Posted by Alexander from 92.52.26.24.cfl.rr.com (24.26.52.92) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 at 11:31PM :
In Reply to: Re: And a proof to boot... posted by Jeff from d53-251-230.try.wideopenwest.com (64.53.230.251) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 at 11:09PM :
It is true. They charactarise Iraq as Saddam Hussein. To be honest with you, when I deal with anything pertaining to Iraq, whether in the north or south or urban areas, the government never even crosses my mind. Sometimes I disassociate Iraq the counrty from Iraq the government. This happens because Iraq is not how people describe it here. Here, if you mention Iraq, it is Saddam they think of.
When I hear the word Iraq, I normally think a number of different things, from Assyrians and green rolling hills to the north, and the watered south. Then come other thoughts like urban sceneries and vast steppe lands. I think of the inhabitants when I hear Iraq. It is a shame indeed that Iraq is demonised in this way.
As far as Afghanistan is concerned, I have seen some beautiful scenery from there, although I have not been there. The Kuchi tribe there numbers roughly two million. They had nothing to do with the war on Afghanistan or the US or Taliban, or Al-Quaeda for that matter. What I think of Afghanistan when it is mentioned, I think of tall brown majestic mountains, the vast expanse of uninhabited land, the shrubbery by the river near some houses where there is a beautiful mountain range. I think of the green grass at the stadium in Kabul on top of which stand some Afghan military soldiers and bands, before a sport is to commence, I think of the people walking up and down the isles in the staidum. I remember the scenic videos of the passes going into Nuristani territory in Northwest Pakistan. The tall green mountains are just overwhelming. Yet, Americans only know:
CNN breaking News- News you can count on...Aghan warlords have taken over...Taliban this, Taliban that, and nothing at all is mentioned about the real Afghanistan, the peaceful, soft Afghanistan, Kandahar and Kabul, both beautiful places.
When some Western journalist does some "documentary" on Afghanistan, it shows only the poor side of things- of refugees caught between wars, of battle scenes between factions, of dirty suburban areas riddled with bullet holes. Why not show some segments of scenery, the ony scenery Americans ever see is the bombing of the mountains. Let them see something, they might even think it is beautiful, and start to think that Afghanistan is not about Osama bin Laden or Taliban.
Anyway, what is to be done? We cannot open their eyes, they must open them for themselves.
Shlame
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