What we don't hear about in Iraq...
I have recommended the blog of a person (I think a woman, though I am not sure) that is writing from Baghdad at least once before, but today's entry really opened my eyes, so I am recommending again. Everytime I read it, I am in awe by all that is really going on in Iraq that is hidden from the American eye. I was worried that something happened to this blogger, that they were one of the people that were killed because they hadn't written in month. I don't even know what else to say, I hope it shocks and moves you as much as it did me. Proud to be an American my ass. Not after reading this.
Comments
Steph
But now that those choices are made and our country has what it has, we have to live with it. ANd to live with it means that we deal with it in any manner we can deal with it. It is no less patriotic to speak our minds in a country where to do so was protected and anticipated by the very founders of our country - even if that mind speaks in terms of anger and resentment toward the decisions that were made by the leaders of this country - and even if it means that we are NOT PROUD to be an American at some points in our history of living, working and dealing with the choices that are part of being an American.
Finally, without demoralizing and deminishing the resolve in their hearts for a country in which they feel pride, I'm afraid this time, our soldiers aren't fighting for our liberties and freedoms that are being threatened like they have in "wars" past. I believe with resolve in my heart, that they are pawns in the game played by Bush for oil, clout, and greed. I, admittedly, don't have the courage, resolve, or passtion to give my life to stand up for anything I believe in and for that, I'm thankful and proud and aweful. But the fact that their resolve and pride is being taken advantage of by the leader of our country is something that makes me want to spit ... and certainly does not make me proud to be an American.
This may be one woman's account of what is happening, but I think it is a lot more factual than the American media is portraying. If you look at some of the news links she has on her blog, you can see that we are hearing a far different story than they are telling. It is hard to know who to believe, but I think that when it comes to our own country, American media wants to make us look good. I also read a report from British news when something big happened in Iraq (don't recall what it was at this moment) and I remember their news story was SO different from the American media's news story. America's made it sound like nothing bad happened, theirs sounded terrible. I just don't think we are getting the facts about what is really going on in Iraq. I think we are being sheltered from the horrible things.
Just this morning on the Today show, Matt Lauer is in Russia and he asked a man what their country thinks of the US, the man said that they like our products and our lifestyles, but almost nobody likes our government and politics. That is how I feel. And since that is what runs our country, I am simply not that proud to be an American at the moment. I know there are troops doing good things, but that doesn't make me feel any better about the war and all the bad things that are going on in Iraq.
Matt also interviewed Vladimir Putin and Matt asked him if he thought Iraq is better off now than they were under Saddam's ruling. Putin put it so well, he said that he thinks the country has more opportunities for the future since the US ousted Saddam, but he thinks security right now is worse off than before. A powerful statement, one that I agree with.
steph
When it comes to our country, lately I am often more disappointed than I am proud. When it comes to things like our civil liberties, women's rights, gay rights, war, environment, it seems like everything lately has been one step forward, 20 steps back. But there are those moments that make me proud, even if they are few and far between.
So if you want to judge me for admitting that I am not always proud of our country (nor do I feel I have to be just because I was born and raised here), then go ahead. But then you will have to judge most everyone. Because again, I doubt there is a single person that can say "Proud to be American" at every moment of their lives.
Saddam was just another evil dictator in the world, of which there are plenty and many put in place or endorsed by the United States now and in the past because it fulfilled a need we had/have. Saddam didn't have weapons of mass destruction and we went on a preemptive strike just in case he would get them, but there was no way for Iraq to get their hands on them. Their country had been broken since the first Gulf War, and as far as weapons go, Saddam received most of them from the United States in the 80's in order to fight the Ayatolla in Iran, whom we were against.
Now with countries actually having nuclear power (Korea) or countries wishing to have it and having the means to get it, America seems to be idling standing by. I wonder why there's such a disparage in the responses. Oh, I know. It's three simple letters. O-I-L. Plain and simple. And with oil being at record prices per barrel, do you know where that money is going? Not to the oil producers, no. To the head honches of the gas companies. They also have record profits. Seems strange to me.
I have long ago given up my pride in country. The United States has a terrible past and one we choose to ignore. The history books are filled with indiscretions that those in charge have committed. We stole most of the Southwest, California, etc from Mexico in a war that had no reason. When Mexicans are crossing the border into the US, they're not illegal aliens, they're merely going home.
Those examples that cdoc sited are just the more well known atrocities committed and endorsed by the US government. There are plenty of other hideous actions out there, however few seem to care about them.