My prospective of ISIS as an American living in Middle East
Sept 7, 2014 18:22:00 GMT
cadoodlebug likes this
Post by lucyg on Sept 7, 2014 18:22:00 GMT
I have had numerous emails from my family freaking out about ISIS. As many of you here may remember, my family and I moved to Morocco from the States. We also have family living in Gaza (some of which were killed in this last incursion), as well as other parts of that region so I am pretty well tuned to what is going on in the Middle East.
First let me begin by saying that ISIS is without doubt, a group of vile pieces of crap that DO NOT represent Islam! Much like Westboro fanatics and the $hit they do, DO NOT represent Christians. From the tone of my family's emails, I could tell how the coverage is going in America concerning this group and I knew that it would be ramped up here as well. Are you aware that before they were "ISIS", this group was supported by the United States as a legitimate resistance against Assad in Syria. They were given US weapons and funded in hopes of overthrowing the Syrian government. Meet the new bin Laden and group! Just as we supported bin Laden in hopes of defeating the Soviet Union and just like we supported Saddam in hopes of defeating Iran. Any administration that has supported these groups, does not do so for "human interest", it is simply for what OUR interest are at the time. I would think it would be pretty easy to understand then how the people of these countries develop a mistrust and anger towards America when we turn on them when no longer useful. Or these "resistance fighters" are no longer malleable to our needs.
And lets talk about Maliki that we put into power in Iraq who is helping ISIS to thrive. As bad as Saddam was, he was VERY secular. Even though he was Sunni, he did have Shiite AND Christian factions within his government and he was able to keep a peaceable lid on the country. Not saying he wasn't a dictator, but you have to understand, the Middle Easterners aren't born into democracy. Having taught in the primary schools here, I see how children from a young age are taught as a collective thinking and not so much individual. It's not a religious thing, but just their ways of life are different than how we are raised in the States. You simply cannot put a "democratic" leader in these countries. The change has to come from within and certainly not something that happens overnight. Now back to Maliki, he is Shiite and has really promoted the civil war between the Sunnis and the Shiites. His exclusion of the Sunni's and Christians in the government have caused brutal turmoil in Iraq. I cannot imagine how so many of the soldiers and their families feel after having made such sacrifice now see a country that is worse than before.
While it is not out of the realm of possibility that these sickos (ISIS) would commit terrorist acts on foreign countries, the idea that they would take over the States and impose Sharia law is insane! The truth is that they are more interested in taking over existing Muslim countries to make them right-wing Islamic. Impoverished countries like Afghanistan and Yemen are ripe for these fanatical groups because the population is under-educated and most often impoverished and easy pray for these groups. But countries like Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco, while third world are more developed than these other countries. I can tell you right now that the people living in these regions LOVE their iPads and blue jeans and Facebook. Right-wing Islam would not flourish in that environment.
My family and I moved to Morocco because we had better opportunities here. We were barely surviving in the States with my husband unable to find a good paying job in his field and not to mention the huge money we were paying out in healthcare insurance. I would LOVE to see our military people GO HOME and we mind our own business and take care of the multitude of problems facing America right now. The sad truth is that war and conflict mean $$$ to defense contractors and businesses that support conflict and you cannot deny these are very powerful people. So when you see our involvement in foreign countries, particular in the Middle East...ask yourself...what are we REALLY doing there.
I can imagine my post is going to spur a $hit storm of comments. But I am putting this out there because these words need to be said. I need not say how manipulative the media is no matter what "side" you are on. Hell, it's hard to know what is the truth anymore. But this is my truth as I see it and live it everyday.
allipeas
New Member
Posts: 2
6 hours ago QuotePost by allipeas on 6 hours ago
I don't know why you think it is not the same allipeas from the TP NSRB. I assure you that it is.
Please do not confuse my words in to saying that ISIS should not be eliminated. They absolutely do not represent Islam/Muslims. They will answer in this life or the next for the horrible actions. What I am trying to stay is when does it stop??? When will the US government stop using these radical elements. Every administration has done it. I think it is the same practice of "sticking your head in the sand" if you do not acknowledge WHY we involve ourselves in these regions. It is not because we want everyone to be free. Strictly limit our involvement in the Middle East and I guarantee the threat of terrorism will greatly diminish.
I would also like to address the comments about Iran. You cannot compare Iran to the Middle East. They are Persian and Shiite and their government structure is quite different than the Arab Nations. Yes, they have a president, but it is the Grand Supreme Ayatollah that controls the power and they are much more religious in nature. Saudi Arabia is perhaps the one exception, but I can tell you most Arabs do not hold Saudi in high esteem because of how the royal family is corrupt and keeps most of the people in poverty.
Living in the Middle East and seeing day to day life here is much more different than what you see on the news or the internet.
New Member
Posts: 2
6 hours ago QuotePost by allipeas on 6 hours ago
I don't know why you think it is not the same allipeas from the TP NSRB. I assure you that it is.
Please do not confuse my words in to saying that ISIS should not be eliminated. They absolutely do not represent Islam/Muslims. They will answer in this life or the next for the horrible actions. What I am trying to stay is when does it stop??? When will the US government stop using these radical elements. Every administration has done it. I think it is the same practice of "sticking your head in the sand" if you do not acknowledge WHY we involve ourselves in these regions. It is not because we want everyone to be free. Strictly limit our involvement in the Middle East and I guarantee the threat of terrorism will greatly diminish.
I would also like to address the comments about Iran. You cannot compare Iran to the Middle East. They are Persian and Shiite and their government structure is quite different than the Arab Nations. Yes, they have a president, but it is the Grand Supreme Ayatollah that controls the power and they are much more religious in nature. Saudi Arabia is perhaps the one exception, but I can tell you most Arabs do not hold Saudi in high esteem because of how the royal family is corrupt and keeps most of the people in poverty.
Living in the Middle East and seeing day to day life here is much more different than what you see on the news or the internet.