Dangerous screwballs

[David S]

Somalia Town Threatens to Behead People Who Don't Pray 5 Times Daily
Wednesday, December 06, 2006

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MOGADISHU, Somalia  —  Residents of a southern Somalia town who do not pray five times a day will be beheaded, an official said Wednesday, adding the edict will be implemented in three days.

Shops, tea houses and other public places in Bulo Burto, about 124 miles northeast of the capital, Mogadishu, should be closed during prayer time and no one should be on the streets, said Sheik Hussein Barre Rage, the chairman of the town's Islamic court. His court is part of a network backed by armed militiamen that has taken control of much of southern Somalia in recent months, bringing a strict interpretation of Islam that is alien to many Somalis.

Those who do not follow the prayer edict after three days have elapsed, "will definitely be beheaded according to Islamic law," Rage told The Associated Press by phone. "As Muslims we should practice Islam fully, not in part, and that is what our religion enjoins us to do."

He said the edict, which covered only Bulo Burto, was being announced over loudspeakers throughout the town.

Somalia's Islamic courts have made varying interpretations of Koranic law, some applying a more strict and radical version of Islam than others. Some of the courts have introduced public executions, floggings of convicts, bans on women swimming in Mogadishu's public beaches and on the sale and chewing of khat, a leafy stimulant consumed across the Horn of Africa and in the Middle East.

[Gabu]

I sure wish I lived in Somalia right now.

[MaC]

I sure wish I lived in Somalia right now.

of course you do.  There's an anarchy there, uhm I mean (think libertarian thoughts) These people are obviously subject to direct force, thus government. (better)...

[Everett]

I sure wish I lived in Somalia right now.

Yeah, Somalia sure has a great free market.

[David S]

Being aware of the spanish inquisition, the founders of our country wisely restricted congress from passing laws respecting religion. If they had not we could have the same sort of thing going on right here except it would be Christians rather than muslims doing the beheading.

[bullmoose88]

Being aware of the spanish inquisition, the founders of our country wisely restricted congress from passing laws respecting religion. If they had not we could have the same sort of thing going on right here except it would be Christians rather than muslims doing the beheading.

NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!

[MaC]

I sure wish I lived in Somalia right now.

Yeah, Somalia sure has a great free market.

Because religious extremists support a free market

[Platypus]

Well if there is no regulation, yet still some kind of market, then it's free, no?

[MaC]

it's not a totally 'free' market if you have to stop business in order to pray to mecca five times a day and you'll be killed if you don't.  That's completely a businessperson's right.

[Gabu]

it's not a totally 'free' market if you have to stop business in order to pray to mecca five times a day and you'll be killed if you don't.  That's completely a businessperson's right.

Well, this kind of proves the fact that you can't have a true anarchy, since you'd need a government to enforce the part where people don't murder others for not obeying commands.

[MaC]

it's not a totally 'free' market if you have to stop business in order to pray to mecca five times a day and you'll be killed if you don't.  That's completely a businessperson's right.

Well, this kind of proves the fact that you can't have a true anarchy, since you'd need a government to enforce the part where people don't murder others for not obeying commands.

Although I've argued anarchism before, I'm really not-just a minarchist.  I will say that police and justice are necessary functions of the government.  An anarchist would say privatize the police though

[Gabu]

Although I've argued anarchism before, I'm really not-just a minarchist.  I will say that police and justice are necessary functions of the government.  An anarchist would say privatize the police though

I thought you did want to privatize the police.

[MaC]

Although I've argued anarchism before, I'm really not-just a minarchist.  I will say that police and justice are necessary functions of the government.  An anarchist would say privatize the police though

I thought you did want to privatize the police.

It wouldn't happen.  Even if I wanted it, I realize that it's really not a big deal.  The transition from public to private have would be very very carefully planned in order to prevent warlordism.