Who can answer this?

[skeletor]

I see a lot of people saying that the US deserves this attack, or at least that it shouldn't be such a shock considering their foreign policy. My question is, why don't we (in Europe) or those in many many many other parts of the world have a particular problem with the US policy? If it's:

a) Because we (the other countries) accept the US as the world leading power and thus live in freedom and peace? If so is that such a 'price' to pay?

b) Is it cause the countries who have suffered under US foreign policy have 'something' the US wants and are basically bullied by them to get it? If this is the case why doesn't it happen to any countries in Europe etc?

c) We are more educated and thus more understanding of other cultures, but middle eastern countries see many of our ways of life as herecy and offensive etc etc and they revolt because they won't accept the world power being so 'blasphemous' to their way of thinking?

I'm just curious here. People say the US have done as bad as this to other countries but I don't believe that. I don't believe that the US has ever sat down, planned for years and then gone and bombed somewhere just for a reaction, knowing they'd kill innocents only but not caring. Yes innocents die in war, yes sometimes mistakes are made, yes war is unfair, but they've never done anything to warrant a reply like this. Correct me if I'm wrong. Oh and hiroshima etc don't really count as it was war time, the technology was new and we've progressed since then.


It's so hard not to feel superior to these people, who hide their women away and have ridiculous rules (the rules *are* ridiculous and not just 'to me', they ARE period) imposed on certain things. We come from the free world and see in these people, aspects of our past ways (women inferior, homosexuality outlawed etc etc) and thus we think we're might just be superior. If they grab our attention by bombing buildings and then dancing in the streets, who is to say we're not?

 

[Rockhound]

You are absolutely correct in your conclusions. Whenever people (especially on this board) say the US has done "bad" they either can't come up with anything or simply make false and misleading statements which result in wrong conclusions being made. I agree with you. Not everything the US has done can be considered "good", but the US has done a lot more good than bad.

 

[skeletor]

Any other opinions? I'm honestly curious about this...

 

[gooseman]

It's truely hard to say. One thing I take exception to though. You say that they have rediculous rules. They may seem rediculous to you and I but that is just their culture. I may think they are silly, (and I do for the most part), but as a FREE AMERICAN I respect their right to have their own opinions and rules. And don't take me wrong, I am not a liberal. I am a card carrying Republican but just as you and I have the right to our own opinions, so do they. If that is the way they want to live, let them live it. However, nothing could possibly justify what has taken place in New York and at the Pentagon. Nothing gives them the right to do this. And let me point out that not all arabs think this way either. My wife was born in Egypt. She is a Christian, not Muslim, but we know many Arabs here that are Muslim and they are just as horrified by what has happened as we are.

I certainly can't explain the logic that makes them think that these attacks were justified. Plowing a jetliner full of civilians into a building full of civilians can only be explained as a cowardly act. I have every faith that our government will react in an appropriate manner and bring vengance upon those responsible for this terrorism, and I don't mean a long trial and life sentance.

Just my .02 woth.

GOD BLESS AMERICA and I pray for the lives lost and those that lost family and friends.

 

[rubix]

it is because the usa doesn't have military troops occupy your country like they do to some in the middle east. and also it is because the usa isn't trying to "be your friend" but is really just using you for your oil or strategical location. these are things that bother some in the middle east. that's not why bin laden did it though. some just don't like america because we are either the most powerful country, or one of them at least. that's why bin laden did this i think. also he is angry that the usa is always supporting israel and his relgion is apparently against them, hence the holy war.

 

[skeletor]

I think we, as westerners, have some stupid attitudes as well. In many places our attitudes towards racial issues and sexuality are repressed and backwards. But as a whole we are moving towards an equality, one which eventually will stop issues such as racism etc.

That's why I still stand by my naming some of their conventions ridiculous. Obviously that is part of their culture but that does not make it right. The simple proof of this fact is that their women will eventually revolt against being second class citizens, proving that it is not natural to keep them repressed. In a lot of ways our attitudes can't been seen as natural either, but we're open to change and we ARE changing, albeit slowly. They are regressing (in the case of the Taliban anyway).

Maybe that clears my point up a little.

 

[gooseman]

skeletor, I understand your point but look at it this way. Their women have been living like this for a Thousand years, (1000)!!!, This is just their culture and I don't think they are about to change it. Just my opinion of course.

 

[gopunk]

a) Because we (the other countries) accept the US as the world leading power and thus live in freedom and peace? If so is that such a 'price' to pay?

while some countries accept the u.s. as the world watchdog, it's clear now, that some countries do not.

b) Is it cause the countries who have suffered under US foreign policy have 'something' the US wants and are basically bullied by them to get it? If this is the case why doesn't it happen to any countries in Europe etc?

well there's not much oil in europe. not to mention the ties between europe and america (being a mostly caucasian nation) would make that a little hard. who would you be more likely to mug (hypothetically speaking), a stranger or your brother?

c) We are more educated and thus more understanding of other cultures, but middle eastern countries see many of our ways of life as herecy and offensive etc etc and they revolt because they won't accept the world power being so 'blasphemous' to their way of thinking?

well, if we never came in contact with them, i doubt they would have a problem with us for the sole reason of being heretics. i think the larger issue is that us "heretics" meddle in their affairs. no people like to be subservient or have to worry about not pissing off foreigners. it's degrading if you think about it. would you be cool if there was a role reversal and afghanistan, a nation around the world, decided it would police us?

It's so hard not to feel superior to these people, who hide their women away and have ridiculous rules (the rules *are* ridiculous and not just 'to me', they ARE period) imposed on certain things. We come from the free world and see in these people, aspects of our past ways (women inferior, homosexuality outlawed etc etc) and thus we think we're might just be superior. If they grab our attention by bombing buildings and then dancing in the streets, who is to say we're not?

well sure whatever, but regardless, i can't imagine that they would ever agree to the notion that they are inferior. and really, they're the ones who are attacking us.