Fried Chicken and Iraq

I thought I would come across this someday in China, but when it did, it still took me by surprise.

I always go to the same store and buy the most delicious bread and meat. The place is run by guys from western China. Most people from there, including all the guys who run this store, are Muslim and even look more middle eastern than typical Chinese. But they speak Chinese and are Chinese nationals.

They knew I was from the US, because they asked me before. But tonight, one man asks me in Chinese, "My American friend, why does America bully the muslim people?"

My fellow Americans who are reading this, how do you look at a Muslim man in the eye and answer that? I have read numbers ranging from 30, 000 to 600,000 Iraqi people have been killed since US forces invaded Iraq. And who know how many Afghani and others have also been killed.

Would you tell him, its for your own good, we're giving Muslim people democracy. That is what Bush says. But that is long after the US went into Iraq looking for weapons of mass destruction. Democracy was not the original intent, and I doubt that Bush's aim ever was or will be that.

I looked him in the eye and told the man, I think that the American government is wrong for what it is doing and I am sorry for the rightfully bad feelings he must have towards America. I told him I think many Americans are angry and I am hoping for change in policy and leadership soon.

I felt so bad. I also felt bad because I have to apologize for our government which I strongly disagree with. I felt like the Bush led US has let the people of the world down. I also felt bad I didn't get an absentee ballot so I could vote this coming election.

But, I either could try to defend the policy or tell the man how I think it is wrong. I am proud to be an American and I never want to see the US move backwards. Maybe there is no need to apologize for a policy and war I never agreed with, never supported, voted against in 2004. But I felt when I stood there, I couldn't just say "Well, it's not me", "I didn't do it, I didn't vote for it",etc. I feel like I represent my country and its principles here in China and to people of other countries. And in front of that man, to take no responsibility, I felt like that I would be just cowardly. Because when America does well and when America screws up, as an American voter, citizen, and freedom loving human being, I share in the responsibility. I hope and pray this next week that Americans will vote for change and a new direction. That we will be friends with the good people of the world and will not hurt the innocent in senseless wars.