Two weeks ago today, I wrote here that I would "probably" close comments at this site in two weeks. Most readers seem to have missed that "probably," and took me to mean that I was absolutely going to shut comments down. However, in fact I wrote "probably" because I wanted to see what the reaction would be, and it has indeed been most interesting. Many, many people have written me to express fervent approval or equally fervent disapproval of the closing of comments.
Several offered to moderate comments, and one of those who offered has actually done so. Accordingly, in the last two weeks I have deleted comments that call for genocide, use foul language or derogatory terms, are off-topic in various ways, etc. I want to thank the moderator for volunteering to do this, and as long as this moderator and/or others can continue to watch the comments, I will keep comments open. I will not yet change the comment heading that says comments are moderated, as this arrangement is still on a trial basis. But for now, we'll continue the trial.
I also want to thank all those who have contributed intelligent comments that have contributed to the discussion of how we can protect the equality of dignity and rights of all people from the jihad threat.
Great news!
Let's all make that extra effort to keep this site in line with it's purpose and try and stick to the high road.
One thing that might help is if your stie has a spell checker. Many people with bad eyes see what they want to type and not what they type. Many people think the correctness of a message is some how based on the lack of spelling errors I don't but it would be a nice feature to add to the site.
The Islamic world needs an Enlightenment, similar to what happened in the Western world in the 18th Century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment
It has already had a Reformation (a return to the original tenets of the faith); it is known as Wahhabism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahhabism
The Enlightenment only happened because of journalists, writers and scholars who created a mass movement based on powerful ideas. Although, many of the spokespersons of Enlightenment ideas were imprisoned or killed, the ideas made it to the ordinary people, created a mass movement and changed the world. This situation will never happen in Islam because Islamic families and societies are the ultimate fear societies. All attempts to question Islam are instantly squashed. This situation has been true throughout Islamic history. The one attempt to bring an enlightened point of view to Islam was under the Mutazalites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu%27tazili
This theological strain was wiped out ... literally (i.e. very few surviving books from this period).
Nothing will change in Islamic societies as long as education and the dissemination of knowledge is controlled by the religious clerical elite.
The Enlightenment in Europe involved separating Church and State and that meant that the clergy no longer controlled education nor the arms of state control.
For a concrete example of this, ponder this fact: the last person to executed for blasphemy in Scotland was Thomas Aikenhead on January 8, 1697. As Arthur Herman describes the situation in Scotland at that time:
p. 9, How the Scots Invented the Modern World, by Arthur Herman
The point is the Scotland Herman describes was swept away by the Scottish Enlightenment. I do not think the same thing is possible in Islam for the factors that I mention above.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/17/books/17grim.html?pagewanted=print
A Glimpse of Forces Confronting Saudi Rule
By WILLIAM GRIMES
Western reporting on Saudi Arabia has been in attack mode ever since Sept. 11. Not since the Borgias has a ruling family received such bad press as the House of Saud, and the United States-Saudi connection is probably the one that Americans would most like to sever, if it could be done without raising gasoline prices.
In "Saudi Arabia Exposed," John R. Bradley, a British journalist who spent two and a half years as a newspaper editor and reporter in Saudi Arabia, will not make Americans feel any better about the Saudi royals, whom he calls "perhaps the most corrupt family the world has ever known." But he does provide a highly informed, temperate and understanding account of a country that, he maintains, is an enigma to other Arabs, and even to the Saudis themselves.
The book's accusatory tabloid title does not reflect its tone. "Inside Saudi Arabia" might have been better. Mr. Bradley, although based in Jedda, traveled far and wide throughout the country in an effort to map the regional tensions and cultural distinctions that make Saudi Arabia much more diverse and complicated than the smooth propaganda of its government would allow.
The House of Saud and the religious establishment, fired by the puritanical form of Islam known as Wahhabism , hold sway in the central region, al-Najd; elsewhere rifts and tensions abound. Mr. Bradley's heart is in the Hijaz, and the lingering cosmopolitanism of Jeddah, whose great merchant families tend to take a much more worldly view of politics and religion, including (with one notable exception) the bin Ladens. When the Saudi religious police objected to the use of a plus sign instead of an ampersand in a company's name because it resembled a Christian cross, a writer for the region's main newspaper, Al-Medina, suggested that perhaps the symbol should be replaced with a "tasteful Islamic crescent" in the country's math books.
In the 1920's and 1930's, Ibn Saud created a unified state from the disparate tribes of present-day Saudi Arabia by force, imposing a brand of Islam that, in many areas of the country, is regarded as alien. In Asir, on the border with Yemen in southeastern Saudi Arabia, Wahabbism has been accepted only reluctantly. Mr. Bradley sees women driving pick-up trucks, and in the remote hills he encounters a strange sect known as the flower men, who wear garlands of flowers and herbs and douse themselves in perfume.
In the southwest, Shiites, who constitute a majority, chafe under religious oppression and an official policy intended to convert them to Wahabbism. One official put the matter starkly: "We don't eat their food, we don't intermarry with them, we should not pray for their dead or allow them to be buried in our cemeteries." In April 2000, armed Shiites in Najran rose up against Saudi security forces, and their co-religionists in the Eastern Province, site of huge oil reserves, are also restive.
Saudi Arabia's young people make up another worrying constituency. Mr. Bradley strolls the malls and sits in secluded bedrooms with many disaffected Saudis. Those who travel to the West seem to bring back little more than a degree and a pile of consumer goods. Those who do not travel sit and fester. Waited on hand and foot, they watch satellite television or, using illegal computer cards to bypass the censors, log on to X-rated chat rooms on the Internet. Parents, Mr. Bradley writes, have delegated traditional responsibilities to a despised class of mostly Asian drivers, servants and nannies. As never before, young Saudis have been left to their own devices and easily fall prey to jihadist recruiters.
It comes as a shock to find that Saudi Arabia has something like a gay scene and a nascent feminist movement. In severely repressing all forms of interaction between men and women, the country leaves a large social space open to men, who are free to pursue relations with one another. "I don't feel oppressed at all," one gay man tells the author. "We have more freedom here than straight couples. After all, they can't kiss in public like we can, or stroll down the street holding one another's hands."
Half inch by half inch, the government has been opening the professions to women, who can now obtain commercial licenses and who now account for more than half of the kingdom's university graduates. Since liberal arguments have failed to move the clerical establishment, a new wave of Saudi women have turned to Islam, and Muhammad's earliest teachings, to develop legal ideas that are, so to speak, more fundamental than Wahabbi fundamentalism.
Mr. Bradley tends to leap at the merest glimmer of light. His liberals and reformers, however attractive, hold very weak cards, and the regime has shown itself extraordinarily resistant to change. But modern communications, and the government's grudging baby steps toward democratic reform, he argues, may be the first cracks that, spreading inexorably, could bring down the House of Saud.
Saudis and their tribal leaders have been changed by the oil money that bought their loyalty in the 1970's. Expectations have risen, as well as disillusionment that so few benefited from oil revenues. The war in Iraq, Mr. Bradley argues, "will come back to haunt the Al-Saud." Already, home-grown terrorists have adopted the insurgent tactics being used in Iraq, and battle-hardened Saudi volunteers will eventually return home. Prince Turki bin Khalid, a member of the ruling family, recently bought two apartments in the Time-Warner Center on Columbus Circle in Manhattan for a reported $8.1 million. One is for friends; the other he plans to keep empty. Mr. Bradley has a strong suspicion that he may need it.
I missed that post two weeks ago because I only stop by once or twice a week. I, for one, certainly hope that comments stay open. Precisely because of the range of intelligent ideas I've read here. It would be a shame to silence all those who contribute greatly to the discussion. I realize it's a burden for the site owner, but as this occurs across the net, where others close comments because others abuse a priviledge, it keeps narrowing the options and when we can't communicate we can't solve any problems. I thank you for the priveledge.
I denounce this probability or possibility to close comments as against allah. It is not fard. I shall make dua that those kuffar who persist in their obstinate comment-closing receive a boot in the rear.
For is it not written:
Q 7: 163 Lo! For there will be an opening of writings and a closing of them by the unbelievers (may allah spank their bottoms with fiery whips) and they shall not know where their moderators are. But Allah knows, sees, edits. For Allah is Merciful, Hi-Tech.
...is that written? Maybe not. My papers still haven't come through.
Imam Geoff
PS: No closey comments. Comments good. Make much enlightenment.
Geoff
Glad to hear about the moderated comments!
But I wish you could get it so the typekey sign in lasts for good. I always have to log onto that stupid typekey. It's aggravating on my home computer.
ecil_man wrote:
"One thing that might help is if your 'stie' has a spell checker."
Here's a tip, at no charge.
Open Microsoft Word while in the JW or DW sites. Type your comments using that program, and then run their spelling and grammar-checking functions, making corrections as necessary. Then copy the text, and paste it into the appropriate JW/DW 'Comments:' block.
I believe that other word processing software, such as Word Perfect, operate similarly.
Mr. Spencer, oftentimes a site with moderated comments is far worse than a site without. Do you wish to devote time and energy to weed out internal wreckers and power lusters, when you say you have you have enough trouble maintaining the site? What has changed in a fortnight to stay your inclination? Has the readership become more erudite, more learned, more civil? If you want comment, a gmail address is enough. I can assure you that Michelle Malkin does not lack for feedback. Why don't you save yourself from more of the grief you evidently feel, and close the comment option down.
You can use http://www.spellcheck.net/
I have spellcheck on my toolbar.
Easiest spell checker bar none:
http://www.iespell.com/
Has the readership become more erudite, more learned, more civil? If you want comment, a gmail address is enough. I can assure you that Michelle Malkin does not lack for feedback. Why don't you save yourself from more of the grief you evidently feel, and close the comment option down.
Posted by: John Q. Public at August 18, 2005 12:10 PM
Dear John,
In my opinion, the readers/commenters at Jihad Watch are more "erudite" than most, and many contribute a wealth of knowledge and information to compliment the articles and essays posted by Mr. Spencer, Rebecca, and Hugh.
Take Hugh for example. He contributes to Jihad Watch with his own material, but he also responds to individual posts. Hugh has to be one of the most erudite, intelligent people on the planet, a virtual fortress of knowledge. Imagine what we would have missed if there were no comments for him to address with replies.
I am delighted that the comments will not be shut down. I have learned so much from the diverse group of people who regularly post comments here and I would really miss them. Jihad Watch is an education in itself in more ways than one.
I very good decision as JW/DW has become a very
important site thanks to Robert and Hugh
Granny Weatherwax to dgene, Carolyn2 to otterfisher, Paolo to Terminator, Foehammer to voletti, JW gal to Caroline, skidd to sonofwalker, DC Watson to abolitionist, sexy kafira to waterdragon52, Cornelius to albion, Hilequ Khan to Vikrant_Camberleykar, kevin to Susanp. suzan to duh_swami,Catherine to Nassen, Imam Geoff to Mentat,dennisw to t-ham and not forgetting prophetsbeard to Big sleep(where I clipped most of the above from ... And all I don't have time to or space type up now
I feel that we all together have helped to make JW/DW what it is today.
Question of the day
Who is going to rule GAZA now
The PA
HAMAS
or Chaos
thanks for keeping comments open. remember without comments we probably would never have read hugh's or dcwatsons enlightening posts. btw robert did you get a chance to read that txt file i sent you al queda for dummies. kaosktrl is gonna make it look nice and post it on his site. i thought it might make a nice sidebar item and none is copyrighted its all culled from open source. ok back to coffee and reading and lurking
Hamas.
Any takers?
who is going to rule gaza?
does it matter they are all basicly the same.
i get tired of these groups trying to seperate themselves when they all espouse basicly the same philosophy. its like comparing circle k stores with seven elevens or any brand of quiki mart because they all sell gas, ciggarettes, bread, butter, milk etc...
Way to go Robert! I didn't think you'd let us down.
A genocide against the IslamoNazis IS unthinkable, because WE are the good guys!
THEY pay absolutely no attention to any agreements they make with the West, not treaties, or promises, or UN commitments. "Peace talks" with them are a joke. They are locked by their "religion" into the most barbarous behavior of the Dark Ages, and they are working hard to see that their children are, too. Democracy, mercy, education for CONSTRUCTIVE purposes for boys AND girls,peaceful coexistence with people of other faiths, living peacefully with neighboring non-Islamic nations, the rule of anything but Shari-a law, women's suffrage, Jews, Christians,are all EVILS to them. How can we EVER find a way to live peacefully on the planet with them if we won't do as they want, which is for us to convert to their same rotten faith of Islam? It would take some kind of a miracle from GOD, or a Renaissance, some 6 centuries behind everyone else. Unlikely. Islam is nothing less than a murderous, merciless social movement (almost identical to Nazism, only with the trappings of a monotheistic religion)that seeks world domination. That is the goal Mohammed, the leading barbarian of world history, left to them, and they are working hard at it, using our "enlightened" civilization and laws as weapons against us. Our mercy and tolerance of Moslems is seen and exploited by them as weakness and cowardace and decadence and stupidity, NOT as virtue. To them, all of us "infidels" DESERVE to die, starting witht he Jews and Christians.
Suggestions, anyone?
Dear Robert,
I'm concerned about the "probably". In effect this has the effect of self-censorship, which as we should know, is far worse then active censorship. Either one moderates or one does not. To leave it hanging, has more negative consequences then taking a clear cut decision.
Sincerely
DP111
Dear Cindibindo:
In reference to your comment (and I am going out
on a limb here)".....It would take some kind of a miracle from GOD" is more prophetic than you realize. What is happening all falls in line with Biblical Prophecy. The Bible prophesizes that
Israel will be invaded and the invaders are destroyed "supernaturally".
That is all that I will say and if anyone is
curious then I suggest that you research the topic.
Thank you, Robert. And thanks, too, to your moderator. We all benefit from the Comments section, and I am glad to see it retained.
Dear Cindibindo:
Monotheistic religion No
Mediated by Mo, interptreted by Mo, who enlighted all his enemies in shades of glorious red, oh that rhymes with dead, we might include that!
Still a pagan Ideology, thats why they have child sacrifice, and blood sacrifice all delightfully pleasing to Al Shaitan.
This news will disappoint the troll who has been trying to sabotage the "just-in-case" back-up COMMENTS blog I initiated. SEE:
http://watchmyjihad.blogspot.com
and check out how they can clog the blog's poorly set-up (you have to SLOWLY scroll to the bottom of a malicious comment just to be able to 'delete' it, wasting a LONG LONG time on endless cut-and-paste 'comments' to reach the delete icon [a trash can] and a TRULY pathetically-webmastered site- BLOGGER's reponse to ejecting an obscenity spewing pest was as weak-kneed as the New Duranty Times' editorial stance).
Thanks, Mr. S!
(But I'll keep the blog going, if only as 'flypaper' for a Muslo-nuisance jihacker... )
P.S. [to Paolo]
I was going to say that this blog-clogging troll had gotten me mad enough to want to nuke Mecca... but I'll restrain myself.
(Maybe I'll just advocate crazy glue-ing the locks of the mensrooms at the Ka'aba?)
Yo Mentat, dude...I could tell you all that without that guy's 'expose' on Saudi. As it happens, Im sitting in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia in a region called Al-Hasa. Zip Code:31982.
I sent Robert a brief report on this place few months back but Im afraid he might not have taken it seriously as (embarrassingly) I wrote in a juvenile complainin' way.
Anyways, rock on pals
Hey breadwinner, why dontya join the Christian Coalition instead of hangin around here where us despicable, filthy, morally bankrupt "pagans" reside.
To the unintiated, Islam was first a pagan religion and they first worshipped "rocks".
Check your history, it is all there.
They don't call it the "Dome of The Rock" for
no reason.
But I have said it before and will say it again,
Islam is satanically inspired. I think
Salem Rushie would agree as he wrote "Satanic
Verses" and Iran issued a "death warrant" for
speaking the truth.