Dear Sir,

in your article in today´s Jordan Times you confused a few things.Thewhole fuss is not about building a mosque or any islamic place, it´sabout the location!!!!!!!!!! To whom is this "a gesture of good will"? Where is the muslim community in that area of town? Who is carrying the "torch of intolerance"?  What about building anything religious or not, just assuming that it is "against Islam"in any moslem state? Please be alittle bit objective and don´t mix up facts and intentions!!!!!!!!

Thanks

You say that if this is to be construed as a "religious war," then Muslim countries have the right to curtail the freedom of non-Muslims in those countries. Well, here is the news, Mr. Baroud: they already do. If a Catholic or Hindu organization wanted to place a religious center in Mecca, we both know what the result would be: mass demonstrations and unrestrained violence and mayhem. In the days following the ghastly attacks of 9/11, Americans like me, watched Muslims dancing in celebration in the streets. That, sir, is all I need to know about where Muslims are coming from. Until Muslims take to the world's streets in their millions and vociferously repudiate their extremist brethren, I see no reason whatsoever to view the majority of Muslims in anything but the most hostile light. J.S. Boston, Mass

Greetings fellow Earthling, may I call you Ramzy?...

Now I I just read your thought's on the Mosque at NYC on Global Research, and I must say you almost have it right, but the next step is the most difficult to take.....

When will we as a species grow to the point of not relying on stories written thousands of years ago, which have been tainted by the same hands which have caused so much bloodshed then and now.

Surly we have risen above the need to have our morality guided by scribes etching these stories so many years ago.

Best Regards from Canada...Paul.

Dear Ramzy,

I am writing to you in praise of your article:  The P.A. Redundant but Dangerous Language but after reading the peculiar letter by "Chris" regarding his outright dismissal of the Goldstone Report and the Nakba I felt I had to mention the Israeli (and their supporters') ability to ignore any facts and opinions which disagree with their official line. Maybe they believe that if mythology is repeated often enough it will become true!

Hi Ramzy and readers,

As an American (not at all Arabic) who stayed in the middle east for three weeks, I can't say how much I appreciate the open and receptive way in which I was treated there. The citizens were all so kind. I met folks from the gulf coast countries, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Tunisa, Gaza and Somalia.

 It was an education for me, as I expected quite a different reception than I received. I expected a hostile response but instead people were kind as could be. I was surprised and enjoyed my stay. It was safe, fun and everyone seemed to be much like my friends in the US. I began to understand about the politics of the middle east too.

I think Americans would learn a lot about the middle east and Arabic culture if we spent some time there. Then issues like Gaza would make a lot of sense to us. This site helps with that education.

In speaking of Gaza, I think that Israel is having continually less support from the US. I hope anyway.  Why? Because I think Israel is digging it's own grave. And Americans, living in the land of justice and civil liberties, finds Israel's gun slinging wild west days wearing thin. We cannot easily support a country that approves of the cold blooded murder of the activists on the Gaza peace flotilla.

The US has been slow to act on this issue. Thankfully our president Obama is supporting aid to Gaza. But more needs to be done.

I am ashamed of my country for being so passive about this issue. Our politicians count votes more than use their moral compass. Murder is what it is...a terrible and indecent act of humanity. We don't permit it here in the US unpunished nor should we let our allies do it likewise because our politicians have "no stones".

For those of you who view the US favorably. Thanks...we are a good people but we do not understand the Arabic world and are afraid of it. The distance between our worlds does not help. Give us time though. I think we can change. Don't give up on us.

I hope we all see Gaza free soon. I hope with it, comes a new view of the many wonderful people and cultures in the middle east.

Mark

Hey Ramzy,

I just wanted to say that your writing on Israel and western media is a refreshing change from the diluted, and heavily compromised version of events the masses receive from mainstream media outlets. I believe in non-violence, and free information and knowledge to all, and your articles help spread the plight of the felt by many people of middle-eastern heritage.

I am a British-born Canadian of mixed race, with not so much of a drop of Arab blood in me, but even I can easily see the tyranny of Israel against the people in Gaza, and many Islamic states. I see the US government and media fanning the flames of hatred against Islam, and unduly at that. 
While no one can deny the violence in such states in recent times, it is nothing in comparison to the atrocities perpetuated by Israel, the US, and their NATO allies.

Please continue to spread your message, while I and many other may not agree with every point, your attempts as a whole are greatly beneficial to those of us searching for news outside of mainstream sources.

Regards,
Nathaniel

Hello, I hope all is well with u n by the grace of Almighty Allah i am also fine here ... plz check and give ur comments ... this is my protest over the Israeli attack on aid fleet to Gaza .... !! Title: Protest over Israeli attack Israeli Navy commandos attacked an aid fleet that was going to Gaza. More than 20 activist where martyred and over 60 injured on monday. Israeli navy attacked the flotilla 65 km away from Gaza in International water that is also a violation of International Law. I strongly condemn this barbaric attack. All the Muslim countries should stand United on this barbaric attack and also put this matter with a collective Resolution signed by all Muslim Head of states or Foreign Ministers to the regional and International forums such as OIC and United Nations. The International Coomunity should also take notice of this unhumanitarian act by Israelis. The Human Rights Organizations, Media and Civil Society should also record their protest not by burning things on streets of their own countries but to defeat Israel and its allies on the Diplomatic front. The Muslims should write on this as much as they can. Influential Muslim Countries Like Turkey, Pakistan and Iran should also ask for the role of US, UK and European states in this situation. it is a testing moment for President Barack Obama Administration as well but i am afraid that the Israeli lobby in USA is very strong and they have alot of influence in Pentagon, State Department and White House thats why US policy will be the same as past one they will again provide an umbrella to Israeli act. The people of Palestine are our Sisters and Brothers they need our attention and help. Muslims Please Stand United. As United we Stand Divided we fall! Kind Regards, Waqas Ahmed Khan Student & Social Worker Hails from Tribal Areas FATA Pakistan

Hi Ramzy,

I was surprised to see you reduce hundreds of media companies in dozens of Western countries into one "Western media" - and then criticise them for reducing non-Westerners to violent cliches.

A Japanese teacher here in Ireland told me once that before she moved to Ireland her Japanese friends were shocked. After all, the only time they saw Ireland in the news was for the violence in Northern Ireland. They thought she was moving to a warzone. Instead she was moving to what was then one of the safest countries in Europe.

It's not to blame Japanese media for deliberately misrepresenting Ireland. Instead I blame the nature of news media (and the people who buy it) in putting bad news before all other kinds of news. That is why we rarely hear about distant countries of little economic importance (think Haiti) unless there is some kind of disaster there.

In any case, I'm always amazed when people talk confidently about Western media. Do you honestly know what news is reported in Estonia? Luxembourg? Ireland? Not everyone in the "West" watches Fox or BBC. To generalise like this in an article that criticises lazy generalisations seems odd!

Dear Ramzy Baroud

This is just to say how much I appreciated your write-up on how the western media portrays our side of the world. I am a journalist from Bangladesh and while I know my country is not the richest in the world has has its fair share of problems, I am sick and tired of Bangladesh being portrayed as a country of poverty, floods, fundamentalism, et all. If the western media was taken to be true and accurate, Bangladesh wouldn't be in existence any more -- they predicted we would be well under the waters of the Indian Ocean years ago!

Thanks for the article!