NationStates Jolt Archive

Please, no flamebaiting.

To be more specific, the question is:

If you were born in a country of the Middle-East (Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, etc.), what would you be doing and why?

For example...
I am a 14 year old American. If I was born in Afghanistan, I'd be a 14 year old training in Al-Qaeda training camps hoping that one day I can travel to America and bomb my American counterpart.

I would be middle-eastern.

(Is this a trick question?)

I would be middle-eastern.

(Is this a trick question?)
No, here's an example.

I'm 14, born in the U.S.

If I was 14 and born in say, Afghanistan...I'd be seriously considering leaving my family to join Al-Qaeda.

An Arab. Actually, I am an Arab, so there really wouldn't be any change for me. This thread blows. Hard.

An Arab. Actually, I am an Arab, so there really wouldn't be any change for me. This thread blows. Hard.
Well I'm glad SOMEONE'S sexually pleased by my topic.

I would be toting around an SMG

In all likelihood (and seriousness) I'd be an extremist and fanatical Muslim. I'm extremely impressionable, if I grew up in a society of extremists (And NO, I am not saying all Muslims are extremists) I'd probably become one myself.

Well I'm glad SOMEONE'S sexually pleased by my topic.

I think the problem is that you've asked an extremely vague question.

In all likelihood (and seriousness) I'd be an extremist and fanatical Muslim. I'm extremely impressionable, if I grew up in a society of extremists (And NO, I am not saying all Muslims are extremists) I'd probably become one myself.
same here. I'm a Muslim and I get the whole "not all Muslims are extremists, just the retarded morons that use the Qu'ran to cover for themselves" bit.

Just for reference, I'm currently an 18 year old American white Jew.

Which country? If Israel, I'd most likely be Jewish...or possibly Palestinian.
Iraq...most likely Iraqi, or maybe an American (soldier), or British (soldier), or whatever other countries are in the 'Coalition of the willing'...possibly Palau-ese(?) Palau-ian? Any other countries, an Arab, and, most likely, a Muslim. What else would I be?

Depends on where I was born; some countries (like Jordan) are a lot more moderate than others (like Iran)

Well, I'd either be dead, or exactly the same as I am now,but with a better tan.

Note: This is not true. How the fuck would anyone know how they would turn out in these situations? You'd probably just be exactly the same as everyone else in your country of birth.

I would join Al-Qaeda, work my way through the ranks, kill (or capture if close enough to American forces) Osama, get that damned reward, and move to some place nice and live the infidel Western life.

I'd join Al Qaeda but since I'm not really that impressionable I'd probably live in the gutter.

A camel

A camel
bactrian or dromedary?

I would join Al-Qaeda, work my way through the ranks, kill (or capture if close enough to American forces) Osama, get that damned reward, and move to some place nice and live the infidel Western life.

*cackles*

Ditto that.

:sniper:

I think I'd be dead. For pissing the wrong people off.

I'd be on the NS General Forum bitching about Bush ... oh wait ... that's what I do now ... hrmmm ... amazing how cultural lines can be blurred by common ground.

Please, no flamebaiting.

To be more specific, the question is:

If you were born in a country of the Middle-East (Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, etc.), what would you be doing and why?

For example...
I am a 14 year old American. If I was born in Afghanistan, I'd be a 14 year old training in Al-Qaeda training camps hoping that one day I can travel to America and bomb my American counterpart.

Please, no stereotyping either

I would be emigrating

Please, no stereotyping either
I'm Muslim, I think I know what I'd be doing over there with a whole bunch of other Muslims brainwashing me into one who uses their religon as a shield.

I think the problem is that you've asked an extremely vague question.
Then allow me to Translate:

If you were Born in Irak, Would you join the American-run Police....Or Would you join the Militias....

Or even hiding away until you can get a way out....Would you give up on your Country and run away (Providing you can get a passport)....

Would you be Shia or Sunny....

Since I'm a Jew, I'd move to Israel.

Please, no flamebaiting.

To be more specific, the question is:

If you were born in a country of the Middle-East (Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, etc.), what would you be doing and why?

For example...
I am a 14 year old American. If I was born in Afghanistan, I'd be a 14 year old training in Al-Qaeda training camps hoping that one day I can travel to America and bomb my American counterpart.

This is a fallacious argument, since this is all largely dependant on individual circumstances. Not every Afghan is part of Al-Qaeda- indeed, most aren't. (Many might adhere to various elements of extremist or hardline Islam, and might be active in other militia/terrorist groups, but not Al-Qaeda specifically.)

A lot of it depends on exactly where in Afghanistan you live, what ethnic group you are, what ideology you were raised with, etc... Why do you assume that if you were born in Afghanistan, you'd automatically be an Al-Qaeda member? You say you're a Muslim, well, ok, do you assume that simply being in Afghanistan and being Muslim would mean you would naturally gravitate towards Al-Qaeda? Why?

All you're doing is perpetuating stereotypes based on a minimum level of information. You might as well say, "If I was born in Los Angeles, I'd be a 14-year-old gang member hoping that one day I can kill a cop."

If I was born in Afghanistan, I'd be a 14 year old training in Al-Qaeda training camps hoping that one day I can travel to America and bomb my American counterpart.

I disagree with that. Not all 14 year old boys in Afghanistan are training to be terrorists and to assume that that is the case is horribly prejudicial to Middle Eastern society, IMHO.

I reckon I'd be dead is what I'd be!