ALIF - The Way Ahead?

An interesting view point.


``Interestingly though, one fails to realise that during the last 20 years the linguistic centre of English has moved away from England. Its hegemony has now spread. That means its use and spread is in the hands of its users. This has given rise to several varieties of English in the world. In this sense, renowned scholar Braj Kachru, rightly speaks of ``world Englishes``. More non-native people use English than native English speakers in the world today. In China, for example, there are more English-using Chinese than the total population of Britain. However, one should admit, that unlike Indians, the Chinese have a strong base in their mother tongue.``

For more, check out ....

English Advantage
Speaking in Harmonious Accents
By Pramod Talgeri
http://www.timesofindia.com/today/12edit4.htm

rgds

t

PM if you reread the post you will realize that the joke was not his death.

Few people I respect are and christian preachers are one of them. Most of them are true to their belief and practice.

The joke was that his humanity was presented on taking stand on different issues along with his service in Vietnam.

If you know, American press is admitting its atrocities in Vietnam and anybody taking part in that even as a supporter is not absolved. Moreso depicting this as a humanism.

Mr. Rashid

``So this argument makes OConnors a champion of human rights?``

Maybe. Maybe not. (I could get perhaps refer you to some US Catholic missions` social relief work in Latin America and Africa, and you can decide for yourself, depending on what role OConnor might have played in them)

Either way, the arugment doesn`t make his death te ``Joke of the Day``, which, if you remember, is what started this all.

so long... at least you`re doing a somewhat more convincing job arguing `Kashmir` for us.

``So this argument makes OConnors a champion of human rights?``

I don`t know, krashid... Was kind of hoping you could tell me what the reward is for those (believers) who fight the Unbelievers to protect the righteous way of life, under the One True God. (I could look it up but I thought you might have it at the tips of your fingers)

PM

So this argument makes OConnors a champion of human rights?

krashid,

Funny you should read my references to scriptural injunctions (regarding how to deal with Commies {whom I presume would qualify as kafirs-- ask Farnagi_Kush if you don`t want to take my word on it!}) as anti-Islam.

NOT funny that you should try to muddle the issue by bringing in others such as `prisoners of conscience` etc.

I was only trying to point out that you cannot quote the Qu`ran AND ridicule someone`s willingness to fight against communism. There`s a word for that kind of talk.

PM!

I thought, you would respond with more anti commies.

Rather you stooped to Anti-Islam.

krashid, (re. #20)

Since when did it become acceptable for believers to hold their own PoV regarding the kafirs (or to suggest the same) --as opposed following official doctrine and scriptural injunctions, that is?

Jonty,

I`m afraid I can`t help you out there. My knowledge of the bishop and his past is really very limited. (Didn`t really matter to me what men in funny dresses and pompous hats did 10,000 miles away :-) )

My argument was based in the seeming irony of a pot calling the kettle black-- and then putting it on the boil too!

Perhaps you`ll find the info you`re looking for at www.dignity.org

g`luck

PM

Perhaps you can help with this one. I seem to remember in the 1980s Cardinal O`Connor being accused of opposing Aids research, and making anti-gay pronouncements. So much so that ACT UP (Aids Coalition To Unleash Power- where are they now?) said he was `spreading` Aids.

Do you know if there is any truth to all of this?

PM that is your point of view.

War in Vietnam was aginst Commies or suppression of freedom has been fought even in America. Including Mohammed Ali the boxer many people were sent to jail for their conscience. Many died in demonstrations in America.

You can have your point of view regarding Commies.

krashid:

I can`t seem to understand your problem with O`Connor`s stance viz the war, or even the fact that he was revered for it.

Isn`t the need for jihad against the evil ways of Communism and atheism one of your constant rants?

And why hasn`t our friend Farangi_Kush already pointed out this contradiction to you?!

Will you now tell me that it was not the jihadic spirit that drove O`Connor and thousands others to war against the Commies?

Mr. O`Connors retired as a rear admiral after the war. And off course was serving his pastorsal duty.

In the same vein a cook cooking for the murderers in Vietnam, and person doing Laundry for them or different organizations only supporting genocide and not actively participating in them are absolved of their responsibility.

The irony is not that he took these stands.

The irony is that he is revered for taking those stands.

Re: krashid #14

I agree with PM, you are being judgmental.

krashid #14 What kind of an individual does it take to joke about the death of a person, any person?

re. krashid (#14)

The sarcasm {``Joke of the Day``} is unwarranted, and below you.

``[Bishop O`Connors] served in Korean war and VIETNAM War as Bishop.

His humanism is evident when he was against attacks on abortion clinics.

How Humanistic. MashaAllah.``

I`m interested to know whether you know for a fact that O`Connor actively supported those wars-- or if he perhaps believed he was carrying out his pastoral duties to those caught in the war not by their own choosing.

Yes, he spent 27 years in the Marine corps, but as a Muslim, *you * can hardly fault him for such active patriotism now, can you?

Your comment on his opposition to attacks on abortion clinics might be construed as his supporting pro-choicers. That is indeed irresponsible on your part, as nothing could be further from the truth. His opposition might well have been based in a conviction that the answer to violence is not more violence, and in the undertanding that abortion is not always a black-and-white moral issue.

Whether or not the bishop always acted with consistency (and I could write a thesis about his faults), you have grossly oversimplified the issue. This is quite unlike you, Mr. Rashid. And the timing was particularly inappropriate.