This is a phrase that leaves the mouthes of misinformed Americans all too often.  Too many times, Americans think that everything our media shows us is what is really going on in the world.  So, then Americans think, "Well...to get the real news, I'll watch a station other than Fox.  Then I'll get neutral news."  Wrong.  American news is American news, and, in the words of John Mayer, "When they own the information, they can bend it all they want."

Many people look at pictures and video footage of dead and dying Arabs everyday and aren't phased by it one bit.  This is concerning because anyone who does not have a mental condition should be bothered by the sight of others suffering and dying, regardless of their nationality, beliefs, or alliances.  Remember: we're all human.  We all breathe air and drink water.  However, when an American is shown dead or dying, everyone is up in arms saying things like, "Those barbarians!" or "How can they do that?!"  Sympathy and empathy must go both ways in this conflict because innocent civilians are dying in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries.

The majority of the American people get up in arms when an American reporter or contractor gets his head cut off in front of a camera, and the video footage is posted on the internet.  However, our soldiers are torturing Iraqi prisoners, as well.  Remember Abu Ghraib Prison?  We (myself included) are quick to forget the horrors committed by Americans, but we'll always remember the video of Nick Berg having his head sawed off.  Even if Americans were not torturing Iraqis, the Americans that are in Iraq are fully aware of what they're getting themselves into and have still bravely agreed to go.  The Iraqi civilians that are being killed, however, have no choice on whether or not to be there and, often times, do not understand what is happening and what the risks are.

I wish there was a way that I could help wake-up the general American public.  However, the only thing that can do that is for them to realize themselves what's going on in the world.  However, I encourage you all to just watch Al-Jazeera sometime and see what Arabs around the world are seeing.  Even if you don't agree with it, it'll help you understand where they're coming from.

And maybe that's all we need in this world...just a little bit of understanding.