The parallels between Mullahs and the right wing loud-mouths

Of my days in madrassas of Pakistan, I do remember the venomous, pedantic diatribes of those mullahs who used their breathless harangues to vilify all those who disagreed with them. I was unable to fathom the depth of their arguments, but boy! They had some effect. Their monologues were passionate and effective. They did make people take action, and most of the time, this action would be destructive. Their impact was limited but vicious. To my surprise, they were never able to gain more than 5% of popular vote in any general elections during the last 50 years in the country. The only exception is the most recent general elections, where thanks to the burgeoning wave of religious sentiments, they have raised their popular appeal to 12%. It’s no rocket science to track down the causes of these gains. The misadventure of Iraq invasion has catalyzed the masses not only in the Muslim world, but also in the western world. In this context, Bush administration’s strategy of inflating and exaggerating the threats to national security by these mullahs had been a great boon for them. This has galvanized the people around them, who otherwise would give them no more importance than mere nuisance.

But now, on my way home everyday, when I listen to Sean Hannity or to Mark Levine when I am late or to Ann Coulter or to Rush Limbaugh, It’s a déjà vu for me. The only difference is their language. Thinking back of those mullahs now, when I am able to make some sense of their non-sense, I am struck by the similarity of venomous uttering between these two groups of people. The similarities are astounding despite there being nothing in common. Both will hammer their audience with only their side of the story. Both will appeal to emotions devoid of any reasoning. Both will shout their opponents down. Both will distort the facts to any stretch of imagination. Both will reinvent history and the worst of all, both won’t mind taking the lives of others in order to prevail. Their tools are instigation and provocation.

Having seen both extremes of this ideological warfare, It's easy to conclude that pornographers like Larry Flint and Hugh Hefner are perhaps the only people other than these right wing loud-mouths, who have abused the freedom of speech to such an extent. Those Mullahs do not have any such freedom documented in their constitution, but they still enjoy it to the same hideous end. Add to this danger is their access to the multitude of masses through radio and television.

To break their grip on these institutions, we have to take certain steps that could counter the influence of their venomous agenda. To this end, the most importat step could be an internet access so cheap not only in America, but around the world, so that people could have access to alternative views. That could come on the heels of education for billions of illiterate people. Their governments have little interest or resources to take steps in this regard. This must be done on the footings of a Marshal Plan. This is the ultimate investment that we can make towards our national security. Once on track, these people would be able to discern seed from the chaffe. Wasn't it education that made America so great in the last century? Once these peole have access to independent sources of in formation other than leaders or governments, they won't be misled by the likes of these pundits that are plaguing our lives. Right now, billions of people have no access to independent sources of news and information, and have to rely on these extremists for information which is obviously tainted. Harvard University is working on cheaper laptops and any support to further this cause of free flow of information will help loosen their grip on the minds of innocent people. Non-profit institutions and charities also need rethinking and redirection along with the United States government for a complete overhaul of their investments. This can be done through United Nations to make a sincere effort for the common good of the humanity. We ourselves are cocooned in our own nationalistic shell and crying others foul. Ordinary American businesses flourish when people around the world are able to make choices. They can add up to this effort and help not only educate but also eradicate hatred against America that is being orchestrated by these right wing instigators.

Republican 2006 Call to Arms- Familiar but more vicious

Want to read the minds of republican strategists? Just read the transcripts of their recent public musings and you will find a list of common threads that run through all of them on the pattern of Wikipedia list of synonyms. Some of these words and terms are,

Islamists

Islamo-Fascists

Terrorist ideologues

Muslim nihilists

Radical dead-enders

etc. etc.

This is just a sample of the thematic props for the republican leaders to win back the lost hearts and minds of ordinary American voters. There is no weapon more powerful than the weapon of fear. Terrorists used this weapon once on 9/11 and achieved their objective. Republicans are using this tactic everyday on American people with even greater success. Their audacity to continue terrorizing American people has gone far beyond the destruction caused by terrorists on 9/11, both in terms of loss of lives and the economy. By now, far more Americans have been killed in conflicts abroad than 2800+ killed on 9/11. The blow to our economy will be felt by this generation, the next generation and the next to next generation. The social services that our seniors and our less fortunate rely on, will almost be non-existent by the time, republicans have fulfilled their narcissist objectives.

Throughout this abstract and asymmetrical war on 'terror', which is in fact a war on a noun, this cabal of greed has estranged ordinary Americans from not only so called 'enemies' of western civilization, but also from the traditional and historic allies. The damage to American interests in most cases long term and some cases permanent. American businesses have lost their niche and their goodwill in common brand areas. Bill boards and signs with American recognition are being replaced or being covered throughout the world. This may not be hurting Boeing, Lockheed Martin or GE, but it is affecting every other consumer businesses. The aversion to American businesses is not being caused by despotic regimes or autocratic rulers; this great dislike has simmered among the general populations of nations, both friends and foes alike.

Democratic leadership in the house and senate is no support to lean on. They are myopic in their own pursuit of pulling political scores, defying the sentiments of their own constituents. They are walking a tight rope of re-election, no matter what. In this tunnel race, they are not willing to give a damn to what their own voters are disgusted about. And mind it, this disgust to republican direction of the country is despite the fact that Americans do not see the horrific images of war, both of the innocent people being killed in hundreds of thousands, designated as 'collateral damage' and our own young men and women. Their opinion is based on just hear say and the verbal tug of war on a few cable channels. If they are able to see the real pictures, the people of this country will demand a U-turn in the course of action, and they will get it.

So, what is the solution? Two things must be done right away,

1- Gather as many images of war as possible and post them online and in the media. These images must reflect the reality on the ground. This won't help wake up the dead conscience of republican leaders, but will let the American people feel what their leaders have brought upon our young men and women and upon innocent men, women and children under the pretext of national security.

2- We must rally around the few sane minds inside the congress and outside of it, the likes of those who might sound controversial but prophetic in the due course of time (no names). In doing so, please beware of the turn coats who will jump on the band wagon once they see it moving