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I hope neither of you expects immediate world peace and understanding. It has taken me six years of studying the "base book" of the "predominate mideastern religion" to discover that it is not a religion at all, but a political philosophy of global domination written by a young upstart social outcast parading a godhead, which no one is allowed to challenge or question. The name of which itself means "surrender". Unlike other philosophies, the godhead of the "predominate mideastern religion" permits its earthly subjects to be the untrained, unordained, unquestionable supreme judges and executioners of all right and wrong in the world. Pretty stupid of a godhead to leave the ultimate judgment in the hands of humans. I can't even trust my kids to take out the garbage. And, you well know, that some person of the aforementioned political philosophy will come on this site and threaten me with death because that young upstart social outcast deemed it so. Just watch! Or sadder still, someone not practicing the "predominate mideastern religion" will deem these comments (ideas) offensive and delete my comments. So much for free speech in a "predominately free" country. Ya gotta read the "base book". It is scarier than any Stephen King novel!

Disgruntled | 02/21/08

Oh yes, and what does the next President (Dem or Repub) need to do? He/she needs to begin to educate the world that like so many televangalists, the objectives of the "predominate mideastern religion" are not saving your soul, but rather controling your actions here on Earth along their particular thought processes. Mein Kampf, Communist Manifesto and the "base book" of the "predominate mideastern religion" are all politically, not religiously, oriented. My fear of the "predominate mideastern religion" comes both from study of it and observation of its application. It's peaceful life instructions (and there are some) only kick in AFTER everyone is converted to it. There will be no side-by-side religious tolerance under the "predominate mideastern religion". In fact, it is prohibited to do so under its earthly laws, which supercedes its humanity. Ya gotta read the "base book".

Disgruntled | 02/21/08

Disgruntled, wow I don't even know where your ramblings are leading to... I am not here to discuss the moral or historical validity of another religion except to understand that a large section of the world population holds a belief that is different from mine and the majority of my countrymen and this discussion (much like any U.S.- Middle East relations) should be aware of the more practical implications of this difference. As for your initial critique, I cannot speak for my opponent but I would never assume that the election of any future president, from either party, would usher in a new age of understanding and peace with another region. Nevertheless, it is important to discuss the ideological standpoint of all candidates in order to understand the potential implications. From my perspective, McCain, although purported to be the guru of national security, appears to be maintaining a foreign policy perspective that is more suited for the Cold War than the current situation. Hillary and Obama, at least as far as I can tell, may not necessarily adhere to that principle. However, that is a matter of degree to which I cannot yet make a judgement.

Nikolai | 02/21/08

Nikolai, I sometimes get carried away. Sorry...sort of. But ya gotta read the Koran. It is scary! Truely scary what Islam wants for itself. I have a story for you. I was in Tampico, Mexico working and there arrived a US engineer and citizen from our company, who happened to be of mideastern descent and a practicing Muslim. I went to lunch with him to get to know him. At the lunch, my beverage arrived and he questioned me: "Is there alcohol in that drink?" "No, " I said, "It is lemonade." "That's good," he responded, "because if there were alcohol in it, I would have to ask you to leave the table." WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT! He ask me not if I would mind not to drink alcohol in his presence, but rather INFORMED me that I would HAVE to leave. WHO THE HECK APPOINTED HIM LORD OVER THE RESTUARANT LOCATED IN TAMPICO, MEXICO! That was when I begin my study of Islam. In self defence! BTW: He gave me my first copy of the Koran in Spanish. I have since obtained copies in English. No Muslim I. It is not a religion. READ THE BOOK TO LEARN FOR YOURSELF!

Brian PG | 02/22/08

Disgruntled, I have never been to Tampico, Mexico but I have been to Cairo, Egypt, where I met and worked with several Muslims from Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan. I have known several Muslims living in the United States hailing from Iran, North Africa, and Palestine. And while I have not yet read the Koran, I have found nothing in my interactions with these people that have led me to believe what you are suggesting. Now since I was not in Tampico, I can only assume that the individual you encountered did hold that belief... nevertheless, this disparity between your experience and mine leads me only to believe that Islam, like many other religions, has various groups and individuals who adhere to the tenets of their religion with varying degrees of severity. Therefore, I refuse to categorically pass judgment on several millions of people based solely on a few encounters.

Nikolai | 02/22/08