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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: frankw1900 who wrote (30733)	5/25/2002 2:25:19 PM
From: captain_midnite	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Ajami notes a profound alienation between governments and citizens in most muslim countries. I think this comes from the lack of participation most citizens have in either the economic or social realms, the kleptocratic nature of some governments and the repressive nature of some regimes. Yes, and this forms the basis for much of the "hate" felt for the US, but the "non-hate" felt for US citizens. That alienation or lack of identity with one's "government" is the key for citizens of those nations to hate our government but at the same time accept or even appreciate Americans. A conundrum? Nope. So many times I have seen the interview: How do feel about the USA? Yusef "six-pack" Muslim replies, "Hate the USA!". Ok, how about Americans? Yusef, "Nice folks, big spenders, we like Americans!" It's not a conflict in their eyes to hate a government, but "non-hate" the people from that same country. Especially when one cannot possibly imagine oneself as part of your government as seems the case for much(all?) of the ME. Very easy to understand why they look at things this way, even if on the surface it appears illogical. Change the thinking. Easy answer, tougher implementation. Took a few decades with the ole Soviet Block. Get comfortable, my bunker has cable! midnite...on the lookout for scuba terrorists.