Mikeb, it seems you are better-informed than most, but I don't agree with your "Ward & June Cleaver" assessment of the area. I've spent a fair amount of time in the middle-east, so my opinions aren't based on the garbage they put on TV. Even if you take the Iraq conflict out of the equation (for the sake of argument), my comments still stand. There are a LOT of positive things to be said for the middle-east for those with open minds, but let's put things into perspective. Airtoday should not be writing comments through rose-colored glasses. When expectations don't meet reality, then you have moral problems and other issues... just tell it like it is.