“The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.”

None of these three assertions are true. The history of the relationship between the Islamic world and the west is one of conflict, sometimes small, sometimes large. And cooperation between the two worlds occurred sporadically, in bounded areas of trade and other commercial interests.

During the colonial period, from the late 19^th century, as the Ottoman Empire began to disintegrate, until the end of WWII, Islamic lands under the European colonial influence experienced their greatest improvements in personal freedoms, to levels near those exercised by the Europeans themselves. Egypt under British influences provided the first taste of freedom of expression that Muslims enjoyed. Islamic states consistently oppressive and no concept of individual rights existed.

During the Cold War, the protagonists competed for the favor of Muslim states, giving Muslim states great benefits if aid and commercial agreements, while allowing the states the free exercise of national sovereignty. The experiences of Egypt are instructive, gain materially from their relation with the Soviets, the Egyptian error in closing the Suez canal, prompting the British and French action, and the subsequent expelling of Soviet military advisors.

Item (d) in the qualification for protection for combatants, of the organization to which a subject was associated: “that of conducting their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war”. Thus adherence to the laws and customs of warfare, promoted by the Geneva Conventions and protocols, is no longer necessary and is, frankly, disadvantageous. A nation can withdraw from the Conventions and expect Convention "like" treatment for their citizens and soldiers, thus freeing that nation from actions that endanger and burden their armed forces.

This further weakens the 3^rd Convention requirements to act as a military force by distinguishing themselves from civilians. And thus, as we have obviously seen in Iraq, Afghanistan and around Israel, civilians are greatly endangered.

Such blatant disregard for the objectives of the Geneva Conventions is a moral failing with the most serious consequences. The effects of these actions will be felt ever more greatly in years ahead.

Then select three key issues, one being a social issue, and debate these for one hour, then open the floor for questions and or statements.

Each participant must be prepared to take some abuse, certainly early on, but gradually a message will begin to come through. While I expect few converts, I do expect that questions will be raised and studied. The goal is to help grow enough thinking people so that unthinking acceptance of liberal doctrines will slow.

For too long, the political “selling” of conservatives has been to preach to their own choir.