Quoted For Truth
Sorry, its been a while. Haven't felt an urge to post lately, despite lots of things happening (yes, Chayla went back to her Mom's, but that's for another time).
Anyhow, I was reading the blog of one of my favorite comic/novel writers, Peter David (writes X-Factor and Fallen Angel, to name two)and his April 19th entry relating the Virginia Tech tragedy and Iraq struck a chord, and despite not being an American like the writer, I wanted those who aren't part of the comic community (for those that are comic fans, his blog is at www.peterdavid.net) to read some sage words, which I'll cut and paste here:
Why Iraqis Hate Us
I emphasize that the following is not an attempt to politicize a tragedy, but merely an observation about human nature based on some pretty indisputable facts.
Right now this country is reeling, trying to make sense of the senseless deaths of thirty-two innocent people who died due to the actions of a single obsessed, unhinged individual. We call this a national tragedy.
In Iraq, it's called a Monday. Day after day after day, the populace of that wartorn country has to deal with losses as calamitous and pointless.
Now...what typically happens in a tragedy such as this? Well, in America, sooner or later, the search for blame begins. It's human nature. You can't blame the perp: He's dead. So we search for someone still alive to vent our spleens upon. Someone to whom we can say, "If it weren't for you, then this wouldn't have happened." When the Twin Towers fell, that blame played out in Senate hearings. The blame for Virginia Tech will inevitably play out as well, with leading candidates for excoriation being (a) the school, (b) the shooter's parents, (c) anyone who advocates easy and legal access to guns.
With all that as a given, doesn't it make sense that the Iraqis, being as human as us, would be looking for someone to blame for an environment where our aberration is their way of life? Who are they going to target? Saddam? He's dead. Bombers? They're usually dead after the attack as well. Who's left?
Us.
And that anger manifests itself in the only way it can: More violence against those whom they feel were responsible.
Which is why anyone who thinks that there's going to be an end in the cycle of violence against Americans in Iraq is betting against human nature itself. The blame will continue. The anger will continue. And the deaths will continue. We will try to expunge our sense of dismay and go back to a state of normalcy. For Iraq, death, anger, blame and revenge IS the state of normalcy.
That's why they hate us.
In case you were wondering.
PAD
Anyhow, I was reading the blog of one of my favorite comic/novel writers, Peter David (writes X-Factor and Fallen Angel, to name two)and his April 19th entry relating the Virginia Tech tragedy and Iraq struck a chord, and despite not being an American like the writer, I wanted those who aren't part of the comic community (for those that are comic fans, his blog is at www.peterdavid.net) to read some sage words, which I'll cut and paste here:
Why Iraqis Hate Us
I emphasize that the following is not an attempt to politicize a tragedy, but merely an observation about human nature based on some pretty indisputable facts.
Right now this country is reeling, trying to make sense of the senseless deaths of thirty-two innocent people who died due to the actions of a single obsessed, unhinged individual. We call this a national tragedy.
In Iraq, it's called a Monday. Day after day after day, the populace of that wartorn country has to deal with losses as calamitous and pointless.
Now...what typically happens in a tragedy such as this? Well, in America, sooner or later, the search for blame begins. It's human nature. You can't blame the perp: He's dead. So we search for someone still alive to vent our spleens upon. Someone to whom we can say, "If it weren't for you, then this wouldn't have happened." When the Twin Towers fell, that blame played out in Senate hearings. The blame for Virginia Tech will inevitably play out as well, with leading candidates for excoriation being (a) the school, (b) the shooter's parents, (c) anyone who advocates easy and legal access to guns.
With all that as a given, doesn't it make sense that the Iraqis, being as human as us, would be looking for someone to blame for an environment where our aberration is their way of life? Who are they going to target? Saddam? He's dead. Bombers? They're usually dead after the attack as well. Who's left?
Us.
And that anger manifests itself in the only way it can: More violence against those whom they feel were responsible.
Which is why anyone who thinks that there's going to be an end in the cycle of violence against Americans in Iraq is betting against human nature itself. The blame will continue. The anger will continue. And the deaths will continue. We will try to expunge our sense of dismay and go back to a state of normalcy. For Iraq, death, anger, blame and revenge IS the state of normalcy.
That's why they hate us.
In case you were wondering.
PAD