The first fundamental truth about the "Arab Spring" is that there never was one. The salient fact of the Middle East; the only one; is Islam. The Islam that shapes the Middle East inculcates in Muslims the self-perception that they are members of a civilization implacably hostile to the West. The United States is a competitor to be overcome; not the herald of a culture to be embraced. Is this self-perception based on objective truth? Does it reflect an accurate construction of Islam? It is over these questions that American officials and Western intellectuals obsess. Yet the questions are irrelevant. This is not a matter of right or wrong; of some posture or policy whose subtle tweaking or outright reversal would change the facts on the ground. This is simply; starkly; the way it is. Every human heart does not yearn for freedom. In the Islam of the Middle East; "freedom" means something very nearly the opposite of what the concept connotes to Westerners – it is the freedom that lies in total submission to Allah and His law. That law; sharia; is diametrically opposed to core components of freedom as understood in the West – beginning with the very idea that man is free to make law for himself; irrespective of what Allah has ordained. It is thus delusional to believe; as the West's Arab Spring fable insists; that the region teems with Jamal al-Madisons holding aloft the lamp of liberty. Do such revolutionary reformers exist? Of course they do . . . but in numbers barely enough to weave a fictional cover story. When push came to shove – and worse – the reformers were overwhelmed; swept away by a tide of Islamic supremacism; the dynamic; consequential mass movement that beckons endless winter. That is the real story of the Arab Spring – that; and the Pandora's Box that opens when an American administration aligns with that movement; whose stated goal is to destroy America.
#78302 in Books 2008-10-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.90 x .50 x 4.30l; .40 #File Name: 1591930685236 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Does a jumping Cholla really jump?By MacanThis book is exactly what I was looking for to identify the many cacti in Arizona. Small size (about 4 1/2 by 6 inches) so it will be easy to carry with me when walking or in the car. Along with the many pictures; it lists size; shape; flowers; range; etc. Perfect for the person who is curious but not a scientist (though it does list the scientific names; too).3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great backpack sized resource book!By JETThis book is highly recommended. First it is small and light enough to travel in a backpack yet big enough to show clear pictures. The paperstock is glossy heavy stock. The pictures are magnificent. The best part I liked was it had clear descriptions and showed relatives of the same cacti side by side on the next page. Like spineless prickly pear next to beaver tail prickly cactus. It has pictures for each cacti of the spine; flower and fruit. the description covers; size; shapes;stem; spines;spine clusters; flower;blooming; fruit;zone/habitat and range and notes for each one. This will stand up to use. Man; think this is the best book.....esp as it is geared for Arizona and i live in AZ.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Perfect AZ Cactus BookBy A. SmithThis book has descriptions; close-up pictures; outlines pictures from 3' to 6'. Also pictures of the spines which really helps to distinguish the different types; for those discerning types. Hikers? you will really appreciate this book as it light-weight. As for me; I purchased this book to help me figure out all the varieties of cacti (or cactuses; both spelling are proper) I have on my new house's property. And this is definitely; The Perfect AZ Cactus Book for me.
