[Winstonm]

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The polling was conducted by Gallup Pakistan, an affiliate of the Gallup International polling group, and more than 2,600 people took part.

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Interviews were conducted across the political spectrum in all four of the country's provinces, and represented men and women of every economic and ethnic background.

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When respondents were asked what they consider to be the biggest threat to the nation of Pakistan, 11 per cent of the population identified the Taliban fighters, who have been blamed for scores of deadly bomb attacks across the country in recent years.

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Another 18 per cent said that they believe that the greatest threat came from neighbouring India, which has fought three wars with Pakistan since partition in 1947

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But an overwhelming number, 59 per cent of respondents, said the greatest threat to Pakistan right now is, in fact, the US, a donor of considerable amounts of military and development aid.

One would think there could be a lesson learned here somewhere...

[Lobowolf]

Winstonm, on Aug 10 2009, 06:29 PM, said:

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The polling was conducted by Gallup Pakistan, an affiliate of the Gallup International polling group, and more than 2,600 people took part.

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Interviews were conducted across the political spectrum in all four of the country's provinces, and represented men and women of every economic and ethnic background.

Quote

When respondents were asked what they consider to be the biggest threat to the nation of Pakistan, 11 per cent of the population identified the Taliban fighters, who have been blamed for scores of deadly bomb attacks across the country in recent years.

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Another 18 per cent said that they believe that the greatest threat came from neighbouring India, which has fought three wars with Pakistan since partition in 1947

.

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But an overwhelming number, 59 per cent of respondents, said the greatest threat to Pakistan right now is, in fact, the US, a donor of considerable amounts of military and development aid.

One would think there could be a lesson learned here somewhere...

Do you think they're right?

[Al_U_Card]

So, I gather that the IMF and the World Bank were not choices?

[Winstonm]

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Do you think they're right?

Is that relevant? After all, it is their country.

[NickRW]

Winstonm, on Aug 10 2009, 11:29 PM, said:

One would think there could be a lesson learned here somewhere...

One might also ask, even if there is a lesson, will the US learn it?

I have taken precisely zero interest in politics for several years - but the last I noticed the US (and it has to be said quite a section of European society as well) sounded like they came from a different planet than the Muslim world. This isn't to say either is right or wrong - just that there didn't seem really any worthwhile mutual understanding.

Nick

[Lobowolf]

Winstonm, on Aug 10 2009, 09:01 PM, said:

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Do you think they're right?

Is that relevant? After all, it is their country.

I think it's very relevant to the original post. If there's a lesson to be learned, what the lesson is almost certainly depends on whether or not they're right. If they're right, the (primary) lesson probably pertains to our activities. If they're not, the (primary) lesson might very well pertain more to propoganda/misinformation/etc.

You've made enough posts pertaining to not only American citizens' mistaken beliefs, but also the significance of them, and the media/political/business influences that caused them for me to think that the unexamined belief is the be-all, end-all of whatever lesson it is you're trying to suggest we learn.



Or to look at it another way, if a substantial percentage of Americans fear that Islamic terrorism will be the end of the world as they know it, and therefore Muslims should learn some sort of lesson, are you suggesting that it's irrelevant whether or not they're right?

[mohitz]

Winstonm, on Aug 11 2009, 04:59 AM, said:

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Another 18 per cent said that they believe that the greatest threat came from neighbouring India, which has fought three wars with Pakistan since partition in 1947

.

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But an overwhelming number, 59 per cent of respondents, said the greatest threat to Pakistan right now is, in fact, the US, a donor of considerable amounts of military and development aid.

Hardly a surprise! If the whole of Pakistan was polled, I would guess these numbers would be even higher.

[Winstonm]

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Or to look at it another way, if a substantial percentage of Americans fear that Islamic terrorism will be the end of the world as they know it, and therefore Muslims should learn some sort of lesson, are you suggesting that it's irrelevant whether or not they're right?

I am only suggesting that whatever tact we are taking is not working - we may win a tactical battle but so what?

If Islamic terrorism is a true threat to end the world, I would like to see proof rather than allegations that such is possible.

[mike777]

Winstonm, on Aug 11 2009, 05:38 PM, said:

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Or to look at it another way, if a substantial percentage of Americans fear that Islamic terrorism will be the end of the world as they know it, and therefore Muslims should learn some sort of lesson, are you suggesting that it's irrelevant whether or not they're right?

I am only suggesting that whatever tact we are taking is not working - we may win a tactical battle but so what?

If Islamic terrorism is a true threat to end the world, I would like to see proof rather than allegations that such is possible.

What do you suggest?

[Al_U_Card]

Perhaps increasing the education and the welfare of the countries?

Educated, well-heeled individuals tend NOT to be terrorists, revolutionaries, drug dealers etc.

The Talib and the Mujahedeen have been around for millennia and no one has taken them on and won. Not by armed force, that is. And btw, what do they have that the west needs so desperately? Oil, heroin, oh yeah, arms purchases and debt-service. I forgot.

[helene_t]

I must say the poll surprises me. I heard somewhere (I think it was BBC) that most Pakistanis support the govt's campaign against the Taliban.

[OleBerg]

Well, strangely enough, many countries (mainly those occupied by darker skinned people) doesn't appreciate the military "aid" US provides.

[Al_U_Card]

Polarization accentuates the fear-mongering. Terrorists are so bad that even their own people don't support them and they are really with us in our fight against that evil....

It is the job of the mainstream media to support the official line and to help (with the propaganda) rather than hinder (with the truth) because advertisers pay the bills and they rely on the government to support the industries that need the ads.

This is nothing new. It has been present since civilisation has existed. It is not a conspiracy, it is not a plot, it is not a fantasy, it is a harsh reality.

[Winstonm]

mike777, on Aug 11 2009, 07:13 PM, said:

Winstonm, on Aug 11 2009, 05:38 PM, said:

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Or to look at it another way, if a substantial percentage of Americans fear that Islamic terrorism will be the end of the world as they know it, and therefore Muslims should learn some sort of lesson, are you suggesting that it's irrelevant whether or not they're right?

I am only suggesting that whatever tact we are taking is not working - we may win a tactical battle but so what?

If Islamic terrorism is a true threat to end the world, I would like to see proof rather than allegations that such is possible.

What do you suggest?

I suggest the ones making the claim provide the proof.

[Lobowolf]

Winstonm, on Aug 12 2009, 06:26 PM, said:

mike777, on Aug 11 2009, 07:13 PM, said:

Winstonm, on Aug 11 2009, 05:38 PM, said:

Quote

Or to look at it another way, if a substantial percentage of Americans fear that Islamic terrorism will be the end of the world as they know it, and therefore Muslims should learn some sort of lesson, are you suggesting that it's irrelevant whether or not they're right?

I am only suggesting that whatever tact we are taking is not working - we may win a tactical battle but so what?

If Islamic terrorism is a true threat to end the world, I would like to see proof rather than allegations that such is possible.

What do you suggest?

I suggest the ones making the claim provide the proof.

What sort of proof would satisfy you, hypothetically?

[Winstonm]

Lobowolf, on Aug 12 2009, 06:45 PM, said:

Winstonm, on Aug 12 2009, 06:26 PM, said:

mike777, on Aug 11 2009, 07:13 PM, said:

Winstonm, on Aug 11 2009, 05:38 PM, said:

Quote

Or to look at it another way, if a substantial percentage of Americans fear that Islamic terrorism will be the end of the world as they know it, and therefore Muslims should learn some sort of lesson, are you suggesting that it's irrelevant whether or not they're right?

I am only suggesting that whatever tact we are taking is not working - we may win a tactical battle but so what?

If Islamic terrorism is a true threat to end the world, I would like to see proof rather than allegations that such is possible.

What do you suggest?

I suggest the ones making the claim provide the proof.

What sort of proof would satisfy you, hypothetically?

A tape recording of a tree falling in the forest with no one around - hypothetically.

Facts that demonstrate and support the case - it is up to the one making the argument to furnish the facts.