Where I Stand: Journal 7/20/06

Posted by Ms. Babble

July 20, 2006

I have never claimed to be a political person. But I think there’s a time in everyone’s life when you have to choose. You can either start paying attention and try to understand issues, or ignore them. I’ve been trying my best since I’ve been in Iraq to understand what’s really going on over here. Not just in this country, but in the Middle East. A daunting task, don’t you think? But it’s amazing how much interest a person starts to have in something when they are somehow involved.

I am involved because I am here. But I think it’s important that I continue feeling involved even when I go back to U.S. Whether we want to believe it or not, the United States is intimately ties to so many things in the Middle East. I’m not just talking oil. I’m talking religiously and personally. I’m talking as a world power… as THE world power. As leaders, we really do have a moral obligation. You don’t wanna believe that? Then step down from your throne. You don’t think we’re the world’s leader? Then take a peak at our cultural influence on all these countries. See how much we really do impact other people..other governments…other philosophies. This is by no means a proclimation at how magnificent America is. It’s just stating facts.

As world leaders, we need to be responsible enough to pay attention. You, me, and every other U.S. citizen.

I wouldn’t even be suprised if a majority of my peers didn’t even know where Lebanon is. I’ll admit it myself. Before I came to Iraq, I had no idea. But as it turns out… it’s only 500 KM to the west of me. How about Israel? Anyone know what they’re about? Anyone know why they’re fighting?

Do me a favor. Just for tonight, put down your beer and hold off on ordering your pizza to take a few minutes to understand. I’ll even help you out.

Go here: http://www.sandmonkey.org/
Or here: http://ontheface.blogware.com/
Or here: http://olehgirl.blogspot.com/

You don’t have to be bothered with media B.S. Just read about real people. Real ideas. Real feelings. This is what it’s about. There’s even pictures thrown in the mix! (So your overly stimulated visual senses won’t feel left out.)

I stand in the corner of curiosity…of education. I’m not asking that anyone pick this side or that. Just please, be observant. We may be suprised at how quickly things will blow up in our faces.

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