Assalamu `alaykum,

President Bush did a 5-nation tour of Latin America recently. Here’s some of the warm welcoming he got:

From Uruguay to Argentina to Colombia, protesters made it pretty clear what they thought of President Bush.

I find it pretty interesting that even South American countries are critical of Bush. Some people on this campus tend to think that if you don’t like Bush, you are either a Democrat or a Muslim. Obviously this isn’t the case. In fact, I believe it was reported somewhere that the majority of the nations of the world don’t really like Bush. Don’t take my word on it, especially because I can’t find an source for it, but I do remember reading it somewhere.

I really wish our country would wisen up, though. It’s about time that President Bush takes a step back and actual evaluates the results of his actions rather than taking another vacation at his farmhouse. How is the demolition of Iraq and its citizens benefiting them or even us? America has pretty much already broken Iraq. So why is America not only senselessly inducing the murder of thousands of innocent civilians but also adding even more on the shoulders of its responsibilities? Through this war, our country continues to fall into greater and deeper debt. At the rate it is growing, I honestly don’t know how we will be able to pay it off. Not only will this burden fall onto our shoulders, but it will continue to fall on those of future generations, generations that have not even been born yet and were not able to voice their opinions on this subject. I mean, think about it. Through the horrific slaughters and the unnecessary presence in Iraq, we are harming both Iraqi citizens and ourselves. Even if one feels no moral obligations to stop this war, he should at least remember that any compensation needed to continue America’s presence there will fall on his shoulders.

Latin Americans luckily do not necessarily share this burden with American citizens, yet they do recognize “el imperialismo,” or the imperialistic attitude, of Bush. If they can comprehend this, why can’t we? If those who will not even be held accountable for this war can understand the problems it produces, why can’t those whom this directly effects make a stance against it?

AlhamdulilLah, it does appear that people are wisening up. There was a massive anti-war rally in L.A. today. Unfortunately, I was not able to make it, but I applaud the efforts and statement of those who represented there. However, as I have learned from others, I find it essential to remind all of us that the action cannot stop here. Insha’Allah we need to continue these actions, make them bigger and larger, widen their breadth of effect, and help others to do the same. Through this and through the unity of our actions, our statements will be bolder and will resound even greater through the country. Insha’Allah let us try to imitate some of the examples that have been given to us through these rallies in Latin America.

Wa `alaykum asalam, peace outttt.