I was wondering how many MENA spouses watched the SOTU. I know some of the Arabic networks now carry it live with translation. I think the latest had particular interest because of the troop increase. What do they think of the president?

My husband is quite interested in U.S. politics, particular foreign policy. Any others? Any spouses eager to become citizens and vote?

Whats the SOTU?

My husband found it interesting and me having a degree in poli sci was interjecting all these little factoids into who they were showing, procedures, etc. (I'm a dork I know). In general he doesn't like Bush that much (nor do I for that matter), the longer he's here the more interested he's becoming in the process. He's really "wowed" by the prospect that our son could someday be the President of the US if he wanted to. I think coming from a kingdom it's a neat idea. (Just like we think it would be sooo cool to be a real princess, queen etc!). He did get his selective service card the other day and was a bit put off by the notion that he may have to involuntarily serve in the US army were there to be a draft. He said he would move back to Morocco first. But I think his sentiment was shock as he didn't realize that was the case. The longer he is here the more interested and Americanized he is becoming. When he first came I thought he would always hate it here and never want anything to do with anything American. He still says "I came here because you were here, not because I ever wanted to come to America." *Sigh* adjustments, adjustments





State of the Union Address

State of the Union

ETA: Amera already had it!

My fiance watched it, he actually gets alot of Ameican channels on satalite. The talk about increasing the troops is definitly a buzz over in the Middle East. I think alot of people have lost alot of respect for Bush from what little they had before. My fiance used to be a supporter of Bush but as many has changed his opinion. Not only is he against Bush, but he is against the US Military being in Iraq as are many Arabs. Its not surprising to me that there is such an uproar overthere regarding the increase in troops because they want the troops that are there gone. I don't think anyone sees the point of it anymore, including myself.

He has always had an interest in US politics and like Rebecca said, foreign policy being the most important, and always keeps current with them.

On a side note - Morocco just went all-volunteer military.

Yes we watched it. Mahmoud is very interested in U.S. politics -- and yes, especially foreign policy, as it has such an impact on his land and his people.

As you might guess, he does not have a very high opinion of George W.'s performance.

He is definitely planning to apply for citizenship, and looks forward to having the privilege of voting here.

One thing I have noticed when talking to other Arabs is how surprised they are that leader of the U.S.A is such a poor speaker, has anyone else encountered the same opinion?

Really? Is there an age cutoff for that? I never knew that!!!



Usama watched it but I didn't. He told me that he talked about the troops, etc. We try not to talk about politics over the web just because you never know who's listening.

Hicham doesn't like Bush's policies in terms of the military and the war in Iraq. He really just doesn't care for Bush and that's why we get along so well.

but does he think Bush is dumb?

Who doesn't?!?!

Now THAT is a bright man. Just looking at the photo you can tell he is very intelligent.

When my parents travel the ME/NA, they hear criticism very specific to Bush and his policies; however, the American people are generally respected. This was my experience too. Some had great Bush jokes to tell!

My fiance reads a lot of newspapers in Maroc instead of watching tv news. He has expressed to me concerns about being Muslim in the US because of the stories being reported in ME/NA and French papers. He is not a Bush fan and one of the first conversations we had was about this.

I am not sure what he will find here...in terms of anti-Muslim sentiment. I've seen violence against the muslim community here and many terrible comments made by people who do not realize who they are talking to when I am there.

And my experience also. No one has ever expressed to me any hatred (or even mild dislike) of the American people -- in fact, they've expressed much admiration for Americans and the freedoms and opportunities here.

It's the American government's foreign policy, specifically in the Middle East, that they criticize. And the average Arab is much more informed about the specifics of that policy than are most Americans. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the matter of Palestine.

I found the same thing with my fiancee's family. Why do think they can understand that our President does not reflect the values of our entire country, but here in the states people see one bad Middle Eastern person and assume they are all bad?

I always try to bring up politics but my fiance is convinced that Bush is listening to our every word...so we have to save all those convos for when we are face to face

You were right! (you know who you are)

What does that mean Sarah?

I know this isn't particularly about MENA, but it goes to the overall lame-ness of the SOTU. Bush said nothing about Katrina, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and there are still thousands in FEMA trailers to this day. He promised he'd force insurance companies to pay claims, but they still haven't and people now have to sue. The Republican governor of MS is his close friend, so he's not handing out the federal money at all.

As for the question about SOs being shocked about Bush's oratory skills, yes, it's been noted many times how crappy he is at delivering speeches.

MK, you are on a roll tonight!




I completly understand Sophia and its not just Muslims, its all Arabs. Shortly after 9/11, the church my family had been going to for 25 years was doused in gasoline and set on fire. The entire church was burned down, most of the members were of Palistinian decent but there were also Jordanians and Ethopians with the majority of us being in the US for 20-40 years and more. (Peezey, maybe you remember this? Its the church in the Los Altos Hills) It was a very sad event and was dismissed by the local authorites with no cause, explanation, or investigation. We prayed out of a tent for nearly 3 years, through all the bad weather until we were able to get permits to rebuild.

What happened when the churches were burned down in Alabama, a full investigation, arrests, and nationwide headlines. What our church lost in that night will take many many years to recover.

Right, I should have been more clear. Many people are targeted- a shikh from India, Arabs (remember folks reading this that most ARabs in America are Christian NOT Muslim), anyone who in the small narrow mind of the person looks different.

I just thought MBP that the offers for work as a translator in Iraq will begin before your fiance is even a permanent resident! You may want to let him know to expect them.

We watched the part leading up to it, pointed out all the different people and saw Rep. Keith Ellison. That was the highlight of the evening for me When the president came out, I left, because he makes me ill. DH stayed to watch, but after 15 minutes, he got tired of all the clapping breaks and quit as well.

He is very interested in politics, and really enjoys discussing and participating. It's quite a change for him to come to a country where we freely ridicule our leaders on a nightly basis.

I had actually meant to ask you recently if this was your church. I was shocked when it happened. It shows that this kind of thing happens all across the country, no matter how tolerant you might think your community is.

We had many sikhs harrassed and beaten on the other side of San Jose, as well, not to mention dozens of things go on in Fremont. Of course, the woman who was just shot in the head a couple months ago shows this stuff is still going on.

We can say all we want about just trying to live your life but I am not a target, so I can't know what it's like to be fearful of violence.

This is so true, I still get them in the mail all the time now, apparently the military doesn't give up. And this has nothing to do with selective service, they go by country of birth, I guess, in the USCIS system, then the postcards and packets start rolling in!

Almost all male U.S. citizens regardless of where they live, and male immigrant aliens residing in the U.S., are required to be registered with Selective Service if they are at least 18 years old but are not yet 26 years old. Men who are 26 years old and older are too old to register. The part that brings a wry smile to my face is that illegal aliens must register for selective service

http://www.sss.gov/MUST.HTM

phew!!! He's thankfully over the age limit!!! Would be ironic that he wasn't required to serve in Egypt and then boom he moves here and gets drafted.

Doodle, hows things going? You seem to be in better spirits.

A LOT better!!! Hopefully I'll be able to file tomorrow.

Glad to hear it

LMAO!

Don't even get me started on Bush and his good 'ole administration...this is the subject where my horns tend to show and I turn all nasty


~Kiyah~

My fiance has actually recieved a few offers to do this in the last couple years, he has no interest at all. I don't think it's something he would ever do.

How does your SO feel about arabs working with or helping the US Military, my fiance has mixed feelings about it. On one hand he has a devotion to his arab brothers and sisters but he also knows he can't defend senseless acts violence. Has anyone discussed this?

Yes, quite a bit, it's more of a joke now when the letters and postcards come, but no way would he or his brother ever take a job for this administration at all let alone for a war-time translator.

Wow they actually send letters and post cards?

They do. It's weird at first, you wonder **how** the Army finds this stuff out, but I guess they just filter through USCIS for potential Arabic language speakers, and start recruiting. First a post card, then you don't respond, then a letter, then a longer letter, then they give your name to the contract agencies that do the civilian hiring in Iraq, and it goes on. It was steady for about 2 years, now it's only a couple times a year.

You know? I have heard this so many times in the last year and a half...an immigrant of Arab descent comes to the US on a Visa and shortly thereafter is offered a job being a war-time Arabic translator, specifically in Iraq.

I do know of a couple of men recently whose original petitions were returned and are now reunited with their wives...their response was "After what we just went through to even be allowed to live together in the same country, NO...I will not leave my wife in this country to become a translator for war in another country."

I say AMIN to that!


~Kiyah~