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Wed Aug 1 21:49:03 BST 2007

I have also been a student, and participant, in the long and complex history
of the Middle East, and the three monotheistic religions that were all
founded there. I have lived in the Middle East for over 20 years and speak
three dialects of Arabic fluently, and a smattering of Hebrew. I have
practiced a great deal of war surgery in the region.

Bravo to the Washington Post and the Houston Chronicle. However, there is a
great deal more written in the press of the Middle East that is far more
critical of religious extremism than is evident in this article. Just
because an American newspaper happens to publish something, does not make it
particularly important. The discussion about the proper role of religion in
society -- in the Arabic press and literature -- is far more nuanced and
vigorous than presented in this article. The journalist in question is
definitely NOT a lone voice in the wilderness. There are many such voices.
As for the Christian Reformation, how many centuries of war between
Catholics and Protestants followed? Which, of course, is not the sole
criteria for the uselfullness of the Reformation. How many Catholics and
Orthodox Christians would look upon Luther as a hero, even today?

And, is this subject not irrelevant on this list? Perfectly willing to
discuss off-list, or on the myriad forums that deal with the Middle East.
Do  we really have to subject our colleagues to this sort of discussion.

Bullet removal, ethics and the law:  Many thanks to good South African logic
(Hardcastle). The question -- legally -- is site specific. How many surgeons
are going to give their "legal" opinion before an actual lawyer is going to
be consulted on the national law in question. Once we know what the law is,
in any given country, then we can talk about any conflict of interest with
medical ethics. If getting a bullet out helps to convict someone as guilty
of having shot someone else, so that he/she does not go out and shoot
someone else, then that also sounds a great deal like "primum non nocere".
Harm can be done to individuals, and to society as a collectivity of
individuals.

-- 
christos giannou
Monemvasia Lakonia
23070 Greece
tel & fax: (++30) 27320-61772
mob: (++30) 69 74 83 28 18

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