The Barbarians Within The Gates!
Feroz R Khan April 1, 2005
#140 Posted by SR on April 3, 2005 2:43:22 pm
Religions evolve and adapt to local conditions. The case of Islam in the SouthAsian context is no different. The populations of South Asia (Pakistan included) are generally spiritual / religiously inclined. So the face of populist Islam that we used to see could easily live in harmony with the local conditions. This populist Islam is the regular garden variety faith that most average people had (and still have) until the highly virulent strain was imported from the deserts of Najjad. This toxic variety, Wahabbism, the Calvinism of Islam, is the real problem.
This is akin to an environmental pollution problem. The native species of Islam is being elbowed out by a ferocious foreign species/
Pakistanis need to support their local quawaali group at the neighborhood ``dargah`` and shun the virulent, harsh, angry wahibbism -- which unfortunately has been taking over like the African bees are taking over the more docile bees in North America. The people still need the honey, but they can do without the painful sting.
...SR
This is akin to an environmental pollution problem. The native species of Islam is being elbowed out by a ferocious foreign species/
Pakistanis need to support their local quawaali group at the neighborhood ``dargah`` and shun the virulent, harsh, angry wahibbism -- which unfortunately has been taking over like the African bees are taking over the more docile bees in North America. The people still need the honey, but they can do without the painful sting.
...SR
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#139 Posted by tahmed32 on April 3, 2005 2:34:40 pm
echoboom: i read your quote from the ``scholar`` who wrote:
``But what about the millions of civilians who died from hunger and disease as a result of US-instigated mass starvation of Germans during 1945-1950, under the Morgenthan Plan?``
...
(The author is research Scholar of Kashmir University)``
If you were not quoting seriously, I would swear you actually had a sense of humor. Ever hear of the Marshall Plan? or of the Berlin Airlift? Are you really this ignorant of history? seriously.
``But what about the millions of civilians who died from hunger and disease as a result of US-instigated mass starvation of Germans during 1945-1950, under the Morgenthan Plan?``
...
(The author is research Scholar of Kashmir University)``
If you were not quoting seriously, I would swear you actually had a sense of humor. Ever hear of the Marshall Plan? or of the Berlin Airlift? Are you really this ignorant of history? seriously.
#138 Posted by malikjahanzeb on April 3, 2005 2:34:00 pm
Re: # 136
echoboom, i think the only reason why people over here respond to you is that they want to pull and shake your long noorani beard. otherwise, i don`t see any reason why people would take you seriously.
i think you can make a good columnist for urdu version of nawaye waqt. i have heard that they have a job for a hate filled, anti-other-than-islam, pro-taliban journalist. a thorough proficiency in the islamic buzz words (munafiqat, kafirs, merdood, laanti, fahoosh, dushmanaan-e-islam) will be considerred an added asset. poeple over there will even raise you status to an aalim. so good luck.
echoboom, i think the only reason why people over here respond to you is that they want to pull and shake your long noorani beard. otherwise, i don`t see any reason why people would take you seriously.
i think you can make a good columnist for urdu version of nawaye waqt. i have heard that they have a job for a hate filled, anti-other-than-islam, pro-taliban journalist. a thorough proficiency in the islamic buzz words (munafiqat, kafirs, merdood, laanti, fahoosh, dushmanaan-e-islam) will be considerred an added asset. poeple over there will even raise you status to an aalim. so good luck.
#137 Posted by arjun_m on April 3, 2005 1:47:11 pm
#126 by malik99 on April 3, 2005 11:24am PT
Romair, just curious, when did you move OUT of USA??
He moved out because he was an undocumented immigrant..between that and his wearing a t-shirt with a pakistani flag, he was a prime target for the INS...so he pre=empted them by moving to soviet canuckistan...
but to hear him tell it, you`d think he moved there because of the better weather there....
Romair, just curious, when did you move OUT of USA??
He moved out because he was an undocumented immigrant..between that and his wearing a t-shirt with a pakistani flag, he was a prime target for the INS...so he pre=empted them by moving to soviet canuckistan...
but to hear him tell it, you`d think he moved there because of the better weather there....
#136 Posted by khamkhwa. on April 3, 2005 1:17:28 pm
echoboom...
... so you think ra`ana liaqat ali khan was a prostitute and her sons aren`t muslim till you certify otherwise... if you are the standard bearer of islam on chowk...even urstruly would be squirming in his plush seat in detroit at the wonderful expression of polite expression in #127...and you talk of munafeqat...:(
... so you think ra`ana liaqat ali khan was a prostitute and her sons aren`t muslim till you certify otherwise... if you are the standard bearer of islam on chowk...even urstruly would be squirming in his plush seat in detroit at the wonderful expression of polite expression in #127...and you talk of munafeqat...:(
#135 Posted by echoboom on April 3, 2005 1:16:49 pm
Everybody-/L-//o-//v-//e-//s-/- Hates America
Why hate America?-I
MANZOOR AALAM
In Washington last week, in a locked room of the American Foreign Ministry, a conference was held. Two dozen or so American and non-American experts tried to find out the answer to the question: Why does the world hate America? The experts were worried as to why hatred for America was increasing throughout the world day by day and conditions had deteriorated to such an extent that even America’s own allies had started to censure and criticize it. In their opinion America was the world’s benefactor and has saved it from a frightening destruction many a times. For example.
During the Second World War, America had delivered the world from a tyrant like Hitler. Effectively put a stop to Japan’s war madness. Stood like a wall against the storm of Communism for forty years. Sanctioned loans and gave aid worth tens of billions of dollars to poor countries. In order to bring the nations of the world closer together, pays
one-fourth of the UN’s yearly budget out of its own pocket. Not only that but has provided permanent headquarters to the UN on its own land, which can be visited any time by America’s friends and enemies alike. Made the eternal foes in the Middle East sit on a table across each other. Saved a weak country like Kuwait from its powerful enemy, Iraq. And the same country now it is leading the war in its fight against terrorism.
Inspite of all these attributes it is the target of world hatred and criticism. Not a single meeting, gathering, shanty hotel, way side restaurant, five-star hotel, home or office, conference or seminar is empty of American criticism and condemnation.
If a leaf moves even in the farthest corner of the world, people start chanting slogans of “Death to America”; satisfy their lust for revenge by burning its flat. Why is it so after all? These were the questions bedevilling the experts of the conference held behind closed doors. It is clear that the masterminds must have come up with some solutions, some suggestions and proposals which cannot be made public at present. It is possible that they might have an impact upon the future American foreign policy. But it is not the right of the American people only to find out why American people only to find out why America is hated by the world, we have a right too to find out the causes of this increasing hatred and try to tell the American is reason for the world’s animosity against them.
There may or may not be any other cause for the world’s hatred but it is certain that one major reason was America’s use of the atom bomb on the innocent civilians of Hiroshima and Nagasaki-a crime of horrifying magnitude against humanity itself. America dropped the atom bomb in order to, it said, rid the world of Japan’s “war madness”. So numerous are the crimes America has committed that any same person would find it hard not to hate, (though hate is a mild world here) America.
America is proud that it saved the world form as cruel a dictator as Hitler. But what about the millions of civilians who died from hunger and disease as a result of US-instigated mass starvation of Germans during 1945-1950, under the Morgenthan Plan? America is
proud to have formed the UNO for the benefit of world nations. But even a cursory glance at the UN’s history is enough to reveal that it has always given preference and priority to America interests only. The UN is the major cause and means of America’s supremacy over the world.
America boasts that it made the sworn enemies in the Middle East sit across each other at a negotiating table. But the fact is that it enacted the farce of the Israel-Palestinian negotiations just in order to put the brakes on the increasing opposition and hatred for the Jews to be found in the Middle East, specially in Palestine. Otherwise it has always, overtly and covertly, supported its pet, Israel. The US (at the urging of American Jews and actin through the United Nations at a time when most Arab states were not members created Israel in 1947 against the wishes of the people of the Middle East. America basically stole the land from the Palestinian and gave it to the Jews. Currently it give the Jews three billion dollars per year-for all the police and military hardware-the tanks,
the attack helicopters, the missiles, the grenades they need to hold out that stolen territory and to steal, or “annex” even more. It considers the usurpers, the Jews innocent and harmless, whereas the Mujahideen fighting for the freedom of Palestine are “terrorists”.
What America has done and is going to do in Iraq is hidden from no one. During the 41 day and night bombing in 1991, it killed more than 20,000 civilians. Jews of thousands of Iraqi conscripts were slaughtered on the “Highway of Death” during their attempted retreat form Kuwait in the same year.
(The author is research Scholar of Kashmir University)
continued:Part 2
Why hate America?-I
MANZOOR AALAM
In Washington last week, in a locked room of the American Foreign Ministry, a conference was held. Two dozen or so American and non-American experts tried to find out the answer to the question: Why does the world hate America? The experts were worried as to why hatred for America was increasing throughout the world day by day and conditions had deteriorated to such an extent that even America’s own allies had started to censure and criticize it. In their opinion America was the world’s benefactor and has saved it from a frightening destruction many a times. For example.
During the Second World War, America had delivered the world from a tyrant like Hitler. Effectively put a stop to Japan’s war madness. Stood like a wall against the storm of Communism for forty years. Sanctioned loans and gave aid worth tens of billions of dollars to poor countries. In order to bring the nations of the world closer together, pays
one-fourth of the UN’s yearly budget out of its own pocket. Not only that but has provided permanent headquarters to the UN on its own land, which can be visited any time by America’s friends and enemies alike. Made the eternal foes in the Middle East sit on a table across each other. Saved a weak country like Kuwait from its powerful enemy, Iraq. And the same country now it is leading the war in its fight against terrorism.
Inspite of all these attributes it is the target of world hatred and criticism. Not a single meeting, gathering, shanty hotel, way side restaurant, five-star hotel, home or office, conference or seminar is empty of American criticism and condemnation.
If a leaf moves even in the farthest corner of the world, people start chanting slogans of “Death to America”; satisfy their lust for revenge by burning its flat. Why is it so after all? These were the questions bedevilling the experts of the conference held behind closed doors. It is clear that the masterminds must have come up with some solutions, some suggestions and proposals which cannot be made public at present. It is possible that they might have an impact upon the future American foreign policy. But it is not the right of the American people only to find out why American people only to find out why America is hated by the world, we have a right too to find out the causes of this increasing hatred and try to tell the American is reason for the world’s animosity against them.
There may or may not be any other cause for the world’s hatred but it is certain that one major reason was America’s use of the atom bomb on the innocent civilians of Hiroshima and Nagasaki-a crime of horrifying magnitude against humanity itself. America dropped the atom bomb in order to, it said, rid the world of Japan’s “war madness”. So numerous are the crimes America has committed that any same person would find it hard not to hate, (though hate is a mild world here) America.
America is proud that it saved the world form as cruel a dictator as Hitler. But what about the millions of civilians who died from hunger and disease as a result of US-instigated mass starvation of Germans during 1945-1950, under the Morgenthan Plan? America is
proud to have formed the UNO for the benefit of world nations. But even a cursory glance at the UN’s history is enough to reveal that it has always given preference and priority to America interests only. The UN is the major cause and means of America’s supremacy over the world.
America boasts that it made the sworn enemies in the Middle East sit across each other at a negotiating table. But the fact is that it enacted the farce of the Israel-Palestinian negotiations just in order to put the brakes on the increasing opposition and hatred for the Jews to be found in the Middle East, specially in Palestine. Otherwise it has always, overtly and covertly, supported its pet, Israel. The US (at the urging of American Jews and actin through the United Nations at a time when most Arab states were not members created Israel in 1947 against the wishes of the people of the Middle East. America basically stole the land from the Palestinian and gave it to the Jews. Currently it give the Jews three billion dollars per year-for all the police and military hardware-the tanks,
the attack helicopters, the missiles, the grenades they need to hold out that stolen territory and to steal, or “annex” even more. It considers the usurpers, the Jews innocent and harmless, whereas the Mujahideen fighting for the freedom of Palestine are “terrorists”.
What America has done and is going to do in Iraq is hidden from no one. During the 41 day and night bombing in 1991, it killed more than 20,000 civilians. Jews of thousands of Iraqi conscripts were slaughtered on the “Highway of Death” during their attempted retreat form Kuwait in the same year.
(The author is research Scholar of Kashmir University)
continued:Part 2
#133 Posted by temporal on April 3, 2005 1:05:29 pm
#132 Posted by HaroonEllahi on April 3, 2005 1:04:12 pm
That dude was relating our insecurity as a result of Indian agression to the Nazi hatred of the Jews.
hahahahahahaha, hilarious.
hahahahahahaha, hilarious.
#131 Posted by hamidm2 on April 3, 2005 12:53:38 pm
bhati gate blues - II
some things never change ..........
.................when i get a few minutes i will report on today`s speech by maulana echo-ul-boom of mansoora at bhati gate after the successful interruption of the shameless race in gujranwala .......... in the meantime, here is my may-2001 account of the famous speech at the same venue by his murshid and mentor, maulana urstruly detroiti ........
Bhati Gate Blues - I
............ oye ! baysharmo ! listen to what a true patriot has to say .........following is an excerpt from a speech made by Fakhr-i-Chowk, Sher-i-Michigan, Maulana Urstruly Detroiti ... Defender of the Faith and the Slayer of Horrible Hindoos ..... I believe this speech was delivered at Bhati Gate to a crowd of dood-wallas, mochis, nais, dhobis, nan-bais and the ladies from main street heera mandi accompanied by their agents and tabalchis ......
`` Shame on you two faced shameless creatures who did not speak one word when your former masters i.e. USSR was destroying the whole civilization in Afghanistan. Shame on you when you blame the genocide of Afghanis on Afghanis to appease your new Capitalist masters. Shame on you when you blame the genocide of 100,000+ Kashmiris on Kashmiris; and Shame on you when you blame each murder and rape of helpless Kashmiri on Kashmiris. Shame on you when you see Hindus present their bali at the altar of Kali maa with the blood of Kashmiris-such a crime against humanity under the garb of alleged democracy and secularism. And shame on you when you know all this and look the other way.
Listen Musharaf!, Listen Moin-ud-Din!, Listen Baysharam Liberals dying with the diarrhea of love! Any one who talks about signing CTBT must pack their bori bistra as well. We don’t need cowards to lead our country who will render our country helpless to Khattris. Listen! and Listen Good! The Jehad in Kashmir will continue till whole of Kashmir is freed from the shackles of Hindus slavery. ``
........... the crowd shouted themselves hoarse cursing hanuman and his progeny, milk and jalabis were distributed by the dood-walas and the halwais, the nais offered free haircuts, and the ladies from tibi thana entertained the would-be jehadis with an impromptu mujra ..........the lashkar-i-tayyaba recruiting officer-on-duty signed up bashir langra and irfan mota to liberate kashmir ..... the rest of the crowd went home to watch a white-bearded langoor give away a crore rupees on zee-tv .....................
some things never change ..........
.................when i get a few minutes i will report on today`s speech by maulana echo-ul-boom of mansoora at bhati gate after the successful interruption of the shameless race in gujranwala .......... in the meantime, here is my may-2001 account of the famous speech at the same venue by his murshid and mentor, maulana urstruly detroiti ........
Bhati Gate Blues - I
............ oye ! baysharmo ! listen to what a true patriot has to say .........following is an excerpt from a speech made by Fakhr-i-Chowk, Sher-i-Michigan, Maulana Urstruly Detroiti ... Defender of the Faith and the Slayer of Horrible Hindoos ..... I believe this speech was delivered at Bhati Gate to a crowd of dood-wallas, mochis, nais, dhobis, nan-bais and the ladies from main street heera mandi accompanied by their agents and tabalchis ......
`` Shame on you two faced shameless creatures who did not speak one word when your former masters i.e. USSR was destroying the whole civilization in Afghanistan. Shame on you when you blame the genocide of Afghanis on Afghanis to appease your new Capitalist masters. Shame on you when you blame the genocide of 100,000+ Kashmiris on Kashmiris; and Shame on you when you blame each murder and rape of helpless Kashmiri on Kashmiris. Shame on you when you see Hindus present their bali at the altar of Kali maa with the blood of Kashmiris-such a crime against humanity under the garb of alleged democracy and secularism. And shame on you when you know all this and look the other way.
Listen Musharaf!, Listen Moin-ud-Din!, Listen Baysharam Liberals dying with the diarrhea of love! Any one who talks about signing CTBT must pack their bori bistra as well. We don’t need cowards to lead our country who will render our country helpless to Khattris. Listen! and Listen Good! The Jehad in Kashmir will continue till whole of Kashmir is freed from the shackles of Hindus slavery. ``
........... the crowd shouted themselves hoarse cursing hanuman and his progeny, milk and jalabis were distributed by the dood-walas and the halwais, the nais offered free haircuts, and the ladies from tibi thana entertained the would-be jehadis with an impromptu mujra ..........the lashkar-i-tayyaba recruiting officer-on-duty signed up bashir langra and irfan mota to liberate kashmir ..... the rest of the crowd went home to watch a white-bearded langoor give away a crore rupees on zee-tv .....................
#130 Posted by echoboom on April 3, 2005 12:12:26 pm
hamidm2:129
Please restrict yourself to lampooning the horrible hindus in your neighborhood. Your pathetic attempts at preaching & advising makes you look like a clown without the painted-face.
And some characters are beneath naming & replying. You are an exception. You write good humour. Urstruly writes best short stories here, but in your seething hatred, abdulamreeka style, you won`t acknowledge that. Your hatred is not only deep deep but also oozing from
your beer-pissing pores.
Praise a muslim, get some respect & credibility here. Express your hate for US, and make yourself acceptable and endearing to the rest of the world--Re-Read 127 Ugly American until you are cured.
I know laughing-it away was the professional help you got, but you still resort to `sane` posts.; dont`! Just worry about yourself. Interacting here, especially with me, will drive you back into the arms of your boozing-bhangee shrink. I`ll see to it that you get addicted to prozaic, if you are not on it already.
No good!
Please restrict yourself to lampooning the horrible hindus in your neighborhood. Your pathetic attempts at preaching & advising makes you look like a clown without the painted-face.
And some characters are beneath naming & replying. You are an exception. You write good humour. Urstruly writes best short stories here, but in your seething hatred, abdulamreeka style, you won`t acknowledge that. Your hatred is not only deep deep but also oozing from
your beer-pissing pores.
Praise a muslim, get some respect & credibility here. Express your hate for US, and make yourself acceptable and endearing to the rest of the world--Re-Read 127 Ugly American until you are cured.
I know laughing-it away was the professional help you got, but you still resort to `sane` posts.; dont`! Just worry about yourself. Interacting here, especially with me, will drive you back into the arms of your boozing-bhangee shrink. I`ll see to it that you get addicted to prozaic, if you are not on it already.
No good!
#129 Posted by hamidm2 on April 3, 2005 11:50:33 am
echoboom,
...... no wonder temporal calls you abdul-hate........... it seems you are prejudiced against parsis too : `` I wonder if the ID cards identify him as a muslim or as fire-worshipper``............. what did they ever do to you ?...... your precious arabs almost wiped them off the the face of the planet - can`t you let the few survivors live in peace, or is that asking too much ? ........
...... remember, in the end your hatred will consume you like all other serial killers, high school shooters and suicide bombers ..........what happened to you as a child that has resulted in so much hatred and rage? ........ i suggest you seek professional help .......
...... no wonder temporal calls you abdul-hate........... it seems you are prejudiced against parsis too : `` I wonder if the ID cards identify him as a muslim or as fire-worshipper``............. what did they ever do to you ?...... your precious arabs almost wiped them off the the face of the planet - can`t you let the few survivors live in peace, or is that asking too much ? ........
...... remember, in the end your hatred will consume you like all other serial killers, high school shooters and suicide bombers ..........what happened to you as a child that has resulted in so much hatred and rage? ........ i suggest you seek professional help .......
#128 Posted by malikjahanzeb on April 3, 2005 11:45:14 am
>>>Afterall the wife of the first Prime-Minister was a rundi who conveniently became a christain from hindu, and then led a life of giving an impression of being a muslim.
how about the elllllevven wives of your mentor? where they from pious muslim families?
ha ha ha
how about the elllllevven wives of your mentor? where they from pious muslim families?
ha ha ha
#127 Posted by echoboom on April 3, 2005 11:32:25 am
The HaroonEllahis of Pakistan must keep a watchful eye on theUgly-Americans sans citizenship, in Pakistan. Does the writer admit that he is a muslim on his Passport?
The seething hatred which this writer has for Islam speaks volumes about his disdain for religion column in Pakistan. A lot of such scum are upset because as a muslim they cannot buy their drinking-piss. I wonder if the ID cards identify him as a muslim or as fire-worshipper.
Incidentally, no objection was raised and it was a NON-ISSUE, until the thugs decided to remove thise entry. A lot of ``free-thinkers`` were getting successful asylums by being non-muslims. In fact, some enterprising ``muslims`` posed as closet quadianis to fool their foreign ``human-rightists`` to seek immigration.
It was only after 9/11 when the the ``are-you-with-us`` line in Gand (sic--bum & arse sound too polite)was drawn that these purveyors of their mothers, wives, and daughters suddenly realised that drinking & debauchery is not sufficient proof of ``muslim`` 9/11-ers.
MantoOLives of dailytimes must have some inkling about the drinking & debauchery of Pervaiz Musharraf--a uniformed self-appointed Imam of the Ummah. His marriage to a Quadiani is a secondary issue, because he had no clue that he will become the head of a muslim-nation. Afterall the wife of the first Prime-Minister was a rundi who conveniently became a christain from hindu, and then led a life of giving an impression of being a muslim.
Where are Akbar Liquat Ali etc. Could somebody confirm that they are muslims? Whay is it that they have the wholesale license to sell liquor out of the Breweries? This I have heard from a ``trusted`` source, in fact someone close to the descendants and until this is countered I`ll continue to believe this `heresay`. The names Akbar etc should not fool anyone.
A lot more of such ``munaafiquat`` is continuing in Islamic Pakistan. All efferts MUST be made to enforce this Line-in-Gand. One should not be able to sit on the fence or weigh-options while trying to mole & worm himself into the foundations of Pakistan. Westoxicated scholarship & intellectualitis is in the dustbin--post Islamic Republic of Iran. The world is no longer the same.
and now for the main feature.
The UW Daily Online
``Whatever, man ... I`m already faded ... we`re going to hit up the strips and then we`ll smoke ... no, I`m serious man, it`s so great; they can`t be more than 16. Sweet!`` (*high five*)
When I decided to move abroad for a summer, this was the sort of rhetoric I was hoping to leave behind. As it turns out, however, the quote in its
entirety was uttered, not somewhere in the murky hours between Friday and Saturday at Dante`s, but in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon at a rather upscale Bangkok restaurant.
Behold the ``Ugly American.``
Behold the reason, other than our current administration, that Americans are so loathed abroad. Behold every negative American stereotype embodied. Behold the power of American diplomacy that extends to the farthest reaches of the globe.
It`s not hard to be an Ugly American. In fact, while abroad, many of us contribute to the archetype unconsciously--sans knee socks, Panama hat, expensive camera and annoyingly uppity spandex-clad wife in tow.
In truth, what makes Americans so ugly abroad is exactly what we represent to the rest of the world: power and money.
Going for a stroll on the streets of New Delhi? Maybe you shouldn`t wear that
shiny new Swiss Army watch you received for graduation. It`s probably worth more than most onlookers will earn in six months. Did you order a meal and thanks to the language barrier receive something completely unfamiliar? Maybe you should be thankful that you can afford a meal instead of raising an international commotion tantamount to the last
Word Trade Organization convention.
Snapping pictures of adorable Syrian children because they`re just so cute? Maybe you should think about asking their parents who may be completely opposed to photography of any kind, before you further damage U.S.-Middle East relations.
Oh, and my personal favorite, think it`s cool to sample an inordinate amount of the local ``brew,`` wander the streets like a wild barbarian and vomit on a stoop? (Not personal experience, well, sort of) Would you like it if someone vomited on your front steps?
While in our society, such shows are tolerated and, in some cases, lauded, abroad they only further reinforce the assumption that Americans are asinine buffoons who wouldn`t understand basic cultural mores if it hit them face with a plate of chicken vindaloo.
What I really wonder is why, when abroad, Americans insist on dressing like stars in an Eddie Bauer-themed safari? What goes through the mind of a 37-year-old male who decides to wear see-through linen pants, Teva sandals and a Hawaiian shirt in the middle of Tokyo? ``In the United States, this looks ridiculous, but since I`m abroad it makes me look `worldly.` Let the good times roll.``
I secretly hold it`s the same reason women on campus wear flip-flops and mini-skirts in 40-degree weather: because they can.
``Because we can,`` seems to be the pervasive motto of the Ugly American. We can violate cultural norms, dress inappropriately, flaunt our exorbitant wealth, rent SUVs and drive them down narrow Asian alleyways, desecrate monuments, and why? Because culturally we, as Americans, carry ``the big
stick.``
The ``because we can`` mentality is sick, imperialistic and ethnocentric. It is also pervasively apparent amonst many American tourists. But the problem isn`t as easily fixed as leaving the Panama hat and knee socks in the closet. It`s a mindset, which needs to be dismantled one stereotype at a time.
Didn`t we learn in kindergarten that other cultures weren`t lesser, just different?
Sadly, the ``White Man`s burden`` of today is no longer based on the call to civilize the godless native; it is now a call to civilize ourselves
The seething hatred which this writer has for Islam speaks volumes about his disdain for religion column in Pakistan. A lot of such scum are upset because as a muslim they cannot buy their drinking-piss. I wonder if the ID cards identify him as a muslim or as fire-worshipper.
Incidentally, no objection was raised and it was a NON-ISSUE, until the thugs decided to remove thise entry. A lot of ``free-thinkers`` were getting successful asylums by being non-muslims. In fact, some enterprising ``muslims`` posed as closet quadianis to fool their foreign ``human-rightists`` to seek immigration.
It was only after 9/11 when the the ``are-you-with-us`` line in Gand (sic--bum & arse sound too polite)was drawn that these purveyors of their mothers, wives, and daughters suddenly realised that drinking & debauchery is not sufficient proof of ``muslim`` 9/11-ers.
MantoOLives of dailytimes must have some inkling about the drinking & debauchery of Pervaiz Musharraf--a uniformed self-appointed Imam of the Ummah. His marriage to a Quadiani is a secondary issue, because he had no clue that he will become the head of a muslim-nation. Afterall the wife of the first Prime-Minister was a rundi who conveniently became a christain from hindu, and then led a life of giving an impression of being a muslim.
Where are Akbar Liquat Ali etc. Could somebody confirm that they are muslims? Whay is it that they have the wholesale license to sell liquor out of the Breweries? This I have heard from a ``trusted`` source, in fact someone close to the descendants and until this is countered I`ll continue to believe this `heresay`. The names Akbar etc should not fool anyone.
A lot more of such ``munaafiquat`` is continuing in Islamic Pakistan. All efferts MUST be made to enforce this Line-in-Gand. One should not be able to sit on the fence or weigh-options while trying to mole & worm himself into the foundations of Pakistan. Westoxicated scholarship & intellectualitis is in the dustbin--post Islamic Republic of Iran. The world is no longer the same.
and now for the main feature.
Hunting the `Ugly american`
The UW Daily Online
``Whatever, man ... I`m already faded ... we`re going to hit up the strips and then we`ll smoke ... no, I`m serious man, it`s so great; they can`t be more than 16. Sweet!`` (*high five*)
When I decided to move abroad for a summer, this was the sort of rhetoric I was hoping to leave behind. As it turns out, however, the quote in its
entirety was uttered, not somewhere in the murky hours between Friday and Saturday at Dante`s, but in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon at a rather upscale Bangkok restaurant.
Behold the ``Ugly American.``
Behold the reason, other than our current administration, that Americans are so loathed abroad. Behold every negative American stereotype embodied. Behold the power of American diplomacy that extends to the farthest reaches of the globe.
It`s not hard to be an Ugly American. In fact, while abroad, many of us contribute to the archetype unconsciously--sans knee socks, Panama hat, expensive camera and annoyingly uppity spandex-clad wife in tow.
In truth, what makes Americans so ugly abroad is exactly what we represent to the rest of the world: power and money.
Going for a stroll on the streets of New Delhi? Maybe you shouldn`t wear that
shiny new Swiss Army watch you received for graduation. It`s probably worth more than most onlookers will earn in six months. Did you order a meal and thanks to the language barrier receive something completely unfamiliar? Maybe you should be thankful that you can afford a meal instead of raising an international commotion tantamount to the last
Word Trade Organization convention.
Snapping pictures of adorable Syrian children because they`re just so cute? Maybe you should think about asking their parents who may be completely opposed to photography of any kind, before you further damage U.S.-Middle East relations.
Oh, and my personal favorite, think it`s cool to sample an inordinate amount of the local ``brew,`` wander the streets like a wild barbarian and vomit on a stoop? (Not personal experience, well, sort of) Would you like it if someone vomited on your front steps?
While in our society, such shows are tolerated and, in some cases, lauded, abroad they only further reinforce the assumption that Americans are asinine buffoons who wouldn`t understand basic cultural mores if it hit them face with a plate of chicken vindaloo.
What I really wonder is why, when abroad, Americans insist on dressing like stars in an Eddie Bauer-themed safari? What goes through the mind of a 37-year-old male who decides to wear see-through linen pants, Teva sandals and a Hawaiian shirt in the middle of Tokyo? ``In the United States, this looks ridiculous, but since I`m abroad it makes me look `worldly.` Let the good times roll.``
I secretly hold it`s the same reason women on campus wear flip-flops and mini-skirts in 40-degree weather: because they can.
``Because we can,`` seems to be the pervasive motto of the Ugly American. We can violate cultural norms, dress inappropriately, flaunt our exorbitant wealth, rent SUVs and drive them down narrow Asian alleyways, desecrate monuments, and why? Because culturally we, as Americans, carry ``the big
stick.``
The ``because we can`` mentality is sick, imperialistic and ethnocentric. It is also pervasively apparent amonst many American tourists. But the problem isn`t as easily fixed as leaving the Panama hat and knee socks in the closet. It`s a mindset, which needs to be dismantled one stereotype at a time.
Didn`t we learn in kindergarten that other cultures weren`t lesser, just different?
Sadly, the ``White Man`s burden`` of today is no longer based on the call to civilize the godless native; it is now a call to civilize ourselves
#126 Posted by malik99 on April 3, 2005 11:24:54 am
romair #121 - asks ``Urstruly #various: When did you move to the USA.......``
Romair, just curious, when did you move OUT of USA??
The reason I am asking this is because you moved out of US AFTER you had gained all the eductaion, work experience and credentials to lead a successful life in Canada. Once you moved to canada, you began to cheer the bloody nose US got in Iraq. That sounds like a very ungrateful attitude and not worthy of decency. It is as if once you moved out of your parents house, you begin to cheer everytime their neighbor throws stones at them. At the minimum you should be sending money to the country which fed you for a long time until you gained the confidence and credentials to live a successful life elsewhere!!!
The point of my stating the above hypothetical thesis is to illustrate the stupidity of discrediting a person`s views simply because of where he lives. Dissension is a very cherished american tradition, or at least it was before Bush. Regardless of WHEN a person moved to a new piece of land, the fact of the matter is that THAT person calls it his home. And he has every right in the world to criticise it and to work to make it better than it currently is, because he LIVES there now and his and his children`s future is tied to it. And it is all the more important, given that this new land is not just any land. Its the modern Rome.
In that spirit, Urstruly, or for that matter hamidm and tahmed should not feel ANY shame in pointing out where US is going wrong. The fact that we have our homes in this land should be an added incentive to be extra-vigilant of our government`s attempts to drain our treasury with useless wars and killings and genocides abroad in our name.
Lets end this long running stupid argument of ``where do you live``!!!
Romair, just curious, when did you move OUT of USA??
The reason I am asking this is because you moved out of US AFTER you had gained all the eductaion, work experience and credentials to lead a successful life in Canada. Once you moved to canada, you began to cheer the bloody nose US got in Iraq. That sounds like a very ungrateful attitude and not worthy of decency. It is as if once you moved out of your parents house, you begin to cheer everytime their neighbor throws stones at them. At the minimum you should be sending money to the country which fed you for a long time until you gained the confidence and credentials to live a successful life elsewhere!!!
The point of my stating the above hypothetical thesis is to illustrate the stupidity of discrediting a person`s views simply because of where he lives. Dissension is a very cherished american tradition, or at least it was before Bush. Regardless of WHEN a person moved to a new piece of land, the fact of the matter is that THAT person calls it his home. And he has every right in the world to criticise it and to work to make it better than it currently is, because he LIVES there now and his and his children`s future is tied to it. And it is all the more important, given that this new land is not just any land. Its the modern Rome.
In that spirit, Urstruly, or for that matter hamidm and tahmed should not feel ANY shame in pointing out where US is going wrong. The fact that we have our homes in this land should be an added incentive to be extra-vigilant of our government`s attempts to drain our treasury with useless wars and killings and genocides abroad in our name.
Lets end this long running stupid argument of ``where do you live``!!!
#125 Posted by tahmed32 on April 3, 2005 11:11:02 am
malikjehanzeb: well said. at least we dont have a muslim pope. thank God for small favors like that.
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