From: John Beckett 

George Sherwood  wrote in message
news::
> > Second, whereas it's easy to see how completely absurd is the
> > intellectual position of religious leaders in Iran etc, it's becoming
> > harder to see any fundamental distinction between a necon christian from
> > Washington and a whacko islamist from the other side of the world.
> >
> From my point of view I have problems with that statement.  As soon as you
> find a necon christian making statements like this:
>
> An Iranian cleric has offered his house as a reward to anyone who kills an
> Azeri writer he says insulted the Prophet Mohammad, the Fars News Agency
> reported.

I agree with your point, and I totally reject the over-the-top statements
that Phil used to make, and the noises from Adam. The islamists are maybe
300 years behind the rest of the world ... but they have 21st century
tools.

However, if any Republicans care what moderates in the rest of the world
think, I can assure you that my statement about it being harder to see a
fundamental distinction between neocon christians and wacko islamists is
pretty reasonable.

Your quote from an Iranian cleric needs no comment - the person, the
culture, the religion are all condemned.

Rumsfeld's position is different. But if he hadn't been forced from office
by the election results, he would still be putting down all dissent and
queries with his clever rhetoric. That rhetoric may be necessary from time
to time in politics - stuff happens and those in power may have to lie
occasionally - I accept that. But it is a few years now, and thousands are
dead, and there is absolutely no sign of a good resolution in Iraq. In that
context, Rumsfeld's rhetoric was offensive to reason, and must surely be
due to some extraordinary religious world view ... at any rate it is
becoming harder for me to see any explanation for Washington's behaviour
other than a disturbing religious fundamentalism.

John

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