The hate of the Middle-East in the media

[Frost Mage]

The media has done it, by convincing us that these people in Iraq and Afghanistan are evil, and they should be stopped at all costs for the sake of our safety. It goes without saying you guys know my standpoint on the affair (just watch this video), so I'll try to stick with "real" politics and views on the events that occurred that day. How do you feel the U.S. government has handled the war in the Middle-East? Do you want them to pull out our troops, or rather continue fighting?

[Veck]

I don't have a true view on this as I believe you have to be there to understand what's going on, but do I think the Taliban and Al Qua'ida are scum? Their bombing attacks are bad enough, and the reports of what they do to their own countrymen (killing children and using their bodes as bombs is a case I've seen reported more than once) are utterly disgusting. They don't seem to be fighting a traditional war against UN forces but rather a case of hiding away and trying to kill off as many people with IEDs as they can. In summary, yes, I think that they are a bunch of indoctrinated madmen responsible for thousands of pointless deaths, so they more than deserve theur reputation.

Of course, you ignored the positive views that the media projects onto the middle east. Take every country involved in the Arab Spring. The press is always quick to show violent protestors in a positice light while ignoring the pro-government members of countries like Syria.

[Lindai]

They've moved on a bit from Iraq and Afghanistan. The mainstream media has already convinced the dipsticks that those occupations were justified/good/Jesus-approved. Iran on the other hand-Iran's what they're demonizing now. Dam you Ahmadinejad, threatening to retaliate to terrorism from the US/Israel.

"And when the twelfth largest company in the world controls the most awesome, god-damned propaganda force in the whole godless world, who knows what [&@%!] will be pedaled as "truth" on this network."

[n810]

Yea im sure the Iranian news is full of good will had frienship tword the united states and the rest of the western world.

[Jeff]

The media has done it, by convincing us that these people in Iraq and Afghanistan are evil, and they should be stopped at all costs for the sake of our safety.

Now maybe the "Media" that you are following, wants you to believe that the "Other Media" is saying this, but I have yet to see anywhere, on any News Network anywhere, anyone say that: "All Arab's and Muslims's are Evil, and should be destroyed at all costs". ...so what meadia are you refereing to? Maybe you need to question the Media that you are follow.

How do you feel the U.S. government has handled the war in the Middle-East? Do you want them to pull out our troops, or rather continue fighting?

Having been in Iraq and Afghanistan, I will simply qoute a common question that the Arab/Muslim People have asked me: Why do the people of the United States, not support the US Government & Military's attmpts to help Stabilize their Countries, so that they can build a Social Structure and eventually have a Stable Democracy?

...I can not answer that question. Maybe you can answer that question for me?

[the Savage Hippie]

The Media can manipulate any photograph or footage as they like to. Just get used to it. There is nothing to do about it. Of course it is sad they portray people in the wrong way, but that's how it is.

[Frost Mage]

Should I post a video where one of the Rockefeller brothers tells his friend that their first objective was infiltrating Iraq, then Iran for oil, and that their main purpose was to get everyone microchipped.

[Taters]

Should I post a video where one of the Rockefeller brothers tells his friend that their first objective was infiltrating Iraq, then Iran for oil, and that their main purpose was to get everyone microchipped.

No.

[Frost Mage]

That's why I posted it .

We need to get our troops out ASAP, with as little "finishing up" as possible, as they can't really do too much, with the state that the Middle-East is in right now.

[Jeff]

...and how do you know what state the Middle-East is in? When was the last time you were over there?

[Frost Mage]

Not saying that it's the absolute truth, but I know about it because of the media, like everyone else.

[Jeff]

Which means that you know nothing. Especial from the lies of the types of media that are attempting to misinform you.

Why do the people of the United States, not support the US Government & Military's attmpts to help Stabilize their Countries, so that they can build a Social Structure and eventually have a Stable Democracy?

Answer the Question that I have been asked by Arabs in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Why do you not want thier countries to be succesful?

[Avron the S'wit]

Not saying that it's the absolute truth, but I know about it because of the media, like everyone else.

I'm confused. Isn't the point of this thread to say that media's portrayal is wrong? So how can you say that? Or am I just not understanding where you are coming from?

I have been near the Middle East (Turkey) and have taught ESL students from Iran. The media does not portray everything. There is a really great book about people my age in the Middle East, Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travels Among the Youth of the Middle East by Jared Cohen that I would really recommend. It reflects a lot of what my previous students had told me about the reality of the Middle East.

[Wolfie]

I think its like anything its not black and white, its gray, there are pepole there who truely want help (and trhen there are those who want it but are scared) and then those that dont.

And no matter where you go one sides going to say they have more.


I dont think any media is calling them evil.

[Frost Mage]

Yes, but I was assuming you were of the traditional type .
Yes, the media would love to have us think the war is going poorly, when actually it is going extremely well for them, with oil and such, depleting their natural resources and overall self-control that they had, and misusing their money.

Not saying that it's the absolute truth, but I know about it because of the media, like everyone else.

I'm confused. Isn't the point of this thread to say that media's portrayal is wrong? So how can you say that? Or am I just not understanding where you are coming from?

I have been near the Middle East (Turkey) and have taught ESL students from Iran. The media does not portray everything. There is a really great book about people my age in the Middle East, Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travels Among the Youth of the Middle East by Jared Cohen that I would really recommend. It reflects a lot of what my previous students had told me about the reality of the Middle East.

Well, I've tried to stay out of it, but it looks like some people would care to hear my thoughts on the matter. Yes, they are lying to us, and yes, unless we realize this and stop relying on the media to tell us what to believe, we will be just the band of sheep that they want, a group of sheep that doesn't think for themselves, that accepts everything the government does as the right thing to do.

[Arch-Mage Matt]

I have a problem believing dozens of media businesses with hundreds of thousands of employees are all successfully lying to the public and you're one of the few who realize the absolute truth.

[Jeff]

Well, I've tried to stay out of it

I am confused? You started the discussion. Why start a discussion, if you are trying to stay out of it?

The information which you are claiming to be true, is a form of media. Unless you have been there, how do you know what the truth is. Blindly follwing others to not be a sheep, makes you a sheep for the others. You are just changing one sheeps cloths, for another.

[Wolfie]

My family has been in all the brances, and four of us have been over there, they echo most of what the media says, of course its not ALL true, but form what they seems its not close to what your saying.

[Frost Mage]

I don't follow anyone, Jeff. And Matt, I am not saying this is the absolute truth, I am probably wrong about 50% of the stuff I am saying, but at least it make you think about the possibilities.

[Avron the S'wit]

Not saying that it's the absolute truth, but I know about it because of the media, like everyone else.

I'm confused. Isn't the point of this thread to say that media's portrayal is wrong? So how can you say that? Or am I just not understanding where you are coming from?

I have been near the Middle East (Turkey) and have taught ESL students from Iran. The media does not portray everything. There is a really great book about people my age in the Middle East, Children of Jihad: A Young American's Travels Among the Youth of the Middle East by Jared Cohen that I would really recommend. It reflects a lot of what my previous students had told me about the reality of the Middle East.

Well, I've tried to stay out of it, but it looks like some people would care to hear my thoughts on the matter. Yes, they are lying to us, and yes, unless we realize this and stop relying on the media to tell us what to believe, we will be just the band of sheep that they want, a group of sheep that doesn't think for themselves, that accepts everything the government does as the right thing to do.

Okay, I can understand that you believe that, but you didn't answer my question. If you believe the media is lying to you, how can you make a statement saying "I know about it because of the media." Doesn't that mean you are also believing a lie? (Do you see what I am saying and why I am confused?)

Frosty, read the book. You'd enjoy it.

By the way, I worked for a daily newspaper on the editorial board. I know all about the media. You do want to get the scoop, but most sources don't present you with blatant lies. Stories are as good as the information your sources give you.

[Frost Mage]

The media are not the ones lying, it's from where the information is coming from that it gets twisted. Avron, I know what is the common "truth" to most people , not what I believe in. I know the "facts" about how it's going over there, but I would like to see if any of it is debatable.

[Wolfie]

Of course it is, with something like a war you will have secrets, its part of war.

[Frost Mage]

But what some people don't realize is that these secrets may be affecting us in ways we could only imagine. Sure, this is just speculation, but it's something to think about.

[Avron the S'wit]

Well, okay, that's understandable, I suppose. I'm still a little confused but I'm going to chalk that up on my own brain here.

Naturally sources are to be questioned and you should always make your own educated assumptions. Let me ask this: based on what you know and believe to be true, what do you think the problems are, and if it were up to you, how would you solve the problems faced by people in the Middle East?

[Frost Mage]

At this point in time, and forever after IMHO, we will never know the truth until it is too late, so I honestly do not have any clue as to how I would solve the situation, and anyone that tells you that they can are lying.