Dear blogosphere,

[bitterandrew]

I really don't like to play the pedantry card, especially on the heels of such an emotionally-charged event, BUT...

...Pakistan is not a Middle Eastern country.  It belongs to the "South Asia" grouping of nations.  Calling it a Middle Eastern country because the predominant religion there is Islam is like calling Chile part of Europe because it's a

Comments

[crowhen]

Thank you for your correction, good sir!

[bitterandrew]

Don't mind me. My American Studies mentor in college made his classes take map quiz after map quiz in preparation of the apocalypse to come. I said "when," not "if."

Back then I was uncertain of his predictions. Now, though?

[crowhen]

Meh, everyone needs correcting. Otherwise we remain ignorant, and while that's blissful, it spells for disasters like we are having now.

[morchades]

You'd think people'd have learned the difference between South Asia and the Middle East when we invaded Afghanistan, it would only have been polite to pay attention to that sort of thing.

[bitterandrew]

They pray facing Mecca, wear funny hats, and -- most importantly -- are NOT LIKE US. What other info do the proles need for their two minutes' hate?

Nuance is for fifth columnists and hippies.

[bitterandrew]

because they involve themselves with middle eastern politics more than south asian politics

I'd beg to differ on this point, as Pakistan's two major foreign policy issues are its ambiguous relationship with the Taliban (which affects Afghanistan, on the South Asian fringe) and longstanding issues (including a nuclear arms race) with India, the major power of that region.

Pakistan's activities, such as they are, in the Levant, the Arabian peninsula, Iran or Iraq are almost negligible in comparison.

[joamette]

That's one less thing I don't know. Much obliged. :)