Monday, August 02, 2004
I Don't Hate America!
I really wasn't prepared for the flux of comments I received over the past few days.
I have read them all; so many fresh insights and much food for thought. I am truly grateful to all, whether favorable or not.
However, some people seem to believe that I am an "America-hater". This is not only untrue, it is quite unfair. I kindly invite those people to read my posts again, more carefully this time.
If they still believe so, then I'm sorry; I can't help them. Those who think that if someone disagrees with a certain policy of the administration, then he must hate the country I believe are called "McCarthites" in the States. We call them "Saddamists". I just didn't realize that there were so many "Saddamists" in America.
Let me make my position clear once and for all, I hope:
• Those who cannot distinguish between friend and foe are so unfortunate. I pity them! [I know, the same argument will be used against me… but time will tell]
• People who hate entire nations, countries, races, religions or sects, have problems that cannot be cured by reason and argument. This blog is not for them.
This blog is directed to decent Americans who are simply unaware. It is dedicated primarily to democracy. If that makes me an enemy, then that says a lot about those who think so.
I have read them all; so many fresh insights and much food for thought. I am truly grateful to all, whether favorable or not.
However, some people seem to believe that I am an "America-hater". This is not only untrue, it is quite unfair. I kindly invite those people to read my posts again, more carefully this time.
If they still believe so, then I'm sorry; I can't help them. Those who think that if someone disagrees with a certain policy of the administration, then he must hate the country I believe are called "McCarthites" in the States. We call them "Saddamists". I just didn't realize that there were so many "Saddamists" in America.
Let me make my position clear once and for all, I hope:
• Those who cannot distinguish between friend and foe are so unfortunate. I pity them! [I know, the same argument will be used against me… but time will tell]
• People who hate entire nations, countries, races, religions or sects, have problems that cannot be cured by reason and argument. This blog is not for them.
This blog is directed to decent Americans who are simply unaware. It is dedicated primarily to democracy. If that makes me an enemy, then that says a lot about those who think so.
# posted by Abu Khaleel @ 1:22 PM 
Comments:
Well said. And yes, the knife does cut both ways. Your comment regarding those who hate based on category is right on the mark.
You got the McCarthyism reference more or less correct.
Regarding "Saddamists," I'm glad to see an indirect confirmation from an Iraqi of what many of us Westerners have come to believe about Saddam by reading secondhand information. I don't think we have any more or less Saddamists than Iraq, or any other group of people. Again, perhaps without meaning to, you are attacking America for having a surprising amount of something or other that is undesirable - painting with a broad brush, so to speak.
I am beginning to believe, in my exposure to people of other lands, that most think America is either a land of purity, or a land of debauchery. I want to tell you that we, like every other nation on earth, are made up of people that fall into both categories, and most of us fall right in between - it depends on how our day is going.
_____________________________________________________________________
AK, Even if you did hate America, well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. We can withstand it.
I think a big problem my country has is excessive desire to be loved. It's a strange compulsion: even if we did everything "right," someone would hate us. That's just the way life is. We'd either be too rich, or the wrong religion, or too white, or too loud, or something. IF two brothers under one roof can hate each other, what hope do we have of being loved by everyone?
So as long as we accept this, our best alternative to love is: to trade. Yup, that's a clod view, but the nations that get along best are the ones that sell to each other.
In a few years, Iraq is going to be the best place in the Middle East to live. It's already got the best people, and now that is has freedom, there's no limit.
I don't care if Iraq "loves" us, I hope it doesn't hate us. I just hope we can trade, ideas, business, and talent. I expect to see your cousins here in the States for tourism or educational ventures, or maybe business. If they go home and say "Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there," fine with me. At least they're visiting.
Lots of love anyway, from me to you all. I've donated toys for kids in Iraq.
BHC
_____________________________________________________________________
Well, to that last poster, does he not feel a little strange describing the president who got rid of Saddam Hussein as a thug to an Iraqi citizen? Or is that how this blogger also feels? I notice the person who owns this blog seems to want democracy in Iraq. That is now possible only because of that hellish thug, Bush. It seems there are a lot of contradictions here.
_____________________________________________________________________
Hello Abu Khaleel,
If you were anti-American you would not blog to us! I am going to try to post here more often, as your site is excellent! I get here thru links which sometimes I lose track of . These people are caught up in the foolish US election hysteria, about Bush right or wrong which, of course, is somewhat appropriate in an Iraq blog. I know Iraqis are thankful that someone got rid of Saddam, but Bush's true motives are highly suspect and his rambling speech full of empty words. On rapid democracy I read your proposals which are all logical and practical, yet a bit academic. I have been reading the history of the Caliphate, a great experiment in democracy [I know how much trouble this subject can be having indirectly mentioned it to a Shia guy]. I was struck by the fact that even with the most virtuous, accomodating, humble leaders imaginable a disasterous power struggle soon occurred. The people were discontented, unhappy in a time of great wealth and power listening to factions, encouraging families to be divided and dividing up the Islamic world into countries. It is a strange story to an American. What I take away from it is that the people must not listen to the factions, that they should not desire power and wealth but be determined to submit to and support a peaceful government. From the history, I believe that the current troubles do not come from Islam, but from the confusion of the Iraqi people. I am not sure pure democracy can help on that.
_____________________________________________________________________
Abu Kaheel:
Please be wary of "friends" like "MPeach" if you want to retain any credibility with thoughtful people. MPeach asserts that "It spells out exactly why everybody SHOULD hate us. Our so called leaders have a history of making a KILLING off the business of war." He apparently didn't bother to read the article he links to and has entirely misinterpreted both the summary page he quotes from and the substance of the report.
The main conclusion of the multi-chapter anlysis is that "The end of the Cold War led to a profound disengagement of the United States and its allies from formal involvement in the wars of the developing world. The West's reluctance to intervene in small wars was driven by the 1993 debacle in Somalia, when 19 U.S. soldiers and 1,000 Somalis died in a disastrous attempt at ridding the country of the warlord and food profiteer, Mohammed Farrah Aideed." It then goes on to show that various crime groups (which have little or no connection with the U.S.) have been illegally filling the weapons pipeline to third world countries. The main complaint against the U.S. is that it, and the U.N., should be more pro-active in combatting illegal weapons smuggling.
There is no assertion that any U.S. leader, or even U.S. companies, are profiting from the arms sales detailed in the report. Thus, my advice that you take great care when relying on any statement of fact from Mpeach.
_____________________________________________________________________
HI ABU....I SO ENJOYED READING YOUR BLOGS.....AS AN AMERICAN I VALUE ALL YOUR OPINIONS AND YOUR PEOPLE. PLEASE KNOW THAT I, AS A MOTHER, GRIEVE FOR YOUR COUNTRIES SUFFERING....IT IS HARD TO BE HERE IN AMERICA AND NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR COUNTRIES RECONSTRUCTION...AND HUG THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT....
THERE IS ONE THING THAT REALLY PULLS MY HEART STRINGS...WHY DONT THE IRAQI PEOPLE RISE UP AND GET THE INSURGENTS, AND OTHER ANTI-WANNA-BE'S OUT OF IRAQ?...IF YOU WANT THE AMERICANS OUT THEN ALLOW THE AMERICANS AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO EMPLOY YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE SO WE CAN REBUILD, GET ON WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS....SO WE CAN BRING OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS BACK HOME TO AMERICA?!!!....I PERSONALLY HAVE A DAUGHTER THERE IN IRAQ...AND I WORRY FOR HER SAFETY....EVERYDAY!!!...HELP YOUR POLICE, AND POLITICAL ENTITIES OUT BY ENCOURAGING THE IRAQ PEOPLE TO STAND UP AND TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR LAND IN A POSITIVE WAY.....WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND ALL THE POSITIVE REWARDS ARE YOURS AND OUR MILITARY CAN COME HOME....WE DONT WANT TO BE THERE....WE JUST WANTED TO HELP A COUNTRY BE RID OF A TYRANT.....NOW HE IS GONE....WE NEED TO GIVE BACK TO YOU ALL WHAT HE TOOK....AND LET US ALL PRAY TOGETHER....THE SAYING IS: "A FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER"...WE ARE SUFFERING LOSSES AS YOU ARE....THEY NEED TO STOP...WHEN THINGS ARE SETTLED DOWN IN YOUR COUNTRY I AM AN AMERICAN THAT WOULD LOVE TO VISIT ITS BEAUTY WHICH INCLUDES, THE PEOPLE, THE SHRINES, THE WEATHER, AND THE FOOD....THANKS FOR BEING YOU.....SIGN, A GOD FEARING AMERICAN MOTHER....PRAISE BE GOD THE ALMIGHTY!
_____________________________________________________________________
Am I the only American who is starting to think that this is a fool's errand? Read this man's comments. He wants democracy from the ground up but wants us to pull our troops out immediately. Good, let's get out of that dusty country right now. No, he won't have anything like democracy, but screw him. The Sadr 'army' will allow him certain priveleges, as will the Saddamites. They will allow him the privilege of agreeing with their positions, or death.
These people aren't worth it. We need energy independance, and we can have it, Americans. We need active and passive solar, and yes, nuclear power. Remember, we produce over 6 million barrels of oil a day. The only reason we keep a fleet in Bahrain, and engage in this nonsense in Iraq, is to supply the Euros and Japanese with their oil. Screw all of these people.
It's time to achieve energy freedom, and stop dealing with these Israelis and Arabs. Leave them to their own devices, and bomb the crap out of any attempt they make to grow a nuclear program. ok, the Israelis already have nukes, but I'm not all that worried about any of them hitting New York.
It's time to make a decision, and I don't trust that we'll make it. Let's stop this nonsense now, and leave these idiots to their own end.
_____________________________________________________________________
I cannot believe what the Bush Administration has done in the Middle East. I cannot believe the lies that sanctioned this invasion. I cannot believe how stupid the Americans are electing such an idiot. The whole invasion defies all logic for success. The terrible loss of life on both sides, the inflammation of the region, the creation of a terriorist drawcard, and the implications that have made the world a much less safe place to live. You Americans really are a very very dumb race!
_____________________________________________________________________
When you look at history and military conflict it is sad to see how many soldiers gave their lives believing in the rehetoric spun by people like Bush. I wonder if Mr Bush has any of his sons involved in this conflict. Wars are started by individuals in positions of power to carry out their beliefs and ideologies. Creating a democracy in Iraq is a great idea but what is even more ridiculous is the underlying basis for the whole invasion, Americas dependency on fossil fuels. Start thinking outside your own self indulgent life styles.
_____________________________________________________________________
There is a big disagreement between most Democratic presidential candidates for president and Republican presidential candidates about whether the US should keep their troops in Iraq or withdraw them. However, I never hear any of them mention anything about asking the Iraqi people what they want. If the Iraqis want the US to stay, then it is the US responsibility to do so since they disposed the former regime leaving a power vacume making Iraq vulnerable. But if the Iraqis want the US to go, then the US must go in of respect for Iraqi sovereignty. And leaving Iraq because the Iraqis' demand will not be seen as a defeat of the US military but rather as the right and just thing to do.
So what is the will of Iraqis regarding this matter?
_____________________________________________________________________
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Well said. And yes, the knife does cut both ways. Your comment regarding those who hate based on category is right on the mark.
You got the McCarthyism reference more or less correct.
Regarding "Saddamists," I'm glad to see an indirect confirmation from an Iraqi of what many of us Westerners have come to believe about Saddam by reading secondhand information. I don't think we have any more or less Saddamists than Iraq, or any other group of people. Again, perhaps without meaning to, you are attacking America for having a surprising amount of something or other that is undesirable - painting with a broad brush, so to speak.
I am beginning to believe, in my exposure to people of other lands, that most think America is either a land of purity, or a land of debauchery. I want to tell you that we, like every other nation on earth, are made up of people that fall into both categories, and most of us fall right in between - it depends on how our day is going.
# posted by 
: 4/8/04 2:40 AM
: 4/8/04 2:40 AM AK, Even if you did hate America, well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. We can withstand it.
I think a big problem my country has is excessive desire to be loved. It's a strange compulsion: even if we did everything "right," someone would hate us. That's just the way life is. We'd either be too rich, or the wrong religion, or too white, or too loud, or something. IF two brothers under one roof can hate each other, what hope do we have of being loved by everyone?
So as long as we accept this, our best alternative to love is: to trade. Yup, that's a clod view, but the nations that get along best are the ones that sell to each other.
In a few years, Iraq is going to be the best place in the Middle East to live. It's already got the best people, and now that is has freedom, there's no limit.
I don't care if Iraq "loves" us, I hope it doesn't hate us. I just hope we can trade, ideas, business, and talent. I expect to see your cousins here in the States for tourism or educational ventures, or maybe business. If they go home and say "Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there," fine with me. At least they're visiting.
Lots of love anyway, from me to you all. I've donated toys for kids in Iraq.
BHC
# posted by : 4/8/04 10:28 AM
: 4/8/04 10:28 AM Well, to that last poster, does he not feel a little strange describing the president who got rid of Saddam Hussein as a thug to an Iraqi citizen? Or is that how this blogger also feels? I notice the person who owns this blog seems to want democracy in Iraq. That is now possible only because of that hellish thug, Bush. It seems there are a lot of contradictions here.
# posted by : 5/8/04 2:47 AM
: 5/8/04 2:47 AM Hello Abu Khaleel,
If you were anti-American you would not blog to us! I am going to try to post here more often, as your site is excellent! I get here thru links which sometimes I lose track of . These people are caught up in the foolish US election hysteria, about Bush right or wrong which, of course, is somewhat appropriate in an Iraq blog. I know Iraqis are thankful that someone got rid of Saddam, but Bush's true motives are highly suspect and his rambling speech full of empty words. On rapid democracy I read your proposals which are all logical and practical, yet a bit academic. I have been reading the history of the Caliphate, a great experiment in democracy [I know how much trouble this subject can be having indirectly mentioned it to a Shia guy]. I was struck by the fact that even with the most virtuous, accomodating, humble leaders imaginable a disasterous power struggle soon occurred. The people were discontented, unhappy in a time of great wealth and power listening to factions, encouraging families to be divided and dividing up the Islamic world into countries. It is a strange story to an American. What I take away from it is that the people must not listen to the factions, that they should not desire power and wealth but be determined to submit to and support a peaceful government. From the history, I believe that the current troubles do not come from Islam, but from the confusion of the Iraqi people. I am not sure pure democracy can help on that.
# posted by : 5/8/04 9:29 AM
: 5/8/04 9:29 AM Abu Kaheel:
Please be wary of "friends" like "MPeach" if you want to retain any credibility with thoughtful people. MPeach asserts that "It spells out exactly why everybody SHOULD hate us. Our so called leaders have a history of making a KILLING off the business of war." He apparently didn't bother to read the article he links to and has entirely misinterpreted both the summary page he quotes from and the substance of the report.
The main conclusion of the multi-chapter anlysis is that "The end of the Cold War led to a profound disengagement of the United States and its allies from formal involvement in the wars of the developing world. The West's reluctance to intervene in small wars was driven by the 1993 debacle in Somalia, when 19 U.S. soldiers and 1,000 Somalis died in a disastrous attempt at ridding the country of the warlord and food profiteer, Mohammed Farrah Aideed." It then goes on to show that various crime groups (which have little or no connection with the U.S.) have been illegally filling the weapons pipeline to third world countries. The main complaint against the U.S. is that it, and the U.N., should be more pro-active in combatting illegal weapons smuggling.
There is no assertion that any U.S. leader, or even U.S. companies, are profiting from the arms sales detailed in the report. Thus, my advice that you take great care when relying on any statement of fact from Mpeach.
# posted by : 6/8/04 12:32 AM
: 6/8/04 12:32 AM HI ABU....I SO ENJOYED READING YOUR BLOGS.....AS AN AMERICAN I VALUE ALL YOUR OPINIONS AND YOUR PEOPLE. PLEASE KNOW THAT I, AS A MOTHER, GRIEVE FOR YOUR COUNTRIES SUFFERING....IT IS HARD TO BE HERE IN AMERICA AND NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR COUNTRIES RECONSTRUCTION...AND HUG THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT....
THERE IS ONE THING THAT REALLY PULLS MY HEART STRINGS...WHY DONT THE IRAQI PEOPLE RISE UP AND GET THE INSURGENTS, AND OTHER ANTI-WANNA-BE'S OUT OF IRAQ?...IF YOU WANT THE AMERICANS OUT THEN ALLOW THE AMERICANS AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO EMPLOY YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE SO WE CAN REBUILD, GET ON WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS....SO WE CAN BRING OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS BACK HOME TO AMERICA?!!!....I PERSONALLY HAVE A DAUGHTER THERE IN IRAQ...AND I WORRY FOR HER SAFETY....EVERYDAY!!!...HELP YOUR POLICE, AND POLITICAL ENTITIES OUT BY ENCOURAGING THE IRAQ PEOPLE TO STAND UP AND TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR LAND IN A POSITIVE WAY.....WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND ALL THE POSITIVE REWARDS ARE YOURS AND OUR MILITARY CAN COME HOME....WE DONT WANT TO BE THERE....WE JUST WANTED TO HELP A COUNTRY BE RID OF A TYRANT.....NOW HE IS GONE....WE NEED TO GIVE BACK TO YOU ALL WHAT HE TOOK....AND LET US ALL PRAY TOGETHER....THE SAYING IS: "A FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER"...WE ARE SUFFERING LOSSES AS YOU ARE....THEY NEED TO STOP...WHEN THINGS ARE SETTLED DOWN IN YOUR COUNTRY I AM AN AMERICAN THAT WOULD LOVE TO VISIT ITS BEAUTY WHICH INCLUDES, THE PEOPLE, THE SHRINES, THE WEATHER, AND THE FOOD....THANKS FOR BEING YOU.....SIGN, A GOD FEARING AMERICAN MOTHER....PRAISE BE GOD THE ALMIGHTY!
# posted by : 7/8/04 2:55 AM
: 7/8/04 2:55 AM Am I the only American who is starting to think that this is a fool's errand? Read this man's comments. He wants democracy from the ground up but wants us to pull our troops out immediately. Good, let's get out of that dusty country right now. No, he won't have anything like democracy, but screw him. The Sadr 'army' will allow him certain priveleges, as will the Saddamites. They will allow him the privilege of agreeing with their positions, or death.
These people aren't worth it. We need energy independance, and we can have it, Americans. We need active and passive solar, and yes, nuclear power. Remember, we produce over 6 million barrels of oil a day. The only reason we keep a fleet in Bahrain, and engage in this nonsense in Iraq, is to supply the Euros and Japanese with their oil. Screw all of these people.
It's time to achieve energy freedom, and stop dealing with these Israelis and Arabs. Leave them to their own devices, and bomb the crap out of any attempt they make to grow a nuclear program. ok, the Israelis already have nukes, but I'm not all that worried about any of them hitting New York.
It's time to make a decision, and I don't trust that we'll make it. Let's stop this nonsense now, and leave these idiots to their own end.
# posted by : 8/8/04 9:56 AM
: 8/8/04 9:56 AM I cannot believe what the Bush Administration has done in the Middle East. I cannot believe the lies that sanctioned this invasion. I cannot believe how stupid the Americans are electing such an idiot. The whole invasion defies all logic for success. The terrible loss of life on both sides, the inflammation of the region, the creation of a terriorist drawcard, and the implications that have made the world a much less safe place to live. You Americans really are a very very dumb race!
# posted by : 11/10/06 12:59 PM
: 11/10/06 12:59 PM When you look at history and military conflict it is sad to see how many soldiers gave their lives believing in the rehetoric spun by people like Bush. I wonder if Mr Bush has any of his sons involved in this conflict. Wars are started by individuals in positions of power to carry out their beliefs and ideologies. Creating a democracy in Iraq is a great idea but what is even more ridiculous is the underlying basis for the whole invasion, Americas dependency on fossil fuels. Start thinking outside your own self indulgent life styles.
# posted by : 11/10/06 1:16 PM
: 11/10/06 1:16 PM There is a big disagreement between most Democratic presidential candidates for president and Republican presidential candidates about whether the US should keep their troops in Iraq or withdraw them. However, I never hear any of them mention anything about asking the Iraqi people what they want. If the Iraqis want the US to stay, then it is the US responsibility to do so since they disposed the former regime leaving a power vacume making Iraq vulnerable. But if the Iraqis want the US to go, then the US must go in of respect for Iraqi sovereignty. And leaving Iraq because the Iraqis' demand will not be seen as a defeat of the US military but rather as the right and just thing to do.
So what is the will of Iraqis regarding this matter?
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