Thought Provoking...

The article below is about a group involved with Al-Qaeda is planning an attack on Israelis / Jerusalem. The group is planning revenge on the Israeli Army because they killed two Gaza fighters that were leaders of the Army of Islam, which is a Palestinian group with Al-Qaeda influence, that was reportedly planning an attack on the Israelis. In the article, it says that representatives from Al-Qaeda are warning Israelis for a strong attack, and that they will keep attacking them until they leave "the land of Palestine". This is connected to our learning in class because its the same conflict between the two countries, just a different time. The Israelis will not leave 'their' land, and the Palestinians refuse to stop short of anything less than getting their land back. This is meaningful because it shows how the Israelis are not giving up, and seem to not be giving up any time soon. Both groups are fighting for the same land, and neither are willing to settle for half. I don't exactly know how I feel about this, it's not something that I can really put my finger on. These two groups obviously have grudges for each other that are so deeply interwoven that they can't be settled with just a handshake or a treaty. It's going to be long and painful for them to delve into the creation of peace between them, but it needs to happen.

http://aljazeera.com/news/articles/34/Al-Qaeda-Linked-Group-Threatens-Revenge-on-I.html

Tonkin vs. Iraq

The occurrence in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam can be compared to the United States' invasion into Iraq in 2003. The US had two ships anchored in the Tonkin harbor, one for keeping radar, and one for attacks. The Vietnamese were obviously bothered with the fact that the US was stationed there, and attacked the radar boat, very cleverly, so they didn't appear on the radar track. With Iraq, the United States and other forces from the United Nations invaded Iraq in March of 2003; the supposed reason was for the freedom of Iraqis from Saddam Hussein, the dictator-like leader of Iraq, and to offer protection from the weapons of mass destruction that they had. Like the Vietnamese war, it has lasted many years, entering its tenth. The Taliban are as well bothered with the fact that the US is stationed there, and will continue rioting and rebelling, until we all somehow come to a mutual consensus.

Roosevelt's and Obamas Common Values, September 24, 2010

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26379521/

It may be an old article, but I believe that it still has some life in it.

Obama and Roosevelt both share a few common values with one another. Roosevelt played a big part in the military. Although President Obama did not serve in the army, Roosevelt and Obama both share a common value of justice for one's country, instead of revenge. They favor(ed) fair fighting, and justice for their country. They also have a lot of confidence between the the two. Roosevelt was known to say that he "...would like to knock their heads together" to the people that disagreed with him while he was in office. As for Obama, he has a strong sense of confidence as well, e.g. going through with the health reform while all others were shaking their heads in discontent. They are / were both responsible, loyal, and dutiful presidents of the United States of America.

How do Americans think of "others"? How do "others" think of Americans?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11277526

This article is about the attempted planing of 'Burn a Koran Day'. A huge problem that America has and has had in the past is racism. Racism plays a huge part in the article above. The original plan of this Florida pastor was to burn Korans on September 11th. Americans are 'freaking out' about the plans to build a Mosque near the 9/11 grounds. If this country is free for people to express their religion, why are they intruding on others personal beliefs, holding rallies, and killing people who protest?

This is a comment from one of the websites I visited today:

“The notion that Obama is a Muslim is absurd. All right-thinking Christians (who are, of necessity, also Republicans) know that Obama is in fact a space alien from the planet Tharg. This fact will be proven when he makes a guest appearance during the 2011 season of BBC TV's Doctor Who. For goodness sake, let's get our facts right!”

Why should it matter what race the President of the United States is if all races are equal? If all people are free to practice their own religion? Not only is this racist, but it is also very stereotypical, especially when people imply the fact that President Obama is Muslim so he must be planning to bomb or destroy this nation.