Letters to the Editor [Archives:2002/35/Letters to the Editor]
Arabs vs. American Indians:
Will history repeat itself?
I was very much impressed by your editorial, “Iraq is number two, who will follow?” You described the vulnerability of Arab nations in the area with great insight.
Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from the unfortunate history of the American Indians, and their unsuccessful struggle against the European invasion and genocide in America. The various tribes that had inhabited the North American continent were each proud of their diverse culture but they were not able to unite and combine their strengths to resist the aggression of foreigners. In fact, some of the tribes were guilty of assisting the Europeans in their cruel massacre of other indigenous people. Today, these same tribes have suffered the fate of all Native American Indians and have been relegated to the status of second class citizens, confined to reservations which are ripe with poverty and disease.
If we can learn anything from history it is that there is strength in unity. Not only must Arab nations unite to form a solid group, but the tribes in Yemen must first stop their fighting among themselves and recognize that they all face a common enemy – and, yes, a common destiny.
It seems inevitable that America will invade Iraq or otherwise attempt to influence the politics of this nation. This will only be the start of a significant cultural invasion that will attempt to divide Arabs into tribes, to seek negotiations with “helpful” groups, and to ultimately dominate the culture of Islam with Christian and Western culture.
To fight this, Arabs must unite and patrol their own culture. Extreme groups that act in ways which stimulate outside intervention must be brought under control, while vital resources such as oil and strategic geographic locations along important trade routes must remain uniquely under Arab control. It is a mistake to make deals with a culture bent on displacing and overpowering you. The benefits from promised financial aid are no better than the blankets and beads that were given to American Indian tribes for their cooperation in their own genocide.
Gary Vey
[email protected]
It is our right to defend our country
I am an over aged American, retired, politically independent, non-military, and since the coming of the internet, curious about the world around me.
I read approximately eight “overseas” newspapers a day and have become “reasonably” informed about what ails a nation and its people.
What puzzles me greatly is the Middle Eastern opinion that America wants to reshape the whole of the region into “our image”. My simple question is WHY? Oil is somewhat important but what else is there that would want America to spend billions of dollars, waste the lives of our own military personnel, and place our economy in jeopardy. What does America gain?
As I currently see it, America is concerned about additional acts of terrorism emanating out of the Middle East against us! What is wrong with our desire to prevent it from happening – again. It’s really only common sense and a responsibility of our government to do whatever is necessary. It’s in our constitution – “provide for the common defense of its citizens”.
And these attacks against us are not a result of our attacking nations that have not caused us harm. It appears to me to be a “perceived” injustice America has put upon by the Middle East. Take away the Israel situation and what have we done other than Iraq in the early 1990’s. And why should America be condemned for having a close relationship with Israel – we share a common form of government -democracy, Jewish people make up a sizeable portion of our population and have helped America to grow like other migrants from Europe and Asia. The Middle East is condemning us because of our historical past. Israel is your problem – quit using the USA as the evil enemy to stir up violence among your own people
Allyn Cee
[email protected]
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