That’s the title of a long and useful article published by Stratfor, and partially reproduced here with their permission. Here are a few excerpts. I’ve written in the past pointing out that political vituperation has been common in the United States since its founding. Certainly nothing today compares to what was said during the Civil… Continue reading “The Roots of the Government Shutdown”
Tag: Extremism
Al Qaeda: moving right along
Courtesy of an e-mail from reader D. H., we learn that Al Qaeda and/or its sympathizers appear to be setting up new training facilities in yet another country – this time my land of origin. The police’s specialised unit, Crimes Against the State (CATS) and the State Security Agency (SSA) have been monitoring the training… Continue reading Al Qaeda: moving right along
Gun control – waking the dragon
This has been linked and referenced on many blogs, but for those who haven’t yet heard about it, make sure to click over to the Iowa State Daily and read Barry Snell’s superb essay on gun control, ‘Waking the dragon — How Feinstein fiddled while America burned‘. Here’s a brief excerpt to whet your appetite.… Continue reading Gun control – waking the dragon
“Europe in 2013: A Year of Decision”
That’s the title of a very interesting article from Stratfor, providing an in-depth look at the challenges confronting the world’s largest economy (Europe as a whole) this year. What happens there will inevitably have a profound impact on the USA and the rest of the world. Here’s an excerpt. It may well be that the… Continue reading “Europe in 2013: A Year of Decision”
Societal collapse – A DEADLY SERIOUS WARNING
Friends, looking at the current state of affairs in four nations around the world, I’m seeing signs that worry me very much. They’re caused by different problems, but the end result in every case is very similar – a breakdown in the basic structures of society, to a greater or lesser extent. If it’s developing… Continue reading Societal collapse – A DEADLY SERIOUS WARNING
Am I a prophet, or what?
Last night, writing about China’s debt burden, I noted: Furthermore, note the history of most authoritarian governments (including China’s) when faced with internal crises. Overwhelmingly, their response has been to try to focus the attention of their people on external factors – blaming other countries for the problems, or whipping up nationalistic feelings against perceived… Continue reading Am I a prophet, or what?
“The Trap of Minority Studies Programs”
That’s the title of a very interesting article at Minding The Campus, in response to the sacking of commentator Naomi Schaefer Riley last month (which we covered in these pages at the time). Here’s an excerpt. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, large populations of poor immigrants arrived in the U.S.–Irish, Italians, and… Continue reading “The Trap of Minority Studies Programs”
Discrimination, distrust and xenophobia: Part 5
(This is the fifth and last article in a multi-part series. If you haven’t already read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4, I recommend that you do so before continuing here.) In this article, I’d like to address the plethora of books, articles, Web sites and other media that attack Islam as… Continue reading Discrimination, distrust and xenophobia: Part 5
Discrimination, distrust and xenophobia: Part 4
(This is the fourth article in a multi-part series. If you haven’t already read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3, I recommend that you do so before continuing here.) Q: The fact remains that overwhelmingly, examples of barbaric behavior come from Muslim nations and individuals. Given that inescapable reality, how can you possibly argue… Continue reading Discrimination, distrust and xenophobia: Part 4
Discrimination, distrust and xenophobia: Part 3
(This is the third article in a multi-part series. If you haven’t already read Part 1 and Part 2, I recommend that you do so before continuing here.) Q: You’re practicing moral equivalence by insinuating that our civilization is as bad as that of the Islamic world. What about ‘honor killings‘ by Muslims, children who… Continue reading Discrimination, distrust and xenophobia: Part 3