Divine Retribution? Only When it's Convenient....
Apparently the October 8th 7.6 magnitude earthquake has the death toll in Pakistan rising at 54,000 deaths. That's about 54 times the amount the United States suffered at the hands of Katrina. Oddly enough, I don't sense the same level of outpouring of grief, as we felt for Katrina. Perhaps this is only natural, showing greater intensity of loss when it's happening in your own backyard. Perhaps it's the news coverage, or lack thereof. Yet, when last year's tsunami hit Southeast Asia, it seemed the whole world responded to that. I suppose the only way to know for certain how the world's opinion and support is, for the victims of this disaster, is to compare the level of financial support between the three recent natural tragedies.
Actually, what I'd like to talk about is how, right after Katrina hit us, some of the America-haters in the Middle East were likening Katrina to that of a divine terrorist sent by Allah to punish America. Well, if a natural disaster visited upon the States and killing around a thousand of our citizens is explained away as "God's will".....how do they rationalize the deaths of 54,000 in a predominantly Muslim nation? Apparently, that's not God's work, but the work of The United States and Israel (uh huh...just like the government blew up the levees in New Orleans).
There's unsubstantiated speculation about the fate of Osama bin Laden, who may or may not be hiding out in tribal territories that were affected by the earthquake. Terrorist organizations, like al Qaeda, are said to have suffered losses from this catastrophe.
Even though Osama is probably inconsequential as far as being in a leadership position to command, he is still deeply symbolic and important to us, and to our enemies. I've on occasion pondered what the capture or killing of Osama would mean to the world. Would it martyr him? Would it give him even more power and honor, should he die fighting against the imperial giant, America? After all, the ideology he followed would live on, and he'd be an even bigger, larger-than-life folk hero.
Well, if Osama died in this earthquake (which again, is mere groundless speculating), and it was provable, I think that would be the perfect way for him to have been snuffed out from this world. The Al Qaeda leader squashed out of existence by a natural catastrophe, would have to be weighed into consideration by those Muslims who believe that the Hand of God flexes its muscle over the world; they would have to come to terms with the possible fact that God took his divine hand and bitch-slapped the holy hell out of Osama and his terrorist thugs, straight from existence: Do not pass "go", do not collect 73 virgins.
Let God kill him, and have the Muslims sort it all out.
Actually, what I'd like to talk about is how, right after Katrina hit us, some of the America-haters in the Middle East were likening Katrina to that of a divine terrorist sent by Allah to punish America. Well, if a natural disaster visited upon the States and killing around a thousand of our citizens is explained away as "God's will".....how do they rationalize the deaths of 54,000 in a predominantly Muslim nation? Apparently, that's not God's work, but the work of The United States and Israel (uh huh...just like the government blew up the levees in New Orleans).
There's unsubstantiated speculation about the fate of Osama bin Laden, who may or may not be hiding out in tribal territories that were affected by the earthquake. Terrorist organizations, like al Qaeda, are said to have suffered losses from this catastrophe.
Even though Osama is probably inconsequential as far as being in a leadership position to command, he is still deeply symbolic and important to us, and to our enemies. I've on occasion pondered what the capture or killing of Osama would mean to the world. Would it martyr him? Would it give him even more power and honor, should he die fighting against the imperial giant, America? After all, the ideology he followed would live on, and he'd be an even bigger, larger-than-life folk hero.
Well, if Osama died in this earthquake (which again, is mere groundless speculating), and it was provable, I think that would be the perfect way for him to have been snuffed out from this world. The Al Qaeda leader squashed out of existence by a natural catastrophe, would have to be weighed into consideration by those Muslims who believe that the Hand of God flexes its muscle over the world; they would have to come to terms with the possible fact that God took his divine hand and bitch-slapped the holy hell out of Osama and his terrorist thugs, straight from existence: Do not pass "go", do not collect 73 virgins.
Let God kill him, and have the Muslims sort it all out.
posted by The WordSmith from Nantucket at 10/18/2005 12:35:00 AM
6 Comments:
Well...to be fair to us, I think those deaths do weigh heavy on our minds, to those of us who are aware of it. But yeah, in relation to the numbers of dead, our tragedies pale in comparison, yet mainstream only seems to footnote it, or relegate it to page A19. Charitable contributions are not being as aggressively sought after as they were for Katrina.
I do think if Osama were killed by a natural disaster, that should ("would" is another story) give some of his supporters of the religious mindframe pause to think and reflect, whether or not this were divine intervention and the Will of God. Only logical conclusion, if you're the kind who thinks Katrina is a terrorist sent by God; of course, that sort of person doesn't think very rationally, now, does he?
You made a good point. you might want to add, that Saddam's trial started this week. He is facing 14 counts of genocide any one of which is sufficient to ganer the death penalty, and unlike our system, where appeals can make a caase drag on for decades, if he is found guilty he could swing within a month adfter sentencing.
I have always maintained that executing him, and Osama, as well, would most likely make a martyr of them and empower their followers to strive even harder. I thinh the more effective punishment would be to place them in a Spandau type prison, alone, with no contact with anyone for the rest of their lives.
Maybe after giving and giving our pocketbooks are not as full as a few years ago...
Wordsmith: Well you know what would happen if Bin Laden were killed in the earthquake. Al Queda stooges would go out and dress up a couple dozen other victims in American uniforms, put Osama in the center of the group with a rifle, splash some blood around and have Al Jazeera come in and document how Osama died after single handedly taking on an entire brigade of Special Operations soldiers.
Frankly, I'm surprised Robert F. Kennedy Jr. didn't pop his head up to accuse Bush of causing the quake due to our refusal to sign Kyoto. And where is Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Louis Farrahkan?
After all, nearly every single one of the victims of this quake were dark skinned... Just not dark enough I guess.
P.S. I SUPPORT THE MIERS NOMINATION!!!
Politicising Natural disasters, are we?
I am sick of the whole thing.People dying anywhere, be it due to hurricanes, Earthquakes or Tsunami do not need such explanations, they need support!
This was a great post. I enjoyed your humor and your thoughts.
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