Middle East about to explode?

[DEVOREFLYER]

Had a phone call from an old client yesterday that I have not talked to since I retired last year, he is a retired military officer and worked in the Pentagon before his retirement five years ago.

Anyway, we had a few interesting conversations of a non-technical nature. Libya, Syria, Iran and the Middle East situation. One of them was concerning Israel, the ‘Palestinians’ and the likelihood of obama actually supporting the ONLY democracy in the Middle East.

My comment: We’d better back up Israel. They’ve existed as a modern nation since 1947, surrounded by screaming hordes of worshippers of Allah who continuously voice the idea of wiping Israel off the map.

The very fact that Hamas routinely launches missiles across the border, targeting Israeli citizens without regard to age, sex or combatant status, hoping to hit the lottery and drop an explosive warhead into a school or medical facility, yeah, THAT fact is legitimate cause for Israel to act in self-defense. Think about it. If Mexican drug cartels routinely launched rockets from Tijuana or Juarez, targeting Americans, how would you feel, what would you do?

Yes, the same ‘Religion of Peace” that wanted to fly planes into office buildings, they’re conveniently close to the fields and cities of Israel, people like you and me, and since they can’t come over here and kill OUR people, they’ll quite happily try to murder Israeli children instead.

Egypt, happy with the ‘freedom’ brought about by the obama-backed ‘Arab Spring’ is making threatening noises in support of Hamas. I noted in conversation that Egypt has a short memory: 1947, 1956, 1967, 1973… They’ve had their military asses handed to them time after time, all the way back to Ramses who encountered a little maritime obstacle in the Old Testament.

This time is different. How? For one thing, in the previous conflicts, at least the last two, Egypt had the Soviet Union to counter the American-backed Israelis, even though in ’67 Lyndon “Lyin’ Ba*tard” Johnson withheld real American support. But in the ensuing years since 1973, the world has learned to fear the Arab oil weapon and the UN has become overtly anti-Israel. That wasn’t an untenable position up until the present regime took over Washington and now Israel’s main ally in the world, America, is run by a bunch of spineless fops who, if not actually pro-Muslim, are at least ambivalent, and widely pictured in the world as a de-fanged tiger.

Might make Egypt and the ‘Palestinians’ feel like they can take a swipe at the Israelis. A big, active swipe. And said swipe… Well, the Israeli military holds a ceremony on Masada (Google: Masada) when their fighters graduate from basic training, swearing that “Masada shall not fall again”. Israel backed into a corner might make the region ot the world for that matter a very interesting place. In a flash. Or several flashes.

Israel does have Nukes and will not hesitate to use them as a last resort. Google “Samson Option” and be very very afraid of what may well be coming in the future.

A weak and indecisive America endangers the world. And our present regime is weakening America.

[HawgZWylde]

Know what's sad DF? So many Americans gullible enough to fall for the affair diversion, while the Benghazi cover-up drifts out their other ear, and are completely unaware of the big picture ready to explode while they aren't watching...

[DockRat]

It is heating up over there they need to back off. Israel will wipe them off the map.
DR

According to the "Democracy Index" (published by the Economist, a British journal), the country in the Middle East with the highest Democracy Index score is Israel, with a score of 7.53, corresponding to the status of "flawed democracy"; the only one in the region.

The next highest scores of countries of in the region are held by Turkey(7.73), and Lebanon (48.32), classified as "hybrid regime". Also in the "hybrid regimes" category are the Palestinian territories, Mauritania, Egypt and Iraq. The remaining countries of the Middle East are categorized as authoritarian regimes, with scores below 2 held by Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. Similarly, Freedom House categorizes Israel as "free", Tunisia, Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait and Morocco as "Partially Free", and the remaining states as "Not Free" (including Western Sahara, which is controlled by Morocco). Events of the Arab Spring such as the Tunisian revolution may indicate a move towards democracy in some countries which may not be fully captured in the democracy index.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_in_the_Middle_East

[detailer]

You are 100 percent right on all points DF. One thing most people overlook is who backs Haamas. The Irainian government.It will all hit the fan soon. I don't think Israel needs our help,
they kick *** pretty well on their own.They have taken on Syria,Jordan,Egypt some of them 2 at a time. I am in agreement about our present regime weaking America,spineless bastards.
But they don't mind killing 1000's of our troops in an endless war in Afghanistan.

[oldschoolfishin']

I'm sorry to say that you are absolutely correct in your assessment of the situation in the area, and here also. The fact of obama winning that election is a sad day for all americans. It seems that the actual working americans have been out-voted by the "takers". The current administration does not have the stuff to even condemn the radicals in thought, or deed. Let's hope for the best for this great country.

[City Dad]

rent "Waltz with Bashir."

[HawgZWylde]

rent "Waltz with Bashir."

Read this;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damour_massacre
http://debate.org.uk/topics/history/xstnc-6.html
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/1685/muslim-genocide-of-christians
http://jewishrefugees.blogspot.com/2011/01/massacre-of-jews-by-muslims-before-1948.html

[Lady Quagga]

rent "Waltz with Bashir."

Hey hey, don't try to minimize my moral high ground with examples of atrocities committed by my people....

....I mean after all, the other side killed more!

[DarkShadow]

rent "Waltz with Bashir."

Is that like Mississippi Burning?

[City Dad]

Hey hey, don't try to minimize my moral high ground with examples of atrocities committed by my people....

....I mean after all, the other side killed more!

I get the impression that you don't see this thread as an important, scholarly dissection of the Semitic world... which is most certainly is.

Gentlemen start your search engines!!!

[City Dad]

Is that like Mississippi Burning?

Yes - call it "Mesopotamia Burning." THANK YOU! TRY THE VEAL!

[Lady Quagga]

I get the impression that you don't see this thread as an important, scholarly dissection of the Semitic world... which is most certainly is.

Gentlemen start your search engines!!!

Oh but you see, this thread is a perfect example of escalating tensions, and how we use history - ancient and modern - to justify being complete asses towards one another.


Yes - call it "Mesopotamia Burning." THANK YOU! TRY THE VEAL!

You're a regular Joey Bishop. (You see what I did there?)

[City Dad]

You're a regular Joey Bishop. (You see what I did there?)

Finally, someone who can dig my borscht belt sense of humor!

[Skyler]

Finally, someone who can dig my borscht belt sense of humor!

In soviet Russia, Gaza strips YOU!

[DockRat]

Finally, someone who can dig my borscht belt sense of humor!
Such big words make me more confused ?
DR :Confused:


Borscht (also borsch, bortsch, borstch, borsh, borshch; Ukrainian: борщ) is a soup of Ukrainian[1] origin that is popular in many Eastern and Central European countries. In most of these countries, it is made with beetroot as the main ingredient,[2][3] giving it a deep reddish-purple color. In some countries, tomato is used as the main ingredient, while beetroot acts as a secondary ingredient. Other, non-beet varieties also exist, such as the tomato paste-based orange borscht and green borscht (sorrel soup).

[Lady Quagga]

In soviet Russia, Gaza strips YOU!


Such big words make me more confused ?
DR :Confused:

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv350/Christapo/picard-sigh.jpg

[Skyler]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/ladygarnetrose/hamas.jpg

[fishinarteest]

.

Gentlemen start your search engines!!!


In soviet Russia, Gaza strips YOU!


38018

did i do good?

[Skyler]

I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars (with sickles).

[fishinarteest]

I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars (with sickles).

in soviet russia stars with sickles rate you!!!

[DEVOREFLYER]

More and more like life in the USSR everyday, what's next?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57552225-38/senate-bill-rewrite-lets-feds-read-your-e-mail-without-warrants/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=title

[DarkShadow]

More and more like life in the USSR everyday, what's next?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57552225-38/senate-bill-rewrite-lets-feds-read-your-e-mail-without-warrants/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=title

Ahh, so kinda like the Patriot Act.

Devore, were you up in arms when that was passed?

I mean, it's the slippery slope that has led us to this type of legislation, right?

[DEVOREFLYER]

Oh it's not just the PATRIOT ACT that has me "up in arms" but that was a nonstarter for me.:Guns:

[DarkShadow]

Oh it's not just the PATRIOT ACT that has me "up in arms" but that was a nonstarter for me.:Guns:

Non starter?

It sure looked like it to the 455 legislators (260 Republican) who passed it.

[fishfinder]

just thought this was intresting timing. being that the world is supposed to end next month. lol


Question: "What does Revelation chapter 12 mean?"

Answer: In Revelation chapter 12, John sees a vision of a woman "clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Revelation 12:1 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2012.1)). Note the similarity between this description and the description that Joseph gave of his father Jacob (Israel) and his mother and their children (Genesis 37:9-11 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Genesis%2037.9-11)). The twelve stars refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. So the woman in Revelation 12 is Israel.

Additional evidence for this interpretation is that Revelation 12:2-5 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2012.2-5) speaks of the woman being with child and giving birth. While it is true that Mary gave birth to Jesus, it is also true that Jesus, the son of David from the tribe of Judah, came from Israel. In a sense, Israel gave birth—or brought forth—Christ Jesus. Verse 5 says that the woman’s child was " a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne." Clearly, this is describing Jesus. Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%201.9-11)) and will one day establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:4-6 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2020.4-6)), and He will rule it with perfect judgment (the “rod of iron”; see Psalm 2:7-9 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%202.7-9)).

The woman’s flight into the wilderness for 1,260 days refers to the future time called the Great Tribulation. Twelve hundred, sixty days is 42 months (of 30 days each), which is the same as 3 1/2 years. Halfway through the Tribulation period, the Beast (the Antichrist) will set an image of himself up in the temple that will be built in Jerusalem. This is the abomination that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:15 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matthew%2024.15) and Mark 13:14 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mark%2013.14). When the Beast does this, he breaks the peace pact he had made with Israel, and the nation has to flee for safety—possibly to Petra (also see Matthew 24; Daniel 9:27 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Daniel%209.27)). This escape of the Jews is pictured as the woman fleeing into the wilderness.

Revelation 12:12-17 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2012.12-17) speaks of how the devil will make war against Israel, trying to destroy her (Satan knows his time is short, relatively speaking—see Revelation 20:1-3 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2020.1-3), 10 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2020.10)). It also reveals that God will protect Israel in the wilderness. Revelation 12:14 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2012.14) says Israel will be protected from the devil for "a time, times, and half a time (“a time” = 1 year; “times” = 2 years; “half a time” = one-half year; in other words, 3 1/2 years).

[pcuser]

just thought this was intresting timing. being that the world is supposed to end next month. lol


Question: "What does Revelation chapter 12 mean?"

Answer: In Revelation chapter 12, John sees a vision of a woman "clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Revelation 12:1 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2012.1)). Note the similarity between this description and the description that Joseph gave of his father Jacob (Israel) and his mother and their children (Genesis 37:9-11 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Genesis%2037.9-11)). The twelve stars refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. So the woman in Revelation 12 is Israel.

Additional evidence for this interpretation is that Revelation 12:2-5 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2012.2-5) speaks of the woman being with child and giving birth. While it is true that Mary gave birth to Jesus, it is also true that Jesus, the son of David from the tribe of Judah, came from Israel. In a sense, Israel gave birth—or brought forth—Christ Jesus. Verse 5 says that the woman’s child was " a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne." Clearly, this is describing Jesus. Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%201.9-11)) and will one day establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:4-6 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2020.4-6)), and He will rule it with perfect judgment (the “rod of iron”; see Psalm 2:7-9 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%202.7-9)).

The woman’s flight into the wilderness for 1,260 days refers to the future time called the Great Tribulation. Twelve hundred, sixty days is 42 months (of 30 days each), which is the same as 3 1/2 years. Halfway through the Tribulation period, the Beast (the Antichrist) will set an image of himself up in the temple that will be built in Jerusalem. This is the abomination that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:15 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matthew%2024.15) and Mark 13:14 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mark%2013.14). When the Beast does this, he breaks the peace pact he had made with Israel, and the nation has to flee for safety—possibly to Petra (also see Matthew 24; Daniel 9:27 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Daniel%209.27)). This escape of the Jews is pictured as the woman fleeing into the wilderness.

Revelation 12:12-17 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2012.12-17) speaks of how the devil will make war against Israel, trying to destroy her (Satan knows his time is short, relatively speaking—see Revelation 20:1-3 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2020.1-3), 10 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2020.10)). It also reveals that God will protect Israel in the wilderness. Revelation 12:14 (http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Revelation%2012.14) says Israel will be protected from the devil for "a time, times, and half a time (“a time” = 1 year; “times” = 2 years; “half a time” = one-half year; in other words, 3 1/2 years).

Dude,
Your taking "physic" advice from a fairy tale. There are many creation myths from that time period with many similarities. That doesn't make mythology fact. The only facts in the bible are historical in nature. Much of these stories purport to be history. Much of that history has a basis in fact. However, there are many false perceptions as well. that's where all the mythology comes in. Our founding father Thomas Jefferson rewrote the bible by taking out all the supernatural events surrounding the Life of Christ. He, in an age of superstition and science illiteracy, understood well the idea that the bible is based on myth. that should be obvious to us in the 21st century...

[Skyler]

Dude,
Your taking "physic" advice from a fairy tale. There are many creation myths from that time period with many similarities. That doesn't make mythology fact. The only facts in the bible are historical in nature. Much of these stories purport to be history. Much of that history has a basis in fact. However, there are many false perceptions as well. that's where all the mythology comes in. Our founding father Thomas Jefferson rewrote the bible by taking out all the supernatural events surrounding the Life of Christ. He, in an age of superstition and science illiteracy, understood wellthe idea that the bible is based on myth. that should be obvious to us in the 21st century...

In some dark corner of hell, somebody just touched the thermostat. I agree with you?

[andrew95]

Greedy, Zionist nutjobs (that control America too) vs. Muslims?

I don't care but I'd rather see Israel get nuked first.

[Skyler]

Greedy, Zionist nutjobs (that control America too) vs. Muslims?

I don't care but I'd rather see Israel get nuked first.

Anti-semite much?

[fishinarteest]

[B]just thought this was intresting timing. being that the world is supposed to end next month. lol

don't you know? they found the rest of the mayan calender. The world isn't gonna end next month anymore.

[fishfinder]

Dude,
Your taking "physic" advice from a fairy tale. There are many creation myths from that time period with many similarities. That doesn't make mythology fact. The only facts in the bible are historical in nature. Much of these stories purport to be history. Much of that history has a basis in fact. However, there are many false perceptions as well. that's where all the mythology comes in. Our founding father Thomas Jefferson rewrote the bible by taking out all the supernatural events surrounding the Life of Christ. He, in an age of superstition and science illiteracy, understood well the idea that the bible is based on myth. that should be obvious to us in the 21st century...

Wow, eternity is a very long time. Are you 100% positive? Were Luke, Paul, and John crazy?

[DarkShadow]

Greedy, Zionist nutjobs (that control America too) vs. Muslims?

I don't care but I'd rather see Israel get nuked first.

At least you could've added how Israel 'stole' the Palestinian land in '48 to back up your post.

[fishfinder]

At least you could've added how Israel 'stole' the Palestinian land in '48 to back up your post.

Actually, I believe the British took that land after world war 1.

[Skyler]

don't you know? they found the rest of the mayan calender. The world isn't gonna end next month anymore.

You mean I stockpiled all this food and ammo for nothing?

[pcuser]

Wow, eternity is a very long time. Are you 100% positive? Were Luke, Paul, and John crazy?

Yes, eternity is a very long time. However, we'll all be dead for most of it. Yes, I'm 100% positive. Luke, Paul, And john are characters in a book. We don't have any evidence that they even existed. They were creatures of their time. Religion answered questions they had no answers for. We have many answers to some of the most profound questions our species have ever asked. We have outgrown the need for magic and religion.

[DarkShadow]

You mean I stockpiled all this food and ammo for nothing?

I thought you pulled that stunt to get some air time on Nat Geo.

http://www.rootsimple.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/doomsday-preppers.jpg

[fishfinder]

You mean I stockpiled all this food and ammo for nothing?

Oh no, Obama was re-elected. You stock piled for a good reason. If it was the end of the World you would just need Jesus.

[DarkShadow]

....you would just need Jesus.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6z0Zay9itk

Why would I need that pederast?

[seal]

Oh no, Obama was re-elected. You stock piled for a good reason. If it was the end of the World you would just need Jesus.

You may as well give up Fishfinder, there is no God, cause according to Pcuser we have all the answers, science is 100% infoulable. Yup we know it all.

[fishfinder]

You may as well give up Fishfinder, there is no God, cause according to Pcuser we have all the answers, science is 100% infoulable. Yup we know it all.

I will still pray for him.

[DarkShadow]

You may as well give up Fishfinder, there is no God, cause according to Pcuser we have all the answers, science is 100% infoulable. Yup we know it all.

I think the word you were looking for is 'infallible.'

That's why I try to keep more dictionaries than bibles in my home.

;-)

[pcuser]

You may as well give up Fishfinder, there is no God, cause according to Pcuser we have all the answers, science is 100% infoulable. Yup we know it all.

I never said we have all the answers. We do however understand far more than we did during biblical times. Therefore, we have outgrown magic and supernatural explanations for deep questions. It even appears that we needed no God for the beginning of our universe. It may well have been the ultimate free lunch. You know, how we entitled takers like it...

[HawgStalker]

I'm sorry to say that you are absolutely correct in your assessment of the situation in the area, and here also. The fact of obama winning that election is a sad day for all americans. It seems that the actual working americans have been out-voted by the "takers". The current administration does not have the stuff to even condemn the radicals in thought, or deed. Let's hope for the best for this great country.

Yep... Everybody that voted for obama don't stop paying attention now that he's back in office!!! This s*#@ is going to start getting very ugly.... Sit back and enjoy the mess that spineless puke is basically going to create, or should I say, has created already!!!

[seal]

I think the word you were looking for is 'infallible.'

That's why I try to keep more dictionaries than bibles in my home.

;-)

Yup sometimes my internal dictionary makes up words. I guess I'm not 'infallible'.

But the bible reference does not describe my house. I believe the bible is a great tool but to take it too literally is a mistake and to think that all that believe think that it hasn't been altered by man and the original meaning has not been f'd with by us is unfortunately being ignorant. Many years have passed and many translations have taken place it is no longer pure, the many versions is proof of that.

Not all are easily bundled into a easy little category, kind of like the policital crap that we keep debating.

[seal]

I never said we have all the answers. We do however understand far more than we did during biblical times. Therefore, we have outgrown magic and supernatural explanations for deep questions. It even appears that we needed no God for the beginning of our universe. It may well have been the ultimate free lunch. You know, how we entitled takers like it...

Every day I go out into the wilderness I thank God for it. It is beyond my ability to explain and I believe it is beyond current sciences ability to completely explain. I believe we are being arrogant when we think we have all the answers.

I look at the trees and an incredible sunset and I cannot believe that this world isn't special and because of that and other episodes in my life I believe. It's cool cause I have many friends that do not, maybe I'm wrong but because of my belief I believe I have a chance of being a better person. Certainly you have to admit there is nothing wrong with those that believe in God and because of that belief live a better life. Yup many that claim a belief in God are not good people and my God can differentiate between a good person that finds it hard to believe and one that claims belief but is not a good person.

In my book good people will be rewarded in life and afterwards, it's that simple to me.

[seal]

I think the word you were looking for is 'infallible.'

That's why I try to keep more dictionaries than bibles in my home.

;-)

I had to Google my version of the word, funny quite a few hits out there on people that have used it, I think we need to add a new word to Websters:Big Grin:.

[fishinarteest]

You may as well give up Fishfinder, there is no God, cause according to Pcuser we have all the answers, science is 100% infoulable. Yup we know it all.

well to be honest i have my reasons for believing what i believe, and i will not debate my belief in God here on an internet forum where the simplest of debates go horribly wrong, also i will not debate it, because i'm not as great as others on here at googling everything. But if thats what he believes, than thats what he believes.

[smokehound]

Theocracy in action..

I like how we're expected to care about this.

Funny..

if you think science is untrustable, go ahead and replace modern medicine with prayer, and see how far that takes you.

break free from your psychological slavery..

"i cant understand that, so ill pray for you."

That right there. Read it 5 times. Thats not intelligent behavior, thats stockholme syndrome..

[Lady Quagga]

I will still pray for him.

How Latter Day Saints of you.

[City Dad]

How Latter Day Saints of you.


wait a second... it's "Latter" Day - not "Ladder" Day Saints?!?!?!? This changes everything! Holy war! Holy war!!! Holy war is goin' down!!!!!

[DarkShadow]

So hey, how'd that explosion of the Middle East go down? I was away on business and didn't get a chance to catch the Armageddon.

[pcuser]

Every day I go out into the wilderness I thank God for it. It is beyond my ability to explain and I believe it is beyond current sciences ability to completely explain. I believe we are being arrogant when we think we have all the answers.

I look at the trees and an incredible sunset and I cannot believe that this world isn't special and because of that and other episodes in my life I believe. It's cool cause I have many friends that do not, maybe I'm wrong but because of my belief I believe I have a chance of being a better person. Certainly you have to admit there is nothing wrong with those that believe in God and because of that belief live a better life. Yup many that claim a belief in God are not good people and my God can differentiate between a good person that finds it hard to believe and one that claims belief but is not a good person.

In my book good people will be rewarded in life and afterwards, it's that simple to me.

I don't need to believe to be a good person. I live a good life and strive to be the best person I can be. I treat people as I would like to be treated. Why would a god need to be worshiped? If I was all knowing and all powerful, I would try and help those less fortunate than I. I also see no arrogance in my musings. We don't have every last answer in detail and a single person can't understand it all. However, when that sunset tells me that particles in the atmosphere are causing that sunset, that makes me arrogant? One can put forth similar understandings regarding trees and nature. Again, no arrogance. The fact that we are still learning doesn't mean there are no answers to our questions, it means we haven't discovered them yet. We certainly live in a golden age of understanding at very deep level the workings of out universe and reality.

[fishermanx14]

we should all just buy shipping crates, burry them in a disclosed location and wait it out with MRE's

[oldschoolfishin']

no country is afraid of an obama-led american government. he only scares us working-class, tax-paying folks that live in "fly over" parts our great nation. the east, and west coast wienies elect democrats in spite of their faults.

[pcuser]

no country is afraid of an obama-led american government. he only scares us working-class, tax-paying folks that live in "fly over" parts our great nation. the east, and west coast wienies elect democrats in spite of their faults.

It must be nice to be the person with all the answers. So knowledgeable about everything. Always able to see the world as it is. At least in your own mind. You are shockingly sweeping in your righteousness. You discount the majority of your "great nation" as if we had no intellect or intelligence. You shockingly arrogant. We in the majority don't generally make sweeping generalizations about your opinions. We tend to have open minds and lead with our actions...

[DEVOREFLYER]

pcuser I see your still "Dry humpin' your Dear Leaders leg" as usual.

[DarkShadow]

no country is afraid of an obama-led american government.

Ahh, so the true measure of a succesful global diplomatic policy is to have every nation afraid of the U.S.

Gotcha.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2jLt8yTutpg/TfCn3cubHrI/AAAAAAAAF3E/bp3Ue72Gg2Y/try%2520and%2520stop%2520US%2520-%2520simpsons%2520screen%2520grab%2520-%2520uncle%2520sam%2520gorging%2520pigeat%2520eart h.jpg

[Lady Quagga]

pcuser i see your still "dry humpin' your dear leaders leg" as usual.
omg ur so cute!!!!
So do you have anything else besides half-baked references to Kim Jong-il?

[mistakim31]

Every day I go out into the wilderness I thank God for it. It is beyond my ability to explain and I believe it is beyond current sciences ability to completely explain. I believe we are being arrogant when we think we have all the answers.

I look at the trees and an incredible sunset and I cannot believe that this world isn't special and because of that and other episodes in my life I believe. It's cool cause I have many friends that do not, maybe I'm wrong but because of my belief I believe I have a chance of being a better person. Certainly you have to admit there is nothing wrong with those that believe in God and because of that belief live a better life. Yup many that claim a belief in God are not good people and my God can differentiate between a good person that finds it hard to believe and one that claims belief but is not a good person.

In my book good people will be rewarded in life and afterwards, it's that simple to me.

Ok, I guess as a atheist I have to back up my fellow atheist lol. If you ask a scientist, the first thing they will admit is that they say that they know that they don't know enough. Thats not arrogance. Yes there are holes in science, but the solution is not to fill them with theology or to make things up. And why do theist always notice things like trees and sunsets as validation of god's existence? what about virus, bacteria, rats and cockroaches or a worm boring through the eye of a little African girl, causing her to go blind? Surely thats god's creation is it not? If you grant it for one, you have to grant it for all. A mormon says the same beautiful things prove that Joseph Smith is a god, surely you don't find that good enough evidence. About good people being rewarded in the afterlife, thats not what your holy book says. entrance into the afterlife is based not on good works but on what you believe. According to your holy text, gandhi is burning in hell right now. As for those that believe in god, dude im sure you are a good guy. Probably love your family and help out in the community, but religion gives validation for crazy people to do crazy things. What normal person looks at a baby boy and decides to cut of a piece of its dick unless it was religiously inspired? Or commit genocide like Moses and Joshua did? What normal person decides to call bears to maul adolescents as Elisha did? Everyone here are fisherman, I find it somewhat disconcerting that when you handle these fish, they are beautiful because they are god's creation, but my fascination with them as wondrous biological specimen is not as good as your reason for admiring them. as for Israel, I am at odds with most of you, but I think its a very healthy debate going on here. Cheers

[City Dad]

In Israel, compulsory army service does not end with the the first three year tour but continues on a reserve basis often into an individual's early forties.

What generally happens is that when ***** goes down, the regular army sort of holds things together as best they can until the more experienced reservists can be brought up. It is the reservists who see/have seen most of the action.

Thing is, that as your average secular reservists are becoming tired and jaded, the ranks of the army are increasingly becoming dominated by nationalists/religious fundamentalists.

So, I think the whole thing is probably gonna devolve into some kind of Yugoslavian style cataclysm.

My problem is that to zealots on both sides cataclysm is all part of God's/Allah's plan.

I'm sick and tired of hearing "his will be done" used as justification for the extermination of our species and wish that anyone who thinks they see the end-times commin' just save the Lord and the rest of us a big headache and throw yourself off a cliff today!!! (...and the people said Amen.)

[Lady Quagga]

I'm sick and tired of hearing "his will be done" used as justification for the extermination of our species and wish that anyone who thinks they see the end-times commin' just save the Lord and the rest of us a big headache and throw yourself off a cliff today!!! (...and the people said Amen.)

Padre Ciudad - as I was reading this, I recalled an old Simpsons episode. Luckily, I was able to find a screenshot of the exact scene that came to mind:

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/8030/itsgoodo.png