I came across a 2011 New York Times piece (5/29/11) by Rod Nordland (written up by Peter Hart at the time—FAIR Blog, 5/31/11) about a place in the Muslim world where Americans feel truly welcome:
Americans and, for that matter, all Westerners are treated hereabouts with a warmth and gratitude rarely seen in any Muslim country—even those with 100,000 American troops—in probably half a century or more. People smile and go out of their way to say hello to them, and are almost shockingly courteous. It is that oddest of oddities, an Arab war zone where foreign joggers are regarded, not with hostility or even that sympathetic puzzlement reserved for the insane, but with a friendly wave or a toot on the horn.
Yes, Nordland found a place where Americans don’t encounter the lack of gratitude they find in countries occupied by US troops. He went on:
In other parts of the Mideast, one refrains from advertising American nationality, if only just in case. This is a part of the world where, other than outside American embassies, the Stars and Stripes are most often spotted ablaze and stomped upon.
Here, crowds of chanting youth fly it proudly.
Where is this place so strikingly free of anti-American sentiment? The dateline is much more familiar today than it was then: Benghazi, Libya.
Gene Palmiter
Do we know that American tourists are not well received in Benghazi? Maybe they can tell the difference between CIA kidnappers and torturers and the average American even if you cannot.
FreeSpirit
“Let’s pacify the infidels with our oriental indirection in 2011, then attack their embassy in 2012”!
This is what happens when the citizens of the Empire start believing their own propaganda! The weaver in his own web…
Mike M.
Clever little false dichotomy established by the oh-so dutiful promulgator of the finest propaganda hot off the lips of political elites on the Hill: either you have warm fuzzy Muslims tooting their horn at you happily as you run by in your American flag shorts and tank, or you have angry youths stomping on the flag and burning it, screaming “death to the Great Satan.” Operation Mockingbird is alive and well.
David G
If FAIR’s going to keep the magnifying glass on reporter Rod Nordland (two posts in two days, and six under the tag), you should correct the spelling of his name from “Norland”.
David G
This fatuous attitude about how docile and grateful the Libyans are supposed to be to the U.S. for turning their formerly well-functioning state into a militia-ridden chaos, and corresponding bewilderment when reality intrudes, also came out in Hillary Clinton’s statements immediately after the Benghazi black-ops HQ … I mean, “consulate” … was sacked.
Rehmat
I think Ron needs to talk to Israeli tourist minister to find out which Muslim city or country welcome both Americans and Israelis. I bet he will recommend Maldive island to Ron. It’s a “paradise on earth” with beautiful sandy beaches and 100% sunni inhabitants. Maldives recognized Israel in the 1950s.
http://rehmat1.com/2013/10/21/israel-wants-regime-change-in-maldives/
jay allain
Why should any country/people terrorized by u.s. or israeli incursions, terrorism, or sanctions be hospitable to americans or israelis? African and Middle eastern muslims and sikhs and black persons (regardless of nationality, religion) are often accosted, attacked, or otherwise made to feel unwelcome in israel and u.s. This age-old double standard is sickening.
michael e
I get the distinct idea that most people contributing here believe that our ambassador deserved what he got.That the US deserved to be invaded(yes our consulate land is United states territory)by these terrorists.And that in fact all Americans deserve what they get at the hands of anyone ,anywhere in the world because after all…..we are the bad guys.I think you are so deluded and brainwashed that it is hard to communicate with you.
michael e
Freespirit….Let me reiterate.That WAS United states territory.I think because YOU and others believe that their were things going on there that YOU would not agree with, that in a manner it was understandable what happened.All well and good.You are free to espouse that opinion.My opinion is air strikes should of been called in followed by airlifted troops to sweep the area clean.Then you could of attacked our “over reach”.As far as the bloggers on this sight walking in lockstep ..Pa lease!You are like lemmings going over a cliff.As far as me being in lockstep with who?FOX ,the republicans?Actually Im a fiscally conservative.Constitution based socially liberal guy.I worked for Clinton because i believed brains would suffice.I was wrong.See i have been involved in politics for thirty years.Ive learned not to hitch your wagon to any individual.Core values are the only thing that is left when these people let you down.So Obama has let you down .The best that can be said is that lie….that all politicians lie so all that matters is if the care.If they empathize with the right group.The main thing you fools stand for is redistribution.To the poor.Yet Obama is the opposite.Under Clinton 40% of the wealth was held by the top 1%.Under Bush 60% Under Obama 87%.He is redistributing wealth …to the rich!How????By printing money that keeps the stock market up that only the rich partake in.WE TOLD YOU ALL THIS!Didnt we?You cant break with this bunch.And Hilary is next on your agenda. Differance between me and you is experience.The real difference though- is even if you had the experience ,,,,You STILL could not change.I asked Dick Morris recently why he is now a conservative.His answer was to the point.”It works and liberalism does not””It is best for the country”.Remember he was Clintons top guy.He learned.I learned.You bunch are still left in the stone age
michael e
Sorry for the jumbled sentence.To be clear…”the best that can be said of him is that all politicians lie.The only thing that really matters is that they care.If they empathize with the right group..”
MightyTravels
Many people in muslim countries have VERY favorable views of Westerners. Politics stirs up emotions about foreigners that are just insane sometimes. Torsten @ http://www.mightytravels.com