An Infuriorating Book and YouTube Revelations
I haven't written here in a while, and I liked keeping the last post with Mewmew's drawing on the top as long as possible, but I guess we have to start something new sooner or later.
I finished reading an infuriorating book some weeks past. The title was "World War IV: The Long Struggle Against Islamofacism"by Norman Podhoretz. It's infuriorating not because of the terminology used, as I have no qualms about Islamofacism or radical Islamists and the like. It is abundantly clear what those refer to in contrast to most normal muslims as myself and the people I know.
What agitates me is the conclusions and and reasoning done by the author, among other things the rationalization that terrorists hate America simply for it's liberty and freedom, or the point where the author seems convinced that the opinions and decisions of the UN as well as their European 'allies' are no longer that relevant, or that he believes George W. Bush as a great leader and president. On the last part, I can't think of anyone more agitating to me than Bush, and all his rhetoric. Yet, in the book the author seems to champion Bush's visions and ideals, putting them forth like it was the greatest political ideal of our time.
It's no secret I disagree to almost all of the things he points out. But some of you might now be wondering why did I finish reading the book anyways? Or why I consider that as a wonderful gift for myself, for my recent birthday?
Understanding. That's why.
You don't need to agree with someone to understand his views. I for one understand why in some cases, there are supporters to the actions of the U.S that we from the rest of the world find it atrocious and irresponsible. I don't agree with their reasons mind you, I still think they're acting silly but if I were in their shoes, I could have easily fallen for the same thing.
For one thing, aggressive US foreign policy seems to be logically concluded that it stems from the view on the failure of peaceful means. For whatever specific examples we may want to give, the fact is they have seen those 'hostile' regimes time and again go back on their words, strike out against US interests and assets, and attempts to appease seems largely to have encouraged further aggression against them.
I'll try an example.
If some one hits you, and you try to talk it through peacefully, and still the guy hits you again, sooner or later, you'd want to resolve it with your fists as well. That seems logical, but of course deep thinking individuals would say, we should have sought out the root of why the guy hit us in the first place. But what if they guy said (for simplicity's sake) he hit you because you were wearing a blue shirt. Now from our point of view, that's just silly, and of course, we'd start accusing him of things, and resorted that it's pointless to peacefully argue because there's no rational way of solving what seemed a stupid reason.
But we may not know however that to him, as he has been living for all his life, and brought up under the teachings of his elders and such, that wearing blue shirts is a sacrilege, or as being very disrespectful or such. So, to him we're being rude, while to us, he's being irrational. We might not agree with what the blue shirt represents as he does, but we'd be beating up each other silly if we sought not to understand what his views are, despite how we will never agree to it.
Does understanding another's view excuses them of their misdeeds? Does it justify their actions? No, of course not. In the end, they're still being rather ignorant or stupid. But how are we any different if we do not seek to understand as well? It's easy accusing people of being ignorant, idiotic, insensitive or irresponsible. But is it any more different that what we do in life as well?
Reflect on that.
The last thing I wanna add is simply, in relation to what the author speculates on the successors of Bush's presidency, on whether the next president will continue the policy or reverse it. I just find it peculiar that he mentioned Hillary Clinton for one, but there was no mention of Barack Obama (the book was written/published around 2006 or so). Anyways we do know today Barack Obama will not be continuing Bush's policy. I'm sure some die hard Bush Policy supporters will be ticked at that, but I didn't expect to see a video on youtube where an African American pastor was criticizing Obama harshly, and comparing and making similiarities between Obama with Adolf Hitler!
Now, those who know me will know I have no huge negative views on Hitler, as I do not see him as evil, a monster, or the most infamous tyrant ever. We all know history is written by the winners and many past glorified 'heroes' are butchers and tyrants themselves. But of course the pastor is referring to the image of Hitler, the most evil person ever, and that is what he is comparing Barack Obama with.
Sigh.... These Americans...
I finished reading an infuriorating book some weeks past. The title was "World War IV: The Long Struggle Against Islamofacism"by Norman Podhoretz. It's infuriorating not because of the terminology used, as I have no qualms about Islamofacism or radical Islamists and the like. It is abundantly clear what those refer to in contrast to most normal muslims as myself and the people I know.
What agitates me is the conclusions and and reasoning done by the author, among other things the rationalization that terrorists hate America simply for it's liberty and freedom, or the point where the author seems convinced that the opinions and decisions of the UN as well as their European 'allies' are no longer that relevant, or that he believes George W. Bush as a great leader and president. On the last part, I can't think of anyone more agitating to me than Bush, and all his rhetoric. Yet, in the book the author seems to champion Bush's visions and ideals, putting them forth like it was the greatest political ideal of our time.
It's no secret I disagree to almost all of the things he points out. But some of you might now be wondering why did I finish reading the book anyways? Or why I consider that as a wonderful gift for myself, for my recent birthday?
Understanding. That's why.
You don't need to agree with someone to understand his views. I for one understand why in some cases, there are supporters to the actions of the U.S that we from the rest of the world find it atrocious and irresponsible. I don't agree with their reasons mind you, I still think they're acting silly but if I were in their shoes, I could have easily fallen for the same thing.
For one thing, aggressive US foreign policy seems to be logically concluded that it stems from the view on the failure of peaceful means. For whatever specific examples we may want to give, the fact is they have seen those 'hostile' regimes time and again go back on their words, strike out against US interests and assets, and attempts to appease seems largely to have encouraged further aggression against them.
I'll try an example.
If some one hits you, and you try to talk it through peacefully, and still the guy hits you again, sooner or later, you'd want to resolve it with your fists as well. That seems logical, but of course deep thinking individuals would say, we should have sought out the root of why the guy hit us in the first place. But what if they guy said (for simplicity's sake) he hit you because you were wearing a blue shirt. Now from our point of view, that's just silly, and of course, we'd start accusing him of things, and resorted that it's pointless to peacefully argue because there's no rational way of solving what seemed a stupid reason.
But we may not know however that to him, as he has been living for all his life, and brought up under the teachings of his elders and such, that wearing blue shirts is a sacrilege, or as being very disrespectful or such. So, to him we're being rude, while to us, he's being irrational. We might not agree with what the blue shirt represents as he does, but we'd be beating up each other silly if we sought not to understand what his views are, despite how we will never agree to it.
Does understanding another's view excuses them of their misdeeds? Does it justify their actions? No, of course not. In the end, they're still being rather ignorant or stupid. But how are we any different if we do not seek to understand as well? It's easy accusing people of being ignorant, idiotic, insensitive or irresponsible. But is it any more different that what we do in life as well?
Reflect on that.
The last thing I wanna add is simply, in relation to what the author speculates on the successors of Bush's presidency, on whether the next president will continue the policy or reverse it. I just find it peculiar that he mentioned Hillary Clinton for one, but there was no mention of Barack Obama (the book was written/published around 2006 or so). Anyways we do know today Barack Obama will not be continuing Bush's policy. I'm sure some die hard Bush Policy supporters will be ticked at that, but I didn't expect to see a video on youtube where an African American pastor was criticizing Obama harshly, and comparing and making similiarities between Obama with Adolf Hitler!
Now, those who know me will know I have no huge negative views on Hitler, as I do not see him as evil, a monster, or the most infamous tyrant ever. We all know history is written by the winners and many past glorified 'heroes' are butchers and tyrants themselves. But of course the pastor is referring to the image of Hitler, the most evil person ever, and that is what he is comparing Barack Obama with.
Sigh.... These Americans...
posted by Raccoon General | 9:18 AM
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