Well at least they haven't taken him out to a socker field as in the past and executed him in front of an audience as the Talaban did.

Still sadly there remains that lack of freedom of expression that we in the western world hold so preciously.

This is why muslims are so quick to complain when they are receiving criticism from us. They simply are not used to taking criticism, thus they remain locked in a time warp of a history that is rooted in nearly 1,400 years of very little change.

In the western world constructive criticism is welcomed and even embraced humbly if there is a possible better way to build a mouse trap Etc. Islamic scholars argue that westerners do not understand freedom of expression and that we really didn't have the freedom that we do today until way after the 17th century and in that they are probably correct.

And yet Islam claims to argue that there is no compulsion in religion.

Posted by: Mackie at October 23, 2005 10:09 AM

You just dont question Islam. It's not that hard to figure out. Allah hates anyone who questions.
Anyone who questions what is already perfect is either a filthy infidel, or worse a filthy apostate. Allah has prescribed a terrible punishment for both of these groups, and his minions (muslims) are only getting the ball rolling. Nasab is lucky they didn't amputate a few limbs or a head.

Posted by: duh_swami at October 23, 2005 1:05 PM

This news isn't surprising, coming from the ISLAMIC Republic of Afghanistan. Soon, the same sort of things will be happening in the official Islamic Republic of Iraq, despite the reassurances now from the Iraqi politicians.

Posted by: maryrose at October 23, 2005 4:01 PM

By this action the Islamic government of Afghanistan shows the world that it is not a democracy and has no intention of ever becoming one.

Words fail me here when I try to think of how to respond to this example of severely curtailed thinking ability -- to jail an editor for questioning societal practices is the height of madness. I've thought of this and thought again, but the logical arguments won't form, instead this astounding arrogance, this certainty of infallibility, this supreme confidence -- all wrapped up into the religious/political system known as Islam -- send shivers down my spine.

How does one argue with a system not open to questioning? Well . . . exactly! No arguments will be heard.

By way of contrast, we here in the West have tried to listen to every argument, to accommodate every belief system, to consider the criticisms aimed at us from every corner of the world - - because we are an open society.

But now our way of life (to use the words of Blair and Bush) is threatened by a closed fascist system which brooks no dissent within its own ranks, but which demands for itself every freedom for which the West has struggled to achieve for hundreds of years.

We continue to debate with the perpetrators of this height of madness as though logic and reason would one day crack their illogic and insanity. It's time for another tactic.

Posted by: Jen at October 23, 2005 10:58 PM

The elections in Democracy-Is-On-the-March Afghanistan have returned a number of "former" Taliban and mujahedin to the Afghan parliament. In fact, these two groups will account for about half of the members of Parliament. Democracy On the March. Keep those "boots on the ground." Keep that money coming in. Supply that jizyah. Or else -- we might start electing Taliban and Holy Warriors. But if the Taliban and Holy Warriors are being elected anyway, as of course they will be, why are we in Afghanistan?

Bin Laden? Is he that important to spend money and lives building up a country that, while less deplorable than any Arab country, remains firmly and fervently Muslim. Isn't that enough to stay away, unless it is clear that an Americna presence will guarantee a diminishing role for Islam? As yet, there are no signs of that. Or even signs of signs.

Posted by: Hugh at October 24, 2005 1:52 AM