It's like passing a gruesome accident on the road. It's too horrible to look, but you can't help it. I know that when I turn on the news, check Facebook, or surf the web, I'm going to hate what I see. But I can't help it.
I shared the reaction of many Americans who were angry and confused about what was happening in countries where we had recently invested so much in their liberation from tyrants. I, too, wondered what that investment had meant and whether it would be better for us to pull out. Take our bat and ball and go home.
Then I saw the photos of the Libyans who had gathered with signs in Arabic and English expressing their sorrow about the death of Ambassador Stevens in Benghazi. It took enormous courage for them to publicly support the U.S. in such a volatile time and place. And I realized that if we back out now, these are the people who would suffer. If we back out, the thugs who killed 4 Americans would have no opposition.
There are many, many people in Islamic countries who do not want to be ruled by violent extremists. And they're the reason I'm going to work today, despite my grief.
I shared the reaction of many Americans who were angry and confused about what was happening in countries where we had recently invested so much in their liberation from tyrants. I, too, wondered what that investment had meant and whether it would be better for us to pull out. Take our bat and ball and go home.
Then I saw the photos of the Libyans who had gathered with signs in Arabic and English expressing their sorrow about the death of Ambassador Stevens in Benghazi. It took enormous courage for them to publicly support the U.S. in such a volatile time and place. And I realized that if we back out now, these are the people who would suffer. If we back out, the thugs who killed 4 Americans would have no opposition.
There are many, many people in Islamic countries who do not want to be ruled by violent extremists. And they're the reason I'm going to work today, despite my grief.
4 comments:
Thank you for this.
Heather,
Just read this today. We were on our way home from Malaysia when the attack in Libya occurred. Been back in the States for a week and already the coverage of overseas activities is a thing of the past. More interest by the media in Romney gaffes and Obama Letterman appearances than anything beyond our borders. NPR did a 2 minute blurb on the troop draw down in Afghanistan. Other than that, the US media seems to be back to business as usual rather than showing any interest in reporting on the real story about strife in the Muslim world. Very little exploring the real reasons behind the violence and unrest - other than a 12 minute film clip of a low-budget Hollywood anti-Muslim production.
Hi Heather! I was with your Mom and Dad at the Alaskan Salmon fish fry last night! Thought of you when the big beautiful full moon came up and your Mom and I took pics of it! Hope you were looking at the moon too! Makes us feel closer! "I see the Moon, the Moon sees me, the Moon sees somebody I want to see! God bless the Moon and God Bless me and God Bless the somebody I want to see!"
Hugs, Auntie Beth. XxxOoo
Love the blog and wanted to let you know that I gave you a shout out here: http://www.gadling.com/2012/10/02/a-traveler-in-the-foreign-service-the-best-foreign-service-blog/
Keep up the good work!
Dave Seminara
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