Now, I realize there’s a bit of a language barrier, but the twisted logic of this middle eastern soldier takes the cake.
My favorite part of the rant to American reporters:
The American people want to destroy the Muslim, want to force on us their values. I cannot be a Muslim, that’s the whole problem between me and the American people. If I am a Muslim, then I am a terrorist and I am not a terrorist.
Original Article available Here.
I have two words to say. And the first one is a male bovine.
Now, I realize there’s a bit of a language barrier, but the twisted logic of this middle eastern soldier takes the cake.
My favorite part of the rant to American reporters:
The American people want to destroy the Muslim, want to force on us their values. I cannot be a Muslim, that’s the whole problem between me and the American people. If I am a Muslim, then I am a terrorist and I am not a terrorist.
Original Article available Here.
I have two words to say. And the first one is a male bovine.
I adore people for who they are. I have no vendetta against Muslims or any other religion. And I think I represent all the American people when I say that I want peace in the Middle East, and peace on our homefront. In this case, the only apparent way to gain peace was to go to war and root out the plague infesting the communities over there.
The plague there is the same as it is here, from my point of view: Fundamentalism. People cling so tightly to completely irrational points of view, and create these enclaves of superstition and lies. When you are within the group-think of such an organization, though (and I use the term “organization” lightly — in some cases, it can just be beer-drinking buddies that convince themselves racism is a good thing or something), it’s really tough to get out.
And I don’t think Fundamentalists generally see the problem here. That’s the core of the issue: if you’re deeply involved with an irrational group, you often have no awareness of the depth of your delusion.
Note that I’m speaking of Fundamentalism in the sense of people wanting to revert to “old” values and beliefs simply because they are old. Believing the world is flat and the moon missions were faked because the sky is actually a big scroll, because that’s what’s taught in the Bible, is an example of a fundamentalist belief. It’s a belief beyond logic or reason, and it’s really tough to reach people there.
The only solution to this, from where I sit, is enlightened culture. Promotion of reading, discussion of ideals. Organized programs to introduce all of the population to discussion of philosophy and dialogue. Availability at all levels of income and education to education. Easy access to public libraries, with very reasonable costs for the area to access it.
Of course, given the level of fundamentalist, irrational belief even here in the United States, I realize this is a pipe dream. But at the very least, if we can educate leaders and critical people in these organizations, not to try to prove to them the error of their ways, but to expose them to a wider world of options, we can make a positive difference.
The initial thought that I have is that, some sort of exchange program, where adults with families from both sides are given the chance to live with one another could be a real kick in the pants. Maybe a year at a time or something, with employment provided on both sides.
Obviously, there are a ton of details that would have to be worked out to make this kind of thing work. And personality conflicts are a multi-cultural phenomenon. But, if we affected the life of just one teenager, to work for good on both sides of the pond, maybe it would be worth it.
I’ll have to stew on this a while, and figure out if it’s worth my time to pursue such a venture, or just continue to sit on the sidelines and armchair quarterback the involvement of the U.S. in the Middle East.