Perhaps another indicator to look at … the Nobel Prizes for the science and engineering categories. Most of the Nobel recipients for these specific awards typically come from Western nations, along with some Asian nations too. That is because our traditional Western Civ embraces scientific inquiry in the pursuit of objective truth. These rigorous standards enable us to prosper and thrive with higher and higher living standards and prolonged life through better science, medicine and engineering.
There is an occasional “Peace Prize” awarded to specific Islamic thugs and goons (Yasser Arafat) along with other rogue dictators worldwide and political hacks, but this prize recognizing peace is almost always political in nature, and becomes little more than a bad joke.
But … even Western Civ is under threat by regressive injections of DEI and ESG standards, which in the end drives our open inquiry societies into the same kind of tribalism that afflicts so many of the Middle Eastern Islamic societies. These DEI and ESG philosophies must be relegated into that ash heap of history.
I agree, it is hard to believe that their region started and excelled in math, geometry and so many other sciences... to now can't hardly accomplish anything but destroy their own history and the others around them. I was in Iraq in 2004 for the summer, didn't get off the base since we were being shot at and having scuds launched at us regularly. It was still interesting. I would love to visit what is left of the historical places for it's history if its ever safe enough to go.
You've an interesting view of the Arab world that I had not considered before.
I'll try to be civilized, but the problem cannot be stated any other way.
Arabs are saddled with Islam, a cult like following masquerading as a religion using a top-down theocracy to keep the faithful in line. That has not changed since the time of Mohammad.
Add to that the practice of marrying first cousins (and perhaps closer relatives) surely has to have an effect on the overall intelligence of the Muslim adherents.
The Arab ability to procreate and having been blessed by Allah with oceans of oil are pretty much the only things that have kept them from being swept into the dustbin of failed civilizations.
I live in a corner of the Detroit area home to tens of thousands of Christian Arab refugees. Similarly, just across town from me is an enclave of tens of thousands of Muslim Arab refugees.
What's striking about these two suburbs is how similar the people are to each other despite their religious differences. No, neither group would be willing to admit it, and would probably get upset if confronted with this point of view. But as an outsider looking in, you see a lot of similarities. And both groups have a lot of similarities to the other immigrant waves that came before them in the 20th Century.
Despite the obvious differences in clothing and religious practice, both of these groups of people are outwardly kind to native born Americans like myself. They're industrious and entrepreneurial. Both groups produce lots of small business owners, engineers, doctors, attorneys and other professionals. And if they're second or third generation, they're hardly distinguishable from other slightly brown Americans. I'm glad they're around.
It's not all roses and sunshine. Like any group relatively new to this country, they are still in the process of acclimating. There are cultural attitudes they've brought from the Middle East that need to change, but they seem to be. There are nits I could pick about their religious beliefs and practices, but I'm not going to engage in cultural attacks on a group of people I'm not part of. Different is not necessarily bad or good.
The bottom line is I feel comfortable with either group, and I have no problem interacting with them. Many have welcomed me into their homes as neighbors and friends, and the experience has been almost uniformly pleasant. They seem even more committed to American freedom than the natives are, and they sure seem have a can-do attitude about a lot of life's struggles. They have their share of criminals and undocumenteds, but they're a small percentage.
I think the religious hatred expressed by other commenters is absolutely shameful and most likely the product of either ignorance or a wartime experience. I hope those people reconsider and rethink their attitudes. Hatred is the exact opposite of what all religious groups are taught. Maybe you should think about what you really believe and what it teaches you.
Yes, I actually focused on culture, and not on religion at all here, but it's easy to understand why people made that connection. I have some serious issues with the violence that seems to go hand-in-hand Islam, but I haven't studied it to know if that's that's numerically fair.
I mean, historically the number of American soldiers killed by Islam has been a lot lower than Germans, Japanese, Ottomans, Koreans, Vietnamese, British, Mexican and, of course, none more than fellow Americans during the Civil War. So, some perspective is in order.
And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Having worked professionally in civil government where there were a number of Arab emoyees, one thing stands out, they strongly resent being told they have screwed up - there's nearly always a lame excuse. If that excuse is clearly refuted by facts, they try another one....and another...and another. This process typically does not end well. There are exceptions, of course, but the experience of the many seriously reflects on the few.
Wow, Ken. Most informative...
Perhaps another indicator to look at … the Nobel Prizes for the science and engineering categories. Most of the Nobel recipients for these specific awards typically come from Western nations, along with some Asian nations too. That is because our traditional Western Civ embraces scientific inquiry in the pursuit of objective truth. These rigorous standards enable us to prosper and thrive with higher and higher living standards and prolonged life through better science, medicine and engineering.
There is an occasional “Peace Prize” awarded to specific Islamic thugs and goons (Yasser Arafat) along with other rogue dictators worldwide and political hacks, but this prize recognizing peace is almost always political in nature, and becomes little more than a bad joke.
But … even Western Civ is under threat by regressive injections of DEI and ESG standards, which in the end drives our open inquiry societies into the same kind of tribalism that afflicts so many of the Middle Eastern Islamic societies. These DEI and ESG philosophies must be relegated into that ash heap of history.
Just my two cents worth … g’day.
I agree, it is hard to believe that their region started and excelled in math, geometry and so many other sciences... to now can't hardly accomplish anything but destroy their own history and the others around them. I was in Iraq in 2004 for the summer, didn't get off the base since we were being shot at and having scuds launched at us regularly. It was still interesting. I would love to visit what is left of the historical places for it's history if its ever safe enough to go.
The World would be a much better place without muslims.
Well written and to the point.
Ken is always succinct, I love it. His articles are great.
You've an interesting view of the Arab world that I had not considered before.
I'll try to be civilized, but the problem cannot be stated any other way.
Arabs are saddled with Islam, a cult like following masquerading as a religion using a top-down theocracy to keep the faithful in line. That has not changed since the time of Mohammad.
Add to that the practice of marrying first cousins (and perhaps closer relatives) surely has to have an effect on the overall intelligence of the Muslim adherents.
The Arab ability to procreate and having been blessed by Allah with oceans of oil are pretty much the only things that have kept them from being swept into the dustbin of failed civilizations.
I live in a corner of the Detroit area home to tens of thousands of Christian Arab refugees. Similarly, just across town from me is an enclave of tens of thousands of Muslim Arab refugees.
What's striking about these two suburbs is how similar the people are to each other despite their religious differences. No, neither group would be willing to admit it, and would probably get upset if confronted with this point of view. But as an outsider looking in, you see a lot of similarities. And both groups have a lot of similarities to the other immigrant waves that came before them in the 20th Century.
Despite the obvious differences in clothing and religious practice, both of these groups of people are outwardly kind to native born Americans like myself. They're industrious and entrepreneurial. Both groups produce lots of small business owners, engineers, doctors, attorneys and other professionals. And if they're second or third generation, they're hardly distinguishable from other slightly brown Americans. I'm glad they're around.
It's not all roses and sunshine. Like any group relatively new to this country, they are still in the process of acclimating. There are cultural attitudes they've brought from the Middle East that need to change, but they seem to be. There are nits I could pick about their religious beliefs and practices, but I'm not going to engage in cultural attacks on a group of people I'm not part of. Different is not necessarily bad or good.
The bottom line is I feel comfortable with either group, and I have no problem interacting with them. Many have welcomed me into their homes as neighbors and friends, and the experience has been almost uniformly pleasant. They seem even more committed to American freedom than the natives are, and they sure seem have a can-do attitude about a lot of life's struggles. They have their share of criminals and undocumenteds, but they're a small percentage.
I think the religious hatred expressed by other commenters is absolutely shameful and most likely the product of either ignorance or a wartime experience. I hope those people reconsider and rethink their attitudes. Hatred is the exact opposite of what all religious groups are taught. Maybe you should think about what you really believe and what it teaches you.
This is a great writeup ... thank you.
Yes, I actually focused on culture, and not on religion at all here, but it's easy to understand why people made that connection. I have some serious issues with the violence that seems to go hand-in-hand Islam, but I haven't studied it to know if that's that's numerically fair.
I mean, historically the number of American soldiers killed by Islam has been a lot lower than Germans, Japanese, Ottomans, Koreans, Vietnamese, British, Mexican and, of course, none more than fellow Americans during the Civil War. So, some perspective is in order.
Re. Ishmael's;
God's ignored word says "Genesis 16:12
And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Having worked professionally in civil government where there were a number of Arab emoyees, one thing stands out, they strongly resent being told they have screwed up - there's nearly always a lame excuse. If that excuse is clearly refuted by facts, they try another one....and another...and another. This process typically does not end well. There are exceptions, of course, but the experience of the many seriously reflects on the few.
I suppose you don’t need a war machine if you can take over a country from the inside
Theyve lost wars since 1948 with Isreal creation & Biblical times too.
Only use terrorisim since BC era to date
Could it be that our Democrat Party is receding into the same level of culture?