Arab Spring

[smc]

Originally Posted by randolph

If the mayhem of the past is any indication, these three religious groups would much rather kill each other off than live together. Ironically, they all derive from the Abrahamic source. They believe in the same God, just different names. Christian sects hate each other and Sunnis and Shia Muslims hate each other. The Abrahamic religions are deeply flawed, they are intolerant. Each one firmly believes that them and only them have the word of God. Centuries of conflict are the result. It is very unfortunate that the middle east has lots of oil. Otherwise it would have remained a land of sheep herders and camel jockeys.

Randolph, are you aware that the term "camel jockey" is racist and derogatory, and has always been characterized as such. It is an affront to the seriousness of this discussion that you used the term here, and an insult to every Arab member of this site (and there are quite a few).

[randolph]

SMC

Randolph, are you aware that the term "camel jockey" is racist and derogatory, and has always been characterized as such. It is an affront to the seriousness of this discussion that you used the term here, and an insult to every Arab member of this site (and there are quite a few).

The term doesn't have to be derogatory (although it usually is), it can be a joke or humorous. My comment was of a vision of the Middle east without oil. After all the three wisemen came to Bethlehem on camels.

[randolph]

As I see it.
After WWII Great Briton was severely weakened by the war and was desperately seeking a loan from the US. The US under President Truman saw this as an opportunity to increase the US hegemony in the middle east. Ships loaded with Jewish refugees were being shuttled around and prevented from landing in Palestine. Truman proceeded to take over the situation and allowed the refugees to enter Palestine. Initially the UN attempted to establish a secular state but neither the Jews or the Arabs were in favor of that. The US recognized Israel and proceeded to strengthen its influence in the Middle East to counter increasing influence of Russia in the Middle East. The establishment of the Jewish state and its brutal expulsion of Arabs enraged The surrounding Arab states. Massive US military and financial aid to Egypt eventually weaned Egypt away from Russian influence. The US was then able to get Egypt to come to terms with Israel. This greatly strengthened US hegemony in the middle east and made Istarl a serious power in spite of its tiny size.

[smc]

Originally Posted by randolph

SMC

The term doesn't have to be derogatory (although it usually is), it can be a joke or humorous. My comment was of a vision of the Middle east without oil. After all the three wisemen came to Bethlehem on camels.

This morning, I asked a student from Saudi Arabia students, an Arab professor colleague from Syria, and two Arab friends. They said the term is racist, period. They don't even use it in their own community (as some young blacks do with the "N" word).

Rather than claim that it "doesn't have to be derogatory" you should repudiate your use of the term.