Comments on: The “Great Ideological Struggle of the Twenty-first Century” Deconstructed http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/ Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:30:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Curtis http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/#comment-21095 Curtis Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:32:58 +0000 http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/#comment-21095 I would merely respond to this pingback by stating the obvious, which is that there is no statement in the article above of Chomsky's or of mine which in any way implies a belief that "Christians are the source of all evil in the world." The quote that is referenced by the pingback is merely the accurate, factual observation that most of the world's major military powers are nations with predominantly Christian populaces. But thank you for reading. I would merely respond to this pingback by stating the obvious, which is that there is no statement in the article above of Chomsky’s or of mine which in any way implies a belief that “Christians are the source of all evil in the world.” The quote that is referenced by the pingback is merely the accurate, factual observation that most of the world’s major military powers are nations with predominantly Christian populaces.

But thank you for reading.

]]> By: In the Bullpen » What the terrorists have to say http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/#comment-21085 In the Bullpen » What the terrorists have to say Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:29:00 +0000 http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/#comment-21085 [...] goals of the jihadists, some still think that Christians are the source of all evil in the world. Can’t See The Forest references “The “Great Ideological Struggle of the Twenty-first Century” [...] [...] goals of the jihadists, some still think that Christians are the source of all evil in the world. Can’t See The Forest references “The “Great Ideological Struggle of the Twenty-first Century” [...]

]]> By: Curtis http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/#comment-21038 Curtis Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:14:51 +0000 http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/#comment-21038 Thanks for your comment, abu ameerah. Whether or not one views any of these adjectives as applicable to Saudi Arabia is, of course, a matter of perspective, and I thank you for triangulating with a difference of opinion. I think, however, it would be difficult to argue against Saudi Arabia's status as a staunch theocracy. Wahabist sharia law is the rule there. Slavery as state policy did not end in Saudi Arabia until 1962. The government still routinely carries out torture and amputations; women have minimal rights as compared to other Islamic states such as Iran; and the Saudi government has been accused of routine failure to observe due process in even capital cases. Chomsky's point, I believe, is that Saudi Arabia has enjoyed unwavering diplomatic support from the United States since at least the end of the Second World War in spite of the pervasive rhetoric used by practically all U.S. Presidents since Roosevelt to harshly criticize other countries of many of the same kinds of human rights abuses it overlooks in the Arabian peninsula. The reason for this is clear: Saudi Arabia was and, to a lesser extent, continues to be absolutely vital to U.S. energy interests. I am not exactly sure what you mean by 'secular extremist movements,' but I would certainly acknowledge that one of the biggest reasons why the United States has gone to great pains to remain Saudi Arabia's closest ally has been to keep Chinese-Saudi relations in check. Many Americans---though not myself---would view Chinese government and society as a form of secular extremism, and the economic challenges posed to U.S. planners by China are undeniable. Thanks again! Thanks for your comment, abu ameerah.

Whether or not one views any of these adjectives as applicable to Saudi Arabia is, of course, a matter of perspective, and I thank you for triangulating with a difference of opinion.

I think, however, it would be difficult to argue against Saudi Arabia’s status as a staunch theocracy. Wahabist sharia law is the rule there. Slavery as state policy did not end in Saudi Arabia until 1962. The government still routinely carries out torture and amputations; women have minimal rights as compared to other Islamic states such as Iran; and the Saudi government has been accused of routine failure to observe due process in even capital cases.

Chomsky’s point, I believe, is that Saudi Arabia has enjoyed unwavering diplomatic support from the United States since at least the end of the Second World War in spite of the pervasive rhetoric used by practically all U.S. Presidents since Roosevelt to harshly criticize other countries of many of the same kinds of human rights abuses it overlooks in the Arabian peninsula. The reason for this is clear: Saudi Arabia was and, to a lesser extent, continues to be absolutely vital to U.S. energy interests.

I am not exactly sure what you mean by ’secular extremist movements,’ but I would certainly acknowledge that one of the biggest reasons why the United States has gone to great pains to remain Saudi Arabia’s closest ally has been to keep Chinese-Saudi relations in check. Many Americans—though not myself—would view Chinese government and society as a form of secular extremism, and the economic challenges posed to U.S. planners by China are undeniable.

Thanks again!

]]> By: abu ameerah http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/#comment-21017 abu ameerah Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:59:01 +0000 http://cantseetheforest.org/2007/06/09/the-great-ideological-struggle-of-the-twenty-first-century-deconstructed/#comment-21017 Chomsky is the arguably the father of modern linguistics, not to mention an intellectual powerhouse ... but ... I would have to disagree with him on this point: "That’s why the U.S. supports radical Islamist tyrannies like Saudi Arabia." The United States supports whoever it wants -- it can do so as the world's only remaining superpower (or bully depending upon how one looks at it). What I disagree w/ is the extent to which Saudi Arabia is "radical", "Islamist", or a "tyranny"... I am no major defender of the House of Saud ... it's just that I think secular extremist movements throughout the world (including the middle east) have posed the West (especially the US & UK) with the greatest foreign policy challenges. Chomsky is the arguably the father of modern linguistics, not to mention an intellectual powerhouse … but … I would have to disagree with him on this point:

“That’s why the U.S. supports radical Islamist tyrannies like Saudi Arabia.”

The United States supports whoever it wants — it can do so as the world’s only remaining superpower (or bully depending upon how one looks at it). What I disagree w/ is the extent to which Saudi Arabia is “radical”, “Islamist”, or a “tyranny”…

I am no major defender of the House of Saud … it’s just that I think secular extremist movements throughout the world (including the middle east) have posed the West (especially the US & UK) with the greatest foreign policy challenges.

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