Jordan Times
Dear editor:
Yesterday, the Jordan Times stated that the United States “has presented itself as unacceptably prejudiced against all things Arab. The debate, as it unfolded in Congress and the US media, was absolutely demeaning to Arabs. The question of integrity, the suggestion that Arabs cannot be trusted and the implication that Arabs are terrorists and/or terrorist sympathizers is ugly and unworthy of a country built on immigration.” While I can well understand the thinking and unhappiness that prompted this report, I do not think that the Jordan paper and those in the Middle East understand the feelings and fears of Americans which brought down the deal for Dubai Ports to run six American east coast ports.
While we cannot, and do not, deny that so much of the Arab and/or Muslim world in the Middle East and around the rest of the globe are non-violent, freedom loving, good neighbors and citizens that deserve our support and help, we cannot ignore the horrors and tragedies that happen in that part of the world on a daily basis. Even in the face of America’s anti-peace pre-emptive war, how does one ignore the Arab militias marauding and killing in Darfur, Chad and other countries, the senseless daily bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan, the rampaging and murders that happened in answer to a newspaper cartoon, the dangerous nuclear threats issued by the president of Iran, the dangers, and of course the death and destruction caused on 9/11. All of these are financed, planned, trained, and carried out by Arab/Muslim countries, organizations, and people from the Middle East.
Based upon all this, why should anyone be surprised that Americans are afraid of Arab management and operation of our ports? The reason for this, deserved or undeserved, is a very simple four letter word….F-E-A-R. For four years our government has told us that we are in a war with terrorism. Fear of terror has been the lead in every Presidential speech, and we have learned our lessons well. The world would be a happier place if the Jordan Times and Arab/Muslims everywhere realized America’s fear, and recognized that the turn down of the port deal had nothing to do with their religion. Then maybe, just maybe, we will come to our senses and get out of Iraq.
Yesterday, the Jordan Times stated that the United States “has presented itself as unacceptably prejudiced against all things Arab. The debate, as it unfolded in Congress and the US media, was absolutely demeaning to Arabs. The question of integrity, the suggestion that Arabs cannot be trusted and the implication that Arabs are terrorists and/or terrorist sympathizers is ugly and unworthy of a country built on immigration.” While I can well understand the thinking and unhappiness that prompted this report, I do not think that the Jordan paper and those in the Middle East understand the feelings and fears of Americans which brought down the deal for Dubai Ports to run six American east coast ports.
While we cannot, and do not, deny that so much of the Arab and/or Muslim world in the Middle East and around the rest of the globe are non-violent, freedom loving, good neighbors and citizens that deserve our support and help, we cannot ignore the horrors and tragedies that happen in that part of the world on a daily basis. Even in the face of America’s anti-peace pre-emptive war, how does one ignore the Arab militias marauding and killing in Darfur, Chad and other countries, the senseless daily bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan, the rampaging and murders that happened in answer to a newspaper cartoon, the dangerous nuclear threats issued by the president of Iran, the dangers, and of course the death and destruction caused on 9/11. All of these are financed, planned, trained, and carried out by Arab/Muslim countries, organizations, and people from the Middle East.
Based upon all this, why should anyone be surprised that Americans are afraid of Arab management and operation of our ports? The reason for this, deserved or undeserved, is a very simple four letter word….F-E-A-R. For four years our government has told us that we are in a war with terrorism. Fear of terror has been the lead in every Presidential speech, and we have learned our lessons well. The world would be a happier place if the Jordan Times and Arab/Muslims everywhere realized America’s fear, and recognized that the turn down of the port deal had nothing to do with their religion. Then maybe, just maybe, we will come to our senses and get out of Iraq.
posted by Sam Schoolsky | 7:36 PM
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