Is the Middle East Problem Far Greater Than Israel/Palestine? (interview, Afghanistan)
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You start out by saying that "not all people who disagree with Israel are not wackos", and then in your next paragraph you try to insinuate that they are. That's what Jen was concerned about.
If that's what I said (and I'm not alleging that what you say that I said is in fact what I said, or is only what you SAID I said....and I'm not saying you don't have the right to say what YOU said, but should be careful when you take it upon yourself to presume to say what you THINK I said)....then I apologize. I must have been delerious, or my "meds" could have been reacting with each other....I don't know.
But I honestly don't remember (nor can I find a record of) me saying what you say that I said. Besides, they won't let me have sharp objects in here, and they've got me in a bathrobe with my arms tied in back, and it's difficult to type with my tongue. I do try to be consistent, though.
So, does anyone think that the idea that some/many arab nations use Israel as a distraction to preclude the need to address other internal problems is incorrect?
So, does anyone think that the idea that some/many arab nations use Israel as a distraction to preclude the need to address other internal problems is incorrect?
If so, why?
Absolutely. Hell, some Muslim groups and even nations use the Palestinian people as little more than a tool, much the same way they use Israel as a tool for a variety of reasons. I may be harsh to Israel's policies but I'm not so blind to see that during times of relative calm, I don't see the Muslim world sinking much in terms of resources into Palestinian territories. Now it can be argued that this is due to Israel, but I personally haven't seen a great deal of effort or even discussion, unless it is during a flare up in conflict, then everyone seems to get bent. Granted, those Muslim nations that are most silent are also recipients of US good will, be it through foreign aid or through commerce, but one would think that those so opposed to Israel might also be opposed to Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
I also have a hard time watching post about the oppression of Muslim on Muslim/women posts go unnoticed and why so many people who don't seem to mind "those crazy Arabs" beating the tar out of each other, suddenly get self righteous when they enter into conflict with Israel. I would hope they would at least be consistent with sentiments, anything less appears racially motivated.
As many problems as there are in the Muslim world, and I see many, it doesn't help when we approach the region in such an unbalanced manner as we do.
Absolutely. Hell, some Muslim groups and even nations use the Palestinian people as little more than a tool, much the same way they use Israel as a tool for a variety of reasons. I may be harsh to Israel's policies but I'm not so blind to see that during times of relative calm, I don't see the Muslim world sinking much in terms of resources into Palestinian territories. Now it can be argued that this is due to Israel, but I personally haven't seen a great deal of effort or even discussion, unless it is during a flare up in conflict, then everyone seems to get bent. Granted, those Muslim nations that are most silent are also recipients of US good will, be it through foreign aid or through commerce, but one would think that those so opposed to Israel might also be opposed to Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
I also have a hard time watching post about the oppression of Muslim on Muslim/women posts go unnoticed and why so many people who don't seem to mind "those crazy Arabs" beating the tar out of each other, suddenly get self righteous when they enter into conflict with Israel. I would hope they would at least be consistent with sentiments, anything less appears racially motivated.
As many problems as there are in the Muslim world, and I see many, it doesn't help when we approach the region in such an unbalanced manner as we do.
Intelligent post. True, in a surreal way, that the worst oppressors of Arabs, by far, seem to be themselves.....and their own husbands and their next-door neighbors. Not much we can do to wade into an internecine 'free-for-all'....it will have to be settled by the 'participants'.
The "Viagra for the elders" debacle recently was only a LITTLE more bizarre than the 'norm'. Trade Viagra for cooperation, in order to bring freedom and democracy to the region?...well, yes....but did we check first with the 15-year old WIVES of these elderly leaders? Is this consistent with THEIR wants and desires? Anybody get their 'take' on this? Didn't think so...
I also have a hard time watching post about the oppression of Muslim on Muslim/women posts go unnoticed and why so many people who don't seem to mind "those crazy Arabs" beating the tar out of each other, suddenly get self righteous when they enter into conflict with Israel. I would hope they would at least be consistent with sentiments, anything less appears racially motivated.
As many problems as there are in the Muslim world, and I see many, it doesn't help when we approach the region in such an unbalanced manner as we do.
Perhaps you have some insights here that I lack. I have never, ever understood how most of the women seem to support the restrictions. Thinking back to the fall of the Shah of Iran, I recall a lot of discussion as to how this was going to be awful for the ladies. Yet, it seems like they actually welcomed the new restrictions, and passed this attitude on to their daughters.
I don't, I think an argument would ensue over who is the most faithful. Kind of like a bunch of neonazi's arguing over who is the whitest guy at the rally.
While maybe not the best analogy, more to the point is that the religious aspects of Islamic countries is something that needs to be equally addressed. While I'm sure many will disagree with me, I happen to think that when religious types seek out to embrace the more fundamentalist aspects of their faith and then apply it to governing a nation of people, its a recipe for disaster and a fast ticket back to 1000 AD or the Dark Ages. Many Christians, Jews, and even Muslims have proven that they can be devoutly faithful and live in a modern world, but for some this is a challenge they refuse to meet.
It would be interesting to model a scenario of what would happen in the Middle East if:
1 - Israel suddenly disappeared, including the Jewish population
2 - Synthetic fuels became common and inexpensive (say the equivalent of $25 per barrel)
Think all would be peaceful out there?
It would return to local squabbles between arabic tribes etc. It sure as hell would reduce the chances of a nuclear war, WW3, Armageddon, and the United States getting dragged into more worthless conflicts which costs us trillions and our soldiers' blood.
PS When Arab or Muslim countries put money into the Palestinian territories it's usually labeled "terror funding" by the US media and the likes of Foxnews, etc. All funding is fungible, so even when the US given billions to israel in non-military funding, it simply allows them to divert their own funds to Zionist militarism to terrorize the Palestinians. The same goes for Israeli "charities" in the US. For every dollar that goes for a secular purpose, it just frees up Israeli cash for militarism or more illegal settlement activity.
Bottom line, in the West, charities to a foreign nation (Israel -- only one?) get you a United States of America tax deduction!! Most funding to Palestinian charities gets its assets frozen!!
Again, considering that all funds to either group are fungible, it lacks credibility to condemn one and not the other.
It would return to local squabbles between arabic tribes etc. It sure as hell would reduce the chances of a nuclear war, WW3, Armageddon, and the United States getting dragged into more worthless conflicts which costs us trillions and our soldiers' blood.
I wouldn't be so certain that these local squabbles would be contained. I agree that initially they wouldn't be of international concern, but the folks in that region don't have much of a track record of compromise or containment.
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