The US is continually blamed for the incitements and intolerance by western European nations that the US itself has absolutely no partake in at its very foundation of leaders and people. It's rather sad that the nation of not only the greatest diversity, but the greatest attitude of ultimate tolerance -- not just inside its own borders, but its leadership has always, and will continue to always reflect that same attitude. It has since Day 1 -- hundreds of years before the US became a nation. It's still at the very foundation.
Our practice of our ideals has been less than perfect, from slavery to our foreign affairs - but I can't find any other nation founded with such great ideals. Despite how much I dislike (and sometimes downright HATE) our government, I love my country and cherish her heritage and ideals. I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world.
So instead of blaming the US, one should really look at the "we wish were still Imperalist nations" as well as those who are still plagued by their centuries of Imperialism, as well as the Vatican (which I think more of a factor when it comes to the IRA), which the US continues to question, regularly -- and something we should all respect. Those of Muslim faith, or those of "Old Europe," we tried to continue to be Imperialists through even the '50s, that think the US is a Zionist entity, or really the cause of many of our hatred issues continuing plague our planet, really need to come to the US.
I rather tire of the statements made by foreign nationals which are in complete hypocrisy, and they will accept absolutely no blame on their own nation's shoulders -- not in the past, but more importantly, not even their selfish interests now. As an American, I'm biased. But I work with so many 1st generation immigrants who come to this country for a reason, and have been exposed to so many cultures, believes and horrors of their people. And as an American, I really strive to watch foreign media and directly talk to people.
Noting those that are simply full of "blame the US rhetoric, instead of "looking at their own issues" and the ones that honestly take a look at "this is what American is thinking, doing, and why it is wrong/right." Especially the latter, which I often disagree with, but it does show they take the time to understand what American is, the decisions it's leaders make that reflect it, etc...
Yep :thumbsup:
The US changed in WWII. We haven't changed since.
Again Prof., I think you aren't thinking far enough.
The US fundamentally changed with the Civil War.
But the fight for the "Spirit" of America has been going on since the inception of the Republic (why else would the Constitution NOT be ratified without TEN Amendments added to it first? Catch my drift?
)
What everyone is bitching about is the same thing that happened during the Cold War. But we're no longer the "lesser of two evils." In fact, no longer can you choose to blame two different superpowers -- you have only one to blame. In fact, all while you sling mud at the US, there's a much better scapegoat in China -- one that is actually destroying the environment far worse than the US, using more resources, etc... that goes so under-reported.
Just wait until 2020! You won't believe how much you wished you didn't leave China out of the Kyoto Treaty. Although the US continues to work with China to bring their emissions and pollution under control far more than any European nation has even attempted -- because they are so focused on their "single superpower scapegoat."
Like I said before - just wait till another "superpower" emerges on the field, then the blame shift will begin again
Thanks dd. I'll post it as soon as it's finished on my "lyrics" thread I suppose. It still needs work. Maybe you'll hear it on the radio someday. It has a really loud wailing guitar solo. They'll ban it in Texas.
People dump on Texas too often and I don't think it's fair or right. people accuse Texans with the same prejudiced stereotype they accuise Texans of practising. :dunno:
The U.S. went to war to fight the spread of a political system, not to defend citizens. They killed millions of South and North Vietnamese in horrific ways and lost a shitload of teenage American lives for some bizarre political rhetoric scare stories not unlike the ones we're fed today.
"Millions" ? I don't essentially disagree with this part but I disagree with the "millions" comment.
In most of the world, the USSR is still a much-maligned and criticized powerhouse, in the same way America is criticized, only the USSR has disintegrated and America is more powerful than ever. Most people who know politics know what USSR did in Afghanistan and think it was absolutely disgusting, no better and no worse than our own track record.
I'm not so sure about that either. For all our faults, we stopped persecuting people for their political beliefs centuries ago (for example).
If you hear mostly anti-American rhetoric here in America it's probably because the days of hating the USSR and Communism are long over, since we effectively killed communism. Nothing wrong with killing communism, imo, but I also think capitalism should be burned at the stake and then we should all rejoice in a brave new world in which freedom democracy HONESTY EQUALITY and SHARING are the core principles rather than money, business, money, profit, expansion, money, invasion and individualism. And money.
You don't see the HUGE contradictions in this post? Death of communism but also death of individualism? Capitalism is founded on the principles of choice and voluntary actions - I would never wish for it's death.
Good points. But take my word for it, SOME of those in America who detest the government and its foreign policy, and MOST of those in other countries who feel that way, are not doing it because it's cool. Sure, some people are bandwagon political apathetics, who go with what is cool and rebellious, but I do not despise the American government because it's cool. I don't want it to be cool. What's cool to me, are the principles above... freedom, democracy, equality, sharing... and peace. Without nationalism, patriotism, superiority complexes, and with a very very heavy commitment to the United Nations.
Commitment to the UN? Why? So others can dictate policy and use our resources to achieve that policy? I'm tired of funding for stupid UN plicies with my tax money and I tire of American boys and girls shedding blood for UN causes. I am SICK and TIRED of the UN. I will
not sign away my soverignity to the "world government". I don't want the united States involved in the affairs of other nations.
I am tired of these arguments, too, they all seem to be the same. The only reason these arguments exist is that this board is predominantly American. If there were equal representations of every nation on this earth, by population, first of all we'd have a lot of Chinese and Indian points of view and secondly, these right wing patriots would be completely drowned out.
Think again. I'm not saying "the Right Wing patriots" are right. I'm saying that people value individuality and choice more than you give them credit for. As such, they may not readily ascribe or subscribe to your PoV.
That's my dream world. The world in which majority rules, and the majority want peace.
Majority rules sucks if you're a minority.
Seriously, though, while every government is hypocritical, no-one has perfected the art quite like the US Republicans.
To say nothing about the Democrats
If you think Saudi princes championing Jihad and Islam while living in absolute luxury is hypocritical, ohhh man that has nothing on the words that come out of that man that stole the Presidency (GWB) from the guy that wanted nothing more than to clean up the mess America has been making of the world - Al Gore that is.
Dubya "stole" the election...
Huh? What? You said something? Sorry, I fell asleep with the same old, worn out
blatantly false rhetoric about Dubya being evil incarnate (not that he isn't) BECAUSE he STOLE the election from Prince Charming Al-Gore.
cheers,
