Another open thread

[TayTay]

This worked well by accident, maybe it will work well by design.

So, what's on your mind fellow Kerrycrats?

[WildEyedLiberal]

1. I just ate some bad Chinese so now I'm all bloaty

Plus I need to write a speech outline about Islamic theocracies in the Middle East.

Does anyone have any good info links about Islamic government?

Besides that, what's going on with you?

[TayTay]

2. I have read several books about it

I prefer Karen Armstrong's comparative religion books about the three great monotheistic faiths. I love comparative religion, I just wish I knew more. I am reading, concurrently, a book on the Gnostic Gospels, another book on Islam, but just a more general text, and some books on conservative Christianity. (Fascinating.) I also have the new Jared Diamond book Collapse on my night stand as well as the Malcolm Gladwell book Blink. (And I have a couple of fictions, just to break the pace. Oh, and one slightly porny book on, nevermind.)

Is this project about the current state of Islam, the moderate and conservative stresses and strains? Or is this historical?

I'm fine. Geeky and wonky as ever. How's by you?

Alright, I shall throw you a bone: http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/
This is historical info, but there are study guides embedded in it. Now, go forth and study, my dear. (Islam is fascinating. I should very much like to hear from you how the project went. Yes, honestly. I love this stuff.)

[WildEyedLiberal]

3. More of a current events thing

It's a speech communications class, and the topic I chose was the relationship of fundamentalist Islam in Middle Eastern governments (ie, Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc). Basically an overview of how Islamic law and the Koran shapes their official policy and how the fundamentalist view of Islam affects international relations. Sort of a current events/political science sort of speech, I guess. I know a little, but not a ton. I'm basically using this first speech as a segue into my later speeches, which will (hopefully) detail how invading Iraq actually exacerbated Islamic terrorism and made America and the West less safe.

[TayTay]

4. Wahabism

You are looking for the strain of Islam that came into being around 250 years ago. (Another bone: http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Wahabism) You are welcome.

Absolutely fascinating. Develop the theory that Wahabism is reactive to the relative decline of Islam in the world after the fall of the Caliphate. It is a natural reaction for a religion that has had a decline to develop faith strains that pin the blame for this on declining standards in worshppers. Hmmm, let me know how it goes.

[WildEyedLiberal]

6. Wanna write it for me? :P

I'll give you twenty bucks, a free supply of Charmin, and my undying gratitude.

Oh, and maybe I'll try to work a favor in on your behalf with Our Most Exalted Leader.

[TayTay]

7. My husband is on school committee

I have high standards for educational excellence and you must do this yourself in order to learn, ahm, the art of proper research and ahm, suffering in the name of bettering yourself and other lofty stuff like that. (And it's fascinating. How can you not want to do this? Honestly, kids these days. This is a good meaty topic. Dive in.)

A favor with The Leader? Really? In the comfy chair? hmmmm, oh dear, my priniciples against my blind worship and devotion. What shall I do?

[WildEyedLiberal]

9. Well, it's a good topic, but I don't like the way we have to plan it out

So I basically don't want to do it. And yes, your favor would involve the Comfy Chair... come on, TayTay, you know you are tempted...

[TayTay]

12. Well, I shall assist

After I listen to LEader on TV.

And the chair is tempting.

[WildEyedLiberal]

13. OMG, you rock my world TayTay

Well, um, I mean, in a different way than Big John rocks my world, but...

Still :yourock:

[TayTay]

15. Evil devil-child, you use my own wonkiness against me

I do really like this topic.

Your outline is easy.

First establish (by doing research) that the old Caliphate represented the pinacle of human knowledge and civilization back in the Middle Ages. While Europe was going through the Dark Ages, the Islamic world thrived and made significant advances in science, mathematics, health care, textiles, painting and the arts in general and other things. (Research dear.) Go look at the map of the old Caliphate and see how the Islamic empire once stretched from Mongolia to Spain. This was the civilized world for over 700 years.

Then the Caliphate fell and you need some info as to why. (Research) All empires fall for basically the same reasons, corruption, destruction of natural resources, the rise of significant other powers and so forth. Put this in. (Research dear.) Did the ruling family collapse? Was there corruption in the ranks? Did the population grow fat and lazy? Was there another power that was hungry to succeed it?

Then you want to get to how the Empire fell and how the people in that empire dealt with this. What happens to a people who once ruled the world and encouraged the growth of the arts and the sciences and then it goes away? Was there a sulking period? Did the religion itself change and figure out a way to lay the blame for this? If you are God's appointed people, then did God fail or did the people? If the people failed, then what is the solution? How do you get the Caliphate and the obvious favor of God back? Then check out Wahabism. It is an answer to that. A very conservative answer that offers order and that is always very dangerous. (Order versus freedom is one of the great themes of humanity, of course.) And it mirrors a lot of fundamentalist growth in religion in general. Why do religions go back to fundamentalism? What does this address in the human soul? Why do we need someone to blame?

Finally, do a wrap on this by tying your topic together by bringing it into the world of today. Saudi Arabia is a Wahabist regime. It cannot stand as it's own belief in Wahabism undermines it's corrupt regime. Usama bin LAden is a Wahabist. He believes that the current Islamic leaders betray Islam and that they need to go away in order for the old Caliphate to re-emerge. Of course, by now you have gotten yourself into a tizzy of academic delight in this topic and you no longer need my help. Right?

Ah, to be back in school and write papers again. Be still my wonky heart. If this was of any help then please, think of me and the comfy chair. If not, then my dear, do your own research.

[WildEyedLiberal]

17. Good lord woman!

It's a five minute speech, not a class-long lecture!

That is all very interesting, but I know I don't have time to include all the historical background. Basically, I just need a quick n' dirty summation of the role Islam plays in modern world events - the role of Islamic theocracies in today's environment in 1000 words or less.

Plus, I need this done, like, now. So no wonky research for me... I will check out those links, though (thanks!) and throw something together.

[TayTay]

20. Does this mean I don't get a check?

or a comfy chair?

Okay, then cut to the chase.

Islam today is a reaction to the fall of Islam before. They have turned fundie because that is a solution to what went wrong. This fundie approach offers a quick blame on others and a quick and violent path back to power. It is all kinds of dangerous for the rest of the world.

Okay? Jayzus, I told you I was wonky. And from MA, and therefore a windbag.

No comfy chair, no time with The Leader. Ah me, I am now adrift.

[WildEyedLiberal]

22. Awww you get an A for effort

And time in the comfy chair.

[TayTay]

23. Thanks! My life is now complete

And now for me to bed and for you, time in the chair in front of a hot word-processing app.

And let me know how it went. Wonky things just get me all tingly. Maybe we can meet later and discuss the geo-political implications of what was discussed in the Foreign Relations committee today. (It was about the Tsunami relief efforts and the warning system and the Pricne of Darkness himself was there, Wolfowitz.) Sigh! Geo-political implications of anything set my little heart afire.

I think that's why I like Kerry. He opens his mouth and smart things come out. Great long sentences about world situations and oooohhhh, wonky heaven. Sigh!

[WildEyedLiberal]

25. We'll have to have a wonkfest sometime

When I'm not currently in the middle of school. That's enough wonk for me.

[JohnKleeb]

5. Nothing really

Ive been napping pretty much all day since I got home, I am excited about tommorow because I only have one class period tommorow before I go on a poli sci field trip, the drawback though is that I have to miss model congress. I am also frustrated that Valentines day is coming up and I dont like that day because agh well ya know.

[TayTay]

8. I sent my daughter a Vermont Teddy Bear for

Valentine's Day. It was the Fool Bear. She is my baby, all alone in NYC. I had to send her something.

I will send valentiens for all of you on the day as well. And one big one to the Big Guy.

[WildEyedLiberal]

10. Aww, bless.

Like a PM valentine?

OH MY GOD. I so need to send John Kerry an e-valentine!

[JohnKleeb]

11. Well I dont like the part that involves people with their sweethearts and

shit. Since I dont have one, sigh, I'll be all alone for the 17th valentine day in a row.

[WildEyedLiberal]

14. Meh! It's been 20 for me, pal!

Ah well. It's a bullshit holiday anyway.

[JohnKleeb]

16. True that

At least youre an extrovert.

[WildEyedLiberal]

18. Sorta

:shrug: I'm a bit more reserved in person, at least until you spend five minutes getting to know me. Then I come out of the shell a bit.

[JohnKleeb]

19. I am an engima I think

I think personally I am hard to figure out.

[GRLMGC]

21. I just made some chicken curry

it was good and I need to get rid of the rest of it. I hope my roommate is hungry when she comes back because I'd rather not deal w/ leftovers. Also, my sinuses are quite clear due to curry goodness.

[WildEyedLiberal]

24. I had gross Chinese earlier

Glad your curry was good. Whassup?

[GRLMGC]

27. I'm stuck in my house

There are tons of people studying. Sometimes I get all restless but w/ nowhere to go. So,I guess I'll just do random crap online. What I really want, however, is a frappuccino.

[JohnKleeb]

26. Shaving your face sucks ladies

:P
The good news is I am now clean shaved and thus 1000000% more attractive, the bad news is I cut my chin.

[WildEyedLiberal]

28. Hahaha

With risks come rewards, Kleeb. :P

[JohnKleeb]

31. Yep, the cuts will be gone in morning

and I will look good.

[rockymountaindem]

29. I rather enjoy it.

It's a nice feeling afterwards.

And a world of advice. This might sound cheesy. It might sound corny. It might sound old-school cool (but I doubt it). One night I decided to bust out the ol' electric razor even though now I shave with a blade. I wanted to see if it could cut my beard now that I'm older. Well, about 5 minutes after I was finished my face was on fire and I was scratching all over the place. Then I decided to put some of my dad's Aqua Velva on to see if that would help.

You might never believe it, but it worked like a charm. One blast of heat on my skin for a couple of seconds and then it was all better. It also decreases the appearance and effects of stubble. I bought a bottle to keep in my dorm and I use it every time I shave, which is every day except when I'm lazy.

So yeah, want to feel better? Use Aqua Velva.

And no, they didn't pay me to say this. Just some man to man advice.

[JohnKleeb]

30. Oh its awesome when you dont cut yourself man

but I am a clumsy fucker, I trip, I well you name it, I do stupid shit.

[rockymountaindem]

33. Perhaps some Tai Chi could help your coordination?

But then again what the hell do I know?

[JohnKleeb]

35. Nah my clumsyness and just sillyness helps me

If I werent so damn silly, I would have never ran up that stopped escalator to show off.

[GRLMGC]

32. Freak-a-leek!

That song is stuck in my head for some ungodly reason

[WildEyedLiberal]

34. Hahahaha

[GRLMGC]

36. Of all the crappy songs in the world.... nt

[WildEyedLiberal]

37. You think Freek a leek is bad?

I have THIS in my head:

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/methomps/www/the%20immortals%20-%20mortal%20kombat%20-%2003%20sub-zero%20%28chinese%20ninja%20warrior%29.mp3

"OOOOOOO CHINESE NINJA WARRIOR
WITH YOUR HEART SOOOO COLD!
SUB ZEEEROOOOOOO
OOOOOOO YOUR LIFE IS A MYSTERY!
WHY YOU WEAR THAT MASK?!
SUB ZEEEROOOOOOO"