Let's Respond to Putin, Not React

Speaking at the Munich Conference on Security Policy today, Russian President, Valdimir Putin, apparently got the news media in a lather. Unfortunately, as I write this Putin's speech is not available in English; only Russian. Certainly, we must pay very close attention to even the slightest nuance of negativity from the Russian President. But, I think in this case the media is over-reacting.

The tagline of the conference is Peace through Dialogue. It was an appropriate place to provoke an intense discussion. You can read what stirred everyone here. I can understand what the fuss is about, but I urge us all to listen in this case and keep our mouth's shut for a moment. This goes for you Senator's McCain and Lieberman.

According to the BBC (light years ahead of CNN and most everyone else as usual), Mr Putin's spokesman Dimitry Peskov said the speech was "not about confrontation, it's an invitation to think." And think we should. President Putin's ruminations on American policy is something we should all be turning a keen ear to. For example, I can imagine why Russia would be concerned with our intentions and our actions. I am not convinced that the world is safer. Is anyone? If so, then that's another subject to debate at another time. I am only speaking for myself now. I don't feel safer since 9/11. Why should the Russians?

In an interview with National Interest, Peskov had this to say about one of our arch-enemies, Iran, "We are the last country in this world that would want to have a nuclear weapon at its southern borders. Let’s not forget that the problem of a potentially nuclear Iran is much more vivid for us than for some other remote countries." It seems pretty obvious that the regions closest to Russia are not stable. Of course, many have never been.

The brinksmanship between Washington and Tehran has done nothing to calm Russian nerves, apparently. If we listen carefully, Russia's president may be asking us to be the "bigger man" here and stop the threats we are lobbing in Iran's direction. Our brothers in Israel should also button it. Anyone who is watching closely can see that Iran is blowing smoke. If I were Iran, I'd be doing the same thing. With America staring coldy in my direction twirling a pistol, what do any of us expect?

Because we don't have a translation of the speech, we don't know right now what other nuanced issues Mr. Putin raised. Even if he did not mention the other key reasons for global instability like poverty, illiteracy and global communications making the gulf between the haves and have nots seem wider than at any point in history, the speech should be judged in total.

Mr. Putin, apparently the Western media is spoiling to spark a debate. They are right to do this. The floor is now yours again. Some of us are going to do the best way can to listen to what you have to say. If you aren't focusing some of your energy on other issues out of American control, we may not be so eager to listen next time. I'll keep an open mind in the meantime.

Let's face it. We are never going to respect cultures that don't believe in equality for women

Islam is not the enemy. Every thinking person in the West should know this well by now. The enemy is ignorance and it's dirty offspring: tribalism, sectarianism and most other isms of one kind or another.

Here's what the Quaran says about women so we might put this issue to rest for good:

"Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you MALE OR FEMALE, YOU ARE EQUAL TO ONE ANOTHER........."

The reason the West is headed for a full-scale showdown with so-called Islamists is simple: They have hijacked their own religion and Western Democracies have no respect for it.

I am not posting here to debate the merits of either view. I see both sides of this debate as having valid and important points to make. But, I must choose a side. And that side is with the inevitable march of progress in women's rights and equality.

Those Islamic governments who are creating cultures where women can participate as equals to men will be more successful in the long-run. It's axiomatic. Those who supress the natural rights of all human beings to live a life of liberty coupled with the ability to pursue happiness -- or unhappiness if they choose -- will be less successful.

It goes deeper than that. Success is a relative term, after all. The earth is a mess. We can't afford to leave anyone on the sidelines of a problem that is going to require a lot of - if you'll forgive the redneckism -- assholes and elbows to fix. Arab civilizations were the most advanced in the world. They are now the most backward and moribund. We all should be doing what we can to encourage their return to glory.

Why so-called "wise men" are leaving large portions of the brain power of their communities untapped is puzzling. It is time for our government to do whatever we can to support those organizations that are trying to help women achieve equality in Islamist societies. Better to do this calmly and steadfastly today than over the point of a sword tomorrow. Although, the jihadists seem to prefer the sword.

I have patiently met with and discussed these issues with Muslim friends. I am amazed at the thoughtfulness of Islam and the kindness of those who believe. But, their places of worship continue to separate men from women. I don't judge that. I merely point out that it is an examphttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifle of the kind of separate but equal doctrine that never really works as history has shown.

More on this as I ponder it. It's a complex issue that cannot be neatly described. That being said, though, there is an inevitability to this issue that must be addressed by our leaders. Now with a female Speaker of the House of Representatives, I hope the issue will be more considered more intently.

Until next time.

P.S. Want to read more on this subject from a first person viewpoint: The Muslim Woman dot org.