Assalamu Aleikum, 

I do agree with the reality that the actions of Bush are equivalent to those of a dictator on a rampage. But Arabs are also to blame for their current socio-political and economic conditions. The Arabs that invest in North America at the expense of domestic investment are to blame; those who preach violence at the expense of gradual, but long-term policy change are to blame (band-aid solutions will never last); Arab-Muslims who oppress others along sectarian lines are to blame; those who preach hatred rather than unity are to blame—and so it goes. I am an American citizen with African roots and I am proud to be a Muslim, but I am ashamed of those who hijack Islam and use it to justify their misdeeds. All of this to say, if the Arab world is to unite under the banner of one Ummah, it must see beyond the differences and minimize those who compromise the integrity and intelligence of Middle Eastern nations.

The attacks toward all elements foreign to America will never end; it is the lessons we take away from them that will make a difference on how we counter and neutralize these attacks.

Khadija G

Jan 12, 2006

Americans are programmed to believe that their government, their elites, or their country is the best in the world. The average American knows nothing except what he is programmed or allowed to know, learn of, or hear.

The American government seeks to protects its interests at any cost. In the Middle East, the Americans are after the cheap oil they get from the Arab world, which their lives depend on, and which they will stop at nothing to get.

Americans like to think they're always the good guys and the protectors of the world. They should ask their government and their elites one question: "Why is it that America is the most hated country in the world? Why do most countries not like our government and its foreign policy?" The answer they'll probably get will be that America is the greatest country in the world, and that most of those countries are envious. NO.

The Muslim world should refocus on its religious ideals and stick by its teachings. That's the only way forward. Anything less, and our affairs will remain a shambles.

Democracy is nothing but an illusion; something that never existed and never will.

The Muslim Ummah should use what they have to get what they want; not by suicide bombings, but by coming together as an indivisible entity, using the resources and technology available to us to fight the enemy. Until we do that, we will get nowhere.

Muhammad

Nigeria

Jan 5, 2006

It is not surprising to hear US politicians admitting that the US made a lot of mistakes in the past that they cannot possibly make any more mistakes! It seems that the US, like any blind imperialist power, admits its mistakes only when it is too late.

Only recently, they started regretting the mistake of supporting oppressive Arab regimes for decades. Let's wait another decade to hear them regret the mistake of invading Iraq, and a few other decades to hear them regret supporting Israel.

Mr. Benjamin doesn't deny that democracy is not the only reason. But actually democracy has never been a reason, it is only a justification. Had this debate taken place three years ago, it would be about the WMD rhetoric.

Mr. Benjamin, in one of his messages, mentioned how history will record this era of reform in the Arab world. I advise him and those who still respect history to go back and reflect upon the pitiless downfall of all hyper-power empires of the past. To achieve their selfish agenda, world powers used justifications that sounded so reasonable only to themselves. They prospered but only for as long as a few lines in a book of history, and achieved nothing but the everlasting curse of their victims and the readers of history till the Day of Judgment, and even then the curse will follow them. Unless US policy undergoes a radical change, the US is following the same footsteps of the now-forgotten powers, and no one can escape the scales of God.

And God knows best.

Saleh
Dec 31, 2005

Assalamu Aleikum, 

After reading this debate I would like to say that it was very typical of a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant male who is a Republican supporter of the Bush regime to respond as such. As an African-American who reverted to Islam in 1989, I share an insight that is very unique. I am a college graduate and my family has been in America since slavery. I, and people like me, understand the thought process of Ben. People like Ben only see things unilaterally. My people have dealt with many "Bens."  In his mind America will not make mistakes, and if she does, everybody should get over it.

Ben is in denial about the real intentions of the United States. He feels that the Bush administration's view of democracy is the only form acceptable and it is their responsibility to spread that view. However, what Ben refuses to believe is that you cannot spread democracy at gunpoint. America is in the Middle East to control the natural resources and, as Bush states, to secure the American way of life (whatever that means… go figure). 

I really enjoyed Mona's responses to Ben. Mona held her ground. I liked the way she maintained the focus of the debate. It was really nice.

 Here at home, we see the real face of the Bush administration's democracy. Mona, ask Ben what happened in New Orleans during Katrina! Is this democracy at work? Ask him why the United States does not provide universal health care for its citizens! Is this compassionate democracy? Or why did his president and his Republican robots cut taxes for the wealthiest amongst us? Is this the democracy that we want to export? 

Mona, you are on the right track. Keep up the good work. I want you to know that millions do not agree with Ben and his rhetoric.

Bilal
Dec 27, 2005

Frankly speaking, I read self-importance in the words of Benjamin B. Brandenburg and mild humbleness in words of the young Arab lady, Mona Akil El-Kouedi, from Egypt. I would remind Miss El-Kouedi that one pretending to be asleep can never be awakened. To Mr. Brandenburg, l would say I believe that you are well informed of the reality on the ground and behind the scenes but you are just desperately trying to defend an unjust cause as a blind patriot would always do. 

Mr. Brandenburg, we know that half a million Iraqi children have been killed by the decade long US-UK advocated UN sanctions and many more others deformed and/or sickened because of depleted uranium. In the words of Madeline Albright, the woman once chosen by the nation to be the mirror through which the world sees the United States, “the price is worth it.” Much of what the sanctions left behind of the country has been brought to unimaginable destruction by the current US occupation just because of a purported lie, not even to help the Iraqis.

 It is very awkward that the US government reasons that it invaded Iraq to rescue Iraqis from “murderous” Saddam who is now on a US-set up trial. Compare now the crimes committed by Saddam with those committed by the US against the Iraqi people. Saddam must look like an angel! The US must bring to justice Arial Sharon who ordered the brutal massacre of thousands of defenseless women, children and elderly Palestinian refugees in Sabra & Shatila in Lebanon. It is awkward again that the US government advocates for democracy and yet it wanted to bomb the Al-Jazeera office. It is also unreasonable for it to insist not to withdraw its troops from Iraq while Iraqis want them out according top US military commander, General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. What is then democracy?

Hassan M. Aden
Arizona, US
Dec 26, 2005

I admire both Bradenburg and El-Kouedi for discussing their ideas on this forum.

Brandenburg never explained why the Middle East would be a better place with democracy. It might seem obvious to an American (or a European), but it is not
obvious to an Arab or Muslim why democracy (real, not pseudo) will improve the lives and economies of Muslim countries. After all, Arabs fear chaos and disorder
more than totalitarianism, so given the choice of a dictator and democracy most will choose stability over freedom.

The discussion needs to move beyond the justifications for the US invasion of Iraq and the toppling of Saddam Hussein.

If the US leaves Iraq and does not maintain military facilities and bases in Iraq, then those who believe the US wanted to occupy Arab countries and control oil reserves will be proved wrong. For the sake of its credibility, the US needs to prove them wrong.

Almost all Arabs say that even if Iraq would be better off as a democracy, the US cannot "make" into one. Iraq can only become a democracy if its people want that.

Some say Arabs are incapable of and not ready for democracy.  Some say democracy is foreign to and incompatible with Islam. I hope that future discussion touches on these issues.

After reading this debate I would like to say that it was very typical of a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant male who is a Republican supporter of the Bush regime to respond as such. As an African-American who reverted to Islam in 1989, I share an insight that is very unique. I am a college graduate and my family has been in America since slavery. I, and people like me, understand the thought process of Ben. People like Ben only see things unilaterally. My people have dealt with many "Bens."  In his mind America will not make mistakes, and if she does, everybody should get over it.

Ben is in denial about the real intentions of the United States. He feels that the Bush administration's view of democracy is the only form acceptable and it is their responsibility to spread that view. However, what Ben refuses to believe is that you cannot spread democracy at gunpoint. America is in the Middle East to control the natural resources and, as Bush states, to secure the American way of life (whatever that means… go figure). 

I really enjoyed Mona's responses to Ben. Mona held her ground. I liked the way she maintained the focus of the debate. It was really nice. 

Here at home, we see the real face of the Bush administration's democracy. Mona, ask Ben what happened in New Orleans during Katrina! Is this democracy at work? Ask him why the United States does not provide universal health care for its citizens! Is this compassionate democracy? Or why did his president and his Republican robots cut taxes for the wealthiest amongst us? Is this the democracy that we want to export? 

Mona, you are on the right track. Keep up the good work. I want you to know that millions do not agree with Ben and his rhetoric. 

Bilal

Dec 27, 2005

Frankly speaking, I read self-importance in the words of Benjamin B. Brandenburg and mild humbleness in words of the young Arab lady, Mona Akil El-Kouedi, from Egypt. I would remind Miss El-Kouedi that one pretending to be asleep can never be awakened. To Mr. Brandenburg, l would say I believe that you are well informed of the reality on the ground and behind the scenes but you are just desperately trying to defend an unjust cause as a blind patriot would always do.

Compare now the crimes committed by Saddam with those committed by the US against the Iraqi people.

Mr. Brandenburg, we know that half a million Iraqi children have been killed by the decade long US-UK advocated UN sanctions and many more others deformed and/or sickened because of depleted uranium. In the words of Madeline Albright, the woman once chosen by the nation to be the mirror through which the world sees the United States, “the price is worth it.” Much of what the sanctions left behind of the country has been brought to unimaginable destruction by the current US occupation just because of a purported lie, not even to help the Iraqis.

It is very awkward that the US government reasons that it invaded Iraq to rescue Iraqis from “murderous” Saddam who is now on a US-set up trial. Compare now the crimes committed by Saddam with those committed by the US against the Iraqi people. Saddam must look like an angel! The US must bring to justice Arial Sharon who ordered the brutal massacre of thousands of defenseless women, children and elderly Palestinian refugees in Sabra & Shatila in Lebanon. It is awkward again that the US government advocates for democracy and yet it wanted to bomb the Al-Jazeera office. It is also unreasonable for it to insist not to withdraw its troops from Iraq while Iraqis want them out according top US military commander, General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. What is then democracy?

Hassan M. Aden

Arizona, US

Dec 26, 2005

---

Arabs fear chaos and disorder more than totalitarianism.

I admire both Bradenburg and El-Kouedi for discussing their ideas on this forum.

Brandenburg never explained why the Middle East would be a better place with democracy. It might seem obvious to an American (or a European), but it is not obvious to an Arab or Muslim why democracy (real, not pseudo) will improve the lives and economies of Muslim countries. After all, Arabs fear chaos and disorder more than totalitarianism, so given the choice of a dictator and democracy most will choose stability over freedom.

The discussion needs to move beyond the justifications for the US invasion of Iraq and the toppling of Saddam Hussein.

If the US leaves Iraq and does not maintain military facilities and bases in Iraq, then those who believe the US wanted to occupy Arab countries and control oil reserves will be proved wrong. For the sake of its credibility, the US needs to prove them wrong.

Almost all Arabs say that even if Iraq would be better off as a democracy, the US cannot "make" into one. Iraq can only become a democracy if its people want that.

Some say Arabs are incapable of and not ready for democracy.  Some say democracy is foreign to and incompatible with Islam. I hope that future discussion touches on these issues.

Anonymous

Dec 2, 2005

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