Brilliant proposition, but there is a third “mine” – undermine. George Bush has undermined the American people with the number of fuses he has lit in the Middle East. If the Iraq mine explodes when the foot comes off, that's better than staying to light more fuses.
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July 7, 2008 4:45 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on July 7, 2008 04:45
Time is ripe to understand human feelings and compassion.Let us learn the feelings of brotherhood and equality practiced by religions of diverse dimensions.Let us preach and practice nonviolence to all including compassion and kindness to animals alike,which are the greatest victims of human insensitivity for which the GOD cries and we dont understand.Sooner we realise that better it would be for us.The day we learn to respect life, the life and God will respect us .All the sufferings and turmoil afflict us because we dont love life. Just try out loving lives of all kinds and see what the peace and heaven looks like. It is here and not beyond
February 16, 2008 12:30 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on February 16, 2008 12:30
The invasion of Iraq was a mistake.It is better to undo that lapse,but then all Americans cannot be blamed for that.The responsibility lies on faulty monitoring by democratic institutions of that country but then Saddam Hussein too was not a saint,he was responsible for killing of innocent people.Someone had to bring him to account but even then other alternatives without bloodshed were available.It is no point to go back and start a blaim game.Now the best course left for future stability is to leave Iraq,divide it on ethno-religious lines ,grant independence to all kurd territories and,ensure grass root democracy.Keeping countries under subjugation is a shortsighted stop gap arrangement for oil.After all oil has to be sold irrespective of the people who control the Govt.Oil producing countries have to find buyers.Any way the Iraq war will be over as soon as the US has a new President.But for the good of mankind let us restrict the use of oil and develop the alternate sources of energy,this would not only cut of money supply to terrorists but will also ensure stability the world over and people who live on easy money of oil will have to toil to earn livlihood,this would ensure diversion of human energy from terror to hard work.It is always easy to pinpont the faults and mistakes of others but it is a matter of guts ,truthfulness to do the introspection and to search for the evil lying in our ownself.Before we point an accusing finger on others ,let us see what may be wrong with us .Sooner we realise this better it would be for mankind.
November 18, 2007 10:55 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 18, 2007 22:55
The great misfortune of mankind has been the misery and violence brought by those who fragmented the mankind into various creeds and bruised it for ever by religious intolerance.In this endeavour all religions still existent and extinct are blaim worthy,therefore no single or particular religion be targetted.However huge disccredit and stigma goes to those who preach intolerance, practice merciless killings and are unable to accept the truth in other,s view point too.Man must take lessons from trees and even the animals who donot use concepts like conversions ,armamentarium,genocide and call for killings. Man will take several thousands of years to match the sincerity level of animals.Greatmen like Budha ,Christ and numerous Indian saints unknown to the mankind never picked up arms or extolled their followers to do so.Till recently ,just a few hundred years back Indians didnot know that they were Hindus.This was the name given to them by outsiders .They knew and were told to follow Dharma,which means a right conduct,truth ,Godliness,compassion,tolerance ,peace.The great Indian emperors who practced and followed God didnot know what religion they belonged to.Chandergupt Maurya practiced mixture of all prevalent creeds including Jainism.Emperor Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers ever produced by mankind but didnot know that he was a Budhist.His first edict was :No cruelity to animals,: Was he irreligious.Budha was a great teacher but he didnot know he was Budhist.He just said follow Dharma and practiced it .Christ didnot know he was a Christian.Was he not exemplary or neareer to God .What was the need to fragment and send the society of humans into mutual hatred and extoll them to go in for war ,killings,forced conversions.It was basiclly loot and plunder which guided some to justify the terror in the name of God.A time has come for the mankind to live like brothers with shared values of noninjury,peace ,love kindness and respect for lives for others.This is the only way to remember God.
November 18, 2007 11:24 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 18, 2007 11:24
The great misfortune of mankind has been the misery and violence brought by those who fragmented the mankind into various creeds and bruised it for ever by religious intolerance.In this endeavour all religions still existent and extinct are blaim worthy,therefore no single or particular religion be targetted.However huge disccredit and stigma goes to those who preach intolerance, practice merciless killings and are unable to accept the truth in other,s view point too.Man must take lessons from trees and even the animals who donot use concepts like conversions ,armamentarium,genocide and call for killings. Man will take several thousands of years to match the sincerity level of animals.Greatmen like Budha ,Christ and numerous Indian saints unknown to the mankind never picked up arms or extolled their followers to do so.Till recently ,just a few hundred years back Indians didnot know that they were Hindus.This was the name given to them by outsiders .They knew and were told to follow Dharma,which means a right conduct,truth ,Godliness,compassion,tolerance ,peace.The great Indian emperors who practced and followed God didnot know what religion they belonged to.Chandergupt Maurya practiced mixture of all prevalent creeds including Jainism.Emperor Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers ever produced by mankind but didnot know that he was a Budhist.His first edict was :No cruelity to animals,: Was he irreligious.Budha was a great teacher but he didnot know he was Budhist.He just said follow Dharma and practiced it .Christ didnot know he was a Christian.Was he not exemplary or neareer to God .What was the need to fragment and send the society of humans into mutual hatred and extoll them to go in for war ,killings,forced conversions.It was basiclly loot and plunder which guided some to justify the terror in the name of God.A time has come for the mankind to live like brothers with shared values of noninjury,peace ,love kindness and respect for lives for others.This is the only way to remember God.
November 18, 2007 11:19 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 18, 2007 11:19
The great misfortune of mankind has been the misery and violence brought by those who fragmented the mankind into various creeds and bruised it for ever by religious intolerance.In this endeavour all religions still existent and extinct are blaim worthy,therefore no single or particular religion be targetted.However huge disccredit and stigma goes to those who preach intolerance, practice merciless killings and are unable to accept the truth in other,s view point too.Man must take lessons from trees and even the animals who donot use concepts like conversions ,armamentarium,genocide and call for killings. Man will take several thousands of years to match the sincerity level of animals.Greatmen like Budha ,Christ and numerous Indian saints unknown to the mankind never picked up arms or extolled their followers to do so.Till recently ,just a few hundred years back Indians didnot know that they were Hindus.This was the name given to them by outsiders .They knew and were told to follow Dharma,which means a right conduct,truth ,Godliness,compassion,tolerance ,peace.The great Indian emperors who practced and followed God didnot know what religion they belonged to.Chandergupt Maurya practiced mixture of all prevalent creeds including Jainism.Emperor Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers ever produced by mankind but didnot know that he was a Budhist.His first edict was :No cruelity to animals,: Was he irreligious.Budha was a great teacher but he didnot know he was Budhist.He just said follow Dharma and practiced it .Christ didnot know he was a Christian.Was he not exemplary or neareer to God .What was the need to fragment and send the society of humans into mutual hatred and extoll them to go in for war ,killings,forced conversions.It was basiclly loot and plunder which guided some to justify the terror in the name of God.A time has come for the mankind to live like brothers with shared values of noninjury,peace ,love kindness and respect for lives for others.This is the only way to remember God.
November 18, 2007 11:09 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 18, 2007 11:09
The great misfortune of mankind has been the misery and violence brought by those who fragmented the mankind into various creeds and bruised it for ever by religious intolerance.In this endeavour all religions still existent and extinct are blaim worthy,therefore no single or particular religion be targetted.However huge disccredit and stigma goes to those who preach intolerance, practice merciless killings and are unable to accept the truth in other,s view point too.Man must take lessons from trees and even the animals who donot use concepts like conversions ,armamentarium,genocide and call for killings. Man will take several thousands of years to match the sincerity level of animals.Greatmen like Budha ,Christ and numerous Indian saints unknown to the mankind never picked up arms or extolled their followers to do so.Till recently ,just a few hundred years back Indians didnot know that they were Hindus.This was the name given to them by outsiders .They knew and were told to follow Dharma,which means a right conduct,truth ,Godliness,compassion,tolerance ,peace.The great Indian emperors who practced and followed God didnot know what religion they belonged to.Chandergupt Maurya practiced mixture of all prevalent creeds including Jainism.Emperor Ashoka was one of the greatest rulers ever produced by mankind but didnot know that he was a Budhist.His first edict was :No cruelity to animals,: Was he irreligious.Budha was a great teacher but he didnot know he was Budhist.He just said follow Dharma and practiced it .Christ didnot know he was a Christian.Was he not exemplary or neareer to God .What was the need to fragment and send the society of humans into mutual hatred and extoll them to go in for war ,killings,forced conversions.It was basiclly loot and plunder which guided some to justify the terror in the name of God.A time has come for the mankind to live like brothers with shared values of noninjury,peace ,love kindness and respect for lives for others.This is the only way to remember God.
November 18, 2007 11:03 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 18, 2007 11:03
The great misfortune of mankind has been the misery and violence brought by those who fragmented the mankind into various creeds and bruised it for ever by religious intolerance.In this endeavour all religions still existent and extinct are blaim worthy,therefore no single or particular religion be targetted.However huge disccredit and stigma goes to those who preach intolerance, practice merciless killings and are unable to accept the truth in other,s view pointtoo.Man must take lessons from trees and even the animals who donot use concepts like conversions ,armamentarium,genocide and call for killings. Man will take several thousand of years to match the sincerity level of animals.Greatmen like Budha ,Christ and numerous Indian saints unknown to the mankind never picked up arms or extolled their followers to do so.Till recently ,just a few hundred years back Indians didnot know that they were Hindus.This was the name given to them by outsiders .They knew and were told to follow Dharma,which means a right conduct,truth ,Godliness,compassion,tolerance ,peace.The great Indian emperors who practced and followed God didnot know what religion they belonged to.Chandergupt Maurya practiced mixture of all prevalent creeds including Jainism.Emperor Ashoka was one of the greatest ruleres ever produced by mankind but didnot know that he was a Budhist.His first edict was :No cruelity to animals, Was he irreligious.Budha was a great teacher but he didnot know he was Budhist.He just said follow Dharma and practiced it .Christ didnot know he was a Christian.Was he not exemplary or neareer to God .What was the need to fragment and send the society of humans into mutual hatred and extoll them to go in for war ,killings,forced conversions.It was basiclly loot and plunder which guided some to justify the terror in the name of God.A time has come for the mankind to live like brothers with shared values of noninjury,peace ,love kindness and respect for lives for others.This is the only way to remember God.
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November 5, 2007 2:17 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on November 5, 2007 14:17
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September 19, 2007 8:13 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on September 19, 2007 08:13
The question is why? Why would the God of Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and Jesus, need a child rapist to violate every principal that had been given to the Jews and Christians over the last 3,000 years?
Why would God, who spent more than 2,500 years grooming the Jews, saving them from slavery at the hands of Egyptians, taking them to freedom, defeating every enemy they had, and then fulfilling the long disclosed prophesy of a Messiah, [ok the Jews don't believe that part] create a religion that hated the very people God protected? Why would God, who gave the world Jesus, who told the world that the most important commandment after the love of God, and then tell us that loving thy neighbor as thyself was the next most important commandment, now needed to be replaced by the concept of hate, torture, kidnaping, ransoms, murder and forced conversions? And why would that same God, who now had Jews and Christians doing well, need another religion to hate them and seek to murder them?
The answer is - God did not need to do it and God did not do it!
mohamad's first lie was his assertion that he was a decedent of Abraham through Ishmael, the bastard son of Abraham and his wife's maid, Hagar. Other than moho saying it, there is not one shred of proof that it is correct. Nothing at all. While the Jews can trace their own history, and there is no doubt that Jesus was a Jew, and went through all of the required rituals of Judaism, there is nothing to help with the lie of moho, re Ishmael, for which no proof exists.
And after Jesus what the world really needed was a child rapist named moho - and yes having sex with a 9 year old is rape, to father another religion. No one that young has any capacity to consent to sex, they would not even know what they were allegedly consenting to. And then there are the lessons of moho. This alleged god commanded islamics to hate every Jew or Christian or Hindu [who did not even know of islam when they first declared war on the others] do not associate with them, do not be friends with them, do not work with them, but to take them prisoners, hold them for ransom, sell them into slavery, torture them, cut off their body parts, and if they don't join your religion, well just kill them. Why in the hell would any God, after the coming of the Prince of Peace, decide that a constant state of war - islam has been at war with the rest of the world for 1400 year, and hate and murder, was the way to go?
The answer is - NO GOD, but the DEVIL sure loves it.
What group of people has provided more fodder for hell than islam and those that follow it. And they do it so well too. If people tell them that forced conversions are wrong, millions march in the street for what they say is their god given right to murder to increase their numbers, and demand death for anyone who says they can't kill you if you will not convert.
And they hate their children too. Even now they use characters like Mickey Mouse to teach little children that strapping bombs onto themselves and blowing up other children, just because they are Jewish, is what the islamic god wants them to do.
So let me be plain. islam is not a religion it's a cult. moho is not a prophet, he is a child raping terrorist, that pretended he had a religion to contradict real religious beauty, and which then and now has as its only goal, conquest and slavery. And in 1400 years it never did anything else. Its time to put an end to islam, and to quit pretending its anything but a terrorist organization bent on conquest. Its time the world took what ever action was needed to put a final stop to islam and its cult of death.
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Posted on May 12, 2007 17:57
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May 6, 2007 12:11 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 6, 2007 00:11
The US occupation of Iraq must end soon, certainly. But it may be much too late for any peace to return. As Mr. Akbar rightly says, the US had done no homework. The Bush Administration had only a faith-based ideological plan for the Middle East and unfortunately so does the Al Qaeda - the ideological plan of fomenting continuous and complete war. After the US and UK withdraw ground troops and remain only within missile firing or airstrike distance, Israel and other US interests in the region could become the next excuse for Al Qaeda militias to continue or even widen the Iraqi conflict. Iraqis may become helpless spectators (as the Afghans were) in wilynily hosting on their soil, Al Qaeda militias intent on engineering larger conflict through terrorist attacks on US-Israeli interests elsewhere in the region.
For this reason, at the very least, US needs to put forward a serious and just Israel-Palestine proposal simultaneously with its withdrawal from Iraq.
May 5, 2007 8:27 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 5, 2007 08:27
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May 4, 2007 8:04 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 4, 2007 08:04
Mr. Akbar:
It has to be said. You are a very good writer.
I'm in substantial agreement with you. I would quibble with your prescription in one regard. We should be able to make do with facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and on carriers. But we need a substantive force on the ground in the Iraqi Kurdish area in the North. That little area could become as desabilizing as Kashmir! Not a perfect analogy, but does share some characteristics.
May 3, 2007 2:07 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 3, 2007 02:07
M.J. Akbar,
Nonsense, King George is doing a great job and there's nothing wrong with it. Americans love it to win and defeatocrats are losers. King George is a hero and doing everything in order to defend America. So what?
Long live King George!
May 2, 2007 11:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 2, 2007 23:19
Anju Chandel does not know anything about mind. Would be better advised to keep her 'mine' to herself.
May 2, 2007 7:24 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 2, 2007 07:24
David Ignatius presented 2-dimensions of the Iraqi problem with an apt analogy!
MJ Akbar added the 3rd dimension: Undermine!
Now, George War Bush will add the 4th-D to it: 'Never Mine' - I mean, 'Never Mind'!
May 2, 2007 3:41 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 2, 2007 03:41
I agree that Mr. Akbar gives insufficient attention to the question of what happens when we leave.
Iraqis will provide their own security through their militias. This is where their line of allegience tie together in sustainable configurations. The problem is the division of territories. Much of the violence in Baghdad in recent months was the "ethnic cleansing" of neighborhoods by militias for this purpose. What we do is plan for a pull-out, announce it well ahead of time, and assist people to relocate to neighborhoods where they would feel safe. Offer to assist the militias in securing their territories by helping interdict the movement of militias between territories. For the rest of Iraq, look into the Biden plan.
May 1, 2007 7:50 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 1, 2007 19:50
Posted on April 30, 2007 20:12
david:
this is a blatant mischaracterization of the situation.
The struggle (at least if we can believe the media) is a complicated blend of sectarian violence, religious violence, and a counter insurgency.
---First of all, you fail to even mention political violence. A poor "intellectual" error on your part. Political violence is the root of many attacks.
Secondly, sectarian and religious violence is one and the same caused by both sects.
Lastely, the counter insurgency which attacks US and Coalition troops is ill-defined by both the media and intelligence agencies. Who is fighting who and for what reasons is blurred in this war.
May 1, 2007 10:43 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 1, 2007 10:43
It is important to recognise that Bush came to office without the wisdom or maturity that one needs and that is why, as you say, he took the US to war `without any intellectual, historical or even strategic homework`. But it was not only Bush. The process was manipulated by him so that American politicians were unwilling or reluctant to challenge his insistence that Iraq be invaded. In fact, too many in the US felt that they had to do something after 9/11. Unfortunately the damage that they suffered in those attacks is minor when compared to the suffering that has prevailed in other parts of the world since time began and the suffering caused by the US in Iraq, Vietnam, Central America and South America. It seems that the US wants to punish with a heavy fist using conventional war fighting tactics notwithstanding that a guerilla war is being fought. The lessons of Vietnam have passed into obscurity. I suspect that Bush and his advisors assumed that they, as the big boys, `knew` how to teach the Middle Eastern Philistines a lesson or two. The fact is they have lost the war, they do not know how to bring peace to the region, they do not know how to extricate themselves from Iraq and Bush insists on continuing with his failed strategies, assuming his undefined plans can be called a strategy. No one seems to know his endgame including him. He will not crush the opposition. The biggest land mine is Bush. It is now clear that Bush lost this war before the troops left the US because he was playing John Wayne, a fictional character, who belongs on the silver screen and who cannot operate in the real world anymore than Bugs Bunny can. The biggest impediment to a peaceful solution is Bush because he will not bring all stakeholders to the negotiating table if he does not like them. He is a silly man and a silly president who can only deliver silly results.
May 1, 2007 12:00 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 1, 2007 00:00
A Somalia type failed state is what some of the
insurgents want, just to cause the U.S. to deem the
whole situation as too hopeless and leave. It is a very
cruel and yet very effective strategy. America and
western Europe don't understand suicide as a tactic,
which puts them at a great disadvantage in Iraq.
If America does decide to win in Iraq, it will take
a lot of house to house combat along with a lot of Baghdad being flattened by bombing from the air. This is the scenario that the Bushies have been
trying to avoid and they may well just try and ride the status quo until the end of their term, but, events on the ground (or in congress) may prevent that.
April 30, 2007 11:46 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 23:46
I agree with those who say America attacked the wrong country at the wrong time, and that we have squandered an opportunity after 9-11 to reduce worldwide terrorism. Instead, to my dismay, we have promoted it.
However, my main point that I hope more people will consider is WHAT ABOUT THE KURDS? They are the only part of Iraq that has a chance for peaceful democracy - in fact they have already achieved it. It is possible that once the US leaves, the shia and sunni will want to dominate them as they have for at least the past 80 years since the British set the current borders to include Kurds against their will. The Kurds will continue to struggle for independence as they have for the past 80 years, and Iran and Turkey will support their destruction as they have for the most part for at least the past 80 years. Read the gripping book, "The End of Iraq" by Galbraith and the more mundane "The Future of Iraq" by Anderson, if you want to learn more about "The Other Iraq". Only one of 10 posts replying to Mr Akbar even mention the Kurds, as if they didn't even exist.
The only media coverage I have seen was an article in the washington Post on April 23rd - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/22/AR2007042201568.html
April 30, 2007 11:14 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 23:14
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April 30, 2007 10:28 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 22:28
this is a blatant mischaracterization of the situation.
The struggle (at least if we can believe the media) is a complicated blend of sectarian violence, religious violence, and a counter insurgency.
By focusing on the latter, the author can make the case that it will all just get better when America leaves. If he had done his intelletual and historic homework, he wouldn't come to this conclusion so easily.
April 30, 2007 10:21 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 22:21
Indeed there will be a civil war -- there already is one! US can't keep its foot on the mine forever so it is a question of when, not if, they will leave. Nobody knows whether the post-US Iraq will resemble Somalia or something else. But Mr. Akbar is right in that at some stage the situation will resolve itself (likely after a lot of bloodshed).
As for defusing the situation, I believe US has to get all the neighboring countries involved as soon as possible. I am sure they know how bad things will be but for various reasons they are not going to act as long as US is involved and is containing the problem essentially by drawing all the fire of insurgents to themselves. And *that* is why US has to set a firm date for leaving -- to make the neighboring countries realize they must act in their own self interest.
April 30, 2007 8:12 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 20:12
I posted this question in another discussion-- wouldn't the withdrawal of U.S. troops at this point open the door to an all-out civil war that would splinter Iraq into a number of factions? This war was, of course, an irreparable crime. But what now?
April 30, 2007 4:48 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 16:48
NIVEDITA is to be praised for correcting an exceptionally ignorantly formed opinion from Dave, and is likely bang-on correct about the average American's sense of our own history.
April 30, 2007 4:37 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 16:37
Dave said:
Mr. Akbar's own country devolved into a civil war that killed millions when the Brittish left. I doubt he doesn't understand the consequences, he just doesn't seem to care.
The "divide and rule" policy implemented by our "colonial masters : Britain", was what led to the riots in post-partition India. The Brits did leave India, but not before partitioning it into 2 states based on religion and fomenting religious hatred that still rips through the country. So, before making ridiculous comments, atleast refer to history. Again, being an American though, that would be expecting too much out of you, since you probably aren't aware of the history of your own country, let alone countries half-way across the globe.
April 30, 2007 4:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 16:19
>Do you understand Iraq well enough to refute this authoritatively?
Mr. Akbar's own country devolved into a civil war that killed millions when the Brittish left. I doubt he doesn't understand the consequences, he just doesn't seem to care.
April 30, 2007 3:47 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 15:47
Your assessment of US/Administration errors is spot on. I question your assessment of a post-withdrawal Iraq. Many of the traditional bases and virtually all of the customary institutional bases of order/organization have been obliterated. I suspect that, aside from the Kurdish north if properly supported by the US, Iraq will resemble Somalia. Do you understand Iraq well enough to refute this authoritatively?
April 30, 2007 3:20 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 15:20
This is very good!
Americans are not accustomed to reading this much good sense in such a reduced space.
Thank you.
http://seaton-newslinks.blogspot.com/
April 30, 2007 2:37 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 14:37
Thank you, thank you for that clarity. The American people, even today hear only two positions. I agree, the mess won't fix itself as long as Busch and his uniformed and non-uniformed troops are there.
April 30, 2007 2:29 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2007 14:29