Thanks to R. Worth for a wonderful posting Full of insights and really eye opening.

I would add just a few thoughts---not in any contradiction, but rather as a confirmationan and further thought.

Some of the issues---Palestine/Israel among them---are really red herrings. Modernism that cannot be comprehended or accepted by "zealots" who insist that a pure interpretation of their faith is only possible through their dominance. No matter that culture evolves and is accepted by some of their believers---they feel they have to eradicate that.

Some people---especially on a particulare NYC radio station--seem to equate this as a struggle between races. Betweet Rich & Poor. Not so! Poverty is not one of the attributes of the leaders of this movement---they finance it and use their "poverty stricken" as their "cannon fodder".

Where Hitler brainwashed the youth of Germany in his maniacal race for world conquest---so do these megalomanic organizers.

Should their culture spread over time in a peaceful way and be accepted by society it would be perfectly acceptable. They cannot understand that other cultures are accepted in the world. It must be theirn cultlure. Take it ---but do not leave it or suffer the consequences.

I doubt that they can really understand that even here in the U S ---or Britain===their faith can be practiced along with the others. Even in prisons we bend over backwards---by act of Congress---to allow murderers and rapists to practice their faith. Did you know --- some prisons even have tents set up for Native Americans to cleanse themselves in the heated areas(I forget the name for it), no pork is served to practitoners of Islam, and so on.

Certainly our past is not pure as driven snow---but at least this "civilized" society tries.

Finally----bombings have killed some civilians in Kabul. Sad. We did not, however, aim for them----5,000 here were aimed for.

Bill Hahn