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Hi Coralann, I have wanted to respond to this thread for a while but I usually dont respond to things I'm not completely sure about, meaning things I dont have first hand knowledge of whats really going on. I see both sides and think there are many things going on in Libya, I dont think this is a simple situation. Nothing is black and white.
I believe you about everything you say, Gaddafi was a cruel and violent man, an oppressive tyrant... so were many other people in his family. Wasnt it his daughter who poured boiling water on their Ethiopian nanny becasue she refused to beat the child? I could try to find the video and post it here....
As far as all the wonderful services he gave his people I have been told by many people who have connections/family there that this was not true for everyone, only his inner circle received most benefits. Also, the video where he is driving around Libya with his head sticking out of the car, waving, trying to prove that no one in his country hated him, I always wondered where are all the people? The streets are empty and eerie, accept for a few men on the corner here and there. There were not many people out there cheering him on, and if he was so great the streets would be filled with adoring fans, but they're not. Although I do believe there were other reasons behind taking him out, like the gold money currency and it being the only currency used to purchase it's oil, interest free money no central bank, water etc... Clearly there were many reasons the elite wanted to remove him from power, but these reasons dont make the people of Libya's reasons for not wanting him as a dictator in their country any less valid.
As far as fighting goes..... it's a difficult subject. Anyone who lives in the comfort of Western "Civilization" simply cannot understand what its like for your husband, father, brother, or child to suddenly disappear whether it be from work or off the street becasue "police" snatch them, take them to undisclosed locations , beat them, torture them and even kill them.... People who dont live under this constant threat simply cannot understand. Here, Muslims get arrested for no reason and cannot see a lawyer or family for months. They are starved, then fed food from the garbage and water from the toilet, shocked with electricity and beaten etc.. no body knows who will be next, when it will happen or from where. The Army comes in with their tanks, shooting innocent children, women etc, destroying homes, trees agriculture etc... The important question to ask is: At what point do we have the right to defend ourselves, and what does that self defense look like?
Sure a one time attack can be warded off, usually, but how do you defend your self, family and property when you dont have any weapons and you're being brutally attacked on a regular basis by an armed force? Should we all just rollover and die? At what point do these brave men find a way to arm themselves against the attackers and fight? Is it before or after their mothers, wifes and daughters have been violently gang raped by soldiers while they are forced to watch from the floor with the attackers boot in their back? These things will never make the news, only the angry Palestinian or Libyan with a rock or a gun will make the news. Also when a woman is raped by a soldier it is never reported for 2 reasons, 1. because it wont make any difference and no justice will come out of it and 2. because of her honor, her life will never be the same so they spare her the disgrace, or embarrassment. So it's easy for people from the outside looking in to have the wrong assumptions, like for example the wrong assumption that defending yourself and your family is an easy thing to do or a one time affair. Once we've been exposed to the violence, lost people we love and had to defend ourselves on a daily basis our perspective changes drastically.... as it did for me and my family when we witnessed Israeli soldiers murder an innocent boy in our village, watched countless people stand outside their homes while the Israeli army demolishes it, and countless other human rights violations that almost always include some sort of violence and humiliation.... etc.
So I'm not sure what to say or how to encourage you, your family and your friends. Just be safe and keep standing your ground. Spread peace in all your ways (starting within and reflecting it out) and fight for your right to do so. Take care of your family and teach them the deeper truths of this reality and never forget we are eternal consciousness with infinite possibilities for spiritual growth and connection to God/source in every moment. Keep your faith close to you and always remember God is merciful and compassionate.
I love you. My heart and spirit stand with you in your struggles.
Enjoy our upcoming holiday.... Kul am w'inti bthair (sorry for the spelling, I only know how to write it in Arabic, not in English)
xoxox Your sister in Palestine, Jamilah
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