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More on our #torture policies

If you haven’t already seen it, read this article in Harper’s entitled “We Still Torture.” Then go listen to “Blackout Beach” by the Kominas. Now we have entered what we may wish to call the post-torture era, except that it is not. Indeed, we cannot even revert to the easy hypocrisy of the Cold War. We have returned to our traditional practice of torturing and pretending not to, but the old routine is no longer convincing. We know too much. We know that we are still imprisoning men who very likely are completely innocent. We know that we still beat…

Tariq Ramadan misses the point

Yup, Sha’ban hits it on the head. Ramadan says the following in his Washington Post op-ed: No doubt, it is the legitimate right of Muslims to build a community center near Ground Zero. Yet, I believe it is not a wise decision, considering the collective sensitivities in American society. This is a moment to go beyond rights and reach for the common good: To build it elsewhere, if possible, would be a sensible and symbolic move. Doing so does not mean we must accept the false premise that Islam is responsible for 9/11, and it does not mean sacrificing one’s…

Muslims Think Mosques are Wrestling Rings!

Today a group of confirmed Muslims attacked another Muslim in a mosque today. Now I understand that there are politics and frustrations involved, but using the mosque as a place of violence can’t be a good thing. Historically it’s where Imam Ali was assassinated, and where Baruch Goldstein committed his atrocity. Have we really sunk to a level that we consider it acceptable to kill and pray in the same place? Isn’t that the worst stereotypes of Muslims made flesh? I know the Minister wasn’t killed, but I’m not sure that wasn’t the ultimate goal. In any event, in a…