Jihad or Jobs?
Ronald Bruder is trying to heal the Middle East by creating economic opportunities for educated young people in Muslim-majority countries. What do you think of his efforts? Will his strategy change the social scene?
From Melvin Sorcher, PhD The article about interviewing in the Middle East (Jihad or Jobs?, Apr.
2008) was fascinating. Great idea. People in thriving economies –
national or personal – tend to be reluctant to fight and are far more
interested in peace than violence. I'm an industrial psychologist and,
for some years, I had an idea rolling around in my mind and I finally
published it. It is about the frustration and difficulty encountered
by so many young people who are interviewed for their first post-
college jobs by individuals who do not know what questions to ask or
how to interpret the answers. It's called "Beat-the-Odds Interviews"
and I wrote it specifically for the new college graduate. It is
counter-conventional and if young people read only one book on
interviewing, this should be it. The sub-title says it all: "The
Amazing Untold Truth About Interviewing for Your First Post-College
Job." Young people need a lot of help with this.
Melvin Sorcher, PhD
From Bill Ford Given the slanted propaganda presented as a business article I am very sure this will not be read. The view presented is that if we fill stomachs and trade they will stop murdering us. That was tried in Nazi Germany to no success. It was tried in Red China with no success. It was tried with Islam for fourteen centuries and the resulat has been worldwide genocide by the funded practitioners of this so called religion of peace.
Lenin said the last capitalist would sell the very rope used to hang him. Things do not change do they?
From L. F. Beard This was a very interesting article on Mr. Binder and what he is doing to help get those Mid-Easterners back into a good position.
Some of this same type of thing could be done in the US in our poverty areas.
Thanks again for a great article.
L. F. Beard (retired accountant and former Lion Club member)
From Robert, Bethesda, MD For Ron Goldstein: I think you are misinterpreting the goal here. No, this won't keep every "potential" recruit from joining a terrorist organization, but it will hopefully make it harder for these groups to recruit as more of the young, often desperate people they brainwash into becoming assassains find better things to do with their lives.
There's obviously no single fix for the myriad of problems in the Middle East, but this sounds like it could serve to help with at least some of them. And I do applaud Ron for actually being willing to put up both his own money and his own time (and possibly even his safety?) in an effort to make it work.
From Grace Cohen, New Port Richey, FL Wow I said the same thing 10 years ago, if you create jobs, then the unemployed youth over there will not have the time to become fanatics. When you have nothing to do, you can easily be swayed by anyone. Nothing gives more pride than a steady paycheck and to teach these young people valuable skills. All I have to say is "Hats off to you Ron," and although one man won't necessarily change things over there, it's a good start!
From Patrick, New York NY This is a great effort to kick start a revolution in the Middle East. Stone Age is over- replace it with jobs! Let us hope that militant groups do not infiltrate such a humane project to fund their terrorist organizations.
From Shawn, Atlanta This kind of uplifting will pay off in a great way and reduces the possiblity of young idle adults turning into rogues. There are always a few people who may not change their Jihadi mentality but Jobs will certainly prevent someone from turning into suicide bombers.
From Mehjabeen, Riverside, CA I think this is really very positive step. Education and eventually having a job opportunity, help people become more optimistic , especially in a place where there is little or no hope for better days.
From Ron Goldstein, Jerusalem, Israel Wishful, but naive based on a premise long-ago disproved.
Bin-Laden is from a wealthy family. Many of the leaders (not to mention financiers) of the global Jihad movement, whether in the US/England or the Middle East or the Far East, are middle class and well-to-do. The "intifada" of the late 1980s was begun by EMPLOYED young Arabs, who were fed up being told what to do by the bigwigs in Tunis.
Although it is laudable to increase the standard of living of the Arab populace in the Middle East, it has the same chance of succeeding as offering Bin-Laden a job on Wall Street as an investment banker.
From Jason-Milwaukee Run with it Ronny. It is good to see business take on the responsiblity on mending differences and building bridges.
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From NPR Florida Now that is the kind of program that can work. Education is always the key – you can only get those good jobs and a understanding of the world (tolerance of others) with an education. There is a reason why they say and idol or unused mind can be the root of evil.
From K.Goode, alpharetta, ga I think it's a terriffic idea. Idleness really is a tool of the devil as the saying goes. Everyone deserves the opportunity to work. I only hope that more foundations catch his vision and spread it all over the world. Why limit it's application just to the middle east.
From Rema Oak Lawn, Illinois I spent three years of my life studying in the West Bank and realized while I was there the it is the economic situation oppressing the people. Many of the young people I meet were hopeless, frustrated, and jobless. I think Ronald Bruder is doing an outstanding job and making a difference in the lives of the youth in immeasurable ways. I would love to participate in such a program and make a difference for the future of Middle Eastern youth.
This is a wonderful idea. If you have a job you have very little understanding of what it takes for a person to be without and trying to care for an entire family.
Keep up the good work.