How Do We "Win" a War on Terror? - Page 52 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #**766** 09-18-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Dude-a-mers: when talking about our involvement in Iraq, there is no point in leaving those guys out of the discussion. They pushed hard for our current policy, they had (at one time) a majority of American opinion behind their policy, and they continue to push for their preferences by using the bully pulpit to the max, not to mention all manner of propaganda.

great cartoon!

tom w

t walgamuth · #**767** 09-18-2006, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedMech

Illustrate your point tell us about your travels to the middle east in the last 20 years. T walgamuth not Mark Twain.

understanding another culture is not the same as having the opinion that they should all be blown up....come to think of it that is what some of them think about us too.

having been there is a strong point. being there does not really guarantee that you will automatically become an expert on their culture.

and being there as part of an occupying/ conquering force really probably doesn't allow the local people to show you their good side easily.

tom w

Botnst · #**768** 09-18-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

You disagree?

I admit it is a generalization. ..and as Twain (I think) said, "Generalizations arent worth a damn...including this one".

Let's hear your statement about the level of understanding by our countrymen of our islamic and arabic brothers, or really any other country for that matter.

Tom W

When I was in the USN my ship performed S&R and relief to flood victims in Tunisia. I've been to Turkey several times. Took a couple of courses in Arabic (would still be doing so except the teacher, a visiting scholar in contemporary French literature, returned to Morocco). My brother, also a veteran, had a Palestinian (male) friend with whom he shared a house while they were studying engineering. He has been a guest in my home on many occasions. I have hired 1 Palestinian coop student and spent significant time mentoring him.

Oh yeah, my Dad worked on the planning that sent himself and a bunch of other guys to Lebanon once (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon_crisis_of_1958).

Aside from that, not much.

B

#**769** 09-18-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

When I was in the USN my ship performed S&R and relief to flood victims in Tunisia. I've been to Turkey several times. Took a couple of courses in Arabic (would still be doing so except the teacher, a visiting scholar in contemporary French literature, returned to Morocco). My brother, also a veteran, had a Palestinian (male) friend with whom he shared a house while they were studying engineering. He has been a guest in my home on many occasions. I have hired 1 Palestinian coop student and spent significant time mentoring him.

Oh yeah, my Dad worked on the planning that sent himself and a bunch of other guys to Lebanon once (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon_crisis_of_1958).

Aside from that, not much.

B

How much CNN do you watch?

and saying that they are peaceful loving creatures sound like a generalization. You can call me a racist bigot but I had/have no problem sucking the life out of the animals.

cmac2012 · #**770** 09-18-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

great cartoon!

tom w

That fellow is not widely seen. Matt Wuerker, found usually in "Z" Magazine.

cmac2012 · #**771** 09-18-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedMech

..... and saying that they are peaceful loving creatures sound like a generalization. You can call me a racist bigot but I had/have no problem sucking the life out of the animals.

Again, how does that distinguish you from them?

Botnst · #**772** 09-18-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Again, how does that distinguish you from them?

God will sort them out.

Bot

#**773** 09-18-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

God will sort them out.

Bot

Can't send em to Allah with a empty stomach.

t walgamuth · #**774** 09-18-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

When I was in the USN my ship performed S&R and relief to flood victims in Tunisia. I've been to Turkey several times. Took a couple of courses in Arabic (would still be doing so except the teacher, a visiting scholar in contemporary French literature, returned to Morocco). My brother, also a veteran, had a Palestinian (male) friend with whom he shared a house while they were studying engineering. He has been a guest in my home on many occasions. I have hired 1 Palestinian coop student and spent significant time mentoring him.

Oh yeah, my Dad worked on the planning that sent himself and a bunch of other guys to Lebanon once (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon_crisis_of_1958).

Aside from that, not much.

B

i was not talking about you. i was talking about the average american. how many americans have such exposure to other countries and cultures. how many can even pick out algeria on a map? or even identify what continent it is on?

tom w

t walgamuth · #**775** 09-18-2006, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedMech

How much CNN do you watch?

and saying that they are peaceful loving creatures sound like a generalization. You can call me a racist bigot but I had/have no problem sucking the life out of the animals.

again, a perfect example of my point about not being able to understand the difference between the cultures.

tom w

#**776** 09-18-2006, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

again, a perfect example of my point about not being able to understand the difference between the cultures.

tom w

You are the perfect example about not understanding the culture, that was my point. I have lived with the culture with both allies and axis and they look at things much differently than you think. To put it short and simple your are naive to think that you can tell a person that has experienced the culture that you are more enlightened from your Time magazine next to the toilet.

Have you been to the Middle East? Have you read the Qur'an ? I have.

mikemover · #**777** 09-18-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

again, a perfect example of my point about not being able to understand the difference between the cultures.

tom w

I understand the difference quite clearly.

I also believe that one culture can be (and often is) inherently superior to another...

And before one of you knee-jerkers cries "racism" or some other such nonsense.... I said CULTURE. Not race, not people... CULTURE.

When one culture openly endorses and encourages violence, widespread oppression, complete subjugation of women, intolerance of other religions, extreme censorship, etc... and another culture does not... Then the differences are readily apparent.

Mike

#**778** 09-18-2006, 07:00 PM

Mr. Understanding have you risked your life to save a Muslim? Have you administered first aid to a Muslim?

Botnst · #**779** 09-18-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

i was not talking about you. i was talking about the average american. how many americans have such exposure to other countries and cultures. how many can even pick out algeria on a map? or even identify what continent it is on?

tom w

I don't know.

What I assume is that the majority of people are average intelligence and average education and average motivation and average income. You know, average.

Here are my expectations of people:
I expect the best of people, regardless of their capability.
I expect people to be basically good.
I expect people to want the world to be a better place for their families and their community.
I expect people fail themselves more than they fail society.

These things we hold in common and from that commonality of ambition productive relationships can grow.

Bot

peragro · #**780** 09-18-2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Dude-a-mers: when talking about our involvement in Iraq, there is no point in leaving those guys out of the discussion. They pushed hard for our current policy, they had (at one time) a majority of American opinion behind their policy, and they continue to push for their preferences by using the bully pulpit to the max, not to mention all manner of propaganda.

May I redirect you to my point #1.