"Question 1: Iraq - We seem to have shifted our focus from al-Qaida to Iraq. Are we hard up for news from the middle east, or have we been trying to deal with Saddam for years and things have finally come to a head? Some people believe we have lost our focus. Do you think that's the case?"
As it turns out, it appears that the 9/11/01 hijackers were partially trained near Bagdhad, where Saddam has an airliner fuselage set up to do just that. He also supports Al Quaeda financially.
"Question 2: North Korea - As I understand it they ignored a treaty they had with the U.S. and have been working on building nuclear weapons while we send them free oil? Am I getting this right? If that's the case what are we doing about it? What can we do about it? And why is it okay for us to have nuclear weapons and not them? Who are we to decide what they can and can't do?"
At this time, North Korea is unable to threaten the U.S.; but they have made it clear that they are prepared to launch nuclear attacks on their neighbors if we take military action against them. Therefore, we are 'exploring diplomatic solutions'.
"Question 3: Is all this just about oil or is there more to the story? Isn't that a two way street? America's only interested in oil, but then again aren't the Arabs getting rich off us "infidels?" If we're so horrible why do business with us?"
America IS interested in oil (ever seen an electric aircraft?); but the important thing is that people like ben Laden, Arafat, and Hussein WANT US DEAD!
"Question 4: What is going on with the rest of the middle east? Saudi Arabia helped us in the Gulf War, allowing us to set up shop in their country... Bin Laden thought this was the worst thing they could have done allowing us on their holy land. Saudi Arabia didn't seem to mind. Who in the middle east can we consider friends? Who can we consider enemies? Who do you think is acting like our friend when in actual fact they are our enemies?"
The Saudi Royal Family rules their land by force. Many years ago, a treaty was signed which guaranteed that we would protect them; and they would sell us oil. We were allowed th set up shop there for the Gulf war because they feared they were next after Kuwait. The fact that they are now crawfishing about Iraq makes me think that Iraq somehow represents a much greater threat to them than they did back then.
"Question 5: What is the deal with the Palestinians vs. Israel? What is the Palestinian's argument? What is Israel's argument? Why does the U.S. side with Israel?"
The Palestinians are cannon fodder for the rest of the Islamic world. Publicly, they claim to want a Palestinian state; but the local press makes it clear that they REALLY want the total and complete end of ALL Jews, worldwide. We side with Israel for that reason, and because Israel is the ONLY nation over there which is considered a reliable friend to us.
"Question 6: It seems like there are a lot of Americans who feel that we deserve the current situation we're in because of things the U.S. has done in the past. What have we done, and to whom? Does the U.S. stick it's nose where it doesn't belong? Have we stabbed the people of the middle east in the back?"
A lot? Define that term. Personally, If I hated this country as much as the 'blame America first' crowd, I'd be outta here. The fact is, that the people over there who hate us are being indoctrinated to believe that so that their dictators do not have to share their oil money with their people. WE'RE the ones getting backstabbed.
"Question 7: We helped Afghanistan in the 80's, but then we left and didn't help them rebuild. So they hate us... If we didn't do anything to help they would hate us... Is the U.S. in a no-win situation or did we really screw them over?"
The Taliban did the screwing. We supplied them with weapons to defeat the USSR, and the Taliban gratefully ordered us out when we were no longer needed.
BTW, Vooman, Where have YOU been?;}}}
|