Comments on: Return to Kabul: responses to reader comments http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/ Our editors & readers talk Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:05:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Donna http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76872 Donna Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:03:37 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76872 Thank you to Paz and Jay - actual people, writing back. I have to say that if my husband beats me, I would invite the murderous neighbor over for a celebratory dinner. :-) But that is just me - I realize cultures are different. And you are right, Jay, when you talk about many different opinions, but at least if the majority of the people are happy for our actions, then I could feel good about our history there. I know we aren't guileless, but it is my hope that we are working for the good of all peoples, our own safety included. Too Pollyanna? Perhaps, but being from Texas, it sure would make life a lot easier when I am interacting with others, both here at home and when traveling internationally. People used to like us (I think), but now look at all the South American countries that are grumbling down there and I got some cold stares when I was in Europe this past summer. I guess I will give up on this question, and hope for the best long term result. You guys take care over there, and let us know if you need any chips and salsa! Thank you to Paz and Jay - actual people, writing back. I have to say that if my husband beats me, I would invite the murderous neighbor over for a celebratory dinner. :-) But that is just me - I realize cultures are different. And you are right, Jay, when you talk about many different opinions, but at least if the majority of the people are happy for our actions, then I could feel good about our history there. I know we aren’t guileless, but it is my hope that we are working for the good of all peoples, our own safety included. Too Pollyanna? Perhaps, but being from Texas, it sure would make life a lot easier when I am interacting with others, both here at home and when traveling internationally. People used to like us (I think), but now look at all the South American countries that are grumbling down there and I got some cold stares when I was in Europe this past summer. I guess I will give up on this question, and hope for the best long term result. You guys take care over there, and let us know if you need any chips and salsa!

]]> By: Paul Holmes http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76545 Paul Holmes Thu, 07 Dec 2006 23:35:57 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76545 To Nancy Engel - please accept my apologies for this delayed reply. I have been taking a short vacation. I would agree with Yasmeen that a very significant number of prominent Islamic figures and organisations condemned the 9/11 attacks. This fact may escape attention, I believe, because Islam does not have a single central authority (unlike, say, Catholicism). When the Pope speaks on an issue, his remarks tend to get reported widely. This is less the case with Islamic figures since no one person speaks on behalf of the entire faith. Journalists have a real duty in a post-9/11 world to report Islam responsibly and to avoid terms and labels that might denigrate Muslims. Best wishes, Paul. To Nancy Engel - please accept my apologies for this delayed reply. I have been taking a short vacation. I would agree with Yasmeen that a very significant number of prominent Islamic figures and organisations condemned the 9/11 attacks. This fact may escape attention, I believe, because Islam does not have a single central authority (unlike, say, Catholicism). When the Pope speaks on an issue, his remarks tend to get reported widely. This is less the case with Islamic figures since no one person speaks on behalf of the entire faith. Journalists have a real duty in a post-9/11 world to report Islam responsibly and to avoid terms and labels that might denigrate Muslims. Best wishes, Paul.

]]> By: Nancy Engel http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76402 Nancy Engel Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:08:21 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76402 My original submission was a question, not a comment and I find it interesting that none of the reporters has commented. My original submission was a question, not a comment and I find it interesting that none of the reporters has commented.

]]> By: Jay http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76102 Jay Thu, 07 Dec 2006 01:00:32 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76102 Donna, We're in Iraq to assure the safety of the USA first, not necessarily to make the Iraqis happy. Besides, what population ever agrees on any thing 100%? Quiz 20 Iraqis and you'll get 20 different answers. Look at how divided our own country is. You'll never get any population, any where, to agree on any thing unanimously. God bless y'all... Donna,

We’re in Iraq to assure the safety of the USA first, not necessarily to make the Iraqis happy.

Besides, what population ever agrees on any thing 100%? Quiz 20 Iraqis and you’ll get 20 different answers. Look at how divided our own country is. You’ll never get any population, any where, to agree on any thing unanimously.

God bless y’all…

]]> By: Yasmeen http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76016 Yasmeen Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:20:47 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-76016 In response to Nancy, a quick search via google of "Islamic leader response to 9/11" yielded many useful results. Here is a fairly comprehensive site http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.php which illustrates the large and unified condemnation of the 9/11 attacks. Muslims, Islamic scholars and leaders have signed many petitions and placed ads to help publisize this fact. Your statement that "virtually no Islamic leaders ever condemned the 9/11 attacks on the U.S." is flawed and misinformed. You can also reference: http://groups.colgate.edu/aarislam/response.htm Please help inform your friends and family of the truth so we can stop the cycle of misinformation. In response to Nancy, a quick search via google of “Islamic leader response to 9/11″ yielded many useful results. Here is a fairly comprehensive site http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.p hp which illustrates the large and unified condemnation of the 9/11 attacks. Muslims, Islamic scholars and leaders have signed many petitions and placed ads to help publisize this fact. Your statement that “virtually no Islamic leaders ever condemned the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.” is flawed and misinformed. You can also reference: http://groups.colgate.edu/aarislam/respo nse.htm
Please help inform your friends and family of the truth so we can stop the cycle of misinformation.

]]> By: Nancy Engel http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-75867 Nancy Engel Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:52:31 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-75867 Since you are in touch with the Islamic leadership, why have virtually no Islamic leaders ever condemned the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.? Since you are in touch with the Islamic leadership, why have virtually no Islamic leaders ever condemned the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.?

]]> By: Paz http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-75851 Paz Wed, 06 Dec 2006 08:51:19 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-75851 Donna, this is a slightly extreme example, but probably not far off to the realities: if your husband beat you and then your neighbor came and killed him, you would have mixed feelings about it wouldnt you? I don't think you'll ever get a 'straight' answer to your question. Donna, this is a slightly extreme example, but probably not far off to the realities: if your husband beat you and then your neighbor came and killed him, you would have mixed feelings about it wouldnt you? I don’t think you’ll ever get a ’straight’ answer to your question.

]]> By: Donna http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-75764 Donna Wed, 06 Dec 2006 04:10:19 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/return-to-kabul-responses-to-reader-comments/#comment-75764 You may have already covered this information in previous posts, but I just discovered this blog, so bear with me. I am concerned with our activities in both Afghanistan and Iraq all in the name of homeland security. I have lots of questions about this, but bottom line: Are the people of Afghanistan and/or Iraq happy that we are there? Are we making more people hate us or are we helping them? You would think this would be easy to ask and answer, but I never find anyone reporting on this to the point that I feel I have gotten a firm answer. Thank you!! You may have already covered this information in previous posts, but I just discovered this blog, so bear with me. I am concerned with our activities in both Afghanistan and Iraq all in the name of homeland security. I have lots of questions about this, but bottom line: Are the people of Afghanistan and/or Iraq happy that we are there? Are we making more people hate us or are we helping them? You would think this would be easy to ask and answer, but I never find anyone reporting on this to the point that I feel I have gotten a firm answer. Thank you!!

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