Recently, newly elected Congressman from Minnesota Keith Ellison, the first Muslim American Congressman, announced that he would conduct his private swearing-in ceremony using the Quran. This decision was greeted with a hearty ho hum by the vast majority of Americans. However, Republican Congressman Virgil Goode of Virginia saw it as an event of near apocalyptic proportions. He announced that if this were allowed to happen Muslims would immigrate and take over the United States. (For a Virgil Goode op ed piece
click here) This, for him, is an occurrence that should not be allowed to happen. I am not sure of the theology behind this statement. Would God be so pleased that someone would use the scriptures of those who follow Islam for an event like this that she would intervene in order to insure that they were able to take over the world? If that were to come about, it might not be the disaster that Congressman Foote envisions. I am currently in Dubai for a couple of days on my way to Tanzania. In this Persian Gulf city state with very little oil
Sheik Muhammad and his people have created in a few short years an amazing edifice to modern culture. Jebal Ali port is one of the world’s busiest and most modern ports. This port is run by the same people who were deemed by Congress, in its wisdom, of being incapable of running American ports. There are modern hotels and office buildings going up everywhere. It is said that over 25% of the world’s construction cranes are currently in Dubai. (The rest are probably in Shanghai.) Tiger Woods is planning to build a golf resort here. (As if the place needs another golf course. There are at present 7 golf courses here that have been carved out of the desert.) Currently the World Shopping Festival is going on with pavilions from all parts of the world. Combine this with the world’s largest duty free store (a shopaholic’s delight) and you may have an apocalyptic scenario
for a husband on a budget. They are planning and constructing a major financial center that is designed to rival those in London and New York. All of the big financial firms, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Citi etc. are opening offices here. No one seems to mind that many of the principal executives of these firms are Jewish. (Who says Muslims and Jews can’t get along? Let’s all make money together.) They are in the middle of a “world’s tallest building” contest with China. They have slowed down construction of the building to see how high the building in Shanghai will be so they can build their building taller. There is also a local competitor who is waiting to start their building to see how tall the current one will be. (“I can build my building taller than yours” is the motto) Dubai has also been described as Las Vegas on steroids. Many would not necessarily view that as a positive model for growth in the U.S. However, if this is what a group of Muslims can create in a short period of time, Congressman Goode should be careful what he wishes for, he might just get it.
Sheik Muhammad and his people have created in a few short years an amazing edifice to modern culture. Jebal Ali port is one of the world’s busiest and most modern ports. This port is run by the same people who were deemed by Congress, in its wisdom, of being incapable of running American ports. There are modern hotels and office buildings going up everywhere. It is said that over 25% of the world’s construction cranes are currently in Dubai. (The rest are probably in Shanghai.) Tiger Woods is planning to build a golf resort here. (As if the place needs another golf course. There are at present 7 golf courses here that have been carved out of the desert.) Currently the World Shopping Festival is going on with pavilions from all parts of the world. Combine this with the world’s largest duty free store (a shopaholic’s delight) and you may have an apocalyptic scenario 
for a husband on a budget. They are planning and constructing a major financial center that is designed to rival those in London and New York. All of the big financial firms, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Citi etc. are opening offices here. No one seems to mind that many of the principal executives of these firms are Jewish. (Who says Muslims and Jews can’t get along? Let’s all make money together.) They are in the middle of a “world’s tallest building” contest with China. They have slowed down construction of the building to see how high the building in Shanghai will be so they can build their building taller. There is also a local competitor who is waiting to start their building to see how tall the current one will be. (“I can build my building taller than yours” is the motto) Dubai has also been described as Las Vegas on steroids. Many would not necessarily view that as a positive model for growth in the U.S. However, if this is what a group of Muslims can create in a short period of time, Congressman Goode should be careful what he wishes for, he might just get it.
1 comment:
I've seen some evidence that Dubai's construction site safety standards would make the architects of OSHA cry like an Indian who sees trash on the ground, but egads they are building like crazy. And yes that Congress/Dubai Ports thing was patently ridiculous - hell, downright racist, and I don't call out racism on a regular basis - and it was bipartisan.
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