Or: "How the West (Bank) Was Won"
Watching the Fox News channel yesterday, I observed the host and people calling in
to the show discussing the present Middle East situation. As a British person living
(as I would) in the UK, I found it intriguing to see the Americans' (well, Fox News')
viewpoint on the whole shebang. Although I realise that Fox News' opinion is not that
of the vast majority of US citizens (thank God), the people that phoned in certainly
shared the same opinions.
I know the pieces fit / Cause I watched them fall away.
Mildewed and smoldering / Fundamental differing.
It didn't occur to me just how little the people phoning in knew about America's vested
interests in the Middle East, and in particular, how much bias the USA has toward
Israel.
Dubya stated (Re: September 11th) "America was targeted for attack because we're the
brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world." Now far be it from me to
suggest that Bin Laden's methods or motives were anywhere near justified, but it did make
me realise the extent of the hatred directed towards the West, and particularly the US, from
the far reaches of the globe.
The question "Why?" remains somewhat unanswered for the Americans who phoned in Fox News
that day though.
Pure intention juxtaposed / Will set two lovers' souls in motion.
Disintegrating as it goes / Testing our communication.
The answer could possibly (!) be linked to the current events in Israel. The USA sends
$3billion a year to Israel in the form of arms, tanks, et al. Palestinian authorities
get $80million. Why does the US spend so much on Israel? The pro-Israel Jewish lobby is
one of the most powerful in the US, which is almost certain to be a factor.
The light that fueled our fire then has / burned a hole between us so
We cannot see to reach an end / crippling our communication
Another factor would be the oil industry. Only 10% of the oil used in the USA comes from
the Persian Gulf. However 30% of Europe's oil, and 80% of Japan's oil comes from the
Gulf. The US exerts significant influence over these countries through the control of Gulf
oil.
The most important country in the Middle East (concerning oil) is Saudi Arabia, which
controls 27% of the world's oil supply. The "light crude" oil in Saudi is sought after by
US industries particularly for uses such as aviation fuel. Oil sales to the US are often
backed up by subsequent arms purchases from the US by Saudi. The purchase of arms from the
US is almost certainly linked to the rising opposition to the corrupt Saudi monarchy and
its abuse of human rights, and other such practices (eg. the exclusion of the population
from political participation). Hence the opposition associate the USA with the corrupt Saudi
monarchy, and therefore sees the US as a legitimate target.
No fault, none to blame / It doesn't mean I don't desire
To point the finger / Blame the other / Watch the temple topple over
Quite a complex web, also people should read Why the US is not a good mediator for
Israel vs Palestine and UN resolutions relating to Israel vetoed by the US and The Cost
of Israel to US Taxpayers
Doomed to crumble unless we grow / and strengthen our communication
Lyrics: Schism by Tool from the album Lateralus