XDA

As almost always is the case, history is mainly written by old, white, European males. To this one could add an other croup - winners.

History has been treating English very nicely because the events in recent past have mainly been written by them and they were on the winning side on the squable I and the squable II. Their colonial presense happened in the period when information was easily controlled by a superpower and this was naturally done. The new reversed edition about the British rule in her colonies is finally starting to emerge and it is not pretty sight.

I have been been fed, just like you, by one of the best propagandists the world has ever seen in believing that the English rule some how occupied a more humane perch and they left almost nothing but more advanced societies behind them after granting independecies for those that were under their rule.

Our ignorance used to be acceptable in a way but now the new and correct information is out there, taking away excuses. May I suggest to you "Imperial Reckoning" by a Harward proffesor, Caroline Elkins.
 

"But I am for taking the gloves off."

I'm with you, as long as I don't have to pay a tax increase. (or have my kids get drafted).
 

The trick is taking the gloves off and hitting the right people.
 

Good post, Itsamarycle. I'd call them
"Islamic Nihilists". As Walter Sobchak said say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos.
 

Itsamarycle, you said what I should have said.The Bush-regime can be called with some justification Fascist. Hyphen it with neo, pseudo or what ever you like.
 

In no particular order:

Roger. Technically, Itsamarycle is correct in that the Islamic Lihadists are not strictly fascists, but certainly I understand and appreciate your use of that term.

Marycle and Anon, I think that Islamic Anarchists or Islamic Nihilists are less accurate terms than Islamic Fascists. Anarchists advocate the abolishment of all forms of government while nihilist believe that the destruction of existing social and religious institutions is necessary for future improvement.

Our adversaries, or perhaps enemies would be more accurate, are neither anarchists nor nihilists. The destruction that they covet is that of Israel and western civilization, the latter which they wish to replace w/ a world wide Islamic state resembling the Caliphate.

The Caliphate of Bahgdad ended in 1258; the Caliphate of Cordoba in 1031; and the Fatimid Caliphate in Syria, Africa, and Egypt ended in 1171.

These Islamists, perhaps better described as Islamic Caliphatists wish to replace all religions w/ Islam and secular law w/ the Sharia.

If they succeed, Pekka, history will not be written by dead white European males nor will it be written by dead women of color b/c under the system envisioned bty the Caliphatists, women will be kept illiterate.

Pekka, what I find ironic is that we purportedly live in the Information Age. I sometimes wonder whether we live in the Disinformation Age. Anyone w/access to a URL can post whatever they like and proclaim it the truth.

As has been cited recently: "Perception is reality."

Although, I have yet to visit it, I understand the president of Iran now has his own blog.
 

Pekka, British rule was cake compared to nearly every other European colonialism, in my opinion. I'll try to add Imperial Reckoning to the tall pile of as yet unread books by my bedside.
Anon, there hasn't been a person drafted since 1971 and I doubt there will be one. Good that you oppose tax increases, bro.
Mike, I think taking the gloves off caused more damage from each punch but doesn't necessarily widen the area of the punch, but perhaps I'm too literal. And I agree that intelligence is key in this sort of war which means the full of itself CIA needs to get much better really quickly.
Mary, I use 'fascist' like Woody Allen uses it as a combination of barbarian (that is, a non-Manhattenite) Jew hater. Thanks for the real definition. I have to reject Anarchist becuse it is my belief that the Jihadists are firmly for a theocracy which is about as far from anarchy as you can get. I do get your point, though.
Anon.2, Hihilist has the same problem because they have a very detailed belief system which certainly includes a God who apparently has advice (or requirements) about eveything. Good try both you and Mary, though.
Tony, good points all. I haven't been to Mahmood's blog yet because my Farsi is terrible. Do you know why Lake Avernus is considered the mouth of Hell? No clue here.
 

I repeat myself all the time but, Tony, you just keep making all kinds of sense here.

Times sure have changed since the Moores were occupying the Iberia. They kept the lights of knowledge on when Europe was in it's Dark-Ages. To think now that an Islamic Caliphate of sorts would be the one to record our history and take care of our education, sends shivers to my body. It's vital that this will not be allowed.

Tables have been turned on us as how to deal with information. It used to be that the source had the responsibility of it's content and of course the conventional sources still do . Now that the "new media's" responsibility is not there, we, the information consumers, must be on guard against misinformation, propaganda and lies. It used to be so easy to rely on one's newspaper and evening TV news as the sole source of information. Those days are gone. Welcome to the Information Age!
 

Roger,

My bad. First, I neglected to advise that I learned of the president's blog when the dial of my car radio in transit to or from hither or yon. Secondly, I neglected to inform that the blog is not only in Farsi , but also in English, French, and at least one other western language.

Re Lake Avernus, I will follow up, it's time for Good Eats.

Thank you, Pekka. More to come.
 

Good Eats was pretty funny, but I have no desire to make my own bacon. I don't even eat bacon anymore.