What The Hell?

[moe.ron]

One of my friend just told me a story of a Vietnam Vet who lost his leg. He also lost his brother. When he first came back from Vietnam he was called a baby killer. And now he is being called a killer and told to "go back to his own country." Mind you, this punk was some 18 yrs old punk who hasn't served his ultimate responsibility in serving his country. This vietnam vet happen to be an Arab and he is also Muslim. When confronted, all he could due is shed a tear and wonder what more does he need to do to prove his loyalty to his country. I'm sure this story is not isolated. If you have been following the news, a Pakistani man was killed, an Indian Sikh was murdered. Various Arab and Muslim American were assaulted, jeered, and verbally abused. This see to be growing across the nation. Now I wonder if indeed the enemy has won. They wanted to divide us, to polarized the world, and to have a conflict between different race, religion and culture. Just watching Foxnews for an hour, I was sick and disguted. Obviously they know nothing about the international world. They don't realized that the third largest democracy in the world is also the largest Muslim nation in the world. That Arab and Muslim American have contributed to this country. I got to stop before I head to New York and beat the crap out of O'Reily and those Foxnews bigots.

[IowaHawkeye]

Unfortunately, uneducated people, unlike ourselves, feel that everyone in a group are one in the same. Extremists exist in every culture, including our own. The Klu Klux Klan has an extreme and wrong interpretation of the Bible - just like the Taliban and Osama bin Ladin and all those seeking a jihad on Americans have of the Koran. It kills me to see that people in America are jumping to conclusions and thinkng that every Muslim in their neighborhood is out to get us. Some of these people have been here for generations and have contributed to American life through work as doctors, researchers, professors, military personnel, government officals, ect... I read a story about in Chicago some man drve his car into the front of a mosque - what ws the point of that? i don't know. I guess what I am trying to get at is, by doing this - we are allowing them to win - American are Americans - we are a melting pot of nationalities, just becuase someone doesn't look like you doesn't mean they are the enemy.

[KnowledgeEternal]

Originally posted by Arya
I got to stop before I head to New York and beat the crap out of O'Reily and those Foxnews bigots.

What did O'Reilly say this time? I really hate the fact that he has a TV show.

[Salience]

Originally posted by KnowledgeEternal
What did O'Reilly say this time? I really hate the fact that he has a TV show.

I know, doesn't it drive you crazy that bigotry and hatred give great ratings? Like Don Imus. And people wonder why we "can't get along."

[Betarulz!]

I totally understand, I recently read a transcription of the 700 club with Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, and I was appalled, angried, and dissappointed that there are such public figures that are obviously representative of some part of our society.

Basically these two ignorant, judgemental, and all-together repulsive (in the fact that they are so narrow minded) blamed the ACLU, abortionist, gays and lesbians, pagans, and feminists for having a part in the attack b/c they have tried to "secularize america" Falwell also goes on to say "I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen'"

The one question I have not heard asked or point mentioned, and something that has dampered my patriotism b/c I know part of the answer, is "Why do all these groups feel this way toward the US? What have we done?" The answer is not simply because we are "the brighest beacon of freedom" as President Bush has said. And it is not solely because Osama bin Laden is some Muslim nut job b/c there are others like him--obviously there is some vast, underlying thing that is the causing so much hatred. There are several things that come to mind: our Ethnocentrism, our success (hmm, kinda like greek hatred in that respect), our intrusiveness in world affairs particularly b/c we won't take any position other than one of head honcho.

Now don't get me wrong, I love America, it is a place where the freedom of opinions is least restrictive, and a place where the opportunity for success is available (although not entirely equally) to all. However I have the rationality to see that there is a seemy underbelly that many people either ignore, or never acknowledge. And the fact that I love America for it's diverse spectrum of thought is what makes Falwells and Robertsons words the most frightening. They systematically oppose any opinions that differ from theirs. They seem to forget that the ACLU has fought for peoples right to worship as they please, including Christians. They fail to see that while they dispute the lables placed on them, such as racist, and bigoted, they feel that they can exclude, chastise, and make second class citizens of other such petty labels on good people who I would much rather know, live with, and respect then these two so "godly" men. Frickin' Hypocrites!!!

Okay, well I'm stepping off my soap box, I hope that this makes some sense (it is pretty late) and feel free to reply.

[cutetiger]

I know exactly what you mean. Here in town some people were persecuted because of a "rumor" that was spread through email. It was later shown to not be true and the community came together in support of the man.

On a personal note, I have some friends from India and went to the movies with them the other night. I thought that maybe someone was going to say something to my friend because of all the evil and hateful looks he was getting. I firmly believe had I not been right by his side someone would have said something really mean and hurtful.

I just can't believe how this stuff is going. Everyone is so quick to judge. Pray that the ignorance dies soon. Some really great people are getting hurt everyday, both emotionally and physically.

B.

[moe.ron]

After watching Pres. Bush speech, I come to the conclusion that the administration don't get it. It is not about Bin Laden hating the way we live. Hell, I think he wouldn't care less. And if we look at our history, we're not really the champion of democracy and free world. Bin Laden and others hate us because of our hypocritical foreign policy and intrusive matter at other people's business. With our track record, I'm surprise not many more have hated us. Don't get me wrong, I think Bin Laden should be caught and be hung. But then again, Bush has not given any evidence. He really need to show evidence to the world so that the leaders of different nations can say "look, he really did it, do you wan't to support murderers?"

As for O'Reilly, when does he not say something not ignorant. And unfortunately education will not equate to less ignorance. Look at Jesse Helms, and recently Rep. John Cooksey of Louisinia saying that anybody wearing a turban should be looked at suspiciously. Ann Coulter is another "educated" individual who recently said that, in her word, "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." Education is not always the key to open minded. Interaction with different people is the key.