A Syrian was proclaiming:

“In Syria I have all the rights you have in America–to vote, own a gun, say whatever I want, religion. All of it! Why can America say we aren’t free in Syria–that our government is repressive!”

To which a recent Iraqi immigrant to the US said:

“You have all that because your dad is the head of the Secret Police!”

To which the Syrian replied:

“That is not the point! It’s not my fault who my father is! I am saying that I have freedom in Syria!”

The Iraqi rolled his eyes at me and when the Iraqi went to the bathroom the Syrian said to me:

“You can’t listen to him, he’s an Iraqi–very emotional….”

I enjoy arab culture and discussing items with them, but you just can’t think like a Westerner ….