The world is going to end in less than two weeks. Well, at least if Islamist nutballs have anything to say about it. I was going to put this down as war commentary, but I think I'll stick to "Weird."

Lewis seems to have a perfectly reasonable argument in support of this point. Interesting that the guardianista doesn't argue the point, but merely relies on neocon conspiracy theories and ad-hominems against Lewis to dismiss it.

Notice the rank ageism. Can't the Guardian be charged with a hate crime?

Rand,
Did you actually read your own link? The whole issue came about because Ahmadinejad said he would respond by August 22nd, which just so happens to be the end of the current month in the Persian calendar. From this basis, Lewis extrapolates a thoroughly loopy, tortuous string of fringe associations to argue that (a)the Iranian president's mention of the date, plus (b)the fact that it has some obscure significance to an event in Islamic mythology (as do dozens of other dates), must mean that Ahmadinejad is hinting the apocalypse is two weeks away. As I've often had to argue with other liberals wrt Bush, the fact that someone is a crudely apocalyptic zealot does not make every word they speak a threat. Nor is there anything in the article that suggests any of these people actually believe what Lewis attributes to them, so I don't know what your point is.

I've never done this before, but, I partially agree with Brian.

Did Lewis say this to poke holes in Ahmadinejad's thinking? To show what a raving boob he is. Not to mention, does ANYONE really believe this, as stated?. If the world will end on the 22nd, why would the Iranians need nuclear power plants? Or have they stopped working on that plan? Won't Allah just make electricity for them as needed?

Is there a need for electrical lighting in Heaven? Are there ugly virgin's? Maybe they won't want the lights on.

Who knows?

Who cares?

Brian, to think that Bush is a "crudely apocalyptic zealot" in itself is quite stupid.

Mr Lewis isn't saying the world is going to end. That's what the idiot from the Guardian is saying. Mr Lewis on the other hand says that August 22nd _could_ have something happen but he doesn't say that it will. I have no doubt, or at least hope, that the intell/military communities aren't watching things closely too.

Just because we might not agree or believe the stuff about the hidden iman, etc that doesn't mean that someone else might. And if that person _might_ have WMD's then we should be cautious but not paranoid. Yet.

"Brian, to think that Bush is a "crudely apocalyptic zealot" in itself is quite stupid."

Rand, you may have a point in taking issue with the term "crudely." Bush is a lot more circumspect about his apocalyptic zealotry than many will admit, but certain facts just can't be avoided: He often speaks of himself in messianic terms, freely admits believing that he is on a mission from God, has very strong political connections to End Times religious groups, and frequently seeks and implements foreign policy advice from them--especially on the Middle East. As I argue with fellow liberals, that's not nearly enough to say he's deliberately trying to bring about Armageddon, but it does exhibit the qualities I'm talking about.

I guess the arrest of 21 suspects wanted in a potential murder for hire ring might prevent a large criminal act from occurring in and around the 22nd of August. Then again, it could be just racial profiling of innocent men just trying to see the world.

He often speaks of himself in messianic terms, freely admits believing that he is on a mission from God, has very strong political connections to End Times religious groups, and frequently seeks and implements foreign policy advice from them--especially on the Middle East.

Bullshit. This is a leftist fantasty. I never fail to be stunned by people who deludedly think that Bush is an "apocalyptic zealot" but are indifferent to the very real ones in Iran.

It reminds me of Dennis Miller's joke before we removed Saddam. "What's with these people? Bush is Hitler, Rumsfeld is Hitler, Ashcroft is Hitler. Everyone's Hitler except the guy with the mustache who actually gases people."

It seems awfully stupid when people make predictions as specific as this. Can't they see that as soon as that date passes without what they predicted, their repuation is ruined? It seems they might want to keep their thoughts to themselves in case they are wrong...

Rand says: I never fail to be stunned by people who deludedly think that Bush is an "apocalyptic zealot" but are indifferent to the very real ones in Iran.

You have to remember though. The real zealots in Iran are just misunderstood, or deeply immersed in internal politics. Since we're free as a people to question our leaders, the left feels that extremes are warranted. Ain't that grand?

"I never fail to be stunned by people who deludedly think that Bush is an "apocalyptic zealot" but are indifferent to the very real ones in Iran."

This is more of the same feebleminded reliance on false dilemmas the White House uses in its press releases, and I'm not surprised to see the tactic replicated here. Since I gave specific facts in support of my conclusion, and you neither addressed a single one or offered any of your own in disputing it, all you've said is "I refuse to believe it because I don't like it." Well, sorry, that's not good enough for grownups--Bush is a fanatic because his actions bespeak a fanatic, case closed.

"It reminds me of Dennis Miller's joke before we removed Saddam. "What's with these people? Bush is Hitler, Rumsfeld is Hitler, Ashcroft is Hitler. Everyone's Hitler except the guy with the mustache who actually gases people.""

More false dilemmas from the moral midgets. I guess there weren't enough kindergarten teachers around to explain it in terms they'd understand, so allow me to try: evil is not a football, so its presence on one side does not imply its absence on the other. And since Bush controls the world's most powerful military, his belligerence and repudiation of international law are a lot more dangerous.

Emma,
there are countless instances of these kinds of end of the world prophesies, and the leaders get away with it. Again and again.

2 notable instances, David Koresh and Jim Jones, both told followers they knew when the end was to come. Jones probably got closer to controlling his own end, and unfortunately those of others too.

The leaders come out and say stuff like, "We've been given a second chance!!" or "My timing was off but our great God, UUb-ol-mak, is coming soon!! Be diligent! Oh, and send money."

Most people gullible enough to believe that some dude down he street is in on the date the world will end, can easily be fooled more than once.

Squidward says: More false dilemmas from the moral midgets.

Look who's writing! To claim that your morals are greater than ours proves that you are vain. I suspected that a while ago, thanks for the proof.

As for the football reference...If the Jets win more than 5 games this season, it WILL be the Apocalypse.

Squidward says: Bush is a fanatic because his actions bespeak a fanatic, case closed.

I think that's case wide open. You constantly harp on your facts supporting your conclusions and you have no facts to support this rubbish. The case is closed for you because of your hatred of Bush and his administration.

The fact is, Bush is a faith driven leader. His faith gives him direction in how he handles the events around him. WHether or not you like that, its true. Just like your faith (and notice I'm not saying religion) leads you to handle your surroundings in a certain way. That Bush always goes the way his faith points him is the sign of a person strong in faith. Like him or not, you have to respect that. Actually YOU don't, becuase you will fight as hard as you can do villify Bush at every opportunity. He's not the best we've ever had, but he's driven by what he believes.

It seems awfully stupid when people make predictions as specific as this. Can't they see that as soon as that date passes without what they predicted, their repuation is ruined? It seems they might want to keep their thoughts to themselves in case they are wrong...

Do you know what the difference between a good prognosticator and a bad one is? The good one constantly reminds everyone of the few times he was right while the bad one fails to hide the many times he was wrong.

If this guy gets any part of his prediction right, we will never hear the end of it. But if he's completely wrong, there won't be another word about that prediction.