BC - We might just have to agree to disagree on US politics. I respect your conviction but I doubt we can have a meaningful conversation about it here. As for Islam, it is a pity that those with the strictest and most orthodox interpretations of the Koran are the ones getting all the media lime light. I wish the other voices, including those of the woman below, got more coverage. The only silver lining, if it can be called that at all, to the current struggle within Islam and its impact on the rest of the world is that all of this is debate and conflict is bringing out deep bottled-up feelings amongst many people. That in turn opens up touchy issues like the role of women etc to debate. It is debate and discussion, often over long periods of time, and the awareness they create, that can most likely bring about a change of hearts.