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uh, not so fast
Sep. 8th, 2007 11:12 pmDear Mr. bin Laden,
This is just a short note to inform you that I will be declining your invitation to join Islam. I've thought it over and I find I am satisfied with Christianity. I realize that making this public rejection exposes me to risk should you and the rest of "The Base" install a Shafi'i-derived system of Islamic government here in Minnesota. Since I am already taking this risk, I feel I should be completely honest with you in advance: I will also refuse to pay the jizya, should you come to my town and demand it.
That raises an interesting point of analysis: I believe the jizya, which I expect would be levied on hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims in Minneapolis alone, also contradicts your promise to lower taxes under an Islamic state. Clearly the Zakaat is a better deal even than the modest 7.5% social security tax, but the jizya would likely bring our tax bill to similar levels. I also suspect your system does not offer any kind of child-related deductions or credits; and with the arrival of our second, I did so look forward to a tidy dividend next year.
I further request that you stop dragging my good friend Noam Chomsky's name into things. Professor Chomsky is no ally of yours. I think he'd agree with me that no endorsement of yours is helpful or desired.
Sincerely,
Jon
This is just a short note to inform you that I will be declining your invitation to join Islam. I've thought it over and I find I am satisfied with Christianity. I realize that making this public rejection exposes me to risk should you and the rest of "The Base" install a Shafi'i-derived system of Islamic government here in Minnesota. Since I am already taking this risk, I feel I should be completely honest with you in advance: I will also refuse to pay the jizya, should you come to my town and demand it.
That raises an interesting point of analysis: I believe the jizya, which I expect would be levied on hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims in Minneapolis alone, also contradicts your promise to lower taxes under an Islamic state. Clearly the Zakaat is a better deal even than the modest 7.5% social security tax, but the jizya would likely bring our tax bill to similar levels. I also suspect your system does not offer any kind of child-related deductions or credits; and with the arrival of our second, I did so look forward to a tidy dividend next year.
I further request that you stop dragging my good friend Noam Chomsky's name into things. Professor Chomsky is no ally of yours. I think he'd agree with me that no endorsement of yours is helpful or desired.
Sincerely,
Jon