I have even learned to come to grips with the thought that innocent civilians can sometimes become “collateral damage” in the war on terrorism. It is the terrorists’ intentional targeting of civilians that I cannot tolerate.

And I think that anyone who sets out to harm the innocent is an abomination to Christianity, Islam, and humanity in general.

I *do* think that Dick Cheney and the rest of the neocon cabal behind the throne are truly godless pig-dogs who will stop at nothing to maintain and expand their power.

As for oil, it is a good and useful thing if we use it judiciously. But America and Europe, comprising just 10% of the world’s population, are using up nearly half of its oil reserves.

It causes us a lot of trouble, starting with the fact that our dependence on it leaves us very intensely involved with a politically and religiously backward part of the world.

And another reason that Iranian fundamentalists know that they can act with impunity is because neither America or Europe can afford to hit them with an embargo without driving the price of oil to record levels, which would seriously dampen our economic growth.

Regarding oil, most people like heating their homes in the winter or fueling their cars. Oil…I’m for it!

Remember the “Yellow Peril” arising from all the Chinese immigrants who ostensibly threatened our civilzation at the turn of the 20th century? And the “Papist threat” from all the Italian and Irish Immigrants who arrived on the East coast? As far as I know, America is not beholden to either Peking or Rome.

There is a ‘clash of civilizations’ going on, but it is not necessarily Islam vs. Christianity, it is a case of fundamentalism vs. rationalism. Bush aids fundamentalists’ cause by behving in a manner that confirms their image of USA as the Zionist puppet and aggressor who bombs & strafes innocent civilians and Imperial ruler who supports corrupt dictatorships as long as they sell him oil.

The Islamic fundamentalists return the favor by funding terrorists to kill innocent civilians.

I also find it funny that a lot of folks who oppose Darwinism in biology seem to be support the “us vs. them” view of Social Darwinism. I promote the “Intelligent Design” approach to social policy.

In my world it is US or THEM. It’s called “survival of the fittest”. Just because you don’t believe in reality doesn’t mean reality doesn’t have a surprise for you.

I work out my weekly aggression by harassing the weak, defenseless, and stupid… and that’s just on the internet. Shall we go for another round –Fubar?