First and foremost, we are safe. There was a peaceful demonstration at the US embassy Thursday night and when rumblings of escalation began the crowd immediately dispersed. Before we read about it in the paper this morning, we hadn’t heard anything about it. If we were oblivious to the news, nothing would seem any different. We are safe (mom, you reading this? 😉 ) Here’s another great article to read to understand the Arab point of view. Some blog posts to peruse (written by Americans in Kuwait) – Moving, DesertGirl, Expat & the City.
Our official stance on the topic is something along the lines of this: in every population of people there are extremists (this includes the US, Christians and other populations around the world). They do not speak for the majority. We come from the majority and we live/work among the majority. If you want to “respond” to something, do so in a way that binds your culture with another, not in a way that may erode whatever is already in place.
Happy Friday to all of our western readers!
Living in Laymans' Terms 
Have to admit, I was worried and I am not your mom.
I’m reading and I have not been worried. It is sad when people feel the need to use our differences to divide as opposed to celebrating our diversity and using our similarities to bind us together as humans.