I watched a very interesting Oprah yesterday. (Thank you, Eve, for telling me to watch it!) She had two men who study the Middle East. The focus was on the attitude of the Middle Eastern people toward the US.

Basically they described a love-hate attitude. They respect out strength and our opportunities. They want to send their children to our schools. But they resent our bullying tactics. They view us as hypocrits. They said that we embrace Israel, even though they commit the same atrocities as Palestine. They feel like we look down on them. They described 9/11 as a punch in the nose that we needed, even though they did not support the killing of innocent people.

All that got me to thinking. What exactly should our role be in the world? Do we have a moral obligation to do what we think is right to make the world a better place? And, if so, how do we do that without disrespecting other cultures? Or are we to simply back off and let other countries handle their own problems?

It is such a tightrope we have to walk. If we do nothing, I feel like the other countries will look at us as egotistical. Like we can't be bothered with the rest of the world because we are all that matters. But when we intervene we will never please everyone. No matter what we do someone will think we should do it differently.

So how do we strike the right balance between actively trying to make the world better and giving the other countries the respect and space they need and deserve?

By Karen55 on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 - 12:51 pm:

Good one, Melanie! I am feeling such anxiety over the entire extended situation, and I need to think about this and collect my thoughts before I can respond.

By Melanie on Friday, March 21, 2003 - 02:05 pm:

LOL, come on everyone, I'd really like to hear how you all feel about this!

By Cybermommyx4 on Friday, March 21, 2003 - 10:12 pm:

I am reminded of a part of the "code of conduct" my son's Karate Dojo recited daily..."I will only use my skills and training in defense of myself, my family, and the weak." I guess someone has to have the responsibility of helping those who are too weak, or for whatever reason(s) unable to defend themselves. I don't think the Iraquis had any hope of overthrowing Saddam on their own, and for some, the way of life they have endured under his rule is all they've ever known. As long as we "stick around" and help them rebuild a fair and just governmental structure, then we will have done all we can do. We need to not only free them, but then teach them HOW to live as a free people. You know, the "teach a man to fish..." theory. JMHO

By Karen55 on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 09:27 am:

Mel, I honestly don't know what I *think* our role should be at this point in time. I would love to be able to give a response to your excellent question, and I would love it more if I *knew* where I stood on this. I have too much going on to really give it the thought it deserves and will take for me to formulate my thoughts on this. BUT - I will be thinking about it, and I will get back to this thread.

By Eve on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 10:15 am:

Melanie, I owe you a post! Sorry! We've talked a little bit about this. I think no matter what we do, it will not be perceived the same by everyone. It's just not possible to please everyone. Do I think the U.S. has made mistakes and has lied and has not followed through? Of course!

My grandfather was in Vietnam for YEARS. He was there when it fell. (He went back for many years with USAID.) He was the 2nd to last American out of Saigon. Scary in itself. We promised to help the Montagnards in the Highlands of Vietnam. 100's of thousands of them were killed. My grandfather moved 100's of them to the water for a U.S. boat to pick them up. We promised them we would not leave them. When my grandfather got to the shore, his orders were to leave them. He didn't want to, but again, we promised. No boat ever showed up! I found this article in a quick search on Google with my grandfather's name. http://www.suntimes.co.za/2002/11/24/insight/in02.asp

We do bad stuff, but we also do a lot of good. We give aid to so many countries. Our Special Forces train opressed groups to fight and take care of themselves. Then, again, do we do enough? It seems a lot of times, we don't go the distance and create more harm that good. I think everyone is just a little sick of us sticking our noses in. We come across as a bully.

I think we do have a moral obligation to help those in need. Period. It's just the way we go about it sometimes. Am I proud to be an American? Of course! Would I want to live anywhere else? No!

I also want to add, that we aren't the only Country making these mistakes. Everyone had made them! I think since we are pretty lucky to live in such a safe land, we are percieved as not understanding the suffering others face.

I'm sure this was a bit of a ramble. I probably made no point at all. It's just complicated! Isn't it? I just think you can make a point either way. Overall, I think we help many and that's the way it should be.

(Baby on the lap, hope this made sense! LOL!)

By Ginnyk on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 07:45 pm:

Eve, your post struck close to my heart, because one of the things going through my mind over the past few months, as we moved closer and closer to this *@## war, was the images of the helicopters on the roof of the U.S. Embassy, and all of the Vietnamese people who had supported us being left behind. I cannot imagine how your grandfather felt, but I am sure he never forgot our betrayal of the people who aided us.

I agree, we do a lot of good, and a lot of bad. And are perceived in many ways by the nations and peoples of the world. Yes, many countries have made many mistakes. But it is especially sad, for me, when it is my country making what I believe to be mistakes.

I am going from here to the site you posted about your grandfather. I would love to have some discussion with you about this whole "thing". If you feel like it, you can email me at klipvm@rcn.com

By Eve on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - 01:44 pm:

Ginny, I'll email you tonight. I never wanted to talk to my grandfather more than right now. He died in July 2001. The thought that comes to mind though, is would I even know who the Montagnards were if not for him? NO! I don't think it was mentioned in school at all. I just think about all the small groups being opressed everywhere. That's why Melanie's question is so provacative! Do we save everyone? Where do we draw the line? I think Melanie said "Do we just fight the ones we know we can beat?"

Melanie and I have had lots of conversations recently on this topic. I told her I want to stick my head back in the sand where it was before. Atleast I felt safe.

Ginny, I also have some photos of my grandfather's from Vietnam if you are interested!Some are really amazing to look at. I love Black and White anyway.

I would love to ask you some questions about that time period-Vietnam. Or maybe a book you could recommend. I have one that I have to read first, but have put off. My grandfather's good friend wrote it. Here is the cover.

He is in the front all the way to the right.

I'll email later!