Anti-Americanism?

[greatcalgarian]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6547881.stm

It is very interesting that this Washington correspondent Justin Webb is interpreting why the world hates America.

His first trick is to shift the blame to the French. I have a feeling that his anscestor must have an axe to grind with the French

What do you think? Do you agree with Justin Webb? Is it that simple that the world hates America, and there is nothing that the American has done to deserve the hating? Is it simply jealousy of the rest of the world on American success, American Power?

 

[greatcalgarian]

The weak little brother (UK) bullying the big strong brother (US)?

Christian Cox, a US citizen living in London, wrote to the BBC news website to express her concern about the amount of abuse she receives because of her nationality.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4881474.stm

 

[!Fluffy!]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6547881.stm

It is very interesting that this Washington correspondent Justin Webb is interpreting why the world hates America.

His first trick is to shift the blame to the French. I have a feeling that his anscestor must have an axe to grind with the French

What do you think? Do you agree with Justin Webb? Is it that simple that the world hates America, and there is nothing that the American has done to deserve the hating? Is it simply jealousy of the rest of the world on American success, American Power?

What in particular do you disagree with? Looks to be well researched to me. It appears this the first of a three part series, I'd be interested to see the other two articles (mainly because I have lost interest in France's many amusing little foibles). The historical aspect is kind of interesting though.

 

[greatcalgarian]

What in particular do you disagree with? Looks to be well researched to me. It appears this the first of a three part series, I'd be interested to see the other two articles (mainly because I have lost interest in France's many amusing little foibles). The historical aspect is kind of interesting though.

The other is about Egypt.

Looks like you have no good feeling towards the French as well

Do you really seriously believe that the French is going around the world instigiating every one to go against the American?

 

[!Fluffy!]

The other is about Egypt.


Looks like you have no good feeling towards the French as well

Au contraire. J'adore les Français et déteste des bigots.

That's silly. I have no good feeling toward French bigots, English bigots, Canadian bigots, or any bigots anywhere.

Do you really seriously believe that the French is going around the world instigiating every one to go against the American?

"The French is going around the world instigating every one to go against the American" is a moronic statement and has nothing to do with
a. my post
b. your cited article

So far you have made two frivolous accusations pulled from thin air. Care to try again, or vos qualifications de discussion sont limités aux erreurs logiques ?

 

[NoahideHiker]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6547881.stm

It is very interesting that this Washington correspondent Justin Webb is interpreting why the world hates America.

His first trick is to shift the blame to the French. I have a feeling that his anscestor must have an axe to grind with the French

What do you think? Do you agree with Justin Webb? Is it that simple that the world hates America, and there is nothing that the American has done to deserve the hating? Is it simply jealousy of the rest of the world on American success, American Power?

I personally do not care why they don't like us. I think the biggest part is because we go against the UN's wishes.

 

[Seraphiel]

I think a lot of people are fed up with the arrogance the paranoid US is showing. It looks like the US is allowed to do everything they want. The "You are with us, or else you are against us..." speech from cry baby Bush says enough. The US is also known for drawing its weapons a bit too often. Sadly this mediaeval way of thinking hasn't helped the world as much as cry baby Bush believes.

 

[Ciscokid]

I can understant anti American Government feelings, but how can someone be Anti American in such a way that they dislike the average American citizen when we're so diverse? How can you lump us when we're a melting pot?

After saying that...I don't care what the linguiny spined French think nor do I care what anyone else thinks.

 

[Ciscokid]

I think a lot of people are fed up with the arrogance the paranoid US is showing. It looks like the US is allowed to do everything they want. The "You are with us, or else you are against us..." speech from cry baby Bush says enough. The US is also known for drawing its weapons a bit too often. Sadly this mediaeval way of thinking hasn't helped the world as much as cry baby Bush believes.

This is a perfect example...your beef is with Bush, not the US. I think the cold of Norway has your brain a little frostbit.

 

[Seraphiel]

your beef is with Bush, not the US

Aren't the US citizens electing their government? Or are you saying that the US isn't a democracy at all?

 

[Ciscokid]

Aren't the US citizens electing their government? Or are you saying that the US isn't a democracy at all?

We are electing our Presidents...it's just that we still haven't invented a crystal ball.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

Aren't the US citizens electing their government? Or are you saying that the US isn't a democracy at all?

I dont think you understand democracy. The MAJORITY elects the government. Hence the other 49% of americans didnt elect Bush. We are responsible in part of course. I'm not denying that, but that doesnt justify blaming the average American. Just the ignorant, the sheep.

BTW we elected a liberal congress recently. Even though I don't necessary like them either, but its once again proof that our Democracy is active.

 

[bflydad]

I dont think you understand democracy. The MAJORITY elects the government. Hence the other 49% of americans didnt elect Bush. We are responsible in part of course. I'm not denying that, but that doesnt justify blaming the average American. Just the ignorant, the sheep.

Just FYI, since only 64% of Americans over 18 voted (per U.S. Census), actually only about 32% of Americans voted for Bush. However, all 100% elected him since the other 68% didn't do more to keep him out of office. So, yes, I think it does justify blaming the average American.

With that said, I think the U.S. is hated as a symbol. As the only superpower and the richest country, we embody the capitalistic, materialistic, militaristic society. We also embody both the individualistic and (at least until recently) secular society. When people in other areas of the world are unhappy with how things are today, America is the best target. When they see their societies moving away from traditional values to a more secular, fast food, capitalistic culture, it makes sense to hate the U.S. . Ronald Reagan won the Cold War at least as much culturally as economically and militarilly.

While, I don't think it is necessarily right to blame the U.S. for these things, there is one thing that the U.S. deserves the blame for. Since 2001, as part of its Global War on Terror, America has actively encouraged other countries to crack down on segments of their population (read: Muslim) that they perceive as terrorists. While Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco were already doing this before 2001, they have now received vindication by the U.S. that what they have been doing all along is right. While I can't quote the number of other countries where this has started as a result of American actions in the GWOT, I believe it has occurred.

In some cases, the U.S. gets blamed for just being the biggest and the best at what it does. However, in some cases, America creates it own problems.

 

[PureX]

We are electing our Presidents...it's just that we still haven't invented a crystal ball.

We also haven't impeached the man who has wrongly invaded and occupied another nation, while killing and maiming millions in the process. And we RE-elected the idiot for a second term!

 

[greatcalgarian]

Au contraire. J'adore les Français et déteste des bigots.

That's silly. I have no good feeling toward French bigots, English bigots, Canadian bigots, or any bigots anywhere.



"The French is going around the world instigating every one to go against the American" is a moronic statement and has nothing to do with
a. my post
b. your cited article

So far you have made two frivolous accusations pulled from thin air. Care to try again, or vos qualifications de discussion sont limités aux erreurs logiques ?

You implicitly supported the story, so that your post is sort of can be taken to imply you agreed with the author.
Did the author of that article wrote: "French is going around the world instigating every one to go against the American"? Well not in exactly such word, but English writer are very cunning like a fox, and they wrote in such a way as to poison the reader's mind to go in the direction of the statement I made for the author without even realizing it. I do sincerely believe you have shown leaning towards that end, before I jump in with the exactly unacceptable term of "French instigating...."
Well, if that is not what summarizes the article best, could you please summarize the jist of that article in 20 words or so?:help:

 

[greatcalgarian]

Actually, majority of world population hated what the American Government is doing to the world, but do not have much hatred for American people per se. However, since American Government is elected by the Americans, and Americans have to be held responsible for what the American Government did. So if they hated American Government, they inadvetently will vent their anger against the American people. So if the Americans want the world to stop hating the Americans, change your government. By changing the government, it has to be a total change, including most importantly change of the current American foreign policy!

 

[greatcalgarian]

By the way, there is something in this Manisfesto that Americans may be interested to read:

http://eustonmanifesto.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=38

6) Opposing anti-Americanism.
We reject without qualification the anti-Americanism now infecting so much left-liberal (and some conservative) thinking. This is not a case of seeing the US as a model society. We are aware of its problems and failings. But these are shared in some degree with all of the developed world. The United States of America is a great country and nation. It is the home of a strong democracy with a noble tradition behind it and lasting constitutional and social achievements to its name. Its peoples have produced a vibrant culture that is the pleasure, the source-book and the envy of millions. That US foreign policy has often opposed progressive movements and governments and supported regressive and authoritarian ones does not justify generalized prejudice against either the country or its people.

 

[Mathematician]

Anti-Americanism is a mixed bag of nuts. A plethora of it stems from the same root that Britons and Americans pick up when making fun of the French. We see this in almost every population on Earth, and I would take no notice of it unless having to engage in a debate over what is too far.

However, our imperial tendency is, in my eyes, rightly criticized. Our military aspirations are not only ridiculous, but in the long run a challenge to our own security. British historians denied their own empire was anything more than pre-modern globalization, the Spanish saw their destruction as noble, and Romans were thrilled with the growing power of their law. When people ask why so many Middle-Easterners hate the United States, or why people like Chavez are so popular in Latin America, I just have to laugh.

This type of anti-Americanism can and needs to be diminished. I acknowledge that it will never completely go away, but we can make a difference.

 

[McBell]

I dont think you understand democracy. The MAJORITY elects the government. Hence the other 49% of americans didnt elect Bush. We are responsible in part of course. I'm not denying that, but that doesnt justify blaming the average American. Just the ignorant, the sheep.

BTW we elected a liberal congress recently. Even though I don't necessary like them either, but its once again proof that our Democracy is active.

Um.
Actually that is not how it works.
If it actually worked that way GWBush would never have been president.
See, GWBush LOST the popular vote to Al Gore.
Seems to me that not even the Electoral College got to vote, what with the mess in the courts over the fiasco GWBush's brother, Florida Governor Bush, created.

 

[Faminedynasty]

Being hated is inevitable when you are the sole superpower on earth. You will be blamed for everything you do. You will be blamed for everything you don't do. Everyone will expect you to solve their problems, and everyone will resent your efforts to do so.
Considering the USA's economic, military and cultural domination of virtually the entire world, it is a remarkably benign empire. Considering its position of power if could be far more malignant, far more malicious. Could it do better? For certain. Should it have more sound and productive and less agressive foreign policy? For certain. Should it be more respectful of international law and the soverignty of nations? Yes.
When an empire is so vast, even marginally poor policies can result in loss of life and turmoil. When the reigns of such an empire are in the hands of the incompetent, it can be disastrous both for the American people and much of the rest of the world. We're seeing that more so today than per usual. We do need to make some big changes. But while this may reduce the ammount of hatred for the United States, our status as the post WWII superpower will assure that we will always be hated. But it will always be a love/hate relationship.