Why do they hate us?

The recent attempt by a Muslim to blow up an airplane as it was landing in Detroit evokes the often-asked question: "
why do they hate us so?"  Most Americans don't have a clue. We have always been a peace-loving people even until WW11 when we were drawn into a world-wide conflict followiing Pearl Harbor attacks on our navy. I recall that while Hitler was raging across Europe we were reluctant to enter the war to help our allies. The Japanese attack was the linchpin that turned us into a first-class fighting machine.

Even though we were amateurs in warfare, our entire nation rose in outrage at this attack on our land and our people.We mobilized quickly and men lined up to enlist in the service. We sold warbonds, went on rationing and women became workers in defense production throughout our nation. Millions of Americans were united in a supreme effort to defeat our enemies. Our peaceful life was threatened and our freedom was at risk. It was a time for sacrifice and we acted in a concerted move that ended in unconditional surrender by Germany and Japan.

When the smoke cleared and our fighting forces returned we were left with a nation of warriors and civilians trained  for conflict. Our defense industry continued to flourish and expanded into more peaceful productions such as automobiles and farming equipment. Henry Kaiser, a great shipbuilder, began production of cars such as the Frazier and the Henry J. , a compact automobile that had great promise as economical transportation. When president Eisenhower left office he warned us "beware of the military industrial complex"  but we did not listen. Instead we chose a path toward more military might and much of our economy was based on war materials. Flushed with success after WW11, our leaders adopted a hawkish approach in forengn affairs as we entered a cold war with Russia. We continued to produce planes, ships and weapons of military might and began planting our flag in other lands as a first line of defense against new provacations

This movement was a signal to the Muslim world that we were enemies. We were aligned with Isralis whom the Muslims hated with a passion that defied understanding. I remember how they applauded Hitler's efforts to exterminate the Jews and I often wondered why they continued to feed a hatred that dated back more than a thousand years. Our foreign policy did nothing to improve our relations with the Middle East. Much of our technology in the production of oil directed us toward intervention in the Middle East. As automobile ccompanies expended in America our thirst for oil increased and the Muslims were sitting on an ocean of oil which we wanted. Our intrusions into Muslim world were noted and resented. In fact, our government propped up a puppet in Iran in our attempt to stabilize the oil market. Muslim clerics were fearful  that western influence in their land would weaken the hold they had over Muslim minds. They did not want us in the Middle East because of our growing influence in the politics of their country. So over the years they directed their hatred to America. Their young people today are being taught to hate Americans and we are considered enemies.

Our leadership over the years has been flawed because of a lack of understanding Muslims. They are the same people as we, with similar goals and aspirations. However, they want the same freedoms we have come to expect and enjoy, without interference. Our foreign policy toward Muslims could be likened to a preacher going into an insane asylym and taunting the inmates. We cannot understand their sensitivity because our religions differ to such extent that we consider Muslims to be radicals. Certainly Christians can see no profit in blowiing up ourselves in order to make a point.