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September 25, 2005
A Note On One Commenter
Many of you Loyal Readers may have noticed Shellie, a new commenter here at the Adventures of Chester over the past few weeks. As you can see from many of her statements, Shellie disagrees with most of the rest of us on a variety of issues related to the war. You may wonder: why do I keep answering her comments? and why does she keep visiting, given her neverending disagreement? Don't people usually read blogs they agree with?
Well, some background is in order here.
When I was 12 years old, I went to Space Camp, in Huntsville, Alabama. Great experience. Loved it. Always wanted to be an astronaut. Well, back then anyway.
So while there, I made friends with another space camper, whose name was . . . ta-da: Shellie. Then, after going home we were pen pals for a while -- maybe on and off for a few months? Could have been longer. Gradually, we went on to other things. The last I think, we dropped each other a brief note in high school.
So, a few weeks ago, I get an email from . . . you guessed it, Shellie . . . who says that she is in the habit of periodically googling everyone she has ever known, and I guess my name came up and so, voila! This is the story of how we came to have the insights of "Shellie the commenter" here at TAOC.
Now this is where it gets real interesting. While I became a Marine, and invaded Iraq, Shellie was . . . well, perhaps it's best for her to explain in the comments section, but basically, she became a Muslim, learned Arabic fluently, and has lived in both Syria and Saudi Arabia. What are the odds of us having such different, but related paths? There's more, but I'll leave it to her.
So, I think this is a great opportunity to get a new and unique perspective around here. And I think we've all shown from the exchange of comments so far that we're able to have some pretty in-depth discussions without any of the normal snarking that is common on other blogs. Shellie emailed me last week and agreed that I have some of the more serious readers out there.
Well, just thought all of that merited a post.
Posted by Chester at September 25, 2005 10:00 PM
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Comments
Wierd for a western woman to become a Muslim.
According to the Koran, which Muslims take it as the literal word of god and its criticism and question is totally prohibited (by law, it is punishable offense), and according to the Sunna - a woman in Islam is half a man.
The Koran specifically says 2 women witnesses are equal to one man witness. Also the Koran says that women inherit half as much as men inherit.
I wonder for a woman to become a Muslim (BTW I am a born Muslim), how do they go about justifying their new found half-a-status to themselves?
Frankly, I have not seen much in Islam, that I would recommend anyone to convert to.
Posted by: hamidreza at September 25, 2005 10:43 PM
Chester, If bloggers restrict their commentors to only those who agree with them, the result will be a pointless echo chamber, & not a stimulating forum of information & education. While I don't agree with most of what Shellie posts, she is well informed and does have some interesting insights.
Posted by: Kenneth at September 26, 2005 8:04 AM
Dialog is goot, if rare. Supply and demand on the internet? I just got banned from another Left wing forum. I don't mind that too much, I just wish they would say why. At least DU told me why I was banned. For being obscene, although as I pointed out to the banner, it wasn't obscenity I vas using, but scatology. Said it didn't matter, I WAS guilty of something, even if she didn't know what it was.
Some people think the word Moron is an insult. It is no more of an insult then left handed, red headed or blue eyed. It is a simple description, one that morons usually take offense to.
Posted by: Stehpinkeln at September 26, 2005 12:34 PM
Dialogue is important. I come to this site for reasoned analyses and commentary, and am not disappointed.
My understanding of the world, and of our current conflicts, is only enhanced by hearing divergent viewpoints. As it happens, coming to sites like this has increased my support for the war against terrorism from zero to mostly.
I have known a couple of American women who converted to Islam, but, like Hamidreza, I've never understood why they would. Maybe shellie can enlighten us in this regard. I would be interested in knowing why she feels that Islam is a correct path for her, when it seems obvious to some of us that it is not to her advantage.
Posted by: April at September 26, 2005 12:44 PM
This particular blog might not be the best place for shellie to satisfy my inquiries--does shellie have a blog of her own?
Posted by: April at September 26, 2005 12:53 PM
I have no religion. Although if forced to choose I would choose Islam. If you are gonna do something, do it all the way. 5 prayers a day, banging your head on the floor, bomb belts. You can't say muslims are half steppin it.
My Dog Tag said Prot, which I found amusing, sort of. The Military Mind. I always wondered if I told them I was a buddist, whould it have said 'Bud'? Prolly not.
Posted by: Stehpinkeln at September 26, 2005 4:49 PM
April,
Glad to hear we've changed one mind!
Chester
Posted by: Chester at September 26, 2005 5:49 PM
OT: It's looks like al-Zarqawi #2 commander/money-man was sent to hell in and hand basket by our troops today. Good work guys!
'U.S. Special Forces Kill No. 2 Terrorist in Iraq'
FOX News has confirmed that Abu Azzam, who was believed to have been in charge of the financing of terrorist cells in the war-torn country, was killed during a raid in Baghdad early Monday morning Iraq time. Azzam is thought to be the top deputy to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Iraq's most wanted terrorist.
see link:
Posted by: Ledger at September 26, 2005 10:33 PM
That is just outstanding in every respect. What a strange small world.
Welcome to Shellie!
Posted by: tb at September 27, 2005 12:15 AM
Kenneth: George Carlin says he prays to Joe Pesci. He does so for two reasons. First, Joe Pesci is a can do sort - a trait which he admires. Second, when he prays to Joe Pesci, half the time his prayer is answered, about the same as when he prayed to God.
Posted by: doc at September 27, 2005 3:38 PM
Space camp in Huntsville eh ? My home town ! A Texan now...but would so love to go back, if only for a visit.
Posted by: El Jefe Maximo at October 2, 2005 8:56 PM