74 Comments

What a great detailed history on the region and people. I look forward to learning more my friend!

Expand full comment

Thanks brother. I love your recent articles on this region, and look forward to the next one. You're covering great details. I think you and I are about to meet in the middle, in a sort of narrative/truth pincer move. Keep at it!

Expand full comment

I appreciate that encouragement my friend.

My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Those kind of tragedies are really tough.

I had a girlfriend in my twenties that had both her brother and sister murdered at the same time. They were both such good people and I weep still thinking about it.

Prayers friend.

Expand full comment

Thank you, my friend. My condolences to you, as well. That's horrible.

It seems the best of us depart this realm too soon-- people who could really be useful in these dark hours. All we can do is our best to emulate their quality, honor their memory, and remember that this world is temporary and flawed. It's not our destination; more like a path on the journey, and therefore, we shouldn't cling to it. (I think that mentality really irritates the self-anointed masters of this world, who do cling to it.)

One day we will join them. Until then, we strive to make things a little less flawed for those here that we care about. That is what I think it means to live a fulfilled life.

Cheers friend, and prayers.

Expand full comment

Very well said.❤️

Expand full comment

Thanks to both of you for your research and opening the eyes and minds of so many. Lots of things to rearrange our pre-conceived notions.

Expand full comment

Yes, I think if we were all better informed about the real, authentic dynamics of a controversial region, we would all be less polarized and there would be more of this "meeting in the middle."

Expand full comment

After my first reading, I was somewhat surprised at the attempt to sugar coat or downplay the violence associated with Muslims or as noted in the comments "whitewashed" so, I went back and read the article again and in some areas, again and again. My reason for doing so was my unschooled attempt to reconcile several things. One, over the course of my old career I travelled frequently to Malaysia (Muslim country) and encountered and worked with many Muslims. Secondly, I travelled frequently throughout Europe on business with a Muslim colleague of Algerian heritage. I mention these two points because I had a difficult time (at that time in my life) reconciling not only the intelligence of the people I worked with against the "evil Islamists" supposedly hell bent on taking over the world, to the oft repeated line that Islam is a religion of Peace. I had many long discussions with my European colleague as well as one manager at our Malaysian factory (he himself related to the local sheik) about the very nature of peaceful Islam against my Christian and Catholic upbringing, given that there were many violent episodes attributed to the Christians and Catholics of Europe and the Vatican. I was left puzzled and perplexed. How can these very nice folks be associated with this religion that calls for death to non-believers? Then I start to dig more and grow in my understanding, not only of Islam as well as Christianity, and I truly am no expert in either nor claim to be. Call me open minded and way beyond curious!

Which brings me to this article and the tie in the Sword Dance, and more importantly (to me anyway) to events unfolding around us as pointed out by Just Human and Burning Bright recently, that what is happening is perhaps not scripted per se, however certainly following a story line of sorts in that as DJT often is quoted as saying "we know/have it all..."

This article leaves me with a thirst for additional study of the region and players involved as well as making me say wow, there certainly is so much I do not understand yet somehow I feel comforted in the knowledge that the Badlands Media writers do know so much more than I ever will, and more importantly to events yet to come as directed by DJT.

I am thrilled to be reading these articles and look forward to part two. My apologies this comment is long, like I said sort of, giving me pause to reflect is an understatement. Take care and have a Blessed day!

Expand full comment

Wow! Another masterpiece by Ghost. Every day I become more proud to call you my friend and brother. Keep up the great work!

I believe that most people, even "awake anons", have not yet realized that there is no hope for humanity to emerge from this dark time without an incredibly strong unity between approximately 90% of us. If true, that necessarily means we have no hope unless christians and muslims can unite and stay united based on the vast majority of things we agree upon, rather than be divided by the less important things we disagree on. I believe at least 90% of the 2 billion muslims in the world are good, god-loving people who like most Christians just want to live peaceful and free lives to serve God. (For the record, I would say the same for the 2 billion Catholics who have no idea their church has been run by Satanists for generations).

Jesus would never consider turning his back on 2 muslims, let alone 2 billion. Nor should any God-loving Christian.

Expand full comment

💯 I lived in a Muslim country and they are kin. My Christian son’s best friend is muslim and they consider each other brothers. The truth will unite all mankind 🙏❤️

Expand full comment

"The truth will unite all mankind" And just look at what the lies have done to mankind.

Reading this absolute masterpiece of information underscores the self-serving and greedy manipulations that have kept this region in turmoil for centuries. I look back at

the anger, division, fear we were encouraged to feel and participate in after 9/11 and it sickens me as much as my long regretted votes for W, No Name, Mittens.

Watching President Trump's visit to SA was one of the most profound things I've ever

watched a chief executive participate in. The honor he was shown was jaw-dropping, particularly when contrasted with the vile way he was treated here at home.

Thank you for a superb piece of true journalism-- you educated me.

Expand full comment

Amen, brother. Amen. 🙏🏼

Expand full comment

I’d like to comment on this statement,

“If true, that necessarily means we have no hope unless christians and muslims can unite and stay united based on the vast majority of things we agree upon, rather than be divided by the less important things we disagree on.”

Although Christians and Muslims may agree on some moral and ethical issues, we do disagree on the person of Jesus Christ, why he came and what he did to secure salvation and eternal life for all who believe in and trust him. This is far from a “less important thing(s)”, and it is everything to the true Christian.

Expand full comment

So you didn't read the article then? Christians and Muslims are in agreement much more than they disagree about Jesus.

And I'll point out that 1,000 years of peace is not attainable by vilifying 2 billion muslims, most of which are very good people. So we either act like Jesus and welcome everyone into the Kingdom, or we keep getting the division that the evil cabal wants. Those are our choices. It's up to us. I for one, will be in the unifying group, not the dividing one.

Expand full comment

I did read the article, but am not sure you understand what a true Christian is.

And I am not vilifying Muslims or anyone else who is not a true Christian. But truly, there is only one way to the Father (God), and that is through Jesus, as he himself stated. The true Christian is one who through faith is in union with Christ and the Father. Thus, there are two major groups of people on earth today, those who are in Christ, and those who aren’t, be they Muslim or of any other religion.

Expand full comment

Perhaps it's you who don't understand what a true Christian is. In its simplest form is someone who lives their life like Christ did. Is it not? Many people forget that he was ostracized by the establishment as well as his followers and believers for reaching out to those who were deemed unworthy of God's Kingdom.

Many forget that Jesus obliterated the current narrative of his time about what people thought God's law was. Many Christians today think they know what God's law is but perhaps they do not. Perhaps they misunderstand God's laws as the Pharisees did in Jesus' time.

If you're saying that the 4 billion or more non Christians can not be part of God's Kingdom on Earth as it is in heaven, that is perhaps the most unchristian sentiment possible. It is certainly not something Jesus himself would believe.

Expand full comment

No, actually a Christian is one who has been spiritually born again by believing in in Jesus Christ. There is no one who has or can live as Christ lived. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That is why all people need Christ, to save them from their sins. No religion, including Islam, offers what God has given to us in Christ. And he calls you and all people to come to him, to be saved, and enter into his kingdom where Christ is king.

It is very Christian to invite all people, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, or what have you, to believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.

I encourage you to read John’s gospel, and then show me where I am wrong.

Expand full comment

We can agree to disagree and still respect and love each other. That's a Christian thing to do.

It is indeed very Christian to invite people to the Kingdom. It is also very unChristian to tell all non Christians they are going to burn in hell.

There is nothing in the Bible that tells us to judge each other. That's between each person and God. As children of God it is our job to love each other. Period.

Expand full comment

Dear Ghost, Thanks for the amazing research! I live in Montross and followed the story of your brother’s death. My sympathies and prayers for you and your family!

Expand full comment

Excellent article. SA is a fascinating country and I have read a book on the history of the family of accused 911 mastermind (including the intertwining relationship between them and the Bushes) and can’t wait to read this next part of SA’s history! Thank you for this excellent research!

Expand full comment

Very interesting! The lies we have been fed! Glad to be getting some truth - finally!

Expand full comment

Great work here Ghost, conveyed with care, deep from the heart.

Keep writing bro!

Expand full comment

Thank you! “Two great warriors fighting the same dragon!”

❤️ that line

Expand full comment

Wow this is so well written and easy to understand. I had no idea of this history. Thank you!

-Kim

Expand full comment

I throughly enjoyed reading this outstanding piece. I had read The Arab Mind (Raphael Patai) to get a better understanding of their history and culture.

Part II will be must anticipated by this reader.

Expand full comment

Great article, thanks!

Expand full comment

there were no planes...it was cgi...

Expand full comment

What a wonderful, concise history, much needed in today's world of confusion!! Thank you, so much!!

Expand full comment

Only a few paragraphs in and I can’t pick my jaw up off the floor.

Expand full comment

I’m very sorry to hear about your brothers. Peace be with you.

Expand full comment

Excellent Article! Can’t wait for part 2

Expand full comment

Thank you for this!

Expand full comment

What’s in a name? You have the same name as someone I have studied in-depth.

Expand full comment