Blah,Blah,Blah,Blah

I was meeting a friend (let us call him “A”) last night that I have not seen for a couple of months, so as we were driving in the car, discussing current events, he looked at me and said:

A:I’m sure you follow current events as much as I do

O:Yes

A: haven’t you noticed how in every conversation that comes up, there are 3 words that are being used interchangeably regardless of the issue?

O: And what are they?

A: Freedom, Democracy, and Terror. For example the media ask a question about WMD’s and all you could hear is blah,blah,blah, freedom, blah,blah,blah,blah, democracy, blah,blah,blah,blah terrorism.
Or another example for instance about AbuGhraib, the sound coming out of the politicians is blah,blah,blah, democracy, blah,blah,blah,blah, terrorism, blah,blah,blah,blah freedom.

He added that people are being brainwashed and cowed into over simplification of issues.

O: Surely all the words mentioned by you are important to us in the Middle East, and we can’t compromise on them. For example, Alqaeda is more of danger to us than they are to the west. While they are willing to compromise with the west (Spain as an example), the only compromise they will offer us is a total change in our way of life to adhere to their edicts, or our head gets chopped off.

A: That’s true, and I’m not disputing that we need those ideals in our societies, to have a better life to everyone.

But, I’m talking about western politicians over here; they mention those words on any occasion, while on the other hand they have allies such as the president of Uzbekistan, who boils political opponents, and conveniently forget to remind him of his human rights abuses, so why not have a universal standards applied to everyone instead of being selective about it?

O: Smiling and shaking my head knowing where this conversation going to lead, I reply

“blah,blah,blah, democracy, blah,blah,blah,blah, terrorism, blah,blah,blah,blah freedom.”

A bit weary

I got an email from a fellow egyptian blogger. And while I don't usually answer emails in public, i took exception to his as he has raised an intresting point and I asked for his permission to answer in my blog. Since he has not replied back, I will go ahead and say what I want to say.

Anyway summary of the email:

He said to me that he had read my blog. He had disagreed with what I write as it was unbalanced and unfair, he had many Iraqis who expressed their gladness to meet an Arab who supports a democratic Iraq, and he truly believes that "Bush's
firm stand and vigilance" will see Iraq towards a better life.

Now, I'm not going to argue with the guy's opinions, he is entitled to them, just as I do, nobody holds absolute truth, and everything is relative. There is no right or wrong in opinions, circumstances changes with time and what is permissible today, might not be in the future.

What I would like to say is that in the Arab world, I have noticed 2 vociferous camps. The first we can term as the pro-America and the other as the anti-America.

I'm a bit weary of both camps to be quite honest with you.

The pro camp for instance is willing to whitewash everything bad the US is doing in Iraq. Something like the end justifies the means, and as long as the end will be "democracy" then whatever crap is dished out to Iraqis should be palatable. Iraq for them is like a testing lab for US policies, if it works, then hey its a success, if it does not, then what the hell, it is only Iraqi resources that are being wasted, whether in life or assets.
Surely, if those people are so for "Bush's democracy", shouldn't they be inviting 150,000 American soldiers to their countries to free them? Why wait till 5/10 years from now to see if Iraq succeeds or not? How about now, time is of the essence over here. Let us take Egypt as an example; it is one of the most ruthless regimes in the world. Its president is preparing for a fifth term in office, he gets 97% and over in every presidential election he stands for (that’s if you call it an election).
In a country where 1% of the population holds 80% of the wealth, and 80% of the population holds only 1% of the wealth, where civil right are being trampled on a daily basis, where a “republic” is following the North Korean, and Syrian experiences of appointing son's of late-presidents to the presidency, the need for liberation is paramount. No ifs or buts or we wait till we see what’s happening in Iraq. I don't know why they don't call for the US to liberate them from their evil governments and are more focused on Iraq?
Your country should be your priority, and when it is fixed, you can branch out, it is that simple.

On the other hand we have the anti camp, most of them are armchair analysts, whom are willing to sacrifice every single Iraqi in their war against anything to do with the US. They don't get off their butt and do anything apart from talk, even simple things like boycotting American goods, which is a kind of simple gesture...If you open their wardrobes you will probably find Nike trainers, Gap jeans, and Abercrombie t-shirts... Their favourite drinks are either coca-cola or Starbuck's coffee while performing their daily ritual of discussing how bad the US is. Funny that those people forget that their countries are controlled by the US and can't do anything with out the consent of the white house. How about you work on your countries, surely they are more deserving and more of a priority than Iraq for the future of your sons and daughters, if you really believe that US influence is bad.

To both camps.... Leave us alone...you never helped Iraq, you just sat there and watched while Iraqis were being abused/killed and stripped of their humanity whether under Saddam or the present regime.

It is our problem and we will sort it out.

LONG LIVE IRAQ

Got this via e-mail.

I liked it

While visiting England, George W. Bush is invited to tea with the Queen. He asks her what her leadership philosophy is. She says that it is to surround herself with intelligent people. He asks how she knows if they're intelligent.

"I do so by asking them the right questions," says the Queen. "Allow me to demonstrate."

She phones Tony Blair and says, "Mr. Prime Minister. Please answer this question: Your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or sister. Who is it?"

Tony Blair responds, "It's me, ma'am."

"Correct. Thank you and good-bye, sir," says the Queen. She hangs up and says, "Did you get that, Mr. Bush?"

"Yes ma'am. Thanks a lot. I'll definitely be using that!"

Upon returning to Washington, he decides he'd better put the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the test. He summons Jesse Helms to the White House and says, "Senator Helms, I wonder if you can answer a question for me."

"Why, of course, sir. What's on your mind?"

"Uh, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?"

Helms hems and haws and finally asks, "Can I think about it and get back to you?" Bush agrees, and Helms leaves. He immediately calls a meeting of other senior senators, and they puzzle over the question for several hours, but nobody can come up with an answer. Finally, in desperation, Helms calls Colin Powell at the State Department and explains his problem.

"Now look here Colin Powell, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother, or your sister. Who is it?" Powell answers immediately, "It's me, of course, you dumb ass."

Much relieved, Helms rushes back to the White House and exclaims, "I know the answer, sir! I know who it is! It's Colin Powell!" And Bush replies in disgust, "Wrong, you dumb ass, It's Tony Blair!"

The wacko strikes back.

Gold for Jerry and Kofi

Why is it that whenever Bush is in trouble, the maniac rears his ugly head...could it be just mere coincidence or is there more to it than meets the eye?

Hmmmmm...

ASSESSMENT OF DoD COUNTER-TERRORISM INTERROGATION AND DETENTION OPERATIONS IN IRAQ (MG MILLER’S ASSESSMENT)

1. (S/NF) The principal focus of MG Miller’s team was on the strategic interrogation of detainees/internees in Iraq. Among its conclusions in its Executive Summary were that CJTF-7 did not have authorities and procedures in place to affect a unified strategy to detain, interrogate, and report information from detainees/internees in Iraq. The Executive Summary also stated that detention operations must act as an enabler for interrogation. (ANNEX 20)

2. (S/NF) With respect to interrogation, MG Miller’s Team recommended that CJTF-7 dedicate and train a detention guard force subordinate to the Joint Interrogation Debriefing Center (JIDC) Commander that “sets the conditions for the successful interrogation and exploitation of internees/detainees.” Regarding Detention Operations, MG Miller’s team stated that the function of Detention Operations is to provide a safe, secure, and humane environment that supports the expeditious collection of intelligence. However, it also stated “it is essential that the guard force be actively engaged in setting the conditions for successful exploitation of the internees.”

What is interesting is the fact that Major General Geoffrey Miller is now in charge of occupation prisons in Iraq. The same guy who found it essential for the guard force to be actively engaged in whatever they were engaged in. It is quite disturbing for me at least.

An Iraqi term comes to mind right now..."hameeha harameeha"

Long Live Iraq

American Military Justice

One US soldier has been convicted by the military behind closed doors of killing a prisoner by hitting him with a rock, officials said. He was reduced in rank to private and discharged from the service but did not serve any time in jail. A private contractor working for the CIA was also found to have killed a prisoner.

And you expect justice... what a joke.

Long Live Iraq

After all we freed Iraqis from Saddam,they should not be complaining.

I was debating whether to post the photos circulated yesterday of Iraqis being tortured by US soldiers in this blog or not. I have decided against posting them, as they are not just a humiliating, and insulting to Iraqis but also to decent Americans as well. It is a strike against their belief in liberty, freedom, and human decency. These simple ideas that Americans cherish and stand for passionately.

To be quite honest with you, I was not shocked by the emergence of this story; I have read so many stories of systematic torture being committed against Iraqi prisoners, of course apologists/denialists have always swept these things under the carpet as some kind of propaganda.

I watched Bush yesterday, side by side with the Canadian prime minister trying to express his disgust at what happened. Looking at him, I just could not help but notice how hard he was trying to drop a tear here or there so that people can sympathise with him(The compassionate conservative that he is), it looked all fake to me, the harder he tried, the more evil and insincere he looked.
He has talked lots of rubbish over the term of his presidency, but yesterday, I have to agree with one thing he had said:

"Their treatment (the prisoners) does not reflect the nature of the American people.”

Yes George, it does not reflect upon the American people, I greatly believe in that statement. This kind of action, really reflects upon you, and your bankrupt ideology, it reflects upon the crazy freaks that follow you. It has nothing to do with decent Americans, who find such actions repulsive. George, you belong to an elite club, Hitler, Saddam, and Bin Ladin are past or present members among many, they probably feel proud seeing you in action.

You are a murder, and a terrorist no less than the other freaks. It is time that decent people of this world stop all of you loonies who belong to that elite murderous club.

And not to feel left out by their brothers in arms, the heroes of the British army, who were trained to the highest standard, were at it as well. You are so brave beating hooded and restrained people.