Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/11/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ruben-- The questions you ask are better answered by a political science class. The conclusions you raise about why a country or a society is or is not poor seem a bit backwards. Growing up in the South, I can tell you that some of the same questions you ask about people from Islamic societies I've heard asked by intolerant, privileged white folks about those who descended from the slave system. Perhaps it would be good to ask why people who have been powerless and colonized for such a long time would want to lash out at those who have done the colonizing, or who support those who enforce oppressive governments. Many of the questions you ask, about why this or that in this or that muslim society, could well be answered, "because Western governments keep the oppressive rulers in control." Notice that few of these countries are democracies, and whenever the chance arises for them to become democratic, it isn't the U.S. that is doing its best to promote the conversion. As for "my" president, this person is not my president; he was not elected, and I did not vote for him. I don't support what he does, and he is not accountable to the people of the U.S. in any way. I think there is a difference between the United States and its people, and the United States and its government. What the people want isn't always what they get. If we had no constitution and bill of rights, those in power in our country would probably run as rough-shod over the populace as in any other land. My point about calling others "they" and classing them as evil, is that when we do that, we risk making ourselves self-righteous, and therefore blind to the evil that we ourselves are capable of creating in the world. I can appreciate your feeling of gratitude and admiration for the U.S., but at the same time, our society is supposed to be based upon an idea that allows for many different points of view, and encouraging healthy debate of those differing ideas. If we cannot criticize our own government, who will? Kit == Ruben wrote: "Kit, First of all this is in no way an attack on people of islamic faith nor on people with aa other ethnic background then my own "I think that they are definetly they" I have no respect nor can I in any way feel sorry for people who kills inocent women and children I have no respect for people that proclaims a fatwa on you if you critises their religion Why is it that all muslim countries are poor Why is it when a country becomes muslim it turns even poorer Why is it that in Muslim states analfabetism is so much higher then in other societys Why is it that no Mulsim state practice basic Human rights Why is it that the royal family of Saudi Arabia spend 250 mi USD on sommer hollyday in spain ech year and the al queda bombs western targets I do not find that I have problems with freedom of speech - I do think that woman have the same rights as me I dont want to force feed "them" anything - I they are just as stupid after 300 years behind closed doors then fine with me but please do not force me to deal with individuals who totally lack respect for what I stand for. I think that blaming USA for all evil is far out and I think that so much good has happend because of the USA You can vote - you can get your neigbour to vote - you can stop ignoring homless people - you can accept paying more taxes and get better welfare - - you are a part of a great nation and have a responsibility to keep on making it a greater nation - but only because you are a part of a free world What is by the way wrong in sharing that with other nations Your current president may be a jerk but if it had not been for USA the whole world would either been Nazi or Communist You should be damn proud of that and you should be proud that you live in a part of the world were if you really want you can make a difference - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html