eeeeeeeeeek
I saw Shoebat speak at Michigan. I'll provide more commentary later, but for now, let me say that my parents used to tell me something that I think applies here: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I would put Shoebat in this box and lock it up, airtight.
I wouldn't trust a single word from Shoebat. I'm Jewish, and I support Israel, and Shoebat allegedly shares these notions, but I don't believe that these feelings are sincere. Supposing his feelings are true, they scare me even more. He alleges he was a PLO terrorist, and that after reading the Talmud, he changed his mind and decided to join the West and Christianity. It sounds to me like he wanted to sell books, go on speaking tours, and make money. But let us suppose that he is serious. Would you take someone seriously whose religious views change so significantly in such a short period of time? He reminds me of Jews who convert to Jews for Jesus - they are not real Jews. Similarly, Shoebat cannot be trusted to provide a true Arab, Muslim perspective.
Many of my Jewish friends enjoy what Shoebat and those like him have to say. I'd love to believe that what he says is true; that we can drastically alter the views of Muslims and show them the light. That we can introduce a democracy to the Muslims that looks like the United States. It isn't close to true.
Living in Egypt and traveling parts of the Arab world, I can say I haven't found his conclusions to be even relatively close to accurate - they are wrong, insincere, and his message won't work. Muslims seek Huriah (freedom) and Democracy. But their democracy is not Christian in origin - it is Muslim. And Shoebat's message fails, from my observations, on all accounts to provide a modicum of useful information to members of the military serving in the Arab world. There are not any Muslims who take him seriously, which I believe is highly important for influence in the Arab world.
I wouldn't trust a single word from him. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
stu
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"When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft."
- Bo Schembechler
"You can’t learn to swim by exercising on the beach."
Ronald Cohen
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