COMMENT - On Mage Soapbox

I've decided it's about time to make a comment or clarification on this blog.

1. The main purpose for my blog is to focus on potential items in various media that could directly or indirectly effect the USA, both internal and especially world events since 9/11.
   
   Internally I focus on political events, although I do include some local interest posts.
   
   In the political area I am very distressed that the USA leaning toward extremism, as represented by the Tea Party (once the Republican Party) where no-compromise has become written-in-stone. Where bargaining is considered traitorous. The result is government, federal and in some states, that cannot do anything.



2. In today's world, there is terrorism whose main source is Arab/Muslim world. Especially from Iran, Syria, the Taliban, Al Qaeda and its affiliated groups; there is a glimmer of light and hope in the Arab world as evidenced by the "Arab Spring."
   
   The down-side, for example, is what is happening in Syria as we "speak," a brutal regime murdering its own citizens.
   
   We Americans need to realize a key in the Arab world. We Americans tend to think ourselves as "Americans" FIRST; and Californians, Texans, South Carolinians, whatever, SECOND.
   
   Much, if not all, of the Arab world tends to be tribal. The people think in the terms of being a member of a specific tribe FIRST, and as a member of a nation SECOND (if at all). This makes if difficult to deal with, or expect, an American-style solution to problems. I have the suspicion that this is NOT fully appreciated in our foreign policy.
   
   So this why I spend so much time posting on subjects outside of the USA, especially events in the Arab world.



3. Also, the USA is part of the world economy, so we cannot afford to not be cognizant of what is happening economically elsewhere.