I went to college in London with lots of kids from the middle east. Many were of Palestinian extraction, residing in countries like Jordan, the UAE, and Kuwait.
I would have said all along that their intentions toward me and toward my culture were tolerant and considerate.
But I have heard nothing from them since September 11. Not a damned thing. No condemnation, not a reference, not anything.
And so I have begun wondering what they really think.
Schooling was a long time ago, of course, and we were young adults.
Still, I take their silence as tolerance for terrorism. I am appalled by their silence, and starting to buy into the notion that our differences cannot be reconciled.
Why don't you contact a few you considered friends. Just ask what they think of the World situation. A nuclear Iran? Iraq? Israel giving them Gaza?
The response of British educated Arabs that- you considered good guys- would be of interest to many here.