Since 9/11 Islam has received overwhelming negative attention in the media. We all have different opinions as to why this is, but certainly terrorist acts play their role. However, not every Muslim is a terrorist, and not every terrorist is a Muslim, but for some the lines are blurred.

The link below was sent to me by a friend of mine and I would like to address it. Yes, it's obvious Muslim women are being horribly abused in Iraq (and other places as well), though this article clearly states it's by their own people, and not the US military.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/08/iraq.women/index.html

Prior to the US going into Iraq in 2003, they lived under a dictatorship all in the name of Islam. Yet there was a sense of "normalcy" to the insanity most endured. Perhaps they had just found a comfort zone. Though all expected America would come in and fix everything because that's what we do. Unfortunately it hasn't happened that way, and now we're being blamed for so many of the issues taking place there. Maybe we are to blame to some degree. Maybe forcing our democracy on an Islamic country is a poor idea afterall.

Either way, the acts against these women is a horrible crime. But is it really our business? Again, is forcing our democracy on their religious beliefs a step we need to take? Of course I don't condone what's taking place, but is it possible we just don't fully understand it?

Abuse against anyone is a crime in my opinion. Especially to the level we're being told it's taking place. But I used to believe a woman riding in the backseat while her husband was driving was abuse, when it's really just a difference of culture. No, I do not believe hitting a woman is just a difference in culture, but I do believe they feel their actions are justified, and I have to question whether or not our presence is causing some of it.