I want to say something. I spent about 14 months living in Egypt when I was 22-23. My dad went to work on a USAID project, part of the Camp David Accord. Anyways I spent a lot of time talking to Egyptians. Hanging out in the tea shops, etc. I learned tons about islam. It isn't the people. It is islam that is the problem. I consider myself to be a very spiritual person and I couldn't find that in these people because of their ideology. It is SAD. There is no growth. islam contributes nothing to civilization or "religion". And it isn't that islam is evil. It has the POTENTIAL to do great harm. So it does. You can't talk these people into giving it up. Contain it. But obama and GWB made that impossible and ignited that POTENTIAL immensely. I foresee it taking 4-5 billion lives to let it run its course, or more.. And worldwide devastation. That is the potential at its height. That is what they want. That is their goal. So maybe the best thing is to let Christ do his thing. Its his gig. And after the way He got treated last time He is probably ready for some pay back. But the waiting is the hardest part. I don't know. It doesn't make me feel good to come to the conclusions I do. The alternative, to me, is so much more horrifying. Ask John to read this. I get that you people disapprove. People disapprove of many things I say. So what. Hell, who knows, there might be a chance we agree on many things. I consider you people worth my time to find out.
Funny thing about the oil patch. I ended up working and living in an 8X32 space with an Algerian. If he is (and from what I have read since, he is) typical, no one, and I mean no one (except maybe an Imam) is going to change those folks' minds about anything.
For all those who talk about negotiating, keep in mind that whoever appears to be making concessions is making them to facilitate achieving an eventual goal.
