^^^ I doubt I'll get tired of them. They are really good. Wish I could write it....but poetry and me go together like water and oil.

^^^Wow. :eek: I guess the men better be careful now about what they drink too eh? This is what happened 2 days ago in Vancouver! Shocking, horrifying and sickening! B.C. man charged after toddler drinks date-rape drug Last Updated Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:20:46 EST VANCOUVER - A Vancouver man faces a criminal charge after his three-year-old girl drank from a water bottle spiked with a so-called date-rape drug. The toddler was playing in her home on Vancouver's west side on Sunday when she suddenly appeared to be having a seizure. After calling emergency services, the girl's father realized that she had taken a drink from a water bottle containing GHB, best known as a date-rape drug. The drug, a nervous-system depressant that makes users drowsy and lowers their inhibitions, has been implicated in at least one death in Canada and a number of date rapes. It has no colour, odour or taste. A Vancouver police spokesperson, Const. Anne Drennan, said the girl's 33-year-old father faces a charge of criminal negligence. "Apparently he had been at a party the night before and had brought the water bottle containing the GHB home, and had just left it sitting out without any regard for the three-year-old who was playing nearby," Drennan told CBC News. She said the girl was in serious condition for several hours on Sunday and remained in the hospital overnight for observation. "She's doing very well now," she said. "It's expected that she will continue to do better and be released before too long." Police have not released the names of the girl or her father. I just cant imagine what that man with a wife at home would have done with the date-rape drug. Istaqfurullah.

Assalamu Alaikum Mashallah Brother. Those were wonderfully touching poems walahi. I loved all three of them. Hope you have more to share.

Absolutely Beautful. All I have to say about the arab hate going on: :rolleyes: (<---bal ku dhar bal! :rolleyes: ) OG Girl: LOL@lets bash South Americans...were getting there hon! I mean...how can be pass up the opportunity for being so racist, narrow-minded, and ignorant?

Originally posted by Qac Qaac: FF, ee shaki maakaaga jira in aad gabar tahay, trust me maxaa waaye, mise waxbaa isku ogtahay miyaa. Maya. Shyhem baa shaki ku jiro...indihiisa iyo timaha rama-raamaha ah oo istaagsan uma jeydid miyaa?

Originally posted by Shyhem: quote:Originally posted by *Femme Fatale*: I dont hate or like cell phones. I hate all phones period. I never use the one at home either, unless absolutley necessarly. Im amazed that people can talk for it for an hour, much less more than that. I get tired and bored easily. I definetly have something against phones of all kinds. My mother adores me . As for text messages...they sound so corny and fake. U are either aguy or u are simply not keeping it real.I have neva come across agirl who doesn't talk for hours on the phone and here u're tellling us u use the phone like us( the guys ) brief and precise to the point.I must say that's hard to believe. Shyhem: I didnt know there were gendered ways of doing everything! Trust me, Im definetly not a guy. But a tiny part of your suspicion has something to do with why I hate phones! *gets teary eyed* Damn you for making me remeber and relive those many cruel,traumatic, scarring moments in my childhood! :mad:

^^^Dont worry my darling...you'll always be a super nasty-b!tch to me! No one can do it better than you...I mean its a natural talent aint it? **smiles wickedly*

Girls please stop it! Raula: Sis just wanted to point out that Nifty (revived thread on Dec 3 2004)and Ameenah are different people.

^^^Waryaa Alle-Ubahne , ii sheeg bal, goormaa ananaansiga ka soo fakatey? Ma la socotaa in si aad ah laguu radiinayo? Meeshaadi ku noqo yaa ku yirahdah...waayo halkaan waa ku wareersantahey. Geel markii loo heeso baa adi goronyo iyo dameer u heestaa. Marka hori...hestaa saxda ah soo baro...markaas wax meesha la imoo oo la dhageensankaro. Ma fahantey yaroow? Mise hanada inaa ku soo celiyo baa waajib ah? :rolleyes:

Psycho Sue you evil child...I dont mess with glue! I tried sniffing once but my nostrils kept getting glued shut. N-E-Wayz: Lets move on shall we boys and girls?

^I stand on the fifth! Are you trying to get me into trouble Wind Talker? Jus curious.. Curiosity killed the cat havent you heard? Seriouly, am surprised at the level of ignorance I have to face on a daily basis. People think they know the Quran and preach about Islam, when they are actually stating their opinions.

Great article I found...wanted to share. The image of Islam in the modern world is one of intolerance and violence. It is considered a faith followed only by fanatical bedoins and terrorists and is generally regarded as an outdated concept of life. However, even a cursory study of Islam is enough to show that the current world view on this faith is far removed from the truth. The Holy Quraan Intolerance cannot be ascribed to a book which altogether excludes com-pulsion from the sphere of religion. Acceptance of previous religions As to the view that Islam is a totally different religion as compared to Christianity and Judaism, the religions of currently the most civilized regions on Earth. The belief that it (Islam) advocates a social setup contrary to the principles of peace, freedom and justice as are given by Judaism and Christianity, is again far from the truth. The Holy Quraan is the only religious scripture that requires a belief not only in its own truth but also in the truth of previous scriptures delivered to prophets of different nations. "And those who believe in that which was revealed to thee and that which was revealed before thee." (2 4) Thus the Holy Quraan accepts the truth of the sacred books of the world, and hence it is again and again spoken of as a book verifying that which is before it. The basis of the relation in which the Holy Quraan stands to other scriptures is that they are all members of one family, they all have a divine origin. Again it says, "Say: We believe in Allah and in that which has been revealed to us and in that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishamil and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes and in that which was given to Moses and Jesus and in that which was given to the prophets from their Lord and we do not make any distinction between any of them and to Him do we submit." (2:1 76) The level of universal tolerance of Islam is evident from the above Ayat which shows that Muslims believe in all that the Lord has revealed to all of his prophets anywhere in the world. Respect for other religions Even in the case of religious houses of worship the Holy Quraan specifically mentions that the Muslims are not to harm any places of worship not only of the Jews and Christians, but even idol worshippers and they are to respect their beliefs . "And abuse not those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest exceeding the limits they abuse Allah through ignorance" (6:108) The Ayat clearly stops Muslims from even criticising the beliefs of others let alone harming their places of worship . Fighting Non Muslims only for Defense Muslims have been allowed to fight against others by Allah, but not to compel the unbelievers to accept Islam as is generally believed, but to establish religious freedom, to stop all persecution and to protect the houses of worship of an religions. "Permission to fight is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and Allah is well able to assist them; those who have been expelled from their homes without a just cause except that they say our Lord is Allah." (22:S9.40) The Holy Quraan therefore allows fighting only to save a persecuted community, and hence the condition was laid down that fighting was to be stopped as soon as persecution ceased. Good social relations with non-Muslims "This day all good things are made lawful for you. And the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And so are the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who have been given the Book before you". (5:5) It is asserted by some that Islam forbids relations of friendship with the followers of other religions. How can a religion which even permits marriage with people of other faiths forbid friendly relations with them? There can be nothing closer and more friendly than marriage and if that is permitted between people of two different religions, there is no reason to suppose that other friendly relations with non-Muslims are forbidden. Again in reference to non-Muslims the Holy Quraan says, "Show them kindness and deal with them justly; for Allah loves the doers of justice" "And if any one of the idolaters seek thy protection, protect him till he hears the words of Allah, then convey him to his place of safety." (9:6) Equal political and legal status for non-Muslims "And all people are but a single nation." fl O:I 9) The above quote from the Holy Quraan is but ample evidence that Islam considers the people of the world as one nation and equal to each other in every respect. "Surely Allah commands you to make over trusts to those worthy of them and that when you judge between people, you judge with justice." (4:58) The above Ayat shows that Allah wants equal justice for all and not just for Muslims alone . This is in reference to the functioning of the justice system of an Islamic state. According to the Holy Quraan the non-Muslims residing in a Muslim society may be judged by the laws given in their own books and scriptures, and they do not have to abide by Islamic laws which apply to Muslims. There are other Ayaah in the Holy Quraan which affirm this. Thus according to the enlightened and liberal principles of Islam, non-Muslims are not only equal in every respect to Muslims in an Islamic state but they do not even have to abide by laws which apply to Muslim citizens and may follow the code given in their own scriptures without restrictions. Action determines Hereafter "Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians— Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment and does good—they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve." The above Ayat clearly refutes the generally held belief by most illiterate and even some educated Muslims that only they (the Muslims) shall go to heaven and the people of other faiths shall be punished for their beliefs. The Holy Quraan clearly states that doing good to others is very important and will determine a person's reward in the Hereafter. It is the person's actions in this world and the intention behind them which de-termine his or her reward in the Hereafter. "And every soul shall be fully paid what it has earned and they shall not be wronged." (3:24) Thus every person is responsible for his or her own self and the deeds of each person in this world will determine their reward in the Hereafter and not the faith they professed to belong too . None are dealt with unjustly by Allah, be they Muslims or non-Muslims. The tolerance of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alai/e wa'alehi wasallam) preached like his glorious predecessors, the message of universal truth, and announced a common platform for spiritual amity and religious unity. The offer of cooperation was extended to 'all lovers of truth' and worshippers of Allah. Unity of Allah is the foundation stone of true religion. The Holy Prophet (SAW) preached Unity dauntlessly against severe opposi-tion and hostility and along with the 'Unity of Allah. he stressed upon the 'Unity of the human race . He called mankind 'the family of Allah'. There are several incidents which testify to the prophets tolerant attitude towards non-Muslims. Tolerance during preaching of Islam When the Holy Prophet (SAW) began preaching Islam, he met the strongest opposition from all the tribes and clans of Makkah. He and his followers were made to suffer all kinds of cruelties and discrimination . Once he was requested to arouse Allah's anger on the polytheists. but he refused politely and said, I am not an ill wisher; I have been sent only for mercy.' The Muslims today Today the Muslim nations of the world are in the grip of intolerance and violence. Governments religious groups and even common people support narrow minded views against not only non-Muslim and foreign culture. but also against different sects that have grown up within Islam . Learning about other religions and visiting their places of worship is considered highly inappropriate. The clergy constantly inform the faithful that they are the only one's who shall enter paradise, while all the non-Muslims will burn in hell without making an attempt to study what Islam preaches about this issue. Re-Learning Islam True many Muslims today still retain the qualities of tolerance and generosity towards all people of different faiths, culture and races. But these are mostly a part of the small educated minorities that exist among the vast illiterate populations of most Muslim nations of the twentieth century. To face the challenges of the next century which is definitely going to be a truly global century, Muslims all over the world not only have to learn to live together, but they also have to learn to live with others in the most amiable and tolerant ways possible. There is no place for isolationism and narrow mindedness in the global village of the 21st century. To survive in this bold new world the Muslims need to relearn the mes-sage of Islam and to review their own history, both of which contain the answers for a successful future

See, Sister Female Fatale, there are many, many Shayukh that have affected the Muslims in the west, without even knowing English, or French Yes of course...I dont deny that. Butt they had translators. Isnt it easier for them to learn the language and communicate personally with the people...instead of going back and forth through a translator? Knowledge is so important---you have to learn the language of the region you reside.

Now, let's pray for our unfortunate sister who easily accepted the lies of that Gaal. Alle Ubahne ...have you even read my earlier comment? Dont answer. Thats a rhetorical question...obvioulsy the answer is no. I am not a parrot..and I refuse to repeat myself for your entertainment. I neither have the time nor the patience. I see that you perfectly know what people say, understand what theyre saying, but choose to twist it around and creat stories for your liking. This is fun for you isnt it? Well Im not going to play that game, not now, not ever. Im too old and too tired. May Allah make her a harsh opponent for the views of Gaalo, Aamiin. May Allah give you knowlege, wisdom, patience, mercy, and tolerance. Salaam

^^^Excuse me, dearest brother...have I made any comment along with the article I posted? Why do you assume right off the bat that I agree with what he said? As this article relates to the topic in question...I thought it would be interesting and informative for the nomads to see how some individuals view the influx of somali immigrants in American communities.

So, you are suggesting that without learning the country language, the chances of the dacwah is very slim. YES. Many Islamic Sheikhs have accomplished many things in the west without even knowing anything about the host country's culture, language and so forth Care to tell me how? Oh wait let me see. They had psychic abliities and transported the message via the mind? Think about the early Muslims who went to China or Indonesia for business purposes and then became a reason for an entire Islamization of nations! Many of these people were converted by merchants who went to these regions for trade. Those merchants...of course know one or two things about the language in order to communicate with their customers! For the others...they decided to live there...learned the language and converted the people. Many countries become Muslims because of the beauty of Islamic religion. And how did they come to know about it, pray tell? What is the good thing of the dirty French/English languages You tell me...arent you the one speaking the dirty english language right now? :rolleyes: Alle-Ubahne: I cant tell if you serious or just kidding around about your hate for "gaalos" and the "west". For someone who has a thorn in their side about the west and its people...why the hell do you live there? Its like saying saying..."Oh god..I hate choclate...it gives me cavities..makes me fat...I get pimples...Makes me sick"...while reaching your fat hands in the box and shoving the entire contents in your mouth. Its just doesnt make sense. And another thing...this hate you have for christians is crazy...muslims should be tolerant of other people's religons and customs. If christians and jews are so bad...why did Allah allow men to marry christian and jewish women? Why did the Prophet (SCW) visit his sick jewish neighbour and pray for him?

The Great Somali Welfare Hunt The Refugee Act of 1980 has turned thousands of Somali Bantu into American dependents. Millions more “refugees†may be eligible for resettlement in your neighborhood. By Roger D. McGrath The deconstruction of America is well underway. This has been clear to anyone living in California since the 1970s. Back then I remember talking with people who lived out of state about the changes that were being wrought by immigration, both legal and illegal, to California from countries of the Third World. No one could quite believe that the changes were as drastic and far-reaching as I described. Many considered me an alarmist. Those who did not thought that what I described was peculiar to California. The last decade has changed all that. What began in California thirty years ago is now happening everywhere. I would like to say that I take a perverse delight in having reality smack those nonbelievers in the face. I don’t. The America that I love, the America that I joined the Marine Corps to defend, the America of my ancestors, is being destroyed. The latest community to enjoy the delights of Third World mass immigration is Lewiston, Maine, which, since February 2001, has been the destination for hundreds of Somali Muslims. The first Muslim to arrive in the town actually got there in May 1965, but his stay was brief. He was there to fight Sonny Liston in a rematch. The year before, as Cassius Clay, he took Liston’s crown in a bizarre seven-round battle in Miami that saw the dreaded Liston, a 7-1 favorite, quit while sitting on his stool. “The fix was in,†was the consensus. Between fights Clay converted to Islam and adopted the name Muhammad Ali. He won his second fight with Liston, a 7-5 favorite this time, in an equally bizarre one-round match. Again came the cry, “The fix was in.†Little did the citizens of Lewiston realize that, 36 years later, Muslims would begin arriving in their town again. This time they would stay. Once more the fix seems to be in. Lewiston, a former mill town of 36,000 on the Androscoggin River, was virtually all white when the federal census was taken in 2000. Blacks, with 383 people, accounted for 1.1% of the population. No other nonwhite group accounted for more than a fraction of a percent. The exact percentage for whites was recorded as 97.3. With the mills shut down and a less than robust economy, it would seem an unlikely place for Somalis to flock to. Nonetheless, upwards of 2,000 have already done so, and more are on the way. The problem goes back to the Refugee Act of 1980, which amended the Immigration and Nationality Act and changed a traditional American policy of favoring refugees from Communist countries. The act put the United States in line with the United Nations by redefining “refugee†more broadly to include anyone “who is unwilling or unable to return to his country of nationality or habitual residence because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.†Potentially half the world falls under the definition. The Refugee Act also provided for both a regular flow and the emergency admission of refugees as well as federal monies for their resettlement. In 1999, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) declared the Somali Bantu “refugees,†and the United States agreed to resettle them. The ancestral home of these particular Bantu was Tanzania, but Arab slave traders took them to Somalia during the 18th and 19th centuries. Despite the end of slavery during the 20th century, the transplanted Bantu remained less than equal in Somalia. They were restricted to jobs considered demeaning, excluded from the Somali clan system, and referred to by pejorative names, generally meaning something like “lowly slave.†Most of them lived in the Juba River valley of southern Somalia. When civil war erupted with the overthrow of the dictator Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991, they fell prey to various warlords. Mostly lacking arms themselves, they were dispossessed of their land and property by whatever faction temporarily took power. Eventually, more than 12,000 of the Somali Bantu crossed into Kenya and settled in a UN sponsored refugee camp at Dadaab in eastern Kenya, where more than 100,000 other Somali had also fled. Logic would suggest that these 12,000 black, African Muslims be resettled in their former homeland, the black, African nation of Tanzania, which is more than a third Muslim and borders Kenya, instead of being transported thousands of miles to the United States. But somehow, the UN commissioners and American officials think the good, old U.S.A. is just right for the Somali Bantu—and other Somali refugees as well. Most of the early arrivals in the United States settled in Clarkston, next-door to Atlanta, but problems quickly developed with local blacks who, the Somali contend, preyed on them. A few Somali had problems with another form of American diversity. Mohammed Abdi said that he was resettled north of Atlanta in a “war zone†between Vietnamese and Mexican gangs. Moreover, Somalis soon learned that welfare benefits and public housing were more generous and better elsewhere, especially in New England. By February 2001, they had discovered Lewiston, and the influx began. The numbers of those arriving accelerated last summer, exceeding 100 a month. Although it is difficult to get an exact fix on the figures, it seems that more than half of all Somalis in Lewiston are on the dole. Welfare spending has more than doubled since their arrival. One of the Somalis who has a job is Abdiaziz Ali, a 31-year-old father of five who arrived in Lewiston last year. Ali is a welfare caseworker. He greets new arrivals, puts them on welfare, and finds them housing. He is happy to be in Lewiston, where benefits are substantial, schools good, and crime low. He himself was robbed twice by local blacks in Atlanta. Mohammed Maye, the president of the African Community and Refugee Center in Clarkston, has a map of Lewiston on the wall of his office. “Go to Maine,†he advises Somalis. He has recently opened a second office in Lewiston. Abdullahi Abdullahi, the president of the Somali Community Development Organization in Clarkston, tells Somalis that, unlike Georgia, Maine has terribly cold winters, but “the welfare system is better.†Better for sure. Lewiston provides welfare to anyone in need, and the state picks up half the tab. Recipients are allowed a generous five years of assistance before benefits are terminated, and, even at that point, extensions are not difficult to obtain. Single parents can stay on welfare and go to college. Public housing is also available, although, because of the influx of Somalis, there is now a waiting list. More than a third of the apartments at Hillview, Lewiston’s largest public housing project, are occupied by Somalis, many of them single mothers with large broods of children. The fathers are unaccounted for or still in Georgia or Africa. Those who are unable to obtain public housing are eligible for Section 8 vouchers, which the federal government provides to subsidize rental of private housing. Just where all the Somalis will eventually be employed is a mystery. The mills of Lewiston, once upon a time, produced a quarter of all American textiles. Across the Androscoggin River, the factories of Auburn turned out shoes by the thousands. Foreign competition has destroyed those industries. Like many other communities in the United States, Lewiston has tried to re-invent itself and create a service-based economy. Banking, insurance, healthcare, and the like, however, do not provide the blue-collar jobs that have sustained generations of immigrants with few skills and limited English. Perhaps the demise of the old industries is of little consequence to the Somalis. When Renee Bernier, the president of the Lewiston city council, offered to hire 30 Somalis at $8 an hour to hold warning signs at road construction sites, few showed any interest. Those who did wanted to work no more than a half-day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. With the welfare system, public housing, and, to a rapidly increasing degree, the schools creaking under the strain of the Somalis, some in Lewiston have dared to speak out. Recently, mayor Laurier Raymond, in a public letter, asked the Somali leaders to discourage the migration to Lewiston, saying the city was “maxed out financially, physically and emotionally.†He was immediately attacked by the former mayor, Kaileigh Tara, who said she “wanted to cry†when she read Raymond’s letter. Somali leaders said he is “an ill-informed leader who is bent toward bigotry.†The usual terms xenophobe and racist were bandied about. A protest march of some 200 Somalis and their white sympathizers traveled several blocks from a downtown Methodist church to Lewiston’s first mosque, a converted grocery store on Lisbon Street. The U.S. Department of Justice was called upon to conduct an investigation to ensure that the Somalis are not discriminated against. The UN cannot be far behind. Meanwhile, the 71-year-old Raymond, a former probate judge, has been brought to heel. He met with local Somali leaders at city hall and vowed to co-operate with the Somali community to reduce tensions in Lewiston. After the meeting, the Somalis issued a written statement saying, “Like all families, we have our misunderstandings, but families draw strength from resolving their issues.†Raymond had evidently been operating under the misapprehension that Muslim Somali Bantu were not part of his family. Raymond’s new family practices female genital mutilation, specifically clitorectomy. Termed “female circumcision†by the culturally sensitive and euphemistically inclined, the barbaric practice is common among African Muslims. Not infrequently the clitoris is cut out without the benefit of anesthesia or surgical instruments. Broken bottles or tin can lids occasionally serve as scalpels. This means that often not only is the clitoris cut out but that portions of the labia are also cut away or severely damaged. According to reports from the refugee camps in Kenya, hundreds of girls are being rushed through the mutilation because U.S.-sponsored cultural orientation classes have informed the refugees that the practice is illegal in the United States. The Somali Bantu usually excise the clitoris when girls reach the age of eight or nine. In recent weeks, girls as young as two have undergone the ordeal. More than 12,000 Somali Bantu have now been transferred from the Dadaab camp, near the border with Somalia, across 600 miles of Kenya to the Kakuma camp in the northwest. Next stop, the United States. The Somalis do not have to worry about using their credit card air miles—it is all courtesy of Uncle Sam. There are plenty more refugees in Kenya. The UNHCR counts nearly 200,000, most of them Somalis but large numbers of Sudanese as well. The Somali Bantu could be just the beginning. Those Somali already in Lewiston have found what they call their “dream place.†Nonetheless, they understand that there are other dream places in the United States, and they mean to find them. Following their ancient practice of “sahan,†they send young men out in all directions to find not water and good grazing, as in Somalia, but public housing and generous welfare benefits. The tribe then follows. “They came in droves off the buses,†said Lewiston council president Bernier, and “some made the welfare office their first stop.†The practice of sahan has become more sophisticated in the United States. The Somalis use the Internet to access the websites of states and towns across the nation, checking crime rates, welfare programs, housing, and schools. Employment opportunities are evidently a low priority. This certainly removes the main obstacle for most of us relocating to dream places. Abdiaziz Ali, the welfare caseworker, is not shy about announcing the Somalis’ intentions. “We can spread out—anywhere we want.†Anywhere, for now, means mostly towns in New England. Holyoke, Massachusetts has been targeted for Somali Bantu settlement by a coalition of religious charities. The coalition has received a million-dollar grant from the federal government to establish the Somalis in the town famous for the first women’s college. Holyoke city councilors, however, say that even with the grant the costs of absorbing the Somalis would be prohibitive. By a 12-2 vote the councilors passed a resolution that stated, “The city does not have the resources to care for, educate, train, house or protect said individuals.†The resolution concluded by firmly proclaiming that the councilors “do not support the decision to place the refugees in our city.†Federal officials say the local townsfolk have no control over the resettlement grant and cannot prevent the Somalis from moving to Holyoke. Local sentiment against the anticipated arrival of the Somalis has been so strong that the charities coalition canceled a public presentation and slide show on the plight of the refugees. I suspect the slide show did not include photos of mutilated genitalia. Holyoke mayor Michael Sullivan tried to calm the citizens, saying, “Don’t blame the victims. The victims are the city—and the Bantus. Its not fair that Holyoke has to be alone in this, but if nobody’s going to do it, we have to try.†Actually, the federal government does not have to do this to Holyoke or to any town in America. The American people, in poll after poll, have voiced their opposition to our current immigration policies. We are under no obligation to destroy the ethnic, religious, and cultural traditions that have built this country. We are under no obligation to destroy the homogeneity of small towns in America. With upwards of 130,000 Somalis in Kenyan camps hoping to be resettled in the United States, towns throughout America might soon have the opportunity to enjoy the diversity that a thousand or two African Muslims will bring them. Meanwhile, we send our boys overseas to fight and die, ostensibly to protect the United States. One of those boys who died in Somalia, in our ill-conceived raid on Mogadishu—so brilliantly dramatized in “Black Hawk Downâ€â€”was SSgt. Thomas J. Field, Army Ranger and native son of Lisbon, just downriver from Lewiston. Local folk got the state highway that connects Lisbon and Lewiston named in his honor. In Lewiston, the highway becomes Lisbon Street, which now features Lewiston’s first mosque, regularly crowded with Somalis. May God rest your soul brave young man—because somewhere “the fix is in.â€

I wonder what the statistic for single mothers would be: Divorce vs. Widowhood (how many widows did the war create?) P.S. Jacaylbaro...what a hideous face! And you dare call yourself Jacaylbaro....

^^^I agree. Isnt it amazing how whenever there is mention of africa in the news its either to report a war, outbreak of some disease, starvation, drought, famine..etc. Never something thats invented...or a person being honoured...or something positive about the environment or reconstruction work or anything that doesnt have a negative tinge to it. And I hate that the poster child for sponsorship and charity is always a black kid. I once had to drag my mother away from donation poll at a mall near me...she was so pissed...they tried getting more money by showing a starving ethopian kid with flies all over his face. And it was a christimas charity for the local hospital..what the bleeping bleep does a kid halfway around the world have to do with some sick, white kid? Explain that me? :mad: :rolleyes: As if only africans experience poverty. :rolleyes:

It should be a priority for all the Imams to learn the language of the country they reside in (by their choice). How else are they supposed to help new converts or people who want to learn about Islam? Its very important. How else will they be able to understand the culture around them in order to preach about it? Or against it? Or know their rights in the system? They cant be depending on a translator. :rolleyes: Its freakin' crazy to think otherwise.

I dont hate or like cell phones. I hate all phones period. I never use the one at home either, unless absolutley necessarly. Im amazed that people can talk for it for an hour, much less more than that. I get tired and bored easily. I definetly have something against phones of all kinds. My mother adores me. As for text messages...they sound so corny and fake.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Here we go again.

There is also the romantic image of a single mother for women to see. There is nothing remotely "romanitc" about single mothering. It is one of the hardest jobs and least appreciated and recognized. I heard someone once say that single motheing is a form of "oppression", and I agree. Its a hard life filled with obstacles and problems. Plainy, IT SUCKS. And any women or man who thinks otherwise is mental or incredibly ignorant. ---- What single mothers desperatley need to learn is money managment.

"Im sorry" is a phrase that has been overused and has lost its meaning and value.