Propose an explanation: What's the "Q" on the Sony Reader?!

[HarryT]

You mean - gasp - we were in danger of getting off-topic? Phew - that was a close escape!

[NatCh]

And maybe starting an Accidental Jihad to boot.

"An Accidental Jihad" ... sounds like a good story title, actually.

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Alex,

I am deeply saddened by your total lack of understanding of what Islam is all about, but this really isn't the place to discuss such matters. Let's just agree to differ. I honestly do not think that books that appear to set out to actively encourage xenophobia and hatred of those with different beliefs are at all helpful in achieving understanding between different cultures. Having spent some time working in the Middle East I know a little about these cultures and, to my mind, the "they're all out to get us" picture that's portrayed in some of the more right-wing American media (and these books) is completely false and misleading.

Thankfully, in the UK at least, disliking a particular book is not a crime.

I have no intention to comment on the content of the book in question -- lest we get even farther off topic. I would like to note, however, that John Ringo described the first book in that series as "the wanker book" (pardon my language), and only wrote it because it wouldn't get out of his head at a time when he was on deadline for something else entirely. Thus the entire series is a "research free zone" with no attempt to resemble reality.

So, although John is politically someplace to the right of Atilla the Hun*, the usual warnings about associating the politics of books and their characters with the politics of the author most definitely apply here.

*His own description!

[Leaping Gnome]

Originally Posted by dhbailey

It's a lower case, poorly written cursive e, as I see it.

That is what I always thought as well. Makes a lot more sense than Æ.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

So, although John is politically someplace to the right of Atilla the Hun*, the usual warnings about associating the politics of books and their characters with the politics of the author most definitely apply here.

*His own description!

Please let me clarify. It's the contents of the books that I find objectionable - I'm certainly not suggesting that they represent the political views of the author. I have the greatest respect for Mr. Ringo as an author and very much enjoy all his other books.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

That is what I always thought as well. Makes a lot more sense than Æ.

Yeah, that would make more sense, but it also would be to easy, I guess.

[bkilian]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Please let me clarify. It's the contents of the books that I find objectionable - I'm certainly not suggesting that they represent the political views of the author. I have the greatest respect for Mr. Ringo as an author and very much enjoy all his other books.

I, too, couldn't stand the contents, every page I read made me want to beat John Ringo with a tree stump for right wing stupidity, however, I couldn't stop reading them. That must be what it's like when people get into these stupid reality shows I've never understood.

Then again, if you read the James Bond books, they're just as bad, and just as addictive.

I do find it amusing though that Ringo would love the March of Cambreadth, a song written from the perspective of the irish pagans when the christians invaded their country.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by bkilian

I, too, couldn't stand the contents, every page I read made me want to beat John Ringo with a tree stump for right wing stupidity, however, I couldn't stop reading them. That must be what it's like when people get into these stupid reality shows I've never understood.

Then again, if you read the James Bond books, they're just as bad, and just as addictive.

I do find it amusing though that Ringo would love the March of Cambreadth, a song written from the perspective of the irish pagans when the christians invaded their country.

It remonds me of Howard Stern. When he was just starting to get his stride, his ratings kept going up. When they were looking at the demographics, it was people who bloth liked him and disliked him. The reason they kept listening was said.. "because they wanted to find out what he had to say next".

[alex_d]

omg, you guys are ridiculous. muslims destroying us with their faith? and bahklava? i'd send you to guantanamo?

and then astra_lestat gives me karma with 'could not agree more.' dunno what that was about...

terrorism is the biggest bullshit story of our times. The number of people who die from terrorism vs from murder (not to mention car accidents) is insignificant. terrorists aren't even TRYING to blow us up. They're barely even plotting! with all our wiretapping, etc, the only arrests we've made is of people who brainstorm about doing research on learning how to perfom terrorist acts. And then we shut down airports and stop people who want to carry lube onto planes. Seriously, terrorists are not trying to hurt america despite the fact that it is still extremely easy. I can carry on a computer power supply or cd-rom drive or other metal box that is impenetrable to xrays and packed with explosives or knives or whatever. Yet no one is trying! Who was the last person who ACTUALLY smuggled something onto a plane? The idiot who couldn't light his shoes. And the one before that? Guys with boxcutters. And before that? Oh, wait, I don't think there was anyone.

terrorists are nothing more than a bunch of punk kids who pose a smaller threat to national security than actual punk kids (the ones crashing their cars or running around playing gangsta). no, seriously, terrorism is bullshit.

p.s. we didn't invade iraq to get oil. (damn the stupid hippies who say that.) we invaded iraq to cut oil off. opec doesn't get rich by drilling wells.

p.p.s. anyway, you guys probably wish i'd stuck to sarcasm. it's only single-paragraph then ;-)

[astra]

Originally Posted by alex_d

and then astra_lestat gives me karma with 'could not agree more.' dunno what that was about...

I believe there was a big misunderstanding then
Too late to withdraw the karma though

I am not going to comment on off topic though, otherwise I will be labeled as a racist

[NatCh]

I think we need to drop this line of discussion.

Like right now, and completely.

[Alexander Turcic]

Agreed.

Please folks, let's keep discussions relevant to e-books and gadgets. Talking about religion is just nerve breaking, and it doesn't help to foster our positive community spirit