Those local cheers mean nothing. They are cheers for the victor, cheers that would be offered any victor, and a half-year ago were offered to the so-called "Islamists" (i.e., those who took their Islam completely seriously, when it comes to women's dress, soccer games, and music, rather than those who take their Islam slightly less seriously, when it comes to women's dress, soccer games, and music -- but in both cases the heart of Islam -- the uncompromising division of the world bewteen Belever and Infidel, is maintained).

As for "the free world" -- that's a phrase that came in with the Cold War. It would not have been used by Roosevelt and Churchill during World War II, when the enemy of Hitler that inflicted the most damage was the unfree Soviet Union. Is the menace of Jihad directed only at what might be called the "free world" or is it directed at all Infidels, whether they inhabit liberal democracies or something not quite so free?

Posted by: Hugh at December 29, 2006 7:37 AM

I have a hard time grasping all the players in the various African situation. I guess this is great news. It's time to continue to turn back the jihaidis.

Can someone link me or explain to me simply what is the Darfur situaion. Is this another jihad front?

Posted by: BB at December 29, 2006 7:39 AM

Somalia's complex clan politics also are a big worry, having undone at least 14 attempts to install a central government in this violent, anarchic nation.

Gedi's government, set up in 2004 with U.N. backing, is riddled with clan rivalries, most notably between the young prime minister and elderly president.

>>>The somali government needs to round up the heads of these clans and inprison them or publicly execute them with the most horrific islamic torture one can think of,, impalement would work, and put a stop to their desire to wish to overthrow the government!
A fitting recompense for traitors!

Posted by: thndrbang1 at December 29, 2006 7:41 AM

OT~ from the previous thread: Muslim Unity mentions someone who 'wants to kill all arab children.'

First off, I notice MU starts by claiming that person wants to murder 'all' children. I don't quite get that, since the post pictured on MU's site clearly states Arab / muslim... unless ONLY Arab / muslim children are real children, in his eyes.

Second: has he got NO clue what Satire is?

Feh.

Back on Topic - TCS central has an article about Etiopia, stating that they are involved in their own form of genocide, which no one seems to be noticing. Anyone have any info on that?

This victory is still a good thing. One could hope Ethiopia would turn its' eyes on other islamist efforts in the region.

Posted by: Gary at December 29, 2006 7:44 AM

Another OT (sorry about that!):

Does anyone know this site?

Islamistwatch:

http://www.islamistwatch.org/main.html

I just found it very recently, but it appears to have gone dormant two years ago. I'm curious who created it and why they stopped.

Posted by: Gary at December 29, 2006 7:53 AM

"Witnesses said crowds threw rocks at Ethiopians troops on the city's northern edge."

........hmmmm, a sure sign that the bad guys are still close at hand.....

.....Was anyone waving a "thank you" sign?

Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 29, 2006 8:01 AM

"It's time to continue to turn back the jihaidis. "

......how about, "It's time to eliminate the Jihadists."

Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 29, 2006 8:03 AM

Congratulations to the great defenders.

While others work to undermine a countries legal system in non-Musliom countries

http://civoc.com/society/?p=69

Posted by: Arnie at December 29, 2006 8:11 AM

TCS central has an article about Ethiopia, stating that they are involved in their own form of genocide, which no one seems to be noticing.

Posted by: aynrandgirl at December 29, 2006 8:13 AM

Aynrandgirl~ thanks. I figured as much. I'm surprised the MSM hasn't latched onto it as another Kosovo.

Posted by: Gary at December 29, 2006 8:15 AM

Does anyone know this site?

Islamistwatch

Posted by: aynrandgirl at December 29, 2006 8:19 AM

Some reports have stated that the Ethiopians are executing foreign fighters, as they are all likely to be AQ I can only hope the reports are true.

Posted by: Daffersd at December 29, 2006 8:21 AM

The future of Somalia is very bleak.

And that’s what tears me up inside.

Lookit, this has been another internecine Somali war and all these people are victims and so let’s bring in Sen. McConnell R-KY to get these people political asylum right now. Every one of them will want to leave the hell-hole they call home, and I for one vote to bring them all 9 million of them to the Twin Cities. Sure, some other metros will probably lust after such a mother lode of moveable Moslem culture, but Minnesota should grab them all while the grabbing’s good. Economic growth will be 300% or more, and cultural diversity here will skyrocket.

Not to mention having the best taxi service on Earth.

Boston, SF, Virginia, and Seattle will burn in jealousy.

Rep. Keith Ellison D-Minn. should team up with Senator McConnell asap to make this thing happen.

Posted by: Alarmed Pig Farmer at December 29, 2006 8:25 AM

The Somalis and a few others, unlike Westerners, have not forgotten the meaning of war. They conduct warfare in the only manner that can defeat radical Islam. They don't conduct it with politicians negotiating terms of endearment.

Posted by: Paper Tiger at December 29, 2006 8:36 AM

Good article except that the rock-throwing stuff is probably fictitious.

Posted by: alexon at December 29, 2006 9:00 AM

"-- but in both cases the heart of Islam -- the uncompromising division of the world bewteen Belever and Infidel, is maintained)."

Or perhaps better put -- the division between Muslim and Infidel. Islam cares nothing for believers other than the slaves of Oolah.

Posted by: alexon at December 29, 2006 9:04 AM

The Somalis and a few others, unlike Westerners, have not forgotten the meaning of war. They conduct warfare in the only manner that can defeat radical Islam. They don't conduct it with politicians negotiating terms of endearment.

Posted by: Paper Tiger:

surely you aint saying somalis dont have their own brand of coward dhimmis like kerry, murtha, reid, schumur, polussy, kennedy and conyers etc etc. Perhaps we can loan them a few. After all we cant have them mean ole somalis terrorizing and oppressing them poor innocent peace loving muslims!

Posted by: thndrbang1 at December 29, 2006 9:09 AM

From the article, "Islamic fighters fled south vowing to continue the battle."

Somali and Ethiopian troops entering Mogadishu concerns me. The streets could turn into a meat grinder..."Come into my web, said the spider to the fly"

Posted by: Sir Oinks Alot at December 29, 2006 9:43 AM

Much can be accomplished in the War on Jihad when the warriors are not hamstrung by stupid policitcally correct military Rules of Engagemnet.

The Ethiopian military victory over the Islamists in Somalia is a lesson that will be completely lost on the liberals and leftists and MSM in the USA and throughout Europe.

What we need are polictical and military leaders who don't give a damn what the liberals whine about and don't care what the MSM whines about. When the decision is made to go to war - whether you agree with the decision or not - then go to war to win. In the venacular: go balls deep.

Anyone out there wanting to send a note of support to the Ethiopian Gov't for showing us all how to properly deal with the jihadists, please take note:

Ethiopian Embassy
3506 International Drive, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Telephone: 202-364-1200

Fax: 202-587-0195

www.ethiopianembassy.org

Posted by: omvi at December 29, 2006 9:44 AM

Assalamau Alaikum all,

Africa peoples deserve better. It is either the clan system, or a one party marxist state or a Colonian system, or extremist Islam.

This is all what other people want for Africa....but what about what the peoples of Africa want for themselves.

High time peoples left them to make the decisions. Islam can work in Africa...but not with weapons.

Islam's best weapon is attrition...frontal war is not what they are good at...a new set of leaders are required...that along with Jizah from the West...please dig deep!

Posted by: Naseem at December 29, 2006 9:53 AM

Gracias StillFedUp...
It is so confusing to keep what is going on straight. That helps me. Still looking for a site with a map and pages that explain factually what is going on throughout that land. For example--Niger and Nigeria. I know there is a struggle going on all over there and I need to understand it more.

I go to church with a man from Nigeria. I asked him if he was in touch with the situation regarding the muslims and Christians. "Oh yes, they burned down my fathers house because he is a Pastor..." I felt ashamed that I have no idea what many GOOD people are dealing with that I, like many of us, just don't even face up to.

To you fellow Christians--we need to OWN the fact that these suffering ones are some of "the least of these my brethren." Matt 25:31-46
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%2025&version=31

Posted by: BB at December 29, 2006 9:58 AM

BB--

There is a conflict with the black, largely Christian and animist population in the south of Sudan (leftovers from the second Sudanese civil war), but Darfur is in the west/northwest part of the country (map), bordering Chad, which has also seen some spillover of the conflict.

Darfur itself is mostly Muslim, but as StillFedUp noted, the black population has been marginalized by the Arab government, and the region overlooked with respect to economic development.

It's a symptom of the Arab-supremacist undercurrent in Islam, and has become an international cause among jihadists, due in part to the threat of international intervention including the deployment of UN peacekeepers, which has been cast as another Zionist-Crusader plot.

Posted by: MarisolJW at December 29, 2006 9:59 AM

BB -- I linked one map above from the U of Texas' massive online collection. Here's the main page:

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/

Your browser may automatically shrink the map to fit in the screen; if this happens, just pass the mouse cursor over it and click on the button that will appear in the lower right corner.

Posted by: MarisolJW at December 29, 2006 10:07 AM

Thanks Marisol

Posted by: BB at December 29, 2006 10:12 AM

Off topic:

TV Plans Tasteful Coverage of Saddam Execution

Ummah News Links

Posted by: ummahnewslinks at December 29, 2006 10:28 AM

OT, but relevant.

JihadWatch has been covering the Islamic terrorism in Thailand. The following item appeared in strategypage today and I hope will get a separate posting here:

http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/thai/articles/20061229.aspx

As the item suggests, touchy-feely just doesn't work when dealing with fanatics.

Posted by: Howard, Fine & Howard at December 29, 2006 10:33 AM

"Darfur itself is mostly Muslim, but as StillFedUp noted, the black population has been marginalized by the Arab government."

"It's a symptom of the Arab-supremacist undercurrent in Islam,"

Posted by: MarisolJW at December 29, 2006 09:59 AM

OT:
Beautiful irony here. As I stated yesterday, this information should be brought to Mr. Ellison's attention, if he would choose to grasp and accept it.

Ellison is merely a temporal and disposable tool for CAIR. That is not speculation. That is merely arrogant Islam in motion as pointed out by Marisol and others.

Posted by: awake at December 29, 2006 10:46 AM

As the item suggests, touchy-feely just doesn't work when dealing with fanatics.

Posted by: Howard, Fine & Howard at December 29, 2006 10:33 AM

especially when the army commander is Muslim and married with two women which is against the law in Thailand.
http://civoc.com/society/?p=69

Posted by: Arnie at December 29, 2006 10:56 AM

Naseem,

LOL! Your commitment to schtick is peerless.

Posted by: Beagle at December 29, 2006 11:05 AM

"Ethiopian soldiers stopped on the outskirts of town, after providing much of the military might in the offensive that shattered what had seemed an unbeatable Islamic militia".

Islam is the only major belief-system that permits deception. Christ (e.g.) mandated absolute directness-candor and non-deception even with an enemy. It's a hard mandate (from Jesus) to follow. However, it has a strong influence in the secular societies where Christianity predominates. The Judeo Christian mandate to not bear false witness with regard to anyone or anything is the standard of honor with many (though many don't live up to it). However, it is the standard, what is reached for as an ideal.

However, the deception DNA in Islam makes it loathsome and any permission to deceive must introduce into an Islamic culture a lack of trust even among Muslims. The belief-system creates a trickery-hustle approach to reality. In the long term, it is best to contain this belief-system in Somalia and elsewhere because of the deception DNA in Islam. The violence in the belief-system (to Muslims and non-Muslims)is rooted in the permission to deceive.

That God would require or permit us to deceive others is a lithesome concept. Non-Muslims are rightfully and naturally distrustful of a "religion" that permits any deception. God is not a God of stunts and hustles.

Posted by: Frank at December 29, 2006 11:10 AM

I recall watching people in Iraq cheer the US troops as they came into Baghdad. I do not trust ANY of them.

The Scriptures tell us that Ethiopia will be a key player in the end time scenario - when Israel is attacked on all sides.

Ethiopia will align with Russia, as will Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, Lybia and Syria.

This is only temporary folks. Observe the transformation. We have been told in advance.

Posted by: The Goobs at December 29, 2006 11:12 AM

So far Ethiopia is not doing anything more than the U.S. did after invading Iraq. Why, you may ask?

When Ethiopia chases down those fleeing Islamic troops and eliminates the threat of all those foreign Muslim fighters only then will they begin
the stabilization process. According to reports this is not happening yet.

The threat of those foreign Jihadists with the likelihood of more on the way to back the Islamic courts will continue a protracted Jihad as in Iraq.

Posted by: havekoranwilltravel at December 29, 2006 11:16 AM

"Darfur itself is mostly Muslim, but as StillFedUp noted, the black population has been marginalized by the Arab government, and the region overlooked with respect to economic development". Posted by MarisolJW

It's really about OIL folks. The following information was from an article I read a few months ago.

In North Africa, the war-torn nation of Sudan has become China's largest overseas oil project. China is also Sudan's largest supplier of arms. Chinese-made tanks, fighter planes, bombers, helicopters, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades have intensified Sudan's internal strife.

From its seat on the United Nations Security Council, China has been Sudan's chief diplomatic ally. In recent months, the council has attempted to pressure Sudan's predominantly Arab government to protect the African tribes by threatening to sanction its oil sales. However China has used its veto power to stop any Security Council resolutions against Sudan, thus prolonging the cycle of violence in the region.

Sudan is known to have major yet untapped oil reserves, representing a vast amount of potential wealth at a time when crude oil prices have risen dramatically.

The China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), owned by the Chinese government, has invested over $300 million in an expansion of Sudan's largest refinery, doubling its output. The refinery now supplies most of Sudan's petroleum needs. The CNPC began oil production at a field in southern Darfur in 2004 and it holds a large share in Sudan's southern oil fields. Another Chinese firm, Sinopec Corp., built a 1,000-mile pipeline from that complex to Port Sudan on the Red Sea, where China's Petroleum Engineering Construction Group has built a tanker terminal. All in all, China buys about two-thirds of Sudan's oil.

Posted by: The Goobs at December 29, 2006 11:23 AM

havekoranwilltravel - you are touching on a truth.....but what folks fail to understand is that world governments are really just window dressing for the 'powers that be'.....corporations.

Many will die, unfortunately, because the 'real' movers and shakers consider them expendable - including our young people in Iraq.

We see and hear what the media (owned by corporate america) want us to hear. They shape our minds and re-write history. They influence our perceptions of what is happening in the world and get us reved up when it suits their purposes.

Strip away the conflicts and even the puppet politicians and what is really behind all the wars and hatred and deception is those who want a one world order. Those who want to control the wealth and hold the power.

It would be helpful if we the people start to look at what is really driving our politics - the lobbyists.

Posted by: The Goobs at December 29, 2006 11:30 AM

alexon said

Good article except that the rock-throwing stuff is probably fictitious.

Why? Because the Somalis are overjoyed to be free of the horrible yoke of sharia? Because they, like all people everywhere, want freedom and democracy and tolerance and equality and all those other Judaeo-Christian values?

I don't doubt the rock-throwing for a second, and I don't doubt that much more than rocks will come later, but not too much later. If we all stay seated, the next act will begin soon.

Act I: Run and hide when facing real soldiers. Act II: Start killing unarmed women and children. Act III: Breed, collect jizya, prepare for... Act IV: Smite the (unarmed) infidel wherever you find them.

Posted by: special_guest at December 29, 2006 11:31 AM

I do not know much about Hinduism. It appears to be the national religion of India. However, it is clear as per people such Gandhi that the religion is capable of producing very direct types. Directness-honesty appears to be an ideal to be reached up to (Gandhi, e.g.), though most humans find it hard to live up to such an ideal.

There is no such standard in Islam, and there is a permission to deceive Unbelievers that will make the belief-system more and more frightening to non-Muslims in the future. The permission to deceive which Mohammad ("war is deception")introduced into the DNA of the belief-system is much more frightening than any overt violence from Muslims. Deception is war and is but one step from violence.

Posted by: Frank at December 29, 2006 11:33 AM

Another case of the Judeo-Christian-Hindu-Buddhist-Zoroastrian-secular conspiracy against the Religion of Peace, another case of a peaceful Islamic nation being invaded by the infidels, trying to install another corrupt government of man over the will of Allah. Another excuse for ratcheting up the jihad all around the world.

I agree with havekoranwilltravel, the failure to follow the Islamists to the south and exterminate every last one of them will turn out to be a mistake.

Posted by: special_guest at December 29, 2006 11:39 AM

"I do not trust ANY of them".-Goobs

You see reality. A lot of folks are going where you have arrived earlier.

Posted by: Frank at December 29, 2006 11:43 AM

Let's imagine that there are powers that sit behind the scenes. A little sci-fi perhaps.

What if THEY consider us 'units of work'. Expendable, overworked, underpaid, overstressed and replacable.

What if They have used religion to divide our nation?

What if they have created strife as a means to an end.....like the idea that anything and everything is okay (including horrible evils against mankind) if it is for a better outcome.

What if they are able to sear their conscience by focusing on the desired outcome rather than their evil means.

What if Iraq is not only about oil but also about cheap labor? Remember Japan? China is now outsourcing to Vietnam. Wait! Didn't I hear President Bush tell us that we needed a trade agreement with Vietnam?

Are Americans overworked, underpaid, treated as expendable? What is the real desire for illegal immigration?

Why haven't we outlawed lobbyists? Did the fathers of this country intend for our leadership to be bought?

What is privatization? Isn't it the selling of our government (government jobs) to corporate America?

How many corporations own ALL of our media? Check it out folks.

Posted by: The Goobs at December 29, 2006 11:43 AM

Frank, I hope so....but I think most are too overworked and too tired and sick to fight back.

I suppose it is pointless anyway because mankind says things are getting better - better technology, and that peace will come...but peace is not an absence of war...only the period of time BETWEEN wars.

I choose to believe God. HE told us that things would get worse and worse.

I can't imagine looking at the world and actually believing that it is in any way getting better. Morals are down the toilet and war is just around the corner. Yet it seems many out there are sleepwalking.

Posted by: The Goobs at December 29, 2006 11:50 AM

Did they really throw rocks or did they not? Is that the truth? Might not seem all that important, but do we really get the FACTS when we watch the news, listen to the radio or read the paper?

Consider this:

If the companies dominating a media market choose to suppress stories that do not serve their interests, the public suffers, since they are not adequately informed of some crucial issues that may affect them. If the only media outlets in town refuse to air a story, then the question becomes, who will?

Critics of media deregulation and the resulting concentration of ownership fear that such trends will only continue to reduce the diversity of information provided, as well as to reduce the accountability of information providers to the public. The ultimate consequence of consolidation, critics argue, is a poorly-informed public, restricted to a reduced array of media options that offer only information that does not harm the media oligopoly's growing range of interests.

Posted by: The Goobs at December 29, 2006 11:57 AM

Coming down to it Somailis are members of the same umma, of the same cult, with the same objective, with just a slight variation in the means, part of the same problem as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and all of dubya's friends. Come to think of it dubya himself is a part of the problem, not the solution....

Posted by: Alert at December 29, 2006 12:01 PM

I am shocked and dismayed by the lack of compassion evidenced in these comments. Is there no concern for the innocent, peaceful Somalis who are being oppressed by the imperialistic Christofacist Ethiopian Crusaders?

It is fortunate that our elected representatives in Congress will do the right things. Even now, Senators Kennedy and McCain are working hard to facilitate the unhindered immigration of millions of Somali refugees (and Iraqis as well). The lives of these pathetic refugees will be eased by new laws that will criminalize profiling of Muslims and will ban hate speech that is disrespectful to Islam or the Prophet. (Representatives Pelosi, Conyers, Ellison, and many others will spearhead this effort.)

Remember that Islam is a religion of peace.

Posted by: Norseman at December 29, 2006 12:17 PM

"imperialistic Christofacist Ethiopian Crusaders, Senators Kennedy and McCain, Representatives Pelosi, Conyers, Ellison, and many others" ....
Posted by Norseman

Who is behind all the above mentioned folks, rubbing their hands together in greed?

Posted by: The Goobs at December 29, 2006 12:20 PM

Here's another one...
www.thereligionofpeace.com

Posted by: SENATOR at December 29, 2006 12:34 PM

Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, is where, on Friday, September 15 of this year, a Muslim cleric delivered a sermon urging Muslims to go out and kill Christians wherever they could find them -- in response to the Pope's controversial lecture the preceding Tuesday, September 12 (and, of course, ostensibly based upon Qur'an 9:5 and 2:191 etc.) -- and two days later, on Sunday, September 17, two Muslims shot 65-year-old Catholic nun Sister Rosa (Leonella) Sgorbati in the back. She died a couple of hours later. They also shot and killed her bodyguard, a young man with a wife and children.

Sister Sgorbati had devoted her life to helping to minister, as a nurse, to the physical needs of sick and injured children in a pediatric hospital in Mogadishu as well as in Kenya—children who were, in many cases, Muslims from families who support and enable a culture that nourishes and institutionalizes intolerance and hatred for Catholics and Christians in general, and indeed for all non-Muslims who dare to live lives that do not submit to the supremacy of Islam.

http://hesperado.blogspot.com/2006/09/saint-leonella.html

Posted by: remote_control at December 29, 2006 12:36 PM

"Some reports have stated that the Ethiopians are executing foreign fighters"

....sounds more efficient than putting them in a jail ala GITMO.

Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 29, 2006 12:39 PM

There is nothing good in the country of somalia. Absolutely nothing.

Posted by: callmeinfidel at December 29, 2006 12:40 PM

"By this time many thousand Italian immigrants were living in Romanesque villas on extensive plantations in the south. Conditions for natives were unusually prosperous under fascist Italian rule, and the southern Somalis never violently resisted. It had become obvious then that Italy had won the horn of Africa, and Britain left upon Mussolini's insistence, with little protest."

Mussolini wanted to make HIS Somalia a showplace of Italian colonialism. Mogadishu was a prosperous place - you can still see the remnants of Italianate charm amid the slaughter and chaos of the present day hellhole. Not praising Mussolini (God forbid!) just study the details of everyday life under 'colonialism' compared to now and (as with most of Africa) it was immensely better and more humane.

Posted by: poetcomic1 at December 29, 2006 12:52 PM

The Goobs-

I see your point. But I think we live in relatively standard times. The whole of human history on this planet is one of war with a few years of peace. Only a little over a half-century ago the world was one big flaming asshole of war and mass murder. Conflict appears to be inherent in nature. Life takes-cannibalizes from life and nature seems to be more concerned about the species than any individual in a species. Islam's permission to deception-hypocrisy and its predatory nature are reflective of human nature. Nazism is reflective of human nature and nature in general. To live according to nature is to be a good Nazi.

The message of Christ is very different. It calls man to an awareness of a reality other than nature. It does not reject nature, but requires us to be honest about nature. (We are violent and deceptive-as are as all species in nature.)

The gospels are not really revelation-they report on the revelation. The question is: did time and eternity really meet in Jesus-or was it another myth-scam? My heart tells me it is not a scam, my mind tells me otherwise.

We are no differnt than humans in the past. In many ways we are a bit better-at least outwardly: slavery (e.g.)is not considered a good thing anymore, and there are other like things we are not (at least openly) happy bunnies about.

The violent-preditory-deceptive nature is our essence, though Jesus calls us to be aware of something other than nature. He tells us that this place of conflict has a meaning that, as yet, is beyond our comprehension. Jesus did not condemn nature when he died on a cross.

Posted by: Frank at December 29, 2006 1:01 PM

After their quick defeats in Afghanistan and Somalia, along with contributing virtually nothing but sectarian havoc as their "solution" in Iraq, Islamists the world over need to look at such dismal, embarassing results and ask themselves if Allah is really on their side (or, God forbid, whether he actually supports the "Christian crusaders" more than them).

Posted by: yadayada at December 29, 2006 1:55 PM

Frank, What the Scriptures tell us is that we are BORN sinners. In other words, being a monk or any other attempt to escape evil is foolish...because evil dwells within us. You are very right in that in IS human nature to be selfish, to behave evil towards others, to murder, steal, lie, deceive. The scriptures also tell us that satan is the "father of all lies". It also tells us that we can tell who knows God by their "fruit". What do they produce as far as behaviour and compassion and kindness is concerned? If they produce bad fruit, then it is clear that they are NOT of the Lord and do not know Him. It isn't sufficient to say that one believes in God. Even the devil believes he exists. If a person believes God, then they belive what He tells them and they obey Him. That is what good fruit is. Outward evidence of an inner change. It's not good works either. Even unsaved people are capable of doing good things. It's more than that. It's a real desire to please the Lord and it's a change of perception of the world via God's hand on their lives. In other words, they change in that they see the world as God sees it rather than as unsaved see it. It's not about preaching or rattling off a load of scriptures. It's about LIVING the Word of God so that without preaching it, others will see the Lord in your life or in the way you live differently from the way the world lives.

Waht is most interesting is that Islam is a works-based religion. If you do this or do that, you will earn your way to Paradise. All other religions are work-based. Suggesting that man can buy his way into God's favor. Christianity says otherwise.

Let me put it this way. If I murder someone, I am guilty of murder and unless I do not get caught, I will pay the penalty via the law because I have broken the law.

God said that sin is transgression of the law. HIS law. How many times do I have to lie to be a liar? Once? Twice? If I murder someone and then tomorrow decide that I'll never murder again...am I no longer a murderer? No. Once I have murdered....I am guilty of being a murderer.

God says that the penalty of sin is death. He didn't say you have to sin 5 times before it goes into effect. So, all it takes is 1 act of sin - 1 breaking of God's law to be guilty and to deserve the penalty God commands. God knew that we could not live by the law because of our sinful nature. We could never be free of sin and so we were in bondage to it and would die in it. Because he loved us, he provided a way. He sent his son to die FOR us. To pay OUR penalty....one we could never pay. And if He did this FOR us, then ANY attempt by me or you to earn our way to Heaven is a denial of the sufficiency of what He did. It would be like someone giving you a valuable painting and you giving them a penny for it. It's insulting because you could never give them what it was worth...and it's trying to buy a GIFT.

With Islam...you have much different teaching. Paul told us that ALL other doctrines were doctrines of demons....so, unpolitically correct as it is....Islam falls into that category.

It isn't at all hard to see that the fruit it produces is NOT of God.

Posted by: The Goobs at December 29, 2006 2:18 PM

"Islam can work in Africa...but not with weapons. "

...........the only way Islam can work is with weapons........

Posted by: exsgtbrown at December 29, 2006 4:06 PM

The Goobs:

An excellent observation about Islam and its nature as a quid pro quo style religion. If you do this for Allah, you get a reward.

Isn't it interesting that Allah would offer a reward of sex? Truly, i believe Allah is satan. He is offering moslems the type of carnal desires that cater to a very primitive sense within humanity. Of course to get there, you must butcher in Allah's name.

Allah isn't interesting in what a Moslem wants, he is only interested in what he can get from a moslem. All he wants is their devotion and their very soul!

Posted by: Sir Oinks Alot at December 29, 2006 9:32 PM

Naseem you want Africa to look like your Cesspoolstan? what the heck.. you cannot get out of that shithole you call pakistan..islam destroys cultures after it has raped and pillaged the countryside.. take your burga off and burn it with all other korans, it belongs in hell.

Posted by: ZenaWarriorPrincess at December 30, 2006 1:02 AM

I wrote: "Good article except that the rock-throwing stuff is probably fictitious."

Special_Guest replied: "Why? Because the Somalis are overjoyed to be free of the horrible yoke of sharia? Because they, like all people everywhere, want freedom and democracy and tolerance and equality and all those other Judaeo-Christian values?"

Me again: Actually, yes, I think most Somalis are glad to be rid of the severe strictures of Sharia. No to all of the rest you mention.

But mostly I doubt the rock-throwing because 1) I doubt the Ethiopian troops stationed themselves close enough to be stoned, and 2) I doubt the Ethiopians would abide a rock-throwing mob. That is they would SHOOT BACK and that would be that of the rock-throwing mob.

Posted by: alexon at December 30, 2006 3:25 AM

I have an idea for a new book I wish someone would write.

It's actually the latest news from Somalia which gives rise to this idea; the recent case of joint action between Ethiopian and Somali leadership deciding that they are not going to tolerate Islamists turning Somalia into a new Taliban style Koranic Sharia State.

In particular it seems that Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has played a pivotal role:

From one news account: "Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi went on television to announce that his country was at war with the Islamic movement that wants to rule neighboring Somalia by the Quran.
"Our defense force has been forced to enter a war to defend (against) the attacks from extremists and anti-Ethiopian forces and to protect the sovereignty of the land," Meles said a few hours after his military attacked the Islamic militia with fighter jets and artillery."

It's pretty breathtaking to see a leader stand up and face down the Islamists who have been posturing, threatening, and advancing for months now.

And all of a sudden the seemingly invincible Islamists are folding like a cheap desert tent in the face of a force which stoutly resists them.

History is full of the Mighty Conquests of Islam over the last 13+ Centuries as it rolled like a tsunami over so many lands, people, cultures.

But we hear so little of the heroic figures who resisted or even turned back the irresitable Islamic tide.

Who were the brave men (and women like the poetess Asma bint Marwan) who stood up to surging Islam and successfully or unsuccessfully resisted, particularly the former of whom we hear and know so little.

In Europe (heroes like Charles Martel and Jan III Sobieski), in Africa (where I suspect it was not who, but rather the Sahara and -- deeper south -- Malaria, which turned back Muslim military expeditions), in Asia (in India of course, and was there ever an effort to bring Allah to China? Japan?).

We know of a few , but who are some of the little or barely known historical figures who resisted Islamic aggression? How successful were they? How was it done? Where? etc.

I think this would be a fascinating (and heartening) topic for a book.

I think resistance to Islam is weakened by the emphasis on how inevitable triumphant Islam is and how craven our own dhimmi elites are in the face of it. In other words, too much pessimism, defeatism. and despair.

But reading the untold story of where and how the surging tide of Islam was stemmed or stopped cold -- and who achieved it! -- would be an inspiring tome for our tired times.

As things stand now, the west is tired and Islam is energized. But we see in Somalia that it doesn't have to be that way; The dark, threatening, medieval forces of Islamic dogma CAN be stopped and even put to chase by resolute resistance. [No, this doesn't mean I think the Islamists are finished in Somalia, but they have been bloodied and shown to be paper tigers when someone fights back].

It makes me wonder how such deeds were accomplished in the past where the rising tide of Islam was stopped cold. And what unsung heroes achieved it?

Posted by: alexon at December 30, 2006 3:47 AM

Goobs-

I've noted your thoughtful comment. I tend to believe Jesus was right about hypocrisy-deception. He certainly made a point to condemn that, but meanwhile forgave people like Levi or Mathew who were tax collectors-and didn't pretend to be anything else. (As you know, tax collectors in the ancient world were gangsters who extorted money in tax farms. They were despised in the ancient world. They were Al Capone types-really bad guys.)

My nature is to be independent and I despise dogma. I don't like to be pinned down. However, quite honestly, I suspect Jesus was in reality what he claimed to be. There is too much truth in this message. Jesus was very aware of nature and human nature. He did not condemn reality. He advised us (a very hard mandate) to reject all hypocrisy-deception. He consoles us in nature, and asks us to accept what we cannot yet comprehend re inherent conflict in nature and the problem of evil.

Posted by: Frank at December 30, 2006 9:37 AM

I agree with Sir Oinks Alot that Allah is a demonic force...if not actually Satan, then clearly one of his demonic minions! The 12th Imam that Ahmedinajihad heralds could in fact be what Bible-believing Christians know as the anti-Christ or, again, at least one of his diabolical forerunners, meant to pave the way.

Congratulations to the Ethiopians for routing these demonically-inspired Islamists from Mogadishu. May their military successes continue!! Regarding what Goobs said about Ethiopia been prophesied by the Bible to join Russia, Iran, etc in attacking Israel...the Bible actually refers to it as Cush (the land of the upper Nile) which means it could also be Somalia or Eritrea, which also share the upper Nile with Ethiopia.

Posted by: verballistic at December 31, 2006 2:08 AM