an exchange of emails with my only Arab friend
Amer is half Palestinian, half Greek
he was raised in Riyahd and Washington DC
he is a computer internet designer sharpie
we met in Clearwater Florida in spring 2000
he was attempting to establish an internet storefront
he once lived years back in Abu Dhabi
he loved to chase and catch Irish stewardesses
he now works in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
he says his office overlooks the Persian Gulf
a very fun guy, warm hearted, nice friend
he tells me he is Greek Orthodox in religious beliefs
first is his reply, then my note to him that preceded his
/ jim
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No Americans have been killed anywhere in UAE much less Abu Dhabi. I was in Abu Dhabi last week....slept over at my uncle's house. I think you are referring to the little blast in the streets of Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Look some people just don't know how to handle hazardous material. It's a wonder the entire east coast full of refineries has not been blown up due to mistakes over the years. Sure it might have been an isolated incident. But have you been in DC at night? Make sure you duck!!!
Man I just went downtown to register for the big HOG rally on the 24th. I mean HOG as in Harley's, man! Took a ride today the weekend. Went all over the desert highways and by ways. There are 1200 riders from around the world descending on Dubai for the annual rally. It's gonna be a ball with a real american barbecue after the three days of revelling.
Plenty of Afghani taxi drivers around here. They know better than to screw around. This type of country is heaven for them. They are no fools...
Look, Abu Dhabi would fascinate you. It's a small version of Manahattan in a tropical zone. Well tended streets, palm trees, and any product you could want is available.
Now, you write a mean observation. Mostly you reiterate good solid facts. It's a shame you can't travel and write you would be the best if you added serious passion and elements of reality to your writing. What a journalist you would make. WOW!
As far as Palestine is concerned. Listen carefully. M-16. Stone. Kids shot at, land confiscated, 1200 year old olive trees mowed down by Israeli's from somewhere in Russia or Poland. Oppression, and depression. Poisoned water cells in West bank. No money no jobs, all money and all jobs and all fresh water reserves going to feed people that landed in boats little over 40 years ago from Germany, and Russia and Poland. don't let any other propaganda fill your ears with static. It's simple don't complicate it. Uh uh! Stop there...it's simple don't complicate it. The US congress has got to stop listening to the AIPAC dollars and start doing what is best for American's not foreign spys and traitors. Go no further. What Bush did is something no other president has been able to do. Simply because there was never a precedent. IT"S about time he shut that Sharon up. What a fat slob.... You know his history no need to be redundant. Palestine was a safe lovely land for many years. Land of my father and mother and grand parents before them. I love that place. I love Jericho, I love my great grandmothers garden in Jericho...it's torn down now. I lvoe the streets of Jerusalem where the real falafels are enjoyed by tourists, where the fig is a fig and the sheep are scared. No polish, germans, or Russians to ruin our lives, steal our land and basically put us out like refugees.
Your idea of dollars for Afghan turncoats is a riot. Sure, why not?
Look, I think the Military knows what to do. That is their core competency. Thus Bush knows what he is doing.
As for more terrorist activites. Sure, maybe? but shouldn't we always be vigilant anyway in this new world order? The Germans, Italians, and Palestinians faced it and are attempting to survive it. The Blacks in Soweto survived apartheid. From a human development point of view, this is a test....and a confirmation of our ability to exist and proceed with coexistance. Sure there will be strife and war, but these are growth pains at the end of the day. don't let the media get the better part of you. I am close to the action and life couldn't be better. So why the hell are you guys worried? Answer? Media!!!!!!!! Don't read it and it won't exist.
I hope you do recall I am a Greek Orthodox Christian and have suffered a mild form of discrimination. It's not too blatant in the middle east. and it certainly is no worse than when people look at me in Alabama or Oklahoma. No, it's something I am equipped to handle in this here parts of the world.
Hey by the way, troops are outside your doorstep asking to see your ID. They are the border patrol. That means a hustling and pushing around of your person and your friends or family if they are with you. that also means a humiliating lecture at the tip of an M-16. You fuck! you arab dog!!!! Bam! right in the face goes the butt of the M-16. You yell and scream profanities, three young 20 year old troopers come piling in to cuff you and each take a punch at your groins, head and ribs. Each hit breaking and crushing a bone. They just gave you a new face. Why am I telling you this? It happend to my cousin George. Except he was only 10 at the time walking back from school. He got caught in a rock throwing contest. They cornered him and beat the living daylights out of him in 1985. The troopers had mercy on him only because he was blonde and blue eyed. That's occupation and he is not a terrorits. It's called shear intimidation. That's how they get the populace to leave the land. It's systematic degradation of a people, culture, race.
/ later
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Hi Amer,
well, the screws have been turning
my fear is that the US goes too far over in Afghany
their people have suffered for over 20 yrs
drought, starvation, forced military service, torture, women house arrest, no TV
US forces are now decimating the entire Taliban military
they are eliminating all planes, tanks, artillery, ammo dumps, fuel dumps
we are showing frustration now, after years and years of indifference to terrorism
because it always happened in London, or Beirut, or TelAviv, or Moscow
I am very uncomfortable with killing lowest level Afghan fighters and ANY religious leaders
(I still cringe at how US planes killed Qaddafi's little boy, purely innocent)
but totally comfortable with focusing our attacks on their military leaders
I would prefer to see how many of their fighters defect for a $20 bill
and how many of their commanders defect for a $1000 bill
then deal with what remains as a fighting force
it is so so so mismatched, that the US risks enraging the Islamic world
soon the US will have many more infantry in Afghan than is wise
and all hell will break loose after a US army guy is captured
they will likely slit his throat or behead him on film, then share it to Al Jaaerza TV
the evidence is rather pervasive that Al Qaeda is behind the World Trade Center attack
they are so loosely knit, so shadowy in operations, that never can that be proved
my guess is that Zawahiri (Cairo Surgeon) planned it
I was happy to see the 25 Most Wanted Terrorists pictured for all to recognize on US TV
some might still be running around our free country here
we have some major challenges
200 are being held in custody, with almost no evidence to convict for anything
making a phone call to Al Qaeda people is NOT a crime
I am curious if we will release them all
we are a nation of laws, but we dont invoke martial law, or not yet
this is so so dangerous
personally, I would like to have 8-10 of those in custody disappear
that is what would happen during war, as in WW2
we have clearly been pressuring Israel to shut the hell up recently
PM Sharon has been showing his frustration, and Bush put him down loudly
no way in hell did Isreal have anything to do with the NYC attack, no way
I know you were making a logical point, well made to be sure
but as I said, logic dont rule in Arab and Moslem world
correct me if I am wrong, but emotions are as visceral as with Italians and Irish
my expectation is that Saddam will soon enter our crosshairs
the sumbitch is soon to unleash chemicals and biologicals, for sure
but the biggest surprise to me so far is how Syria is being dealt with
they are gaining respect in the United Nations in recent activities
Hassad the Father had steadily encouraged terrorists to live and train in Syria
Hassad the Younger seems like not so violent, trying to turn a new cleaner page
what do you know about him?
I will never say "I dont trust him, because he is an Arab"
that is not my style or within my character
I personally wish the Arab wealthy nations would help Palestine as much as the US helps Israel
the gross imbalance for 50 years has amplified the conflict
you are half Palestinian
could you educate me as to how Arab nations have helped, and are helping Palestinians now?
I would greatly appreciate it
from what I have learned, many Arabs look at Palestinians like English look at Irish
not good
help me to understand, Captain
at the firm here several Moslems
a guy is a Pakistani who is concerned that his country will be torn apart
I expect eventually a civil war in Pakistan
and possibly assassination of Mushareef
a woman in my group is Turkish, and is pissed that BinLaden gives Islam a bad name
she thinks Moslems dont speak up enough to criticize the violent extremists
killing for Allah is pure nonsense, she says
I was surprised to read that in the US we have 5 million Moslems, most are not black
too bad Mohammed Ali (boxer hero) is not in better health to speak up
drop me a line to help me understand about Arab-Palestinian relations and cooperation
thanks for the update on Scotland cells and the Bin's running around
(a joke about Bin Drinkin, Bin Sleepin, searching for Bin Workin)
had another laugh last night as TV showed website with BinLaden and Bert (from Sesame Street) pictured together
I expect two of the following in the US to get hit soon:::
bridge, tunnel, electrical grid, sports stadium, train station, airport, oil refinery, chemical plant
forget water supply and air supply -- not enough potential for killing
our country is too open and unprotected
all the upcoming protective measures will help some, not much
but also will cost like a widespread tax, adding to the price of all things
got a college friend who works in Re-Insurance business
his firm is out $1 billion, said his industry CANNOT survive another similar WTC attack
said several insurance companies will go bankrupt soon
do you think Al Qaeda wants major US cities to resemble Beirut?
I do
it is scary
we do so much for poor nations, but we dont try to understand Arabs or Moslems
do you worship Islam?
or just Vaginas?
glad to hear you are well, and Dubai is peaceful
an occasional shooting of an American on the street should keep things calm
I think that happened in AbuDabi yesterday
not so surprising, since about 10 American Middle East/ West Asians have been killed
oy, rsvp, Jim |
