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dritalin -> RE: Iraqi forces close the headquarters of the Association of Muslim Scholars! (11/25/2007 11:57:44 PM)
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I don't know, I tend to see the cup half full. I don't think that America is that bad of a place to be. I live in a community where it is common for young people to leave the country for sevelar years and live abroad. My best freind lived in Russia for two years, and my other close buddy was in Cambodia for the same amount of time. I have lots of other friends that have lived for several years all over the world, Africa, Europe, South America, Asia, ect. I myself did volunteer humanitarian work in parts of California full time for two years. When we all get together and talk we really get some neat perspective. The truth is Americans really do live in a prosperous nation where they can have a greater influence in their communities than perhaps ever in history. We can effect national politics, it's just on such a grand scale that it's hard to see your level of influence. The framers of the constitution intended that the federal gov't be small enough that it couldn't effect us too greatly. It's changed, but we still are pretty safe from the gov't. We should focus our efforts on what we can really effect, our community. Vollunteering at soup kitchens help, but sink your teeth into local politics, fight for education, refuse to work for an employer that doesn't offer healthcare, and encourage others to do so too. If your frustrated in your lack of control, it's your life, take command. As far as the great game being played out in the world abroud, let it go. The oil is in the mid-east and the way the game is played the oil is a high card. That's no excuse to invade a nation, but as I see it, Saddam had to go. He brought it on himself. If Iraqis don't want democracy there is nothing that "all the kings horses and all the kings men" can do about it, we can't force it upon them. However, as T.E. Lawrence put it, if Arabs don't learn to adapt at least some western ideas, then they will always just remain "a silly people." I don't think that Iraqis will in the end reject democracy. No doubt the majority want to live peacefully and be free, so if we can take care of the thugs long enough, the rest will take care of itself. Americans have the mindset of helping. American soldiers love to play the role of liberator, and saviors. Regardless of whether we should have invaded Iraq, the US soldiers went into Baghdad with a lot of chocolate in their pockets. We don't like killing kids, and we don't like it when we can't see morals in Black and White. I'm a soldier, and I know soldiers. Even the toughest Marines I know talk hard, and can kill efficiently, but all the ones I know would sooner put their own lives on the line to avoid killing innocents. I know becuase they have. Give this a few years to work out. I believe Iraq and America can be as good of freinds as Japan, Germany, and Britain are to us. I look forward to, and hope for a time when both nations can prosper in a time of peace. Dustin.
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