If you met an Iraqi today, what would you say to him/her?

Question

What would you say about the war? What would you ask? Would you have any intelligent comments or questions? Would you "trust" this person? Would you be fearful? Would you think "terrorist"?

I can't imagine why anyone would even begin to think "terrorist"? The Iraqis had nothing to do with 9/11. I can't imagine why any of you would think that he/she was from "the other side". We are supposed to be on the side of the Iraqis--freeing them and "giving" them democracy.

Do you see any problem with the answers I'm getting??? Everyone seems to feel and Iraqi citizen would be our "enemy"! If this doesn't point out the fallacies in this war, I don't know what will.

edit: For someone who is usually somewhat anti-military, this is unusual for me to say: The answerer who was a military brat and has continued to act as a mini-ambassador has my highest praise!!! Thank you for being a proud American and standing up for what this country is supposed to mean! You are a credit to the human race!

Answer 1

I am a military brat, I spent most of my life taking to people either in other coutries or from other countries.

I tend to see people as individuals.

I would greet them in a friendly way and show intrest in them personally and genuine interest in their culture and customs.

I think I was 5 when my Father fist explained to me, when we were in Japan, that we represented our whole Country.....that the impression I made on people in other lands, or from other lands had an impact on how people would view not only me, but my Country. This had lasting impact.

I was made richer for this experience. Some of this due to my Dad's teachings, but much do to the fact that I became genuinely interested in being (as dad put it) a little ambassador. It made me attentive and I learned that people world over do not differ that much.

Both good and bad people exist in every Culture, and every Country. But you won't know which they are until you listen to what they have to say and till you respond and hear thier response.

It is called diplomacy, I think we and I mean the big We (World) are loosing diplomacy, and I think this bodes badly for us.

There is just one Earth.

We so urgently need to learn how to share this in peace, and help each other grow and prosper.

Sorry, to be so long winded, this was a good and evocative question, after so many specious ones. Thank you.

Answer 2

I'd ask them what they felt about it first.

My dentist is from Iran and when I was waiting for him to check up on me I turned on CNN (rich dentist office) on the tv in there. It was covering the Iraq war and the new casualties and he walked in and I was worried that he would have very strong opinions. He was very intelligent though. Just said that Iraq is messy right now and we have to pick it all up.

I'd probably just try to listen to the Iraqi then tell him what I really thought. There's no point in talking to someone who you have to hold back on. I wouldn't be fearful and I wouldn't think terrorist. I'd think: Iraqi with a perspective I've probably not heard before. Maybe I'd agree maybe I'd disagree. People tend to spread lies in this country about what the Iraqis feel. Pro-Iraq war tend to say Iraqis see us as liberators, Anti-War say they see us as terrorists. I say its different from Iraqi to Iraqi and asking one has little do to with the entire country.

Just like America. Iraq isn't some special case. We're similar in a lot of ways just like we're different.

Oh well. Bigger rant than I was expecting.

Answer 3

I would say " You have lost a Great Leader" .....

The oil in ur Car is most probably from that country.

For heaven sake have some respect for a ruler of a country.

What he did To the kurdish people is his internal matter.

Iraq was the most modern and liberal country in the Gulf, they even had liquor & belly dancing. People in the Gulf used to go to Iraq 15yrs ago to get a taste of the west.

...Look what things have come to now....the place is no better than Afganisthan.....

...and what worse could come upon Iraq if the hardly 20,000 US troops left it ( u have more people in a national boy scout team than that)...

Who is the bigger criminal...Sadam or Bush....and what is Iraq's CRIME....???

Answer 4

I don't pre-judge a person, even if he is from Iraq or anywhere else in the world. Not everyone shares their views of their government. They have the same fears as anyone else. They want to generally live in peace, be respected, and want to build friendships. I wouldn't probe the individual, especially about politics or religion. I would be myself, be friendly, and let the conversation flow from there.

Answer 5

I would get down on my knees and say "I'm sorry" over and over again.

Then explain that a lot of Americans opposed the war from the beginning, as there was no reason for it.

Then I'd explain that a lot of Americans were scared into believing the war was necessary.

Then I'd apologize again.

Answer 6

Howdy!

Why talk about a war? it's a sensitive subject, mainly when your talking to someone on the other side. If I'm talking to him, then he's probably not a terrorist, so that solves that problem.

Answer 7

I would say "Hello, my name is Bob." I wouldn't expect any individual Iraqi to represent his or her nation, any more than I would want to be called upon to represent my own. I would hope that we could find common ground and be friendly to each other.

Answer 8

Well seeing as i know someone from Iraq as he came to our school for lessons and he got on with everyone i think id do pretty well.

Answer 9

How's it going eh? Everyone is different, just because they are from Iraq doesn't mean they are a terrorist. Trust has to be earned no matter who or what you are.

Answer 10

i would ask how are you?
i would not think anything bad of them because i would hope they wouldnt think anything bad of me. like o look there is an American i wonder if he will shoot me? no reason to be fearful of them most people in this world are good people