Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

Did you ever wonder exactly what Kipling was saying when he wrote "East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet".
How eastern thinking differs from us Westerners by Major General Curry. The British poet Rudyard Kipling, understood today's situation in Afghanistan far better than our State Dept. when he wrote "I have eaten your bread and salt. I have drunk your water and wine. The deaths you died I've watched beside and the lives you led were mine. There are two points this President and the Secretaries of State and Defense should keep in mind as they evaluate future involvement in the Mid-East and how to successfully address them. Both are easiest illustrated by real life happenings.
Point 1
Many years ago I attended the infantry officer advanced course at fort Benning Georgia. Ten % of the students attending that ten month course of instruction were from foreign countries. For about half of the course my table-mate was an Arab, We studied together, completed homework assignments together, got to know each others families and general enjoyed each others company. Part of that time we students were immersed in reading about researching and discussing problems of the Middle East. In time m Arab classmate and I had (I thought) had become close friends.
A question popped into my mind and without evaluating it I said, "I have a question to ask you, but you may find it a little impertinent or perhaps offensive". That is quite all right, he replied "we know each other well enough to be honest with each other. So go ahead and ask your question. Well, I began, each time you Arabs start a war with Israel they beat your socks off. Why don't you learn your lesson and quit making war on them.
The words hadn't passed my lips before I felt that I shouldn't have asked that particular question, but was wrong. My Arab officer friend didn't get angry. He didn't even think before replying. My dear friend, he said, in British accent "You are absolutely right. Each time we attack the Israelis they whip us. But have you noticed that with each loss we get better. We get whipped not as badly as in the war before. Then he got a faraway look in his eyes, pounded on the table and said," sometime in the next thousand years we will win!" Up until then I's never thought in terms of a thousand years, and I don't think I'm very good at it today. But for those formulating foreign and defense policy for our nation it is worth making the effort. for it's difficult to think on terms of the immediate future while negotiating with a nation whose leaders are thinkin in terms of hundreds or thousands of years.
Point 2
During the 1st Gulf Was US and Arab forces fought side by side and some of officers became close friends. When the war ended in victory there was a celebration in the officers club with congratulations all around. A lot of handshaking and hugging was going on. It was a time of displaying real brotherly love.
Seeing this, one of the senior Arab generals felt the need to set the record straight. "Look, he said to a cluster of American generals. We've fought together and some of us have died together. I know you feel that makes us brothers, but that is not the way it is in my world.
He looked around the circle making eye contact with all of them. I don't want to see you hurt, so I need to share this with you. There is no tomorrow for us jointly. No matter how much you have helped my country and you came and helped us when we desperately need you help and no matter how friendly you feel toward us we are still Muslims and you are Christians. That means that in our eyes, we can never be brothers. I'm sorry, but to us you will always be infidels!
Is there still anyone who does not get this fact?

tonya

Loui, some people are so arrogant, they can't see or really comprehend the idea of not knowing what's best for everyone! This way of life between all the different sects/tribes in the Middle East, as we know has been going on for thousands of years. I laughed when people naively thought Iraq would be t***sformed in a mere 4 to 5 years ( like some wanted us to believe at the start of our latest military action). There is a whole different ideology and culture. I don't believe America will ever be the catalyst of peace or change. Only those who live that life with their encoded beliefs can make that happen. And if it hasn't in over a thousand years....I really do fear what "other" implementation could make such a feat reality.

Thank you for sharing the experiences and interactions you have had. Maybe it will serve to illuminate the problems with our way of thinking.

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

Today is the first time I have checked for messages on this topic. I believe you have misunderstood the post. It was not me that was making the statements it was another person. Sorry for the confusion. I must have not have put the proper information into the article.

tonya

No matter, the message that is there needs to be taken to heart.

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

You are so right1 all Americans should take this intrusion into this country by Muslims as a threat.