re: #13 CuriousLurker

I’m not going to pretend that first part doesn’t bother me in its scope, but as long as you’re not calling for violent collective retribution against them or blaming all Muslims for the sins of a few, then I’m not going to fight with you over it. I also have no knowledge of what personal losses you may have suffered to make you feel that way.

I know what I said bothers a lot of people (obviously). I wish I had a better gift of explaining myself like SFZ, because I know she understands me. SFZ designated,

I have political, personal and tribal issues with certain Muslim schools of thought, and the actions of certain Muslim-majority nations. But I have enough knowledge of Islam and of Muslims not to conflate the Hamas charter, or the terrible human rights records of Saudi Arabia or Iran with ‘Islam’,

Of course, no one “facepalmed” her… but ok. I agree with her 100%. Other than you, my friend, my comment that once those living in tyranny are able to make the dreadful and probably dangerous trek to leave their fear-based societies deserve our respect, admiration and help was ignored… but ok there too.

I do not believe in annihilation nor genocide. Of anyone. Ever. Neither does the Israeli government. 20% of their population is Arab. Of that, about 16% are Muslim (if I’m recalling correctly). The rest Christian and Druze. They have autonomy and freedom.

Loathing is strong, yes, but I’ve had many Muslim friends over the years, Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian, to be exact. We never discussed politics. I feel it’s better to avoid it and rather find things in common.

My recent post on the Lebanese Mufti who basically read the riot act to a Palestinian delegation got one response, from SFZ (bless her soul!) I know no one wants to touch these topics, lest we leave all bloodied (so I’ll now mention my admiration of YOU to venture into this territory)! But there is great wealth among the Arab nations. They are able to reach out, like the Jews (and others too) reached out to the refugees of WWII and helped them. Yet the problem in the disputed territories is always left at the feet of the Israelis. We talked before about the Arab Spring, so maybe there will be some changes in the future.

Basically, really, I take people one-on-one. Don’t most people? Unless you’re truly a bigot. I adore diversity and the town I live in. I would live in the country again. I’m more comfortable with people who have lots of stories to tell.

A Muslim friend and I were chatting the other day, discussing the Margate mosque and he was the one who brought up the Catholic analogy. Quite brilliant (but then again, he’s pretty groovy).