Do you think 'Syriana' is a fair representation of America's meddling in the middle east?
85577
Yes.  We pursue corporate interest and sacrafice going after the people who want to kill us and are aquiring the means.\n\nThe fact that we went after Iraq instead of Iran or North Korea is evidence.
585514
I would suggest that average Americans don't consider the 'average' Arab as an enemy but rather that there are a proportion of Arabs that seem hell bent (no theology intended) on destroying any civil link between the societies.  I also think that there is an ignorance amongst many Americans re the difference between an Arab and a Muslim.\n\nIt is difficult to criticise this as a large amount of the Arab/Muslim media do seem to be very keen to show large and very aggressive protests against something as benal as a cartoon.  Also crowds dancing and cheering around the mulilated remains of murdered western contractors hardly gives a good impression and will have a disproportionate effect from the numbers actually involved.\n\nI really feel for the moderate Arabs/Islamists who genuinely believe that Islam/the nature of the Arab world has been corrupted; I also don't agree with many of the Western countries dealings with the Middle East at the moment.\n\nBridging the gap will be difficult as there will always be groups (probably on both 'sides') intent on fueling any resentment.  I do think that the Islamic hierarchy (as well as the Arab media) could do a lot to take a more moderate view of world events and be quicker to condem terrorism.  \n\nThe example of the reaction to the Dutch cartoons noted above shocked so many people that I know - not because of the offence but the amazing over-reaction and double standards being shown (bearing in mind the lack of sensitivity to the Jews shown in the Arab media).  Why would people kill because of this sort of trivia? - if your religion and faith is strong then accept that sometimes others will criticise or even lampoon it ... I don't see book stores on fire due to the Da Vinci Code or any newspaper staff being killed due to the regular cartoons mocking religeous personalities in the UK.\n\nThe central theme is that folks can't understand what drives the fundamentaists to the sort of extremes we see every day ... even anger doesn't seem to explain it.\n\nPeace (hopefuly) out.
1111652
I (american) completely agree with you that our country has been completley out of line in trying to be the worlds "big brother". You should know that your mirror will only show what is shown to it.  My mirror would show acceptance and love for all people. I was deeply disturbed by one of your previous posts. Please dont think that americans actually have a voice in whether or not we go to war! How would you feel if I was one of the closeminded americans that thinks that just because you are middle eastern, you know the terrorists and can make them stop if you want. I can't even begin to understand what it feels like to live in a warring country, my condolensces to you and yours. But remember that not seeing all sides of the story is one of the problems that led us to where we are today.  You are obviously very upset, and for good reason. So I would like to personally appologize to you for the occupation, although I have absolutely no control over it. By opening our eyes and truly thinking about things before we believe them, we might eventually be able to achieve peace. I wish you, and your family, and Iraqi and American troops peace. Please rethink your hatred for all americans and know that there are many of us here that agree with YOU rather than our own government. By finding a way to see that no culture as a whole is inherantly evil and that every individual is different and needs to be respected, you too will be a part of the path to peace.  Peace to you my brother. Tasharrafna. Shukran.
514957
It is not fair.  \n\nFurthermore, it is stupid to have Israel planted in the heart of the muslim world, why not in Western Europe where they lived before.  The Jews didn't care they almost went to Africa for thier holy land, and they were turned away by America... It is all US interventions that is causing the holocaust taking place right now against the Palestinians and we should all do our best to stop it.
1127439
This may apply to you.\n\nJust look at your post where you got basic factual information wrong regarding Al Quaeda and the US and Iran.
1011020
I guess it comes from people being hypocrites.Have you ever noticed people in the Middle East are always mad at the U.S. for meddling in their affairs but when they need help who is the first country they turn to.The U.S.!\nBTW I'm Canadian.I don't think Americans are "evil",some of their foreign policies are misguided though.
1117831
Are you kidding?  would you like to have your life run by Somalis? or anyone from the middle east?  c'mon have some sense.. .when the UN has countries like Syria on the human rights committee, we don't need a world government....
14010
You may be obsessed with this topic.  Plus, this forum is only going to give you a gross generalization, not a complete answer to a complex topic.\n\nThe short answer is yes and no.  Some do, some don't.  Just like some Chinese, Germans, Swedes, British, etc, hate the USA, and others don't.  Maybe head down to your bookstore, there are volumes and volumes written on Arab-American relations.  Check em out!
86234
I think it illustrates the double standards of current popular sentiment, which, by the way, is simply Bush's fear-mongering blowing up in his face.  He'sold Arabs as the boogey-man too well for too long for Joe 6-Pack to feel OK with them as the local port authority.\n\nOur knee-jerk reaction to the UAE and the fact that in reality, US companies operate fewer than 10 US ports reveals the US population for the xenophobes that we actually are.\n\nToo bad we (as a culture) waste so much energy spitting and cussing about "them" and don't take the time to understand the REAL connections that are running this world.\n\nNot religion, skin color, border lines or flags, but banks and big business.
735660
Right now Hezbollah is being directed by it's mentor, Syria to destabilize the Lebanese government, who they believe is sponsored by the US.  Hezbollah has made some serious threats against this government, and it certainly is in know bodies best interest, particularly Israel, to let this happen.\n\nNow, this is the same Syria that some dumb sh it in American politics has suggested we ask to help find a solution to the Iraq problem.  Also, this is the same Syria the is keeping Hezbollah, and the Islamist jihad equipped with arms, ammunition and jihadists to keep up the fight.  This is also the same Syria that is demanding a timetable from the US regarding it's troop withdrawal from Iraq.\n\nAre we totally out of our minds, that we would do anything to trust these dirt bags?  Has our whole damn political system fallen apart?  Is this an example of how the democrats operate?   Damn, now I'm really worried!
711595
I'm syrian, but I think I have enough experience with other lebanese to answer your question. from what I've seen, the majority of lebanese are very open minded. There are strict cultural cliques (that's a muslim neighborhood, no christians live there, or only atheists go into that line of business, etc...) but I think that's relatively common throughout the MidEast. \n\nLebanon certainly has enough stereotypes of being the "loosest" of hte arab countries, but I think that its diversity gives it something no other arab nation has.
648273
Just trying to show the clash of cultures going on in America... in my opinion overdone, but true\n\nRacisim and curruption goes everyway and will come back to hurt you eventually
64182
The US's acts of terrorism are covert...we conduct terrorism all over the world and then deny that we did anything.  \n\nWe shouldn't be involved in the middle east like we are, but America does what it wants in the name of protecting Americans and protecting those in the world that need our help...kinda makes you wonder why we do nothing in Somalia...and why we didn't bother entering WW2 until we were attacked...
1146088
Yeah, seems simple, but when theres tons of money involved, it tends to *uc* things up.  If it were up to me, I would have already nuked that whole damn continent and turned it to glass, with all that sand over there.  People can say "oh the poor innocent civillians" all they want, but the truth of the matter is if it comes down to either us or them, I say tough sh*t, let 'em have it.  They have something we want and they know it, oil.  We should just take over that country, and while we're at it, Iraq, Afganistan, .....etc...   The only problem with that would be the rest of the world would then have to purchase oil from us, which would piss them off.  I do not feel sorry for the people over there.  You can't.  They will not EVER be at peace, its just not in their nature.  They have been at war with someone for as long as any of them can remember, and its not going to change.  Its like its bred into them.  Just think about it, if the US took over and it became a democracy like we have today in America, where the women have total freedom to walk down the street without their damn head covered and have the right to visit a doctor without a male chapperone, all hell would break loose.  They are not like us, it would take years and years before a new generation of middle easterners would have the confidence to do such a thing.  They are a highly exciteable race.  They will scream and cry and fight and totally freak out on your ass at the drop of a hat.  I am not racist, but I do speak the truth.  We are not all the same, people, just admit it.  I used to live in the middle east so I am not just talking trash.  They believe their way of life is right, and ours is wrong.  Which is fine with me.  The only problem I have is when they hate us so much they try to kill us, like flying planes into towers, that sort of thing.  We don't go mess with them just because their religion is different than ours, what gives them the right to do it to us?  I don't think we should pull out of the war, but I do think we are not doing enough, if our men are going to be over there, then at least make it worth US lives.  Lets not feel sorry for the civilians, who walk up to our soldiers carrying their starving children(or a bomb)but lets do the job right, because if not, they will be back another day, just like that pesky mosquito it took to much effort to swat the first time.
113661
I doubt it.  What could stoke the fires of passion in a holy war more than fighting against the inevetable?  Most Americans don't seem to realize that is how they see this.  In their eyes, they're not "evil-doers."  The way they see it, they are trying to save the rest of the world from us.  If you saw yourself on the side of the righteous rebels, would YOU ever give up?
428005
Yes I agree in the sense that the US needs to get off its dependence of oil. Since most of the oil comes from the middle east it may not be wise to give money (or trade) with the region that probbaly has the most hostile attiude toward us.
91820
Do you think it's right for the Muslim world to blame the US for Danish cartoons?