This thread discusses the Content article: EAST OF THE DEAD SEA

It's funny how the best laid plans of mice and superpowers can go awry. The Western powers thought they could lay out the future of the Middle East post WWI in finest detail, with the Hashemites as their instrument, and then bang along comes...

Well, most of you have likely read the wonderful Sci-Fi opus the Foundation Trilogy by Issac Asimov, about a group of scientists called the Psycho-Historians,out to restore the Galactic civilization through a political master blueprint called the Sheldon Plan. At one point in the tale the Plan is almost totally broadsided and derailed by something they did not foresee, the arrival of a power mutant know as The Mule. Science fiction and Reality sometimes can mirror each other.

... along comes Arabian counterpart of Asimov's Mule, a hayseed desert monarch named Ibn Saud who boots out the Hashemites and creates what we know know and love as Saudi Arabia and creates a Middle East much different than the mandarins of London or Paris could have imagined. Oh, those damned "unknown unknowns"!

HAAAY! Wait a minute! Psycho-Historians, political master blueprint, and mules (also known as jackasses)?? You're not laying out the early formation of the Democrat party here....are you?

First and foremost, I am using a wonderful Science Fiction novel as a point of take off for a discussion about how any government's policies can be foiled by the Unforeseen. But that is, as you rightly suggest, a great way to knee the pretensions of any form of Statist master planner straight in the nuts!

I think we are Vulcan mind melded on this point, no?

Dr. Jack, I really love and appreciate the pictures of Petra, but if Jordanian women are so gorgeous, where are THOSE pictures? Maybe I should ask Jackson.

The Foundation Trilogy has always been one of my favorite reads. I'm glad other TTPers enjoyed it as well. One point made about the Mule at the end of book three is that he was called the Mule partly because, likes Mules, he was sterile. That pretty much describes the entire democratic party. They are mentally and morally sterile.

Dr. Jack, thanks again for sharing your historical knowledge and your summer adventures with those of us that are somewhat financially challenged.

First, thanks to Chay and eddd7 for their great comedic takes on the Mule story. Hey, was Asimov a Democrat or Republican, anyway? But now on to sterner things.

Dr. Jack is right I'm sure to point out the degree of development and sophistication in Jordan, and how the Middle East would be better off if Arab states at least rose to its level. But not all is well in King Abdullah's paradise. I refer you to some material in the July 4th posting of David Horowitz's Front Page Mag site at:

http://www.frontpagemag.com

First study the article by Stephen Brown. In it he details the outlandish actions of a Jordanian court that supoenaed Geert Wilders (the driving force behind the Fitna film) and several Danes to come and answer to charges of blasphemy against Islam. Since when does the writ of a Jordanian court extend to non-Moslem Europe? But what if it's backed up with a free lance campaign of terrorism (not impossible)? How deep does modernity really run in Jordan?

Next, check out the piece by Janet Levy, who has uncovered a clutch of putrid gems about brazen Fundamentalist Muslim arrogance and pushiness. For starters, it described a communication from Pakistani offical demanding that the EU rewrite it's laws to include bans on any attacks against Islam, with the veiled threat of increasing terrorist attacks against Europeans on their turf if this is not done (which they will move Heaven and Earth to prevent, no doubt). And there's even worse. Apparently the United Nations Human Rights Council was cowed by the Organization of Islamic Conference to accept a change in a resolution on freedom of expression that would make ANY criticism of Islam a hate crime. Allah only knows what the UN brueacracy will do with this. And there are many more such outrages documanted in Ms. Levy's article.

Don't you just get the chill of a feeling that the extremist wackos of all types might just win by stealth?

Petra a wonder!

After the terrorist attack in Jordan didn't the Jordanian Special Forces go into Iraq to kill that Jordanian terrorist? I understand that group of special forces are one of the best in the world. Between them and American Special Forces we got him.

Now what was his name...see how quickly we forget the name of the bad guys.

Petra has long been on my list of places to see. Haven't seen it yet though.

Never knew much of the history of Jordan. Interesting story Dr J. I wonder if any Foggy Bottom pinstripes know about this! I doubt it. I can only wonder what their reaction would be on reading this. I suspect it would be something along the lines of: "D'oh"

jack - There is the hint of it in this nutshell but what prompted the brits to go to bat for the Jews in establishing Israel and how far back in history does that aspiration go and what is the history surrounding it? There is a lot on youtube and the web regarding the movement to establish Israel and all the allegations made about influential jewish leaders in Europe pressuring influential jewish leaders in america to pressure/entice the US into WWI in favor of Britain, etc, etc. Apparently, America entering WWI changed the outcome to Germany being crushed (it seems that Germany was about to win due to the u-boats just prior to America coming in) which lead to a lot of anger in Germany which may have led to the rise of Hitler and also massive anti-jewish sentiment. What is your take on all that?

Also, I read once about a vote in congress just before WWI as to whether to make German the official language of the US. Is that true? and why was there ever a question about English v. German?

Thanks

As to the wackos winning by stealth. They're winning by in your face intimidation due to our foolishness about multiculturalism and PC. I am sure the pols would consider it stealth as they have their heads up their rectums or under the bedclothes of their latest harlot.

Don't malign mules! They sterile hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Unfortunately for the democrats they didn't inherit horse sense which the mule did. I wish the Republican Party would elect the mule forr its party symbol. The elephant has grown senile and forgetful, whereas we need the mule for his horse sense and stubborness!

Here ya go. This may help, as it predates youtube by a little.

http://www.khouse.org/articles/2000/276/