First, looking at it from the book of Genesis, we see this as an extended “domestic”. All of them are the Children of Abraham. But as we look at the history, we see trouble right from the beginning. God promised Abraham a son, but Sarai was barren or unable to have children, which brought dishonor to both members of the relationship. In spite of this Abraham stayed faithful to Sarai, his wife. Sarai told her handmaiden to sleep with Abraham and bear him a son. The handmaiden, Hagar did exactly that and boy’s name was Ishmael. God came to Sarai and told her she would bare Abraham a son. Sarai, she just laughed, I’m an old woman. over a 100 years old. God said, “You laughed?! You will name him, Isaac. There was a certain point in time. when Ishmael starts to belittle Sarai. The wife hits the famous “tipping point”. No talking with Abraham, she calls Hagar and Ishmael and promptly banishes them from the family. Abraham is totally shocked and starts to argue. God confronts him and says, “Shut up and listen to your wife! This is the way it will be.” The blessing will go through Isaac and nothing but grief will come from Ishmael and his line.”

One note, Abram and Abraham are the same person, the name changes through this process. The same is true of Sarai and Sarah.

One last note, this is not the only hot spot.

virgil, agreed; I am very much a small-picture, “quibble quibble” kinda guy. I’m really annoying that way. I can even gin up a decent level of respect for those who revere the Stars & Bars, despite those who have manipulated irrefutable logic so that they could demonstrate how totally evil the Rebellion was.

Er, that’s the Evil Rebellion of 1860, not the Patriotic Rebellion of 1776. Just in case there are any Californians reading. {/snerk}

As for Tim, well… I think there are more than a few decent Muslims out there, such as the Militant Moderates.

According to some moderates in the area, however, much of the blame for disregarding the peaceful majority should fall on the Western news media, which they say is only interested in filming chaotic protests.

“The reporters want to see blood in the streets, they want to see the crazy people,” said an Egyptian college student. “Why don’t they come into our homes and film us just watching television, not doing or saying anything contentious? Yes, there are a few thousand people out there chanting and burning flags and shooting guns, but there are millions of us not doing anything.”

Asked why the moderates are not out there doing anything, the man frowned.

“Perhaps you didn’t hear the part where I said they’re shooting guns,” he answered.

I think a few 500 pound bombs in exchange for a few small rockets is a very good exchange for Hamas. They may disagree, but look at the much larger ordnance they get back for such a paltry contribution.

Grief! I would think this is a no brainer, but the world never listens. They will listen in the future, however. Read Ezekial chapters 38 & 39. The lesson will be ground into their faces then.

Sigh.

Your post was fine until you got to the end . Do we really have to quibble over the fine print in the legend on the “road-map” to peace? Quibble, quibble quibble. I guess your just not a big picture kinda guy……