[irishgrl]

I abohor the fact we are so dependent upon Middle Eastern Oil, however, the Sunnis especially have profited GREATLY by our oil consumption. Frankly, since their society has NO other commodity to offer in trade on the world's stage, they NEED our dollars. As for the dichotomy between the haves and have-nots in that part of the world, that is more the fault of THEIR OWN societal makeup and not ours. The house of Saud was powerful long before petrodollars entered the picture. Im sorry but they just cant keep blaming all their troubles on the "evil west."

I also disagree with Livingstone in that I believe it really wouldnt matter to the extremists if we left their countries altogether, (or met any of their other demands) they would STILL find some reason to continue their terror tactics because their ULTIMATE aim is eradication of any who arent followers of Islam. They absolutely HATE the Jews and will NOT rest until there is NO Israel. This hatred goes all the way back to the story of Jacob (the son of Isaac's wife Sarai, and Father of the Jewish line) and Esau (the son of Sarai's handmaiden and the Father of the Arab line). On his deathbed, Isaac blessed Jacob (thinking he was Esau) and gave him control over his flocks, goods, lands as well as the right to inherit the power of patriarch over the Jews (Jacob fathered the 12 Tribes of Israel) and to receive the the blessing of God. The Arabs have raged ever since. Their hatred of Christians stems primarily from the Crusades and the fact that after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, they have been unable to keep pace with the Western World's march of technology etc. They resent everything about Western civilization, and we are ALL infidels in the minds of these extremists.

I personally believe that this fomenting hatred will eventually engulf the world in a final, horrendous struggle. I pray I am wrong, but this is what I see coming. There is hope however if the Moderate Muslims, the ones who say Islam is about PEACE, will step up and take a stand against these extremists. In truth, I believe they are the only ones who CAN make a difference. Until they face the UGLY side of their religion (as Christians have had to do) the extremists will wreak havoc unchecked.

note: Strand quoted me below before I realized I had named some of the principles incorrectly. For that, my apologies, and I believe the info in the current post is correct, and I had the essential facts correct in any event.