Muslim Saveeda Warsi / British Parliament: Christian minorities 'endangered' in Middle East

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / Nov 16 2013

November 16, 2013 at 12:12am  BBC

Christianity is at risk of extinction in some parts of the world due to growing persecution of minority communities, a Muslim minister has warned.
Baroness Warsi said Christians were in danger of being driven out of countries, such as Syria and Iraq, where the religion first took root.

Syria's civil war and the instability in Iraq has seen many leave.
Baroness Warsi said politicians had a duty to speak out against persecution and appeal for religious tolerance.

In a speech at Georgetown University in Washington DC, the foreign officer minister - who also has responsibility for faith communities - said one in ten Christians were living in countries where they were in a minority.

Full title  The Rt Hon. the Baroness Warsi

Name  Sayeeda Warsi

Party/group Conservative, British Parliament

'Seen as other'

She told that the BBC that in some cases, Christians were being targeted for "collective punishment" by majority groups in retaliation for what they perceive as the injustices committed by Western powers.

"I am concerned that the birthplace of Christianity, those parts of the world where Christianity first spread, is now seeing large sections of the Christian community leaving and those that are remaining feeling persecuted," she told Radio 4's 'Today'.

"Tragically, what's happening is they are being seen as newcomers, being portrayed as an 'other' within that society, even though they have existed there for many, many centuries," she said.

The Conservative peer said Christians were seen as "legitimate targets" over the perceived actions of their co-religionists.

"This concept of collective punishment and them being seen as agents of the West or agents of regimes is wrong," she added.

"We need to speak out and raise this with the countries where this is happening."
Religious pluralism made countries stronger in a whole variety of ways, she said, from broadening the range of educational opportunities to injecting economic dynamism.

'Political will'

Baroness Warsi, who was Britain's first female Muslim cabinet minister said she had already had "very frank conversations" with ministers in Pakistan, telling them senior politicians must set a standard for tolerance.

"Politicians do have a responsibility to set the tone, to mark out legal parameters as to what will and will not be tolerated."

She added: "There's an international consensus, in the form of a Human Rights Council resolution on the treatment of minorities and tolerance towards other faiths. But we need to build political will behind that.

"Of course there have been moments when religious communities have been in conflict, but there have also been great moments of co-existence between faiths. There isn't an intrinsic clash between different faiths."

The minister has previously warned about the dangers of "militant secularisation" in the UK.

The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales said he agreed that the very existence of Christianity was under threat in some parts of the Middle East.
"There are real challenges for Christians in this part of the world to support and get alongside them and also for politicians to understand that the presence of Christians is a great mediating factor, often for example between different segments of Islam," the Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols told 'Today'.

• 

  Write a comment...

Democrats are Racist. How Long Will the Black Community Put Up With This?

  Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / Nov 13 2013

Democrats want to keep young Black, and poor White, Children trapped in failing Government/Public schools. They oppose School Choice programs that would allow young Blacks, and poor Whites, from getting better educations. Democrats keep lying how they are all about “Choice” until it comes to actually giving you any real Choices.

By: JLenardDetroit (Diary)  |  November 13th, 2013 at 04:29 PM  | 

When will the Black Community tell the Democrats to STOP insulting them? When will they recognize the Democrat Party lies?

Four Points…

1. ABORTION
Democrats want large numbers of Abortions within the Black Community as a means of suppression and control. Democrats always proclaim that they want CHOICE but Abortion to be SAFE AND RARE. Democrats claim Republicans want to make Abortion illegal. Let’s examine these LIES.
Republicans controlled the House, the Senate, and the Presidency under George W. Bush – did they at any time attempt to make Abortion illegal? NO. Did they at any time attempt to infringe on Abortion Rights? NO! Republicans control the House, Senate, and Governorship of several States – have they, in any of them, moved to make Abortion illegal? Again, NO!
Democrats want Abortion to be SAFE AND RARE. Texas, and other States, demonstrates that LIE! Texas has moved to make Abortions SAFE, and to protect Women’s Health, by requiring Abortionists to have admitting privileges/rights at a local Hospital. Have they attempted to make Abortions illegal? NO! Democrats have fought these Common Sense PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN and want Abortion to be available ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME by anyone with a Coat-hanger to perform them.

2. EDUCATION / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION / SCHOOL CHOICE
Democrats continually tell the Black Community that their children are inferior and just too stupid to make it on their own. They insist you need Democrats and their Affirmative Action policies. Democrats want to keep young Black, and poor White, Children trapped in failing Government/Public schools. They oppose School Choice programs that would allow young Blacks, and poor Whites, from getting better educations. Democrats keep lying how they are all about “Choice” until it comes to actually giving you any real Choices.
Republicans wish to do something about the continued decline of Education in America. Democrats want to continue to dumb down everyone, generation by generation.

3. VOTER ID
 How many times are people going to continue to allow Democrats to call the Black Community STUPID AND LAZY?
Democrats say they have to oppose Voter Id because Blacks are (too stupid and/or lazy and) incapable of getting a Free Id. Republicans treat you with the dignity and respect to know that most Blacks already have Ids and that others are more than intelligent enough and capable of obtaining them and that Programs can, could, and should be created by non-profit “Get Out The Vote” Groups to assist the poor and/or anyone else that does not already have one and get them to a DMV office for their FREE ID.

4. 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
Democrats are for Gun Control in the Urban Communities and keeping Blacks from being able to protect themselves in their own homes. Democrats want you to continue to be victims of Crime while they continue to be, and appoint Judges who are, soft on Criminals.
The Democrats LIE. Republicans and TEA Party members are constantly being accused of being Racist just for opposing bad policies of Barack Obama that has disproportionally effected the Black Community – higher unemployment, more people becoming poor not less, etc. It’s time to ask yourself, given the FACTS and positions of the Parties – Who are the real Racists?!?!?! Republicans focus on POLICIES and EQUALITY while Democrats obsess over Obama’s Race. Republicans insist Obama be treated EQUAL to other Presidents, while Democrats insist that because he is Black he must be treated differently — THAT IS RACIST!





When will the DENIAL end?
See related: Liberals’ Religion is Government – their motto: Separation FROM Church TO State – at: http://rattlewithus.ning.com/profiles/blogs/lib-religion

Democrat Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) Runs For Cover -- Now Says: Kill the 'Death Panel'

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / Nov 13, 2013

---

by Joel B. Pollak 13 Nov 2013, 9:08 AM PDT 

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) said on C-SPAN Wednesday morning that the Independent Payments Advisory Board (IPAB)--the so-called "death panel" of Obamacare, which will cut Medicare costs by restricting care--should be "revisited."

His comments came as more Democrats are joining calls to amend Obamacare, in particular by supporting the Keep Your Health Plan Act, proposed by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), which would fulfill President Barack Obama's oft-repeated promise that patients could keep their existing health insurance.

Cardin was responding to a caller who had expressed concerns about the constitutionality of the IPAB, which former White House Office of Management and Budget director Peter Orszag has championed as a central part of Obamacare.
Cardin said, via the Washington Free Beacon:

"The Affordable Care Act contains many provisions. I strongly supported the bill itself. But in terms of that particular provision, I agree, there are certain concerns that I have. The purpose of the board is to make sure that health care costs are maintained at a reasonable level and that there is an objective review of the payments made under the healthcare system. That was the main purpose of this board in its report. It comes into effect under certain circumstances. It has not been implemented yet, but it is a provision in the law that needs to be revisited to make sure the concerns you expressed do not occur."

Former Gov. Sarah Palin once called the IPAB a "death panel," and was mocked for doing so. Now, however, it appears that Democrats are worrying about political backlash against the IPAB from their constituents.

Veterans Day -- A Child's Remembrance of Wars Past.

 


Verne Strickland / November 11, 2013

I'm 76 years of age now. But at the other end of my life -- my boyhood -- I was so fresh and seeking. I want to talk about the war that many of us think most about on Veterans Day -- the Second World War, which gave us 'The Greatest Generation'.

There were other 'Greatest Generations', I think, where our Armed Forces pitted their lives against the enemy for the sake of freedom. From Korea to the Gulf to Viet Nam to hell and back. From Pearl Harbor to a final payback which left HIroshima and Nagasaki in flaming ruins. In many ways, in every theater, it was all the same for those in uniform. Same mission, different enemies, but all with the same death grudge against America.

I was four years old when World War II began, and eight when it ended. Of course, I have no recollection of the earliest years. But later, as the impact of the war grew more intense on the battlefields, and the homefront, I began to realize how serious this massive battle was.

We rationed food, tires, metal. In the little country village where I was raised, mule-drawn wagons brought the farm people to town. Those who could afford cars often drove on tire rims because no rubber was available. That went to the war effort. So did most of the fuel. Many of the roads were dirt, even the 'streets' in the town were not paved. The rims cut grooves in the roadway, which was mostly clay, and made a distinctive gritty sound as they carved their way slowly toward town. That was the way it was.

From the country crossroads to the cities across America the men went to war. Most were young, but fathers went too. And daughters, mothers, sisters. They were our neighbors. Many just never appeared again. That's how a boy saw it. There were tears, widows in black, and gold stars in the windows. It was a sad, tense time.





A popular, handsome boy next door to us was in the Navy. He was captured by the Germans somehow, and died a prisoner of war. They said he was machine-gunned on a cattle car with other Americans being transported from one camp to another. I have since seen photos of those freight trains with sinister helmeted Nazi guards atop the boxcars, ready to kill anyone who tried to escape. Harold apparently died that way. His mother back in North Carolina was brave, but she was never the same again.

Another family had three sons and a daughter in the war. I seem to recall that all fought in Europe. There were lots of pictures of them throughout the big house where the family lived. They gave us war souvenirs -- Nazi arm-band swastikas, flags, and cartridge belts.

One of the boys survived the Battle of the Bulge. He drank away the memories and became an alcoholic. A gentle guy. Everyone liked him and tried to help him. The other two boys appeared to recover from their war experience. But I know now, as an adult, that the memories are seared into their souls and merely hidden away.

Another of their sons became a minister. I attended his funeral not many years back. It was held in the lovely little Episcopal church he attended as a youth, as I did. The community turned out in force. We had been quite proud of him. 

Their daughter was tall, slim and dark-haired -- the town's sweetheart. She was a WAVE, and a real beauty in her crisp Navy uniform with the smart white cap. She became a teacher after returning from overseas. I was in her class. Truly a lucky boy.



This was a truly wonderful American family, which sent all of their children into war. It was a gesture many made during that time. I understand much more about that now than I did in the past. We sacrificed for America's freedom. The price for some was daunting.

The war came to me through the big floor radio in our living room. I would often switch over to the short-wave transmissions in Morse code. The commentators sounded like they were halfway around the world. And they were. The way the radio signal drifted and squealed made the newscasts sound mysterious and foreign. I hung on every word.

But the look of the war was conveyed by stunning photos in "Life" magazine. My dad always subscribed to it, and it was where my real impressions of the war came from.

The littered, smoking, alien battlefields, the fierce man-to-man combat, the death and carnage that enveloped friend and foe, the jungle, roaring flame-throwers, kamikaze Japanese bayonet charges, the Bataan Death March. Across Europe, the cruel, hardened Nazis, Panzers, death camps of Hitler's 'final solution, the air war where American pilots finally dominated, the great wars at sea where huge carriers and battle wagons slugged it out, and submarines played deadly cat-and-mouse games deep beneath the surface.



I say that I lived it, experienced it. I didn't. At times I wished I had. But there is no way to know how good a soldier I would have been. Even then I loved our country, loved our brave GIs and all Americans in the sprawling war effort. I knew it was for keeps.

Finally, when I was only eight years old, our mother called to me and my two brothers and brought us into our living room. She was in tears. She held us all close for a minute or more. We were confused and fearful. Finally she raised her head and said, "Thank God, boys. The war is over."

It was a moment I'll never forget. We still had a lot of work to do in the Pacific. So the suspense and news dispatches from the front continued. But we knew the end was in sight. America would be victorious. We would triumph over evil -- one Nation under God.

This is what I remember and cherish on this Veterans Day 2013.

"Kristallnacht": Night of Broken Glass -- November 9, 1938. Holocaust Launched.

"Kristallnacht"


On the night of November 9, 1938, the sounds of breaking glass shattered the air in cities throughout Germany while fires across the country devoured synagogues and Jewish institutions. By the end of the rampage, gangs of Nazi storm troopers had destroyed 7,000 Jewish businesses, set fire to more than 900 synagogues, killed 91 Jews and deported some 30,000 Jewish men to concentration camps. In a report back to the State Department a few days later, a U.S official in Leipzig described what he saw of the atrocities. "Having demolished dwellings and hurled most of the moveable effects to the streets," he wrote, "the insatiably sadistic perpetrators threw many of the trembling inmates into a small stream that flows through the zoological park, commanding horrified spectators to spit at them, defile them with mud and jeer at their plight."





An incident several days earlier had given the Nazi authorities an excuse to instigate the violence. On November 7th, a 17-year-old Polish Jewish student named Hershel Grynszpan had shot Ernst vom Rath, the Third Secretary of the German Embassy in Paris. Grynszpan, enraged by the deportation of his parents to Poland from Hanover, Germany, where they had lived since 1914, hoped that his dramatic action would alert the world to the ominous plight of Europe's Jews. When the French police arrested Grynszpan, he sobbed: "Being a Jew is not a crime. I am not a dog. I have a right to live and the Jewish people have a right to exist on earth. Wherever I have been I have been chased like an animal." The assassination attempt was successful; vom Rath died on November 9th.

News of the Third Secretary's death reached the leading figures of the Nazi party later that day while they were attending a dinner in Munich. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels delivered an inflammatory speech, urging the assembled crowd to take to the streets. The message was clear: The Jews of Germany would have to pay for vom Rath's death. Later that night Reinhard Heydrich, the head of the Security Service, sent a series of orders to all State Police offices: Business establishments and homes of Jews could be destroyed but not looted; German life and property should not be jeopardized; and as soon as the events of the night permitted, officers should arrest as many Jews, particularly wealthy ones, as the local jails would hold.

The following day Goebbels announced, "We shed not a tear for them [the Jews.]" He went on to comment on the destruction of synagogues saying, "They stood in the way long enough. We can use the space made free more usefully than as Jewish fortresses."



"Kristallnacht" provided the Nazi government with an opportunity at last to totally remove Jews from German public life. It was the culminating event in a series of anti-Semitic policies set in place since Hitler took power in 1933. Within a week, the Nazis had circulated a letter declaring that Jewish businesses could not be reopened unless they were to be managed by non-Jews. On November 15th, Jewish children were barred from attending school, and shortly afterwards the Nazis issued the "Decree on Eliminating the Jews from German Economic Life," which prohibited Jews from selling goods or services anywhere, from engaging in crafts work, from serving as the managers of any firms, and from being members of cooperatives. In addition, the Nazis determined that the Jews should be liable for the damages caused during "Kristallnacht." "The Decree on the Penalty Payment by Jews Who Are German Subjects" also imposed a one-billion mark fine on the Jewish community, supposedly an indemnity for the death of vom Rath.

Although the atrocities perpetrated during the Night of Broken Glass did arouse outrage in Western Europe and the United States, little concrete action was taken to help the Jews of Germany. At a press conference on November 15th, President Roosevelt said, "The news of the past few days from Germany has deeply shocked public opinion in the United States... I myself could scarcely believe that such things could occur in a 20th century civilization." The president also instructed that the 12,000-15,000 refugees already in the U.S. on temporary visitor visas could remain in the country indefinitely.

Parents and Concerned Citizens: Get the Low Down on Common Core Nov. 14, Greensboro

Are you a parent or concerned citizen who wonders what you can do to confront the impact of Common Core Standards in your child’s school? If you are then please join us on November 14th in Greensboro at the Sheraton Greensboro Four SeasonsNC 3121 High Point Road
Map and Directions | Register

Join Heather Crossin and Erin Tuttle,  the two Indiana moms whose efforts ignited a movement that led to the first statewide slowdown and re-examination of Common Core Standards in the nation.
Additional Speakers include:
Dr. Terry Stoops Director of Research and Education Studies, The John Locke Foundation
Tammy Covil: Member, New Hanover County Board of Education
Dr. Bob Luebke Senior Policy AnalystCivitas Institute
When :   Thursday November, 14th
Registration: 8:30 AM-9:00 AM
Event Time: 9:00AM – 2:30 PM
Where:   Sheraton Greensboro Four Seasons
Cost:   $15
Register