begged God to give them a king.

This connects to this - and this, for that matter - at least thematically.

Maybe we’ll end up with Schwarzenegger as president next week after all.

One of the worst things King David did was to take a census. He slaughtered and maimed in the worst ways but when he subjected his people to bureaucracy God got mad.

If anyone can find good info about Bedouin hospitality traditions and how those fed into Islam, I’m into that.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?b...=19&version=9&context=chapter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora

The term Diaspora (in Greek, διασπορά – “a scattering or sowing of seeds”) refers any population sharing common ethnic identity who were either forced to leave or voluntarily left their settled territory, and became residents in areas often far removed from the former.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugee

Apart from physical wounds or starvation, a large percentage of refugees develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. These long-term mental problems can severely impede the functionality of the person in everyday situations; it makes matters even worse for displaced persons who are confronted with a new environment and challenging situations. They are also at high risk for suicide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples

Hospitality, in some sense, is a very political act: an exchange of value with someone either inside or outside your community. The fact that many ancient cultures have very strict hospitality codes is extremely interesting because it takes such a firm hand to such a universal political problem between people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exile

“. . . You will leave everything you love most:
this is the arrow that the bow of exile
shoots first. You will know how salty
another’s bread tastes and how hard it
is to ascend and descend
another’s stairs . . .”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_in_exile

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism

(Which buts up against both regionalism and terrorism, as well as international finance and business… other subjects entirely)

Touching at a right angle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_tourism (ecotourism)

Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Generally speaking, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrimage

Effects on trade

Pilgrims contributed an important element to long-distance trade before the modern era, and brought prosperity to successful pilgrimage sites, an economic phenomenon unequalled until the tourist trade of the 20th century. Encouraging pilgrims was a motivation for assembling (and sometimes fabricating) relics and for writing hagiographies of local saints, filled with inspiring accounts of miracle cures. Lourdes and other modern pilgrimage sites keep this spirit alive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj

The Hajj (Arabic: حج‎) is a pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah). It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world.[1] It is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. It is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_pilgrimage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_hospitality

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenia_(Greek)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitality_ethics

And this one is a little obtuse but worthwhile:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Ame...ent_to_the_United_States_Constitution

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.