www.owohrod.com.

So, how is the West, to begin with, can successfully confront the existentialist threat and challenge with Islamic State poses to it?  Well, it certainly is an extremely difficult matter, especially for 'liberal democracies' which practice secularism.  To stand any chance of success, it seems to me that the situation has to be clearly defined and described, and then, equally carefully analysed.  It requires all the stakeholders - contributors from all sectors of the societies concerned.  Both lay members and 'experts', faith leaders, and people of all the composite ethnic make up of the populations - to take part in the debate.  It requires people to be given relevant information about the 'problem' or the 'concerns'.  What is the 'threat'? 'What factors have given rise to the threat'?  'What factors support, promote or feed into the threat, and what factors could decrease it'? I am probably biased, coming from

'The playing field between religious political legitimacy, and that of secular political legitimacy, is irreconcilably asymmetrical. In that, whereas the legitimacy of the latter is premised, under normal circumstances, on the freely expressed 'will of the voting electorate', the former is based upon the reputed, but unproven authority of a presumed 'divine' being or entity, called 'god. Whereas the latter is transparent and rational and scientific, under normal circumstances, under all circumstances, the former lacks transparency, accountability, and is not open to the scrutiny of scientific investigation, therefore meeting the criterion for being 'irrational.' The matter of religion and the apparent need which humans have for it, remains a constant factor in probably all our societies. Although there are differences between societies, regarding the kinds of religious practices they perform, the proportion of their population that are act

So, I am told, I have to live in this nursing home, where I have my own comfortable bedsit, which I am able to personalise.  Although it is still not my home. And I have workers, people who provide me with regular meals, and ensure that I have sufficient and appropriate clothes to wear.   That I am provided with all the essentials which they perceive me as needing.  But I believe that I do not have to pay for these things, for the care they are providing me with. Although, at other times it seems that I am paying for them. However, for the most part, my understanding that the 'government', 'the authorities', pay for them.  Which means that I not need to have money while I live here, which explains why my purse is empty.  But there are other times when it seems that I am having to pay to live here.   Because I am told that the 'authorities' will sell my house so that they can pay for the care I am receiving.  Even though I would, I some

It is, it is widely reported believed, that 'Islamic State' and its associates are, overtly and/or covertly, getting support from the conservative orthodox Sunni Muslim states in the Middle East.  Probably mainly from Saudi Arabia, and other UAE states which have been funding Islamic institutions in poorer, predominantly Muslim countries, as well as in Europe.  And are using these contacts to maintain and spread orthodox Islam.  Arguably, Saudi Arabia and the more influential GCC countries in the Middle East, and Asia, are involved in a game of duplicity with the west.  On the one hand, they have used they money to ingratiate themselves with Western governments and political and business leaders, thereby creating a 'self-protective interdependency.'  While, on the other hand, these same countries are using the manipulation of Islam to subvert, and probably bring about the collapse of 'western enlightenment and way of life.'  Which, despite their

Continuing to listen to the Service, which, notwithstanding my non-believer status, I sometimes get a lot of pleasure from.  Mainly due to the harmony of some of the songs, being reminded of years gone by and experiences had, and of how religion, without the god factor, can really bring pleasure and happiness to the lives of people.  I was caused to compare what a male contributor was saying about how 'god accepts you as you are.'   Imagine that; god 'accepting you as you are'? Which I took as meaning that god will accept you as a person who is also a lesbian or homosexual.  Poor or rich, believer or non-believer, 'sinner' or 'saint.'  He will accept you for what you are and for who you are; even if that means that you have to be pursuing the path of 'righteousness' or of enhanced humanity. But, of course, many of us will know that religions, of whatever kind, tend to be intolerant of homosexuality, oppressive in their att

Enough focusing on spilt milk, as it were.  Big Congratulation to Daniel Ricciardo andLance Stroll for having taken advantage of Hamilton and Vettel's misfortune to place their cars on P,1 and P,2 on the Finishing line.  With Vettel's misfortune arising from him being given a 10 second stop go Pit penalty. For bumping into Hamilton's rear and then losing his temper and banging into the side of Lewis' car with his. During the Safety Car start after the race was Red Flagged to allow for the track to be swept clean of lots of hazardous debris. Yes, it was that kind of race; the kind where nearly everything which could have gone wrong, did not only do so once, but twice, and more. Where apparently good friends such as Hamilton and Vettel, got on each others last nerve. And, last but not least, a Big Congratulation to  Valtteri Bottas, for having made it to P.3.  Thereby providing Team Mercedes with the the most positive outcome from their probably mos

'In making your evaluation of what is your present state of being. Do not overlook the need to also evaluate the state of others, which are impacting, will be impacted and/or likely to impact your current status.  And of the rippling effects which changes in any of these subsystems could cause on the others, over time and space.' Well, it could be anyone or all of those reasons. What is clear is that Islamic State continues to represent a significant, and, at least for now, increasing threat to people all over the world.  Even though it is still Muslims who are doing most of the dying, suffering most of the broken bodies, and having more of their livelihoods destroyed.  Alas, by or because of the murderous activities of the very people who 'claim that they are Muslims.' With the impending fall of both its Mosul and Raqqa enclaves, in Iraq and Syria, respectively.   It is likely that Islamic state will have to do some rethinking and  re-strategising