Seven Samurai

The spirit of a fearless man

is in acceptance of mortality

only the dead are without fear

Just Chew It

Life

sucks

then

you

die

Sam-I-Am

Do you like green eggs and ham?

I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

I do not like green eggs and ham.

Would you like them here or there?

I would not like them here or there.

I would not like them anywhere.

I do not like green eggs and ham.

I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Self II

So who then must we be?

Individuality is beautiful.

Love is just the same.

There are many virtues in this life that we should live up to.

But specifically if we must change in order to change this world then

we must be above the system, critical thinkers and the like.

We should not abnegate, but serve our fellow humans by who we are.

We must be able to try to understand and exhibit self control.

Our curiosities should be curiosities of good and

we must be people of purpose and resolve,

for the sake of humanity.

~Philosopher King 

A Little Woman

They are cowards......

they are afraid of a little woman

The Time Machine

The Hubble Space Telescope is a Time Machine
It can see billions of years into the past

The Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 1300
61 Million light-years away

Eta Carinae Nebula NGC 3372
8 Thousand light-years away

Messier 81 NGC 3031
12 Million light-years away

The Cat's Eye Nebula NGC 6543
3.3 Thousand light-years away

The Eagle Nebula NGC 6611
7 Thousand light-years away

The Helix Nebula NGC 7293
7 Hundred light-years away

Young Stars in Magellanic Cloud NGC 346
210 Thousand light-years away

The Red Supergiant Star Monocerotis V838
20 Thousand light-years away

The Crab Nebula NGC 1952
6.5 Thousand light-years away

Hubble Ultra Deep Field Image
13 Billion light-years away

Click and enlarge this image
and see an estimated 10,000 galaxies
as they looked 13 billion years ago

USA-Thou art the Highest Pinnacle of White Anglo Saxon Protestant Civilisation

While Tim Weiners excellent book, "Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA." confirms that U.S. presidents like Kennedy wanted to get world leaders killed by the mafia, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has once again confirmed that there is no difference, if any, between the mafia, U.S. Government and Al-Qaeda.

HA HA HA

So now USA has sent a professional assasin to command its troops in Afghanistan.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'U.S. special squad killed Benazir'
Published: May 18, 2009
NEW YORK (Online) - Former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on the orders of the special death squad formed by former U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney, which had already killed the Lebanese Prime Minister Rafique Al Hariri and the army chief of that country.

The squad was headed by General Stanley McChrystal, the newly-appointed commander of U.S. army in Afghanistan. It was disclosed by reputed U.S. journalist Seymour Hersh while talking to an Arab TV in an interview. Hersh said former U.S. vice-president Cheney was the chief of the Joint Special Operation Command and he cleared the way for the U.S. by exterminating opponents through the unit and the CIA. General Stanley was the in-charge of the unit.

Seymour also said that Rafiq Al Hariri and the Lebanese army chief were murdered for not safeguarding the U.S. interests and refusing U.S. setting up military bases in Lebanon. Ariel Sharon, the then prime minister of Israel, was also a key man in the plot.

A number of websites around the world are suspecting the same unit for killing of Benazir Bhutto because in an interview with Al-Jazeera TV on November 2, 2007, she had mentioned the assassination of Usama Bin Laden, Seymour said. According to Benazir Bhutto, Umar Saeed Sheikh murdered Usama, but her words were washed out from the David Frosts report, he said.

The U.S. journalist opined that it might have been done on purpose because the U.S. leadership did not like to declare Usama dead for in the case the justification of the presence of U.S. army in Afghanistan could no more be there, hence no reason for operation against Taliban.

On the other hand, the diplomatic analysts believe the Benazir Bhutto murder is still a fable and it is for that reason Asif Zardari and other government authorities are stressing U.N. probe in the murder case, also paying huge sums for it.

Another website has disclosed that Benazir was put to death in order to roll back the Pakistan nuclear programme and to take over its nukes, and that India, Israel and the U.S. were making hectic efforts to deprive Pakistan of its atomic capability so as to bring it under their control.

Regarding the Family

It seems that the word family is supposed to usher in all manner of positive concepts enveloping ennobling themes such as love, loyalty and devotion.. It is viewed by most everyone as being the bedrock of our culture and the representative of the very essence of social cohesiveness. Yet under the umbrella of the concept of family lies many untidy and not so attractive realities as well. Only the supposed virtues are extolled; only the inspiring characteristics are open for discussion. The more insidious and incestuous “qualities” of family are conveniently placed out of the scope of consideration. The less attractive aspects of being, however, are often just as common within the fold of the family, but relegated to the unimpeachable darkness.

The crazed uncle possessed by the demons of his impaired and diseased brain, the patriarchal grandfather with a formidable record of abusive and violent behavior, the promiscuous and pregnant daughter sent off to live with an older sister while bringing her growing fetus to term away from the prying eyes of neighbors, the gay cousin convinced by the language of his authoritarian minister that he is a deviant in the eyes of his personal savior are all examples of realities that are surrounded by a formidable cone of silence in an effort to keep alive the mythological quality of wholeness that is supposed to embody the family.

In reality, the family is fragile and flawed like all human institutions. Families and clans are a natural and practical consequence of the biological urge to propagate the species. Within the structure of the family, resides the entire gamut of human proclivities and possibilities. Yet, it seems that only what is believed to exemplify goodness is embraced while that which is unflattering is coerced into the void of the unspoken. It is not truth that triumphs but rather the lie. It is an insidious lie, for it creates a perception of family members and the family that is decidedly one-sided, and for that reason, grotesque. The family mirrors all the aspects that compromise humanity in general and the individual in particular. It should be seen for what it is and nothing more.

It is from the mosaic of the family that the structure of the larger society is built. We have become in many regards a cult of the individual. Children are raised within the assumption and the implicit notion that the individual is the center of existence; that all of the universe gravitates around the singular person with his or her singular consciousness. Individual happiness is the fundamental goal that is seen as the inherent right of us all. Yet state of being happy is poorly understood and remains illusive. The quality of happiness has come to be seen as achievable through the medium of material success and personal achievements. This seems perfectly natural to us, since this is the essence of the message perpetually conveyed through the communications media and thoroughly inculcated in our thinking and perceptions. In this particular social environment, happiness is not equated with the well being of those outside the territory of the family. Even within the family, this is not necessarily the case. This particular idea of happiness is not dependent upon the health of the natural environment nor the state of being of our fellow creatures.

Those who pose as the guardians of life and constantly and vociferously proclaim their unimpeachable belief in the sanctity of life have an exceedingly narrow conception of the life they assiduously protect. It is certainly not the life of those in dire need; it is certainly not the quality or extent of life of those creatures who are destined to be sacrificed so that we may have bountiful sources of nutrition; it is not he life of those fellow humans who have had the misfortune to be regarded as our enemies. Oddly enough, the life they wish to protect are clumps of cells genetically definable as human and destined to be human, but decidedly without consciousness and incapable of pain or suffering. These pre-humans growing within the body of the women who carry them are living, but not individuals. Yet the suffering of so many individuals born into abject poverty and perilous social conditions are of only peripheral interest to those who carry the banners of righteousness. Yet the conditions of those living creatures who the unwilling providers of their bodies for our mass consumption are not regarded in any way by those who proclaim the moral high ground. Those who take up a cause without reason or intellect are dubious and often dangerous for they are capable of justifying terrible deeds in the name of hollow and ridiculous notions.

The cult of the individual has left us with a world whose natural environment has been sorely abused. The cult of the individual has left us with a social order that is remarkably skewed to the few who hold the wealth and its concomitant power. The cult of the individual is not sustainable for it will continue to rob humanity of its future. Until we see the well-being of all as within the purview of our state of happiness, the human world will remain restive and unfulfilled.

Corpus Hypercubus

Salvador Dali-1954

Bad Dream

It all seems like a bad dream

but real torture

still exists all over the world

if it happens to anyone

it could happen to you

Self

[So far] I've concluded that there are three categories to this life.

Church, State, and Self.

Self:

One aspect to life is the aspect of self.

This encompasses the necessities of physical life,

as well as the thoughts that the brain processes.

This aspect is important because of its affects on Church and State.

Who you are determines your life [your experience] in this world

If anything in this world is gonna change, it must be done...

[not through the bureaucracies of state or the liberties of church, but]

...through a change in the aspect of self. We must change///

~Philosoher King

A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey
is a 1968 science fiction film
directed by Stanley Kubrick,
written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke.
It is, in part, the story of the discovery
of a strange artifact found on the moon.
It is seemingly based on the true story.

In the early 1960's, lunar probes sent
back the first close-up photographs of
the moon as they crashed into the surface.
Researchers were astonished when the images
began to reveal more than they could have
ever expected to see. Those images revealed
structures and constructions that were
undeniable. They saw buildings, facilities
and bases with incredible clarity. The next
step was to go up there and see for ourselves.
Man went to the moon and discovered a "Dreamland".

(Sgt. Karl Wolf)
(Lunomaly.com)

The Mad Scientist

Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943) was an inventor and a mechanical and electrical engineer. Tesla was born in the village of Smiljan near the town of Gospić, Austrian Empire, Croatian Krajina. He was an ethnic Serb subject of the Austrian Empire and later became an American citizen. Tesla is often described as an important scientist and inventor of the modern age, a man who "shed light over the face of Earth". He is best known for many revolutionary contributions in the field of electricity and magnetism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tesla's patents and theoretical work formed the basis of modern alternating current electric power (AC) systems, including the polyphase power distribution systems and the AC motor, with which he helped usher in the Second Industrial Revolution.
After his demonstration of wireless communication (radio) in 1894 and after being the victor in the "War of Currents", he was widely respected as one of the greatest electrical engineers who worked in America. Much of his early work pioneered modern electrical engineering and many of his discoveries were of groundbreaking importance. During this period, in the United States, Tesla's fame rivaled that of any other inventor or scientist in history or popular culture, but due to his eccentric personality and his seemingly unbelievable and sometimes bizarre claims about possible scientific and technological developments, Tesla was ultimately ostracized and regarded as a mad scientist. Never having put much focus on his finances, Tesla died impoverished at the age of 86.
The SI unit measuring magnetic flux density or magnetic induction (commonly known as the magnetic field "B"), the tesla, was named in his honor (at the Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures, Paris, 1960), as well as the Tesla effect of wireless energy transfer to wirelessly power electronic devices which Tesla demonstrated on a low scale (lightbulbs) as early as 1893 and aspired to use for the intercontinental transmission of industrial energy levels in his unfinished Wardenclyffe Tower project.
Aside from his work on electromagnetism and electromechanical engineering, Tesla has contributed in varying degrees to the establishment of robotics, remote control, radar and computer science, and to the expansion of ballistics, nuclear physics, and theoretical physics. In 1943, the Supreme Court of the United States credited him as being the inventor of the radio.

Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943)

Tesla Motors

The Tesla Roadster is a plug-in electric car with a range of over 200 miles. The new "Model S" sedan will have a range of 300 miles. This is what we've been waiting for.


Referring to the Tesla Roadster, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "I test drove this vehicle, and it is hot."

I Don't Believe in Karma / I Do Believe in Kindness

I saw some serious sick animals at the vet today, including my own lil' Doodle Cat who was with the dentist this morning to get her world rocked with a weigh-in, a rectal thermometer, some intravenous drugs, a catheter, a dental cleaning and a surprise front-tooth yanking. I don't have good health insurance for myself, let alone Doodle Bug, but she needed to go, I'm hopelessly in love with her, and it had to be done. But what if she didn't have me?

Doodle couldn't wait to get out of there this afternoon, poor thing. But she was in amazing shape compared to poor Sasha, the sweetest, saddest most gentle doll of a 6-year old pooch I've ever seen. She was in the waiting room too this morning, vomiting and beyond miserable. And she can't tell us what's wrong with her! Imagine that? Not being able to scream, "What are my symptoms? WHAT ARE MY SYMPTOMS? My stomach fucking hurtS, I'm hot as an inFerno, and iM ABOUT TO BLOW CHUNKS ALL OVER THIS WAITING ROOM!" Sure, Doodle was to undergo major anesthesia, and I had to sign a waiver saying that if she died in the surgery all was A-OK with it, but at work, my mind was more on Sasha and how she was doing.

When I went to fetch Doodle post-surgery (the staff in the back re-named her Cranky, not surprisingly), I learned from the receptionist that poor Sasha Pants was to spend the night and was resting wrapped in blankets under a heat lamp. The vet tech explained Doodle's pain meds with me when another tech appeared from the back with Sasha--outfitted in a pink cast--to take her for a walk.

Sasha. On her way back from a "walk." Having the RUFFest of days (poor girl didn't have the eye boogers in the morning) would you look at those eyebrows? Ouch.

5:15 p.m. ~ May 12, 2009.

Sasha---feel better soon xxoxoxxoxoo!

Sasha Pup still looked miserable, barely holding up her head and limping along, but she was dealing. I'm to understand she may need a hysterectomy or something, and truly I wish her and human companion (who was understandably frantic about Sasha's condition this morning) the best! Oh, Sasha.

My point? Life is hard. Times are tough. Everything sucks. And when we're feeling low, hopeless and helpless, helping other creatures is the fastest feel-good thing you can do for yourself and in turn, others. The most vulnerable in any circumstances are the innocent and defenseless, and shelters like Bide-a-Wee (Scottish for "Stay while!") improve the lives of suffering animals through rescue, veterinary care, and adoption outreach.

Doodle (aka Cranky), home from the vet with way more drugs and one less tooth. May 12, 2009 ~ NYC

Did you know that adopting an animal improves the lives of humans? It's true! When I encountered Doodle ten years ago, sitting on the shoulder of the girl working the coat check of a Russian Vodka Bar where I was 6 martinis to the wind, I was in no shape to adopt anything. But when Doodle was delivered to my apartment the next morning (3 hours later--did I really give out my card?), my life was changed for the better almost instantly, and she has brought me nothing but unconditional love and joy. And the occasional barf on the carpet. But it's 99% joy. If you can't adopt right now, you can still help make a difference: Feed an Animal for FREE simply by clicking HERE! Every click at theanimalrescuesite.com is a free bowl of food!

Thanks in advance for being a kind person.

Peace, meows and woofs,

Anne & dOoDLE

When a Man Loves a Woman

Percy Sledge

Deviant

I guess this makes me a

deviant rebel...and proud of it

the law?

. . if legal behavior is becoming less humanistic . .
what are humans becoming?

An Appeal To Good Sense and Moral Responsibility

In these days of wartime, where we are granted nary a peaceful moment of respite from battles and conflicts, everyone is a critic of every facet of war but, in their critical stupor, they usually fail to suppose an alternative. Now, I am no fan of war by any means nor do I wish to sing the virtues (or scream the follies) of war. I am merely writing this piece as an appeal to good sense and moral responsibility. I have, after numerous painstaking brainstorms, developed a peaceable alternative to war that will save many lives and shed little to no blood. This alternative is: laser tag. In theory, I'm sure this sounds quite juvenile. "Insurgents and Americans running around with laser rifles competing for points. Yeah, right." In practice, though, the perks will shine through all preconceived notions. Think about it. We could swiftly end all bloody conflicts with a friendly, competitive match of laser tag. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict over Israel? Whatever teams accumulates the highest point sum wins the land! The battle against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban? Simply hold a tournament of laser tag in barren Iraq/Afghanistan. Each side is given a laser rifle recreated to imitate the looks of each sides respective firearms. Suicide bombers will be given an invisible plasma dome laser attack that affects a 25ft. area, ousting anyone in the radius of the invisible blast with the user being out as well. Each team will have a certain number of points that they can use to spend on weapons, upgrade infantry, upgrade armor, fortify base defense, etc. This total will be derived from the regions riches just like real war budgets would be. Invisible car-combs and IED's will litter the playing field and any squad who trips one will be out. Mortar-launching players will sit perched on top of buildings and hills, cloaked by the local landscape, decimating players and scores with a barrage of laser explosions. American snipers will do the same; each headshot is 250 points! No longer will war lead us deeper and deeper into a negative deficit clusterfuck. Real weapons can cost thousands of dollars and real wars can cost $1 million a day! Laser rifles only cost the manufacturer about $10 per rifle (this is not counting shipping and handling). Bombs and missiles only cost dollars more! This means it will cost only about $200 to outfit an entire squadron instead of thousands-millions of dollars. This would also be a great time to work for Hasbro. Possibilities of nuclear attacks got you down? Cataclysmic destruction is now a thing of the past with new Alpha-Omega Centauri Laser Nuclear Assault Missiles! Launch this bad boy in the center of a nations most economic necessity and watch the point totals drop! Fly a one-use laser plane through the force-field of a country's financial mecca and witness the utter decimation of the opposing team's player count. This novel idea will save millions, if not a bajillion quadrillion, of lives over the span of humanity if adopted. Noble citizens, write your local and national congressman begging for this alternative to violent discord. Sing its praises on local television and nationally-syndicated daytime television talk shows. Let out a mighty bellow on the peaks of snow-capped mounts expressing your displeasure with a system that utilizes war as a means of profit; that utilizes people as cogs in their death machines; that advocate slavery guised as freedom and Democracy. Murder is not Democracy! Exploitation is not Freedom! Liberation is Laser Tag!

What you get

Our lives are a sum total

of the choices we have made

there is no "hope"...only choices

you can see it if you look real close...

look real close

On Human Sexuality

Human sexuality plays such a pivotal role in the ontological development, yet, our culture demands conformity in the expression of this fundamental activity. Sex is not only the naturally-driven mechanism by which the species produces descendents, but is a means through which individual humans dispense with their individual selves, even if only for a brief interval of time, and merge with a fellow creature. Some contend that this is the most authentic from of human communication. Sex, of course, is intimately associated with the body. We are animals, after all. There are those who would dispute even this most patent reality.

Those who approach their sexuality in ways different from norm often become objects of scorn and derision. Of course, any sexual practice that does not consider the other person or that is used as a method of abuse, endangering health or used to enslave is unacceptable. But, why should the society at large be interested in the private acts of consenting adults. Why do those who seek to pleasure themselves and others in ways that do not conform to the “norm” not have the right to exercise their own prerogatives in the way they use their bodies in consort with others. Homosexuals are especially vulnerable to the taunts and moral indictments of those who consider themselves to be exemplars of what is construed as normal. The often unanticipated and unique characteristics of living often defy what is paraded as normalcy. The sex drive, for most of us, demands satisfaction. The route to this satisfaction is open to individual discovery, regardless of any societal prohibitions. A significant portion of the organic brain is wired and dedicated to the fulfillment of this drive. Without it, the human race would have been short-lived and intrinsically boring. How many of those who have trumpeted their moral superiority in regards to sexual behavior have been discovered to behave in ways completely counter to their own proclamations? How many of those who claim the moral high ground in the essentially private matter of human sexuality have been rabid proponents of the use of technological weapons of mass destruction against innocent men, women and children whose only crime was to be born in a country that had become our sworn enemy for whatever reason; how many of those who pass such quick judgment on the behavior of others are advocates of public policies that deny access to adequate health care, food, shelter and basic accommodations for many millions of our fellow citizens. Interestingly enough, these same individuals do not approach such life or death issues with the same fervor that they approach how individuals relate to each other in their own beds. Morality seems to be relegated to the bedroom and to nowhere else: a conveniently narrow and well-defined universe. Within this very same puritanical universe, the world of advertising flourishes with its main emphasis placed on the exploitation of sex and the natural human propensity for and obsession with the use and manipulation of the sexual organs. Although sex is not a necessary component of living, it is as much an integral aspect of existence as eating and breathing and sleeping. There are some people of faith who propose abstinence as a method for getting “closer to God.” This, of course, is a personal decision; the journey of life can take many directions. However, within the internecine bowels of the Catholic Church, there are those leaders who continue to enforce the rule that all members of the Catholic clergy and the armies of the cloth that include nuns and brothers must be celibate. It is intriguing that this regulation is not under scrutiny especially given the horrendous scandal that permeates the church regarding the multitude of child abuse cases that have been brought forward in recent years. These “holy of holies” apparently have a remote or non-existent connection to the real tangible world of human beings. When individuals approach puberty, their sexual organs scream out for attention. There is an undeniable biological imperative that drives us all. It is not merely the need to exercise these important bits of human flesh, but also the need for human contact and intimacy. We are creatures of the body as well as the mind. How this reality escapes the Catholic Church’s hierarchy is a complete mystery to me. I think it would be appropriate to ask an obvious question: “What type of personality would be attracted to a way of life in which celibacy is an integral component? Hovering above this organism called the Catholic Church is the ludicrous idea of papal infallibility. If you believe that the pope of the moment has a direct link to the Creator, then it naturally follows that he would be connected to eternal truths whatever they may be. It is quite amazing that a huge organization like the Catholic Church bases its judgments on such fantastic notions. Human sexuality can not be denied no matter how vociferous the pronouncements to the contrary.

Perspective

Pretend that you know nothing

now imagine everything you thought was true, is a lie

now you are in the proper place [mind set]

now you can see clearly

Belgian Triangle

What is it that flies

and makes no sound?

On March 30, 1990, citizens of the city of Brussels spotted a large black triangular craft hovering silently over the city for several minutes. Local police officials arrived on the scene and reported observing the object as it hovered over apartment buildings. One officer reported that the object released a red glowing disk of light from its center which flew down to the ground and darted around several buildings before disappearing. The larger craft eventually departed at high speed.

The Belgian Air Force scrambled F-16s to pursue the craft once it was spotted on ground radar systems. The fighter pilots and radar operators reported that the object would dart ahead at incredible speeds every time they finally had a radar lock on it. One pilot reported the object's speed at over 900 knots. After nine confirmed target locks the object finally vanished from their screens.

Doubt

I'm sure you've had one.
(click above)

paraphrasing Perls . .

"..expecting too much obedience
ends up in spite,"
so how many habits are
in spite of our-selves?

Gandhi: The Movie

A must see

The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania

Therefore the winds, piping to us in vain,
As in revenge, have suck'd up from the sea
Contagious fogs; which falling in the land
Have every pelting river made so proud
That they have overborne their continents:
The ox hath therefore stretch'd his yoke in vain,
The ploughman lost his sweat, and the green corn
Hath rotted ere his youth attain'd a beard;
The fold stands empty in the drowned field,
And crows are fatted with the murrion flock;
The nine men's morris is fill'd up with mud,
And the quaint mazes in the wanton green
For lack of tread are undistinguishable:
The human mortals want their winter here;
No night is now with hymn or carol blest:
Therefore the moon, the governess of floods,
Pale in her anger, washes all the air,
That rheumatic diseases do abound:
And thorough this distemperature we see
The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts
Far in the fresh lap of the crimson rose,
And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown
An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
Is, as in mockery, set: the spring, the summer,
The childing autumn, angry winter, change
Their wonted liveries, and the mazed world,
By their increase, now knows not which is which:
And this same progeny of evils comes
From our debate, from our dissension;
We are their parents and original.

(Act 2, Scene 1000)

(Art by, Joseph Noel Paton 1850)

HOW TO TELL A SIKH FROM A TALIBAN, ILLUSTRATED

[NOTE: If anyone is interested, this is post #500 in the Globalove Think Tank!]


Before I start, let me say that in writing about the Taliban, I am not indicting the Muslim community, which has many good, upright adherents, some of whom I am honoured to include among my friends. Please do not construct anything I say about Taliban to apply to the millions of Muslims who are peaceful, constructive and valued citizens of countries all over the world.

Do to a certain shallow, outward physical resemblance to some Muslim extremists, our Sikh community has been under attack since the 9/11 terrorist attacks by those who don't know any better. Now events in Pakistan, where the Taliban has attacked the Sikhs of the SWAT Valley, forcing them out of their homes, make a comparison of the two groups mandatory for anyone who really wants to understand world events. (And to stop picking on innocent Sikhs, as well.)


First, what exactly happened in Pakistan? The government there has effectively turned over control of a region in the north of the country, the SWAT Valley, over to the Taliban. In a region of this valley called Orakzai live - or rather lived - a few Sikh families. These were poor Sikh farmers who had lived in peace with their neighbours for generations, who had chosen to stay in Pakistan when most Sikhs left to move to India in the Partition of 1948. These are people with few material resources who clearly love their homes and simple way of life.




These were destroyed when the Taliban demanded that they pay a tax on non
Muslims, called a Jaziya. I have read that jaziya was originally paid by nonMuslims in lieu of military service. I have also read that it was originally a financial inducement to convert to Islam. Whatever the original purpose, in this instance, it is clearly simple extortion, not unlike "protection money" paid by business owners to organised crime to insure that the Mob will leave their businesses alone.

The amount demanded by the Taliban, was beyond the means of the community and when it was not paid, the houses of the Sikhs were razed and Sikh businesses were occupied. The Sikhs, seeing yet another massacre looming, fled with little more than the clothes on their backs and a few meager possessions.

In summary:

Lahore: The Taliban has expelled at least 50 Sikh families from the
Orakzai Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) after
they failed to pay 'Jazia'. The Taliban had demanded 12 million rupees ($242,840, GBP 161,271)
as protection money from the Sikhs, who have living in the region from
hundred of years, but they could arrange only 6.7 million rupees.($135,586, GBP 87,355)

Later, it was reported that the extremists occupied houses and shops
of the Sikhs in Qasim Khel and Feroz Khel areas of the Agency and
auctioned their valuables for 0.8 million rupees ( $16,190, GBP 10,750), The Daily Times
reports. Earlier, the Taliban had also demolished houses belonging to
the Sikh community in the region.

The Taliban's Orakzai Agency chief Hakeemullah Mehsud ordered the
demolition of the houses after the Sikhs failed to meet a deadline
fixed for payment.

Having established, I hope, that Sikhs are not Muslim extremists, who then are Sikhs? Briefly, a Sikh is a follower of Sikhi or Sikhism, a panentheistic (look it up!), monotheistic religion that originated in Punjab, in what is now northeastern India and southwestern Pakistan. Rather than summarise the beliefs, which is really beyond the scope of this article, I suggest you go to about.Sikhism and look around. It's interesting and educational.

The religion sprung up and developed at a time when Mughals (Muslims) had imposed a brutal dictatorship on the people of part of what is now called "the Asian subcontinent," that is India and Pakistan. I will now compare some aspects of Taliban and Sikhs.

Since people are generally more visual than verbal, I have included a picture gallery of major differences between the two groups below.

There is a certain superficial physical resemblance. The men of both groups grow beards and wear turbans. The majority of members of both groups are brown. The Taliban, however, are by and large Arabs, with Middle Eastern origins. Although there is a growing number of Sikhs of European and African descent, most Sikhs today are still either Punjabis or descendants of Punjabis.

Taliban discriminate against women in many ways: imposing Muslim dress which completely covers her, denies her education, restricts her movements so she is not allowed to go outside unless accompanied by a male relative. (I wonder what happens to a woman who has no male relatives?)

Sikhi teaches that men and women are equals. In fact, the Sikh Rehat Maryada - the Sikh Code of Conduct - forbids a woman to cover her face.

Here is an example of Sikh music, a sort of hymn called a kirtan. Notice that it has a happy sound and is a joy to hear! Also notice that it is sung by a woman!
.

I cannot give an example of Taliban music, since the Taliban ban music entirely, even to the point of killing songbirds when they controlled Afghanistan.

I cannot give a current example of Sikh government, since the Sikh Empire (1799-1849) governed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh is no longer around. However, two big differences between Sikh rule at that time and Taliban rule now are that capital punishment did not exist in the Sikh Empire, while it is common among the Taliban. And a huge difference, different religions were not only tolerated in the Sikh Empire but were actually respected, while the Taliban not only lack respect or tolerance for other religions, but also condemn all other forms of Islam, their own religion.

But enough of words. I have written enough to tell about the differences, now a few pictures to show the differences.

Note: Should anyone wish to reproduce this post, I will be happy to send you the html to make it easy for you. Just leave your e-mail in a comment or e-mail me at simayanan [at] gmail [dot] com. MHK

Mothers' Day

i smell you in the ocean

and i see you in the sky

i feel you in my heart,

i hear you in my cry

a little girl, 

i thought that everything would last

life was candy lollipops and gumdrops in the sky

lessons came in billions then, followed with a “why?”

a stubbed toe? i thought that i would surely die

a mirror’s glance into my eyes

reveals the part of me that’s you

my heartbeat stops and tears well up

it’s a part of you i wish i knew

as i grew up

i learned to hide my soul

covered tears with bravest smile

in every breath denied the trial

saw an inch and ran the mile

not angry at you anymore

that took too long to say

seven years have passed and yet, 

i miss you every day

twenty-two

but still unsure

i’m tearing down the wall

accepting when i fall

admitting i can’t cure them all

a life without a mother

can tear your heart away

so cherish yours, forever.

and happy mother’s day.

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