<p>i dont think they are supposed to do that though. muslims have a rule about depicting mohammad or something like that.</p>
<p>Panicpower, it’s better for the American image if we stop pretending to know how there society works and let them run it. Everyone says there will be sectarian violence, but there already is violence between the Sunnis and the shiites, how much worse could it get? Besides, no country would dare chastise us gor leaving after so much of the world is calling for our withdrawal.</p>
<p>the U.S. just needs to realize that some countries have different cultures. unless they’re practicing genocide, or attacking us, we should just leave them alone. </p>
<p>no offense, but white “infidel” women using the “sacred name” is taboo in the middle east, especially for a toy. she would have been better off naming the bear fred or something. even more, she should have known the risks women (especially “infidels”) are taking when teaching in a muslim country</p>
<p>yes i guess. but still i feel like no matter what we do we will be wrong. but i guess that is ok cuz we were wrong going in. but are we helping stop any of that sunni shiite violence? no we are just adding our own.</p>
<p>white woman or not you walk in their country have some respect for the rules and be ready to face opposition. it is not as if we dont have the same thing here in one sense or another.</p>
<p>The class voted on what to name the bear. Also, people named Muhammad get their picture taken all the time. That’s a depiction of Muhammad. It’s not like the bear was depicting their god, it was just the class pet.</p>
<p>I don’t know, Donny, I think it could get a lot worse. What if they start genociding again just a short time after we leave? Saddam was not above gassing the Kurds.</p>
<p>when you look at it: all wars are caused by religion and/or possessions</p>
<p>also, the class were kids. they don’t think that its taboo cuz they’re kids. the rest of muslim society however…imo, it’s best to avoid religion altogether when in the middle east.</p>
<p>People have suggested we just split up the country: Kurds, shiites, and Sunnis all get their own part of land and take care of it themselves. I don’t know why, but this feels like it wouldn’t work, I’m just putting it out there.</p>
<p>but there is civil unrest and violence in other places. likely there always be. </p>
<p>ok i give up on the class bear thing. and taking a picture of A mohammad is not the same as depicting Their god Mohammad.</p>
<p>Who would get the oil? I mean, it would be divided up in proportion, but who’s going to stop the biggest group from bullying the smallest, and what about individual possession of the oil fields? It doesn’t seem viable, you’re right.</p>
<p>pfft like they would agree on a border.</p>
<p>Has anyone every read any of From Beirut to Jerusalem? I read an excerpt from it, and it really helped my understanding of the people of the Middle East. It’s from the author of The World is Flat, another important book to read.</p>
<p>From your comments, it sounds like everybody believes that Mideasterners can’t reach peace treaties and are prone to violence to achieve what they want. I’m curious if this is true and in accordance with their society or if we are all just drinking the kool-aid that the MSM tells us a Mideasterner acts.</p>
<p>mebbe the middle east as a region just needs a hug. make sure you check it for bombs, and wear a kevlar vest when you’re giving that hug tho. 
a hidden gun would also help</p>
<p>aaaghhh, religion, you’re screwing international relations over. what originally began as an explanation in the absense of science, has grown outta control. sorry if i offended anyone</p>
<p>From what I understand, their culture is such that they believe they can’t give in even a little, because a little weakness shown is a way for people to exploit them. There’s a fable about it in above-mentioned book that’s interesting.</p>
<p>A man buys a turkey, and someone steals it from him. He tells his son to go find his turkey, they ignore him. The next night, someone comes and steals one of his camel. He tells his sons to go find his turkey. The next night, someone rapes his daughter. His sons come to him and ask him what to do, he says to go find his turkey. If you let anyone do anything to you at all, it’ll escalate into the unthinkable.</p>
<p>im not saying they rely on violence to get things done. i think there are alot of people involved, with a lot on the line. i’d say humans in general might be prone to violence.</p>
<p>Don’t forget the taser! I’m off to bed, almost midnight. Bye</p>
<p>cira that is extreme. if every country sat around not taking guff from anyone else we probably would all be dead from a nuclear war by now.</p>
<p>and i must be off, got church in the morning. night.</p>
<p>Not every country is like that, some Middle Easterners think that way.</p>
<p>Me too, I think.</p>
<p>cira, looks like just you and me (unless fridge shows up) she must be invading Siberia and Australia by now.</p>
<p>it’s not even 9:00 on the west coast</p>
<p>Hey guys…I’ve been gone for like a dynasty…</p>
<p>Woo…to beging with…I agree that dividing up Iraq into separate countries (Sunni, Shiite, Kurd) would NEVER work. Not only would there be endless bickering about who gets the oil, each section would be at risk of being overrun by surrounding, unstable governments. And they utterly lack the infrastructure to be economically autonomous nations. Besides, Iran would no doubt jump at the chance to squish the Kurds once and for all…</p>
<p>Naming a teddy bear Muhammad was a very dangerous move on the part of that teacher. While we may not share the values of Islamic nations, or agree with their laws and customs, as a foreigner who is there by choice, she needs to understand and respect the culture. Westerners keep endlessly pushing Western values in places that don’t want them… Besides, most Christians would not be too keen on naming a stuffed animal “Jesus” either…</p>