Iraq today, has the US become mayor of Baghdad? (Israel, soldiers, controversial)

[ontheroad]

If you haven't lived, worked, studied with/in or visited the Middle East, it is difficult to understand how radically different the culture is, and hence, many of the moves we are making as "mayor" are going to back-fire.

Americans, by and large, are direct, some say blunt; many in the international community, and I include those from the Middle East, are more subtle. It is this subtlety we are missing in comprehending the messages we are given by the Iraqi government.

On the surface, there is a politeness in some cultures like in the Middle East, that would not allow for public discord. Underneath the politeness, can be extreme dissent.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

If you haven't lived, worked, studied with/in or visited the Middle East, it is difficult to understand how radically different the culture is, and hence, many of the moves we are making as "mayor" are going to back-fire.

Americans, by and large, are direct, some say blunt; many in the international community, and I include those from the Middle East, are more subtle. It is this subtlety we are missing in comprehending the messages we are given by the Iraqi government.

On the surface, there is a politeness in some cultures like in the Middle East, that would not allow for public discord. Underneath the politeness, can be extreme dissent.

I am beginning to have this mental image of the US embassy in Baghdad being surrounded by sandbags, and troops trying desperately to hold the fort in an almost Alamo fashion. (metaphorically)

As I mentioned in a previous post lord only knows where, that the last successful occupying force in Afghanistan was Alexander the Great. The former Soviets got waxed to the tune of about 26,000 kia verses the reported 50,000 Afghani's.

I am not sure if you are familiar with Tariq Ali, but he gave an ominous lecture at Berkley prior to the invasion of Iraq. He so stated that Iraq has a very long history of warfare and occupation that the United States is very much underestimating. From the Persians, to the Turks, to the British, it has been almost a constant struggle against occupation in this region. (I may have this video archived on one of my network drives)

Almost everything this man asserted has come to past as dead on. Miscalculation by the globalist neoconservatives that prompted the manner of confrontation is something that I had hoped would be remembered but when looking towards Iran, I shudder to think.

[ontheroad]

I am familiar with Tariq Ali. It doesn't surprise, once more, that we failed to listen.

Having lived in the desert, albeit shortly, underscored my minute understanding of the culture of some of those who both survive and thrive in the Middle East.

And, I lose sleep over the implications in the mouth's of politicians about Iran. McCain may have made a slip last night. Did you catch it?

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

I am not sure if you are familiar with Tariq Ali, but he gave an ominous lecture at Berkley prior to the invasion of Iraq. He so stated that Iraq has a very long history of warfare and occupation that the United States is very much underestimating. From the Persians, to the Turks, to the British, it has been almost a constant struggle against occupation in this region. (I may have this video archived on one of my network drives)

Almost everything this man asserted has come to past as dead on. Miscalculation by the globalist neoconservatives that prompted the manner of confrontation is something that I had hoped would be remembered but when looking towards Iran, I shudder to think.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I am familiar with Tariq Ali. It doesn't surprise, once more, that we failed to listen.

Having lived in the desert, albeit shortly, underscored my minute understanding of the culture of some of those who both survive and thrive in the Middle East.

And, I lose sleep over the implications in the mouth's of politicians about Iran. McCain may have made a slip last night. Did you catch it?

YES I most certainly did catch it! Being he is in those certain circles such as Senate Committee on Armed Services, this may very well be a peek into something ominous.

I also caught Giuliani's mention that Hillary and him both are on the same page with Iran, something I have repeated said about them being members of the greater war party.

I am hoping that my library might have a copy of Tariq Ali's latest book (can't recall the name) that I would enjoy reading. Although he comes off a bit arrogant, I haven't seen much so far that hasn't been on spot.

[ontheroad]

Are you referring to the "Clash of Fundamentalisms? It's on my to read list.

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

I am hoping that my library might have a copy of Tariq Ali's latest book (can't recall the name) that I would enjoy reading. Although he comes off a bit arrogant, I haven't seen much so far that hasn't been on spot.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

Are you referring to the "Clash of Fundamentalisms? It's on my to read list.

Yikes, I am behind as his latest is Axis Of Hope (2006) and the one I was referring to was Conversations with Edward Said (2005)

I'm hoping for a long, cold winter with snow as high as a horses butt in order to catch up on my reading.

[ontheroad]

Well we are both behind, but I am hoping for a long moderate winter in which I can read and write, look out into the beyond and hope for a better 2008.

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

Yikes, I am behind as his latest is Axis Of Hope (2006) and the one I was referring to was Conversations with Edward Said (2005)

I'm hoping for a long, cold winter with snow as high as a horses butt in order to catch up on my reading.

[MooksterL1]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

If you haven't lived, worked, studied with/in or visited the Middle East, it is difficult to understand how radically different the culture is, and hence, many of the moves we are making as "mayor" are going to back-fire.

Americans, by and large, are direct, some say blunt; many in the international community, and I include those from the Middle East, are more subtle. It is this subtlety we are missing in comprehending the messages we are given by the Iraqi government.

On the surface, there is a politeness in some cultures like in the Middle East, that would not allow for public discord. Underneath the politeness, can be extreme dissent.

I think you have hit the nail on the head, so to speak, here. Unfortunately, those in power in our government and their supporters are so caught up in their own delusions of granduer that they can't see cultural nuances and the underlying seething resentment in those they are so intent on domineering.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by MooksterL1

I think you have hit the nail on the head, so to speak, here. Unfortunately, those in power in our government and their supporters are so caught up in their own delusions of granduer that they can't see cultural nuances and the underlying seething resentment in those they are so intent on domineering.

I would say this does not just apply to their supporters, in fact just look at how much difficulty Americans have seeing the nuances of their own culture. (North vs South) for instance

[MooksterL1]

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

I would say this does not just apply to their supporters, in fact just look at how much difficulty Americans have seeing the nuances of their own culture. (North vs South) for instance

Perhaps it does extend past the supporters, but I attempt to refrain from abject generalizations as I have heard that there is no such thing as ALL of anything.