The Stone Age has Come

"PS. I'm aware I've opened a Pandora's Box. Freedom of speech is one thing, but if you're going to fly off at a tangent and be an impertinent fool, please don't expect a response.)"
And who is this addressed to?

Answering nb's question(#5) that why does organized religion, which is an ideology too, flourishes in the absence of the basic necessities of life?

There is nothing in my statement that precludes this. What I've said is, that the proper function and scope of any ideology, although indirectly, is to improve the life of it's adherents. Implicit in every ideology is the promise of welfare (heaven, reincarnation to a better state, social justice etc). People willingly risk everything they have for their beliefs because they know it's temporary and they expect a bigger pay-off if successful. An ideology that doesn't guarantee basic human needs is not viable and an ideology that doesn't deliver these will be jettisoned.

So it's no surprise that religion flourishes in destitution. When all other ideologies have failed, like economic and political, people strengthen their faith in religion because it promises betterment in at least the next life or perhaps later in life. Islam and Christianity have heaven; Judaism,the Golden Age; Hinduism, reincarnation to a better state.

(PS. I'm aware I've opened a Pandora's Box. Freedom of speech is one thing, but if you're going to fly off at a tangent and be an impertinent fool, please don't expect a response.)

"I cannot remember when I first heard of the Taliban. I suppose they just seeped into our collective Pakistani consciousness without much turbulence."

What do you think was happening to your chanda money? Going to red cross?

Re: # 15
shabbir...
whether paki terrorists keep bihari pan, or ajmal kasav wears red thread, you can not fool people anymore, even USA......
I don't think, Pakistan is bound to take steps against alleged conspirators of Mumbai attack, neither India expected anything from Pakistan...but somhow large number of brits,americans and jews also died in this mayhem and FBI jumped into the frey...and all this.....

Re: # 22

Please accept my apologies for disappointing you. That's one of the few things in life I might not recover from. Paki and dim-wit being the other two ;)

#21 by s.shabbir

Hahaa, well at least you're entertaining.

Sadly, you're neither :(

Re: # 19

Hahaa, well at least you're entertaining.

And Shabbir mian, no amount of sarcasm and half-a$$ed wit is going to change the fact that your country is the hotbed of terrorism. Now go and take a cold-water shower.

#18 by s.shabbir

It helps with anger, reasonable or otherwise.

Maybe you should grab a glass of water to soothe those nerves. I'm not angry at all. Promise.

I do hope the arthritis in your fingers settles down so you can use valid dictionary entries without pain.

Well, arthritis or no arthritis, it will still be P A K I. Now please grab another glass of cold water before you pop a vein.

If the official statements of your government is going to be what constitutes common sense, then well go drink some more water.

Umm..OK, India's statements may or may not constitute common sense, but after the unbelievable number of U-turns, no one is going to take Paki statements seriously. Your leaders made sure of that.

Yes, of course as everyone knows America is the flag bearer of truth in the world and they use arm-twisting for merely confession of truth. Not coercion definitely.

America may not be the epitome of virtue, but when you're being dishonest, at least you need to be strong enough like them to make the world believe your lies. When you're not as strong and still spout lies, you're only going to meet Pakistan's fate.

Re: # 17

a) Monsieur, go drink a glass of water. It helps with anger, reasonable or otherwise.

b) I do hope the arthritis in your fingers settles down so you can use valid dictionary entries without pain.

c) If the official statements of your government is going to be what constitutes common sense, then well go drink some more water.

Lastly, sarcastic remark! : Yes, of course as everyone knows America is the flag bearer of truth in the world and they use arm-twisting for merely confession of truth. Not coercion definitely.

#15 by s.shabbir

Why are you so averse to the possibility that there "might", just might be "some" Indian involvement in Pakistan. How did you arrive at such an authority on truth? Direct line to God, is it?

Shabbir mian, no you don't need a direct line to God; all you need is a bit of common sense and evidence. Pakistan accepted India's contention that Pakis were involved in Mumbai because of irrefutable evidence (mango pickle not being the ONLY evidence). Time you came up with similar evidence to prove Indian involvement. Don't simply assume things!

PS: "Paki" is easier to type than "Pakistani". If you feel "bloody Indian" is easier for you, be my guest.

By the way, it's Pakistani not Paki, just like it's not Bloody Indian. Before '47, that's what we all were in Britain.

Re: # 14 By that I was referring to increased Indian interests in Afghanistan and a possible deployment. I also said Pakistanis will not fail to find "some evidence of a Bihari Pan". For the last time, I have used what is called "literary irony". By the way, I conceded Pakistani involvement in Bombay. Why are you so averse to the possibility that there "might", just might be "some" Indian involvement in Pakistan. How did you arrive at such an authority on truth? Direct line to God, is it?

#9 by s.shabbir

Who's denying the country's responsibility? Unless Zia was an Indian, I don't see why you should be so worked up.

Shabbir mian, here's what you wrote:

"It would be simplistic to suggest that India does not have a hand in what is going on in Pakistan just as it’s incorrect to deny any involvement of “Pakistani elements� in Bombay attacks. After all, the Indian authorities did find a jar of Ahmed Mango Pickle in the boat used by the terrorists. The terrorist who had the skill of keeping a city hostage for 72 hours did not have the sense to dump the jar in the sea."

Pray tell us what you mean by this?

And let me correct you on this: an overwhelming number of Pakis (both on Chowk and in the Paki media) believed it was the Indians who did Mumbai, citing the accent the terrorists spoke in and the red thread they'd tied around their waists. Some Pakis even denied there was a place called Faridkot (from where the lone surviving terrorist Qasab originated) in Pakistan. It was American arm-twisting and Indian diplomacy that finally forced Pakistan to accept its citizens' involvement.

Re: # 11

Thanks for the link.
It's exactly like adding insults to injury of liberal fascists on Chowk. lol.
-E

Saroosh,

I must say, WHAT A PERPECT PIECE IT IS.
Brilliant! Loved it for its precise historical expression.
Two Thumbs Up, Saroosh!

-E