So what? If you are truly a history buff you now that the United States is not perfect and we have done some pretty jacked up things overseas over the past century and a quarter. Does this mean we are "evil" and worthy of "hate"? No, of course not. And did we stop an evil dictator in the form of Hitler and do a large amount to bring down the Soviet Union? Of course it does. But why do so many Americans, and I am one, have this sense that this means we have nothing as a nation to ever be sorry for. If you don't recognize your mistakes, at all, how on earth can you hope to improve. This is something that doesn't make logical sense to me. We teach our kids to self reflexive, to recognize when they've done something wrong and to learn from those mistakes. Yet when it comes to our national history or our foreign policy we refuse to apply that same, easy to follow standard. Why so defenseive? There are wonderful things about America. None of them are diminished by acknowledging the mistakes we've made. My mother is an amazing person who I admire and love just about more than anyone in the world next to my partner, and I know that the woman is not perfect. Now my mom's positives and negatives are on a smaller scale than our countries. No my mom didn't liberate Europe from Hitler, but she also hasn't invaded soverign nations in violation of international law either. But I love my mom and I love the Untied States, neither are perfect and both shouldnt be afraid to apologize for it.

What gets me is how TOUCHY people are about this.

You can't say he's ashamed of his country without calling him a liar. Is that what you're saying.
Over the top much?

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Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

When they're among friends and family and they say they hate us. When they see a tourist and glare at him/her.

While I can testify that people in some circles talk to eachother negatively about Americans, and that there were moments where me and my friends made some jokes about "those stupid Americans" in our language while they were standing next us, largely there is no real hate. I also think that the vast majority of our politicians would gladly work together with the USA as equals. Just look at how many European nations initially worked with the US in Iraq even though the backbone of the EU, the Franco-German axis, was against.

We are not a homogeneous group of people who all think the same, some people are pro-American, some are anti-American, those who hate are really a very small group.

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Terrornoia: how the propa-ugandists used the omni-territorialization of terror for the fundamen-talismanization of criminal law in a multi-cultus-ritualistic society

I don't believe that most Europeans actually hate us even now. But there's no doubt that thumbing our noses at them and going it alone in Iraq served to create some displeasure.

It's not that I care what Europeans think... it's that I care what everyone thinks of America. It matters. In places where many people really do hate America, you might find Al Qaida recruiters operating freely and with success. Likewise, in places that really have respect and admiration for America, you might see that Al Qaida is not tolerated and will be pointed out and prosecuted. That's just one example of how our country's reputation matters.

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Congratulations President-Elect Obama

The change I would like is haulting the constant political discourse in this country.

Anyone with half a brain can see that the Dems started the turmoil by demonized their enemies and claimed to be the solution to all of the angst that their actions have caused. All they need do is lay-off on all of the BS and get to work.

Figure the odds on this ever happening.

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"We can't screw it up any worse than they have." - Barack Obama

Wanna bet?



"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste...." - Rahm Emmanuel

I guess you need to have a WHOLE brain to see that it did NOT start with the Democrats.

What is that supposed to mean?

Is that why you can't recognize the fact that it started with the Democrats?

I think it takes a bad case of amnesia or a habit of using selective memory to believe some of the nonsense Democrats claim. Most of the conflict in Washington was initiated by the Democrats. There is no other way of looking at it.

The Dems start it by making false or overblown accusations.....and then claim they are the victims of unfair attacks when the Repugs try to defend themselves.

It's like the claims by Obama that McCain is using racism. Obama is the only one using racism in his campaign. He constantly wears his race on his sleeve. McCain says Obama is inexperienced and his policies are dangerous for a weak economy.....Obama's response is....."It must because I'm Black".

Obama doesn't say it like exactly like that. Instead he says: "They want you to be afraid of me. It's because I have a funny name. I don't look like other Presidents you see on a dollar bill or a five dollar bill".

He's changed this from "Did I mention he was black?" He actually said this a couple of months ago.

The Dems have a habit of walking up to Republicans and sucker-punching them and then claim they are the victim when the Republicans punch them back in any shape or form.

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"We can't screw it up any worse than they have." - Barack Obama

Wanna bet?



"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste...." - Rahm Emmanuel

It means that, having a whole brain, I'm aware U.S. history did not begin in 2001, and that the claim that Democrats "started" something that goes back to the founding of the nation is utterly preposterous.

I guess you need to have half your brain inactive (thus only "half a brain") to think something that silly.

This post is pretty nice!
I'd support you 100%!!!
Very informative indeed!

How do you work together with people you consider to be "stupid"? But there is no "real hate". That's very nice of you!

It's interesting that you and your friends make jokes about how "stupid" we are. That sort of bigotry is difficult to fight. In fact, I would say it is impossible.

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"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

That is a fair point in itself, but it was very bizarre watching Obama apologize for an entire nation as part of his campaign trip. He postured as president, comparing himself to Kennedy and Reagan as his "predecessors", which was a case of extreme narcissism and hubris.

I am glad to see a candidate who wants strong and solid relations with Europe, but there is a middle ground between Bush's interventionism and left-wing self-hatred. It really wasn't appropiate for him to refer to Americans as an example of "what has gone wrong with the world".

I thought to myself: What on earth is he doing? I don't think even he knew why he was there, except for self-promotion. I doubt if any other candidate for president will be pulling this stunt again soon.

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"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

I'm sorry, but shouldn't a man whose running for President of the United States jump for every opportunity to portray himself as a world leader. Why is Obama being punished for ambition, when ambition is the most important quality for any person running for the highest office in the land. It's not like he went over there as the mayor of Cleveland. I just don't get this argument and I don't think that any other candidate has had to deal with accusations of "hubris" for merely doing things that leaders do which is take stances, put themselves in positions of authority and attempt to claim territory. So wierd.
John McCain spend most of May making speeches about u.s. foreign policy in Canada, Columbia and much of Latin America. How is that not the same "hubris" of Obama?

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Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

Obama did not come across as "world leader". There was no substance to his trip, and no responsibility at all - there couldn't be. His visits reminded me of Princess Diana's trips in the 90s. The difference, though, is that was the correct venue for her. It isn't for him. He is a presidential candidate - not the president. Meeting with other leaders can be acceptable, but his focus needs to be in the US.

His appeal is considerable, and that can be put to good use. But the self-promotion aspect of the trip overwhelmed everything else. He simply has not earned that position yet.

Obama's numbers have dropped since the trip. He is still ahead and likely to win. But he should be very far ahead in every poll, considering how weak the GOP is right now.

Who was he trying to reach with this trip? It was a very expensive and well-publicized event. But those who were impressed are already obsessed with him. For those who are uncertain, the results seem to be mixed. For many, certainly, his apology for Americans played into trendy anti-Americanism - and is a public relations disaster among the undecided voters he desperately needs. Kennedy and Reagan would never have done something like that.

People are losing their homes across the US. Gas prices are high. We are in a bear market. The unemployment rate is going up. This is not the time to be basking in the adoration of screaming fans in other nations. He might have pulled it off last summer, but now.

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"Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety."

Macbeth 3:1

Most of what you say is correct.

France, Germany and England are the backbone of the EU. Of those 3, only England has been willing to help bear the burden. Many smaller countries in the EU did as well.

Germany and France built their economies off the backs of the U.S. taxpayer. If not for our troop presence there since the end of WWII both countries would have had to spend far more of their national wealth for self protection from the USSR.

Given that they have not shared the burden and cannot compete with the U.S. in military matters they should not be given an equal say. Right or wrong, the Bush administration recognises this and that's what pisses off the Europeans. Knowing they are also rans. Rumsfeld's comment about 'Old Europe' was not a smart thing to say, but it wasn't inaccurate. Even today the Germans refuse to make a significant contribution in Afghanistan without a bunch of caveats on the use of their troops.

The American people know, intuitively, the difference in sacrifice made, and going to Europe to seek approval, and bad mouth the U.S., was an incredibly stupid move by Obama.

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Andy
Cynical Optimist

Rule number one: Politics ends at the waters edge.

Obama violated that rule in a big way.

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Andy
Cynical Optimist