Offering an Apology

[nebula]

For good and ill, the Iraqi prisoner-abuse mess will remain an issue. On one hand right-thinking Americans will abhor the stupidity of the actions, while on the other hand political glee will take control and fashion this minor event into some modern day My Lai massacre.

I heard some Arabs are asking for an apology. I humbly offer the following sentiments:

-- I am sorry that the last seven times the Americans took up arms and sacrificed the blood of our youth it was in the defense of Muslims (Bosnia, Kosovo, Gulf War 1, Kuwait, etc.)

-- I am sorry that no such call for an apology upon the extremists came after 9/11. I am sorry that all of the murderers on 9/11 were Arabs.

-- I am sorry that Arabs have to live in squalor under savage dictatorships.

-- I am sorry that their leaders squander their wealth.

-- I am sorry that their governments breed hate for the US in their religious schools.

-- I am sorry that Yasir Arafat was kicked out of every Arab country and that he high-jacked the Palestinian "cause."

-- I am sorry that no other Arab country will take in or offer more than a token amount of financial help to those same Palestinians.

-- I am sorry that the USA has to step in and be the biggest financial supporters of poverty - stricken Arabs while the insanely wealthy Arabs blame the USA.

-- I am sorry that our own left wing elite and our media can't understand any of this.

-- I am sorry the United Nations scammed the poor people of Iraq out of the "food for oil" money so they could get rich while the common folk suffered.

-- I am sorry that some Arab governments pay the families of homicide bombers upon their death. I am sorry that those same bombers are seeking 72 virgins. I can't seem to find one here on Earth.

-- I am sorry that the homicide bombers think babies are a legitimate target.

-- I am sorry that our troops died to free more Arabs.

--I am sorry they stopped the gang rape rooms and the filling of mass graves with dissidents.

-- I am sorry they show so much restraint when their brothers in arms are killed.

--I am sorry that Muslim extremists have killed more Arabs than any other group.

--I am sorry that foreign trained terrorists are trying to seize control of Iraq and return it to a terrorist state.

--I am sorry that every time terrorists hide they find a convenient "Holy Site".

--I am sorry they didn't apologize for driving a jet into the World Trade Center that collapsed and severely damaged St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - one of OUR Holy Sites.

-- I am sorry they didn't apologize for flight 93 and 175, the USS Cole, the embassy bombings, etc.

-- I am sorry the French are French.

America will get past this latest absurdity. We will punish those responsible because that's what we do. We hang out our dirty laundry for all the world to see. We move on. That's one reason why we are hated so much. We don't hide this stuff like all those Arab countries that are now demanding an apology.

Deep down inside, when most Americans saw this reported in the news we like . . . .so what? We lost hundreds and made fun at a few prisoners. Sure it was wrong, sure it dramatically hurts our cause, but until they were captured, we were trying to kill these same prisoners. Now we're supposed to wring our hands because a few were humiliated? Our compassion is tempered with the vivid memories of our own people killed, mutilated and burnt amongst a joyous crowd of celebrating Fallujans.

If you want an apology from this American you are gonna have a long wait.. . . you have a better chance of finding those 72 virgins.

[Paige42986]

Amen to that. I am like you I will not apologize to anyone for what a few did because I constantly see the same people we are supposed to not abuse just ridcule us all because we are not fanatics and we have freedom here and they fear it. They kill our men over there why apologize. I won't.

[Guest LadyC]

as the other half of ladyC, i'd like to buy you a beer or two... :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

i'm glad to hear there are others who feel the way i do. and i dont feel the least bit guilty. my prejudices towards the arab countries seems to be growing by the day. thats the only thing i'm sorry for.

mark

[Guest LCPGUY]

Ditto Neb

In His Love,

Bro John

[Guest molly]

I get scared when I read your opinions,as a European (Irish) it's scary for me to see how much Americans and Europeans seem to be growing apart.Many seem to despise the Spainards for electing a socialist government after the 11th March attack in Madrid.They forget how enraged the electorate were by the governments attempts to blame Basque seperatists for the attacks when all the evidence pointed to Islamic extremiste.

Its easy to hate when we're under attack,however its very difficult to smash a terrorist group with popular support.If you go in hard you anger and alienate the local population ultimately creating more recruits as we learned to our cost in Ireland.

I'm not French however its a beautiful,cultured country with a fantastic soccer team.Log onto the European championship this month to see some great games.If the countries who are western,democratic and free hate each other how will terrorism be defeated?

[ted]

If the countries who are western,democratic and free hate each other how will terrorism be defeated?

With a big stick!

t.

[Guest molly]

The big stick won't work.You need the carrot as well as the stick.

America has a big Muslim community who could sell the benefits of living in a free society to other Muslims. They could also be used to infiltrate extremist organisations,as happens in Britain, to access valuable information.

Unless you plan to anniliate millions of Muslims what is the alternative?

[ted]

Jesus!

t.

[Guest LadyC]

wow! my hubby posted!!! (under my name, but what the heck!) everybody say HI MARK!!!

nebula, i loved your "apology". my sentiments exactly.

molly, nobody here "hates".... not even the french. telling the french we're sorry they are french is no different than telling a disabled person we're sorry they're handicapped.

[Guest bluesun]

Dear Nebula,

I am sorry that no such call for an apology upon the extremists came after 9/11.

But condemnations and shows of solidarity with the victims of 9/11 by many, many ordinary muslims and muslim scholars.(http://groups.colgate.edu/aarislam/response.htm)

I am sorry that Arabs have to live in squalor under savage dictatorships.

Which were and still are being supported by the government of the USA.

Best example: Iraq during the 1980's. When Saddam's atrocities and crimes were at an all-time hight, the government of the USA (with Rumsfeld as defence secretary) was the most fervent supporter of Saddam. Not just morally. Also financially and militarily. I've studied this in detail this year at university.

I am sorry that their governments breed hate for the US in their religious schools.

Many muslims are being persecuted in their own country (Egypt, etc.). What degree of control do the governments have? What exactly is taught? The governments, which are being held in powere by the govt. of the USA.

I am sorry the United Nations scammed the poor people of Iraq out of the "food for oil" money so they could get rich while the common folk suffered.

.The very sanctions the govt. of the USA and GB initiated. Even basic food stuffs such as rice and medicines and medical appliances were included in the sanctions. Unicef estimates that half a million children under the age of 5 died as a direct consequence of these sanctions. Madeleigne Albright just states: "the price--we think the price is worth it." (reply to Lesley Stahl's question on "60 Minutes" on May 12, 1996)

I am sorry that foreign trained terrorists are trying to seize control of Iraq and return it to a terrorist state.

Many, who decide to fight against the occupation, are iraqis, whose house was encircled during the night by american soldiers and tanks shouting "open the f****g door!", the door being destroyed, familily, children being held at gunpoint, or whose family members have been shot dead by the occupation forces (there are countless stories to tell...). Do you truly believe that this leaves anyone indifferent?

regards,

marianne