Gregory Morrow wrote:

> I used to think that our presence there could do some good, but it
> makes no matter when you are dealing with a bunch of backwards
> religious psychotics (which ALL muslims are)...

Up till WW I, Muslims in Europe was noticeably more religiously
tolerant than European Christians.

As for the Middle East now: things are complicated and complex. For
example, Saudi Arabia was conquered by religious fanatics, whose
descendants mostly still rule. However, most of them are a long way
from being fanatics -- they obey Islamic law in public, but in private
don't let it get in their way. (Osama Bin Laden was an exception.)

The Christians in Lebanon don't seem to be any more tolerant than
Lebanese Muslims.

--
Dan Goodman
"You, each of you, have some special wild cards. Play with them.
Find out what makes you different and better. Because it is there,
if only you can find it." Vernor Vinge, _Rainbows End_
Journal http://dsgood.livejournal.com
Futures http://dangoodman.livejournal.com
Links http://del.icio.us/dsgood