'We should try to solve our own mess first'<\/p>\n
The wave of opposition to the U.S. and its allies' attack on Iraq
\nhas been growing stronger. Some members of a radical group even
\nthreatened to interfere with foreigners on the streets while
\nothers have called for a boycott of American products. But some
\npeople interviewed by The Jakarta Post said that while they
\ncondemned the war, they did not agree with the intimidation of
\nforeigners or the calling of a boycott.<\/p>\n
Heri, 29, is a bicycle taxi (ojek) driver in Muara Karang,
\nNorth Jakarta. He resides in Pakuhaji, Banten, with his daughter.
\nHis wife is a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia:<\/p>\n
I completely disagree with the war. I worry a lot about my
\nwife, who has been working in Saudi Arabia for one-and-a-half
\nyears.<\/p>\n
She is just one of among the thousands of female migrant
\nworkers who now work as domestic helpers in the Middle East. And,
\nshe is also among those who worry about the effects of the war.<\/p>\n
War is not the best approach to take in the modern world. I
\nwonder why a superpower like America still chooses this
\ndestructive way.<\/p>\n
Perhaps it is a form of revenge as former U.S. President Bush
\nfailed to remove Saddam several years ago. But Saddam is too
\ntough to be toppled by the aggressors.<\/p>\n
Taking control of Iraq's oil resources is also one of the main
\nreasons for Bush going to war.<\/p>\n
This war only hinders worldwide attempts to establish peace.
\nHow can we create world peace if we can't stop a war like this?<\/p>\n
Worse still, the war will result in many innocent people being
\nterrorized and traumatized; there have already been many innocent
\ncasualties of war.<\/p>\n
However, I am at odds with the idea of some radical Muslim
\ngroups that plan to interfere with foreigners here. Both this,
\nand the boycotting of U.S. products and interests, are very
\nstupid ideas.<\/p>\n
We have foreigners here to work for the development of our
\ncountry and they are sources of state revenue. On the other hand,
\nwe have our migrant workers in foreign countries.<\/p>\n
Driving away the foreigners will only worsen our economic
\nslump. We also don't want migrant workers from Indonesia to be
\nkicked out of their host countries. We should respect each other
\nfor the benefit of each other. When there is respect there will
\nbe peace in the world.<\/p>\n
I hope nothing bad happens to my wife out there as I need her
\nto bring up our daughter here.<\/p>\n
Bimo, 25, is a sidewalk vendor selling fritters in Citraland,
\nWest Jakarta. He lives in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, with his
\nrelatives:<\/p>\n
I would say that the U.S. and the allies' attack on Iraq is
\nthe most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.<\/p>\n
I am really sorry for the many civilians killed and injured in
\nIraq due to the U.S.-led bombardment. They are just innocent
\npeople, but why have they been victimized in this war?<\/p>\n
I'm sure that their suffering is because of arrogant and
\nstubborn leaders.<\/p>\n
I am afraid that the U.S. attacks could trigger a backlash
\nagainst America. I mean, there might be a terrorist attack on the
\nU.S. given that all their military forces are focussed on the war
\nin Iraq.<\/p>\n
If this happens, I think it would be fair enough because it
\nwill teach Bush how painful war is.<\/p>\n
However, I don't agree with street protests, intimidation of
\nforeigners or the boycotting of American products.<\/p>\n
What are the protesters thinking about? These things will harm
\nour country as foreigners will leave and our country will lose
\nout economically. It's all ridiculous.<\/p>\n
Simin, 45, is a mobile vendor selling chicken noodles in
\nPluit, North Jakarta. He resides in Tanah Merah, North Jakarta,
\nwith his wife and three children:<\/p>\n
I think the war is simply ridiculous as there are no clear
\nreasons for it.<\/p>\n
The U.S. and its allied forces have put forward some excuses
\nfor attacking Iraq, but in fact it's clear that the president is
\ndetermined to fight with Saddam Hussein.<\/p>\n
I don't agree at all with those protesters who say they will
\ninterfere with foreigners in the country. Besides, I also
\ndisagree with those staging rallies to boycott American products.
\nWhat's it all for?<\/p>\n
These misguided protests will damage the image of the country
\nand its economy.<\/p>\n
Besides, I think this war is none of our business. It is
\nhappening far away from here and it does not affect us directly.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators never think that we have our own problems to
\ncope with. If we are incapable of finding our way out of our own
\nmess, why should we concern ourselves with other countries'
\nproblems? Sounds crazy, doesn't it?<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/we-should-try-to-solve-our-own-mess-first-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }