Aussies are Cool!

[Shark Black]

Canberra, Australia
Aussies back U.S.: Prime Minister John Howard berated Europeans this week for their “irrational” anti-Americanism. During the recent World Economic Summit in Switzerland, Howard said, he participated in a BBC-sponsored panel discussion about U.S. foreign policy and found it shockingly biased. “The discussion was based on an anti-American mind-set which was established right at the beginning by the moderators from the BBC,” Howard told the Sydney Australian. He said French and German participants, in particular, seemed to see evil intent in every American action. “It is a sign of parochialism,” he said, “and it is disturbingly intense.” Australian troops are part of the U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq.

[SethFWF]

I don't have some big anti-american mindset, I do find many faults and discuss them sometimes with much disdain. But I don't agree with the overwhelming anti-american sentiment throughout the world...however I understand it and realize it's a fact and isn't going to change.

Some people ask(not a jab at you Bret) "why does the world hate us?"...and then politicians and goodwill ambassadors try to figure out we can make the world love us. Aint gonna happen...it's simplistic reasoning and only a part of the problem, but we're the big kid on the block...everyone wants to kick our ass.

Seth

[Shark Black]

True True. Doesn't make it OK.

We do have a history of using our status to passively screw people. Like farm subsidies that cut out competition from other world growers etc. But even more than that they hate us because we use our status to do the right things too. But believe it or not there is less hate of America today than there was 25 years ago. Back then the Soviet union was strong and growing, they had just gone into Afghanistan they were throughout Central America and ten years before that Iran took our hostages and China totally hated the capitalist pigs. We've come a long way. But what's disturbing is that our so called friends (who were passively sitting on the sidelines then too) Germany and France, are now aggressively making shit up about us so they can hate us. Like Howard said they see evil intent in every thing we do. Which is bullshit.

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: Throne of Chaos: Pervertigo

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[SethFWF]

It's scary that we may be headed back to that status, now with countries like N. Korea that are just going... Puts us in a hell of a position. Screwed if we do, screwed if we don't.

Seth

[marvthemailman]

OK, I going to hate myself for responding to this thread, as I told myself no more politics or religion.Got hooked on these boards from their music dicussions, but have ventured far off that topic.

Here's my two cents

The more we stick our noses in everybody's business whether it's to bully or help, we're going to be hated. If you're helping someone, someone else will be pissed for one reason or another. Same with bullying, someone will be cheering us on, while others will take offense and wonder if they are next.

The thing is this has only stepped up on Bush's watch. HE IS THE DEVIL!!!!

[SethFWF]

I agree with most of your statement, same reasoning N. Korea is using to justify their nukes...although I find it unreasonable that we would attack them if they cooperated. They just don't want to because they hate us... What a conundrum(sp?).

Again, I'm taking a wait and see attitude with Bushs second term. I don't like him and have many reservations, but I wonder if he's learned anything and will tone down a bit...or will he not care since he doesn't have to run again?

The Indecency Bill is on the march again after they agreed to how it would be presented, abortion, gay rights all on the block. Plus the budget and environment on top of our international problems...guess we'll see.

Seth

[Shark Black]

marvthemailman said:

OK, I going to hate myself for responding to this thread, as I told myself no more politics or religion.Got hooked on these boards from their music dicussions, but have ventured far off that topic.

Here's my two cents

The more we stick our noses in everybody's business whether it's to bully or help, we're going to be hated. If you're helping someone, someone else will be pissed for one reason or another. Same with bullying, someone will be cheering us on, while others will take offense and wonder if they are next.

The thing is this has only stepped up on Bush's watch. HE IS THE DEVIL!!!!

Dude here's a fact, If we isolate and do nothing, then they'd hate us even more. Can you hear it? OK Put on your best whiney voice... """YOU HAVE ALL THOSE RESOURCES TO HELP AND YOU DO NOTHING???!!""

It's a no win situation, Long term thinking is required. Long Term thinking is what were getting. The pissings of whiners have and will always be heard. The key is to put that shit in the background and do what needs to be done. If that means putting down a few rabid dogs so be it. Furthermore every country that has adopted our model of governance is peaceful. Not that every country needs to be like us, they just need to be peaceful and treat their people with respect. Then there is no problem. If they cannot at a minimum do that then the world and the people of those countries are best served by dealing with the problem, not letting it fester. And believe me the other suspect countries will get the idea (i.e. Libya, Saudi Arabia). Deal with Human rights, respect your neighbors or eventualy be looking over your shoulder.

THis may sound harsh, but if you don't stand up for what's right, read the UN charter, then you condone what was happening in Iraq and Afghanistan and what is happening in Africa, North Korea and to many other areas around the globe. You tell me, the millions of Iraqis who got to vote for the first time aren't grateful for George Bush. And Tens years down the road, his vision will be finally be noticed due to the results.

Then again maybe we should just hunker down into our shell like a frickin snail.

OK time for me to go to my corner and cover my head so I can take my beating from all the liberal we should do nothing know it alls... hehe LOL

Lets Party!!!! Where's the Beer!