Politics, not religion, to blame for Islamic violence worldwide

As a UA alumnus, I have been a regular reader of the Wildcat since 1995, and I am impressed with the debate currently taking place within its pages. There is one important aspect that has not been addressed, however.

The violence we have all witnessed lately is one of politics and not religion. Most of the people inflicting violence now and in the past have largely been greatly ignorant of their professed religion. If one looks at the Muslim world currently, many of its inhabitants are not even allowed to own a Quran or grow a beard because their Islamic governments would arrest them for fear of being too radical (Uzbekistan for example). In other Muslim countries where the Quran is allowed, many of the people are illiterate in their own language and certainly cannot read Arabic, which is the only language in which the Quran can truly be read (Northern Sudan for example). The average post-9/11 American may well know more about Islam than the average Muslim worldwide. On this subject it should be noted that the recent violence in Israel is a bit of a demographic anomaly. [Read article]

The LifeLine program, which debuted this past weekend, may sound like a lifesaver for stranded drunk students without a ride home, but that convenience is outweighed by the fact that it rewards irresponsibility.

Distribution of LifeLine cards to the entire campus is continuing this week, and once people have a card, they will be able to call a toll-free number for a free cab ride in an emergency. [Read article]

The Arizona Court of Appeals dealt a heavy defeat Thursday to concerned citizens who want to keep our streets safe.

Apparently, the fine folks in Tolleson are facing some dangerous traffic conditions around noon on weekdays. In fact, collisions are occurring. These aren't just fender-benders either.

People are getting hurt. Something is wrong and somebody needs to take responsibility. A few of the people injured in one incident decided that somebody is the Tolleson Union School District. So, they filed suit. [Read article]

Almost everyone's heard someone say something to the tune of, "Man, my mom is such a monkey on my back!" I personally haven't, but I'm usually the last in on these things anyway, so I'm just bitter about being left out. Still, I think the "monkey on the back" metaphor is equally effective and appropriate for the description of the role of the state to the nation.

Imagine this: You represent the nation, and the monkey takes the role of the state, an entirely separate entity (linked by his painful clutching to your back, shoulders and occasionally your head) that you don't need to exist, but you allow him to stay for the little things he does, originally intended to help you. [Read article]