My life in Syria

My journey to a new land, a new people, and a new me.

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Ethics, Politics & Heretics

I just emailed my Mother, who I am not picking on by posting this, and summed up my experience of being a human being. The email was in response to our discourse on the election in which we were bitterly divided. Growing up my mother and father, to my knowledge, were always "middle-of-the-road" or as we say these days Independents. Recently for my mother she has gone to the Republican side of the track, and just a matter of months ago I felt this election was so important that I registered as a Democrat. I will go back to the middle again now that I realize that is where the problem lies - a choice between the lesser of two evils. I want true Democracy and that would take EVERYONE caring about what goes on in the US. I don't even want to guess how long that will take for the world. After I wrote this email I realized I needed to post this piece because it really did explain who I am. Here it is...

"I thought we decided not to talk politics. With that said this has nothing to do with belonging to the world politically - it should but it doesn't. The fact of the arguement is that we have tied the rest of the world to us economically. We can't just tuck tail and run. We have developed, willingly or unwillingly, a good number of the economies of the modern world and we need to be accountable for our help or interference.

The economy is a global unit whether you are an isolationist or a communist. The economy changes when things happen in China, the Middle East, or anywhere else that has production and consumption. I have never been "pro" terrorism or "anti" America. I am always for equality, and right now America is in a position where we are the leading economy, millitary, and political force. I think the EU is dependent on England's support because of the power of the Pound, and Great Brittain is in cahoots with the US because of trade. Choices are being made to balance the economy of the largest producers and consumers when the economies of the little guys have been ramshackled by the powers playing favorites or trade games. The economics of the world is indicative of the ideology of the lucky.

I was lucky to be born where I was, to who my parents were, into the country I am from. Some where more lucky, but in the scope of the world most are unlucky. I can't say that I think we should distribute the wealth because I agree with most of Ayn Rand's writings. I am just saying that I do and say what I think is just. I share what I have. I help other people when I can. I care about humanity because I am human. You raised me to be logical and caring and that is how I approach the world. I think we should take care of each other because we can, not because I think it is entitled or owed. The world isn't owed anything by the US, but as a whole we have taken plenty from the world. We must take the good with the bad. I know Bush is in office for four years and he will do what he will do. It's not what I would do. I have my ethics. I see morality as what I would want others to do for me, or to me. I can live life by the golden rule and if I was impoverished I would want someone to be fair to me, help me learn to live better, and support my growth. In many places we have taken advantage of people and places out of pure economic gain. I can't judge but I know I would never do it. It's a personal choice in ethics. I can bad mouth the president as much as I want because I can see the fault in his personal and governmental ethics.

I don't respect pushing religious belief through politcs, and I don't respect hiding alterior motives. Agree or not agree I believe these to be true. I believed them before 9/11, before Michael Moore, before "liberal media", and before coming to Syria. I just have no respect for the President of the United States. As an American I can be that way. I respect our soldiers and every day I hope they come home. I met an Iraqi that told me about all of the Iraqi people that are getting kidnapped for money. The "liberal media" mentions nothing of these kidnappings. I guess these aren't the "terrorists" that are kidnapping the other people.

It's about money not politics. This whole thing has stunk since the government took the opportunity after 9/11 to keep the US scared. I was never scared of attacks, I was sad for the Arab world cause I knew what was coming unto them as people blindly grew racist and wanted to "go kill those ragheads." It has nothing to do with this war, and everything to do with intollerance and economic gain. I will never see it differently and only time will tell if I am right or wrong. Hundreds of years from now these times might prove to be "just" but my personal ethics will never see them in this way."


Thank you to my mother and father for doing the best they knew how, a wonderful job I think, at raising me. Thank you to my brother for being my best friend from birth. Thank you to the rest of my family for being involved enough to know my life and care. Thank you to all my friends for the lessons, the experiences and the love. Thank you to all of my girlfriends for having patience, trying to show me love, and allowing me to try and love you the best I could. Thank you to all of the people I have met or barely known for the conversations, small moments in time, and shared silences. I love you all. Peace to the world.

Saturday, November 06, 2004

Stay the Course!

I think I will take Bush's decision and stay the course...four more years in Syria that is. If only American's realized how much everyone outside of the US hates Bush. It was even more evident after the election as I was watching everyone ask him what he will do with the supreme court openings (ignored that question), how he will make friends with the Democrats ("he has a plan" - to let Haliburton rebuild the ties between both parties for a small fee). Every interview on Euronews, BBCWorld, BBCPrime and Deutchesworld were just going on about how Bush now has a free ticket. The funniest thing about this election was that Al-Jazeera of all stations had the best coverage. The arab world has the most to lose from this. His three million religious right showed up to vote, but the near 150 million other people that could have voted didn't. HMMM - gotta love the disenfranchised voter. Now because the lowest majority didn't vote, the minority of the right once again is in power. I must say now America DESERVES all that everyone says about it's politics and practices. The last four years were stolen, the next four are on the conscience of the US populace. Hope all goes well...

I'm done talking politics for four years...I couldn't vote.

Life in Aleppo is going on. Chris and I play Football(Soccer) once a week, and Volleyball(Volleyball) on Thursdays. In between we still have two Arabic lessons. I am becoming quite a good speller. My new challenges are to have my lessons planned through Christmas(adjustable of course), visit Crac and Palmyra before Christmas, get my damn visa before Christmas, and figure out where I want to go FOR Christmas!

Nothing else is new. I played jammed on guitars with my friend Hratch last night until about two in the morning, and am searching for nich-nacks for Christmas, Birthday, and wedding gifts. Please make your suggestions cause I can find it all. St. Marks needs an Argeillay (SP?). Basically a giant hooka that is filled with apple flavored tobacco and puffed. Nice mellow buzz. I am looking for gifts for my friends tastes. Textiles for my sewers and knitters. Coffee paraphanalia for my coffee drinkers. I know all of the secrects of making Turkish/Arabic coffee. I have been complemented on my abilities by the locals. I learn quick.

Another interesting thing about being here now, besides the election, is that the Arafat is about to kick the bucket. What a time to be in the Middle East!

Hope everyone is well. I will soon go in for another Hammam and will let everyone know how wonderful it is...again!

Love and miss everyone. XOXOXOX