Two Issues, Same Root Problem

(Analyst's note: Here is yet another interesting letter I just received.)

Dear Robert,

Below you will find two short articles, one an assessment of Iran’s nuclear missile advances by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, the second a story posted on Jihad Watch about how a meatpacking plant in Colorado is accommodating its Muslim workers.

As different as these two issues are, they illustrate the failure of the typical Western response in dealing with the relentless advance of militant Islam. Iran has no respect for the olive branches being extended to it by the Obama administration; it proceeds full-speed ahead in its quest for nuclear weaponry — and the power to intimidate that will come with it.

After a major conflict one year ago, Muslim workers in the meatpacking plant receive accommodations not accorded to any other workers of any other faith. Does that satisfy them? No, according to the article below they are now asking that 400 workers be moved to a day shift to accommodate them for Ramadan.

In several New Jersey schools, the administrations are reportedly grappling with how to accommodate the demands made by some Muslim parents that their children be provided private prayer rooms in the schools so they can break away from classes to pray multiple times a day. If the schools capitulate to this demand, do you think this will be the last demand these parents, or other Muslim parents, make?

Many issues, same root problem.

---

Institute for Contemporary Affairs

founded jointly with the Wechsler Family Foundation

Vol. 9, No. 7 25 August 2009

New Developments in Iran's Missile Capabilities:

Implications Beyond the Middle East

Uzi Rubin

• Iran is vigorously pursuing several missile and space programs at an almost feverish pace with impressive achievements. The Iranians have upgraded their ballistic missiles to become satellite launchers. To orbit a satellite is a very complicated project. There are missile stages, and a careful guidance and control system to insert the satellite into a stable, desired trajectory. They took the Shahab, extended it a bit, added more propellant, and now they have the Safir space launch vehicle. Moreover, the Iranians built a two-stage satellite launcher, instead of the usual three stage rockets for space-lift vehicles. This is incomparable to anything we know — an impressive engineering achievement.
• In spite of the Missile Technology Control Regime and in the face of sanctions, Iran has succeeded in acquiring the needed infrastructure and to raise a cadre of proficient scientists and engineers backed by academic and research institutes. Iranian missile technology is moving ahead of the level developed by the North Koreans.
• The solid-propellant Sejil missile signifies a breakthrough. This missile already poses a threat to a number of European Union countries. Based on its demonstrated achievements in solid propulsion and staging, Iran will face no significant hurdle in upscaling the Sejil into a compact, survivable intermediate-range ballistic missile. A range of 3,600 km. will be sufficient to put most of the EU under threat.
• Contrary to an initial report by U.S. and Russian scientists for the EastWest Institute, with the Sejil, Iran has demonstrated its proficiency in using solid-fuel rockets that have much shorter preparation times than do older liquid-fuel missiles. The West must already prepare for the period in the not-too-distant future when Iran deploys nuclear warheads on its missile forces, which can be dispersed in mountainous regions of Iran and will not be easy to find.

August 24, 2009

Sharia 1, Colorado meat packing plant 0

Just imagine this: "JBS has created two chapels for Christian workers inside the plant — one for Roman Catholics and one for Protestants. Also, the company has installed holy water fonts for Roman Catholics that allow workers to anoint themselves with holy water, which is custom on entering the chapel."

Imagine what the outcry would be.

But this — this is fine!

Stealth Jihad at Swift Update: "JBS, Muslims vow harmony," by Chris Casey in the
Greeley Tribune, August 21 (thanks to John):

Just a day before the beginning of Ramadan, the holy month of fast and prayer for Muslims, talks between meatplant workers, union representatives and company officials continued in earnest.

The objective: Avoid a repeat of the showdown at sundown that flared at JBS USA meatpacking plants in Greeley and Grand Island, Neb., last September.

During Ramadan, Muslims don't eat or drink during daylight hours. They break their daily fast after sunset prayers.

Miscommunication about how to handle the religious practices resulted in more than 100 Muslim workers – mostly Somalis, but also other East African refugees who've moved to Greeley in recent years – being fired last September for walking off production lines.

Graen Isse, a Somali who helps operate the East Africa Community Center in Greeley, said he thinks conflicts will be avoided this year.

“We have good communication with the company,” he said. “I don't think it's going to happen. Before, there was no communication at all. The key is communication.”

Unlike last year at this time, JBS has created two prayer rooms for Muslim workers inside the plant — one for men and one for women. Also, the company has installed stations in restrooms that allow workers to thoroughly wash, which is custom before prayers.

Still, some Muslims on the B shift, which runs from late afternoon to late evening and runs into prayers at sundown, have requested a monthlong switch to the daytime A shift to avoid conflicts, Isse said.

“I don't think they're going to move 400 workers to A shift,” Isse said of JBS. “It's hard for them to do.”...

Yes, but now that Swift is in "How high?" mode, so now is the time to press for that.