Tangents and Hypocrisy All Off The Cuff

I'm convinced that my best thinking comes while I'm doing one of two things. Standing on guard shift, or like every other man in the world, sitting on the crapper. Unfortunately the only two things have to write on in both situations, is a belt of ammunition or a roll of tee pee. Regardless of how much I try and hold on to and idea, or draw the play out in my head, I am never able to retain it, and so instead of the awesome blog I was going to post, you'll have to deal with this one.

One thing I have left out of my blog all too often, or at least not put enough effort or emphasis into, is our interpreter Bob. Bob's country, his people, his morals and culture all suck. 11 months in this country has taught me a lot about this middle eastern country. The cradle of civilization and all the culture, morals, and ethics of the people that haven't seemed to evolve at the same rate as any other being on this planet. I learned, after seeing their work ethic, that either it took a million years to build the pyramids, or there are aliens. The stoning of women is still accepted, along with handcuffing them to the bars outside a window, punching them in the face and hitting them with a blunt object. Though in all the differences, the biggest resemblance to any Western thinking is greed and hypocrisy in religion, even despite the opposition and denial that the 'radical' extremists Muslims have. I've learned that Muslims care about money, sex, and getting out of doing anything honest. Perhaps the worst underbelly of America can relate, and why should it not? Our Media, MTV, it's around the Globe, and didn't just skip over here.

You would think learning this culture I would be more tolerant, have more of an understanding of the hardships, and empathize for the people of this country. It has in fact done the exact opposite, I despise these people, and almost wish that we were still radical enough to be controlled by the Catholic church and crusade in the name of God to eradicate these people. What about Bob? I know, I started to get off on a tangent there, but this is all caused by Bob and his people. I like Bob, he's in his 30's, teaches computer science when he's not translating for us. Has a good sense of humor, proclaims himself as a 'bitch,' and on top of all that is a really good terp. He's a horrible Muslim, as they are all turning out to be. But his discrepancies in religion don't stray far from that of any Americans religious ideals. I mean unless they are over the top extremists, taking every word literal; I find those people the weirdest of all. Especially when they express their opinions upon others. Fortunately for us, the thought process of radical Christians has changed away from blood thirsty and martyrdom. We can leave that for the Arab's, who apparently can't think of something themselves, and have to steal all of their ideas from the west. Bob will be the first to denounce Alcohol, and Pork. Calling them a sin to eat, that Allah will not forgive him if he ever indulged in these things. Then he goes home and has sex with his girlfriend, who is Christian, and they unwed.

My mind run circles around religion, and I hate writing about it as much as I hate writing about politics. To many people are on the fence, and they all to often just try and defend it for defense sake, even though I'm not attacking anyone. Well maybe the hypocrisy and ignorance, but I believe if you believe in something, do it if it makes you happy. If it doesn't infringe on my rights or the rights of my fellow neighbors, you can believe it. It just makes my head bleed from scratching when I get the lectures from friends back home for using the Lord's name in vain. The part time, fair weather, convenient religioners. Most of my friends are Catholic, and sure I don't like the way the church itself handles the affairs of it's own, using faith as a profit making machine, but none the less I have friends who are Catholic. They are the ones that scoff at me when I say God Damn. They don't eat meat on Fridays during lent. But then they go have sex with their girlfriends. Then consume more than a moderate amount of alcohol. And then go stab someone else to death because they looked at them cross-ways. Wow, this turned a lot more hostile than I wanted to. I'm sure I've offended at least someone out there, reading this, mouth wide open. But it's all the same everywhere. We are the same as these people. Religion is the same. We might have transgressed a little bit, not thinking that 'women are slaves' and they 'will listen to man, or else.' We don't blow each other up for money or beliefs, but not too long ago we were.

Thomas Jefferson said it best, so I'm sure I'll say it much worse. I do not see religious beliefs or political views as a means to end a friendship. I believe that whole heartily. I think it actually can enrich a friendship (as long as you can keep things civil), as it points out other sides of the argument, and opinions. I've drank the Chai, and learned some phrases, and in the end I only can say I like two Iraqi's. Bob, and one of the first one's I met here, the Policeman Ferras. The rest of this back asswards country can burn in hell, God Damn it!


Get 'em out, get 'em up, get 'em off, RAWHIDE! (Whi chuh!)