Every American needs to watch this - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rickg · #1 03-27-2003, 12:41 PM

I watched a program last night that really opened my eyes. Ever wondered what the heck really is the problem with our Arab/Muslim neighbors? Watch this:
http://dsc.discovery.com/anthology/spotlight/911/spotlightnow.html
This reporter goes over there and does a series of interviews. Asks a good cross section of Arab people what they see as the difficulties between the Arab people and the U.S. I won't say anymore about it. You just need to watch it.

pshibly · #2 03-27-2003, 02:02 PM

and i can go around and selectively choose American people to interview and ask them what they think of Muslims overseas. And the result will be just the same. Theres ignorant people everywhere in this world, and to choose them out of the crowd to represent what the whole population thinks, is horribly wrong.

rickg · #3 03-27-2003, 02:51 PM

Again, you need to watch the program. It's not quite as simple as I have presented it here, but I won't try to fully explain it. It's a credible program in my opinion, interviewing people over there from a broad cross section. He's also been on their television debate programs and talks about that experience.
I'm not defending anybodies view point here. I don't care who is right or wrong, blah, blah. It's just helped me to see why 9/11 happened at a deeper level than the usual stuff you see and hear on the news.

pshibly · #4 03-27-2003, 03:11 PM

true... i dont have time to watch it, but it sounds interesting

leathermang · #5 03-27-2003, 03:19 PM

Nothing will surprise me.... have you seen the Tonight Show.. with Jay doing his 'Jaywalking interviews' ?
Half the poeple have an IQ of less than 100 ( by definition ) , then mix in a lack of opportunity to hear/ read accurate news and opinions from around the world, and add religion ( ANY )....
I don't get cable though... and it looks like this is on the Discovery Channel...

glenmore · #6 03-27-2003, 04:00 PM

http://www.clevescene.com/webextra/2003-02-05/derf.html

DieselHead · #7 03-27-2003, 05:00 PM

I saw the Tom Friedman special last night. Very good, very fair piece. Just because he writes for the NY Times DOES NOT mean that he's ultra liberal. I know there are a few who would refuse to give it a chance just because the guy writes for the Times. I recommend to anyone that if they can see it, the should. Very interesting, very thought provoking. Please don't criticize it before you see it. Its point is very fair, tempered and reasonable.

Glenmore,
Unfortunetely, that picture represents an accurate American perception for some, whether consciously or subconsciously.

pshibly/Greg,
Many of the people Friedman talks to (most actually) admire and respect the US. He chooses well educated and prominent figures to talk with. Nothing like the Moore documentary, nothing like Jay Walking. No fundamentalists, no uneducated extremists.

Alex

leathermang · #8 03-27-2003, 05:28 PM

I wanted to See the Tom Friedman show... and may have... was it on PBS and Hosted by Matt Damon ? Kept talking about " evironmental pressures " ? When they actually meant "over population " ?..... a bunch of PC stuff... they needed to address Customs, Religious zealots, and men who want to control women's ability to control their own bodies ( and number and timing of their children ).
I doubt that was the Friedman special... maybe they will play it again... was it on cable ?

ok,,, it will be replayed April 1... not an april fool's joke... I have a friend who tapes THe History Channel for my father often... will ask him to tape this for us...

DieselHead · #9 03-27-2003, 05:37 PM

Greg,
I think you may be thinking of something else on PBS. Thomas Friedman writes the "Threats and Responses" Op-Ed column for the NY Times. He's a journalist by background and specializes in Middle East relations and Globalism. I hope they replay that Discovery Channel special many times. It makes no statements, it doesn't paint either the US or the Muslim world as being bad, and it is very neutral and non-polarizing. It arms the viewer with the proper information and allows them to think for themselves in an educated way. Read his column too, if you can.

Alex

rickg · #10 03-27-2003, 05:49 PM

Thanks Alex. I was hoping someone else saw it. I just sat there amazed at what I heard on the program.

DieselHead · #11 03-27-2003, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Asks a good cross section of Arab people what they have against the U.S

Rick,
Maybe you want to edit this a bit. I wouldn't necessarily say that they are talking "against" the US. This might deter people from seeing it.

rickg · #12 03-27-2003, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DieselHead
Rick,
Maybe you want to edit this a bit. I wouldn't necessarily say that they are talking "against" the US. This might deter people from seeing it.

Good point. I'll do it. Thanks!

leathermang · #13 03-27-2003, 06:57 PM

Alex, I do think I did not see his show (have to read that sentence twice LOL ).... will try to access Discovery Channel when it comes on again..

However, I have enjoyed Tom on the Mc - News Hour for years...

However, I saw him on a special Oprah show in the last few weeks... probably promoting this show you are talking about...

and was non-plussed by what he said... it seemed like he was just kibbitzing .... saying basically the situation was much more complicated than a military action would solve... which is sorta a no brainer... since the military action was just because we did not have Saddam's attention on the disarmament.... the cure will have to be after the military action with regards to the larger picture...

Anyway, will try to catch the show....

DieselHead · #14 03-27-2003, 10:08 PM

Friedman made this special a while ago, before all of this Iraq business. What makes his program so great is that he addresses the broader themes of what has been going on, obviously without addressing Iraq. He doesn't nitpick on any one or two topics, his comments about the US, the West, Islam and the Muslim community apply to everything we have experienced. Good luck trying to catch it.

Alex

longston · #15 03-28-2003, 12:43 AM

Thanks for the link. The Discovery Channel material shows a common thread linking 9/11 to the present conflict.

We must look at every source of information in an unbiased and reasonable manner. Knowledge is power, and understanding foments tolerance. Knowing why someone is acting in a particular manner, or what it is that motivates their actions is critical to knowing your enemies and your friends.

The struggle we are engaged in is centuries old, and has it's roots in teachings that parallel one another. That is what makes this such a senseless conflict between religions that hold a common basis for their beliefs. We need to understand that Islam is not the enemy, just as Islamic people need to understand that we are not the great Satan, or a people bent upon the destruction of their beliefs or culture.

America was forged out of turmoil and war and became the template for global freedom and democracy. Along with that came a basic value for the same human rights that we are now trying to win for the Iraqi people.