. Mr Ryan and McConnell are more reasonable and have reinstated Regular Order that assures everyone gets a voice. Oh how forgetful liberals are regarding the past behaviors.
He's calling for a Crusade, and his instincts seem genocidal - what else is it to say "eradicate from the face of the earth"? How can this administration be stopped before it plunges us into destruction and destitution?
41
It can only be stopped by convincing Republicans in Congress to reign him in. Good luck with THAT. They aren't interested in doing something like that and risking defeat, losing their precious power to lord over others, and sucking money from wealthy people. They don't think anything whatsoever about preserving America and its values. They don't even understand what American values ARE anymore, and they like it that way.
1
As for president tweety bird. Those who fight fire with fire get burned.
The trick for the rest of us will be trying to keep from getting burned as well.
Resist.
The trick for the rest of us will be trying to keep from getting burned as well.
Resist.
33
Islam hates us as much as the French hate us or the Saudi's hate us (as evidenced by 9/11 - but ultimately ignored, apparently).
And you know what, maybe "they" do. Surely there is someone who is Muslim or French or Saudi who dislikes what they see happening in our country, or our projection of foreign policy. Maybe there's a Muslim Saudi living in France who shouts at his TV every time he sees an American flag.
Saying "XYZ hates us" is ignorant bigotry for most Americans for any student of reality knows that it cannot be true, everywhere, in the individual case.
This president seems to have no cognizance of how his every utterance is examined for information and calls for action by the American power structure. Truth is, we common Americans - including his supporters - know his utterances are mostly fluff and tripe and quite possibly the ramblings of a mind detached from seriousness. All we seem to be able to do at this point is to treat his blather as if it was well-informed intelligence at every turn. We continue to respect the office of President even as he disgraces it.
For the next four years we need to discount what this man is saying and only take seriously the people with measurable IQs on his staff or in congress. I think he would be much happier being the guy on TV saying things people might want to hear, or find funny, than having to actually work at improving the country and the world.
And you know what, maybe "they" do. Surely there is someone who is Muslim or French or Saudi who dislikes what they see happening in our country, or our projection of foreign policy. Maybe there's a Muslim Saudi living in France who shouts at his TV every time he sees an American flag.
Saying "XYZ hates us" is ignorant bigotry for most Americans for any student of reality knows that it cannot be true, everywhere, in the individual case.
This president seems to have no cognizance of how his every utterance is examined for information and calls for action by the American power structure. Truth is, we common Americans - including his supporters - know his utterances are mostly fluff and tripe and quite possibly the ramblings of a mind detached from seriousness. All we seem to be able to do at this point is to treat his blather as if it was well-informed intelligence at every turn. We continue to respect the office of President even as he disgraces it.
For the next four years we need to discount what this man is saying and only take seriously the people with measurable IQs on his staff or in congress. I think he would be much happier being the guy on TV saying things people might want to hear, or find funny, than having to actually work at improving the country and the world.
16
Maybe you need to have relationships with some of the Muslims you encounter in your daily life before you voice all sorts of conjecture on what all Muslims think. There is no such thing as what all Muslims think just the same as there is no one way all Christians think. Those sorts of statements are inherently ignorant and bigoted.
Get to know some Muslims.
Get to know some Muslims.
1
Mr. Trump's words are just the prelude to the actions that he is about to take in the Middle East and elsewhere that will put our troops in these areas in greater danger than they need to be. These words are also an invitation to terrorists to ply their deadly trade on American soil as well. It is hard to see how we won't end up in increased warfare abroad and violence at home--and soon.
21
Endless war. How boring. We have ALWAYS been at war with East Asia!!
And when trump and company start their wars for oil, wars against a mindset, wars against a RELIGION that is practiced in every nation on our planet, I hope all his ignorant, bloodlust supporters are the first to step up to the plate to fight these wars themselves, sacrificing their loved one's blood, their own blood and their own money. 40 percent of our country is chronically ignorant. There is no kinder, politically correct way to label this. There will be war, there will be countless blood shed, death and destruction under this dangerous administration of ignorance coupled with unbridled arrogance and ego. Our country is no longer recognizable. Our great democracy, which by strict definition is "a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections" is nearing the end. For some unfathomable reason to those among the sane, 46 percent of our voting population believed that the crazies should control the asylum and the most dangerous crazy of all should be in charge! It's far too late to stop the madness that is unfolding daily. Even our staunches "supporters" have seemingly abandoned us. Warren confirmed Carson to head HUD, a man who believes we owe our most vulnerable citizens nothing. Sanders is largely silent. Pelosi and Schumer gush! Who is left to fight for us?
And when trump and company start their wars for oil, wars against a mindset, wars against a RELIGION that is practiced in every nation on our planet, I hope all his ignorant, bloodlust supporters are the first to step up to the plate to fight these wars themselves, sacrificing their loved one's blood, their own blood and their own money. 40 percent of our country is chronically ignorant. There is no kinder, politically correct way to label this. There will be war, there will be countless blood shed, death and destruction under this dangerous administration of ignorance coupled with unbridled arrogance and ego. Our country is no longer recognizable. Our great democracy, which by strict definition is "a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections" is nearing the end. For some unfathomable reason to those among the sane, 46 percent of our voting population believed that the crazies should control the asylum and the most dangerous crazy of all should be in charge! It's far too late to stop the madness that is unfolding daily. Even our staunches "supporters" have seemingly abandoned us. Warren confirmed Carson to head HUD, a man who believes we owe our most vulnerable citizens nothing. Sanders is largely silent. Pelosi and Schumer gush! Who is left to fight for us?
44
These ignorant people don't choose to be ignorant. Their schools are inferior, they have less exposure to other cultures and ideas. Rupert Murdoch's fox news bombards them with fear and rage. Billionaires (Koch, Adelson, DeVos) who should know better make sure the government does little to help these people. Perhaps we can reach out in some way.
Take a couple of aspirin and get some sleep. This kind of radical rant adds nothing to a reasoned discussion and simply hardens people against their "opponents". The left can't accept that Hillary Clinton lost the election because of arrogance, believing that the traditional democrats in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania would automatically vote for her, I suggest you take you obvious anger out on the person and campaign the gave the election to Donald Trump.
Larry, their stubbornness doesn't allow for it. I have beat my head against the wall trying to get trump supporters to see how they are so manipulated and lied to. The absolute need to believe the ideology trumps all ration and reason. They don't want to believe. They refuse to accept fact. this isn't lack of education. The trump supporters I now are al highly educated. Several are school teachers, one is a nurse, one is an engineer with a degree from the prestigious Rensselaer College, another has a master's degree. Lack of education is not the problem. My town has 67% of the population with some degree of higher learning, at minus an associates degree. We have a median income of $89K. The voters overwhelmingly supported trump. How do you lay this irrationality and unwillingness to accept fact at the feet of faulty education? There is something that allows these people to be manipulated by false "truths". Until we understand this we will keep faulting our education system. I've asked how far back do we go? Why are adults educated in the same school system, even family members, so diametrically opposed in politics and willingness to accept the truth? Education is a great scapegoat but it doesn't explain why educated men overwhelmingly supported trump. The only common threads I see are unacknowledged greed and bigotry. A belief that those deserving of our help don't deserve it, that gays, minorities, the poor don't deserve equal considerations, that somehow they are unequal.
The last Republican administration started the Iraq war under false pretenses and the fallout has been going on and getting worse ever since. By now it should be clear that we cannot defeat an ideology at the point of a gun. Reform and military action must come from within the Mideast with appropriate support from the US and the West. The Trump carnival plays into radical ideology by fomenting the war of civilizations that they seek.
66
If the US treated 9/11 as a criminal act and went after the perpetrators of the crime and their co-conspirators instead of making it an act of global war, we would have another trillion dollars in our treasury, more productive young people who wouldn't have been killed, injured and distraught enough to kill themselves in record numbers, along with good will around the globe.
We wouldn't have armed and trained terrorists, started a huge ME war that has created a huge refugee crisis that threatens to bring down the center/left in Europe and has already brought down the center in the US and Great Britain.
The very thing that separates us from radical anything is the rule of law and concepts of universal justice. We completely abandoned both when confronted with what was essentially a dastardly criminal act by a criminal gang.
Randomly inflicting pain without the rule of law and concepts of justice is likely to be a formula to make America, cruel, tyrannical and a country that dies from within. Listening to Mr. Trump talk about our country it's as if it has already happened.
We wouldn't have armed and trained terrorists, started a huge ME war that has created a huge refugee crisis that threatens to bring down the center/left in Europe and has already brought down the center in the US and Great Britain.
The very thing that separates us from radical anything is the rule of law and concepts of universal justice. We completely abandoned both when confronted with what was essentially a dastardly criminal act by a criminal gang.
Randomly inflicting pain without the rule of law and concepts of justice is likely to be a formula to make America, cruel, tyrannical and a country that dies from within. Listening to Mr. Trump talk about our country it's as if it has already happened.
213
Nice words but unless one is dealing with an enemy who accepts and honors the rule of law and concepts of American justice they will continue brutal killings of anyone who doesn't. Their is only one acceptable option: Brutal Islamist must with change their beliefs and accept civil society norms or be irradiated from the earth. These are not reasonable people and we shouldn't deceive ourselves into believing they are just like the Christians in the United States.
Thank you.
The bones of every patriarchal religion are reinforced by a determination to control women. The Catholic Church relies on celibate men to guide its flock and bans women from the priesthood. It declares that contraception is sinful, and instructs women to subject themselves to repeated pregnancies. Many Muslim women are denied education and covered from head to foot in black cloth. Pattern?
I wish I knew more about the Crusades. Then perhaps Trump's aggression wouldn't surprise me.
Conservative Muslims and Christians don't much like gays either.
The patriarchal Republican Party has adopted Christians as a key faction. This explains Trump's selection of Mike Pence as his VP. Republicans support men's rights to own guns untroubled by government, but are eager to intrude on the privacy of women. So they support laws that would criminalize many methods of contraception by declaring that "life" begins at conception, and laws that require any woman seeking an abortion to have a camera inserted in her so she can view the fetus. And three GOP presidential candidates -- Cruz, Jindal, Huckabee -- kowtowed on stage to a pastor, Kevin Swanson, who advocates the execution of American gays.
OK ... so why do so many women join these religions and the Republican Party? Because they seek to guide their sisters? Yes. Because they trust these social networks do good works and that the doctrines are correct? Yes.
But I'll think about that tomorrow.
I wish I knew more about the Crusades. Then perhaps Trump's aggression wouldn't surprise me.
Conservative Muslims and Christians don't much like gays either.
The patriarchal Republican Party has adopted Christians as a key faction. This explains Trump's selection of Mike Pence as his VP. Republicans support men's rights to own guns untroubled by government, but are eager to intrude on the privacy of women. So they support laws that would criminalize many methods of contraception by declaring that "life" begins at conception, and laws that require any woman seeking an abortion to have a camera inserted in her so she can view the fetus. And three GOP presidential candidates -- Cruz, Jindal, Huckabee -- kowtowed on stage to a pastor, Kevin Swanson, who advocates the execution of American gays.
OK ... so why do so many women join these religions and the Republican Party? Because they seek to guide their sisters? Yes. Because they trust these social networks do good works and that the doctrines are correct? Yes.
But I'll think about that tomorrow.
65
Well done. I take exception in only one small way.
Pence is nothing more than the Donald's life insurance policy. He calculates - a big concept for the Donald - that no rational "2nd Amendment people" will do their thing knowing that the instant the deed was done that Pence would become president. The Donald knows that Pence is even more stupidly polarizing than he is.
Pence is nothing more than the Donald's life insurance policy. He calculates - a big concept for the Donald - that no rational "2nd Amendment people" will do their thing knowing that the instant the deed was done that Pence would become president. The Donald knows that Pence is even more stupidly polarizing than he is.
Deborah, I was raised a Lutheran. One of the doctrines that was repeatedly droned into our minds is that we were to be like sheep. The Church was our Shepherd and we sheep were to follow without question. This was the only way to stay with the herd and eventually be lead to heaven.
Does this explain you why so many women follow tradition? I have since become a lion.
Does this explain you why so many women follow tradition? I have since become a lion.
1
Deborah--Religion poisons everything. It is the source of most of the world's problems. Christianity is particularly heinous in its desire to pursue war, control critical thinking, kill democracy, and marginalize women.
1
Donald Trump has long displayed the classic symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. But barely a week into his presidency his behavior appears to be devolving into full-fledged megalomania. This is a dangerous man who must be stopped before he causes grievous harm to all people, not just those he singles out particularly (Hispanics and Muslims primarily) but to all of us. What a horrific mistake the USA made in elevating this man to power!
5
Overstating the nature of the conflict with terrorists also results in overestimating the necessary response which, in itself, represents a desired victory for those same terrorists. The mighty giant can pull himself down in ways they can't.
Look at the U.S. actions following 9-11, 2001. While this was obviously a major, disastrous event and a human tragedy for our country, our response has cost a massive sum of money. The two wars that followed are variously estimated to have cost upwards of three trillion dollars. The national security response here adds another trillion or more to the total, a response that continues to this day. War time and defense spending generally lacks the multiplier effect that gathers when something would otherwise be bought or constructed that adds to the economy. A tank is dead end spending, it can do nothing more than move about and shoot, it doesn't represent, in itself, an economic gain except for those who pocket the profits. A new school or better paid teachers, in contrast, can pay dividends for generations.
It is easier to defeat ourselves with excessive spending and going in search of new enemies than it is for the terrorists to defeat us directly. The more frantic we become to finally defeat terrorism, the less likely it is to occur.
Look at the U.S. actions following 9-11, 2001. While this was obviously a major, disastrous event and a human tragedy for our country, our response has cost a massive sum of money. The two wars that followed are variously estimated to have cost upwards of three trillion dollars. The national security response here adds another trillion or more to the total, a response that continues to this day. War time and defense spending generally lacks the multiplier effect that gathers when something would otherwise be bought or constructed that adds to the economy. A tank is dead end spending, it can do nothing more than move about and shoot, it doesn't represent, in itself, an economic gain except for those who pocket the profits. A new school or better paid teachers, in contrast, can pay dividends for generations.
It is easier to defeat ourselves with excessive spending and going in search of new enemies than it is for the terrorists to defeat us directly. The more frantic we become to finally defeat terrorism, the less likely it is to occur.
5
Throughout our history, Americans have periodically expressed anxiety over national unity by conjuring an internal enemy whom we must suppress. Like a small child frightened by the bogey man under his bed, we demand security from phantoms.
Members of the generation which created the republic, fearful of its fragility, accused each other of harboring monarchist sentiments. In the late 19th century, as Catholic immigrants arrived in droves, many Protestants denounced them as foreign agents, who would subordinate democratic America to papal rule. And on multiple occasions in the 20th century, political radicals, in the form of anarchists or communists, enjoyed the limelight as existential threats to our republican institutions.
In each case, a kernel of truth strengthened the plausibility of the perceived threat. Alexander Hamilton did prefer a monarchy, the anarchists did blow up people, and American communists really did identify with Soviet Russia. In like manner, Muslim terrorists pose a genuine threat to the safety of some Americans.
A diverse society will always experience internal tensions, but the only one that imperiled the republic stemmed from the slavery controversy. Trump's paranoia threatens to magnify a real but limited risk into an existential crisis that could undermine the pluralism that has always made America a vibrant, creative society. Our history shows that fear always serves as a poor guide to intelligent policy.
Members of the generation which created the republic, fearful of its fragility, accused each other of harboring monarchist sentiments. In the late 19th century, as Catholic immigrants arrived in droves, many Protestants denounced them as foreign agents, who would subordinate democratic America to papal rule. And on multiple occasions in the 20th century, political radicals, in the form of anarchists or communists, enjoyed the limelight as existential threats to our republican institutions.
In each case, a kernel of truth strengthened the plausibility of the perceived threat. Alexander Hamilton did prefer a monarchy, the anarchists did blow up people, and American communists really did identify with Soviet Russia. In like manner, Muslim terrorists pose a genuine threat to the safety of some Americans.
A diverse society will always experience internal tensions, but the only one that imperiled the republic stemmed from the slavery controversy. Trump's paranoia threatens to magnify a real but limited risk into an existential crisis that could undermine the pluralism that has always made America a vibrant, creative society. Our history shows that fear always serves as a poor guide to intelligent policy.
1
The idea that the United States would go to Iraq to take oil is obscene. Many in Europe, especially in England, believed in 2003, and some probably still do, that the goal of the war in Iraq was oil. They were applying their old, earlier colonial motives to us as if we were just an extension of what they once were, imperialists out to rape the world of resources and wealth. Now, Trump gives them comfort.
Officially sanctioned torture would be a step back to the dark ages, a place where Trump and some of his advisors appear to dwell mentally. That a great nation would stoop so low is an insult to all of our values and long history. The same applies to the "black site" prisons which were little more than an attempt to allow others to do what we wouldn't, apply torture of a massive, undisputed nature away from America's shores. Disgusting.
Officially sanctioned torture would be a step back to the dark ages, a place where Trump and some of his advisors appear to dwell mentally. That a great nation would stoop so low is an insult to all of our values and long history. The same applies to the "black site" prisons which were little more than an attempt to allow others to do what we wouldn't, apply torture of a massive, undisputed nature away from America's shores. Disgusting.
8
Mr. Ts ideas emanate from a hodge podge of extreme right wing radio scare talking points (spend a few minutes a day listening, more is too much). According to those who know him, he knows nothing of history, nothing of international relations, nothing about nothing, except maybe how to scam people out of good money (Trump U, Trump Steaks, etc etc). And how to puff himself up, like any tin-pot dictator. He wants to outdo Putin and Kim Jong-Un in putting on military parades.
He is, as someone else mentioned, playing with fire and he has brought along a bunch of similarly minded playmates. We are in trouble.
He is, as someone else mentioned, playing with fire and he has brought along a bunch of similarly minded playmates. We are in trouble.
7
A shotgun approach to a small but decisive religious fanatical group, such as ISIS, by targeting a large geographical swath as 'evil', is a product of willful ignorance and irresponsibly naive behavior of our current big-mouth Liar-in-Chief. And seconded by Mr. Flynn, a 'master' in conspiracy theories, seemingly resentful of his station in life, looking for revenge by slashing on a huge Muslim population...instead of focusing on jihadists (those practicing a radical interpretation of Islam) and other violent groups intent in restoring a land supposedly desecrated by the West (there is some truth to that, of course). But demagogue Trump's shotgun approach, completely improvised by what is tickling his fancy at any given moment, capricious to the tilt, irresponsibly compromising what needs to be done in an already complex world. We are witnessing a situation where our governing 'elite' doesn't know the value of precedent, and alliances, and diplomacy, in solving the grave issues afflicting all, "shooting from the hip", a highly unscrupulous process whose long-term results may end in disaster. To add insult to injury, the damage being inflicted is 'gratis', self-inflicted, and upsetting friends and foes alike, by sheer spite or vengeance of perceived slights to Trump's ego. The abuse of power we are witnessing is an affront to our democracy, impulsive executive orders and vulgar twitttering that cheapens the presidency. What a bully!
4
There are 2 billion Muslims on earth and growing, about 7 times the population of the USA. Get used to it; we're all going to have to be sharing this planet for a very long time to come. Believe it or not, Muslims just want the same things as everyone else - steady livelihoods, opportunities for their children, peace, and success for their local sports franchises. I'm much more worried about things that are actually likely to affect my life, like going bankrupt or being permanently incapacitated from having my medical insurance unexpectedly revoked by a our nihilistic oligarch class that knows no bounds of greed. Yes let's please speak up and speak strongly for anyone in our community targeted for harassment. That's just human decency. But through all of these news cycle distractions, let's also not lose sight for a minute of the real goal of Trump's administration and the Republican enablers: the complete destruction of upward mobility and the enshrinement of a new permanent class of landed aristocracy that answers to no one but themselves. If you think it sounds far-fetched, may I remind you that this was the status quo in the western world before the disruptive miracle of the founding of the United States, which utterly rejected the authoritarian model in favor of a truth that was so obvious we considered it 'self evident.' To lose sight of our founding principles now and engaging in demeaning squabbles with entire religions, it to admit that we were wrong all along. Sad!
8
I don't believe that Muslims want the same things I do. Muslims want women as second class citizens and gays punished. Muslims believe that death is the appropriate penalty for apostasy. I don't want those things.
2
You cannot fight ideas with bombs and soldiers unless you are willing to hold the territory indefinitely and subjugate the people. That option is not only immoral and illegal, it is also expensive.
One of the key problems with being an outsider, inexperienced, not part of the beltway, is that you don't have a lot of people with experience advising you about where the landmines are planted. Anyone in the State Department could outline for the President the various consequences of his inane ramblings.
He just won't listen.
I'm in a quandry here. The Senate won't try to impeach him until they ramrod all the disastrous changes to healthcare and social programs through the system. That may give Trump enough time to cause real and lasting damage, in addition to our already scheduled real and lasting damage from Congress. Should I just hope they set the poor and working class out to sea in understocked lifeboats faster, so that we can avert international incident? That's a tough question.
One of the key problems with being an outsider, inexperienced, not part of the beltway, is that you don't have a lot of people with experience advising you about where the landmines are planted. Anyone in the State Department could outline for the President the various consequences of his inane ramblings.
He just won't listen.
I'm in a quandry here. The Senate won't try to impeach him until they ramrod all the disastrous changes to healthcare and social programs through the system. That may give Trump enough time to cause real and lasting damage, in addition to our already scheduled real and lasting damage from Congress. Should I just hope they set the poor and working class out to sea in understocked lifeboats faster, so that we can avert international incident? That's a tough question.
10
"You cannot fight ideas with bombs and soldiers unless you are willing to hold the territory indefinitely and subjugate the people."
YES you can if you are willing to kill all of the people involved.
YES you can if you are willing to kill all of the people involved.
The proposed investigation of voter fraud causes me concern on a few fronts. First, we see that Don the Con will use the power of his office to order an investigation when there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. (To support his claim, Don the Con cited a few research reports that in fact did not support his view.) That is an abuse and misuse of his office and is just wrong. Will he do the same thing in the future to punish his political opponents? This investigation should not go forward unless there is sufficient credible evidence to support the idea that voter fraud is a problem. Second, this is a waste of money and resources. Our government has better things to do than conduct investigations just to stroke the ego of Don the Con. Why doesn't Don the Con request an investigation into Russian interference? That's where there really is something worth investigating.
6
It is not likely to be an "endless world wars" scenario. In the Age of nuclear weapons, there will come an end to human existence, once the nuclear bombs launch. I fear the prevailing tide of thinking that purports that Christianity and Western civilization are under siege from Islam. If those who are now in a position and determined to act upon this flawed thinking aren't stopped, I believe that we will have the civilization-altering conflict that ends all conflicts. A universal religious ideological war, is the end.
7
At the present time, only Pakistan has nuclear weapons and their delivery system can not reach the US while the US has more than enough nuclear weapons to completely wipe Islam off the face of the earth and they can do very little or nothing to us in return.
A major terrorist attack under Trump will be the greatest gift to his most radical supporters. We need to remember that the invasion of Iraq under false pretexts could not have support of so many without 9/11 attack 17 months earlier. This time, though, the situation will be much more dire, both abroad or domestically, which may lead to suspension of our Constitution under an "emergency" pretext. Unfortunately, expanding the "war on terror" to include 1.5 billion people, will increase the likelihood of such event than decrease it. We all need to do anything we can to stop Trumps agenda, otherwise the ramifications of such scenario will destroy our way of life.
8
As I read the headlines today about the wall, banning Syrians, the pipeline, the proposed US withdrawal from international alliances, I am crying for my country.
However, I am also crying for my city Santa Fe NM. We have a mayor who while proclaimiing Santa Fe to be a sanctuary city denies a citizen the right to practice law and engage in First Amendment rights when he denied me the right to speak on his proposed sugar tax from petitions on the floor. On behalf of two property owners, I was going to express dismiss at the city's lack of enforcement of permit fees from licensed contractors and thought that could be an alternative to the sugar tax. I was never allowed to speak. The mayor gavelled me down and refused to answer whether he was denying me First Amendment rights and the right to property (my law license). I support the protection of people who contribute to our society to be here. Make no mistake that Javier Gonzales is not progressive. IMHO he is using the sanctuary issue to build his national profile now that he will not be on the Hillary team. As a county commissioner, he voted to privatize the county jail--something we are still paying for almost two decades later. Mr Gonzales also lacks personal courage---avoiding coming out publicly untiI he ran for mayor two years ago. What I am saying is talk on liberal issues does not make a politician truly progressive. Look behind the actions to the motivation. IMHO Javier Gonzales is looking more and more like Trump
However, I am also crying for my city Santa Fe NM. We have a mayor who while proclaimiing Santa Fe to be a sanctuary city denies a citizen the right to practice law and engage in First Amendment rights when he denied me the right to speak on his proposed sugar tax from petitions on the floor. On behalf of two property owners, I was going to express dismiss at the city's lack of enforcement of permit fees from licensed contractors and thought that could be an alternative to the sugar tax. I was never allowed to speak. The mayor gavelled me down and refused to answer whether he was denying me First Amendment rights and the right to property (my law license). I support the protection of people who contribute to our society to be here. Make no mistake that Javier Gonzales is not progressive. IMHO he is using the sanctuary issue to build his national profile now that he will not be on the Hillary team. As a county commissioner, he voted to privatize the county jail--something we are still paying for almost two decades later. Mr Gonzales also lacks personal courage---avoiding coming out publicly untiI he ran for mayor two years ago. What I am saying is talk on liberal issues does not make a politician truly progressive. Look behind the actions to the motivation. IMHO Javier Gonzales is looking more and more like Trump
4
After all, it's all about you.
1
My only question right now is "When will Congress and many of the American People finally see through this circus performance by the ring master Donald Trump"? This is a no brainer. It really doesn't take special glasses to see what is happening. We already have the past in the History of our planet to see in reality what happens when we let things go too far. When is enough Enough?
5
Trump's foreign policy is looking very dangerous. But for the NYTimes editorial board to now claim that these initiatives "trample on American values and international law" is astounding in its hypocrisy.
The invasion of Iraq was a war of aggression. The occupation of the country violated international law. The arrests, detention and torture all violated the Geneva Convention. The very idea that "regime change" would be a central platform of American policy should have been vehemently opposed by the media; but it was not.
Regime change clearly meant using American military force to unseat one government and replace it with one of our choosing. Does this represent "American values?"
We have destroyed Iraq as a functioning nation state. We did the same to Libya. Our proxy is savaging Yemen, a country where 150 children a day are dying from starvation. Obama's drone program has by its own count killed nearly 3,000 people, most of them innocent civilians.
If Trump is trampling on international law it is because media organs, like the Times opened the door to those abuses by supporting these wars and never seriously challenging their legality, their morality or even their efficacy for American interests. The fact that Trump will be clumsy where Obama was thoughtful makes no difference.
Our government has perpetrated crimes against humanity, crimes of war and treaty violations. Trump is simply walking this same violent path.
The invasion of Iraq was a war of aggression. The occupation of the country violated international law. The arrests, detention and torture all violated the Geneva Convention. The very idea that "regime change" would be a central platform of American policy should have been vehemently opposed by the media; but it was not.
Regime change clearly meant using American military force to unseat one government and replace it with one of our choosing. Does this represent "American values?"
We have destroyed Iraq as a functioning nation state. We did the same to Libya. Our proxy is savaging Yemen, a country where 150 children a day are dying from starvation. Obama's drone program has by its own count killed nearly 3,000 people, most of them innocent civilians.
If Trump is trampling on international law it is because media organs, like the Times opened the door to those abuses by supporting these wars and never seriously challenging their legality, their morality or even their efficacy for American interests. The fact that Trump will be clumsy where Obama was thoughtful makes no difference.
Our government has perpetrated crimes against humanity, crimes of war and treaty violations. Trump is simply walking this same violent path.
18
As recent history clearly demonstrates, right wing republicans are elected by an uninformed public, create world chaos for 4 or 8 years and then a democratic administration comes to power and spends all of our national energy and treasure cleaning up the mess. We have met the enemy - and it's the right.
16
"The problem is that his approach, as we know it, is more likely to further inflame anti-American sentiment around the world than to make the United States safer."
Apparently, the Editorial Board makes the classic ethnocentric mistake of believing people around the world could not possibly have volition and dreams of their own, fundamentally at odds with our existential interests.
Apparently, the Editorial Board makes the classic ethnocentric mistake of believing people around the world could not possibly have volition and dreams of their own, fundamentally at odds with our existential interests.
13
Since 9-11 about 100 people total have died at the hands of Islamic sympathizers in the U.S. In 2015 alone more than 200 children have killed others by accident. Which is the greater threat? Have we exaggerated the Islamic threat? Some experts estimate that repeal of Obamacare will kill about 40,000 people annually? In a simple minded way Trump and the GOP appear to be a greater threat to Americans than Muslims.
135
Islamic terrorism is one of the primary reason Donald Trump won the election. Since 9/11, US has been trying its best eradicate Islamic terror groups without any success. There is no significant cooperation from Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Invasion of Iraq and Libya were the greatest mistakes this country ever did. Both Sadam Hussein and
Mohamed Qadafi were secular leaders. Now the radical Islamists have invaded every country in Europe. The influx of massive numbers of Muslim migrants into Europe and these immigrants’ robust birthrates have flared up Islamophobia in Europe including the fact that many of these immigrants are unable or unwilling to assimilate into mainstream western European culture. Studies show that younger Muslim generations in Europe are actually more jihadist-oriented—some would say more pious—than their elders. Radical Islam is a reality and a growing problem. Unfortunately Muslim countries who are the most affected by this issue are not doing anything and western countries are forced to deal with this issue.
Mohamed Qadafi were secular leaders. Now the radical Islamists have invaded every country in Europe. The influx of massive numbers of Muslim migrants into Europe and these immigrants’ robust birthrates have flared up Islamophobia in Europe including the fact that many of these immigrants are unable or unwilling to assimilate into mainstream western European culture. Studies show that younger Muslim generations in Europe are actually more jihadist-oriented—some would say more pious—than their elders. Radical Islam is a reality and a growing problem. Unfortunately Muslim countries who are the most affected by this issue are not doing anything and western countries are forced to deal with this issue.
18
Europe was actually "invaded" by those Muslims who wanted to get away from Islamic terrorism in their countries of origin. That is why they left. If they wanted to live the sharia life, they would have stayed.
Wrong, Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Jordan, all Moslem countries, are fighting daily the pretend Moslem ISIS gang and Moslem men are dying every day to exterminate this cancer.
You don't have a clue what you're talking about. Case in point: we didn't invade Libya, Qadafi was overthrown by his own people because he was a brutal dictator.
"The president has a responsibility to defend the country against extremist threats, but the ideas of Mr. Flynn and others, if adopted, seem like a recipe for endless world war."
Trump loves this stuff--soaks it up almost with glee, as if now having what he considers "ultimate power" he can direct his messages of hate anywhere he choses.
I'm surprised Flynn views Russia as an enemy--has he discussed this with his Putin puppet boss?
It's pretty much common consensus among security officials that the tools Trump is using--the demonization of an entire religion, threats to take oil, and hysterical insinuations about the religious war Islam is waging against the west --will produce the opposite effect.
In other words: we are making new enemies with every tweet, and likely making new militants about ordinary Muslims who were just trying to survive in the chaos of the middle east.
I predict more terror episodes not fewer, under an administration that's not listening to the advice of more seasoned souls in the intelligence community.
I predict a weakened ability for local police to develop important information leads that stop terrorist attacks.
I think that Trump's outrageous taunts and deranged threats to grab Islamic oil will inflame the reasonable factions in the Middle East.
I believe that Trump is taking a bad situation and making it worse, resulting in more terror, more anti-Americanism, and greater dangers for Americans at home and abroad.
Trump loves this stuff--soaks it up almost with glee, as if now having what he considers "ultimate power" he can direct his messages of hate anywhere he choses.
I'm surprised Flynn views Russia as an enemy--has he discussed this with his Putin puppet boss?
It's pretty much common consensus among security officials that the tools Trump is using--the demonization of an entire religion, threats to take oil, and hysterical insinuations about the religious war Islam is waging against the west --will produce the opposite effect.
In other words: we are making new enemies with every tweet, and likely making new militants about ordinary Muslims who were just trying to survive in the chaos of the middle east.
I predict more terror episodes not fewer, under an administration that's not listening to the advice of more seasoned souls in the intelligence community.
I predict a weakened ability for local police to develop important information leads that stop terrorist attacks.
I think that Trump's outrageous taunts and deranged threats to grab Islamic oil will inflame the reasonable factions in the Middle East.
I believe that Trump is taking a bad situation and making it worse, resulting in more terror, more anti-Americanism, and greater dangers for Americans at home and abroad.
79
This is the truth. What's more we will become "a police state with elections" as a result.
2
As we used to say: 'War is good business. Invest your children'.
Trump has always lived off other people's money. Suppose he can wage war with other people's lives and their (not his) tax financing too.
Trump has always lived off other people's money. Suppose he can wage war with other people's lives and their (not his) tax financing too.
I think the President of the United States hates us more than any overseas enemy, and is ready to destroy our once-peaceful way of life in pursuit of his vendettas. Watch what he does, not what he tweets.
51
Maybe the entire USA is the swamp. Drain the swamp, but grab it's money.
Trump & Co are scary people with poor understanding of Islam, the issues, and the problem. They also, in the focus on these "external" threats, seem to not understand how very many of the terrorist attacks on our soil were carried out by non-Muslims and/or the mentally ill who were influenced by online terrorist postings, but who might very well simply have picked up other influence (neo-Nazis etc.). Newtown, Columbine, Oklahoma city, Aurora theater... the list is endless and has nothing whatsoever to do with ISIS or Islam.
Yes, we must fight extremists and do something about ISIS, but it would be helpful if the "leaders" we have had a clear understanding of the problem and a plan which fit the situation.
Yes, we must fight extremists and do something about ISIS, but it would be helpful if the "leaders" we have had a clear understanding of the problem and a plan which fit the situation.
94
We cannot bar American-born mass murderers from entering the country. They are already here. But we can bar travelers from countries that export terrorism and terrorists. However, you contention that non-Muslim mass murders are as dangerous as Muslim jihadists is simply wrong. Of the events you list only the Oklahoma City Bombing qualifies as a terror attack because only it was carried out with the purpose of achieving political or social change. Your other examples are mass shootings, and you forgot to mention that some of the very worst mass shootings—Pulse Nightclub, San Bernardino and Fort Hood—were terror attacks carried out by Muslim jihadists. However, according to the Washington Post’s mass shooting database, mass shootings have killed 884 Americans in the past 50 years. By comparison, the 911 Terror Attacks killed 2,966 and injured around 6,000 in a single morning.
1
I too feel that I've plunged into a war "a messianic mass movement of evil people, most of them inspired by a totalitarian ideology." Most frightening is that unlike ISIS, who are an ocean away, they're occupying my nation's capital.
351
So distraught I can't proofread: I too feel that I've been plunged into a war with "a messianic mass movement of evil people, most of them inspired by a totalitarian ideology."
The passive voice is important because it isn't my doing or desire.
The passive voice is important because it isn't my doing or desire.
12
Hysterical! LOL
Trump, like a broken clock, is right twice a day. The refuge influx in Europe and the large culturally isolated Islamic populations there have not been a boon to Western humanistic values. Unless the new immigrants and refugees adopt the best aspects of Western culture as their own, they remain a threat to our own freedoms. Why this newspaper can see the threat to those liberal values from the far less dangerous evangelical Christians and not from the far more radical and violence prone Islamic proselytizers is a question I have no answer to, other than perhaps a lack of opportunity to see and live the impacts first hand.
45
The analogy for Trump is that he resembles a monkey trying to type Shakespeare. It will take a long time for him to get one line right. And then it will be the wrong line.
3
@Tom S:. You spot the flaw in this article and the NYT. One can be open minded but not allow one's brains to spill out. However excellent a publication, there is a reluctance of the NYT to spell out the realit y of Jihadist Islam in the West. The banlieus of France and Belgium , and elsewhere in Europe, and the attendant hatred of Western Liberalism don't go away, do they?
Islam and Christianity are exactly the same: They both want to convert the world to their religion. Most Xians won't say "at the end of a sword" anymore, but if you've ever had to lie to get away from the verbal assaults of someone who's convinced that you need to know Jesus, you know what I mean!
Both of you: Shut up and leave us alone!
Both of you: Shut up and leave us alone!
124
Those trying to co-opt the power of the Federal government to prevent women from aborting a small collection of cells are attempting to use violence to enforce religious views.
6
No, they're not exactly the same. That's incredibly dishonest, or possibly better, naive. Far mor kill in the name of Islam today and it's not close.
Actually, joanna, there are people like Ann Coulter who are quite enthusiastic about using the sword.
One way to undermine the "message" of Islamist terrorists would be to stop bombing Muslim nations, and to stop trying to overthrow their governments, and stop taking the side of Saudi Arabia in its proxy wars. We might also stop pouring arms into the region, thus adding to the carnage and giving it a "Made in USA" trademark. If all the money we've spent on the Global War on Terror declared by G. Bush had been spent on humanitarian and economic aid, would extremists still have a "message" to sell?
323
Thank you!
1
There was a time when it was widely recognized that anti-Western terrorists were reacting, in large part, to American support of Middle Eastern dictators. Now we are told that our immigration policy is at the heart of the problem, even though we continue to support the same dictators.
27
Many people who are Muslim or of Muslim origin have been my students and most have been kind and loyal. I do not know if Trump knows people like that but I know he is close to Zalmay Khalizad. Indeed Khalizad, presumably a Muslim, was on the short list for Secretary of State. (Of course you never reported that the "Islamophobic" Trump was close to a Muslim, did you?)
The NYT is so preachy and so anti-Trump that their advice is worthless, or worse.
How should Islam be dealt with? Maybe the media could start making distinctions in language.
Please do not identify legal immigrants and illegal immigrants by using a neutral term like "immigrant" to describe both groups. OK, no HUMAN being is illegal but the difference in visa status should not be shoved under a rug.
Ivana Trump (his first wife) was right when she said that Mexicans were welcome to come but that they should apply for visas just like everyone else.
Also, while being appreciative of the fact that most Muslims are nice, you do have to more aware of the fact that most terrorist acts these days are carried out in the name of Islam.
Please don't bash Trump for saying that "killing all these people in Paris and Orlando was not nice"! (smile).
Please treat our relationship with Islam as something difficult to solve, rather than as a stick to beat Trump and "Islamophobes" with. It is irresponsible for the NYT to use world problems as means to bash conservatives. You should have higher goals.
The NYT is so preachy and so anti-Trump that their advice is worthless, or worse.
How should Islam be dealt with? Maybe the media could start making distinctions in language.
Please do not identify legal immigrants and illegal immigrants by using a neutral term like "immigrant" to describe both groups. OK, no HUMAN being is illegal but the difference in visa status should not be shoved under a rug.
Ivana Trump (his first wife) was right when she said that Mexicans were welcome to come but that they should apply for visas just like everyone else.
Also, while being appreciative of the fact that most Muslims are nice, you do have to more aware of the fact that most terrorist acts these days are carried out in the name of Islam.
Please don't bash Trump for saying that "killing all these people in Paris and Orlando was not nice"! (smile).
Please treat our relationship with Islam as something difficult to solve, rather than as a stick to beat Trump and "Islamophobes" with. It is irresponsible for the NYT to use world problems as means to bash conservatives. You should have higher goals.
30
"...most terrorist acts these days are carried out in the name of Islam." Actually, the majority of terrorist attacks on US soil since 9/11 have been by right-wing anti-government groups. Look it up.
Not to mention the elephant in the room: US gun deaths unrelated to terrorism. More Americans die in gun homicides and suicides every six months than have died in the last 25 years in every terrorist attack and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. And more Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on all the battlefields of all the wars in American history.
If we really wanted to save American lives, we wouldn't be focusing on the rare, high-profile "Islamic terrorism" bogeyman.
Not to mention the elephant in the room: US gun deaths unrelated to terrorism. More Americans die in gun homicides and suicides every six months than have died in the last 25 years in every terrorist attack and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. And more Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on all the battlefields of all the wars in American history.
If we really wanted to save American lives, we wouldn't be focusing on the rare, high-profile "Islamic terrorism" bogeyman.
1
But it is Trump who makes broad, unfounded and dangerous assertions, like "Islam hates us." It is a generalization that enables anti-Islamic action instead of a "difficult" problem to solve...
I've never seen anyone criticize Trump for saying that killing people in Paris was not nice. At least not the sentiment of it. What I see them criticize is the use of that statement to justify generalized, imprecise, radical action that violates our own nation's values.
Finally, I don't think that the NYT has ever called Trump Islamophobic. But again, they have responded to his own imprecise language. He may well have many Muslim friends or confidants. Great. None of that changes the absurdity and indignity of his words about the faith.
I've never seen anyone criticize Trump for saying that killing people in Paris was not nice. At least not the sentiment of it. What I see them criticize is the use of that statement to justify generalized, imprecise, radical action that violates our own nation's values.
Finally, I don't think that the NYT has ever called Trump Islamophobic. But again, they have responded to his own imprecise language. He may well have many Muslim friends or confidants. Great. None of that changes the absurdity and indignity of his words about the faith.
2
Rohit: "We" are Muslim, as well as Christians and Jews and atheists and many other things. Our "relationship with Islam" is not a problem "to solve," any more than is our relationship with Christendom. Criminals & terrorists, whether Muslim, Christian or whatever, are problems. Problems for all of us.
1
There is no doubt in my mind that Trump is not really making decisions; Bannon is. Trump is repeating what he hears from Bannon, Flynn and other lunatics.
If you search for the transcript of Bannon from a 2014 internet talk he did at the Vatican, you will find where all of Trump's ideas come from. Bannon talks of his insane ideas of what seems to be some type of religious battle between Christianity and Islam. He says his biggest fear is a secular youth in the USA. His BIGGEST fear. The entire piece is about this need to fight Islam. That's absurd and scary, but everyone should find the transcript so that you understand who is whispering in Trump's ear.
Certainly there are plenty of GOP member going right along with it.
Republicans have made such a grave error in allowing these lunatics into the White House, and I hope they quickly see how dire the situation is and do something. This will not end well. Trump is a puppet, simply a means to an end; study the men he has surrounded himself with to learn their playbook.
If you search for the transcript of Bannon from a 2014 internet talk he did at the Vatican, you will find where all of Trump's ideas come from. Bannon talks of his insane ideas of what seems to be some type of religious battle between Christianity and Islam. He says his biggest fear is a secular youth in the USA. His BIGGEST fear. The entire piece is about this need to fight Islam. That's absurd and scary, but everyone should find the transcript so that you understand who is whispering in Trump's ear.
Certainly there are plenty of GOP member going right along with it.
Republicans have made such a grave error in allowing these lunatics into the White House, and I hope they quickly see how dire the situation is and do something. This will not end well. Trump is a puppet, simply a means to an end; study the men he has surrounded himself with to learn their playbook.
52
Remember the last idiot that had the White House and his venal, sociopathic "handlers?" Remember the "Mission Accomplished" spectacle? That was only Iraq; how did that work for us and the Middle East? Now we have a fool and his gang who are blatantly insulting every Muslim on Earth.
According to Law.com, the definition of insanity: "mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality, cannot conduct her/his affairs due to psychosis, or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior." Our patient in the White House has evil caretakers surrounding him.
We need to see Trump's tax returns to see how competent a leader he really is. Everything else hints of his empire as a house of cards; do we really need this man as a leader? He was "placed" in White House by a Republican coup d'etat. When will we wake up?
Contemplating the future is very scary.
According to Law.com, the definition of insanity: "mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality, cannot conduct her/his affairs due to psychosis, or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior." Our patient in the White House has evil caretakers surrounding him.
We need to see Trump's tax returns to see how competent a leader he really is. Everything else hints of his empire as a house of cards; do we really need this man as a leader? He was "placed" in White House by a Republican coup d'etat. When will we wake up?
Contemplating the future is very scary.
Ask anyone from countries that have experienced drone strikes to kill terrorists and where, "collateral damage," has occurred if they hate the U.S. because we call the intended targets "terrorists," or "radical islamists." It doesn't make a damn bit of difference to them, they hate us, will continue to hate us and will always hate us. Thinking that the choice of words will alienate more Muslims is fuzzy thinking.
9
That's not the only issue.
The vagueness and fuzziness of the term is real problem if you're going to start taking action on people. Who or what exactly 'counts' as 'radical Islamist'? I work in this field and I can tell you right now there is no agreement amongst those in the front line or those researching it. Both on the DEFINITION - and on the INDIVIDUAL. Both 'how do you define "radical Islamist"?' and 'Is So-and-so a "radical Islamist"?'
And that's dangerous. Especially if you're going to start taking some kind of undefined tough action on real human beings.
So it is not 'fuzzy thinking' to be uneasy at the way the term is being used. It is *because of* the fuzzy thinking we are already dealing with - 'radical Islamist' being a prime example of fuzziness.
The vagueness and fuzziness of the term is real problem if you're going to start taking action on people. Who or what exactly 'counts' as 'radical Islamist'? I work in this field and I can tell you right now there is no agreement amongst those in the front line or those researching it. Both on the DEFINITION - and on the INDIVIDUAL. Both 'how do you define "radical Islamist"?' and 'Is So-and-so a "radical Islamist"?'
And that's dangerous. Especially if you're going to start taking some kind of undefined tough action on real human beings.
So it is not 'fuzzy thinking' to be uneasy at the way the term is being used. It is *because of* the fuzzy thinking we are already dealing with - 'radical Islamist' being a prime example of fuzziness.
Let us see who is uttering " I Think Islam Hates Us" garbage. The Con-in-Chief who traffics in lies and alternative facts. The snake oil salesman who still believes that 3-5 millions voted against him illegally. And never mind his so called security advisors Flynn who was the joke of every one around him to the point that they coined the term Flynn " facts" i.e. lies when ever he said a word and then there is Bannon .
Yes, I will be the first one to admit that Islam needs a reformation movement but to even think that Islam hates us is absolutely false. The Moslem extremists hate us as much as those who invaded our White House hate Moslems and Islam. Islam does NOT hate any other people, Islam is built on Judaism and Christianity and is not a religion from Mars. What ever faults in Judaism and Christianity Jews and Christians do not follow is found in Islam and most Moslems do not follow them either.
The few Moslem extremists who hate us are now being exterminated by other Moslems with the help of our brave men and women in the field and in air no thanks to the liar in chief and his extremist advisors. The question in front of us is who among us will work to get rid of the extremists barbarians who invaded our White House before they do more damage to America and the rest of the world.
Yes, I will be the first one to admit that Islam needs a reformation movement but to even think that Islam hates us is absolutely false. The Moslem extremists hate us as much as those who invaded our White House hate Moslems and Islam. Islam does NOT hate any other people, Islam is built on Judaism and Christianity and is not a religion from Mars. What ever faults in Judaism and Christianity Jews and Christians do not follow is found in Islam and most Moslems do not follow them either.
The few Moslem extremists who hate us are now being exterminated by other Moslems with the help of our brave men and women in the field and in air no thanks to the liar in chief and his extremist advisors. The question in front of us is who among us will work to get rid of the extremists barbarians who invaded our White House before they do more damage to America and the rest of the world.
27
1400 years of world history beg to differ with you. Even if post-Christian European civilization has forgotten, because victors can afford to forget, devout, pious Muslims understand that for except a brief 200-year interlude of colonialism, it's Muslims who continuously attacked and pressed their neighbors for 1200 years! It is the pious Muslims who are the "radicals" They understand the world as Muhammad described, divided into Dar al-Islam (House of Islam) and Dar al-Harb (House of War). The natural state of Islam is one of continuous war with the world until "all religion is for Allah!"
Press and imam on the question and see the answer you get.
Islam is a totalitarian militarist political ideology, which expressed itself in the political currency of the time of its founding, i.e., religion. The whole point of Islam, the reason for its existing is empire building.
Press and imam on the question and see the answer you get.
Islam is a totalitarian militarist political ideology, which expressed itself in the political currency of the time of its founding, i.e., religion. The whole point of Islam, the reason for its existing is empire building.
2
Since the 9/11 attacks, 94 Americans have been killed by jihadists, including the Orlando shooter. By contrast, each year about 100,000 Americans are killed by gun violence, opioid abuse and car accidents.
Through our Republican-controlled Congress, we will do nothing about guns even to the point that they have even prevented, by law, the study of gun violence by federal agencies.
President Trump promised the auto industry fewer regulations, so we can expect the already rising death toll from auto accidents to increase at a faster rate.
Finally, perhaps something is finally being done about opioid abuse, but tens of thousands have died and many more will die. There is nothing yet to suggest that this deadly problem is under control.
So, build that wall, keep those refugees out.
And the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans will continue, unabated.
Through our Republican-controlled Congress, we will do nothing about guns even to the point that they have even prevented, by law, the study of gun violence by federal agencies.
President Trump promised the auto industry fewer regulations, so we can expect the already rising death toll from auto accidents to increase at a faster rate.
Finally, perhaps something is finally being done about opioid abuse, but tens of thousands have died and many more will die. There is nothing yet to suggest that this deadly problem is under control.
So, build that wall, keep those refugees out.
And the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans will continue, unabated.
91
Trump is wrong! If you care to read and understand the Koran, the Hadith and the Sunna (the latter two upon which the Koran relies for support and elucidation), you will then be aware that there is nothing radical about the actions of so called Islamic terrorists. They are in fact emulating and heeding the word of their founder, Mohammad. " Terrorise and kill the Infidels".
In truth, Isis is true Islam. To the contrary, a true Moslem radical is one who refutes the Koran and in so doing becomes an apostate.
I am astounded by the ignorance of the New York Times editorial board. To call Islam a religion is less than a half truth. Islam is a political system and its stated aim is to introduce Sharia, a total system of governance.
Furthermore, it was not so much Obama's actions that have diminished the realm of Daesh as the Kurds who have spearheaded and ensured the conquest of "Mohammad's warriors".
In summary, a very disappointing editorial piece which is poorly researched and written, in the hope of cashing in on anti-Trump sentiment.
In truth, Isis is true Islam. To the contrary, a true Moslem radical is one who refutes the Koran and in so doing becomes an apostate.
I am astounded by the ignorance of the New York Times editorial board. To call Islam a religion is less than a half truth. Islam is a political system and its stated aim is to introduce Sharia, a total system of governance.
Furthermore, it was not so much Obama's actions that have diminished the realm of Daesh as the Kurds who have spearheaded and ensured the conquest of "Mohammad's warriors".
In summary, a very disappointing editorial piece which is poorly researched and written, in the hope of cashing in on anti-Trump sentiment.
32
Apparently, the Editorial Board makes the classic ethnocentric mistake of believing people around the world could not possibly have volition and dreams of their own, fundamentally at odds with our existential interests.
3
While it is true that Islam has political status in countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the Muslims who are residing in the United States are not busy trying to overthrow our government. If you read the Koran literally, which extremists do, than you will find justification to "kill the infidel". However if I read my Jewish Bible literally as well, I could justify killing a lot of people as well. Those of us who understand that literal interpretations of our respective holy books reflects no understanding of historical context can refute the idea that our major religions are intrinsically evil.
Nuance is what is missing in these perilous times, as well taking the time to read up on responsible research behind the headlines.
Nuance is what is missing in these perilous times, as well taking the time to read up on responsible research behind the headlines.
If you read the Bible, you'll find much that is cruel and intolerant, but most Christians don't take that literally and live by it. A few do, and they are a threat to the rest of us, shooting and bombing in the belief that they are instruments of God. I doubt that most Muslims feel called upon to kill and terrorize us infidels; the ones I see on the subway don't look as if that stuff is seething in their heads.
Editorial states, "Taken together, Mr. Trump’s plans would damage America’s credibility as guardian of human rights, anger allies and undermine civil liberties at home." America's human rights credibility is not very credible. Starting with 250 years of slavery, racist death penalty system, and an unfair criminal justice system which incarcerates one in three black men in state or federal prisons at some point in their lives. Additionally, defunding public schools, voter ID laws which are targeted to decrease minority voting, and a health care system that is racist - you might have Medicaid, but it is more difficult to find a doctor to care for you as many do not take "welfare" patients. The world watches us and knows that we do not in practice honor basic human rights. Many sympathize with our minorities and dislike the U.S. for how we treat them as second class citizens.
19
The world also sees this locker-room brawler elected by a process that makes voting an insult to intelligence by nullifying millions of votes to declare the popular loser the victor.
The rest of the world should quarantine the US until it rids itself of the nasty brat.
The rest of the world should quarantine the US until it rids itself of the nasty brat.
4
As a European I can only agree. In theory the USA is a country with fine pedigree, but reality is another matter. What has evolved since the creation of this nation is one downhill slide. With Trump it has reached bottom. One is shocked but not surprised.
5
We finally have a president with the fortitude to say "Radical Islam" in reference to the extremist element of Islam. I predict that this president will do much more to muzzle and tamp down Radical Islam than the prior president, and once again show the world that America stands for protecting its people, doing what is right, and fighting groups with deadly values.
57
Wow do you sound like a crazy.
So are you recommending Boots on the ground??
An out of control Vet Admin budget to cope with the human carnage returning home?
A multi-generational war with Islam? Including bringing back black CIA interrogation camps abroad?
Encouraging Moslem women to abandon their modest dress?
You predict nothing that's wise, or prudent, or statesman-like.
You are emblematic of what's wrong with Trump and allies.
There are smart and dumb ways to fight "deadly values" .
Your suggestion ain't one of them.
So are you recommending Boots on the ground??
An out of control Vet Admin budget to cope with the human carnage returning home?
A multi-generational war with Islam? Including bringing back black CIA interrogation camps abroad?
Encouraging Moslem women to abandon their modest dress?
You predict nothing that's wise, or prudent, or statesman-like.
You are emblematic of what's wrong with Trump and allies.
There are smart and dumb ways to fight "deadly values" .
Your suggestion ain't one of them.
1
One group with deadly values we aren't fighting is the NRA and its gun-nut followers. Compare 33,000 gun deaths to 65 terrorist-created deaths.
1
Beware those who must always identify somebody else as meaner to justify their own meanness.
We can call Trump names-but it is the FACTS that will undue him
So, Saudia Arabia-That country has the most radical of all teachings
of Isalm. It has breed the most aggressive terrorists-19 of the 9/11.
Yes Trump exempts that country. We must ask why and we must ask
way again and again. There must be a link. A hotel in that country,
investments-what? Let expose the facts and undue this man.
So, Saudia Arabia-That country has the most radical of all teachings
of Isalm. It has breed the most aggressive terrorists-19 of the 9/11.
Yes Trump exempts that country. We must ask why and we must ask
way again and again. There must be a link. A hotel in that country,
investments-what? Let expose the facts and undue this man.
29
One cannot defuse the pretensions of fools to know what God thinks when one is in bed with any band of pretentious fools who claim to know what God thinks oneself.
I expect it is because Regan sold us to the Saudis during the oil crisis in that they hold too much of our debt.
Dictators aren't interested in fairness.
Bigots aren't interested equality.
Fascists aren't interested the rule of law.
Fanatics aren't interested in the truth.
Hate isn't interested in understanding.
Crazy isn't interested in reason.
That's Trump. With Trump, the ends always justify the means. He understands nothing about the sanctity of the rule of law. Just the ends.
Trump has surrounded himself with people like Flynn and Bannon who amplify and reinforce his motivations listed above. They are telling him how to implement what his sick mind desires. Flynn and Bannon are pulling the strings.
Why do I say that? Because Trump does not know how to create policy. His mind is not capable of designing a strategy. He can only demand and posture.
Before this is over, Trump will appoint more like minded people to run the apparatus of his regime. There will be more Breitbart types in lower level positions.
The only thing standing in the way of Trump declaring war on 1.4 billion Muslims are a few moderate Republicans that value the rule of law over party power. The rest will sell their souls to get a right wing Supreme Court judge, kill the ACA, kill Medicaid, and cut taxes for the super rich and big corporations. They will go to war against 1.4 billion people to achieve these ends. All while wearing those little flag lapel pins.
Bigots aren't interested equality.
Fascists aren't interested the rule of law.
Fanatics aren't interested in the truth.
Hate isn't interested in understanding.
Crazy isn't interested in reason.
That's Trump. With Trump, the ends always justify the means. He understands nothing about the sanctity of the rule of law. Just the ends.
Trump has surrounded himself with people like Flynn and Bannon who amplify and reinforce his motivations listed above. They are telling him how to implement what his sick mind desires. Flynn and Bannon are pulling the strings.
Why do I say that? Because Trump does not know how to create policy. His mind is not capable of designing a strategy. He can only demand and posture.
Before this is over, Trump will appoint more like minded people to run the apparatus of his regime. There will be more Breitbart types in lower level positions.
The only thing standing in the way of Trump declaring war on 1.4 billion Muslims are a few moderate Republicans that value the rule of law over party power. The rest will sell their souls to get a right wing Supreme Court judge, kill the ACA, kill Medicaid, and cut taxes for the super rich and big corporations. They will go to war against 1.4 billion people to achieve these ends. All while wearing those little flag lapel pins.
246
Brawlers just want a fight. Trump is punch-drunk.
Why would they like us? The US is like a rich meddling in law.
5
If a mentally ill person buys a weapon in a state with weak gun laws, we shutter. If a mentally ill person has the potential to gain access to the nuclear codes, we elect him.
103
Have you contacted your congressman/Senator to push for electoral college reform? How do they feel about it?
1
"A recipe for endless world war." No wonder 1984 is topping best-seller lists.
24
He meant to say, "I know they hate us".
The Islamists endorse and seek to enforce sharia. Sharia is an all-encompassing system of governance. It's not just religion. It's everything.
Sharia is the diametrical opposite of our constitutional representative republic. They cannot coexist. Impossible.
The Islamists endorse and seek to enforce sharia. Sharia is an all-encompassing system of governance. It's not just religion. It's everything.
Sharia is the diametrical opposite of our constitutional representative republic. They cannot coexist. Impossible.
18
Your comments about Sharia remind me of the so-called Christians who are trying to ram their medieval world view down our throats. Evangelicals (particularly of the Christian Dominionist variety), like Mike Pence, Betsy DeVos, Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee, have far more in common with radicals of the Islamic faith than they do with me. Their goals endanger our Bill of Rights and secular way of life far more than Islam.
28
The Christians are not using suicide bombers and beheadings to get their point across. Christians are not tying the hands behind the backs of gays and throwing them off the roof of buildings. The Christian Bible does not call to kill or capture all others who do not believe in Jesus. Some people should actually think before they make a statement.
1
J: What a terrible and wholly inaccruate response. Our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and tenets.
1
If the NYT Editorial Board is right, then it is agreeing with Trump. Radical Islam can be eliminated by simply identifying and neutralizing 40,000 individuals (who do not represent islam).
The NYT Editorial Board, in its desperation to counter "everything Trump", is meeting itself in the door. "The problem is huge and complex. The problem is 40,000 individuals". Does not compute.
The NYT Editorial Board, in its desperation to counter "everything Trump", is meeting itself in the door. "The problem is huge and complex. The problem is 40,000 individuals". Does not compute.
13
The 40,000 aren't all sitting in a soccer stadium waiting to be eliminated...
To paraphrase Justice Robert H. Jackson, the Constitution is not a suicide pact. Who or what will save us from the man-child at the helm of our precious republic?
36
Trump has merely spotlighted a big basket of what the US has been lying about all along.
Midterm elections 2018 is coming, my friend, In the meanwhile, Get to work on electoral college reform.
Prayer will not prevent the stockpiled federal judicial vacancies from being loaded with young eager beavers who believe the US is "under God" before 2018.
1
"While Mr. Obama made significant progress in degrading this threat ...."
Each day, it is a race to see who becomes sillier, Trump or the NYT. So far, it is fairly even.
Leaving aside the daily vitriolic headlines in the NYT "new" pieces, the Times has now become the propagandist for the alt.Left.
President Obama can take credit for permitting the Bin Ladin hit and authorizing drone strikes on Islamic fascist leaders.
However, the Times glossed over Mr. Obama's failures in confronting Islamic fascism.
Hemmed in by the Left wing of his party, Mr. Obama refused to describe the enemy, fearing a "clash of civilizations." Nonsense. The actual battle in the Muslim world in Sunni-Shi'a. Muslims understand the threat of Islamic fascism better than we do.
Next, beholden to political correctness, Mr. Obama used Orwellian language to describe mass murder on American soil, describing it as "workplace accidents."
Mr. Obama made noises about disallowing chemical weapon slaughter of Arab civilians in Syria, only to retreat time and time again. The Left argues that "boots on the ground:" is wrong. Very well, but doing nothing is also wrong. And ISIS grows stronger. And so does the Left's new-found enemy, Putin.
Obama dissed our allies, chasing an "Arab Spring" which, except for Tunisia, never was, and a treaty with the Iranian Islamic dictatorship which leaves us in grave danger in the years to come.
His foreign policy left us weaker and the world more dangerous.
Each day, it is a race to see who becomes sillier, Trump or the NYT. So far, it is fairly even.
Leaving aside the daily vitriolic headlines in the NYT "new" pieces, the Times has now become the propagandist for the alt.Left.
President Obama can take credit for permitting the Bin Ladin hit and authorizing drone strikes on Islamic fascist leaders.
However, the Times glossed over Mr. Obama's failures in confronting Islamic fascism.
Hemmed in by the Left wing of his party, Mr. Obama refused to describe the enemy, fearing a "clash of civilizations." Nonsense. The actual battle in the Muslim world in Sunni-Shi'a. Muslims understand the threat of Islamic fascism better than we do.
Next, beholden to political correctness, Mr. Obama used Orwellian language to describe mass murder on American soil, describing it as "workplace accidents."
Mr. Obama made noises about disallowing chemical weapon slaughter of Arab civilians in Syria, only to retreat time and time again. The Left argues that "boots on the ground:" is wrong. Very well, but doing nothing is also wrong. And ISIS grows stronger. And so does the Left's new-found enemy, Putin.
Obama dissed our allies, chasing an "Arab Spring" which, except for Tunisia, never was, and a treaty with the Iranian Islamic dictatorship which leaves us in grave danger in the years to come.
His foreign policy left us weaker and the world more dangerous.
23
May I suggest reading the Wall Street Journal for the right wing propaganda machine.
1
I do read the Journal.
Between the two, I hope I can parse out the truth.
Between the two, I hope I can parse out the truth.
1
Daniel Patrick Moynihan said "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." You can think what you want about President Obama. But, you do not get to present "alternative facts," more commonly known as lies, about what he said or did.
On the 2nd day after San Bernadino, Obama said. “It is possible that this was terrorist-related, but we don’t know.” It’s also possible that this was workplace-related.” There's nothing "politically correct" about this. You can't just THINK something and call it true. The FBI had to fully investigate the incident & the people involved. By the way, PC simply means treating others with dignity & respect.That is hardly Owellian!
We Americans were sick of our sons/daughters dying over mythical WMD & the financial cost. Obama was responding to that & trying to prevent us from engaging in another 15 year war. He didn't "do nothing." He knew more than you about the strengths, weaknesses, threats & opportunities (SWOT) in that situation than you do. Arm chair foreign policy anyone?
The press coined the "Arab Spring." Obama didn't chase anything. He did his job in monitoring that movement and trying to protect America in the face of something he had no control over! I'm not even going to address the silliness about the Iran Nuclear Agreement.
Your last sentence depends very much on whether or not you embrace false news (lies) or bother to seek out the facts & use critical thinking skills.
On the 2nd day after San Bernadino, Obama said. “It is possible that this was terrorist-related, but we don’t know.” It’s also possible that this was workplace-related.” There's nothing "politically correct" about this. You can't just THINK something and call it true. The FBI had to fully investigate the incident & the people involved. By the way, PC simply means treating others with dignity & respect.That is hardly Owellian!
We Americans were sick of our sons/daughters dying over mythical WMD & the financial cost. Obama was responding to that & trying to prevent us from engaging in another 15 year war. He didn't "do nothing." He knew more than you about the strengths, weaknesses, threats & opportunities (SWOT) in that situation than you do. Arm chair foreign policy anyone?
The press coined the "Arab Spring." Obama didn't chase anything. He did his job in monitoring that movement and trying to protect America in the face of something he had no control over! I'm not even going to address the silliness about the Iran Nuclear Agreement.
Your last sentence depends very much on whether or not you embrace false news (lies) or bother to seek out the facts & use critical thinking skills.
And so it begins - a return to the dark ages. The election of Trump to the American presidency was a horrendous mistake and people of good will , Democrats, Repuiblicans, independents and others alike must rise above parochial concerns and join together to fight against the menace of a Trump regime that threatens the very existence of an America that upholds the various freedoms provided by the US Constitution. I say, "shame, shame" on those persons in congress and others who are rushing to kiss the royal behind for their own personal gain.
It remains to be seen how the world will end -- either in an atomic holocaust caused by a narcissistic spoiled brat now in residence in the White House or by the continued rape of our planet by fools who in their rush to gain profits ignore global warming and reject the proper stewardship of the only homeland we featherless bipods can call "Home"!
It remains to be seen how the world will end -- either in an atomic holocaust caused by a narcissistic spoiled brat now in residence in the White House or by the continued rape of our planet by fools who in their rush to gain profits ignore global warming and reject the proper stewardship of the only homeland we featherless bipods can call "Home"!
22
The US Constitution describes only the delegated powers of government the people entrusted to it. It does not enumerate any powers reserved by the people.
Your representatives are stealing your bodies.
Your representatives are stealing your bodies.
1
Buckle your seat belts.
Stock up on surgical kits, blood packets, prosthetic legs, and caskets.
This is the delusion that millions of Americans have voted for: change under Trump, Flynn, and Bannon.
I fear for America.
Stock up on surgical kits, blood packets, prosthetic legs, and caskets.
This is the delusion that millions of Americans have voted for: change under Trump, Flynn, and Bannon.
I fear for America.
30
All well land good, but face it. If it weren't for the media, and that includes you NYT, Trump would never have been elected. He played you all extremely well and none of you had a clue as to what he was doing, and before he is done he will have you totally under his control.
9
The media did not assist Trump.
Trump got elected by appealing to the dark side of everything dissatisfying about the times we live in : globalization, radical feminism, the destruction of the traditional family, the decay of common moral values, etc.
Trump got elected by appealing to the dark side of everything dissatisfying about the times we live in : globalization, radical feminism, the destruction of the traditional family, the decay of common moral values, etc.
2
What is to like about Donald Trump and the whole system of lies he thrives in?
2
It is not Obama/Clinton.
one of the paramount ideas here on earth has just about run it's course. Religion used to unite ancient civilization is now obsolete. oh sure there are fine tenets to live by. common sense on how to treat others are universal truths.
religion and it's divisiveness is not needed any longer. we have science doing the job of explaining life and it's ramifications. i have heard this argument about my god is better than your god for far too long
my god is ticked off at humanity and she is running out of patience.
religion and it's divisiveness is not needed any longer. we have science doing the job of explaining life and it's ramifications. i have heard this argument about my god is better than your god for far too long
my god is ticked off at humanity and she is running out of patience.
14
Thank you, daniel r potter. Just look at weather to see the changes that have come. It's clearly seen here in Maine where Spring comes earlier and Summer lasts longer and the creatures move north. We are dinosaurs who will disappear, but will leave a mess behind us.
Apparently it can't be said often enough: Trump is a toddler having tantrums where they can do most damage. Margaret Thatcher prolonged the misery of Northern Ireland by her manners and policies: she was an effective recruiter for the Irish Republican Army. Now, Trump is the delight of ISIS. There they are, getting hammered in Mosul, savaged in Libya, and cornered in Syria, and along comes Trump to give them a new boost of hatred. Is this deliberate on his part, or is it stark raving ignorance? We know that Afghans and Iraqis in uniform have come a long way and are fine troops, but some have been terrorists in disguise. Now that Trump plays macho man with Iraqi sovereignty and oil, how many Americans embedded there will die for his bluster?
The facts that the initiation fee at Mar A Lago has doubled to $200,000 after the election, and that the wife of an Indonesian business partner can get a ride-along in the inauguration parade suggest that someone in the Trump camp has their unethical business head screwed on, how come the main man can be such a klutz? Or is it all a macho act?
The facts that the initiation fee at Mar A Lago has doubled to $200,000 after the election, and that the wife of an Indonesian business partner can get a ride-along in the inauguration parade suggest that someone in the Trump camp has their unethical business head screwed on, how come the main man can be such a klutz? Or is it all a macho act?
17
We are the facts:
As the global ecological implosion unfolds and demands for solutions in all regions of the world intensify, the Islamic mindset, both Shia and Sunni, will continue to be an impediment toward this adjustment. Fanatically observant Muslims looking back to Islamic origins will retreat further into the paradisiacal womb of suicidal Islamic paradise. We are already seeing this, and it will intensify. The doctrines of earlier anti-western, anti-secular, revolutionaries such as Hassan al-Banna, Sayyid Qutb and Osama bin Laden will prevail, as will those of ISIS and other such newly formed groups.
From its very beginning the idea of a utopian Islamic society coming about by way of the righteous destroying the unrighteous has been a core Islamic belief. The clash between those values and the West is now spilling over outside of its Middle Eastern origins. Islamic extremists view the Western world as the enemy of Allah. 9/11 was the first of the highly visible signs.
Because of state access to sophisticated weaponry, including atomic, theocratic Islamic nations with that technology are posing a very serious threat to all human civilization.
www.InquiryAbraham.com
As the global ecological implosion unfolds and demands for solutions in all regions of the world intensify, the Islamic mindset, both Shia and Sunni, will continue to be an impediment toward this adjustment. Fanatically observant Muslims looking back to Islamic origins will retreat further into the paradisiacal womb of suicidal Islamic paradise. We are already seeing this, and it will intensify. The doctrines of earlier anti-western, anti-secular, revolutionaries such as Hassan al-Banna, Sayyid Qutb and Osama bin Laden will prevail, as will those of ISIS and other such newly formed groups.
From its very beginning the idea of a utopian Islamic society coming about by way of the righteous destroying the unrighteous has been a core Islamic belief. The clash between those values and the West is now spilling over outside of its Middle Eastern origins. Islamic extremists view the Western world as the enemy of Allah. 9/11 was the first of the highly visible signs.
Because of state access to sophisticated weaponry, including atomic, theocratic Islamic nations with that technology are posing a very serious threat to all human civilization.
www.InquiryAbraham.com
12
Nice promo piece. We can comprehend the universe? The infinite? Paraphrasing the comedian Donald Rumsfeld, we don't know what we don't know.
Suggested reading: To get a sense of something we don't know about but that we can know about read "Mirrors of the Unseen; Journeys in Iran" by Jason Elliot.
Suggested reading: To get a sense of something we don't know about but that we can know about read "Mirrors of the Unseen; Journeys in Iran" by Jason Elliot.
The alt-president will eventually be betrayed by his reliance on alt-facts. Facts and truth have a way of winning out in the end.
12
Muslims are more moderate than you claim.
There is something very demeaning about your belief that moderate Muslims will be inflamed to the point of wanting to kill Americans by our using the phrase radical Islam.
People who would be inflamed to the point of wanting to kill you because you say there is radicalism in their religion are not moderate. If what you claim is true, we have a bigger problem than I though.
People in this country continually uses the phrase radical Christianity (with some justification) however with zero thought that Christians across our planet will rise up to murder in protest.
There is something very demeaning about your belief that moderate Muslims will be inflamed to the point of wanting to kill Americans by our using the phrase radical Islam.
People who would be inflamed to the point of wanting to kill you because you say there is radicalism in their religion are not moderate. If what you claim is true, we have a bigger problem than I though.
People in this country continually uses the phrase radical Christianity (with some justification) however with zero thought that Christians across our planet will rise up to murder in protest.
8
A President should surround him/herself with people who are better than him/her in their respective fields with facts, not fantasies.
Mr. Voldemort seems to be really living in a fantasy world in which conspiracies and falsehoods make up his daily schedule. And his use of #alternativefacts is disturbing.
From now on: if any American dies from terrorist attacks, it will be on his hands. And if you didn't vote -- you should shut up complaining about him.
He should build bridges, not walls.
I feel tremendously sorry for the United States of Ignorance.
I have hope for The Resistance.
Still cannot fathom he got President of Slytherin.
Mr. Voldemort seems to be really living in a fantasy world in which conspiracies and falsehoods make up his daily schedule. And his use of #alternativefacts is disturbing.
From now on: if any American dies from terrorist attacks, it will be on his hands. And if you didn't vote -- you should shut up complaining about him.
He should build bridges, not walls.
I feel tremendously sorry for the United States of Ignorance.
I have hope for The Resistance.
Still cannot fathom he got President of Slytherin.
11
As to he who must not be president, well waiting in the wings is Wormtail, aka Rudy Giuliani.
Progressive legal organizations, such as CREW and ACLU, are preparing to challenge Trump in many ways.
An additional challenge that they should prepare is a denunciation for crimes against humanity and genocide if Trump and/or Putin orders a nuclear first strike against a city, such as Raqqa, Syria.
It is hard to know what Trump has in mind when he claims he can quickly eliminate radical Islamic terrorism. But perhaps he is thinking of eliminating some Middle Eastern cities entirely, regardless of the consequences for civilians who live there.
Publicly preparing the legal basis, in U.S. and international law, under which such a crime would be prosecuted, is one way it might be deterred.
An additional challenge that they should prepare is a denunciation for crimes against humanity and genocide if Trump and/or Putin orders a nuclear first strike against a city, such as Raqqa, Syria.
It is hard to know what Trump has in mind when he claims he can quickly eliminate radical Islamic terrorism. But perhaps he is thinking of eliminating some Middle Eastern cities entirely, regardless of the consequences for civilians who live there.
Publicly preparing the legal basis, in U.S. and international law, under which such a crime would be prosecuted, is one way it might be deterred.
5
"Mr. Obama and former President George W. Bush generally agreed that terrorists had perverted the teachings of Islam ..."
It would be comforting if this were true. But Graeme Wood and many others are telling us that the truth may be very uncomfortable, and may even run counter to our view of what it means to be human:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/books/review/way-of-the-strangers-isi...
It would be comforting if this were true. But Graeme Wood and many others are telling us that the truth may be very uncomfortable, and may even run counter to our view of what it means to be human:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/books/review/way-of-the-strangers-isi...
4
The editors are telling us fairy tales when they claim that previous administrations has effective policies against "radical Islamic terrorism". US policy in Afghanistan started in 1979 with support for such terrorism (remember the schoolbooks for Afghan refugees that claimed that it was good to kill infidels). More recently we have seen a policy regarding Syria that looked remarkably similar: for all the rhetoric the Obama administration was for a long time very passive towards ISIS and in the region the belief is widespread that it secretly supported it. The cordial relation between the US and terrorist loving countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar are also well known.
So while one may disagree with Trump's analysis and solutions he certainly is right that we are facing a big problem here that hasn't been addressed adequately by the previous administrations.
So while one may disagree with Trump's analysis and solutions he certainly is right that we are facing a big problem here that hasn't been addressed adequately by the previous administrations.
12
I read the latest book of Eric Trager “Arab Fall: How the Muslim Brotherhood Won and Lost Egypt in 891 Days”. There is a very interesting and well-researched description of the Muslim Brotherhood and I highly recommend that fascinating book. The statement of General Flynn “a messianic mass movement of evil people, most of them inspired by a totalitarian ideology: Radical Islam” has clearly some notes of alarmism and provocation in it. However, the description of the Muslim Brotherhood in Mr. Trager’s book shows that it is somehow a movement closer to General Flynn’s description than a movement respecting values such as equal rights, freedom, free choice and democracy. I do not think one should simply brush aside the valid concerns about the Muslim Brotherhood in the name of western values based on freedom while that movement does not share these values and even looks to replace them by their own radical interpretation of Islam.
14
It’s not a matter of alternative but equally justifiable interpretations. Just listen to Islam’s leaders speak of us to their own people.
Trump has never been shy or inaccurate at puzzling out real motivations, or in accepting the hard reality that convictions and interests are DIFFERENT among parties. He’ll cut a deal when he can, but when worldviews are SO different the other side is going to come for you and you’d better be prepared to take the fight to THEM. Those who don’t will find their own worldviews eventually tossed into the dustbin of a recent world history replete with examples of fatal Kumbaya.
In part we elect a president to DEFEND us and the values that define us. That may require that we put Islam behind a fence. If that makes them hate us even more, so be it: they can’t have what’s ours, and I have no particular desire to live in Raqqa, Riyadh or Teheran. If an existential fight becomes necessary, can there be any doubt about who would wage it more effectively, Trump or Obama? Or even Clinton?
Islamist terrorist violence doesn’t represent a welling of love for humanity but a resolve to dictate social norms that we consider anathema. The Brits eventually found a way to cure hoof-and-mouth disease when they realized that when there WERE no hooves and mouths left … there was no disease.
Too warlike? Perhaps. But it’s surprising how such a warlike ATTITUDE, effectively telegraphed and backed by an unchallengeable military, can allow you avoid the real thing.
Trump has never been shy or inaccurate at puzzling out real motivations, or in accepting the hard reality that convictions and interests are DIFFERENT among parties. He’ll cut a deal when he can, but when worldviews are SO different the other side is going to come for you and you’d better be prepared to take the fight to THEM. Those who don’t will find their own worldviews eventually tossed into the dustbin of a recent world history replete with examples of fatal Kumbaya.
In part we elect a president to DEFEND us and the values that define us. That may require that we put Islam behind a fence. If that makes them hate us even more, so be it: they can’t have what’s ours, and I have no particular desire to live in Raqqa, Riyadh or Teheran. If an existential fight becomes necessary, can there be any doubt about who would wage it more effectively, Trump or Obama? Or even Clinton?
Islamist terrorist violence doesn’t represent a welling of love for humanity but a resolve to dictate social norms that we consider anathema. The Brits eventually found a way to cure hoof-and-mouth disease when they realized that when there WERE no hooves and mouths left … there was no disease.
Too warlike? Perhaps. But it’s surprising how such a warlike ATTITUDE, effectively telegraphed and backed by an unchallengeable military, can allow you avoid the real thing.
16
The values that define us? Brave and free. Nothing he has done speaks to those values. Hiding behind a wall and running from the world is not brave. Banning government employees from talking to the very people they work for is not free.
You need to review American values, because you have lost your way.
You need to review American values, because you have lost your way.
11
The sharia terrorists welcome death (being such patently absurd versions of human beings, they have little reason for living!). So this makes them hard to fight. But if we make it clear to their elder wahabbi nut mentors that we will retaliate, not only against them but against their "holy" sites, then I suspect they'll be less eager with their terrorism.
We won WWII in part by the hideous but effective Dresden fire bombings. In this case, private warnings delivered directly to the relatively few sowers of the seed might well be effective. If not , we should take over Saudi Arabian oil and turn it over to the U.N. to administer for the benefit of the world's poorest people.
We won WWII in part by the hideous but effective Dresden fire bombings. In this case, private warnings delivered directly to the relatively few sowers of the seed might well be effective. If not , we should take over Saudi Arabian oil and turn it over to the U.N. to administer for the benefit of the world's poorest people.
4
Don't go caps, Richard. You are more persuasive when you keep your cool.
One of the wonderful things about the Internet is that it enables us to communicate with people all around the world for practically free. 30 years ago, I was concerned about my long distance bill calling my just a few area codes away. And, because of that Internet, I get to talk to people in these Muslim countries.
One such person is a 19-year old college student majoring in industrial engineering from Iran who is hoping to also get an MBA. As an engineer myself, I help her with career advice and practicing her English simply through chat.
What is her dream in life? To come live in the United States.
How sad and ashamed I feel that I have to tell her that now may not be the best time and that she may feel rather uncomfortable being here.
One such person is a 19-year old college student majoring in industrial engineering from Iran who is hoping to also get an MBA. As an engineer myself, I help her with career advice and practicing her English simply through chat.
What is her dream in life? To come live in the United States.
How sad and ashamed I feel that I have to tell her that now may not be the best time and that she may feel rather uncomfortable being here.
47
It is better if you encourage her to stay in Iran, accept the fact that she must cover her head (and not sleep around), and teach industrial engineering to Iranian girls.
Iran is a great country which is more than ten times as old as as the US. When Alexander invaded Iran in the 4th century BC, one reason he won was that the Iranians were used to a good life and could not stand up to his Macedonian warriors who were used to hardship.
Of course I would not myself want to live in Tehran - there are too many cars!!
Iran is a great country which is more than ten times as old as as the US. When Alexander invaded Iran in the 4th century BC, one reason he won was that the Iranians were used to a good life and could not stand up to his Macedonian warriors who were used to hardship.
Of course I would not myself want to live in Tehran - there are too many cars!!
Or she might stay and fight to replace her tyranical government. Not everyone can come here, sorry to say.
"Or she might stay and fight to replace her tyranical government."
Sure. Mr. Obama supplied the "secular rebels" with weapons to fight Assad's tyrannical government in Syria. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians died and Assad is still around.
Not everyone wants to live by American values, and not everyone thinks that living by different values is tyranny.
But the majority of the planet definitely thinks that America needs to learn to mind its own business.
Sure. Mr. Obama supplied the "secular rebels" with weapons to fight Assad's tyrannical government in Syria. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians died and Assad is still around.
Not everyone wants to live by American values, and not everyone thinks that living by different values is tyranny.
But the majority of the planet definitely thinks that America needs to learn to mind its own business.
1
Trump is a very dangerous buffoon with a cluster of chronic and severe personality disorders. He presents a grave threat to the safety and security of the United States. I'm scared.
521
Pete, you are scared because you live in Seattle, one of the paranoid cities. You could either move to Canada, where you will feel safe. Or you could move to Indianapolis where you will discover - with astonishment - that there are Americans who are not scared.
I, alas, live in New York, and am constantly criticized by my fellow New Yorkers for NOT being scared. What can I say? (smile).
I, alas, live in New York, and am constantly criticized by my fellow New Yorkers for NOT being scared. What can I say? (smile).
Midterm elections 2018 is coming. In the meanwhile, Get to work on electoral college reform.
1
Rohit, Trump's entire campaign was based on fear-mongering. Of course, only he could deliver us from all the evils of the world! Now that he is President, apparently you feel all safe and secure and warm and fuzzy. Yes, it is people like you who are truly frightening, the true believers of a madman.
1
Here's a suggestion: why doesn't the U.S. shut down its 75+ embassies and consulates in the 50+ Muslim majority countries. Just like it did in Iran. No Muslims travel to America, and no Americans travel to the Muslim world. Complete breakoff. The next morning we wake up to find out that dozens of the most vile dictators ruling our countries with explicit US support are gone! Their replacement with legitimate rulers will not only improve the Muslim world, it will also alleviate "Islamic Radicalism", and perhaps one day lead to resumption of ties. Now, what happens to oil and Israel as a result of complete breakoff of relations is anyone's guess. ( my own guess is American people won't like what they see )
9
Do you seriously believe that "legitimate rulers" will rise up like magic if the USA just gets out of the way?
Your choice of the word "ruler" is, in itself, interesting. You didn't opt for "leader" or "political representative".
I'm all for the USA vastly reducing its involvement, though not at the expense of the complete destruction of Israel, which would certainly be first on the agenda of its neighbors.
But if we do reduce our involvement, I am NOT expecting to see peace breaking out all over. No, it will be chaos and destruction, from internal forces, just as it is now. Only we won't also be in the firing line.
I
Your choice of the word "ruler" is, in itself, interesting. You didn't opt for "leader" or "political representative".
I'm all for the USA vastly reducing its involvement, though not at the expense of the complete destruction of Israel, which would certainly be first on the agenda of its neighbors.
But if we do reduce our involvement, I am NOT expecting to see peace breaking out all over. No, it will be chaos and destruction, from internal forces, just as it is now. Only we won't also be in the firing line.
I
4
As we trudge toward greatness, and ignore history, everything old is new again.
“Preparation for war is a constant stimulus to suspicion and ill will.” ~James Monroe
Are we there yet?
“Preparation for war is a constant stimulus to suspicion and ill will.” ~James Monroe
Are we there yet?
43
Bot of course our right-thinking, knee-jerking liberals now oppose Trump's musings that maybe Russia and America should become friends! Surely we should remove our troops from the supberbs of St Petersburg!
1
When it comes to the war on terror there is only one important question: Did President Obama's policies work? They didn't ...at least admit that much. The American people find themselves living in a world plagued with more terrorism than before Obama took office, not less. Civil war, sectarian tensions, and state failure in the Middle East and Africa ensure that Islamist terrorism will continue its spread in those regions—and most likely in the rest of the world as well. The rise of ISIS whose brutal violence, ability to capture and hold territory, significant financial resources, and impressive strategic acumen make it a threat unlike any other the United States has ever faced.
President Obama was simply too cautious and prone to i wishful thinking. This has hampered his administration’s efforts to combat the terrorist threat. It's time for a new direction.
hope
it
works.
President Obama was simply too cautious and prone to i wishful thinking. This has hampered his administration’s efforts to combat the terrorist threat. It's time for a new direction.
hope
it
works.
12
ISIS is getting hammered. Admit it, or check your sources of information, Obama's policies worked.
7
There was more terrorism in the world by Jihadis & jihadi wannabees during Obama's administration because George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq - based on "alternative facts" - unleashed a storm of outrage in many Muslim countries (and non-Muslim countries). Further, Bush's outlawing of the 400,000 solider Iraqi Army left armed, uneducated young men with a grievance to look for something they were suited to do. Some became jihadis. Destabilized Iraq became a magnet for jihadi groups. It's believed more than half a million Iraqi civilians were killed during the U.S.-Iraq war. The destabilization of Iraq & the surrounding area led to war in Syria, giving rise to more terrorism and an enormous refugee crisis now spread throughout Europe.
Trying to blaming Obama for the way George W. Bush's stupid war in Iraq destabilized the Middle East, and now much of the rest of the world with the refugee crisis, is a slick maneuver but nobody believes that. I wonder how George Bush sleeps with so much blood on his hands - all for nothing.
Trying to blaming Obama for the way George W. Bush's stupid war in Iraq destabilized the Middle East, and now much of the rest of the world with the refugee crisis, is a slick maneuver but nobody believes that. I wonder how George Bush sleeps with so much blood on his hands - all for nothing.
11
islamic terrorism ???? I am more afraid of the NRA (just look at the statisics)
7
I find it ironic when Islamophobes point to traditional Islamic texts regarding LGBT rights to condemn Islam. What are the traditional Christian teachings about this? Isn't the religious right leading the political fight against LGBT rights?
Next topic is treatment of non-believers or "infidels." In Islam, Christians and Jews were always considered "people of the book [meaning the Old and New Testament]" enjoying a special status. And Muslims largely tolerated other religions as well. For hundreds of years, Muslims completely dominated large expanses of land from Spain, North Africa, Middle East, and deep into Asia, India, and even into the Far East. Why didn't they just eliminate all non-Muslims if the teachings were so simple? Why are there large Christians minorities in the eastern Mediterranean and why is the south Asian peninsula still a majority-Hindu land despite centuries of Muslim control? And let's look at the other side of this: what happened to Muslims and Jews when Isabella finally conquered all of Spain back from the Muslims? Answer: Spanish Inquisition, conversion or death.
Bottom line is there are plenty of teachings of tolerance toward non-Muslims in the Koran. Extremists can pick out passages against tolerance, women's rights, etc depending on what they believe. Just like the Bible or any other old text. Historically though, the track record of Muslims toward others has been surprisingly tolerant. Read history books or Wikipedia if you don't believe it.
Next topic is treatment of non-believers or "infidels." In Islam, Christians and Jews were always considered "people of the book [meaning the Old and New Testament]" enjoying a special status. And Muslims largely tolerated other religions as well. For hundreds of years, Muslims completely dominated large expanses of land from Spain, North Africa, Middle East, and deep into Asia, India, and even into the Far East. Why didn't they just eliminate all non-Muslims if the teachings were so simple? Why are there large Christians minorities in the eastern Mediterranean and why is the south Asian peninsula still a majority-Hindu land despite centuries of Muslim control? And let's look at the other side of this: what happened to Muslims and Jews when Isabella finally conquered all of Spain back from the Muslims? Answer: Spanish Inquisition, conversion or death.
Bottom line is there are plenty of teachings of tolerance toward non-Muslims in the Koran. Extremists can pick out passages against tolerance, women's rights, etc depending on what they believe. Just like the Bible or any other old text. Historically though, the track record of Muslims toward others has been surprisingly tolerant. Read history books or Wikipedia if you don't believe it.
154
Tossing around words like "islamophobe" is hardly accepting of alternate ideas. In fact, it is extremely patriarchal to assume that you can, from your position of white empowerment, assume that you can understand the workings of another's mind well enough to use divisive and hurtful epithets.
On a far more serious topic, I await cases of Christians throwing gays from rooftops as seems to be a pretty popular pastime, judging by the cheering crowds, in some Muslim countries. In fact, I would like to see the calm acceptance of Muslims in Sharia governed countries to gays waling hand in hand or even an un-escorted woman walking down the street.
The facts, obvious to all, undermine the sophistry of your points I fear.
On a far more serious topic, I await cases of Christians throwing gays from rooftops as seems to be a pretty popular pastime, judging by the cheering crowds, in some Muslim countries. In fact, I would like to see the calm acceptance of Muslims in Sharia governed countries to gays waling hand in hand or even an un-escorted woman walking down the street.
The facts, obvious to all, undermine the sophistry of your points I fear.
9
Nick, I think you are absolutely spot on! But is it in our special interests to point to this fact as Ray has already commented? :-)
Read the recent history of how a tiny group of Saudi wahabbi crazies , step by step, has created and shaped Muslim terrorism. Fight back!
1
The idea that 'Islam hates us', based on the actions of an extremist group, is as simplistic and nonsensical as the British declaring that 'Catholicism hates us' in response to IRA violence. In fact it's closer to a declaration that 'Christianity hates us'. After all, there are more than 1.5 billion muslims around the globe, no more 'the same' in cultural, political or religious beliefs than the variations of Christian belief. Were the little old Methodist ladies at my local church considered dangerous extremists after the IRA bombings? Of course they weren't.
470
"An extremist group" yes but also the acceptance of violence by potentially millions of Muslims.
5
Your response is apples and oranges at its finest. Methodist old ladies? Bad rhetoric because they have numerous ( Chechen black widows for example) women involved in jihad. That never happened during the Troubles. Also Catholic vs Proddy would be interreligous/sectarian warfare. This is an Islamic ideology opposed to Western Civilization. I've seen muslims marching in Europe demanding sharihah.
1
Yes, the USA must exemplify the highest standard of human rights.
As long as 800 Americans are murdered here at home, by fellow Americans, we need to question how much resources we devote to terrorism compared to the violent crimes at home.
That said, I think it is a serious mistake to underestimate the degree of enmity and its extent, focused on us from the Muslim majority nations.
The editorial refers to "40,000 extremists" and "1.6 billion Muslims", with an implicit "ONLY 40,000".
Living in the Middle East for 5 years, I frequently encountered the most blatant and shocking "conspiracy thinking". I was in contact with people from Bangladesh to Egypt. So many of them repeated the stories about, for example, how there were no Jews in the World Trade Center when it was attacked. Basically every bad thing that happened in the world was the fault either of the CIA or Mossad.
These people weren't violent extremists. They were taxi drivers and engineers with PhD's having a friendly chat with an American.
The twisted thinking that has resulted in AT LEAST 40,000 violent extremists is rife throughout large swaths of the population, who, thankfully, don't go off the deep end with it. There's no question in my mind, though, where they sympathies lie.
I've been in Europe the past months. Every few days I see news reports of terrorist cells being broken up here in France and Germany. Too many, too often. And many include recent as well as 1st and 2nd generation immigrants.
As long as 800 Americans are murdered here at home, by fellow Americans, we need to question how much resources we devote to terrorism compared to the violent crimes at home.
That said, I think it is a serious mistake to underestimate the degree of enmity and its extent, focused on us from the Muslim majority nations.
The editorial refers to "40,000 extremists" and "1.6 billion Muslims", with an implicit "ONLY 40,000".
Living in the Middle East for 5 years, I frequently encountered the most blatant and shocking "conspiracy thinking". I was in contact with people from Bangladesh to Egypt. So many of them repeated the stories about, for example, how there were no Jews in the World Trade Center when it was attacked. Basically every bad thing that happened in the world was the fault either of the CIA or Mossad.
These people weren't violent extremists. They were taxi drivers and engineers with PhD's having a friendly chat with an American.
The twisted thinking that has resulted in AT LEAST 40,000 violent extremists is rife throughout large swaths of the population, who, thankfully, don't go off the deep end with it. There's no question in my mind, though, where they sympathies lie.
I've been in Europe the past months. Every few days I see news reports of terrorist cells being broken up here in France and Germany. Too many, too often. And many include recent as well as 1st and 2nd generation immigrants.
34
small correction to my post.
Second sentence should have read, "As long as 800 Americans are murdered here at home, by fellow Americans, FOR EVERY 1 WHO DIES DUE TO TERRORISM, we need to question..."
sigh ... keep trying to be perfect ... keep failing
Second sentence should have read, "As long as 800 Americans are murdered here at home, by fellow Americans, FOR EVERY 1 WHO DIES DUE TO TERRORISM, we need to question..."
sigh ... keep trying to be perfect ... keep failing
3
Gee. Those Muslims sound a lot like our fundamentalist Christian right wing conspiracy theorists and Trump supporters. The fundamentalists of Christianity, Judaism and Islam all know that they are right and speak for God and everyone who disagrees with them is evil and must be hated and, if possible, converted or destroyed.
I am not sure radical Christian terrorism or radical Judaic terrorism is much better than radical Muslim terrorism.
I am not sure radical Christian terrorism or radical Judaic terrorism is much better than radical Muslim terrorism.
7
Zuckerman, you obviously have not read the fundamental tenets of Christianity. It actually teaches to love ones enemies, not to kill or subjugate others. Christianity may have its faults in modern society but hating ones enemies is not it.
When you fear something, your actions general work to bring about the thing you fear. This is a classic example.
8
Unless you experience a thing,rare or mundane you will not understand the gravity of the issue at hand.
Islam is the most perfect way of life,created by Allah himself.So they Claim.
Everything else created before it pales in comparison & is therefore false & needs to be eradicated.
Try living in one of the 57 Paradises of Islamic republics to understand what it means to be the Old Normal.Somalia for example...
President Trump is setting a correct precedent in preventing entry of elements inimical to public safety.
Instead of admitting so called Refugees,i would advise the administration to admit Graduate & Doctoral students studying in the United States.
At least you are sure that they have lot more skills than mere bomb making.
"Islam may not hate us",but why take Chances,throwing caution to the wind in the light of the world wide developments in terrorism is not advisable.
Human life & Safety is Paramount,why risk..with the "do they hate us "
Islam is the most perfect way of life,created by Allah himself.So they Claim.
Everything else created before it pales in comparison & is therefore false & needs to be eradicated.
Try living in one of the 57 Paradises of Islamic republics to understand what it means to be the Old Normal.Somalia for example...
President Trump is setting a correct precedent in preventing entry of elements inimical to public safety.
Instead of admitting so called Refugees,i would advise the administration to admit Graduate & Doctoral students studying in the United States.
At least you are sure that they have lot more skills than mere bomb making.
"Islam may not hate us",but why take Chances,throwing caution to the wind in the light of the world wide developments in terrorism is not advisable.
Human life & Safety is Paramount,why risk..with the "do they hate us "
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Preview for next week's FRONTLINE - Mosul! If you think Aleppo is trashed, watch this report on Mosul.
What would Mosul be like if the U.S. had never invaded Iraq? We'll never know. Most of Iraq will never be rebuilt in our lifetime. Most of Iraq will never be stable in our lifetime. This is what happens when a fool becomes president of the U.S., a so-called Christian president thinking a Muslim country needs to be taught a thing or two about 'our values.' Keep this in mind when Trump wants to start bombing Iran, because that's Trump's agenda.
Does the United States have any right to reduce Iran to garbage, like we reduced much of Iraq to a smoldering pile of rubble?
Will the American people rise up and resist Donald Trump when the time comes to prevent another U.S. - mideast war?
Don't count on Congress to stand up to Trump. Not gonna happen. This resistance will have to come from the street. And last time, it wasn't powerful enough to prevent the Iraq War.
What would Mosul be like if the U.S. had never invaded Iraq? We'll never know. Most of Iraq will never be rebuilt in our lifetime. Most of Iraq will never be stable in our lifetime. This is what happens when a fool becomes president of the U.S., a so-called Christian president thinking a Muslim country needs to be taught a thing or two about 'our values.' Keep this in mind when Trump wants to start bombing Iran, because that's Trump's agenda.
Does the United States have any right to reduce Iran to garbage, like we reduced much of Iraq to a smoldering pile of rubble?
Will the American people rise up and resist Donald Trump when the time comes to prevent another U.S. - mideast war?
Don't count on Congress to stand up to Trump. Not gonna happen. This resistance will have to come from the street. And last time, it wasn't powerful enough to prevent the Iraq War.
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Yes, and I am waiting for the American version of the UK Chilcot report. Why aren't the people who gave us the WMDs story line held accountable?
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They certainly view us as the opposition. But on the other hand we have always portrayed them negatively in our movies and TV shows. A little strange considering that the religious right in the US has much in common with the mulla elite in iran : https://interesting-online.com/2017/01/26/hollywood-seen-from-iran/
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To President Obama the Islamic State was not an Islamic organization. 2-years of growth before the US committed to stopping IS. Terrorist shouting "god is great" prior to exploding their vest and killing innocent civilians were not Islamic jihadist. That was fear of offending.
The US needs diversity within our culture. Diverse religions, culture, opinions. They create a stronger country.
Muslims are not a threat. But Islamic jihadist are. And those who passively support jihad inspired terrorism are a threat. To acknowledge that threat is the first step toward a secure future.
The US needs diversity within our culture. Diverse religions, culture, opinions. They create a stronger country.
Muslims are not a threat. But Islamic jihadist are. And those who passively support jihad inspired terrorism are a threat. To acknowledge that threat is the first step toward a secure future.
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‘I Think Islam Hates Us’
Well. How would you feel if you were a Muslim and your religious leaders told you that you were superior to the infidel. But. Clearly you are not. You are poorer, less well educated and are deprived of freedoms that are forbidden in Islam but are very much the basis of the highly successful, (If not perfect), Western Liberal Democracies.
Wouldn't you be angry. And cross. And then, your religious leader tells you that it is all the fault of the Western Liberal Democracies.
Well. How would you feel if you were a Muslim and your religious leaders told you that you were superior to the infidel. But. Clearly you are not. You are poorer, less well educated and are deprived of freedoms that are forbidden in Islam but are very much the basis of the highly successful, (If not perfect), Western Liberal Democracies.
Wouldn't you be angry. And cross. And then, your religious leader tells you that it is all the fault of the Western Liberal Democracies.
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Ditto, and then the paradox of being Muslim in Muslim heartlands ... you would want to move TO THE UNITED STATES !!
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A highbrow version of Trump/Flynn: "Moderates have had 20 years to reign in and transform radical elements of Islam, but instead, not only have they not made progress, they have remained silent during a long series of horrific events. At some point, the West has to change tactics. It has been a generation since this global wave of terror started. Empirically by now, it must be admitted that the status quo is not working: Islam does not seem capable of self-reform. By being much more direct toward Islam generally, the moderates will be forced to get off the fence one way or the other."
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I am a security professional and have worked on counter terrorism for 15 years. My assessment would be that we have been quite effective capturing and killing the bad folks and preventing those folks from coming here. We have been very ineffective in preventing the creation of new radicals, because our policies have destroyed countries in the Middle East, enabled dictatorships and otherwise promoted America as the source of all pain in the Middle East. Trump's policies will just exacerbate this. If you create terrorists faster than you neutralize them, then your policy is bad.
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At last a logical analysis, not an emotional knee-jerk response.
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Hey sdm, hows that self-reform you seem to expect, coming along for christianity?
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Perhaps Donald Trump could formulate more appropriate and effective strategies, if instead, he asked the question " why do Moslems hate us?" He , and many others assume that many in the Middle East hate the US on the basis of religious belief.
I would doubt that the average person in the Middle East ( which by demographic means Moslem) , gives any thought , or any care about the religious practices in the far away land of the United States.
They undoubtedly would be quite aware of the political , economic, and military meddling of the US ( as well as other colonial powers across the past century) , which have indeed had a profound impact on their lives and deaths.
To find workable solutions, one must first fully comprehend the problem.
Of course, one may decide use force that maybe at your disposal, but in the long term that is likely to fall. An army can defeat an army, but it cannot over any sustained length of time defeat a whole population.
I would doubt that the average person in the Middle East ( which by demographic means Moslem) , gives any thought , or any care about the religious practices in the far away land of the United States.
They undoubtedly would be quite aware of the political , economic, and military meddling of the US ( as well as other colonial powers across the past century) , which have indeed had a profound impact on their lives and deaths.
To find workable solutions, one must first fully comprehend the problem.
Of course, one may decide use force that maybe at your disposal, but in the long term that is likely to fall. An army can defeat an army, but it cannot over any sustained length of time defeat a whole population.
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Robert, you're using critical thinking skills. That is quite simply not admissible in our brave new world of alternative facts.
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'An army can defeat an army, but it cannot over any sustained length of time defeat a whole population.'
Perhaps 'unconditional surrender' might return to 'fashion'. I mean, just look at Germany and Japan now. Germany's democracy is very, very strong. Japan's is somewhat questionable. But I haven't got the time to invest in research on the subject of Japanese democracy. There are still people in Japan who worship the Emperor. And look to Bushido, (I think), for moral guidance.
The the Muslim world needs to be brought into unconditional surrender to the forces of enlightened democracy that clearly values equality and diversity. Sort of like 'bombing our way to peace'. I suspect that it is the only thing that will save Arabia from the truly dark ages.
Perhaps 'unconditional surrender' might return to 'fashion'. I mean, just look at Germany and Japan now. Germany's democracy is very, very strong. Japan's is somewhat questionable. But I haven't got the time to invest in research on the subject of Japanese democracy. There are still people in Japan who worship the Emperor. And look to Bushido, (I think), for moral guidance.
The the Muslim world needs to be brought into unconditional surrender to the forces of enlightened democracy that clearly values equality and diversity. Sort of like 'bombing our way to peace'. I suspect that it is the only thing that will save Arabia from the truly dark ages.
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Trump doesn't ask questions. Needless to say he also doesn't accept good advice - why should he? He already knows all the answers.
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Only a fiend makes it his mission to destroy a religion.
U.S. Constitution don't play that.
Resist Twitler.
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So Flynn is concerned about a messianic mass movement of evil people - the radical Muslims? What about the other messianic mass movement of evil people - the Christian right - and their War on Women?
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Here in the USA abortion is still legal. Gays are not being thrown of roofs, adulteresses are not being stoned and young girls are also not having their genitals mutilated.
The comparison is ridiculous.
Not that some of those Christians might WANT to do those things. But the fact is they are not and they cannot without facing lengthy prison sentences.
The comparison is ridiculous.
Not that some of those Christians might WANT to do those things. But the fact is they are not and they cannot without facing lengthy prison sentences.
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Chiz, the comparison is not far fetched. Trump is leading the charge to for America to become a Nazi state. The more hate and division he creates the closer we become. The Christian Right voted for a man who is causing groups around the world to disrespect and hate us. He is destroying the greatness that has been America.
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Michael Flynn is a bigot and a menace. Like most of the other people around Trump, he's unfit to work in the White House.
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No, most Americans don't hate Islam, Mr. President, it's you and your supporters who do. When you mentioned "radical Islam" in you inauguration address, effectively destroyed any cooperation and assistance from the Arab world in combating terrorism. You're on a fast track to isolate your administration and the country from the global community. But, then again, that's the reason why you ran for president, isn't it?
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He does not want to honor any treaties America has with allies. His hate speech against Islam is a deplorable and a treasonous act.
Most people on this planet want to live in peace. The administration wants war with 2.2 billion people. 20% of the worlds population.
What is there left to say. ISIS is contained to the Middle East, mostly Syria. There are terrorist attacks in Europe which are a fly bite to what America accepts every day in its own war on the streets with criminally lax gun regulation. Trump wants to set the world on fire as a treatment for a fly bite.
9/11 cost America trillions and its wounds are still not healed.
Trump wants a second crusade?
GOP he is your dog. Deal with it.
Most people on this planet want to live in peace. The administration wants war with 2.2 billion people. 20% of the worlds population.
What is there left to say. ISIS is contained to the Middle East, mostly Syria. There are terrorist attacks in Europe which are a fly bite to what America accepts every day in its own war on the streets with criminally lax gun regulation. Trump wants to set the world on fire as a treatment for a fly bite.
9/11 cost America trillions and its wounds are still not healed.
Trump wants a second crusade?
GOP he is your dog. Deal with it.
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Trump is correct to say "Islam hates us." The Quran clearly states nonbelievers (kafir) are wholly wicked, deserving to be tortured with the fires of hell. Islam does not recognize our gay rights and free speech. This is not to be confused with the fact that the vast majority of Muslims are decent human beings first and ignore such teachings. But the Left, by pretending these teachings don't exist and failing to address them, gave rise to Trump, who was willing to call a spade a spade.
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"The Quran clearly states nonbelievers (kafir) are wholly wicked, deserving to be tortured with the fires of hell. Islam does not recognize our gay rights and free speech. " said Tally
Tally, the Christian Bible states that non-believers will be thrown into the pits of hell too. Please read the parable of Lazarus and the Rich man (Gospel of Luke)
As for not recognizing our "gay rights and free speech": Didn't VP Pence sign a bill that allowed Businesses to discriminate against gays? Didn't Trump remove LGBT rights from the white house website? And haven't there been a slew of GOP sponsored Bills trying to codify Gay conversion and discrimination?
And don't Christian evangelicals cite Sodom and Gommorah aren't anti gay laws called anti-sodomy laws? Don't Xtians cite passages in Corinthians, Matthew, Romans, & Leviticus to justify their opposition to homosexuality?
Did't Trump issue a "gag order" prohibiting federal employees (EPA comes to mind) from speaking to the press?
And hasn't Mr. Trump been threatening the American press for reporting about the size of his inauguration crowd?
We need to worry about those self-professed Christians in the White House and Congress who seemed to be intent on imposing their wills on "non-believers" and using their immense power to limit the rights of minority citizens, women and gays
In that regards, they are very similar to those you attempt to vilify through blanket stereotypes
Tally, the Christian Bible states that non-believers will be thrown into the pits of hell too. Please read the parable of Lazarus and the Rich man (Gospel of Luke)
As for not recognizing our "gay rights and free speech": Didn't VP Pence sign a bill that allowed Businesses to discriminate against gays? Didn't Trump remove LGBT rights from the white house website? And haven't there been a slew of GOP sponsored Bills trying to codify Gay conversion and discrimination?
And don't Christian evangelicals cite Sodom and Gommorah aren't anti gay laws called anti-sodomy laws? Don't Xtians cite passages in Corinthians, Matthew, Romans, & Leviticus to justify their opposition to homosexuality?
Did't Trump issue a "gag order" prohibiting federal employees (EPA comes to mind) from speaking to the press?
And hasn't Mr. Trump been threatening the American press for reporting about the size of his inauguration crowd?
We need to worry about those self-professed Christians in the White House and Congress who seemed to be intent on imposing their wills on "non-believers" and using their immense power to limit the rights of minority citizens, women and gays
In that regards, they are very similar to those you attempt to vilify through blanket stereotypes
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Read the Old Testament which is full of condemnation for a variety of people and practices, and then decide whether Christians and Jews deserve to be attacked for their religion.
Starting wars on the basis of something written hundreds of years ago is stupid.
Starting wars on the basis of something written hundreds of years ago is stupid.
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Old book spews crazy talk + new followers of old book rightly reject crazy talk = Left made Trump happen?
That's fuzzy math even by GOP standards.
That's fuzzy math even by GOP standards.
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Are we to fear the power of words from a man who says what he thinks at the moment with no reflection or pause about the consequences of his words? We should fear the actions taken in response to his words. Vigilance is the word of the day. Do not let this administration to operate in the dark. Insistence on information access to the actions being taken by this administration is the only defense of liberty that we have, and any relaxation on this will surely lead to disaster. Do not fixate on the words but on the actions. We have a constitution that will keep us free if we insist that this administration hold to its truths.
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There are many things that Trump and his supporters believe in, which do not make sense to others. The 'Islam hates us' theme is not one of them. Readings of the Koran and of the history of every country with significant Muslim populations do indicate that Islam enjoins upon its followers to exterminate all other religions and not allow independent thought in matters of religion or society. Apostasy is punishable with nothing other than death in Islam. All Muslims are not bad but that is because many who profess to follow Islam do not follow their religion fully, and they also accept the fact of their non-observance of their religion.The world needs to face this truth and accept that while most people including Muslims may be inherently good, Islam, being a comprehensive life-controlling ideology, is a danger to the civilized world. If Muslims themselves do not wean themselves away from Islam, they are themselves in danger of being shunned by the civilized world.
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Oh great another one. Look at christianity before judging others. Christianity has never played nicely with any other religion. Jews for example fled christian countries to muslim countries because jews were hated by christians and the muslims tolerated them.
For centuries while christians killed all others of different religions, those religions were able to live in peace among the muslims. nFor example the near extermination of those savage pagans of n. america who stopped those 'good christians' from their manifest destiny of owning the whole country. How dare they stand in the way and insist that their land and people not be stolen and killed.
Then we have those nice christians called the KKK who want a white christian nation only. Oh and guess what, Bannon is one of them in the white house now.
I think there is a passage in the bible that says remove the mote in your own eye before trying it out on someone else. The english translation starts with "Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thy own eye" I am tired of christian hypocrites telling everyone how bad others are and by implication saying they are better than everyone else.
For centuries while christians killed all others of different religions, those religions were able to live in peace among the muslims. nFor example the near extermination of those savage pagans of n. america who stopped those 'good christians' from their manifest destiny of owning the whole country. How dare they stand in the way and insist that their land and people not be stolen and killed.
Then we have those nice christians called the KKK who want a white christian nation only. Oh and guess what, Bannon is one of them in the white house now.
I think there is a passage in the bible that says remove the mote in your own eye before trying it out on someone else. The english translation starts with "Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thy own eye" I am tired of christian hypocrites telling everyone how bad others are and by implication saying they are better than everyone else.
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"Readings of the Koran and of the history of every country with significant Muslim populations do indicate that Islam enjoins upon its followers to exterminate all other religions and not allow independent thought in matters of religion or society. "
I'm tired of hearing this rubbish. You are not qualified to read the Koran. You don't know the difference between verses that apply to specific contexts and those that apply generally. So like most ignoramuses out there you read into each verse what you want the verse to say.
I'm tired of hearing this rubbish. You are not qualified to read the Koran. You don't know the difference between verses that apply to specific contexts and those that apply generally. So like most ignoramuses out there you read into each verse what you want the verse to say.
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your ignorance of Islam is frightening ...
Find out for yourself rather than the islamophobes lying for profit
Find out for yourself rather than the islamophobes lying for profit
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Just who is going to be fighting these wars? Is Trump planning on bringing back the draft? If we think he's unpopular now...
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Did you miss the announcement that women will be subject to draft?
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Just as they are in Switzerland, Israel and Norway. Several other countries - democracies among them - employ women in combat roles. There is no reason not to include all age-eligible in a draft, gender or claimed gender notwithstanding. This means no deferments other than for unsuitability. Race, class, educational status, birthright or recent American - ALL must serve. You are pre-med? Great - we have a job for you. Hopeful attorney? Excellent - the JAG always welcomes new blood. Good with hands? Good with the pen? A good shot? We have a place for it. National service of limited duration is not onerous - it is the finest expeession of love of country and frankly, it's a shame it must be required rather than embraced.
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The Repubs shot that down.
Hey, extremism is good for business. Without a slippery wide-spread enemy, we wouldn't have endless war ... then where would the US be.
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A terribly cynical comment, Ray. The great pity is that you are 'spot-on'!
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This self-fulfilling clash of civilizations has been propelled by an unholy alliance between Israel's Likud Bloc and Armageddon Evangelical fanatics in the US going back to the Reagan Revolution and the atrocity laden invasion of Lebanon in 1982. It is now threatening American democracy itself with the rise of neo-fascism and racial and religious supremacy represented by the Trump regime. This threatens growing civil conflict in America itself as hundreds of millions of us Americans who dont share this racial and religious ideology of supremacy will work to defeat it and the Alt-Right by what the great American Muslim leader Malcolm X termed "any means necessary".
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9/11, San Bernardino, Orlando, Bataclan in Paris, the Underground in London, Jewish Museum in Brussels, the trains in Madrid, our embassies in Africa....... These heinous attacks were not perpetrated by the Likud. Nor would the ingrained hatred of so many Muslims disappear, should G'd forbid, Israel cease to exist. Mr Khan, look at the deficient cultural and religious education in Muslim countries. Heal your own from the inside instead of blaming the easy target of Israel and Jews.
Look at how the small Israel, with about 7 million people, has won more Nobel Prizes (medicine, arts, economics, science...) than all 1.5 billion Muslims together. You may not like this, but it is demonstrative.
Look at how the small Israel, with about 7 million people, has won more Nobel Prizes (medicine, arts, economics, science...) than all 1.5 billion Muslims together. You may not like this, but it is demonstrative.
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We knew it was going to be bad but the signs are extremely alarming. It seems that a group of dangerous extremists has invaded the White House. Surely there are more level headed individuals in the Congress who can bring this regime to heal. When will they start to speak out? I note with concern that our Prime Minister is rushing to Washington this week to grovel in front of Trump. That is very worrying. The last time we saw this it was the beginning of the Bush/Blair axis which caused so much damage in the Middle East. Do not expect May's Government to be a steadying influence. It is struggling with its own set of self inflicted problems here. May's gift to Trump is to be a Scottish Quaich. I doubt the majority of people from this country will welcome that gesture. Trump is largely reviled here for his odious behaviour in constructing his golf course near Aberdeen where is proclivity to bully was on full display.
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Level headed individuals in Congress? Like who? McConnell, Ryan, Gowdy, Chaffetz, Gomert, Issa?
I don't think so.
They're a bunch of nuts.
I don't think so.
They're a bunch of nuts.
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The problem began even during the election. Many Republicans could see Trump for what he was, but did not speak out for fear of offending his worshippers ( and one has to call them that because they believe him no matter what evidence there is to show he is wrong). They continue to do the same. Ryan as much as admitted that he did not believe that millions of illegal immigrants voted in the election, yet is content to spend millions of US taxpayers' dollars investigating this obvious delusional belief of the president. So, I'm not holding my breath that Republicans in congress will be able to grow a backbone and stand up to him.
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They are a bunch of dangerous nuts.
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