Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sarrazin Roils Germany but we Cannot Wish Away Islamic Terrorism

One man, who reminds me of Hitler in this photo, has Germany roiling again!

His thesis: Muslim immigrants in Germany are socially, culturally and intellectually inferior to most everyone else.

I don't like castigating any ethnic or religious group, because all of them have their follies and foibles.

And I think we are all human.

But some of Mr Sarrazin's conclusions seem so normal, and the opposition to him seems so politically correct. Why

Because the world is getting tired of Islamic terrorists and their fanatical view that if you are not Islamic you deserve the most brutal form of death. Not that Christianity was different in that sense; but they have come a long way from that position -- through the marginalisation of the Church in political matters and through the spread of more inclusive thinking in the Western world.
More insidious, the world is getting tired of being politically correct and want to call a spade a spade.

The problem I think is not with Islam, or Christianity; any religion where the priests are allowed a say in political power will deteriorate to what Islam is today. Simply because power corrupts.

The problem with Islam is it is being by ignorant Mullahs, who have neither education nor wisdom. They try to apply their tribal rules -- having had no chance to see a broader world or the wisdom and intelligence to appreciate other points of view -- to the modern world.

The fast-paced changes affecting today's global village and the deep philosophical issues that hover over human development and survival (a quick example is global warming) just go over their heads. And they think applying middle century Arab tribal rules can solve all problems.

Lack of education in the Islamic countries and use of religion by the ruling elite in those countries to cling to power accentuate this situation and give more power to the Mullahs.

So what is the solution?

Political elite in Islamic countries are playing a double game -- using the Mullahs to retain power and giving lip service to modern ways of life to make money through global trade.

If the rest of the world wants to clean itself of the scourge that is fanatical Islam, the way is to clamp down on the cash flow to the political elite in the Islamic countries. That way, I think, they will be forced to heed the demands of the civilized world; after all they don't want to let the Mullahs have the power.

That needs arm twisting but it's a small price to pay for ridding the world of these ignorant savages and their handlers.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Much vilified, Sonia Gandhi brings hope for India

How can corrupt politicians hang so long to power? That speaks volumes about the state of the value system in Indian politics. 
However, I am heartened by Sonia Gandhi's leadership now, despite my being no Congress supporter.
The lady has been vilified, as inept, corrupt, loyal to foreign masters ... Yet she has been able to blow in change, through her subtle, often behind-the-scenes ways into Indian politics. 
And many Congress leaders who have been under the cloud of corruption in the past have suddenly emerged as 'clean' ones.
We don't have to search far for the answer to that one.
Congressmen have always been lackeys of the supreme leader. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi never much cared about reining in corruption, for different reasons. Congressmen quickly read the message and went on to make money merrily.
Sonia faced, in many ways, a mostly hostile senior leadership, and had to cut them to size. Also the support she got from the electorate, again for different reasons, worked to her advantage. And Congressmen have been quick to read the signals.
Suddenly corruption is not something brazenly boasted about in the party, though it thrives more healthy than ever.
Thankfully, Rahul Gandhi hasn't let a coterie build around himself; and that gives hope to India.
Yes, because the BJP, Left and the Third Front have effectively demolished themselves in the country's political landscape.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Shifting Equations, Rigid Mindsets

The shift in economic power is clearly changing and, after centuries of extending the begging bowl, India and other supposedly Third World nations are finally in a position to demand from the West.
Look at this report. The world is suffering from an economic slowdown due to the excesses committed by the suited bandits on Wall Street and the hope lies with India and China. Manufacturing in both the countries continued to rise in October, though it slowed a little from the year-ago period.
Many are the signs that show the the post-recession world belongs not to the West but to the East. In that context, this report should evoke some surprise among readers.
It is about American companies' demands that India water down the compensation provisions in its nuclear bill to protect conglomerates such as General Electric. This at a time when French and Russian companies are going ahead with the signing of contracts with the Indian government! Some chutzpah!
These U.S. companies still think they call the shots? The sand is washing off from under their feet and they don't seem to be in any mood to drop their arrogance.
But this is the way to go, India.