Sorry I missed the start of this thread....

Freedom is a relative thing - I would rate Iran, based on readings and some
experience in the region, free-er than  Saudi Arabia, probably also Syria,
and obviously places like North Korea and China.

Certainly a lot less free than 99% of western countries...but making moves
in the right direction, and internally restive for more.

Also FWIW, I think a lot of the tension between the west and muslim middle
east stems from a lack of understanding of how Muslims react to others
talking about Christianity to them, much less preaching it. Many of us in
the west have experienced public preaching of all sorts of ideologies, and
been subjected to doorstep encounters with people with a religious point of
view to push - trying hard here to be as neutral as I can. From this we
mostly learn to brush off or ignore the messages we don't want to hear. In
my direct experience with some of these people, its ok for them to try to
talk you into their way of life/religion, but for you to do the same, in a
proselytising way, would be as welcome as a salesman trying to sell you a
do-it-yourself paedophile kit - that's the level of reaction you get from
the arab in the street. Anything at all that smacks of a religious motive,
eg the original plan to call Iraq 'Operation Crusade' is going to get their
backs right up.

Just my 2c anyway.

jp

-----Original Message-----
From: HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Brian Donaldson
Sent: Tuesday, 25 January 2005 10:14 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [HP3000-L] OT: For those of you in Washington State

I agree with Jeff wholeheartedly. Enough of the personal attacks, please!

Enough is enough, thank you.


Kiddies, if we can't all get along, then you won't be allowed to bring your
firearms into the classroom anymore.


Brian.

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 10:42:22 -0500, Jeff Kell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Brice Yokem wrote:
>> how would you know? ever been in Iran and witnessed an election? or where
>> is your knowledge from?
>> Same source as your famous drones or orbit-threat?
>> Not saying that they are perfect but neiher are you.
>>
>> -----------------
>>
>> Only you could suggest Iran is an example of a free society.
>> I don't know what drones you are talking about, but the Al-Abid
>> had potential.
>
>Please, folks, let's keep the political and especially personal flames
>off the list.  Enough is enough.
>
>Jeff
>
>* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
>* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *