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Letters to the Editor and his Responses to them October 2002 |
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Human Price of the Israeli Occupation of Palestine Mission and meaning of Al-Jazeerah
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From: Ray Paradis, Australia (10/26/02) Subject: Muslims and the West
I first must apologize for my last letter (of 10/24/02). I
mistakenly thought this site was part of Al Jazeerah television. I also
apologize if you seriously felt my letter was hate mail. It was not
intended as such.
I tried to write in what I felt was an obvious form of satire
mixed with sarcasm. I either failed at this or some of what I said
perhaps had to much the ring of truth and was personally upsetting to
you.
I have read over your website very closely and it is clear you
are well read and informed. You obviously have a lot of knowledge on the
situation in the Middle East. However you seem to be too unbalanced in
your commentaries. Though not on a par with Al Jazeerah TV. for sure you
still seem to lay almost all problems in the Arab world at the
feet of the American and Israeli governments.
You write in some of your commentaries of how wrong war and
killing of civilians is but when these killings involve Israelis and
Westerners you come across as though its a small matter, not worthy of
as much consideration. Are our lives any less valuable than the lives of
Palestinians or other peoples?
The principle point I was trying to raise is the rhetoric being
but out was hurting not helping the cause of not only the Palestinians
but also the Islamic faith. I believe the rhetoric is playing into the
hands of the Zionist and Christian extremist.
We have the first World Trade center bombing, Muslim men led the
way. We have the U.S. Cole, Muslim men lead the way. We have the embassy
bombings in Africa, Muslim men lead the way. The French tanker
explosion, Bali nightclub bombing, Moscow theater attack, Muslim men
lead the way.
It seems to me the lack of Arab condemnation of these acts and
the silence of Muslim religious leaders only adds to the feeling of
average people in the west that Islam is against us and our culture.
I am smart enough to know that there are many good Muslims who
abhor the things that are being done in the name of Islam. I know the
complaints of the Palestinians have merit and the press here also lack
in their coverage of these issues. But do two wrongs make a right?
I feel, and this is what I was trying to get across in my
previous letter, if more average Arabs in the media and the public do
not speak out against the actions the extremist are taking, we will see
another Crusade or Cold War II as you put it. To simply
keep repeating that the west is to blame for everything and to inflame
more and more young Arabs to hatred is not good for any of us.
I'm sorry you could not see the point I was trying to make.
Hopefully I have made myself a little clearer this time. I'm a high
school dropout who drives a truck for a living not a scholar working in
an University.
Editor: Apology accepted and now we can have a civilized dialogue. Arabic media don't support violence, if you read Arabic you'll know that. All human life is sacred and Islam is very clear on that issue. The Holy Qur'an states clearly that if you kill an innocent person, it is like killing all people. And if you save the life of one person, it is like saving the lives of all people. Islam has nothing to do with all of this. You said it correctly at the end of your letter. It is Cold War II. There is an alliance between the military industrial complex, the oil industry, and Israel. It is global in its reach and Muslim land and resources, particularly oil, are the prizes. Most Muslims have submitted to this new round of imperialism but some of them are still resisting. This is the truth, no more and no less. What did Arabs and Muslims do to Europeans at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century to be invaded and their resources to be stolen? Nothing. What did American Indians and Australian Aboriginis do to deserve extermination (Tasmania for example), genocide, or taking over their resources by European settlers? Nothing. What did Africans do to be enslaved in the new world? Nothing. What did Palestinian Arabs do to European and American Jews to cause the Zionist invasion, the establishment of the racist state of Israel, and the current brutal military occupation? Nothing. For sure, they did not go to Europe to persecute Jews. What did the Iraqis do to the US and Britain to deserve the 1991 destruction, the sanctions that killed about one and a half million innocent people, and the coming impending war? Nothing. What did the people of Chechnya do to Russians to cause the brutal war that has been going on since 1991? They want their independence, like other Muslim republics which left the Soviet Union. Why is India adamant in not seeing the fact that the overwhelming majority of the Kashmiris want independence? We are talking about National liberation movements of the Muslim lands. Muslims want to be free like people of other nations. However, the vast majority of Muslims do not condone violence against innocent civilians. But if you just think about it, it is not just Muslims who are the target. Before 1990, it was "Communism," which was the excuse for Cold War I. Now, Islamic groups called "Terrorism." After that, and I am sure (but I don't hope) that there will be somebody else. So, who will be next? Any nations with resources but with little guns will be the target after Muslims. It is the law of the jungle. It is capitalism. If you have the bigger gun, you kill and you win. Then, your propaganda machines make your victims look like evil villains. Do we need Jesus Christ to return and stop the madness? You bet we do. Muslims believe in him and believe that when he comes back, he will be on their side and will pray with them in the Jerusalem Mosque. Peace.
From: RitChar Calvert (10/26/02) Subject: Al-Jazeerah Arab cartoons Your cartoonists are excellent, timely, precise, and correct. Editor: Thanks. It gives me great pleasure to hear that particularly because some reader express their disapproval. I urge readers to tell us and actually tell other readers how they feel about various sections of Al-Jazeerah. This will help us provide you with the best possible service. More important is that cartoonists are unique in their talent of summarizing a complex situation in a simple and often humorous drawing.
From: Sarah Empey, USA (10/25/02) Subject: A response to Muhammed Shafiq's letters I read Mr. Muhammed Shafiq's letters to you and can understand that he
certainly has anti-America feelings, and is entitled to his opinion.
However, I find it interesting that he refered to China as a "good
empire" in his last letter to you. I've studied some of China's
history and while it is certainly very long, complex and beautiful, it is
also far from perfect. Some books that Mr. Shafiq could read to help him
learn more about China's history include: I hope that Mr. Shafiq would agree that it is far better to resolve
disputes without resorting to nuclear war. Such a thing is not to be
wished for and is not a sign of weakness but of intelligence.
To: Ray Paradis, Australia (10/24/02) From: The Editor of Al-Jazeerah.info Al-Jazeerah.info is published in the United States. It is not related by any means to Aljazeera Arabic TV channel. We asked readers on the main "letters" page not to send messages related to that TV station to us, especially if they contain hate mail like yours. Find their address and send your hate to them. We invite you to educate yourself by reading the articles published on this website, which are written by people from various cultures, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
From: Muhammed Shafiq (10/24/02) Subject: Complaint against Al-Jazeerah's Editor
In response to my last message which you posted on your website you have
replaced the words MEN and WOMEN with WEAK and STRONG. It has altered
the meaning of my message and it takes away the pleasure of reading and
humor.
You have removed the words EVIL and TERROROST and replaced it with
(derogatory term) .It only gives the impression that I have used an F*
word. The editor says that
"Your message can be more effective and more reaching if it is
void of derogatory terms
that would insult people."
This provides a further justification that I have used an F* word. I
DID NOT AND I AM VERY ANGRY AT THIS because it gives a
misleading impression about me that me that I have used an F* word.
If you don't want me to call the Americans evil empire you can tell them
not to bomb other countries and not to murder people. Chinese don't
bomb other countries and murder people this proves that China is a
good empire.
You should post my letter as it is if you cannot do this please be
kind enough to remove it.
Editor: The
words were deleted and replaced with a note according to Al-Jazeerah's
policy in order to have a calm and meaningful dialogue among people from
different cultures. The Holy Qur'an instructs Muslims to call (speak or
write) using wisdom and good words. People will be more willing to
listen to the message in this way.
From: J. Salik (10/24/02). Subject: World Minority Alliance Dear Sirs,
From: Mohammed Shafiq (10/17/02) Subject: War against Iraq
Americans can never think of bombing China that is because Americans
have 'no quarrel with China' . The reason
being that China is a big and a powerful country. They have weapons of
mass destruction. If the USA were to bomb China they would hit
them back.
Iraq is a small and a weak country they haven't got weapons of mass
destruction (if they had any weapons of mass destruction the Iraqis
would have destroyed USA) so if Americans bomb Iraq the Iraqis
cannot retaliate.
This proves that IN FRONT OF THE WEAK, AMERICANS ARE STRONG
AND IN FRONT OF STRONG THE AMERICANS ARE WEAK. China is big and
a powerful country. China is a strong. In front of China, Americans are
weak. Iraq is a small and a weak country. Therefore in front of Iraq the
Americans are strong. During the cold war, Americans never bombed USSR.
that's because they have weapons of mass destruction. Therefore in
front of the Russians the Americans are weak.
Americans have thrown bombs on Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan,
Libya, Kosovo, Vietnam, Korea and Panama. Americans have shot down
Iranian civilian aeroplane , bombed the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia.
By bombing so many countries, Americans have killed thousands upon
thousands of innocent people all over the world. This proves that the
USA is an INTERNATIONAL ... (derogatory term).
A few American soldiers were killed in Somalia all others run away. A
few American soldiers were killed in Beirut in 1984 all others run away.
Americans want to kill, kill, kill, kill and kill. But when they meet a
man they run away.
Since the American nation has slaughtered (many) million innocent
Red Indians this proves that USA is an (derogatory term) EMPIRE.
It seems that Americans will never be satisfied for their lust for
blood. They want more and more. It is for this reason, Americans have
been throwing bombs on Iraq for more than ten years and murdering the
civilians.
Editor: You need to mind your terms. Your message can be more effective and more reaching if it is void of derogatory terms that would insult people. A major issue you need to pay attention to is separating the American people from the policies of the American government. Americans, like most people all over the world, are peace-loving people. They are ruled by an elite class, like most nations, which designs and executes foreign policy. Therefore, you would be more accurate if you wrote in your last paragraph: It seems that American government will never ... instead of writing "Americans." Let's pray to God for a regime change in the US that leads to the adoption of peaceful means to resolve international conflicts.
From: Tim Stinson (10/17/02). Subject: Reasons why Peace Remains an Impossibility
Often times I read and or hear press reports that, the U.S is trying to
build support for an invasion of Iraq among Muslim countries.
However, if we examine past and present U.S middle east policy, the role
of ally or foe is determined by U.S interests or needs. Hence, as
in the cases of both Iran and Iraq, the role of ally or enemy is
in a constant state of change! Also, here in the U.S the Christian
Right, who comprise President Bush's support base, have made
no secret of their desire to see Islam wiped off the face of the earth,
including those of us here in the U.S. Quite honestly, it
disturbs me that Muslim or Arab countries know these facts (in addition
to the U.S turning a blind eye to Israel's destruction of Palestine),
however, would consider allowing the U.S access to their land, in
order to launch attacks on Iraq and or any other Muslim or Arab country.
Have a look at the following links. http://www.beliefnet.com/frameset.asp?pageLoc=story/114/story_11492_1.html&boardID=46818
RALLY
Christians Take a Firm Public Stand for Israel,
By Paul Strand, Washington Correspondent,
October 14, 2002
House Majority Whip Tom DeLay said many have turned their backs on
the Jewish state, but he will always fight for it on Capitol Hill.
'Cultural Theology' in a Mad Dash Across America
Baptist Theologian Not Surprised at Results of Latest Barna Survey
SPEECH, The Roots of Terrorism and a Strategy for Victory, by Pat
Robertson. Address To the Economic Club of Detroit March 25, 2002.
Pat traces the roots of terrorism in the tenets of Islam and in
history. He proposes a strategy for overcoming terrorism and
predicts ultimate victory.
"When I said during
my presidential bid that I would only bring Christians and Jews into
the government, I hit a firestorm. `What do you mean?' the media
challenged me. `You're not going to bring atheists into the
government? How dare you maintain that those who believe in
the Judeo-Christian values are better qualified to govern America
than Hindus and Muslims?' My simple answer is, `Yes, they
are.'" -from Pat Robertson's "The New World Order,"
page 218. http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/7027/patrobertson.html
Editor: You have mentioned that it disturbs you that some Muslim or Arab countries would consider allowing the US access to their land, in order to launch attacks on Iraq and or any other Muslim or Arab country. It shouldn't be a surprise if you think about what kind of countries these are. Right now, they are the tiny little states of Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, in the Arabian Gulf, in addition to Turkey. The three absolute monarchies in the Gulf were created as British protectorates, then they continued as dependent on foreign protection (now the US). They are not really sovereign nations. The ruling families there would side with any foreign or regional powers to protect their interests. They have neither the power not the will to object to the US use of their territories. For Turkey, it is an anti-Islamic military dictatorship, disguised in a parliamentarian facade. Majority of Turks are against their government policies toward Iraq, but it is the military who have the last say on this issue.
From: Brian Kane (Letter sent 10/13/02, posted 10/15/02) Subject: The West needs education: Al-Jazeerah TV in English I am an Australian of Irish and German parents, I am sympathetic to the problems of the middle east, and have a few questions and suggestions. Being brought up in an an open minded household, I was taught to read between the lines and to make my own conclusions about many things. I was always told to not believe everything you read in the newspaper or see on television, unfortunately many people in this country do. After much research on the internet I have come to the conclusion that the Zionist extremist (policies) discussed, are in fact the main cause of much of the conflict in your region. I feel the only way these extremists can be stopped is to publicise their actions, which I understand is a big problem, being that in many countries these extremists actually control the media. I have some suggestions that I hope may help. When we hear Zionist spokespeople talking on television, they speak with very cultured American accents and speak like lawyers, in calm logical tones. When we hear Arab spokespeople they generally seem like fanatical madmen making unfounded accusations against their aggressors. (I can understand why they react this way, but for the purpose of educating the world, a calm logical approach would be far more beneficial) Do you think the media in my country is censored as is the case in America? With the recent bombing in Bali killing many Australian people, I have great fears that this Zionist caused conflict between Muslims and westerners will end in a great many deaths. I feel the western world may be ready to listen to logic rather than Zionist propaganda, if the message was put forward in a clear logical way. We have community run television stations that seem to be unaffected by censorship, maybe they would be a good place to start to spread the real word about what is going on. But rather than point the finger at Zionists directly, have people ask questions which require specific answers. For example, why are so many Zionist people in positions of authority in America, and why does America give so much military funding to Israel ? How can the press in America tell the truth when it is owned by Zionists? Make a documentary on the subject questioning American motives in Middle East conflicts. Many people I talk to in Australia believe there is a conspiracy going on, they just need more information to really understand. The time is now to educate the rest of the world. Maybe the American public will be the last to understand, but with the rest of the world on your side, you have a good chance of changing things. I have seen your Televison show via satellite, but it is in Arabic, is there any way some of your reports can be broadcast with English translations, or subtitles. The world is ready to listen. Goodluck. Editor: You are right in your observations. Israel and its Zionist supporters have succeeded in dragging America to fight their war of hegemony and expansion against Arabs and Muslims starting with the 1991 Gulf War. America has dragged the other English-speaking countries (Australia, Britain, and Canada) to the conflict. This could not have happened without the historical confluence of interests between Israel, oil interests, and interests of the military industrial complex (Read my articles for elaboration). In essence, these are the main beneficiaries of Cold War II, in which Muslims and their resources are the target. Concerning your question about who owns the media in the West, read "Global media giants: Who own them and what is their goal?." You'll find that the Australian Rupert Murdock is one of the few world media giant owners. The only hope for less biased media is the publicly-owned or the community-owned ones. The problem is in the news feed from news agencies. That's why a media unit should depend on sufficient and diverse pool of journalists and editors to ensure less bias. The problem is not caused by the pro-Israel media only. Rather, some Church leaders, such as Falwell, play a major role in supporting Israel and its Zionist scheme and demonizing Islam and Muslims. Their faulty reading of the Bible has led them to a distorted interpretation of who were the Holy Land promised to. They have used this distortion as a pretext for their support of Israel. Thus doing, they have been helping Israel in its war against the true descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that is the Palestinian people, the rightful owners of the Holy Land. The Congress of the United States has also been instrumental in supporting Israel against Arabs and Muslims. It is responsible for funding the Zionist scheme with about $4 billion a year. In addition, it has always been used by Zionists to pressure US administrations to provide more support for Israel, as a leverage and show of power vis-a-vis administrations. Consider for example the Congress resolution of April 2002, that supported the Israeli government, which had just committed the Jenin massacre. The Congress has also passed the Jerusalem resolution, in violation of US policy which has maintained that the status of Jerusalem should be settled by negotiations. Members of Congress who dare to criticize Israeli practices lose their jobs, like what happened to representatives McKinney and Hilliard. With the power of Zionism as such, the job of educating the West is so humongous that Arab and Muslim intellectuals cannot do it alone. There have to be serious efforts by Westerners themselves to have the job done in their communities and countries. If people's indifference continues, God forbid, we will see another Cold War that will span most of this century. It will consume people's energies, time, and wealth. The whole world has a vested interest in stopping the war hawks from proceeding to the horrible bloodbath they plan. Finally, concerning your request of an Al-Jazeerah TV channel in English, I support that whleheartedly. Al-Jazeerah Information Center, that issues this website, is not related to Al-Jazeera Arabic TV. However, it is our intention to work towards that goal as soon as possible. And it is my intention that if such English channel is ever to see light, and to show light, it will be independent from influences of governments and special interests. It will be an island of truth, as I wrote in the Mission statement.
From: Martinal L. King (10/13/02) Subject: Peace Hello. I hope everyone there knows the American people DO NOT want any war or violence to Iraq or Palestine. I read your article about why Bush wants to hurt Iraq & I agree 100%. I heard the Iraqi speech at the U.N. which was most articulate, intelligent, amazing! It was ignored by US media & of course by the Washington war party. Their total support of Israel will hurt everyone. I am so shocked, saddened & horrified when I read reports of Sharon's treatment of the Palestinian people. I am SO sad by what is happening in America. I cry & cry everyday when I hear about the war party here...I wish I could change them! How about a World Peace Treaty for ALL nations to sign? Please someone...save this tiny planet from its reckless self-destruction. Help!!!! Love & Peace ONLY!!!
From: Brian Byrnes, Australian working in Indonesia (10/10/02) Subject: Al-Jazeerah and some biased Western Media
From: Alex Itawi (10/9/02) Subject: This was an article published in a 1991 Washington Report, Amazing!!! http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/0491/9104027.htm
From: Zakaria Bhayat, UK (10/9/02) Subject: Anti-Islamic websites
As salaaam u alaikum
I was just wondering if you can check the following website out and do
something about it as it is misleading and incorrect. This is just one
of probably hundreds or thousands of media propaganda by Zionist and
Anti-Muslim people who want the better of Israel and the fall of Islam.
The website is alaqsa.org.
I was wondering if you can bring this up in your media for the attention of all the Muslims and those non Muslims who want the better of the truth and the Palestinian people. The above website is a disrespect towards Islam and towards the prophet Muhammad (saw). I hope you will look into this and treat it as a serious matter. Editor: Your letter is a contribution to the noble effort of bringing this issue to the attention of decent people, Muslims and non-Muslim alike. The attacks on Muslims are not just by F-16s and Apache helicopters as you see. They even touch the Prophet (pbuh) and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Islam is the religion of God revealed to humanity through the messengers of God: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus Christ, and Muhammed. Peace to them all. Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship that people in Palestine worshipped God for thousands of years. It was built and destroyed several times in history. The most recent time, it was built, was during the reign of Caliph Abdel Malek. The work mosque in Arabic means a place where people prostrate themselves to God. The whole area between the walls is a sacred noble sanctuary (Al-Haram Al-Sharif). This includes the buildings and the courts. All of it is an Islamic waqf.
From the Editor (10/7/02) To: Muhammad Obeid and other readers. Subject: Falwell's role in the anti-Islamic campaign Thanks for sending the cbs story about Jerry Falwell's attacks on Islam, Muslims, and the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). We welcome your own comments on articles or stories you read or watch in the media. However, it doesn't serve Islam or Muslims to publish such stories as they are because it will be like contributing to the anti-Islam campaign that Falwell is just a part of. But proper references should always be mentioned.
From: Peter, Portugal (10/6/02) Subject: Arab cartoons demonize Israel (What future for our children?) My English is far from perfect , since I am Portuguese. Portugal is a small country in western Europe. Most Portuguese have Arab blood , since Arabs stayed in the Peninsula for hundreds of years. Looking at the cartoons in your webpage , I just think people got crazy. It is as if Al Jezeera and Arab Media in general were pointing a gun at your owns heads with a happy smile in the face !!! In your cartoons Israelis are demonized. Most of the Israelis are portrayed like bloody killers that have the single objective of killing innocent Arabs. Peace start in peoples minds. What will be the future of your own children (of Arabs and Jews alike ), if day after day , Israel is demonized? Israel is your neighbour . What will be the future of the region if your neighbour is portrayed like a bloody killer?
Instead of promoting antagonism , and hatred, Arab media should
instead promote peaceful coexistence and peace. War will not
benefit anyone. War will hurt Arabs and Israelis alike. Why does Arab
media keep promoting antagonism instead of Peace?
Intellectuals - and people - do have a responsibility. To promote a
better future for their children and grandchildren. How can ever a
better future exist if , in a daily basis , a country that is your
neighbour is demonized? Arabs and Jews alike have paid a heavy price for
past wars.
Editor: You are right in your message about peace and coexistence. But you overgeneralized by accusing Arab media of not promoting peace, just on basis of some Arab cartoons you saw in Al-Jazeerah. What about the rest of the sections, like the human price section, opinions, and news items. How can Israel be demonized if the media reports the killing of 14 Palestinian civilians and injuring about 100 in one day (10/7/02)? If Sharon is portrayed as killing Palestinians, it is the truth. He actually ordered the bombing of the Gaza building on 7/23/02 while knowing that it was a residential building and that civilians would be killed. Just look at the Human Price section to see how many Palestinians are killed, injured, and arrested every day. If the media (Arab or non-Arab) reports that to inform you of it, does it become demonizing the Sharon government? Would you be better off not to hear about what is going on in Palestine? You don't want to know that Israelis are controlling the Palestinian people for 35 years, without a sign of leaving them alone. The media does not create news, it reports on them. Political cartoons are universal all over the world, they are not an Arab specific. Al-Jazeerah is for peace and coexistence but this doesn't mean covering up for the crimes committed against innocent civilians. The real problem is not the media, the peace movement, or anti-war demonstrations all over the world. Rather, the real source of hostility between Israelis and Palestinians is the Israeli military occupation of Palestine.
From: William Blair (10/6/02) Subject: Well-oiled facts about future of fossil fuels (By Patrick Seale, 10/5/02) I found the above article accurate and thought provoking. Allow me to consider one point. The author surmises that future energy needs may be provided by hydrogen. This begs the question as to the source of this element. My understanding is that commercial hydrogen is obtained through electolysis, involving water and large amounts of electricity. Where is this electricity to come from? I think it's safe to assume that a great deal of this energy source is to come from, you guessed it, fossil fuel. And where does the fossil fuel come from?
From: John Buffum, USA (10/4/02) Subject: The US relations with Israel and the Arab and Muslim worlds Is there an Arab/Islamic world consensus on what would be a good resolution for the Israeli/Palestinian situation? Do the neighbors of Saddam Hussein consider him a threat, or am I being fooled by my obviously biased media? What would promote the greatest understanding and monetary and intellectual commerce between the U.S. and the Moslem belt countries? Has the U.S. really gotten "too big for its britches", or is this a cry against the more powerful by the less powerful? If you have your favorite Al-Jazeera pages to refer me to, I'll read 'em. Editor: Read my articles about Zionism, Cold War II, and American foreign policy. Read Jason Vest's article (mentioned in note # 16 in my article, "Zionism: the highest stage of imperialism"). The answer for your first question is "Yes." There is a world consensus about how the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should be resolved. It should be resolved according to UN resolution that Israel (backed up by the US) has refused to implement. Basically withdrawing from Palestinian territories, allowing Palestinians to live freely in their own state, and resolving the refugee problem by compensation and repatriation. The answer to your second question is "No." The neighbors of Saddam Hussain do not consider him a threat anymore, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In the last Arab summit conference in Beirut, all Arab states, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, expressed their opposition to a US attack on Iraq. They told this position to the US Vice President, Dick Cheney. But it seems that he does not listen. After eleven years of economic sanctions and embargo, Iraq is too weakened to pose a threat to anybody. Actually, the Iraqi central government no longer controls the northern part of the country itself. The pro-Israel US media deceive the American people systematically by saying Iraq is a threat. The real goals of the war are oil, oil revenues, markets, and territory. A confluence of interests between Israel, the military industry, and the oil industry in the US is what is driving American foreign policy towards more wars and invasions of Arab and Muslim countries. It is not Saddam or Arafat or Qaddafi, as it was not Nasser. The oil is a finite resource of energy. Most of it is going to disappear during this century. The rulers of the US and Israel want to control it and the resulting huge wealth of oil revenues, which is about $14.8 trillion by the current prices. This is the cause of the coming war and the other wars that will follow. Has the US gotten too big? Absolutely yes. Just try to figure out to list down the number of countries which have an American military presence in them. Try to list down the number of wars America fought since World War II. America has become an empire and fighting now to extend the influence of that empire in some parts of the world and to maintain it in other parts. During this imperialistic process, the core values that Americans believe in are compromised. The US is the only supporter of the brutal Israeli military occupation of Palestine. There is no support for democracy. To the contrary, there is support for undemocratic and oppressive regimes all over the world, as long as they are considered friendly by US officials. Is this good to America? Absolutely not. History told us that more expansion, specially a quick one, leads to a sudden collapse. This happened to Napoleonic France, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union. The irony is that the ruling class in each case controls its population so tightly that people did not know about what really was going on until it was too late. Finally, can America and the Arab and Muslim worlds maintain peaceful relations. Yes, if the rulers of the US want that to happen, but I doubt they do. America should demonstrate its peaceful intentions to Arabs and Muslims. Right now, and for decades, they have been under continuous invasions and wars. Almost in every decade, Israel (backed by the US) has launched a major war against Arab states. If Israelis become peaceful and accept to coexist with Palestinians, this will take care of the core problem because of the huge influence Israel exerts on the US government. The Bush-Sharon administrations leave no room for this wishful thinking to happen. The way out is a grassroots popular anti-war movement in Israel and the US. Only this will stop war hawks in the two administrations and consequently save the world. Am I optimistic that may happen? Yes, I am. This is the lesson from history. We are one world, all of us deserve to live decently. Peace-loving people are the majority everywhere and they should speak out and organize to oppose wars. Peace.
From: Naguib Ktiri-Idrissi, Texas, USA (10/4/02) Subject: Bush's real goal in Iraq This is an article about Bush's real goal in Iraq: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/opinion/0902/29bookman.html If I am not mistaken, I will go way out on a limb and say that the Palestinians want their land back. From: Dr. Stig Froberg / Physicist, Finland (10/3/02) Subject: The US used weapons of mass destruction in Afghanistan and Iraq and planning to invade Iraq for OIL
From: Kevin Gordon, UAE (10/3/02) Subject: America, Israel, and Palestine, what can be done? I must admit than until a few days ago this was an issue which had not interested me particularly. However for the last three months I have been working in the Middle East. When I hear colleagues complaining about America I don’t get involved but generally think to myself “Well, have you actually tried TELLING the Americans what’s going on.” How much do Americans really know? Anyway a few days ago I was looking at the Amnesty International country reports for the UAE (where I am working) and then for some other countries in the region, e.g. Israel and the Palestinian occupied territories. I did not really learn anything new, but for comparison I looked at the US State Department reports on human rights. And the US State Department describes quite clearly what is happening in the occupied territories – the blockades, the curfews, the restrictions on everyday life. Israel is said to have used “excessive force”, and committed “numerous abuses of human rights”. Of course Palestinian abuses are documented as well, but the picture is fairly clear. OK, Amnesty state that the underlying cause is the occupation and the US State Department does not quite go that far. But the facts are there. Other than that of course there have always been people like Noam Chomsky and Edward Said. Now US State Department reports and the likes of Chomsky and Said are not going to reach a mass audience. However Said in one of his articles dealing with American Zionism had said precisely what I thought. Something needs to be done at a grass roots level. One needs to educate the American public. In fact, he said, he had been proposing this to every Palestinian and Arab he met since the mid-80’s. However, he goes on: . “But it also became very clear to me that the PLO would never do it for several reasons. It would require work and dedication. Second, it would mean espousing a political philosophy that was really based on democratic grass-roots organisation. Third, it would have to be a movement rather than a personal initiative on behalf of the present leaders. And lastly, it required a real, as opposed to a superficial, knowledge of US society.” This is still what needs to be done. And it seems there are people doing this. There are, in America, Arab organisations, Jewish organizations (NIMN, for example), and others which are neither specifically Arab or Jewish or anything – just American. The Jewish lobby are very vociferous and many of them are wealthy and they are influential in the media. But they make noise and have influence out of all proportion to their true numbers and true wealth. People should not let themselves be intimidated. I find that Arabs in particular are often inclined to attribute all their problems to a monolithic, all-powerful America under the influence of a monolithic, all-powerful American Zionist lobby. Influence (even lots of it) is NOT the same as omnipotence. No this is not the problem. I think the true danger is not the Jewish lobby in America, but is Israel itself, and I sometimes wonder who is carrying out whose bidding. At least one commentator has said that Bush can get by very well, thank you, without the Jewish vote. He does not need them. He need not heed what the Jewish lobby is telling him. So why then does every American administration eventually fall in line and back Israel? Are they simply scared? I think probably. I find it very difficult to believe that the Americans are really pursuing their own interests in the Middle East. Much they do just does not make sense. But to quote Chomsky: “In the foreseeable future—and no one should mislead miserable Palestinian refugees about this—in the foreseeable future, there is going to be no force in the world that will compel Israel, even urge Israel, let alone compel them, to accept a large number of refugees. Maybe some but not a large number. If, unimaginably, they were compelled, they’d probably blow up the world—and don’t forget that they can do it.” This means that to achieve anything just educating the American public won’t do. Work is also needed in Israel at a grassroots level to alert them to the dangers, to educate the people there as to the nature of the governments they are electing. After all, most Israelis, like most Palestinians just want to be able to go about their lives in peace. There is a lot of work to be done, to be sure, but one has to start somewhere. And I am not sure what I can do – here in the UAE. Well perhaps I’ll come up with something. What I do not know after only three days really looking at the issues is whether there has been a noticeable increase in awareness in recent months/years. Is progress detectable.? This is what I would like to know.
From: Marvin, Dallas, Texas, USA (10/2/02) Subject: a thought about Iran
Hola!
We've apologized for slavery and internment
camps and even the atom bomb....Am I wrong or does the United States of
America owe the people of Iran an apology? Ok, I know we probably owe
the whole wide world an apology for one thing or another! When are we
going to grow up?
Editor: Nobody is
asking the US for an apology now, they are screaming to avoid the US war
on Iraq.
From: Pat Fitzgerald, Shreveport, FL, USA (10/1/02) Subject: Sharon and Arafat
I think Sharon needs Arafat. As long as
Arafat is there, Sharon can do what he likes when he likes without fear.
Bush can't stand Arafat and the whole world
knows it. The US isn't going to do anything to help him and Sharon knows
it.
Arafat's stock goes down a little and Sharon acts. Arafat is popular again and Sharon has all the cover he needs to do whatever he wants.
Sharon is smart and hard, as long as Arafat
is there, he knows there will be no hard times from the US. Without Arafat
????????????????????????
Editor: Pat,
you are suggesting that Arafat is the problem for Bush and Sharon. So,
if Palestinians get rid of him, then Sharon and Bush will be nice to the
Palestinian people. Does this mean that if Palestinians do not elect
Arafat in next elections, in January 2003, then Israelis will evacuate
or destroy their settlements in the Palestinian territories and leave
the Palestinians alone to build their own independent state? I don't
think so. The conflict is not about Arafat, Bush, or Sharon. It is about
a Zionist invasion of the Middle East that uses the US capabilities to
achieve Israeli goals.
Think about the Iraq situation now. The US is going to invade Iraq no matter what the Iraqi government does to prove that it doesn't have weapons of mass destruction. For the US government, the war is a must to assert its superpower status. We are talking about Cold War II against Muslims this time, replacing Communists in Cold War I. The prizes are profits for the military and the oil industries and strengthening the Israeli hegemonic position in the Middle East. In other words, a predator doesn't need an excuse to attack its prey. The real targets are not Arafat or Saddam. Rather, they are oil, oil revenues, markets, and territories. No matter whoever the Arab leader is, invaders will find an excuse to invade then to justify their invasion. This is the time that we live in, right now. It is a jungle out there: no reason, no logic, and no justice. Is there any hope? Yes, there is hope, if there is a worldwide anti-war concerted effort from governments and people everywhere. In particular, Americans and Israelis can play a major role in stopping the madness. Otherwise, the Middle East will be in turmoil for a long time to come. The Zionist Israeli leaders are about to succeed in dragging the US to be involved in a long and bloody conflict with Arabs and Muslims, that may destroy both sides or weaken them at best. Guess who would be the winner?
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