Your bonifides on third world anaylsis(?),"this kind of thing makes them hate us...." So you are unaware that Hollywood movies are the major source of information they(the 3rd world)have about Americans. They believe we all live the decadance,booze,drugs and violence. The only reporting they get is from Leftist "BBC International"
The Koran and ultra-fatalistic worldview make their culture difficult.Joe is absolutely right although his wording makes it sound like their collective character is flawed.It is more the teaching of their religion, which hopefully will be minimized as they obtain more personal freedom. |
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In defense of Joe. I don't think his comments were racist. They were mearly an observation about the culture, and one does not have to go to the mid-east to come to the very same conclusion. When was the last time you guys went to the grocery store? Americans are expected to bend over backwards not to offend people in their country, but when they come here they do not grant us the same courtesey. I often have to keep myself in check and remind myself that they have different customs, but standing so close to me at the check out that I can feel their breath and covering me in their wonderful BO is too much to handle.
Before you unleash on me, go to the grocery store, see for yourself. |
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Yep Joe sinks even lower. This is the kind of thing that makes them hate us. The immaturity is people who think this about others. You don't improved supposed shortcoming that another person might have by insulting them, and you surely don't slander an entire people group as you just have. If substitute black or Hispanic for Arab here and you get a better idea of what we are talking about. It's called racism. I would hope you are not a racist just misguided in your thinking. Which is it Joe?
Joe writes.
"Anyone who has spent time in the Middle East knows that there is a...lack of maturity and self reliance with many Arabs. I do not mean this to be prejudicial (and there are obviously many exceptions to this rule) but many Arab adults act like children. They take no inititive, avoid responsibility, and are easily slighted. There is endemic corruption and incompetence." |
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Joe,
What you describe in Iraq is what happens when a society must survive under the iron fist of a dictator like Saddam for decades. You may be "permitted" to have a job, live your life, have a family...but only so long as you walk the thin line as prescribed by the dictator. So, you don't prosper quite like you could, you don't try too hard or succeed too much lest you draw attention and create suspicions. You NEVER speak out in protest and you basically strive to stay under the radar. This is the "avoid the beat-down" at all costs mentality. It creates a "child-parent" relationship throughout the country between the people and its ruler. The people become dependant upon the Gov't for their basic needs electricity, water, sewer and "law & order".
Like Russia, where there is great natural resources, but very little productivity because no one has had a real stake in doing anything above the daily quota level. They have a very hard time understanding capitalism because they were taught just the opposite.
In Iraq, the police and most of the military were given a uniform and gun and told to play dress-up. Their minds taught them to simply do as told, not to think creatively/strategically.
I feel sorry for our soldiers that have to work so hard on training them only to see them go back to "peeing on the rug" again and again.
God bless and protect our soldiers! |
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Much like the Mexican police, the Iraq police are the same. (bribes) |
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returning from Iraq that things are far better, but the Iraqi police forces are just absolutely incompetent. The Iraq military forces are somewhat better (but not much). The biggest difficulty is instilling a sense of professionalism into their forces.
Anyone who has spent time in the Middle East knows that there is a...lack of maturity and self reliance with many Arabs. I do not mean this to be prejudicial (and there are obviously many exceptions to this rule) but many Arab adults act like children. They take no inititive, avoid responsibility, and are easily slighted. There is endemic corruption and incompetence.
That is why the occupation is taking so long. |
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Great reporting as always. To bad CNN & Rutters can't get it right. |
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