December 25, 2006: Iraqi Christmas tree

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaMama

Just goes to show how f***ing lunatic middle easterners are.

"Hello, I am an Iraqi, look how I try to get shot. Isn't that funny? Why aren't you laughing, my friend? You don't want to get shot with me? Why not, my friend, we are all going to die someday anyway."

Much as I agree that there are MANY lunatics in the Middle East, I applaud this man's spirit.

My Great Aunt tells the story of how she ran through an air-raid in order to get to a dance, a doodlebug whistling above her head. And I had a friend from Belfast who risked many potentially fatal situations in order to live a normal life.

If you're going to be a fruitloop, at least be one that is trying to do something positive, rather than one who is trying to reduce the world's population.

[CaliforniaMama]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Much as I agree that there are MANY lunatics in the Middle East, I applaud this man's spirit.

I am far too jaded when it comes to Arabs to applaud his spirit . . .

I don't want to disuade you all from thinking positive thoughts of these guys, but this is pure lunacy and greed. It's not like he's risking his life to make a lot of people happy or make good in the world. My guess is it is driven by a perverse sense of humor and desire to get the buck that his neighbor doesn't have the balls to earn.

I do not usually consider myself prejudiced, but I am going to make this very prejudicial statement that Arabs don't give a fig for making people happy!!

And, it's not like this place is full of Christians or anything!

You have to understand, though, that I've had way more contact with Arabs than is good for me . . .

Okay, one example. I worked with this Egyptian. He tells us it is ridiculous that we get Christmas off. You don't celebrate, we ask? Oh, I am a Christian, he says. I watch the preachers on Sunday. But Christmas is a stupid celebration and no one should get it off. It should be just another day. But if you are a Christian, isn't it a good day for you to rejoice? Why, he asks, there is nothing to celebrate.

It's like they can think two opposite thoughts at the same time and have no problems with believing opposing things.

It's a cultural thing.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I don't think the tree seller has a whole lot of options when it comes to trying to scrape out a living. He's probably well aware that he could be snuffed on any corner, on any day, just because he was there.....so he might as well be selling trees.