Hussein: I totally agree with most of your points. Also, you have asked
some very complex questions, which I'll do my best to answer. First, I am
a Ph.D. in Psychology and this was my subject when I was teaching. Second,
my main complaint against America is that we are a totally materialistic
country. Quite simply, the average American cares mostly about creature
comforts and his knowledge of world history is almost non-existent. Of
course this explains Bush's adventures in the middle east as all he must
do is is scare people about terrorism. We then roll over and endorse all
kinds of stupid actions. On the other hand, 9/11 was a horrible wake-up
call alerting us to the fact that many people despised us and that we are
very vulnerable. We also noticed that Saudi Arabia, supposedly our staunch
ally, produced 15 of the 18 suicide bombers. I'll close with two important
opservations. (1) The U.S. has 800 military bases throughout the world.
Clearly, we are an imperialist power and commit many of the abuses
associated with imperialism. (2) A person cannot understand our
relationship with the middle east without first understanding this history
of OIL. This is the fuel which feeds our burgeoning economic needs and
we'll do whatever it takes to assure a plentiful and cheap supply.
FRED

Hussein: I forgot to mention that because of our free press here in America. there is usually plenty of complaint regarding some of our policies. For example, among some Americans it is well known that we sold the chemicals to Saddam that he used against the Kurds and Iranians. Unfortunately, most Americans could care less about such crimes against humanity. On the other hand, I have read that Iranian youth are tired of the mullahs and want an American style democracy. Apparently they're fascinated by the various benefits of free speech. I should also add that the few Muslims I've met here are without doubt very humane and spirital people and in now way similar to the terrorist stereotype portrayed on TV. Though you're probably too young to know this, when we were at war with Japan in WW11 (1941-45) we also demonized the Japanese, even going so far as to place many of them who were American citizens in special camps. Today this is seen as a horrible episode in American history. FRED

I sent the book review only to suggest that there is great
interest in Iran here in America. As for why we re-elected Bush, I'm still
trying to figure that one out. Yesterday I told you what I didn't like
about America but I wasn't specific enough. My real problem is that we
are rapidly becoming a trash culture where rap music, reality TV and
sports are all we care about. It is as if the entire nation has become
brain-dead to the real world. This aside, we are a very generous country
which welcomes immigrants of every race, creed and color. Also, we are
always the first there when other peoples have suffered the many
calamities of nature. Salaam Aleichem! FRED