Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Arnold Schwarzenegger

2007-06-17T22:50:54Z

BritishWrite: Formatting

[[Image:About arnold img-2.jpg|right]]
'''Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger''' is an [[Austria]]n-born [[United States of America|American]] actor, politician, [[bodybuilding|bodybuilder]], and businessman, serving as the 38th Governor of [[California]] since 2003.
==Recall Election==
After sitting Governor [[Gray Davis]] instituted a new registration tax by executive order, infuriated citizens initiated a petition to place a measure on the ballot to remove him from office. Despite Democratic predictions that the petition would fail, it was delivered to then Secretary of State [[Kevin Shelley]] with more than the required number of signatures. In accordance with the law, Lieutenant Governor [[Cruz Bustamante]] became Acting Governor. Bustamante called a special election for October 7, 2003.

The election was the first in United States history. Approximately 180 citizens, from all walks of life, declared candidacy. Schwarzenegger was rumored to be considering a run for office, which was confirmed in a press release. Schwarzenegger and Cruz Bustamante quickly rose to the top of the candidate list.

After the election was over, Schwarzenegger was sworn in on November 17, 2003, to serve the remainder of Davis' term. Schwarzenegger was then reelected by a landslide on November 7, 2006, in California's 2006 gubernatorial election to serve a full term as governor by defeating Democrat [[Phil Angelides]], who was at that time the California State Treasurer.

Despite Schwarzenegger's claims of being a [[Capitalism|capitalist]], he is a supporter of some [[Socialism|socialist]] policies. He is a supporter of [[gun control]] and environmentalism. In fact, he is a staunch supporter of a law that mandates the use of Californian taxpayer money to fund the cloning and killing of human embryos for experimentation, and is considered to be pro-choice. Because these and other policies he is often referred to as a "RINO," a "Republican in Name Only" by many [[conservative]] Republicans.

==External Links==
:[http://gov.ca.gov/ Governor of California Official Site]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schwarzenegger, Arnold}}
[[Category:Actors]]
[[Category:State governors of the United States]]

Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp

2007-06-17T22:21:24Z

BritishWrite: Spelling

[[Image:050127 guantanamo hmed 12p hmedium.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
The '''Guantanamo Bay detention camp''' is a military [[prison]] of the [[United States of America]] on the southeastern tip of the island of [[Cuba]]. In this prison, the people being held are accused by the US government of [[terrorism]]. The [[liberal]] organization Center for Constitutional Rights is organizing attorneys to file habeas corpus petitions in the Washington, D.C., federal court on behalf of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay. [http://www.ccr-ny.org/v2/reports/report.asp?ObjID=pQOvjcVXXK&Content=406]

On April 2, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court denied appeals by a group of detainees of this camp, with the majority stating that it would be inappropriate to rule until the group had exhausted other remedies.<ref>[[Withdraw of Jurisdiction Upheld - Original Work|Supreme Court rules against detainees]]</ref><ref>Congressional Research Service Report [http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33180.pdf Enemy Combatant Detainees: Habeas Corpus Challenges in Federal Court], updated April 6, 2007.</ref>

== Guantanamo Bay ==

Guantanamo Bay is a coastal area on southeastern Cuba occupied and controlled by the United States government pursuant to a 1903 Lease Agreement with the newly independent Republic of Cuba subsequent to the Spanish-American War. The Agreement established that:<ref>''Rasul v. Bush'', 542 U.S. 466 (2004) (quoting lease).</ref>

:"the United States recognizes the continuance of the ultimate sovereignty of the Republic of Cuba over the [leased areas]," but "the Republic of Cuba consents that during the period of the occupation by the United States . . . the United States shall exercise complete jurisdiction and control over and within said areas."

In 1934 the United States and Cuba entered into another treaty that provided that, absent an agreement to modify or abrogate the lease, it would remain in effect "[s]o long as the United States of America shall not abandon the . . . naval station of Guantanamo."<ref>''Id.''</ref>

== Detention Camp ==

Due to security concerns the media has not been given access to the detention center, and the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration has said that interrogations are vital tools for winning the [[War on Terror]]<ref>"The president said the legislation must allow the [[CIA]]’s interrogation program to continue. "The information the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] has obtained by questioning men like [[Khalid Sheikh Mohammed]] has helped disrupt terrorist plots, including planned strikes inside the [[United States]] and on a U.S. Marine base in [[East Africa]], an American consulate in [[Pakistan]], and Britain's [[Heathrow Airport]]," Bush said "This CIA program has saved American lives, and the lives of people in other countries.”" [http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=September&x=20060916101245esnamfuak0.5314905] </ref> There have, however, been a number of accusations of the use of [[torture]], and some detainees are believed to have been brought in via [[extraordinary rendition]]. <ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/guantanamo/story/0,,1981955,00.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=377623&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3706050.stm]</ref> Majid Khan, a native of Pakistan is suspected of providing material support for [[al Qaeda]] terrorism, transporting people across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and expressing a desire to assassinate Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf by suicide attack. Khan submitted a “statement of torture" at a combatant status review tribunal hearing, claiming he was mentally tortured during his detainment. Among his complaints were that he and other detainees were given low-quality soap and other toiletries, noisy fans and deflated balls for recreation that hardly bounced. Khan testified he had refused to eat or drink, and complained that his captors responded by force-feeding intravenously. <ref> [http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/FrontPage%20Stories/Evidence%20Links%20‘High-Value’%20Detainee%20to%20Al%20Qaeda.aspx Evidence Links ‘High-Value’ Detainee to Al Qaeda], By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service, May 15, 2007. </ref>

In another case, some 22 Chinese Muslim detainees have been cleared of all wrong doing, but have been held in the prison camp for more than five years. The Bush administration fears they will face persecution if they are returned home, so they continue to stay in prison, having committed no crime. <ref>Taipei Times http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/05/30/2003157526</ref><ref>Jurist http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/04/us-asks-germany-to-take-chinese.php</ref>

*The Australian [[David Hicks]] has been held in the camp for over five years. He was originally charged with "conspiracy, attempted murder by an unprivileged belligerent and aiding the enemy." <ref>http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2004/d20040610cs.pdf Hicks' original charge sheet</ref> but these charges were dropped "after the US Supreme Court ruled the original military commissions system established by President Bush unconstitutional without Congressional authorization." <ref>http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/02/us-re-charging-guantanamo-detainees.php Some background on the charge process</ref> He was later charged with "providing material support of terrorism" and "attempted murder in violation of the law of war" - the latter charge was also dropped. <ref>http://www.defenselink.mil/news/d20070301hicks.pdf The Hicks Charge Sheet</ref> <ref>http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/hicks-knew-fight-was-wrong/2007/03/26/1174761313462.html</ref>. On March 26, 2007 David Hicks pleaded guilty to the charge. "A prisoner exchange agreement between Australia and the US means Hicks will be allowed to serve out any remaining prison time in Australia, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today."<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/hicks-pleads-guilty/2007/03/27/1174761414531.html</ref> News reports after the trial stated that "Hicks has pleaded guilty to only one of two counts under the charge. It says that, in Afghanistan during 2000 and 2001, he provided material support for al-Qaeda, which was engaged in terrorism against the US. He pleaded not guilty to a second count that said he provided material support or resources "to be used in preparation for, or in carrying out, an act of terrorism". <ref>http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/short-jail-term-tipped-for-hicks/2007/03/28/1174761567951.html Short Jail Term Tipped For Hicks</ref> <br>
Hicks was sentenced to another seven years in prison by the Military Commision panel but a pre-trial plea bargain drastically cut that sentence. He will spend the last seven months of his sentence in an Australian prison, Yatala Labour Prison. Hicks arrived back in Australia on May 20, 2007. He is due for release from prison in Adelaide, South Australia, in late December, 2007.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/hicks-elated-after-long-journey-home/2007/05/20/1179601242787.html Elated to be in solitary confinement</ref> He is not permitted, under the terms of his plea bargain, to speak with any media for 12 months. <ref>http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/hicks-will-be-free-by-new-year/2007/03/30/1174761754698.html Hicks Will Be Free By New Year</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.nsgtmo.navy.mil/ Naval Station Website]
*[http://www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil/ Joint Task Force Website]
*[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2006/d20060515%20List.pdf List of detainees at Guatanamo Bay]
*[http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/Detainee_Affairs/ US Dept of Defence site]

*[http://www.fairgofordavid.org/ Another David Hicks site]

[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Military]]

Northern Ireland

2007-06-09T19:44:48Z

BritishWrite: style

The country of '''Northern Ireland''' is a member of the [[United Kingdom]], which also includes [[England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Wales]]. Geographically, Northern Ireland occupies the northern portion of the island of [[Ireland]], with the Republic of Ireland occupying the remainder of the island.

== Early Years ==

Northern Ireland was created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and its existence effectively confirmed by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922, which formally concluded the Irish War of Independence. The country comprises six out of the nine counties in the province of [[Ulster]] - the six which contained majority Protestant (or balanced) populations in 1920. The three counties of Ulster with clear Catholic majorities became part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland was governed from Parliament Buildings at [[Stormont]] in [[Belfast]]; Northern Ireland also elected Members of Parliament to serve at the UK Parliament in [[London]]. However, a minority on both sides of the Irish border refused to accept the partition of Ireland and continued to fight the British, largely with terrorist activities.

The most important group in this regard has been the [[terrorist]] [[Irish Republican Army]], commonly known as the [[IRA]]. The IRA was originally formed to fight the British during the War of Independence. Many IRA members refused to accept the Anglo-Irish treaty's partition of the island into two separate countries, leading to the bloody Irish Civil War of 1922-23, in which pro-treaty forces were victorious. However, the anti-treaty forces continued to refer to themselves as the IRA after the civil war concluded, and to consider themselves the legitimate government of Ireland.

Governments of Northern Ireland were widely criticized for anti-Catholic policies, particularly during its first 40 years. The country's first prime minister, [[James Craig]], once famously described it as "a Protestant parliament for a Protestant people."<ref>Bardon, J. (1992). A History of Ulster. The Blackstaff Press, Belfast, pp. 539.</ref>

== Civil Rights Movement ==

During the late 1960s, partially inspired by the civil rights movement in the [[United States]], Northern Ireland Catholics began to protest against perceived discrimination by the government. Protests were initially led by the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]], or NICRA, which was founded in January 1967. NICRA's demands included repeal of the Special Powers Act, the end of the paramilitary B Specials police force, an end to the gerrymandering in local elections, and an end to discrimination in terms of government housing and government employment.

Protests typically took the form of marches or other demonstrations. One of the most important protests took place on January 1, 1969, when a group from the student People's Democracy organization organized a march from Belfast to [[Derry]], intended to imitate [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]'s marches from Selma to Montgomery. The march was repeatedly attacked by unionists (People wanting to retain the 'Union' of Northern Ireland with Great Britain), including off-duty policemen. The most intense violence occurred at Burntollet Bridge, where the marchers were attacked by 200 unionists while police did little to intervene.

== The Troubles ==
"The Troubles" refers to a 30-year period of terrorism and civil unrest. The Troubles are generally considered to have begun with civil rights movement and the violent unionist response. Northern Ireland prime minister Terrence O'Neill at first responded favorably to the demands of the protestors, but this attitude was decried by other unionists, including [[Ian Paisley]]. Many unionists believed that NICRA was controlled by the [[IRA]]. Following the violence at Burntollet Bridge, nationalists in the city of Derry began to erect barricades to protect themselves. This led to the Battle of the Bogside between nationalists and police prior to a unionist march that was scheduled to pass the nationalist Bogside area of the city. The Battle of the Bogside lasted from August 12 to 14, 1969 before British troops were called to resolve the situation. In the meantime, fierce rioting broke out in other parts of the country, including Belfast, Newry, and Strabane. In total, 7 people were killed and 750 injured during the unrest in August 1969, and 1,500 Catholic families and 500 Protestant families were forced from their homes. The Northern Ireland government then requested the presence of British troops throughout the country to keep order.

The violence of the Troubles peaked during the early 1970s, spurred by an influx of recruits to various terrorist organizations, including the republican [[IRA]] and the loyalist [[Ulster Defence Association]] and [[Ulster Volunteer Force]]. A number of events combined to widen the divide between the nationalist and unionist communities. For nationalists, these included the Falls Curfew of July 1970, in which British troops cordoned off nationalist neighborhoods in Belfast, not allowing residents in or out of the area; 4 nationalists were killed in fighting between British troops and the IRA. The introduction of internment without trial in August 1971 was viewed by nationalists as discriminatory, as 348 of the first 350 people interned were nationalists. Of nearly 2,000 people interned over the next four years, 94.6% were nationalists. For unionists, [[IRA]] actions similarly hardened their positions. For example, the IRA carried out 1,300 bombings by the end of 1972, largely against commercial targets, considerably disrupting everyday life and often resulting in the deaths of uninvolved civilians. The worst example during this period is known as Bloody Friday, when the IRA set off 22 bombs on July 21, 1972, causing 9 deaths and 130 injuries. The IRA provided warnings to security forces via the media, but given the number of bombs planted did not give sufficient time to allow the security forces to evacuate the areas. In some cases, ambiguous warnings led to people being led toward, rather than away from, bombs about to be detonated.

In 1972 the UK government, deeming the Northern Ireland government unable to stabilize the situation, suspended the Northern Ireland parliament and instituted direct rule from London. While direct rule was intended as a temporary measure, it continued throughout the course of the Troubles.

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland| ]]

Muhammad cartoons controversy

2007-06-09T19:21:13Z

BritishWrite: Clarification of ban on depictions of Mohammed

[[Image:Mohammed karikatur.jpg|thumb|right|250px|One of the published images of Muhammad]]

In September 2005 a [[Danish]] [[newspaper]] published twelve [[cartoon]]s of [[Muhammad]], creating a flashpoint between the freedom of the press and [[Muslim]]s objecting to the publication of the cartoons. Within six months, 139 people died and 823 people were injured by violence attributed to the controversy. Because of the twelve cartoons [[Danish]], [[Austria|Austrian]], and [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[embassy|embassies]] were burned in [[Syria]] and [[Iran]]. Islamic leaders called for a [[boycott]] of Danish goods<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5329642.stm</ref>, and the cartoonists themselves were forced to go into hiding due to [[death]] threats made by Muslims<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4670370.stm</ref>. The images appeared on the [[blog]]s and in smaller independent newspapers, but most of the [[U.S.]] mainstream media refused to publish the images even as they covered the issue extensively.

On April 12th, 2006, The [[television]] show [[South Park]] aired the episode "Cartoon Wars Part I", which challenged the [[Comedy Central]] network to let an image of Muhammad air uncensored in the next episode, "Cartoon Wars Part II". Comedy Central did, however, censor the image of Muhammad. It should be noted that Muhammad had been shown on South Park several times before, when there was no pre-existing controversy. This is [[hypocritical]], because South Park has aired graphic depictions of [[Jesus]]'s death, mocked [[Christianity]], and shown images of the American flag being defecated upon.

In fact there is still some debate about the claimed ban on images of Mohammed; many images exist in muslim art, and the prohibition appears not to have been decreed until centuries after his life. Various interpretations of Islam also prohibit depictions of ALL prophets (including [[Jesus Christ]]) or ALL living creatures. The riotous response to the Danish cartoons was a very selective outpouring of anger, and did not take place until several months after their publication.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Islam]]

Muhammad

2007-06-09T19:10:46Z

BritishWrite: Minor grammatical correction

== Life of Muhammad==
Muhammad (A.D. 570-632) or Mohammed, was the founder of Islam. He began life as a wealthy tradesmen, one of the elite of his city of [[Mecca]]. He claimed to be privy to certain [[revelations]] in middle age, speaking of a need to abandon worship of the many gods who dominated Mecca's religion at the time, and worship the one God, [[Allah]].

These early revelations spoke of a need to return to the [[monotheism]] of [[Abraham]]; in this way, at an early age, Muhammad saw himself as reviving an ancient faith, a perceived correction to [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]], and restoring his people to what he saw as their rightful position as the true founders and heirs of monotheism. In these revelations, submission to the will of God - [[Allah]] - was critical. Muhammad's fledgling religion continued to develop throughout his life, through periodic revelations often relating directly to events currently facing his new faith.

The faith caught on slowly, winning only a few converts in Mecca (the first being his wife, Khadija). Under increased pressure and ostracism from elders in Mecca, Muhammad began the [[hijra]], an organized exodus of his followers from Mecca to the city of [[Medina]]. [[Muslims]] date the formation of their religion to the ''hijra'' itself, even beginning their dating system at this point.

At Medina, the new Muslims immediately adopted an aggressive stance, seeking to coexist with the [[Jews]] living in Medina on ''his'' terms. The encounter ended badly, though, with Muhammad dividing and conquering the Jewish groups in Medina, ordering the massacre of the [[Qurayza]] [[Jewish]] tribe, as they refused changing their [[religion]] to his submission, after (possibly) fabricating a cause to break what is called by modern historians the [[Compact of Medina]].<ref>Berkey, ''The Formation of Islam''</ref>

A controversial point of Muhammad's life was his marriage to [[Aisha bint Abi Bakr|Aisha]], daughter of [[Abu Bakr]], who was six years old at the time of marriage.<ref>''Sahih Bukhari'' 5:58:234</ref><ref>Sahih Muslim 8:3311</ref> The marriage was consumated when Aisha was nine.<ref> D. A. Spellberg, Politics, Gender, and the Islamic Past: the Legacy of A'isha bint Abi Bakr, Columbia University Press, 1994, p. 40</ref> The narratives describing her age at marriage as six are narrated by Aisha herself. Though Aisha was known to use numerical substitution in other hadith, such as in the hadith of Laylat Al-Qadr where she substituted 1 for 21 and 3 for 23, which is a common way of referencing numbers in Arabic when the base number is established. Some scholars argue that she could have been speaking in such numerical substitution when narrating the Hadith regarding her age at marriage, thus rendering 16 as 6 and 19 as 9.<ref>Hakim Niaz Ahmad, '' تحقیق عمرعا،شہ صدیقہ (Research on the age of Ayesha)'', Mashkoor Academy, [[Karachi]].</ref> There is additional disagreement over her age at marriage, and a number of Islamic scholars believe that Aisha was older at the time of marriage. <ref>495|525|58,495,10,66,675,15,76,735,45,66,870,15|-1|0</ref><ref>Habib ur Rahman Kandhalwi, ''[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Age_of_Aisha Age of Aisha]'', Al-Rahman Publishing Trust, [[Karachi]]</ref><ref>Maulana Muhammad Ali, ''The Living Thoughts of the Prophet Muhammad'', p. 30, 1992, Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat, ISBN 0-913321-19-2</ref>

== After Muhammad's Death ==

Muhammad's death at an early age caused the splintering of his religion into new sects, over the question of succession. The groups called themselves the [[Sunnis]] and the [[Shiite|Shi'as]]. Many attribute this split to the high degree to which authority was centered in the powerful character of Muhammad himself: without his powerful personality, the movement could not survive intact.<ref>Bernard Lewis, ''What Went Wrong''</ref>

The failure or splintering of movements built around a charismatic leader is a recurring sociological problem, often studied by psychologists, and referred to as the problem of the [[routinization of charisma]]. [[Christianity]] faced the same problem, and many attribute the conquest of this problem to the leadership of the apostle [[Paul]].<ref>Maximillian Weber, ''Theory of Social and Economic Organization,'' in the chapter "The Nature of Charismatic Authority and its Routinization," see also Len Oakes, "Prophetic Charisma: The Psychology of Revolutionary Religious Personalities"</ref>.

In accordance with the Islamic [[hadith]], it is considered proper to add an honorary phrase of "Peace Be Upon Him (or PBUH)" or "sallalahu aleyhi wasallam (or SAW)".

==See Also==
*[[Islam]]
*[[Muhammad cartoons controversy]]

== References ==

<references/>
Robert Spencer, The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Islam (and the Crusades)

== Notes ==

HIR | Muhammad's massacre of the Jewish tribe Banu Qurayzah [http://www.hirhome.com/islam/art.htm]

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Religious people]]

Northern Ireland

2007-06-09T19:07:05Z

BritishWrite:

The country of '''Northern Ireland''' is a member of the [[United Kingdom]], which also includes [[England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Wales]]. Geographically, Northern Ireland occupies the northern portion of the island of [[Ireland]], with the Republic of Ireland occupying the remainder of the island.

== Early Years ==

Northern Ireland was created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and its existence effectively confirmed by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922, which formally concluded the Irish War of Independence. The country comprises 6 out of the 9 counties in the province of [[Ulster]] - the 6 which contained majority Protestant populations in 1920. The three counties of Ulster with Catholic majorities became part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland was governed from Parliament Buildings at [[Stormont]] in [[Belfast]]; Northern Ireland also elected Members of Parliament to serve at the UK Parliament in [[London]]. However, a minority on both sides of the Irish border refused to accept the partition of Ireland and continued to fight the British, largely with terrorist activities.

The most important group in this regard has been the [[terrorist]] [[Irish Republican Army]], commonly known as the [[IRA]]. The IRA was originally formed to fight the British during the War of Independence. Many IRA members refused to accept the Anglo-Irish treaty's partition of the island into two separate countries, leading to the bloody Irish Civil War of 1922-23, in which pro-treaty forces were victorious. However, the anti-treaty forces continued to refer to themselves as the IRA after the civil war concluded, and to consider themselves the legitimate government of Ireland.

Governments of Northern Ireland were widely criticized for anti-Catholic policies, particularly during its first 40 years. The country's first prime minister, [[James Craig]], once famously described it as "a Protestant parliament for a Protestant people."<ref>Bardon, J. (1992). A History of Ulster. The Blackstaff Press, Belfast, pp. 539.</ref>

== Civil Rights Movement ==

During the late 1960s, partially inspired by the civil rights movement in the [[United States]], Northern Ireland Catholics began to protest against perceived discrimination by the government. Protests were initially led by the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]], or NICRA, which was founded in January 1967. NICRA's demands included repeal of the Special Powers Act, the end of the paramilitary B Specials police force, an end to the gerrymandering in local elections, and an end to discrimination in terms of government housing and government employment.

Protests typically took the form of marches or other demonstrations. One of the most important protests took place on January 1, 1969, when a group from the student People's Democracy organization organized a march from Belfast to [[Derry]], intended to imitate [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]'s marches from Selma to Montgomery. The march was repeatedly attacked by unionists (People wanting to retain the 'Union' of Northern Ireland with Great Britain), including off-duty policemen. The most intense violence occurred at Burntollet Bridge, where the marchers were attacked by 200 unionists while police did little to intervene.

== The Troubles ==
"The Troubles" refers to a 30-year period of terrorism and civil unrest. The Troubles are generally considered to have begun with civil rights movement and the violent unionist response. Northern Ireland prime minister Terrence O'Neill at first responded favorably to the demands of the protestors, but this attitude was decried by other unionists, including [[Ian Paisley]]. Many unionists believed that NICRA was controlled by the [[IRA]]. Following the violence at Burntollet Bridge, nationalists in the city of Derry began to erect barricades to protect themselves. This led to the Battle of the Bogside between nationalists and police prior to a unionist march that was scheduled to pass the nationalist Bogside area of the city. The Battle of the Bogside lasted from August 12 to 14, 1969 before British troops were called to resolve the situation. In the meantime, fierce rioting broke out in other parts of the country, including Belfast, Newry, and Strabane. In total, 7 people were killed and 750 injured during the unrest in August 1969, and 1,500 Catholic families and 500 Protestant families were forced from their homes. The Northern Ireland government then requested the presence of British troops throughout the country to keep order.

The violence of the Troubles peaked during the early 1970s, spurred by an influx of recruits to various terrorist organizations, including the republican [[IRA]] and the loyalist [[Ulster Defence Association]] and [[Ulster Volunteer Force]]. A number of events combined to widen the divide between the nationalist and unionist communities. For nationalists, these included the Falls Curfew of July 1970, in which British troops cordoned off nationalist neighborhoods in Belfast, not allowing residents in or out of the area; 4 nationalists were killed in fighting between British troops and the IRA. The introduction of internment without trial in August 1971 was viewed by nationalists as discriminatory, as 348 of the first 350 people interned were nationalists. Of nearly 2,000 people interned over the next four years, 94.6% were nationalists. For unionists, [[IRA]] actions similarly hardened their positions. For example, the IRA carried out 1,300 bombings by the end of 1972, largely against commercial targets, considerably disrupting everyday life and often resulting in the deaths of uninvolved civilians. The worst example during this period is known as Bloody Friday, when the IRA set off 22 bombs on July 21, 1972, causing 9 deaths and 130 injuries. The IRA provided warnings to security forces via the media, but given the number of bombs planted did not give sufficient time to allow the security forces to evacuate the areas. In some cases, ambiguous warnings led to people being led toward, rather than away from, bombs about to be detonated.

In 1972 the UK government, deeming the Northern Ireland government unable to stabilize the situation, suspended the Northern Ireland parliament and instituted direct rule from London. While direct rule was intended as a temporary measure, it continued throughout the course of the Troubles.

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland| ]]

Ulster

2007-06-09T19:03:07Z

BritishWrite:

Ulster is one of the four tradional provinces of Ireland, the others being [[Connaught]] or [[Connacht]], [[Leinster]] and [[Munster]]. Ulster consists of the six counties of [[Northern Ireland]] and three counties of the [[Republic of Ireland]]. It has a population of a little under two million people. Protestants/ British Unionists in [[Northern Ireland]] often use the term Ulster as shorthand for [[Northern Ireland]] - the protest movement against the 1985 [[Anglo Irish Agreement]] used the slogan "Ulster Says No".

{{Infobox Irish Place|
name = Ulster|
gaeilge = Cúige Uladh|
flag image = Flag of Ulster.svg|
map image = IrelandUlster.png|
area = 24,481 km²|
population = 1,993,918|
census yr = 2006 estimate|
|}}

==Geography==
The major cities of Northern Ireland are [[Belfast]] and [[Derry]].

*Counties in Northern Ireland
Antrim
Armagh
Derry
Down
Fermanagh
Tyrone

*Counties in Republic of Ireland
Cavan
Donegal
Monaghan

Moldova

2007-06-09T19:00:33Z

BritishWrite: Additional info - Romanian connection

{{stub}}

'''Moldova''' is a country in eastern [[Europe]]. Its capital is Chişinău. It is a former member of the [[USSR]]. It has close historical connections with neighbouring Romania, and the language is a Romanian dialect.

[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:Former Soviet Countries]]

Romania

2007-06-09T18:51:25Z

BritishWrite:

'''Romania''' is a country in eastern [[Europe]], situated between the [[Black Sea]], the [[Carpathian Mountains]] and the [[River Danube]]. It shares land borders with [[Ukraine]], [[Moldova]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Hungary]] and [[Serbia]].

The population is approximately 22 million and the capital city is [[Bucharest]]. The Romanian language is unusual in Eastern Europe, being of Latin origin. Romanians and Italians can converse reasonably well, each using their own tongue. This may go some way to explaining the pro-western sentiment shared by much of the population.

Previously a [[monarchy]], Romania was a [[Fascist]] member of the [[Axis]] in [[World War II]] after a coup overthrew the King. The nationalist coup leaders believed the country had more to fear from the [[Soviet Union]] than from Nazi Germany. Following defeat at Stalingrad, Romania retreated and was occupied by [[communism|communist]] forces. It was made a member of the [[Warsaw Pact]], and was governed by Soviet puppet dictatorships until a popular democratic revolution in 1989. The country joined NATO on March 29, 2004, and the European Union on January 1, 2007. Romania has been an ally in the [[War on Terror]], providing troops and logistical support to US led pro-democracy missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ro.html CIA World Factbook entry for Romania]

[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:Warsaw Pact members]]
[[Category:EU Members]]

Axis of Evil

2007-06-09T14:28:31Z

BritishWrite: Clarification

The '''Axis of Evil''' was mentioned in a [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]]'s State of the Union address in January 28th, 2002. The Axis of Evil was a reference to the governments of [[Iran]], [[Iraq]] and [[North Korea]].

"Our goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since September the 11th. But we know their true nature. North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.

Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.

Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder thousands of its own citizens—leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that agreed to international inspections—then kicked out the inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world.

States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an '''axis of evil''', arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic." --George W. Bush
[[category:politics]]

The President's speech has been proven to be remarkably prescient. [[North Korea]] has since claimed to have developed nuclear weapons, and [[Iran]] is widely suspected of pursuing a nuclear weapons program, while claiming its nuclear program is for peaceful means. The invasion of [[Iraq]] and overthrow of the far-left Baathist regime has neutralised one of the three threats and prevented WMD from falling into the hands of [[Saddam Hussein]].

Axis of Evil

2007-06-09T14:23:54Z

BritishWrite: Contemporary commentary

The '''Axis of Evil''' was mentioned in a [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]]'s State of the Union address in January 28th, 2002. The Axis of Evil was a reference to the governments of [[Iran]], [[Iraq]] and [[North Korea]].

"Our goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since September the 11th. But we know their true nature. North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.

Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.

Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder thousands of its own citizens—leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that agreed to international inspections—then kicked out the inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world.

States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an '''axis of evil''', arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic." --George W. Bush
[[category:politics]]

The President's speech has been proven to be remarkably prescient. [[North Korea]] has since developed nuclear weapons, and [[Iran]] is widely suspected of pursuing a nuclear weapons program. The invasion of [[Iraq]] and overthrow of the far-left Baathist regime has neutralised one of the three threats.

Soccer

2007-06-09T14:13:30Z

BritishWrite:

[[Image:800px-Soccer goalkeeper.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]

The most popular sport in the world and a form of [[football]], '''soccer'''
is a game played between two teams of 11 players (10 outfield players and one goalkeeper each) over two 45 [[minute]] halves separated by a 15 minute break known as half-time. In knockout cup games, if a game is tied after 90 minutes, there is often an additional period of play consisting of 2 X 15-minute halves. If the scores are still level, the result is decided with a penalty shootout. The set of rules used in soccer are called the [[Laws of the Game]].

The game is played on a grass (or artificial grass) pitch with dimensions 90-120 m (100-130 yards) in length and 45-90 m (50-100) in width.<ref>[http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/laws/LOTG2006_e.pdf FIFA Laws of the Game 2006] ''Official FIFA website''</ref>
A goal is scored when the ([[sphere|spherical]]) ball is propelled into the opposition net.

The aim of soccer is to score more goals than your opponent.

==A note on terms==
"Soccer" is the term used in North America to refer to what is known abroad as "football". The word ''soccer'' derived in England as slang for "As'''soc'''iation Football" <ref>[http://london.usembassy.gov/rss/transcripts/worldcup2006a.html] ''US Embassy, London''</ref> (a similar construction can be seen in referring to '''rug'''by as "rugger")

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Soccer]]
[[Category:Sport]]

Ireland

2007-06-09T14:06:53Z

BritishWrite:

[[Image:Ireland.gif|right|thumb|300px]]
'''Ireland''' is an [[island]] off the northwestern coast of [[Europe]]. It is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which consists of twenty-six counties and the traditional provinces of Munster, Leinster, Connacht, and three of the nine counties of Ulster, and the six counties of Northern Ireland, which comprise the remainder of the province of Ulster and are part of the [[United Kingdom]]. According to the last census the Republic of Ireland has a population of 4,234,925<ref>[http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/environment/copy_of_census/]</ref> Northern Ireland has a population of 1,685,267 (2002 est.)<ref>[http://www.nicensus2001.gov.uk/nica/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Demography&mainArea=&mainLevel=]</ref>

The primary language is English, however, the official language of the Republic is ''[[Gaelic|Gaeilge]]'', or ''Irish''. In the Irish language the official name of Ireland (which appears on all coins, stamps, and government documents) is ''Éire''. The flag is a tricolor, the green representing the native Catholic tradition of Ireland, the orange representing the settled Protestant/Dissenter population, and the white, the peace between them.

== History ==
Historically, Ireland's culture has been distinct from other regional cultures, as it was the one of the only [[Celtic]] territories never conquered by the [[Roman Empire]].
Ireland suffered from regular Viking incursions from the late 8th century until 1014, when High King Brian Boru defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf.

In the 12th century, the Pope granted Ireland to the English crown as a papal fief. This was Pope [[Adrian IV]], the only Englishman to become bishop of Rome. The English however, were unable to bring the entire island under their control until the 17th century, after the defeat of the Irish in the Nine Years War. King James I of England (King James VI of Scotland) decided to plant Ulster, in the North of Ireland, with English and Scottish Protestant settlers, in an attempt to prevent future rebellions.<ref>[http://www.hoganstand.com/general/Identity/stories/ulster.htm]</ref>

In 1690, the Catholic King James II and his Irish allies were defeated by the Protestant William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne. This defeat ushered in an era of Protestant dominance in Ireland. A series of regulations limiting the status of the Catholic majority were passed between 1691 and 1760, known as the Penal Laws. These laws also discriminated against Presbyterians and other dissenting Protestants, who along with Catholics were forced to pay tithes to the Anglican Church.<ref>[http://www.risingroadtours.com/a7_penallaws.htm]</ref> <ref>[http://prorev.com/irish.htm]</ref>

In 1798, a combined Protestant and Catholic Republican rebellion was defeated. This led to the Act of Union being passed in 1801, under which Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom. The Irish economy declined rapidly and the Great Famine ''An Gorta Mór'' broke out in 1845. The famine killed roughly one million, or one eighth of the entire population. It led to mass emigration to the United States, Canada and to Britain.

Pro-nationalist sentiment continued to rise and the Irish tried to secure their own parliament. Opposition to this arose in the predominantly Protestant and Unionist province of Ulster which allied with the British Conservative Party in an attempt to block "Home Rule". The outbreak of war in 1914 delayed the enaction of Home Rule and led to growing agitation amongst Irish Nationalists. The Easter Rising of 1916 was put down by the British, but their heavy-handed approach increased opposition to their rule. A war of independence broke out in 1919, the Irish using guerrilla tactics to undermine British rule in the country. The war with the British ended in 1921 with the British retaining control of six counties in the province of [[Ulster]]. The territory independent of the British became the [[Irish Free State]], while the territory controlled by the British became [[Northern Ireland]]. Northern Ireland was granted a home rule parliament. Later, in 1937, the Free State adopted a new constitution, or ''Bunreacht'' (now the oldest written Constitution in Europe) changing its name to [[Éire]] and removing all references to the Free State's position within the British Commonwealth. <ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107648.html]</ref>
The Irish Free State finally left the Commonwealth and declared itself a Republic in 1949.

== Politics ==

====Republic of Ireland====

The Republic of Ireland uses [[Proportional Representation]] meaning that there are a large number of political parties. The Republic of Ireland has a bicameral legislature, "the Oireachtas". It consists of the 166 seat lower house Dáil(parliament) and the 66 seat upper house, the Seanad(Senate), which both sit in Leinster House, Dublin. In recent times the country has been governed mostly by coalitions generally of either Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats or Fine Gael and Labour. The Republic of Ireland is also a member of the European Union and is represented by 13 MEPs. <ref> [http://www.europarl.ie/meps/index.html] </ref>

'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's main political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but are generally considered centrist and traditionally the choice for republicans (in the Irish sense, meaning supporters of a United Ireland) due to its foundation by Eamon de Valera; considered by his supporters to be the greatest of all Irish nationalists. Traditionally the party of Big Business and the farming community, and generally conservative on social issues (though probably not by American standards). Currently the largest party in the ruling coalition. Led by Bertie Ahern, current [[Taoiseach]]([[Prime Minister]]) of the Republic of Ireland.<ref>[http://www.fiannafail.ie/]</ref>

'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for 'Family of the Irish'). Ireland's second largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. Under the leadership of [[Garret FitzGerald]] in the 1980's, the party embraced [[social democracy]]. Today the party likes to characterize itself as a party of the "progressive centre". Led by [[Enda Kenny]]. <ref>[http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm]</ref>

'''Labour Party''': A social democratic left-wing party, similar to the Labour Party of the British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]]. [[Pat Rabitte]] is the leader of the Labour Party.<ref>[http://www.labour.ie/]</ref>

'''Progressive Democrats''': The second party in the ruling coalition, it is very right wing on economic issues, favoring low-taxation, pro-business policies, but are very liberal on social issues. [[Michael McDowell]] is the current leader and [[Tánaiste]](deputy Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland.<ref>[http://www.progressivedemocrats.ie/index-main.php]</ref>

'''Green Party''': A left-wing party in favor of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by Trevor Sargent.<ref>[http://www.greenparty.ie/]</ref>

'''Sinn Féin''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'We Ourselves') Remnant of Ireland's oldest political party, it is closely connected with the Provisional IRA, a terrorist movement that sought a United Irish Republic. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a party of left-wing socialist economics which espouses liberal social issues such as gay marriage. They organize in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by Gerry Adams. <ref>[http://www.sinnfein.ie/]</ref>

'''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland. Led by Joe Higgins. <ref> [http://www.socialistparty.net/] </ref>

----

====Taoisigh(Prime Ministers) of the Republic of Ireland====

From 1922 to 1937, the office was known as "President of the Executive Council".

'''William Thomas Cosgrave''' (Cummann na nGaedheal): 1922-1932.

'''Éamon de Valera''' (Fianna Fáil): 1932-1948, 1951-1954, 1957-1959.

'''John A.Costello''' (Fine Gael): 1948-1951, 1954-1957.

'''Seán Lemass''' (Fianna Fáil): 1959-1966.

'''Jack Lynch''' (Fianna Fáil): 1966-1973, 1977-1979.

'''Liam Cosgrave''' (Fine Gael): 1973-1977.

'''Charles Haughey''' (Fianna Fáil): 1979-1981, March 1982 - December 82 and March 1987 - February 1992.

'''Garret FitzGerald''' (Fine Gael): 30 June 1981- 9 March 1982 and 14 December 1982 - 10 March 1987.

'''Albert Reynolds''' (Fianna Fáil): February 1992-1994.

'''John Bruton''' (Fine Gael): 1994-1997.

'''Bertie Ahern''' (Fianna Fáil): 1997-Present. <ref> [http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=349&docID=-1] </ref>

----

====Northern Ireland====

The political parties of Northern Ireland are mostly divided on the national question (whether to remain within the UK or become part of a United Ireland), rather than on a left-right basis. They contest elections for the [[British Parliament]](where Northern Ireland is allocated 18 seats) and the 108 seat [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]. Northern Ireland has 3 MEPs. <ref>[http://www.europarl.ie/meps/index.html]</ref>

Westminster elections use the Plurality voting system, whereas the Assembly Elections use the Proportional Representation(PR) system.

The major parties are:

'''Democratic Unionist Party'''(DUP): Currently the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland. The DUP is a right-wing, ultra-conservative, hardline unionist party currently led by its founder, the Reverend Ian RK Paisley. The party has strong links with Rev. Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church. <ref>[http://www.dup.org.uk/]</ref>

'''Sinn Féin'''
Currently the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland, they sit in the Irish parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly, but refuse to take their seats in the British Parliament in Westminster.

'''Ulster Unionist Party'''(UUP): A moderate right-wing party, which had strong links with the British Conservative Party. Nobel Peace Prize laureate David Trimble is a former leader. Currently in decline, with voters turning to the DUP. Currently led by Sir Reg Empey. <ref> [http://www.uup.org/]</ref>

'''Social Democratic and Labour Party'''(SDLP): A left-wing nationalist party. Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume is a former leader. The SDLP were the largest nationalist party until recently, when they were overtaken by Sinn Féin. Unlike SF, the SDLP have always advocated a non-violent and constitutional approach to achieving a United Ireland. Current leader is Mark Durkan. <ref>[http://www.sdlp.ie/]</ref>

'''Alliance Party''': The Alliance party identifies as neither unionist or nationalist and thus receives support from both communities. The current leader is David Ford. <ref>[http://www.allianceparty.org/]</ref>

----

====Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland====
House of Commons of Northern Ireland (1921-1972)

'''Sir James Craig''' (UUP): 1921-1940

'''John Miller Andrews''' (UUP): 1940-1943

'''Sir Basil Brooke''' (UUP): 1943-1963

'''Terence O'Neill''' (UUP): 1963-1969

'''Brian Faulkner''' (UUP): 1969-1972

Post abolished in 1972.

First Ministers: (NI Assembly from 1998 to Present)

'''David Trimble''' (UUP) 1998-July 2001, November 2001-October 2002

'''Sir Reg Empey''' (UUP) (Acting): July 2001-October 2001

<ref>[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/United_Kingdom.html#Northern]</ref>

== Religion ==
The Republic of Ireland is predominantly Roman Catholic in religion(88%). Membership of the Church of Ireland runs at about 3%, with most of the rest of the population belonging to other Protestant/Christian denominations. Southern Protestantism had been in decline since independence due to the ''ne temere'' decree(children in mixed Catholic/Protestant marriages had to be raised Catholic) <ref>[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/ncd05730.htm]</ref> and emigration. However, it has experienced a revival of late due to immigrants and some converts from Catholicism. There is a small Jewish community in Ireland. The Muslim community has grown recently due to immigration. <ref>[http://www.cso.ie/statistics/popnclassbyreligionandsex2002.htm]</ref>

The Republic has maintained a nominally Catholic ethos since independence. Abortion remains controversially illegal (although information on obtaining abortions in other jurisdictions is a constitutional entitlement, and many thousands of women travel to the UK for treatment<ref>[http://www.crisispregnancy.ie/pub/statistical_report_2005.pdf]</ref> ). However, in line with a more general maturation of Irish society since the early nineties, restrictions on the availability of contraception have been removed; the right to divorce has been enshrined in the constitution; homosexuality has been decriminalised and the rights of gay people have been enshrined in 'Equal Status' legislation.

Northern Ireland has a Protestant majority (53%), the main denominations being Presbyterian and Church of Ireland (Anglican/Episcopal). Roughly 44% of the population are Roman Catholic, with most of the remainder professing no religion. <ref>[http://www.nicensus2001.gov.uk/nica/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Cultural&mainArea=&mainLevel=]</ref>

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:EU Members]]
[[Category:Ireland| ]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Islands]]

Palestine

2007-06-09T13:56:50Z

BritishWrite: Grammar

'''Palestine''' is the name given to the land of [[Israel]] by the [[Roman]]s and others in order to deny that the land belongs to the [[Jew]]s<ref>http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_early_palestine_name_origin.php</ref>.

Palestine (from Latin: Palaestina; Hebrew: פלשת‎ Pleshet, פלשתינה Palestina; Arabic: فلسطين‎ Filastīn, Falastīn) is one of many names for the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the River Jordan. Many different definitions of the region have been in usage in the past three thousand years.

==Ancient==

Worth mentioning that the Philistines who at one time lived in part of the area were completely conquered by [[King David]].

Other English names for this region include: Canaan (Hebrew: כנען‎), Land of Israel (Hebrew: ארץ ישראל‎ Erets Yisrael), Judea (Hebrew: יהודה‎ yehuda), Holy Land (Hebrew: ארץ הקדש Erets Ha-Kodesh‎; Latin: Terra Sancta; Arabic: الأرض المقدسة‎ (Ard-al-Muqaddasah)and Cisjordan.

The Hebrew scriptures call the region Canaan when referring to the pre-Israelite period,(Hebrew: כּנען‎) and afterwards Israel (Yisrael). The name "Land of the Hebrews" (Hebrew: ארץ העברים‎, Eretz Ha-Ivrim) is also found. The wide area appears to be the habitat of the ancient ethnic Hebrews, though perhaps shared with other ethnic groups. The land of Canaan is part of the land given to the descendants of Abraham, which extends from the Nile to the Euphrates River (Genesis 15:18). This land is said to include an area called Aram Naharaim, which includes Haran in modern Turkey, from where Abraham the ancestor of the Israelites departed.

The events of the Four Gospels of the Bible take place entirely in Israel.

In the Qur'an, the term الأرض المقدسة ("Holy Land", Al-Ard Al-Muqaddasah) is mentioned at least seven times, once when Moses proclaims to the Children of Israel: "O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah hath assigned unto you, and turn not back ignominiously, for then will ye be overthrown, to your own ruin." (Surah 5:21)

Currently, the Palestinians living in the occupied territories, according to international law, are working to create a state called Palestine, whose creation is supported by a broad international consensus.

One of the names for this region over the years has been "Palestine," but that name never referred to a sovereign country. However this is the case prior to the creation of any state. Those who use this point in order to undermine the Palestinians claim to the land their ancestors have lived in for many generations never seem to apply this argument to any other Arab country that has been recently created, or any country for that matter.
The area Palestine is the home of many [[terrorist]] organizations, such as the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]], [[Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade]] (related to [[Fatah]] [[Arafat]] & [[Abu Mazen]]), [[Hamas]], [[Islamic Jihad]]

== References ==
<references/>
== See also ==

==External link==
*[http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_MemriTV_Popup/video_480x360.asp?ai=214&ar=1468wmv&ak=null Graduation Ceremony in a Hamas Kindergarten], Al-Aqsa TV (The Palestinian Authority), May 31 2007. Children vow to die for [[Allah]].

[[Yasser Arafat]]

[[Category:Middle Eastern Countries]]

Israel

2007-06-09T01:45:26Z

BritishWrite: Grammar and spelling

[[Image:Israel.gif|right|thumb|250px|A map of Israel.]]

[[Image:Israelflag.gif|right|thumb|250px|The Israeli flag.]]

[[Image:Tst4436.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[David Ben Gurion]], the First Prime Minister of Israel, publicly pronouncing the Declaration of the State of Israel, May 14, 1948, [[Tel Aviv]], Israel, beneath a large portrait of Theodore Herzl, founder of modern political Zionism, in the old Tel Aviv Museum of Art building on Rotshild St.]]

[[Image:Mosque.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem]]

Israel is a nation located in the [[Middle East]]. It is the world's only Jewish state, allowing citizenship to anybody its government considers to be [[Jewish]]. It also contains [[Arab]] Muslim and Arab [[Christian]] minorities who are remnants of the pre-1948 Arab majority, along with a small [[Druze]] community. It is the location of [[Jesus]]' birth and many other major [[Bible|Biblical events]].

==History==

The name Israel refers to [[Jacob]] from the [[Bible]], the father of the [[Jews]] who would eventually create the kingdom of Israel. (See the [[Genesis|Book of Genesis]] in the Bible.) Jacob's descendents were numerous, but were put under bondage in [[Egypt]]. The first attempt at forming a nation dates back to the migration of the [[Hebrews]] out of Egypt after being freed from their [[slavery]]. (See the [[Exodus|Book of Exodus]] in the Bible). While the exact date is not known, the most likely scenario is in the 1400's B.C. After 40 years of wandering, the Hebrews attempted to settle in the land of Canaan, after first having to fight battles with the inhabitants. (See the [[Joshua (Biblical book)|Book of Joshua]] in the Bible). The Jewish people lived for hundreds of years under Judges (See the [[Judges|Book of Judges]] in the Bible) before forming a monarchy under their first King, [[Saul]] in 1050 B.C. Israel expanded under [[King David|David]] from 1010 to 970 B.C. and then reached its height under [[Solomon]] from 970 to 930 B.C. With the death of Solomon the united kingdom of Israel split in two with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin forming their own nation, [[Judah]]. (See [[I Samuel]], [[II Samuel]], [[I Kings]], [[I Chronicles]] in the Bible)

Israel continued being ruled by kings until its conquest by [[Assyria]] in 722 B.C. Most of the kings "did evil in the sight of the Lord" leading to their downfall. Judah continued as an independent nation until 586 B.C. when they fell to the [[Babylonians]] after also turning their backs on God. Both of these conquests led to many Jews being deported from the land of Israel. While under [[Persian empire|Persian]] rule in the latter half of the 500's B.C., the Jews were allowed to return and rebuild their temple. In the 400's B.C. they began to return to God as well, showing a reverence for Him that was often lacking during the time they had their own kingdom.

When the Jews were subjected to harsh religious treatment under their Greek Syrian rulers, they revolted, fighting a prolonged guerilla war until their eventual independence in 164 B.C. This independence would last until 63 B.C., when infighting caused the Jews to ask for [[Roman]] intervention. Rome stopped the fighting, but Israel came under Roman rule as the province of [[Palestine]]. The Jewish people would not have their independence again for over 2000 years. Three revolts against Roman rule, the first in 66 A.D. and the last in 132 A.D., led to the [[diaspora]], the dispersal of the Jews from the land of Palestine.

By the fifth century the inhabitants of the region were Christianized, under the [[Byzantine Empire]], a situation which continued until the [[Arab]] invasions of the 7th and 8th centuries. The Arabs brought with them the [[Islam]]ic faith which, due to its many similarities with [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]] and the social advantages it brought, was gradually adopted by the population. However, Jewish and Christian citizens continued to live in the region, in relative peace, until the Crusades.

The [[Crusades]] saw part of the Holy Lands reconquered from Islam in the name of Christianity. The Crusader states were temporary before being conquered by Islam again with the fall of the last Crusader state in 1290. First the [[Mamelukes]] controlled the area, then starting in the early 1500's, the [[Ottoman Turks]] conquered the region. [[World War I]] saw a British victory over the Ottoman's and the region came under British mandate of Palestine in 1920.

The British and late Ottoman authorities permitted the resettlement of Jews from Europe, many of them looking to establish a Jewish state in the region, part of a movement called [[Zionism]]. In the last years of British mandate the number and strength of the Jews in [[Palestine]] increased, with many adopting extremely radical tactics to achieve their goal of an independent Jewish state. Terrorist organizations such as Irgun and Lehi attacked British and Arab targets, killing civilians of all faiths in the process. {{fact}} Britain's occupation became too expensive and they handed control to the [[United Nations]]. {{fact}}

==Modern Nation==

The UN came up with a partition plan, which was generally accepted by Jews in Palestine, but rejected by the Arab majority. Israel declared itself independent on 14 May 1948. The United States under [[Harry Truman]] immediately recognized Israel. Israel's declaration of independence was not accepted by its Arab neighbors and was followed by the invasion of Palestine by Arab nations, leading to the war of 1948. Israel won that war and has been independent ever since. Many Muslim inhabitants fled the new state, or were driven out by Israelis, which, along with immigration from the Jewish diaspora, led to the creation of a Jewish state in fact as well as name. Wars in 1956, 1967, and 1973 only solidified the hold of the Jewish people on the land of Israel.

Israel is the location of intense territorial disputes between [[Israeli]]s and [[Palestinian Arabs]] (see [[Arab-Israeli conflict]]).
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/v3_ip_timeline/html/default.stm History of Conflict]

== External links ==

*[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/jewish/jewishsbook.html Internet Jewish History Sourcebook]
*[http://israelemb.org/kids/ Welcome to Israel (for Kids)]
*[http://www.usy.org/yourusy/israel/support/ Ways to Support Israel]

[[Category:Middle Eastern Countries]]
[[Category:Biblical places]]
[[Category:Israel| ]]

Irish Republican Army

2007-06-09T01:31:23Z

BritishWrite:

[[Image:IRA3.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]

The term IRA is used to refer to two different, historically linked organisations; the Provisional IRA and the Official IRA. The former were formed in 1969 and have been more active since then with a particuarly high profile from their terrorist campaign. They Provisional IRA were formed as a reaction to percieved inactivity of the Offical IRA, who were formed in 1919, but whose profile dropped since the end of the [[Irish Civil War]].

The Provisional IRA, also known as the '''The Irish Republican Army''' or '''IRA''' (Óglaigh na hÉireann in Irish Gaelic) is a republican [[terrorist]] organization that fought against the [[British]] in [[Northern Ireland]], claiming to represent the largely [[Catholic]] nationalist community in Northern Ireland.

The organisation is associated with the political party [[Sinn Fein]] (also known as Provisional Sinn Fein), although a direct association is offically denied. In 1981 an IRA prisoner serving a life sentence, Bobby Sands, was elected to the UK parliament while on Hunger Strike in the infamous [[Maze Prison]]. He died shortly after the election, but this was the beginning of a new strategy of Armalite and Ballot Box, combining politics with the "armed struggle" ([[terrorist]] campaign). The policy of violence was gradually undermined by increased faith in politics together with a number of peace initiatives and a loss of support for a violent program - the conciliatory handling of the situation first by [[John Major]] and later by [[Tony Blair]] is often held up as an example of an effective approach to counter-terrorism.

IRA terrorists have since been caught helping [[FARC]] terrorists in [[Colombia]].

Two small factions within the IRA broke away from the main organisation to protest its participation in the peace process: these are known as the Real IRA (RIRA), which carried out the Omagh bombing in 1998, the bloodiest single incident in the Troubles (29 people were killed), and the Continuity IRA (CIRA).

== History ==

'''Origins'''

The IRA was first formed in 1919 from members of the [[Irish Volunteers]], an armed group formed in 1914 to promote self government in Ireland, which was then part of the [[United Kingdom]], and in response to the formation of the armed Ulster Volunteers, which sought to force exclusion of Ulster from any Home Rule agreement. While the British parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act in 1914, providing limited powers of self government to the Irish, its implementation was postponed by the outbreak of [[World War I]]. The majority of the approximately 100,000 Irish Volunteers accepted British promises that the act would go into force following the war, and many joined the British Army to fight. However, approximately 12,000 did not accept the delay. This group retained the name Irish Volunteers. They were largely controlled by the secretive [[Irish Republican Brotherhood]], or IRB, which had been seeking to instigate rebellion against British rule since the mid-19th century.

On April 24, 1916, the [[Easter Rising]] broke out when a significant portion of Volunteers seized Dublin's General Post Office (where their leader Padraig Pearse read a proclamation of Irish independence) and other points in Dublin. The limited nature of the rising is accounted for by splits in the leadership of the Volunteers and the issuing of orders countermanding the rising. The rebels managed to hold out for a week, but were defeated by British forces, who surrounded and isolated the rebel outpoosts and reduced them using artillery in many cases. The Rising had initially been unpopular among the Irish people, but this changed when the British executed 16 of its leaders following court-martials in Dublin.

'''Anglo-Irish War'''

In 1917, those who had participated in the Rising, as well as many who had been converted to their cause, organized the Irish Republican Army, dedicated to using force to attain independence. The [[Anglo-Irish War]] began with the killing of two Royal Irish Constabulary men in January 1919. The IRA was organized into "flying columns" of 20-30 men who attacked British bases and ambushed military and police forces, as well as smaller units carrying out killings of police, army and government personnel. In July 1921, the IRA and the British agreed to a truce, which was followed by the negotiations for what became the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]. By the treaty provisions, Ireland was to become a dominion of the [[United Kingdom]], and the British were to retain possession of several ports on the Irish coastline. Additionally, members of the Irish Parliament (or Dail, Eireann) were required to swear an oath of loyalty to the British Crown. The treaty also led to the partition of the island, as six northern counties (Armagh, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Down, Derry) opted to remain part of the UK and became the new state entity of [[Northern Ireland]].

'''Civil War'''

The IRA leadership as well as its rank and file were deeply divided by the treaty. Pro-treaty members believed that it was a stepping stone to the independence they had sought, while anti-treaty members felt the treaty was a betrayal of the ideals that had motivated them to fight. These divisions ultimately led to a split in the IRA and civil war. The pro-treaty faction was reorganized as the Irish National Army, while the anti-treaty group retained the IRA label. The split ultimately led to a bloody civil war that ended in 1923 with the pro-treaty forces victorious.

'''World War II'''

During the period between the Irish Civil War and [[World War II]], the IRA was largely engaged in social issues, which they approached from a left-wing perspective. While a number of IRA men joined the socialist and communist [[International Brigades]] in the [[Spanish Civil War]], they engaged in generally non-violent protest in Ireland. This approach was unpopular, partially due to the influence of the conservative Catholic Church in Ireland, and IRA membership dwindled.

In 1938, the IRA began preparing plans to return to war with a bombing campaign in England. The IRA also sought German assistance with the campaign, but in the end the Germans provided little assistance. The IRA campaign had little effect, largely due to repressive measures taken by the UK and Irish governments. IRA members were interned without trial in both countries, and several were executed.

'''Border Campaign'''

In the early 1950s the IRA began planning for a new campaign, which was intended to reunite [[Northern Ireland]] with the remainder of the island. The Border Campaign began in 1956 and lasted until 1962. IRA groups attacked military installations and attempted to disrupt the workings of the Northern Ireland state by damaging its infrastructure. The governments once again responded by introducing internment, which severely inhibited IRA operations. Ultimately the Border Campaign ended with an IRA admission that it did not have sufficient popular support to maintain its activities.

'''The Troubles'''

During the early 1960s, the IRA again came under socialist and Marxist influences. This led to a lack of emphasis on military aspects of the organization. When violent rioting broke out in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, in 1969, the IRA was ill-prepared to assist the Catholic/Nationalist community, to the extent that mocking jokes held that the abbreviation 'IRA' stood for "I Ran Away". The lack of focus on defense led to divisions within the IRA between those who favored a movement focused on class issues and those who were motivated to defend their community by armed force, and by extension, use armed struggle to bring about a united Ireland. The organization split along these lines in 1969, and the group focused on defense and armed struggle against the British became known as the Provisional IRA (PIRA). The remaining group was referred to as the Official IRA (OIRA).

OIRA engaged in some military activity during the early years of the Troubles before calling a ceasefire in 1972. They have since transformed into a political party, currently known as The Workers’ Party, contesting elections largely in the [[Republic of Ireland]]. PIRA, on the other hand, launched a 30-year campaign of violence against British control of Northern Ireland. PIRA violence was responsible for approximately 1,800 of the 3,000 deaths during the Troubles. The PIRA campaign came to an end with a ceasefire in 1997 as a result of the [[Irish Peace Process]], which culminated in the [[Belfast Agreement]], sometimes known as the [[Good Friday Agreement]], in 1998. In 2005, the IRA officially announced an end to its campaign and decommissioned much of its arms under international supervision.

[[Category:Terrorists]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland]]

Irish Republican Army

2007-06-09T01:09:52Z

BritishWrite: Clarification of Sinn Fein name (can be confirmed on their website) plus mention of the first step into politics

[[Image:IRA3.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]

The term IRA is used to refer to two different, historically linked organisations; the Provisional IRA and the Official IRA. The former were formed in 1969 and have been more active since then with a particuarly high profile from their terrorist campaign. They Provisional IRA were formed as a reaction to percieved inactivity of the Offical IRA, who were formed in 1919, but whose profile dropped since the end of the [[Irish Civil War]].

The Provisional IRA, also known as the '''The Irish Republican Army''' or '''IRA''' (Óglaigh na hÉireann in Irish Gaelic) is a republican [[terrorist]] organization that fought against the [[British]] in [[Northern Ireland]], claiming to represent the largely [[Catholic]] nationalist community in Northern Ireland.

The organisation is associated with the political party [[Sinn Fein]] (also known as Provisional Sinn Fein), although a direct association is offically denied. In 1981 an IRA prisoner serving a life sentence, Bobby Sands, was elected to the UK parliament while on Hunger Strike in the infamous [[Maze Prison]]. He died shortly after the election, but this was the beginning of a new strategy of Armalite and Ballot Box, combining politics with the "armed struggle" ([[terrorist]] campaign). The policy of violence was gradually undermined by increased faith in politics together with a number of peace initiatives and a loss of support for a violent program - the conciliatory handling of the situation first by [[John Major]] and later by [[Tony Blair]] is often held up as an example of an effective approach to counter-terrorism.

IRA terrorists have since been caught helping [[FARC]] terrorists in [[Colombia]].

Two small factions within the IRA broke away from the main organisation to protest its participation in the peace process: these are known as the Real IRA (RIRA), which carried out the Omagh bombing in 1998, the bloodiest single incident in the Troubles (29 people were killed), and the Continuity IRA (CIRA).

== History ==

'''Origins'''

The IRA was first formed in 1919 from members of the [[Irish Volunteers]], an armed group formed in 1914 to promote self government in Ireland, which was then part of the [[United Kingdom]], and in response to the formation of the armed Ulster Volunteers, which sought to force exclusion of Ulster from any Home Rule agreement. While the British parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act in 1914, providing limited powers of self government to the Irish, its implementation was postponed by the outbreak of [[World War I]]. The majority of the approximately 100,000 Irish Volunteers accepted British promises that the act would go into force following the war, and many joined the British Army to fight. However, approximately 12,000 did not accept the delay. This group retained the name Irish Volunteers. They were largely controlled by the secretive [[Irish Republican Brotherhood]], or IRB, which had been seeking to instigate rebellion against British rule since the mid-19th century.

On April 24, 1916, the [[Easter Rising]] broke out when a significant portion of Volunteers seized Dublin's General Post Office (where their leader Padraig Pearse read a proclamation of Irish independence) and other points in Dublin. The limited nature of the rising is accounted for by splits in the leadership of the Volunteers and the issuing of orders countermanding the rising. The rebels managed to hold out for a week, but were defeated by British forces, who surrounded and isolated the rebel outpoosts and reduced them using artillery in many cases. The Rising had initially been unpopular among the Irish people, but this changed when the British executed 16 of its leaders following court-martials in Dublin.

'''Anglo-Irish War'''

In 1917, those who had participated in the Rising, as well as many who had been converted to their cause, organized the Irish Republican Army, dedicated to using force to attain independence. The [[Anglo-Irish War]] began with the killing of two Royal Irish Constabulary men in January 1919. The IRA was organized into "flying columns" of 20-30 men who attacked British bases and ambushed military and police forces, as well as smaller units carrying out killings of police, army and government personnel. In July 1921, the IRA and the British agreed to a truce, which was followed by the negotiations for what became the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]. By the treaty provisions, Ireland was to become a dominion of the [[United Kingdom]], and the British were to retain possession of several ports on the Irish coastline. Additionally, members of the Irish Parliament (or Dail, Eireann) were required to swear an oath of loyalty to the British Crown. The treaty also led to the partition of the island, as six northern counties (Armagh, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Down, Derry) opted to remain part of the UK and became the new state entity of [[Northern Ireland]].

'''Civil War'''

The IRA leadership as well as its rank and file were deeply divided by the treaty. Pro-treaty members believed that it was a stepping stone to the independence they had sought, while anti-treaty members felt the treaty was a betrayal of the ideals that had motivated them to fight. These divisions ultimately led to a split in the IRA and civil war. The pro-treaty faction was reorganized as the Irish National Army, while the anti-treaty group retained the IRA label. The split ultimately led to a bloody civil war that ended in 1923 with the pro-treaty forces victorious.

'''World War II'''

During the period between the Irish Civil War and [[World War II]], the IRA was largely engaged in social issues, which they approached from a left-wing perspective. While a number of IRA men joined the socialist and communist [[International Brigades]] in the [[Spanish Civil War]], they engaged in generally non-violent protest in Ireland. This approach was unpopular, partially due to the influence of the conservative Catholic Church in Ireland, and IRA membership dwindled.

In 1938, the IRA began preparing plans to return to war with a bombing campaign in England. The IRA also sought German assistance with the campaign, but in the end the Germans provided little assistance. The IRA campaign had little effect, largely due to repressive measures taken by the UK and Irish governments. IRA members were interned without trial in both countries, and several were executed.

'''Border Campaign'''

In the early 1950s the IRA began planning for a new campaign, which was intended to reunite [[Northern Ireland]] with the remainder of the island. The Border Campaign began in 1956 and lasted until 1962. IRA groups attacked military installations and attempted to disrupt the workings of the Northern Ireland state by damaging its infrastructure. The governments once again responded by introducing internment, which severely inhibited IRA operations. Ultimately the Border Campaign ended with an IRA admission that it did not have sufficient popular support to maintain its activities.

'''The Troubles'''

During the early 1960s, the IRA again came under socialist and Marxist influences. This led to a lack of emphasis on military aspects of the organization. When violent rioting broke out in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, in 1969, the IRA was ill-prepared to assist the Catholic/Nationalist community, to the extent that mocking jokes held that Ithe abbreviation 'IRA' stood for "I Ran Away". The lack of focus on defense led to divisions within the IRA between those who favored a movement focused on class issues and those who were motivated to defend their community by armed force, and by extension, use armed struggle to bring about a united Ireland. The organization split along these lines in 1969, and the group focused on defense and armed struggle against the British became known as the Provisional IRA (PIRA). The remaining group was referred to as the Official IRA (OIRA).

OIRA engaged in some military activity during the early years of the Troubles before calling a ceasefire in 1972. They have since transformed into a political party, currently known as The Workers’ Party, contesting elections largely in the [[Republic of Ireland]]. PIRA, on the other hand, launched a 30-year campaign of violence against British control of Northern Ireland. PIRA violence was responsible for approximately 1,800 of the 3,000 deaths during the Troubles. The PIRA campaign came to an end with a ceasefire in 1997 as a result of the [[Irish Peace Process]], which culminated in the [[Belfast Agreement]], sometimes known as the [[Good Friday Agreement]], in 1998. In 2005, the IRA officially announced an end to its campaign and decommissioned much of its arms under international supervision.

[[Category:Terrorists]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland]]