Wisdom, Knowledge and Common Sense

Muslim Wisdom In Fresno

Post 9/11 and pre the invasion of Iraq, I had the opportunity to talk to several Fresno and Madera Muslim convenience store owners, owners that I had the privilege of knowing and working with for several years.

In our conversations regarding the imminent invasion they explained to me the consequences of this action: That Iraq would fall into an all out civil war as a result of sectarian and other differences between the Kurds, Shi'ite and Sunni populations. They explained how Saddam and previous Iraqi dictators had managed to viciously, and necessarily, control Iraq, a country that otherwise would be in chaos. Under Saddam's rule, although ruthless, the factions managed to live together in relative peace, integrate into each others neighborhoods and even intermarry.

To bad Mr. Bush did not have the opportunity to talk to Fresno Muslims and listen to their assessment; then again, that would not have worked, he wouldn't and still doesn't listen to and value the opinions and knowledge of anyone who does not agree with him, anyone with common sense, reason and a perspective on history!