You cant just help to know that you are a jew ...you are from a jew blood ..if not for abraham that slept that egyptian slave the arab race would have not ben created. You are from the Jews if you dont know and God cursed you all by saying to ismail that his hand will be on people and that peoples hand will inturn be on them...Thats the reason why you muslim world can and will never win over isreal cos they are ur boss. Today what hitler did is a sorry action cried out by Germans if not for America I am sure you all gonna be dead by now coz Hitler believes in only blonds with blue or green eyes... so nermin or whatever ur name is Go eat a fat Pig and get a life

nermin rhymes with vermin.

A Jew, a Christian and the prophet Mohammed walk in to a bar..........

No, the current wealth of Europe is not due to the good things that the Europeans achieved. It is mostly due to the exploitation.

An interesting thought. Can you explain then what happened after 1945, when Europe's wealth was almost completely exhausted by having fought two world wars. Yet within 20 years most countries in Europe were once again wealthy. Interestingly enough in the 30 years or so since then most of the other countries of the world have also achieved unprecedented levels of prosperity. How did they do this if they were being exploited by the wicked Europeans?

Could it be that Western inventiveness in science, technologies, markets, organisation, governance and law gave benefits both to Western countries and any others that chose to adopt them? I'm sorry, but the evidence just doesn't support your "it's all down to exploitation" theory.

Bob Doney

It is a pleasure to read Nermin's and your responses. ...

Look at all these postings full of hatred in this webpage. Like Arabs are stu... and all. Is this intelligent, or necessary? Who benefits from arguing like that? The same mentality with quite a bit of racist angle

Have you particularly enjoyed Nermin's anti-Semitic rants, and Nermin's claim that I am like Hitler, want to burn Jews, and have a black heart - all apparently carried in my genes?

Tolerance needs to be a two-way street if it is to work.

Bob Doney

"It is obvious in your writing style that your intelligence is above average. It is a pleasure to read Nermin's and your responses. Keep up the good work."
Hey, thanks a lot! Right back at you.

"It is obvious that the developed countries in the west have been enjoying extremely high level of wealth, mainly due to the capitals gained from the 20th century resource exploitations of the undeveloped countries."
Untrue, and I seriously doubt you could find any reputable historian or economist to back up that claim. You could always try to dig up a Communist historian who'd reaffirm your belief in "the exploitation" of the masses. Now, bear in mind I'm not approving the colonialism or imperialism of old.

There are three major reasons for the undeniable success of the West:
1. Geography: We lucked out and got domesticated animals at an early stage, a forgiving climate,and the benefit of being influened by Middle Eastern, Asian and African cultures. I'm not too proud to admit that.
2.Capitalism! The importance of this cannot be over-emphasized! Corruption, nepotism and oppression could have easily undermined the benefits of geography.
3. Christianity (though not all researchers include this): Not because God dotes on his followers but, because Christianity contains the components needed for a free society to flourish. Most other religions are static and resistant to change, some even reactionary. Muhammed for instance stated that "My generation, then the next, then the next...."
If you compare the Bible to the Qu'uaran (if I'm spelling it wrong, please correct me),
you will find that the Bible is not a chohesive whole, but rather an anthology of texts written by humans, which are by definition imperfect. On the other hand Muslims regard the authenticity of the Qu'aran to be above all doubt and reproach.
The separation of church and state promoted by Christianity is another huge part of the West's success as well as its inherent compatibility with capitalism.

""peaceful!" and "democratic!" settings."
What's with the quotation marks? Even if your premise, unlike mine, is that the wealth of the West is entirely based upon exploitation, surely you must concede that Western societies are indeed "peaceful" and "democratic", particularly if you start comparing them to other nations.
No?

"Some European countries are progressive but at the same time selectively fair, very opportunistic, and exploitationist (if such a word exist!)."
I'm going to need examples. Do you have any idea how much relief and aid developing countries receive from the West? In addition, there are plans in the works for MAJOR debt cancellation?
Hell, the Palestinian economy is entirely dependent upon support from the EU. Why the Arabic countries are not the ones lifting this burden I don't know...

"I support any writer's right to express his/her opinion, but I also hold the right to condemn the level of ignorance that this so-called writer and the publisher to carry on with such a line of publishing."
Excellent! That's what freedom of expression is all about: The free exchange of ideas.
Jyllands-Posten were entitled to publish those cartoons and YOU are free to demonstrate and call them disrespecful fools for doing it. If people voice their outrage peacefully no one will bat an eye.

"Respect and tolerance are the most important principals for a peaceful and progressive world where we can all share and enjoy its resources"
I think everyone can agree about the crucial importance of those principles. I certainly can.

"It is a complete and unnecessary stupidity, due to absurd ignorance, and lack of respect."
Are you aware of the context in which the cartoons were commisioned?
I'll be happy to play "Devil's advocate" and explain it to you if you have not...

"Look at all these postings full of hatred in this webpage. Like Arabs are stu... and all. Is this intelligent, or necessary? Who benefits from arguing like that?"
To be fair, there are asshats on both sides, including Muslims.
Neither of these groups contribute to a meaningful dialogue, e.g. "Muhammed was a pedophile", "Lol, arabs r teh suxors" or "Crush the heads of the Danes!", or "Hay, guys. less go burn the danish flag!"

As for whom it benefits, the answer is clear: No one!

PS: I really appreciate being able to have a clam and collected conversation about this without it escalating into a flame war. Thank you.

PPS: I'm having massive problems posting (probably due to the server load) so it may be awhile before I can get back to you.

"It is obvious in your writing style that your intelligence is above average. It is a pleasure to read Nermin's and your responses. Keep up the good work."
Hey, thanks a lot! Right back at you.

"It is obvious that the developed countries in the west have been enjoying extremely high level of wealth, mainly due to the capitals gained from the 20th century resource exploitations of the undeveloped countries."
Untrue, and I seriously doubt you could find any reputable historian or economist to back up that claim. You could always try to dig up a Communist historian who'd reaffirm your belief in "the exploitation" of the masses. Now, bear in mind I'm not approving the colonialism or imperialism of old.

There are three major reasons for the undeniable success of the West:
1. Geography: We lucked out and got domesticated animals at an early stage, a forgiving climate,and the benefit of being influened by Middle Eastern, Asian and African cultures. I'm not too proud to admit that.
2.Capitalism! The importance of this cannot be over-emphasized! Corruption, nepotism and oppression could have easily undermined the benefits of geography.
3. Christianity (though not all researchers include this): Not because God dotes on his followers but, because Christianity contains the components needed for a free society to flourish. Most other religions are static and resistant to change, some even reactionary. Muhammed for instance stated that "My generation, then the next, then the next...."
If you compare the Bible to the Qu'uaran (if I'm spelling it wrong, please correct me),
you will find that the Bible is not a chohesive whole, but rather an anthology of texts written by humans, which are by definition imperfect. On the other hand Muslims regard the authenticity of the Qu'aran to be above all doubt and reproach.
The separation of church and state promoted by Christianity is another huge part of the West's success as well as its inherent compatibility with capitalism.

""peaceful!" and "democratic!" settings."
What's with the quotation marks? Even if your premise, unlike mine, is that the wealth of the West is entirely based upon exploitation, surely you must concede that Western societies are indeed "peaceful" and "democratic", particularly if you start comparing them to other nations.
No?

"Some European countries are progressive but at the same time selectively fair, very opportunistic, and exploitationist (if such a word exist!)."
I'm going to need examples. Do you have any idea how much relief and aid developing countries receive from the West? In addition, there are plans in the works for MAJOR debt cancellation?
Hell, the Palestinian economy is entirely dependent upon support from the EU. Why the Arabic countries are not the ones lifting this burden I don't know...

"I support any writer's right to express his/her opinion, but I also hold the right to condemn the level of ignorance that this so-called writer and the publisher to carry on with such a line of publishing."
Excellent! That's what freedom of expression is all about: The free exchange of ideas.
Jyllands-Posten were entitled to publish those cartoons and YOU are free to demonstrate and call them disrespecful fools for doing it. If people voice their outrage peacefully no one will bat an eye.

"Respect and tolerance are the most important principals for a peaceful and progressive world where we can all share and enjoy its resources"
I think everyone can agree about the crucial importance of those principles. I certainly can.

"It is a complete and unnecessary stupidity, due to absurd ignorance, and lack of respect."
Are you aware of the context in which the cartoons were commisioned?
I'll be happy to play "Devil's advocate" and explain it to you if you have not...

"Look at all these postings full of hatred in this webpage. Like Arabs are stu... and all. Is this intelligent, or necessary? Who benefits from arguing like that?"
To be fair, there are asshats on both sides, including Muslims.
Neither of these groups contribute to a meaningful dialogue, e.g. "Muhammed was a pedophile", "Lol, arabs r teh suxors" or "Crush the heads of the Danes!", or "Hay, guys. less go burn the danish flag!"

As for whom it benefits, the answer is clear: No one!

PS: I really appreciate being able to have a calm and collected conversation about this without it escalating into a flame war. Thank you.