SUBBITT

Let me begin by saying that this article is NOT about Hillary bashing or a political agenda. I have been a Republican all my life, and yet, if I get the chance, I'll be voting for Obama, but not for the reasons you might imagine. True, I've been a fan of his since before his run for the presidency, primarily because I've been waiting for someone who will say what they truly believe is right for America without regard to political expediancy. However, over time, I've begun to see his flaws and shortcomings... he is very much human. But my reasons for backing him and not Hillary, nor McCain, go well beyond being swept up in hope for change, or a bright vision of the future. It goes to the state of the world, our changing place in it, and most of all, our perception in the rest of the world as a country.

I think it's fairly safe to say that a good part of our national problems result from our dealings, past and present, with the Muslim countries. Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, OPEC... how we've dealt with these countries, organizations, and their culture in general has resulted in:

• Terrorist Activity
• The growth of Extremists groups like Al Queda, the Taliban, etc., and the pressure that puts upon OPEC
• The Iraq War, and it's monetary cost and economic effects
• The Rise of the Musharaf Regime in Pakistan
• A rise in Anti-American sentiment, even among our strongest allies.

What I'm basically driving at is that we are going to have to accept that Islam and the Muslim world has been, and will continue to be, a force and influence we not only need to understand, but place a high priority upon, perhaps THE highest priority. Consider that the cost of the Iraq War alone would MORE than have covered pretty much all of our current domestic problems, i.e., the economy, the housing crisis, improvements in health care, shoring up Social Security and Medicaire. The cost to our world perception has been even greater.

In other words, until we've improved our perception in the Muslim world, established better relationships with Islamic countries, and gain respect and trust, we won't be able to do much at all about our domestic issues.

What this means basically, is that, no matter how much we may not agree or approve of much of the practices that arise out of Islamic culture, we nonetheless have to respect that culture. And this brings us to the biggest downside of Hillary Clinton as president.

As much as we may not like to hear it, there is a bias against women in the Muslim world. In most societies, including Saudi Arabia, women are frankly, second class citizens. This is understood by every major corporation in the United States. They have policies that, whenever dealing with countries or corporate entities in Islamic nations, you NEVER send a woman as a representative of the company. This is considered an insult culturally.

Why would Bush then continuously send Condeleeza Rice as a U.S. representative to Islamic countries? It's true, from our cultural standpoint, that her office appointment dictates that. But, our cultural mores and values are largely insignificant, and often comes off in Islamic culture as a flaunting of our feelings of moral superiority. Whether or not, from the perspective of a neutral party, our society IS more culturally advanced than another's is insignificant outside of our own culture. The old adage, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do..." could not be more apt.

Additionally, there is a great deal of interest among the Muslim world in our presedental election, primarily due to the fact that one of our candidates has a Muslim name. Indeed, there is actual excitement in the arabic world, not at the prospect of a muslim-named president, but in the fact that the Islamic perception of America has already been challenged and improved. They see that we truly do treat individuals based upon their merits and not judge them based upon their heritage. In other words, the simple possibility that Barack Obama could actually become president has given the Muslim world true hope for improved relations with the U.S.

Consider the Iraq war, and the perception of Islamic countries as to our future decisions about the Iraqi war. We already know McCain's position on the war. We have heard the positions of Obama and Clinton... which is primarily that we need to withdraw our troops as expediently and as responsibly as we can.

Now, consider each scenario from a Muslim perspective. If McCain prevails and wins the presidency, the sentiment as America the Bully and Imperialist will continue. This is not statement or indictment of America, it is merely a statement of the overall perception of America.

Now, on the other hand, consider the withdrawal of troops and the end of direct American involvement in Iraqi affairs. Regardless of her gender, if this is done by Clinton as president, do you think it will be percieved by Muslims as a sign of American weakness, or as a realization that it is the "right thing to do" morally? Do you think the chances of the latter is improved if it were done by a president of Muslim heritage? I do, and the interest, sentiments, and admiration of Obama in the Muslim world back that up.

I think we all sense that this election is important, if the not one of the most important elections in American history. We can't afford a mistake. Whether or not Obama is the best choice is still a matter of debate, but, as Americans, we cannot underestimate the importance of perception as it applies to other cultures, especially one with such a high level of direct impact on our future as that of the Islamic world.