Non-primary English Speakers (EASL)

[NoahsMommy]

Also, in regards to aid in Afghanistan, it has not been nearly enough. The country (the U.S.) that took out the Taliban has not been the leader in aid giving.

Are you familiar with the history of Afghanistan? If so, you'd know we've done more than our fair share. The U.S. was one of the countries that gave money/troops/misiles during two of their civil wars.

The country has been poor and illiterate (according to National Geographic) well before 9-11.

and if it's not "enough", well, there's only so much to go around and still maintain the homeland.

Amen to that! We also have people in our country who need help to...

[Soledad]

Are YOU familiar with the history of Afghanistan???

Seemingly not.

Do you know anything about their Russian connection?

I'm baffled.

Not to mention the fact that we have more than enough to "maintain the homeland". It's not as if Afghanistan is our main economic threat. Maybe if we didn't spend so much on Star Wars for enemies who carry box cutters, we wouldn't have to worry.

[NoahsMommy]

Originally posted by Soledad
Are YOU familiar with the history of Afghanistan???
Seemingly not. Do you know anything about their Russian connection?

I know enough about their past with the then U.S.S.R. and what was done to help them on our part. I also know that they betrayed us a few times and we kept going back for more.

My previous comment was to address the comment you made on us not doing enough to help the people in Afghanistan after the U.S. and Great Brittian bombed them in October 2001....

If I'm wrong in what I've said before, you can blame that on the college education I am recieving. I can only remember what I'm taught and what I've read. In fact, I was reading a back article just today about this, and it said exactly what I said above.

Honesly, there is no need to get rude here.

[Soledad]

I wasn't trying to be rude, I was just geniunely curious. I would suggest that your course is a stepping stone, there is a lot of information out there about what happened in Afghanistan during the Reagan era. Noam Chomsky might be a good author to start with.

Once you look into it a bit further you will see why America kept going back for more, as you put it. It wasn't because of some sort of humanitarian desire to see the people of Afghanistan safe and sound, that's for sure.

[NoahsMommy]

Interesting...would you mind sharing why?

Today I was studying a map of that area and it was very interesting. If also included a lot of their history, but I will admit that it was vague in the 70's-80's.

[Twisterdog]

I resent being lumped into a category of Afghan-hating ignorant people because I am a white American.

I very much agree with this. I have also found that you can substitute any other ethnic or racial group for "Afghan-hating" in that quote.

I SO resent people assuming I am racist or a bigot or narrow-minded or uninformed or ignorant simply because I am a caucasian, and an American.

Prejudice is prejudice ... no matter who does the "pre-judging". That's what prejudice is, after all, pre-judging someone on their outward appearance, without taking the time to learn about the actual thoughts, knowledge, feelings or values of that person. The knife cuts both ways, and it hurts just the same.

[All Creatures Great And Small]

Thank you, Twisterdog. Very wise, and very true. If I had fired the first shot in this thread and said I found most (insert country here) citizens ignorant, I would have been cyber-stoned to death as an arrogant white supremacist redneck idiot. Fortunately, I am not so ignorant as to have done that.

[Paul]

   I am closing this thread. I am sorry this thread is too far off topic. It should have been moderated. It is impossible to have discussion when so many disparate topics are brought up.

   I believe every pet is special. I also believe that it should go without saying that every human is special. Pet Talk is not a place to call one another ignorant nor to bash an entire nation of people.

   We can do better.

      Paul