How the world views the USA right now

[Royd 0]

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A Marine, Josh Belile, wrote a song and performed it for a roomful of other Marines. Someone recorded it, and Belile then posted it to the web. An excerpt from the song:

I grabbed her little sister and put her in front of me
As the bullets began to fly
the blood sprayed from between her eyes
and then I laughed maniacally

Sounds like some of the rap crap that some people try to call music. Same generation, same mentality.
Are you just as offended when it's a cop killing song?

[billvon 3,070]

>Are you just as offended when it's a cop killing song?

I think _any_ song that glorifies killing of anyone isn't all that hot.

Lately I find myself far more offended by actual killing than by songs about killing though. A song is just words.

[steveorino 7]

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Militarily we look out for our own interests. I'm sure Iran could have used help defending themselves from Saddam Hussein, an evil tyrant bent on acquiring more power. But instead of helping them we gave Hussein assistance.

In Spring of 1978 we (Special Forces) were there helping Iran train their army on their soil. THEY (the Islamic revolutionists) decided to take our fellow countrymen hostage when the Shah left. Simply put, they made their bed, now the have to lie in it.

steveOrino

[Red_Skydiver 0]

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These Muslims intend to change the whole world through random violence.
Where do you want the front to be?

You are confusing law abiding Muslims with terrorists. There is a difference.

[Red_Skydiver 0]

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WTF makes us Big Daddy, and everyone else the "mouthy teenager?". We share the world, we don't own it.

I would say that when some country needs help, whether finacially, medically, or militarilly, we always seem to be the ones to step up to the plate. Even then, we are still despised.

That makes us big dog on the block, and we get to call the shots. It's the natural law.

You are despised because of the arrogant attitude that is often displayed by Americans. If you can help financially, medically, militarily or otherwise that is always gratefully received. It's the arrogance that we often hear such as your statement above that people dislike.

[billvon 3,070]

> Simply put, they made their bed, now the have to lie in it.

I've got no problems with that. They should face the consequences of their own decisions. But they should not be forced to face the consequences of _our_ decisions, any more than we should be forced to face the consequences of theirs.

[steveorino 7]

Well, in this small world, how do we really do that?

I mean, everything we (USA) does has world implication. It is the nature of the beast (being the most powerful nation in the world -- like it or not)

So any decision we make -- what to do -- what not to do has implications for many others.

steveOrino

[Red_Skydiver 0]

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Lately I find myself far more offended by actual killing than by songs about killing though. A song is just words.

True but words are very powerful. They can do as much harm as they do good, especially when the words are communicated to a different cultural group who may not fully understand the true meaning or intent behind them (and that works both ways). Unfortunately we don't always think before we speak. The internet doesn't help either as it's possible to self-publish without anyone editing your words. That is potentially very damaging.

[steveorino 7]

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You are despised because of the arrogant attitude that is often displayed by Americans. If you can help financially, medically, militarily or otherwise that is always gratefully received. It's the arrogance that we often hear such as your statement above that people dislike.

You're confusing most Americans with ones you see on TV. There is a difference.

steveOrino

[Red_Skydiver 0]

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You are despised because of the arrogant attitude that is often displayed by Americans. If you can help financially, medically, militarily or otherwise that is always gratefully received. It's the arrogance that we often hear such as your statement above that people dislike.

You're confusing most Americans with ones you see on TV. There is a difference.

No I'm not. I judge Americans from those I see on tv (naturally), those I have met skydiving, met through work and American tourists I've bumped into and also from the postings on dz.com..... oh and also American friends. Other people I know do the same. I stand by my posting above.

Edited to add: I am not saying all Americans have that attitude. I am saying that some Americans (I'm talking USA here) do appear to be arrogant .... even if it isn't their intention to be that way that is how it is often perceived. The posting I referred to was just one example of a good way to alienate non Americans.

[steveorino 7]

Well you must be right then, everyone knows all Americans are like TV personalities, tourists and skydivers (oh, and your friends) Sheesh! Talk about narrow mindness.

steveOrino

[billvon 3,070]

>True but words are very powerful.

Oh, I agree. Writing, performing and posting that song to the internet was a very stupid and thoughtless thing to do. At best it will just make a few more people hate us. At worst, these marines words may lead to more deaths of his fellow servicemen.

[Red_Skydiver 0]

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Well you must be right then, everyone knows all Americans are like TV personalities, tourists and skydivers (oh, and your friends) Sheesh! Talk about narrow mindness.

hmmmm - not sure how that was taken.... I was just trying to emphasise that I don't judge you all by what I see on tv......

[miked10270 0]

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In Spring of 1978 we (Special Forces) were there helping Iran train their army on their soil. THEY (the Islamic revolutionists) decided to take our fellow countrymen hostage when the Shah left.

Or... "They" (the islamic revolutionists), having overthrown a dictator, discovered (or suspected) that a counter-revolution was being planned from the US Embassy!

It's not like it hasn't happened before.

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Simply put, they made their bed, now they have to lie in it.

So... It was fine to support Hussein and his use of WMDs when his invasion of Iraq failed? Fine for the USS Vincennes to shoot down an Iranian airliner for taking off in a suspicious manner?...

America really doesn't hold the moral high ground regarding it's behaviour towards Iran. Quite the reverse.

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[steveorino 7]

Sure, whatever. I guess my experience ther is superceded by your opinion.

steveOrino

[billvon 3,070]

>>You are despised because of the arrogant attitude that is often displayed by Americans.

>You're confusing most Americans with ones you see on TV. There is a difference.

Not so sure about that. I'm not a foreigner right now so I can't say how a foreigner sees the US, but when I am in foreign countries I notice something odd. People avoid talking about politics around me and Amy and often change the subject. If I have time, and we end up talking about some political issue, at some point I'll mention "well, the whole Iraq thing was a huge mistake." (or something along those lines.)

Once that comes out, they open up and start talking about _their_ views, which are usually pretty moderate. Several of them have told me that they feared an angry or self-righteous reaction if they criticized anything about the US. One actually said "oh, thank god, I didn't know if I could talk to you about any current affairs things without you getting really mad!"

So that idea that people from the US are arrogant and pushy on politics is out there. Not sure where it comes from, whether it's TV or the news media or our president's speeches.

[Royd 0]

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At best it will just make a few more people hate us. At worst, these marines words may lead to more deaths of his fellow servicemen.

I believe the waffling and obstruction of the Democratic party can claim that same honor.

[mikkey 0]

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WTF makes us Big Daddy, and everyone else the "mouthy teenager?". We share the world, we don't own it.

I would say that when some country needs help, whether finacially, medically, or militarilly, we always seem to be the ones to step up to the plate. Even then, we are still despised.

That makes us big dog on the block, and we get to call the shots. It's the natural law.

One of those myths Americans believe in. If you have a look at the amounts countries give (both development aid and emergency aid) measured as a % of GDP you might be surprised. One area the Americans are always leading in, is providing logistics when natural disasters happen as this is delivered through the military which has capabilities no other country has. But try to compare financial aid of the EU as a "block" compared to the US. Look at development aid as a % of GDP.

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When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

[billvon 3,070]

>I believe the waffling and obstruction of the Democratic party can
>claim that same honor.

I think if you want to place either credit or blame for something the government does, the majority party would be the logical choice. The minority party cannot do anything without their consent, whereas the majority party can do pretty much whatever it wants without the minority party.

Not to say that the democrats are great, but they have not been at the controls at all for the past four years. About all they can do is make speeches.

[mikkey 0]

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Once that comes out, they open up and start talking about _their_ views, which are usually pretty moderate. Several of them have told me that they feared an angry or self-righteous reaction if they criticized anything about the US. One actually said "oh, thank god, I didn't know if I could talk to you about any current affairs things without you getting really mad!"

So that idea that people from the US are arrogant and pushy on politics is out there. Not sure where it comes from, whether it's TV or the news media or our president's speeches.

No, they read Speakers Corner.....

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When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

[miked10270 0]

Youve been there too. Cool. When were you there? I was there twice. First time for 2 weeks in 1995. Second time for 4 weeks in 1998. Both times basically as a tourist. Nice skiing. Friendly folk. Even had a drink with a few Christians, but didnt really rate the drinking there.

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Sure, whatever. I guess my experience there is superceded by your opinion.

That response and its avoidance of discussing the issue neatly encapsulates the reason behind the Worlds view of America. QED.

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[Royd 0]

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The minority party cannot do anything without their consent, whereas the majority party can do pretty much whatever it wants without the minority party.

I'm no political scholar, but I believe a clear majority is required to get things done.
As for obstructionists we can start with Tom Daschle,[now finished] Ted kennedy, Harry Reid.

[Royd 0]

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But try to compare financial aid of the EU as a "block" compared to the US. Look at development aid as a % of GDP.

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Since when is the EU a country?
It's a conglomeration of socialist minded countries, that taxes the hell out of their citizens just to keep their heads above water.

[Lucky... 0]

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The american people are safer.

Safer than a virgin girl in a gaybar perhaps.

[steveorino 7]

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Youve been there too. Cool. When were you there? I was there twice. First time for 2 weeks in 1995. Second time for 4 weeks in 1998. Both times basically as a tourist. Nice skiing. Friendly folk ...

Do you actually read a post??? I said "In Spring of 1978 we (Special Forces) were there helping Iran train their army on their soil.

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"That response and its avoidance of discussing the issue neatly encapsulates the reason behind the Worlds view of America. QED.

Mike.

I stated my issue based on my experience[url] there as a US soldier helping them. It appears you have given more weight to your opinion as a tourist on a ski trip.

steveOrino