Anti-Americanism

[Craig]

What do you think about the growing Anti-Americanism that is occurring ?

[angel nympho]

Speaking as an arrogant American, I couldn't give a shit.

[BeTheReds]

Well, when you meddle in everyone's affairs, that's what happens.

Everyone hates the cops until their shit gets stolen.

I don't believe people are so Anti-American rather than Anti-U.S. Government.

[golden_buns]

Originally posted by BeTheReds@May 11 2003, 05:53 PM
I don't believe people are so Anti-American rather than Anti-U.S. Government.
You're right on the money.

[Craig]

Originally posted by golden_buns@May 11 2003, 06:56 PM
You're right on the money.
The US government is in power with what seems to be the support of the majority of the American voters. The US is enough of a 'democracy' that the politicians go out of their way to cater to the wants of the voters (and potential voters). With that being the case, I find it harder and harder to clearly distinguish a separation between the opinions, attitudes and behaviour of the mass of the citizenry and the elected officials they put in power.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by Craig@May 11 2003, 11:31 PM
The US government is in power with what seems to be the support of the majority of the American voters. The US is enough of a 'democracy' that the politicians go out of their way to cater to the wants of the voters (and potential voters). With that being the case, I find it harder and harder to clearly distinguish a separation between the opinions, attitudes and behaviour of the mass of the citizenry and the elected officials they put in power.
except that politicians don't always do what they promise to do or run the kind of politics they promise to run during their campaigns.

[MellowDrama]

Originally posted by BeTheReds@May 11 2003, 07:53 PM
Well, when you meddle in everyone's affairs, that's what happens.

Everyone hates the cops until their shit gets stolen.

I don't believe people are so Anti-American rather than Anti-U.S. Government.
True. Non-American people I know say they don't hate American people, but just the government.

[sOKaLiBoY]

shit it doesn't matter to me. our government is a pos but our country is the best and will be for my lifetime. i love la :P

[kimpossible]

I think I'm going to be careful about what countries I travel to in the future.

[Emperor_Mike]

I like the United States and its people. The current Administration is deeply flawed in many respects and that's the reason why we have this anti-Americanism buildup across the globe. Of course, you have people who just don't like the US plain and simple, but most can delineate the differences and virtues between the governing and the governed.

However, many do have a problem with Americans whose views of their government and its domestic and foreign policies are incredibly skewed. Patriotism is one thing, but for it come at the expense of common sense and individuality? Most people also forget that empires and power do not last forever and the old saying of "Pride goeth before a fall" applies to every state from antiquity to modernity. Best not to make too many enemies before they gather round and kick you when you're down.

It's inevitable and everything's eventual.

[Shuriken]

Originally posted by Craig@May 12 2003, 03:31 AM
The US is enough of a 'democracy' that the politicians go out of their way to cater to the wants of the voters (and potential voters).
Although, in the case of the Iraqi War, it seems to me to be less a matter of "catering to the wants of the voters" than in drumming up support for a war. This was done by Bush implying that Saddam Hussein was directly involved in 9/11 — while no firm evidence supports the idea that he was — and premising the war on disarming him of his weapons of mass desctruction, which have yet to be found.

It's not just about supply and demand. It's also about creating the demand.

[Emperor_Mike]

Originally posted by Shuriken@May 12 2003, 02:09 PM
Although, in the case of the Iraqi War, it seems to me to be less a matter of "catering to the wants of the voters" than in drumming up support for a war. This was done by Bush implying that Saddam Hussein was directly involved in 9/11 — while no firm evidence supports the idea that he was — and premising the war on disarming him of his weapons of mass desctruction, which have yet to be found.

It's not just about supply and demand. It's also about creating the demand.
You are correct, of course. The power politicians wield over the populace extends only as far as the average person allows through his/her beliefs, opinions, and sense of "patriotism."

[angel nympho]

If anybody out there hates Americans, it's okay. I hate non-Americans. :D ...Openly. Except for the occasional normal Canadian.

[golden_buns]

Originally posted by Craig@May 11 2003, 07:31 PM
The US government is in power with what seems to be the support of the majority of the American voters. The US is enough of a 'democracy' that the politicians go out of their way to cater to the wants of the voters (and potential voters). With that being the case, I find it harder and harder to clearly distinguish a separation between the opinions, attitudes and behaviour of the mass of the citizenry and the elected officials they put in power.
If Bush hadn't linked Saddam Hussein with 911, I'm sure not many Americans would have supported the war. His tactic was to link Iraq with a very sensitive issue (911 and terrorist threats) to get approval from the people.

The goverment can easily manipulate the masses and do what it wants, and not what the majority wants

[Craig]

Originally posted by golden_buns@May 12 2003, 08:56 PM
The goverment can easily manipulate the masses and do what it wants, and not what the majority wants
At the point in time where the hoi polloi actually believes it's what they want, then it becomes what they want. If their minds have been manipulated to the point where they think you or your friends are the enemy, does it really reassure you that somebody else planted the idea into their head ?