SOTU

[mybackpages 0]

My fiance reads a lot of newspapers in Maroc instead of watching tv news. He has expressed to me concerns about being Muslim in the US because of the stories being reported in ME/NA and French papers. He is not a Bush fan and one of the first conversations we had was about this.

I am not sure what he will find here...in terms of anti-Muslim sentiment. I've seen violence against the muslim community here and many terrible comments made by people who do not realize who they are talking to when I am there.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

When my parents travel the ME/NA, they hear criticism very specific to Bush and his policies; however, the American people are generally respected. This was my experience too. Some had great Bush jokes to tell!

And my experience also. No one has ever expressed to me any hatred (or even mild dislike) of the American people -- in fact, they've expressed much admiration for Americans and the freedoms and opportunities here.

It's the American government's foreign policy, specifically in the Middle East, that they criticize. And the average Arab is much more informed about the specifics of that policy than are most Americans. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the matter of Palestine.

[chris4336 3]

When my parents travel the ME/NA, they hear criticism very specific to Bush and his policies; however, the American people are generally respected. This was my experience too. Some had great Bush jokes to tell!

And my experience also. No one has ever expressed to me any hatred (or even mild dislike) of the American people -- in fact, they've expressed much admiration for Americans and the freedoms and opportunities here.

It's the American government's foreign policy, specifically in the Middle East, that they criticize. And the average Arab is much more informed about the specifics of that policy than are most Americans. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the matter of Palestine.

I found the same thing with my fiancee's family. Why do think they can understand that our President does not reflect the values of our entire country, but here in the states people see one bad Middle Eastern person and assume they are all bad?

I always try to bring up politics but my fiance is convinced that Bush is listening to our every word...so we have to save all those convos for when we are face to face

[sarah and hicham 3]

I was wondering how many MENA spouses watched the SOTU. I know some of the Arabic networks now carry it live with translation. I think the latest had particular interest because of the troop increase. What do they think of the president?

My husband is quite interested in U.S. politics, particular foreign policy. Any others? Any spouses eager to become citizens and vote?

Whats the SOTU?

You were right! (you know who you are)

[doodlebug 3]

I was wondering how many MENA spouses watched the SOTU. I know some of the Arabic networks now carry it live with translation. I think the latest had particular interest because of the troop increase. What do they think of the president?

My husband is quite interested in U.S. politics, particular foreign policy. Any others? Any spouses eager to become citizens and vote?

Whats the SOTU?

You were right! (you know who you are)

What does that mean Sarah?

[peezey 0]

I know this isn't particularly about MENA, but it goes to the overall lame-ness of the SOTU. Bush said nothing about Katrina, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and there are still thousands in FEMA trailers to this day. He promised he'd force insurance companies to pay claims, but they still haven't and people now have to sue. The Republican governor of MS is his close friend, so he's not handing out the federal money at all.

As for the question about SOs being shocked about Bush's oratory skills, yes, it's been noted many times how crappy he is at delivering speeches.

[jordanianprincess 0]

Hicham doesn't like Bush's policies in terms of the military and the war in Iraq. He really just doesn't care for Bush and that's why we get along so well.

but does he think Bush is dumb?

Who doesn't?!?!

MK, you are on a roll tonight!

My fiance reads a lot of newspapers in Maroc instead of watching tv news. He has expressed to me concerns about being Muslim in the US because of the stories being reported in ME/NA and French papers. He is not a Bush fan and one of the first conversations we had was about this.

I am not sure what he will find here...in terms of anti-Muslim sentiment. I've seen violence against the muslim community here and many terrible comments made by people who do not realize who they are talking to when I am there.

I completly understand Sophia and its not just Muslims, its all Arabs. Shortly after 9/11, the church my family had been going to for 25 years was doused in gasoline and set on fire. The entire church was burned down, most of the members were of Palistinian decent but there were also Jordanians and Ethopians with the majority of us being in the US for 20-40 years and more. (Peezey, maybe you remember this? Its the church in the Los Altos Hills) It was a very sad event and was dismissed by the local authorites with no cause, explanation, or investigation. We prayed out of a tent for nearly 3 years, through all the bad weather until we were able to get permits to rebuild.

What happened when the churches were burned down in Alabama, a full investigation, arrests, and nationwide headlines. What our church lost in that night will take many many years to recover.

[mybackpages 0]

I completly understand Sophia and its not just Muslims, its all Arabs. Shortly after 9/11, the church my family had been going to for 25 years was doused in gasoline and set on fire. The entire church was burned down, most of the members were of Palistinian decent but there were also Jordanians and Ethopians with the majority of us being in the US for 20-40 years and more. (Peezey, maybe you remember this? Its the church in the Los Altos Hills) It was a very sad event and was dismissed by the local authorites with no cause, explanation, or investigation. We prayed out of a tent for nearly 3 years, through all the bad weather until we were able to get permits to rebuild.

What happened when the churches were burned down in Alabama, a full investigation, arrests, and nationwide headlines. What our church lost in that night will take many many years to recover.

Right, I should have been more clear. Many people are targeted- a shikh from India, Arabs (remember folks reading this that most ARabs in America are Christian NOT Muslim), anyone who in the small narrow mind of the person looks different.

[Bosco 1]

I just thought MBP that the offers for work as a translator in Iraq will begin before your fiance is even a permanent resident! You may want to let him know to expect them.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

We watched the part leading up to it, pointed out all the different people and saw Rep. Keith Ellison. That was the highlight of the evening for me When the president came out, I left, because he makes me ill. DH stayed to watch, but after 15 minutes, he got tired of all the clapping breaks and quit as well.

He is very interested in politics, and really enjoys discussing and participating. It's quite a change for him to come to a country where we freely ridicule our leaders on a nightly basis.

[peezey 0]

I completly understand Sophia and its not just Muslims, its all Arabs. Shortly after 9/11, the church my family had been going to for 25 years was doused in gasoline and set on fire. The entire church was burned down, most of the members were of Palistinian decent but there were also Jordanians and Ethopians with the majority of us being in the US for 20-40 years and more. (Peezey, maybe you remember this? Its the church in the Los Altos Hills) It was a very sad event and was dismissed by the local authorites with no cause, explanation, or investigation. We prayed out of a tent for nearly 3 years, through all the bad weather until we were able to get permits to rebuild.

What happened when the churches were burned down in Alabama, a full investigation, arrests, and nationwide headlines. What our church lost in that night will take many many years to recover.

I had actually meant to ask you recently if this was your church. I was shocked when it happened. It shows that this kind of thing happens all across the country, no matter how tolerant you might think your community is.

We had many sikhs harrassed and beaten on the other side of San Jose, as well, not to mention dozens of things go on in Fremont. Of course, the woman who was just shot in the head a couple months ago shows this stuff is still going on.

We can say all we want about just trying to live your life but I am not a target, so I can't know what it's like to be fearful of violence.

[mybackpages 0]

I just thought MBP that the offers for work as a translator in Iraq will begin before your fiance is even a permanent resident! You may want to let him know to expect them.

[peezey 0]

I just thought MBP that the offers for work as a translator in Iraq will begin before your fiance is even a permanent resident! You may want to let him know to expect them.

This is so true, I still get them in the mail all the time now, apparently the military doesn't give up. And this has nothing to do with selective service, they go by country of birth, I guess, in the USCIS system, then the postcards and packets start rolling in!

[DelcoCouple 1]

He did get his selective service card the other day and was a bit put off by the notion that he may have to involuntarily serve in the US army were there to be a draft.

Really? Is there an age cutoff for that? I never knew that!!!

Almost all male U.S. citizens regardless of where they live, and male immigrant aliens residing in the U.S., are required to be registered with Selective Service if they are at least 18 years old but are not yet 26 years old. Men who are 26 years old and older are too old to register. The part that brings a wry smile to my face is that illegal aliens must register for selective service

http://www.sss.gov/MUST.HTM

Edited January 25, 2007 by DelcoCouple

[doodlebug 3]

He did get his selective service card the other day and was a bit put off by the notion that he may have to involuntarily serve in the US army were there to be a draft.

Really? Is there an age cutoff for that? I never knew that!!!

Almost all male U.S. citizens regardless of where they live, and male immigrant aliens residing in the U.S., are required to be registered with Selective Service if they are at least 18 years old but are not yet 26 years old. Men who are 26 years old and older are too old to register. The part that brings a wry smile to my face is that illegal aliens must register for selective service

http://www.sss.gov/MUST.HTM

phew!!! He's thankfully over the age limit!!! Would be ironic that he wasn't required to serve in Egypt and then boom he moves here and gets drafted.