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POPS'We Are Making Fools Of Ourselves In The Eyes Of The World' How much is her life worth, according to Minister Balin's budget? How does he calculate this? These are politically sensitive questions, questions that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher never asked when it came to the life of Salman Rushdie, wherever he happened to be. Dutch society has no choice in this case. Canceling Ayaan's protection would be the equivalent of a death sentence. She can lead a relatively quiet life in the United States, but not in the Netherlands. And because she is so well known in the Netherlands and practically lives the life of a prisoner, not even able to go out on the street, the most humane solution is to continue to provide her with protection in America. Both Hirsi Ali and Hirsch Balin can only lose. The winners are the extremists who laugh about our inability to offer this courageous woman quiet and safety. You see, it's too expensive. In fact, though, it makes you want to weep.
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POPSBest of 40 Years of the Booker Prize I just started reading this a couple of weeks ago. Accidentally dropped it in the ocean on vacation. Bought another copy and am reading it now. So far, I agree that it is a fabulous book. I highly recommend it.
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POPS Blasphemy Not a long article but suggests a way to allow the moderate muslims to stand up.
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POPS Overrated Hall Of Fame Yeah, yeah. Everybody loves them. But we've heard enough about... Bono• JFK• Diamonds• The Winter Olympics• Highly portable dogs• James Joyce• Invading extremist Middle Eastern countries• British accents• Babies• Andy Warhol• The First Five Commandments• Philip Glass• Jack Nicholson • Switzerland• "The Star-Spangled Banner"• Horsepower• Bachelor's degrees• Breast implants• Maya Angelou• Convertibles• Salman Rushdie• Manhattan• Princess Di• Halls of Fame
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POPSBetween Imperialism and Islamism An interesting analysis on the rise of radical Islamism around the world. The original article is recommended. First, as demanded by both Muslims and non- Muslims across the globe, the US needs an attitudinal change. It must repudiate grand imperial designs as well as its claim to being an exception among nations. The notion of total planetary control had guided the Republican administration even before the attacks of 11 September 2001. The Democrats, meanwhile, many of whom have now publicly turned against the Iraq war, limit their criticisms to the strategy and conduct of the war, the lies and disinformation dispensed by the White House, suspicious deals with defence contractors, and the like. But they share with Republicans the belief that the US possesses the right – and adequate might – to mould the world according to its wishes.
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POPSPORN Vital to Freedom and Civilised Society!!! Gore Vidalthe, the grand old man of the American letters, writes in the foreword to xxx:30 Porn Star that America is a puritanical society which has fettered sexuality with unnecessary constraints. “We didn’t take sex so seriously thousands of years ago because we had so many other things to worry about, such as surviving,” he said.
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POPSMid East Peace through Porn? TRASH!!! Indeed, this is an excellent example of what "democracy" and it's spread aims to accomplish. Tell me, WHEN DID DEGRADATION BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH FREEDOM???????
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POPSPakistani Minister Full of It Another article about the turmoil cuased by the recommended knighthood of Salman Rushdie. This one focuses on the comment on a Pakistani minister who seems to be implying that this action by GB could be justification for suicide bombings. A sad example of the problems caused by entanglement of politics and religion. As I've written before, how absurd for Muslims to expect others to adhere to their dogma. People of other beliefs have no obligation to honor their ideas concerning blasphemy or heresy, These ideas are embodied in their religion. For them to attempt to force them on others is absurd.
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POPSMuslim's Arrogance What rubbish! As far as I'm concerned Islamics can believe whatever they want as long as they don't attempt to force those beliefs on others. To expect people of other faiths or of no religious affiliation to conform to their dogma is ridiculous.