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It matters even less now that [Christian] Parenti -- perhaps the only other North American in the entire country with an ego that rivals yours, excepting your average Marine colonel -- has done you the wonderful service of documenting the material aid you've provided to the Fallujah Mooj. It's really quite astonishing that you happen to have found an independent journalist who believes the story of a Nick Berg wannabe is the relevant news to report for the week.
It's the height of irony, don't you think, that your confessions of doing precisely that for which the US loves to jail Muslims appears on your public weblog, at the bottom of which you urge readers to use PGP encryption when they write to you?
But since your whole misadventure seems to be an ego trip, maybe a few years at Camp Delta would be the most appropriate finale. I bet you could come up with one hell of a blog entry for that one, eh? Maybe not so many pictures, though...
Well, I hope you're getting the attention you wanted. God forbid someone with your talents, privileges and courage should actually go to Iraq to help the Iraqis -- for instance, by telling their story instead of your own self-aggrandizing personal adventure mission. When you learn they don't need a first year med student at the hospitals (which I'm pretty sure I told you would be the case before you boarded your plane), you keep trying anyway. You just never learn or listen to anyone, do you? You ask for advice, but you really don't ever intend to follow it, do you? That's what I remember, and that's what I hear, and that's what I suspect.
My point is, in case you didn't pick up on it, I have a profound lack of respect for what you are doing and how you are going about it. You exemplify exactly what is wrong with Western "solidarity" activists, and your Muslim faith, Palestinian blood and mastery of Arabic somehow don't make up for your self-centered, arrogant attitude. The occupation ain't about you, my friend. The story is all around you, but it will never be you.
Look, I'm glad you're okay and I'd be devastated to learn anything were to have happened to you. But really, my friend, it is time to come home. We will all still love you, and I think most of us all the more the sooner you cut your losses and admit you made a very big mistake in going. You might be developing some fans by your misadventures, but you're hardly doing a service to the people you purportedly went there to help. I know telling you all of this makes it more likely you'll do stay longer, if anything -- but I know you have a good heart and somewhere inside you there is a trace of humility. Find it and ride it to Amman, will you?
Yours,
x
Hey!
Let me say that I am astounded by the lack of respect and tone of most of your email. It sounds like one of those angry tirades that one should not hit "send" on. However, all e-rage aside, you make some good points, so thank you for them.
tarek