Well, I've talked the talk – often right here on DKos – so now it's time to walk the walk. In less than 24 hours I will be jetting my way to the Middle East.
I have to admit, I'm a little bit nervous. I'm going to Saudi Arabia to work on a pediatric surgical unit at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It's an amazing hospital, the finest in the Middle East, with some of the most advanced medical facilities available just about anywhere. Hell, it's even accredited by JCAHO (anyone with a medical background will now what that means – everyone else, just trust me, it's good).
But it's not the work I'm worried about. I've had ample opportunity to meet and care for Arab patients and their families, and I have almost universally found them to be pleasant and friendly and interested in learning about people from different cultures. And everyone I've spoken to who's been there has found the Saudis to be extremely hospitable. But I've also seen the movie "The Kingdom" (an unfortunate choice for someone on their way to the region). And, while I know that Hollywood schlock isn't reality, I am equally aware that there are justifiable reasons why Saudis – or Arabs in general – might be just a little unhappy with America, and therefore with Americans.
And I'm not exactly known for being intemperate. Don't get me wrong – I certainly have no intention of questioning the beliefs of my hosts. Nor would I ever dream of being rude (I'm English, it's just not in my nature). I know what it means to be a good guest. At least I hope I do!
But I have expressed opinions here on this very forum that an extremist, for example, would likely not look upon kindly. In fact, the agency sending us to Saudi warned me the other day that if I'm keeping a blog to be very careful what I write. It just turns out that I have already started such a blog (Jon of Arabia – check it out!). And, while I've tried to keep the material there pretty light, I suppose that, again, someone of, uhm, immoderate attitudes might take offense. That was certainly not my intent, but there it is.
The irony is that many of the complaints that might be expressed by a typical Middle Easterner about the United States are the self same complaints that we make about our government right here on DKos. They are the very things that I myself have complained about. We didn't have any right to Invade Iraq, nor should we remain there. We should be dealing more equitably with the Muslim world. We have acted like a bunch of imperialist assholes. We are – or at least our leadership is – arrogant, contemptuous, and rude. Check, check, and check.
My hope is that if people in Saudi Arabia see that I, as an American, actually share their concerns, that maybe it just might help to improve the image of Americans a little bit. If even one person's mind is changed, then that's something, right?
But still, I'm a little nervous.