Crusader War College

Wow! Very well said in that post, Ptah. It applies to a couple of threads today (3/28) at Rantburg, too, where we got caught up in the difference between unevolved and evolved Christianity vs. *very* unevolved Islam.

Go carefully with that fasting, though. Insights are a wonderful thing, and I do like what you bring back from the mountain, but not at the cost of neglecting the human side of things, 'k?

Proud of her, the logic voice in the Muslim desert.

http://lightonthings.blogspot.com

Further comment (sorry!)

A perfect examole of this is our schools. The trailing daughters spent their earliest years in schools in Germany and Belgium. I was shocked, when td#1 started pre-school in Germany, to discover that I *could not* become a volunteer there -- they actually paid people to cut out paper shapes and staple work packets. The parents' association, such as it was, was actually a twice-monthly Mom'n'tot get-together organized by the teacher for an afternoon of crafts and a snack, nothing more.

In Belgium, there was something much closer to a real PTA at the American international school in Brussels, organized by the American mothers. They assisted in the background (cutting and stapling, shelving books in the library, running a publishing center for stories the children wrote, that kind of thing). All the American moms were involved, and most of the Japanese moms (the books they made for the children were individual works of art -- the money they spent out of pocket on marbled end papers alone was shocking!), but the others were uninterested; "We're paying a fortune for the kids to go there, let the school take care of it," was their attitude.

This compares starkly with the public elementary school the td's went to when we moved back to the States. The PTA board members tended to be temporarily retired professionals (business managers, lawyers, engineers, computer programmers, etc) who put their professional approaches and expertise to use in improving the school. Not just fund raising for playground equipment either: a retired engineer designed, equipped and oversaw an award-winning parent-run science program because she saw that the teachers lacked her understanding of the subject matter; in association with the new science program a group of parents designed and installed an outdoor learning laboratory/nature preserve with a small amphitheater for lectures and student performances; the PTA searched out and funded enrichment programs such as cultural performances, outside experts to provide non-traditional learning experiences for the students, etc. I'm sure the PTA at your children's schools does the same.

This kind of re-application of *professional* skills to improve public services -- as compared to the hiring of technocrats who do not consume that which they produce for the public weal -- is a critical difference between the American culture and that anywhere else in the world.

Oh, and I almost forgot: the PTA also funded an art project that installed a student-made, multi-piece outdoor sculpture in front of the school building. And it wasn't at all the kind of dreary, soul-destroying public art thingy that the Russian Stalinists would have approved of. ;-)

One key item missed by the idealogues aiming for America's ruling elites: the country may be run by the elites at the *national level*, but it isn't ruled by them. Big difference. Also, the elites only control at the national level; at the local level, the country is run by a very sturdy independent yeomanry. Much of which is armed, and would be very prickly were the elites to attempt to surrender to idealogues of any stripe (Communist, International or National Socialist, Religious totalitarian, eg Islamofascist). This kind of thing may sell to the rest of the world -- and has done, quite successfully -- but not here.

Fascinating analysis, Ptah. Exactly the kind of thing I would never have thought of on my ownsome, but which makes perfect sense when you lay it out. We here in the West, which mostly finished its wars of religion a few centuries ago (although I saw a comment at Europundit that the South Americans saw the Falklands War as a chance for Catholics to beat the hated and triumphalist Protestants for the first time in centuries... but then they lost), forget how much these internecine conflicts can shape outlook and behaviour in societies where they have not been resolved.

Oh well. google
hiraba arabic meaning
and click on the indented article (4th down) at the American Muslim

Hiraba is another we should be using.

"The term hiraba refers to public terrorism in a war against society and civilization. In legal terminology it is defined as "spreading mischief in the land," but its precise meaning, as defined by Professor Khalid Abou el Fadl, is "killing by stealth and targeting a defenseless victim in a way intended to cause terror in society."
And muharibun are Muslim terrorists...

http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/new_frontiers_in_conflict_management_a_grand_strategy_to_wage_jihad_against/

(I hope that URL doesn't break anything)

May I quote most of YOUR commentary on IsraPundit and Omdurman.org? You make some outstanding points-- like Arafat telling his people to ignore what was said in English-- that I never imagined but they seem eminently sensible.

--Bill

If only that non-terrorist majority would speak out to condemn those hijacking the reputation of Islam as peace-loving and humble, Amir. Instead, we are left with the impression that their silence implies their consent. The only one I can remember flatly condemning the 9/11 attacks by Muslim terrorists on innocent unbelievers is the statement made by retired boxer Muhammed Ali, and as I understand it he is a Black Muslim, which lies far out of the religious mainstream. I've since read condemnations of attacks as giving outsiders reason to distrust Muslims, thus putting Muslims in danger, but nothing to say that such attacks themselves are forbidden.

Do you, yourself, so proclaim here, Amir? And can you do it in such a way that will demonstrate that you do not do so as a matter of taqiyah, but speak as the voice of the millions of peace loving Muslims? I shall check back periodically to look for your response.

A belated Merry Crhistmas to you and yours, Ptah, and all the best in the year to come.

Another very well written post, sir. And you nailed it: as a second generation Independent who used generally to vote for the Democratic candidates pre-9/11, I am repeatedly angered by the Democratic Party's refusal to do their part for this country by providing a legitimate alternative to the Republican vision(s). Because having a nicely mulched bike path, and ensuring that illegal aliens are treated as fairly as taxpaying citizens, are not the issues that most concern me after that epic day; knowing that the trailing daughters and I won't one day be murdered for being Jewish, and my countrymen terrorized until they submit to Al Qaeda's radical vision of the world-wide Muslim caliphate, *that* is what concerns me. And until now only the Republicans and the Conservatives (intersecting but not identical sets) are addressing what must be done -- short and medium term -- to keep us all safe by winning the war thrust upon us.

Whew! more heavy lifting than you usually require of the reader in this post. ;-) Although I am willing to be one of the good Jewish sons for a little while to your good Christian sister-in-law, so long as Mr. Wife doesn't find out -- he is kind of conservative about such things. Small point about the replacement theology thingy: that goes back to the Orthodox. Roman Catholicism was the Western Empire offshoot of Orthodox, which is to say Constantine, Christianity. While some interesting translation issues (Greek to Latin) led to the schism between Eastern and Western Christianity along the lines of division between the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, that Christianity replaced Judaism in the covenant with God upon the ascension of Jesus Christ was accepted as gospel (sorry, couldn't resist!) by both branches of Christianity. As far as I know that continued unquestioned until recently, as you outline above. For which I thank you -- the first I heard about non-Jews coming into the Covenant via Christ was from my own beloved mother-in-law some years ago, and until reading your words I thought it was original and exclusive to her.

I personally find it very comforting that those movements within American Christianity, at least, that are growing are also the ones that have concluded that Jews have not lost their place in God's eyes, and that Zionism is legitamate and supportable. The Jews will remain skittish for a while, I'm afraid, as there is a long Christian legacy for you all to overcome. Not at all fair, I quite agree, but at the very same time that the Christian Zionists are quietly working very hard to support the existence and indeed the thriving of a Jewish Israel, the governing boards of Anglicans, Presbatyrians and Methodists (as I recall) are loudly voting to divest from companies that do business with Israel in order to support the Palestinian cause. And so you will need, at least for a while, to declare your difference and separation from those traditional Christianities in order for the Jewish Zionists to learn to trust you as you deserve.

I shall re-read this post another day, to see if my understanding improves during daylight hours (it's almost 3 a.m. at the moment. I made the mistake of taking a long and much-needed nap this afternoon, and am paying for it now.) So please forgive any errors or tactlessness as the result of being up later than I ought. But anyway and always, may God bless you and yours in all your endeavors.

A belated joyful Christmas to you, Ptah, and best wishes for the coming year.

So many humble, peace-loving people and yet also some exploiting Islam for evil. Luckily, the majority are not terrorists.

The HUMAN PARADIGM Consider: The missing element in every human 'solution' is an accurate definition of the creature. The way we define 'human' determines our view of self, others, relationships, institutions, life, and future. Important? Only the Creator who made us in His own image is qualified to define us accurately. Choose wisely...there are results. In an effort to diminish the multiple and persistent dangers and abuses which have characterized the affairs of man in his every Age, and to assist in the requisite search for human identity, it is essential to perceive and specify that distinction which naturally and most uniquely defines the human being. Because definitions rule in the minds, behaviors, and institutions of men, we can be confident that delineating and com- municating that quality will assist the process of resol- ution and the courageous ascension to which man is called. As Americans of the 21st Century, we are oblig- ed and privileged to join our forebears and participate in this continuing paradigm proclamation. "WHAT IS MAN...?" God asks - and answers: HUMAN DEFINED: EARTH'S CHOICEMAKER by JAMES FLETCHER BAXTER (c) 2005 Many problems in human experience are the result of false and inaccurate definitions of humankind premised in man-made religions and man-made humanistic philo- sophies. Human knowledge is a fraction of the whole universe. The balance is a vast void of human ignorance. Human reason cannot fully function in such a void; thus, the intellect can rise no higher than the criteria by which it perceives and measures values. Humanism makes man his own standard of measure. However, as with all measuring systems, a standard must be greater than the value measured. Based on preponderant ignorance and an egocentric carnal nature, humanism demotes reason to the simpleton task of excuse-making in behalf of the rule of appe- tites, desires, feelings, emotions, and glands. Because man, hobbled in an ego-centric predicament, cannot invent criteria greater than himself, the humanist lacks a predictive capability. Without instinct or trans- cendent criteria, humanism cannot evaluate options with foresight and vision for progression and survival. Lack- ing foresight, man is blind to potential consequence and is unwittingly committed to mediocrity, collectivism, averages, and regression - and worse. Humanism is an unworthy worship. The void of human ignorance can easily be filled with a functional faith while not-so-patiently awaiting the foot-dragging growth of human knowledge and behav- ior. Faith, initiated by the Creator and revealed and validated in His Word, the Bible, brings a transcend- ent standard to man the choice-maker. Other philo- sophies and religions are man-made, humanism, and thereby lack what only the Bible has: 1.Transcendent Criteria and 2.Fulfilled Prophetic Validation. The vision of faith in God and His Word is survival equipment for today and the future. Human is earth's Choicemaker. Psalm 25:12 He is by nature and nature's God a creature of Choice - and of Criteria. Psalm 119:30,173 His unique and definitive characteristic is, and of Right ought to be, the natural foundation of his environments, institutions, and re- spectful relations to his fellow-man. Thus, he is orien- ted to a Freedom whose roots are in the Order of the universe. At the sub-atomic level of the physical universe quantum physics indicates a multifarious gap or division in the causal chain; particles to which position cannot be assigned at all times, systems that pass from one energy state to another without manifestation in intermediate states, entities without mass, fields whose substance is as insubstantial as "a probability." Only statistical conglomerates pay tribute to deterministic forces. Singularities do not and are therefore random, unpredictable, mutant, and in this sense, uncaused. The finest contribution inanimate reality is capable of making toward choice, without its own selective agencies, is this continuing manifestation of opportunity as the pre-condition to choice it defers to the natural action of living forms. Biological science affirms that each level of life, single-cell to man himself, possesses attributes of sensitivity, discrimination, and selectivity, and in the exclusive and unique nature of each diversified life form. The survival and progression of life forms has all too often been dependent upon the ever-present undeterminative potential and appearance of one unique individual organism within the whole spectrum of a given life-form. Only the uniquely equipped individual organism is, like The Golden Wedge of Ophir, capable of traversing the causal gap to survival and progression. Mere reproductive determinacy would have rendered life forms incapable of such potential. Only a moving universe of opportunity plus choice enables the present reality. Each individual human being possesses a unique, highly developed, and sensitive perception of diversity. Thus aware, man is endowed with a natural capability for enact- ing internal mental and external physical selectivity. Quantitative and qualitative choice-making thus lends itself as the superior basis of an active intelligence. Human is earth's Choicemaker. His title describes his definitive and typifying characteristic. Recall that his other features are but vehicles of experi- ence intent on the development of perceptive awareness and the following acts of decision and choice. Note that the products of man cannot define him for they are the fruit of the discerning choice- making process and include the cognition of self, the utility of experience, the development of value- measuring systems and language, and the accultur- ation of civilization. The arts and the sciences of man, as with his habits, customs, and traditions, are the creative harvest of his perceptive and selective powers. Creativity, the creative process, is a choice-making process. His articles, constructs, and commodities, however marvelous to behold, deserve neither awe nor idol- atry, for man, not his contrivance, is earth's own highest expression of the creative process. Human is earth's Choicemaker. The sublime and significant act of choosing is, itself, the Archimedean fulcrum upon which man levers and redirects the forces of cause and effect to an elected level of qual- ity and diversity. Further, it orients him toward a natural environmental opportunity, freedom, and bestows earth's title, The Choicemaker, on his singular and plural brow. Deterministic systems, ideological symbols of abdication by man from his natural role as earth's Choicemaker, inevitably degenerate into collectivism; the negation of singularity, they become a conglomerate plural-based system of measuring human value. Blunting an awareness of diversity, blurring alternatives, and limiting the selective creative process, they are self-relegated to a passive and circular regression. Tampering with man's selective nature endangers his survival for it would render him impotent and obsolete by denying the tools of diversity, individuality, perception, criteria, selectivity, and progress. Coercive attempts produce revulsion, for such acts are contrary to an indeterminate nature and nature's indeterminate off-spring, man the Choicemaker. Until the oppressors discover that wisdom only just begins with a respectful acknowledgment of The Creator, The Creation, and The Choicemaker, they will be ever learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth. The rejection of Creator-initiated standards relegates the mind of man to its own primitive, empirical, and delimited devices. It is thus that the human intellect cannot ascend and function at any level higher than the criteria by which it perceives and measures values. Additionally, such rejection of transcendent criteria self-denies man the vision and foresight essential to decision-making for survival and progression. He is left, instead, with the redundant wreckage of expensive hind- sight, including human institutions characterized by averages, mediocrity, and regression. Humanism, mired in the circular and mundane egocentric predicament, is ill-equipped to produce transcendent criteria. Evidenced by those who do not perceive superiority and thus find themselves beset by the shifting winds of the carnal-ego; i.e., moods, feelings, desires, appetites, etc., the mind becomes subordinate: a mere device for excuse-making and rationalizing self-justifica- tion. The carnal-ego rejects criteria and self-discipline for such instruments are tools of the mind and the attitude. The appetites of the flesh have no need of standards for at the point of contention standards are perceived as alien, re- strictive, and inhibiting. Yet, the very survival of our physical nature itself depends upon a maintained sover- eignty of the mind and of the spirit. It remained, therefore, to the initiative of a personal and living Creator to traverse the human horizon and fill the vast void of human ignorance with an intelli- gent and definitive faith. Man is thus afforded the prime tool of the intellect - a Transcendent Standard by which he may measure values in experience, anticipate results, and make enlightened and visionary choices. Only the unique and superior God-man Person can deserved- ly displace the ego-person from his predicament and free the individual to measure values and choose in a more excellent way. That sublime Person was indicated in the words of the prophet Amos, "...said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel." Y'shua Mashiyach Jesus said, "If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto myself." As long as some choose to abdicate their personal reality and submit to the delusions of humanism, determinism, and collectivism, just so long will they be subject and re- acting only, to be tossed by every impulse emanating from others. Those who abdicate such reality may, in perfect justice, find themselves weighed in the balances of their own choosing. That human institution which is structured on the principle, "...all men are endowed by their Creator with ...Liberty...," is a system with its roots in the natural Order of the universe. The opponents of such a system are necessarily engaged in a losing contest with nature and nature's God. Biblical principles are still today the foundation under Western Civilization and the American way of life. To the advent of a new season we commend the present generation and the "multitudes in the valley of decision." Let us proclaim it. Behold! The Season of Generation-Choicemaker Joel 3:14 CONTEMPORARY COMMENTS "I should think that if there is one thing that man has learned about himself it is that he is a creature of choice." Richard M. Weaver "Man is a being capable of subduing his emotions and impulses; he can rationalize his behavior. He arranges his wishes into a scale, he chooses; in short, he acts. What distinguishes man from beasts is precisely that he adjusts his behavior deliberately." Ludwig von Mises "To make any sense of the idea of morality, it must be presumed that the human being is responsible for his actions and responsibility cannot be understood apart from the presumption of freedom of choice." John Chamberlain "The advocate of liberty believes that it is complementary of the orderly laws of cause and effect, of probability and of chance, of which man is not completely informed. It is complementary of them because it rests in part upon the faith that each individual is endowed by his Creator with the power of individual choice." Wendell J. Brown "These examples demonstrate a basic truth -- that human dignity is embodied in the free choice of individuals." Condoleeza Rice "Our Founding Fathers believed that we live in an ordered universe. They believed themselves to be a part of the universal order of things. Stated another way, they believed in God. They believed that every man must find his own place in a world where a place has been made for him. They sought independence for their nation but, more importantly, they sought freedom for individuals to think and act for themselves. They established a republic dedicated to one purpose above all others - the preserva- tion of individual liberty..." Ralph W. Husted "We have the gift of an inner liberty so far-reaching that we can choose either to accept or reject the God who gave it to us, and it would seem to follow that the Author of a liberty so radical wills that we should be equally free in our relationships with other men. Spiritual liberty logically demands conditions of outer and social freedom for its completion." Edmund A. Opitz "Above all I see an ability to choose the better from the worse that has made possible life's progress." Charles Lindbergh "Freedom is the Right to Choose, the Right to create for oneself the alternatives of Choice. Without the possibil- ity of Choice, and the exercise of Choice, a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing." Thomas Jefferson THE QUESTION AND THE ANSWER Q: "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" Psalm 8:4 A: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." Deuteronomy 30:19 Q: "Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that you are mindful of him?" Psalm 144:3 A: "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 Q: "What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?" Job 15:14 A: "Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way he chooses." Psalm 25:12 Q: "What is man, that You should magnify him, that You should set Your heart on him?" Job 7:17 A: "Do not envy the oppressor and choose none of his ways." Proverbs 3:31 Q: "What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him?" Hebrews 2:6 A: "I have chosen the way of truth; your judgments I have laid before me." Psalm 119:30 "Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts."Psalm 119:173 References: Genesis 3:3,6 Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 30:19 Job 5:23 Isaiah 7:14-15; 13:12; 61:1 Amos 7:8 Joel 3:14 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 DEDICATION Sir Isaac Newton The greatest scientist in human history a Bible-Believing Christian an authority on the Bible's Book of Daniel committed to individual value and individual liberty Daniel 9:25-26 Habakkuk 2:2-3 selah "What is man...?" Earth's Choicemaker Psalm 25:12 http://www.choicemaker.net/ jbaxter@choicemaker.net An old/new paradigm - Mr. Jefferson would agree! (Alternative? There is no alternative.) + + + "Man cannot make or invent or contrive principles. He can only discover them and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author." -- Thomas Paine 1797 "Got Criteria?" See Psalm 119:1-176 semper fidelis

Does this mean you support the implementation of Geneva Conventions provisions for unlawful combatants as public policy?

I do...

Brigands are to be dealt with...

Summarily.

;)

Hear, hear! Charity is a gift of the heart, not an entitlement. Those who scorn the giver while demanding the gift...

I was going to write as big a check as my budget could afford until I heard the attitude of the recipients. Maimonedes wrote of the Ladder of Charity, but nowhere did he write that the poor were entitled to be supported. Rather, that the highest level of charity is to teach a man a trade, so that he won't need charity anymore. Those victims of Katerina who made it to the town I live in have all been offered jobs and help settling here. And that's as it should be.

Tell it like it is, Brothah!

That's a most righteous rant. Nicely done.

Baaa. But thank you from my heart for being one of the sheepdogs that keep me safe.