PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

A third way
by Amir Flesher Sunday, Mar. 23, 2003 at 8:46 PM
amirflesher@hotmail.com (email address validated)

There is a third opinion about the war on Iraq. It is possible to be skeptical, mistrusting of Bush and his cohorts, but also to understand that overthrowing Saddam is a good thing. It's called nuance.

The following is from my friend Sam Stern. It is his thoughts about the war. Sam is studying Thai massage in Thailand, and writes his perspective from there.

"I think our motives for this war are probably shit, but there's no denying that Saddam Hussein has impoverished his country and his people to a remarkable degree. I would indeed like to see a responsible new parliament of Iraqi leadership set up.

It's amazing how much they hate us. Did you hear one of their diplomats let loose a crack about the "American-Zionist oil cartel". The Arab world fucking hates the Jews . . . and they hate Americans too. Did you see the footage of some protestors burning the American , Israeli, and British flags? I was seized by some ugly feelings, really racist and hateful towards Arabs. I do believe that the Muslim world is ruled by hate. There seems to be a blackness of heart. How do things like that happen, I wonder. Hate is passed down, it is strengthened by ideology. The human race still has so far to go in terms of evolving into a loving people, where we listen to the real, true, and loving voice inside of us, instead of following the illusory paths that seem to offer instantaneous benefits, such as vengeance and hate."

Ah yes, thank you Sam. This little piece of writing really sums up the way I feel about this war with Iraq, and the way a lot of people I know feel. Bush's motives are probably rotten to the core, and I don't trust the man at all, but on the other hand its probably a good idea to get rid of Saddam Hussein's regime. Things can be complicated, paradoxical, nuanced like that. (A note to all you idealogues out there.)

I also can't emphasize enough the importance of Sam's comments about the level of hate, and idealogy, and the mix of the two that has siezed the Arab, and Muslim worlds. Really, it's blind hate. I think that many of you on the far left don't take this into account, either ignore it, or in some examples, buy into it. You make yourselves look foolish, and in some instances hateful when you do this. I've seen much blackness in the idealogical leftist heart. Hate is not good, even if directed towards others who are perpetuating hate. You will never form a peace movment as long as it is blackened by hate. Hate of Israel, hate of America, hate of corporations, with a paradoxical uncritical support of other hateful elements, such as the Palestinian leadership.

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