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Leonis · 01-30-2003, 07:25 PM

(I thought about whether this shoud go in the war forum, but it's not really about war, so...)

I was talking with a mate the other day how we take for granted our perceptions of the world leaders involved in current issues.

For example (and bear with me before breaking out the crucifixs), If I honestly believe Saddam Hussein is a threat to my world, where have I gained this perception? From the media of course. But which media?

There's not much news about that he's a really nice guy with only the best intentions - except from his own country.
Any leader could be forgiven for getting fiesty when they're sure they're going to be attacked by the most powerful forces on the planet.

What I'm getting at is that I don't know him, nor anyone who's met him. So I only have the media to go by.

Same goes for George Bush. And John Howard (although I do know people who've met him) and Tony Blair etc...

We have to make our judgements on these situations almost entirely based on biased (in one way or another and not necessarily wrong) media reports.

I've made mistakes about people I've known for years...

Now, I do live in Australia, so can make a more educated opinion due to the effects the leader causes on my own life.
I also am able to speak to trusted family and friends in the USA and the UK and use their opinions to filter the media. These observation can then be applied to current situations and a clearer picture is gained.

Ok, so if I believe on different levels, that regardless of the methods, these leaders are addressing a real problem; where does that leave me with Saddam/Iraq?

I've known 3 Iraqis. Each one was really nice, friendly, unimposing. Each one had lost dearly loved family members in the gulf war. These were elderly civilians not soldiers.

I sat next to one girl, crying her heart out, telling a cousin on the phone that their Grandmother's house had been blown apart with her in it.

This is my only personal experience of Iraq. Saddness, pain, loss. (I know cause and effect - if Iraq hadn't invaded Kuwait, no civilians would have died. What about all the Kurds etc...)

Looking at North Korea, it's an even darker picture. I know very little even from the media. However I have studied with many South Korean youths who seem very beatiful and loving people - who do whatever they can to avoid national service...

I guess what I'm trying to say is that their are innocent and guilty parties on both sides. But it's hard to wade through the masses of information to find something true, something that gives a peace of mind about the whole mess.

EDIT: I've just realised what a rambling piece of vaugeness this is. Sorry, just trying to work some things out.

[ 01-30-2003, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: Leonis ]

01-30-2003, 07:25 PM	#1
Leonis Join Date: March 6, 2001 Location: Somewhere on Earth - it changes often Posts: 1,292	(I thought about whether this shoud go in the war forum, but it's not really about war, so...) I was talking with a mate the other day how we take for granted our perceptions of the world leaders involved in current issues. For example (and bear with me before breaking out the crucifixs), If I honestly believe Saddam Hussein is a threat to my world, where have I gained this perception? From the media of course. But which media? There's not much news about that he's a really nice guy with only the best intentions - except from his own country. Any leader could be forgiven for getting fiesty when they're sure they're going to be attacked by the most powerful forces on the planet. What I'm getting at is that I don't know him, nor anyone who's met him. So I only have the media to go by. Same goes for George Bush. And John Howard (although I do know people who've met him) and Tony Blair etc... We have to make our judgements on these situations almost entirely based on biased (in one way or another and not necessarily wrong) media reports. I've made mistakes about people I've known for years... Now, I do live in Australia, so can make a more educated opinion due to the effects the leader causes on my own life. I also am able to speak to trusted family and friends in the USA and the UK and use their opinions to filter the media. These observation can then be applied to current situations and a clearer picture is gained. Ok, so if I believe on different levels, that regardless of the methods, these leaders are addressing a real problem; where does that leave me with Saddam/Iraq? I've known 3 Iraqis. Each one was really nice, friendly, unimposing. Each one had lost dearly loved family members in the gulf war. These were elderly civilians not soldiers. I sat next to one girl, crying her heart out, telling a cousin on the phone that their Grandmother's house had been blown apart with her in it. This is my only personal experience of Iraq. Saddness, pain, loss. (I know cause and effect - if Iraq hadn't invaded Kuwait, no civilians would have died. What about all the Kurds etc...) Looking at North Korea, it's an even darker picture. I know very little even from the media. However I have studied with many South Korean youths who seem very beatiful and loving people - who do whatever they can to avoid national service... I guess what I'm trying to say is that their are innocent and guilty parties on both sides. But it's hard to wade through the masses of information to find something true, something that gives a peace of mind about the whole mess. EDIT: I've just realised what a rambling piece of vaugeness this is. Sorry, just trying to work some things out. [ 01-30-2003, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: Leonis ]