Bush might not be the only reason they hate America, but due to his rise to Presidency at this special point of time in our history he has surely become the icon for it.
Did he really need to wage war against Iraq? Strong evidence suggests he's there to secure oil.
And I'm not entirely convinced that cultural dominance has anything to do with anti-globalization. That's the same as saying "they're jealous of what we acheived". Anti-globalization is more concerned about people making obscene fortune from sweat, tears and blood of others.
Do you seriously believe that the problem in the middle east is a backlash against the rise of rational thinking? If so, I'm beginning to doubt that there's hope of having a constructive debate. As far as I can tell, you're calling people in the M.E. irrational barbarians (again jealous of your alleged freedom), which you take upon yourselves to civilize by force feeding them your ideals. The resistance you see in the M.E.(as well as elsewhere) has nothing to do with beliefs or ideals. It's about pillage of resource and land expropriation. Kudos to the US media though for shoving that load of lies down your throats!
I don't know how you can even begin to try and back that statement up. Did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor because they loved us? Did the Soviet Union put missiles in Cuba because they loved us? Did Hezbollah bomb the Marine Barracks in Beirut in 1983 because they loved us? Did Bin Ladin blow up the US embassies in Africa, blow up the USS Cole, and use hijacked planes as missiles to crash into populated areas because he loved us? How are things any different today?
This is the feeling you'd get if you went to Asia or Africa. Of course, I'm too young to remember such incidents as Pearl Harbor, but then again, so are you probably!
More seriously, the animosity against the US has never been so strong in the Arab street as far as I can remember (I know 'cause I spend quite some time in many of them a year). Plus, I'm Arab myself, which helps to connect with people and get their real feelings. I currently reside in Sweden, and strangely enough I've seen many times graffitis saying "Fuck USA" or other not-so-nice things
It wasn't "blatantly arrogant" to rebel against the government who brought us here? It wasn't "blatantly arrogant" to throw their tea in a harbor and right a war against them? It wasn't "blatantly arrogant" to claim a "manifest destiny" of spreading our freedoms and form of Government across the globe? Once again, how are things any different today?
Again, I can only speak of recent history (i.e: As far as I can remember). I can't think of any other time where the American administration's being so open in their support for Israel.
No, we get juicy trade agreements because we are the richest and the strongest, and people cannot afford to ignore us. We have the balls to affect changes in the world that directly benefit us and others. That is what makes us so great.
I deliberately exagerated the situation. I know not all countries that signed those treaties are tyrannies per se, but the fact that no westerner will consider Morocco a US backed tyranny, makes me doubt the extent to which I know Jordan or Singapore. Having spent 25 years in Morocco, I can tell you it definitely is a US backed tyranny.
How so? The UN as well as the majority of the western world agrees with us that Iran has no business developing nuclear technology. Any attack on Iran would come with the support of the international community, and would come after all other diplomatic options had been exhausted.
Under the treaty of non-proliferation (which Israel didn't even bother with), Iran has every right to develop nuclear energy. Now, when you say that the attack would come with the support of the international community, you're deeply mistaken; Neither Russia nor China will ever allow that, but that won't stop, will it? Remember Irak 3 years ago?
Even European (EU) Trade Commissioner and US ally, Peter Mandelson expressed his ire when he accused the US of trying to exact a "disproportionate" price from developing countries. He added: "Surely the richest and strongest nation in the world, with the highest standards of living, can afford to give as well as take." Mandelson is right, of course, but he also understands the US considers itself the de facto ruler of the world and claims the right in that status to make all the rules and expect all other nations to agree to and obey them.
Of course, the US was not the only country which hampered the talks, but it sure didn't help them.
Are you under the mistaken impression that everybody liked us before Bush was elected?
Nope. But I'm afraid that hatred is now many folds what it used to be.
Your government's foreign policy is now blatantly arrogant as opposed to the more furtive policies it had before. Plus, the internet sure helped undermine the preponderance of mainstream media and their biased stories.
The failure of the last WTO round is a clear example of the world not putting up with the US crap anymore; No matter, you still managed to get juicy trade agreements with many countries by coersion and/or backing up tyrranies.
Watch Mexico closely during the next days as you'll very likely dispatch troops to silence the resistance against the results of the rigged presidentials.
Now, the ulimate alienation of the world's population would be to attack Iran . That'll be the final straw!
Some examples on the matter where military force was used:
# Afghanistan, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003
# Bosnia, 1994, 1995
# Cambodia, 1969-70
# China, 1945-46
# Congo (now Zaire), 1964
# Cuba, 1959-1961 ("Bay of Pigs" invasion)
# El Salvador, 1980s
# Grenada, 1983
# Guatemala, 1954, 1960, 1967-69
# Indonesia, 1958
# Iran, 1987
# Iraq, 1991-2000, 2003 (The U.S. government used radioactive bombs in the first war against Iraq. See United States War Crimes Against Iraq for what appears to be an accurate history.)
# Korea and China, 1950-53 (Korean War)
# Kuwait, 1991
# Laos, 1964-73
# Lebanon, 1983, 1984 (both Lebanese and Syrian targets)
# Libya, 1986
# Nicaragua, 1980s
# Panama, 1989. The U.S. government called it "Operation Just Cause".
# Peru, 1965
# Somalia, 1993
# Sudan 1998. There are doubts that the pharmaceutical plant that was bombed was making weapons.
# Vietnam, 1961-73 (An estimated 2,000,000 Vietnamese were killed.)
Plus operation Ajax in Iran to overthrow Mossadegh. the clear animosity against Chavez, Morales, Obrador, Hamas, Hezbollah.
Most of the above had a democratically elected that didn't wanna bend to the Americans, and that is exactlywhy they were elected.
Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three -- and paradise is when you have none. -- Doug Larson
I think the same people that want to kill every israeli have us as number 2 on their list.
I can't claim that there isn't a single person that wants to kill every sionist alive (though they're not Muslims in my book!), but I know for sure that those always were a minority. Now, the blatant resort to violence and arrogant support of Israel your government is displaying is radicalizing even the most moderate Arab or Muslim. Never before have the U.S. been so open about their agenda, and this pisses off far more people than the nuts who'd like to "drive the jews into the sea".
I'm as moderate as a Muslim can get: I don't pray 5 times a day, I don't do Ramadan, I drink and have a promiscous life. The only thing making me a Muslim is the profession of faith. My immediate family and myself are as far from the M.E. as one can be. All of this to show you that my judgement is not being clogged by rage or fanatism.
Yet, I turn on the TV every morning, with the ambivalent hope, that somebody blew something somewhere, as it appears to me the only way to get westerners to really dig deeper, start asking questions, turn to alternative media and see things for what they really are.
Recently, Jonathan Cook, a highly educated atheist British journalist, admittedly "found himself with the Islamist fascists" http://www.jkcook.net/Articles2/0273.htm#Top.
or we are going to have a large scale war between the two cultures.
Wake up an smell the coffee, buddy! We're there already. Few weeks from now, you'll attack Iran preemptively.
If it wasn't for the repressive governments the U.S. is backing in the Arab world, we'll already be in WW3. A legitimate body representing the will of the Arab people would have long ago given you cassius belli to strike.
I suggest you start by getting some background on the M.E. issue. http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/origin.html. It's written by Jews.
And with that aside, how are we protecting the nation's railways, malls, gas stations, and all other manner of targets?
I genuinely beleive that the answer lies within the capacity of the U.S. to stop its unconditional support for Israel. Interference with other countries politics puts you at great risk also; But then again, it's a matter of opportunity-cost. The people benefiting from, say a regime change in Iraq, are probably having private jets and bodyguards anyway.
I don't like the "those peaceful Christians, those violent Muslims" stereotype floating around here.
Being an Arab Muslim, I don't think I could've meant that. Rather, I meant that if Islamists get seats all over the Arab world, they'll stop playing along with whatever the U.S. dictates, will thus be labelled as terroristic governments, giving Bush & co incentive to attack them! But fair election in the Arab world is a myth. I can recall a referendum in 1989, that basically decupled the power of the Moroccan king, ending in a 99.89% in favour.
We won't have to. If the situation in Iraq is any indication, they'll be too busy killing each other.
Sadly, you're making sure they are. Evidence shows that the U.S. plays an active role in dividing Iraqis http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=vie wArticle&code=COL20060326&articleId=2174
From TFA: "The unleashing of a civil war with a view to deliberately breaking up Iraq was part of the US war agenda from the outset."
I also read a more detailed article with the same thesis on Znet that I can't seem to find.
You've got a point about the support the US gives to Israel, though....
I highly recommand that you read the following lenghty, yet exhaustive and well-documented piece about the conflict in the M.E. http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/origin.html. Note that it's been written by Jews!
You've got a point about the support the US gives to Israel, though....
I highly recommand that you read the following comprehensive and well-documented piece http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/origin.html about the origin of the Middle-eastern conflict. Note that it's been written by Jews!
I know, its far easier to blame our government and Bush (in fact its popular among some segments) but the truth is that they didn't create this enemy. Its been around a long time.
Nope friend, you got it all wrong!
It may not be Bush per se that triggered the hatred, but he made sure it culminated during his reign. Other than that, the American foreign policy in the second part of the 20th century is certainly to blame for interfering with the Arab regimes. Now, your blatant suppor of the Zionist atrocities perpetrated in the M.E. is only making it worse. Though having used the American veto for over sixty times in the UN to abort sanctions against Israel (and, with the exception of small pacific islands with a flag, you always were the only country in the world to be on Israel's side), never before has your government displayed so much arrogance.
This will continue until this group is either rendered harmless or their attempts so futile they go back to doing what they did before.
You fail to perceive the real issue again. The resistance that Al-qaeda represents has evolved beyond a terror cell into a philosophy in the Muslim world (luckily not everyone condones their methods). None , and I repeat, none of the Arab governments have any legitimacy in the eyes of the people. Palestine, and to a lesser extent Lebanon, have expressed their choices and they are now accused of being terrorists. All other governments are backed by the U.S., and are abusing their power to keep the reformists at bay. Should any Arab country hold unbiased elections, the Islamists will win by a large margin. Then what? Will you support the killing of a billion people? And do you expect other nuclear powers to stand by?
Terrorism is the last resort for the disillusioned and powerless. It is IMHO, an attempt to draw the attention of people like yourself as a wake up call, so that you start investigating, reading alternative media and ultimately, demand a change of attitude from your government. However, it's a lost cause as the the financial aspect will always prevail over the humanitarian one. In the words of Ani Difranco: "Capitalism is the devil's wet dream"
As Tom-the-wise pointed out, the conflict has roots that predates Hezbollah. From the tone of your post, I'll say you're highly likely to be an American buying all the pro-zionist media propaganda. Next time you wanna actively support the extermination a whole faith based on what some nuts do in the name of that same faith, think about what'd happen if Muslims held you accountable for the crimes your president commits and start a massive agressive campaign against Americans.
I urge you to take the time to read this well-documented account of the middle-eastern conflict related by Jews themselves http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/origin.html
If after that your opinion is not mitigated the least bit, that'll be the the clear sign that the point of no return's been reached.
Slashdot Mirror
And I'm not entirely convinced that cultural dominance has anything to do with anti-globalization. That's the same as saying "they're jealous of what we acheived". Anti-globalization is more concerned about people making obscene fortune from sweat, tears and blood of others.
Do you seriously believe that the problem in the middle east is a backlash against the rise of rational thinking? If so, I'm beginning to doubt that there's hope of having a constructive debate. As far as I can tell, you're calling people in the M.E. irrational barbarians (again jealous of your alleged freedom), which you take upon yourselves to civilize by force feeding them your ideals.
The resistance you see in the M.E.(as well as elsewhere) has nothing to do with beliefs or ideals. It's about pillage of resource and land expropriation. Kudos to the US media though for shoving that load of lies down your throats!
This is the feeling you'd get if you went to Asia or Africa. Of course, I'm too young to remember such incidents as Pearl Harbor, but then again, so are you probably!
More seriously, the animosity against the US has never been so strong in the Arab street as far as I can remember (I know 'cause I spend quite some time in many of them a year). Plus, I'm Arab myself, which helps to connect with people and get their real feelings. I currently reside in Sweden, and strangely enough I've seen many times graffitis saying "Fuck USA" or other not-so-nice things
Again, I can only speak of recent history (i.e: As far as I can remember). I can't think of any other time where the American administration's being so open in their support for Israel.
I deliberately exagerated the situation. I know not all countries that signed those treaties are tyrannies per se, but the fact that no westerner will consider Morocco a US backed tyranny, makes me doubt the extent to which I know Jordan or Singapore. Having spent 25 years in Morocco, I can tell you it definitely is a US backed tyranny.
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?Sec
Under the treaty of non-proliferation (which Israel didn't even bother with), Iran has every right to develop nuclear energy. Now, when you say that the attack would come with the support of the international community, you're deeply mistaken; Neither Russia nor China will ever allow that, but that won't stop, will it? Remember Irak 3 years ago?
Of course, the US was not the only country which hampered the talks, but it sure didn't help them.
Are you under the mistaken impression that everybody liked us before Bush was elected? Nope. But I'm afraid that hatred is now many folds what it used to be.
Your government's foreign policy is now blatantly arrogant as opposed to the more furtive policies it had before. Plus, the internet sure helped undermine the preponderance of mainstream media and their biased stories.
The failure of the last WTO round is a clear example of the world not putting up with the US crap anymore; No matter, you still managed to get juicy trade agreements with many countries by coersion and/or backing up tyrranies.
Watch Mexico closely during the next days as you'll very likely dispatch troops to silence the resistance against the results of the rigged presidentials.
Now, the ulimate alienation of the world's population would be to attack Iran . That'll be the final straw!
I think the worst thing Bush's done is turning most of the world's population against the US.
Some examples on the matter where military force was used: # Afghanistan, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 # Bosnia, 1994, 1995 # Cambodia, 1969-70 # China, 1945-46 # Congo (now Zaire), 1964 # Cuba, 1959-1961 ("Bay of Pigs" invasion) # El Salvador, 1980s # Grenada, 1983 # Guatemala, 1954, 1960, 1967-69 # Indonesia, 1958 # Iran, 1987 # Iraq, 1991-2000, 2003 (The U.S. government used radioactive bombs in the first war against Iraq. See United States War Crimes Against Iraq for what appears to be an accurate history.) # Korea and China, 1950-53 (Korean War) # Kuwait, 1991 # Laos, 1964-73 # Lebanon, 1983, 1984 (both Lebanese and Syrian targets) # Libya, 1986 # Nicaragua, 1980s # Panama, 1989. The U.S. government called it "Operation Just Cause". # Peru, 1965 # Somalia, 1993 # Sudan 1998. There are doubts that the pharmaceutical plant that was bombed was making weapons. # Vietnam, 1961-73 (An estimated 2,000,000 Vietnamese were killed.) Plus operation Ajax in Iran to overthrow Mossadegh. the clear animosity against Chavez, Morales, Obrador, Hamas, Hezbollah. Most of the above had a democratically elected that didn't wanna bend to the Americans, and that is exactlywhy they were elected.
Correction: Rich analy-raped man!
Now if only they'd drop the camera ...
Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three -- and paradise is when you have none. -- Doug Larson
Behold the wrath of the FSM, blessed be His holy noodly limbs!
Kphone is a SIP-based softphone for KDE.
I told Islamists that I drink and Americans that I empathize with Islamists. Well, life was good while it lasted!
I'm as moderate as a Muslim can get: I don't pray 5 times a day, I don't do Ramadan, I drink and have a promiscous life. The only thing making me a Muslim is the profession of faith. My immediate family and myself are as far from the M.E. as one can be. All of this to show you that my judgement is not being clogged by rage or fanatism.
Yet, I turn on the TV every morning, with the ambivalent hope, that somebody blew something somewhere, as it appears to me the only way to get westerners to really dig deeper, start asking questions, turn to alternative media and see things for what they really are.
Recently, Jonathan Cook, a highly educated atheist British journalist, admittedly "found himself with the Islamist fascists" http://www.jkcook.net/Articles2/0273.htm#Top. Wake up an smell the coffee, buddy! We're there already. Few weeks from now, you'll attack Iran preemptively.
If it wasn't for the repressive governments the U.S. is backing in the Arab world, we'll already be in WW3. A legitimate body representing the will of the Arab people would have long ago given you cassius belli to strike.
I suggest you start by getting some background on the M.E. issue. http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/origin.htm
Plus the 8% false positive rate is what they're communicating. I guess they must have tweaked the numbers a bit.
OK, so Apple will never kill Dell. But more importantly, can it KILL BILL!
OK, so Apple will never kill Dell, but the more importantly, will it KILL BILL!
Sadly, you're making sure they are. Evidence shows that the U.S. plays an active role in dividing Iraqis http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=vi
From TFA: "The unleashing of a civil war with a view to deliberately breaking up Iraq was part of the US war agenda from the outset."
I also read a more detailed article with the same thesis on Znet that I can't seem to find.
I highly recommand that you read the following lenghty, yet exhaustive and well-documented piece about the conflict in the M.E. http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/origin.htm
It may not be Bush per se that triggered the hatred, but he made sure it culminated during his reign. Other than that, the American foreign policy in the second part of the 20th century is certainly to blame for interfering with the Arab regimes. Now, your blatant suppor of the Zionist atrocities perpetrated in the M.E. is only making it worse. Though having used the American veto for over sixty times in the UN to abort sanctions against Israel (and, with the exception of small pacific islands with a flag, you always were the only country in the world to be on Israel's side), never before has your government displayed so much arrogance.
You fail to perceive the real issue again. The resistance that Al-qaeda represents has evolved beyond a terror cell into a philosophy in the Muslim world (luckily not everyone condones their methods). None , and I repeat, none of the Arab governments have any legitimacy in the eyes of the people. Palestine, and to a lesser extent Lebanon, have expressed their choices and they are now accused of being terrorists. All other governments are backed by the U.S., and are abusing their power to keep the reformists at bay. Should any Arab country hold unbiased elections, the Islamists will win by a large margin. Then what? Will you support the killing of a billion people? And do you expect other nuclear powers to stand by?
Terrorism is the last resort for the disillusioned and powerless. It is IMHO, an attempt to draw the attention of people like yourself as a wake up call, so that you start investigating, reading alternative media and ultimately, demand a change of attitude from your government. However, it's a lost cause as the the financial aspect will always prevail over the humanitarian one. In the words of Ani Difranco: "Capitalism is the devil's wet dream"
As Tom-the-wise pointed out, the conflict has roots that predates Hezbollah.l
From the tone of your post, I'll say you're highly likely to be an American buying all the pro-zionist media propaganda. Next time you wanna actively support the extermination a whole faith based on what some nuts do in the name of that same faith, think about what'd happen if Muslims held you accountable for the crimes your president commits and start a massive agressive campaign against Americans.
I urge you to take the time to read this well-documented account of the middle-eastern conflict related by Jews themselves http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/origin.htm
If after that your opinion is not mitigated the least bit, that'll be the the clear sign that the point of no return's been reached.