Posted on 06/24/2008 9:07:35 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
The Democrats have been saying for some time that Barack Obama will restore our reputation in the eyes of the world, and I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out what went wrong in the first place.
The world hates us. We know this, because our own media inform us of it regularly through polls, editorials, and documentaries. Because of our actions, our policies, over the years, we have built up a reservoir of resentment worldwide that only Obama can sooth.
You know, I think they are right. Let's look at the sins we've committed with an eye toward helping our next president, whoever it may be, to regain our popularity in the world.
Most of the complaints have to do with the American reaction to problems overseas. Should America get involved, and in what capacity? From my observations, we have clearly blundered many times, causing them to hate us.
For instance, sometimes we simply stay out of it (Rwanda). We don't help anyone, saying it's none of our business, and many die. So the world hates us for our apathy and selfishness.
Other times we try to get involved in things that are clearly none of our business, being the "policemen of the world" (Somalia), so they hate us.
Sometimes we do get involved and help fight off a foreign enemy, but then we withdraw quickly, leaving a void that might be filled by God-knows-what kind of psychotic regime (Afghanistan). We fail to fulfill our responsibility to finish what we started and help repair the mess. So they hate us.
Other times we DO stay to help repair the mess (Iraq) and are then seen as occupiers. So they hate us.
They hate us if we embargo our enemies (Cuba) and they hate us if we send financial aid (North Korea.)
They hate us if we try to broker peace (Palestinians) and they hate us if we stay out of it (Darfur).
They hate us if we go to the U.N. (Iraq) and they hate us if we don't. (Bosnia).
They hate us when we win (Japan) and they hate us when we lose (Vietnam).
They hate us if we stand up to them (Iran) and they hate us if we mostly ignore them (Venezuela).
They hate us if we trade with them (Mexico), they hate us if we save them (Kuwait, France), they hate us if we rebuild them (Germany), they hate us if we give them special favors (China), and they hate us when we protect them (Canada).
So if we wish to be loved by the rest of the world, it's really very simple. The only way to make them happy... is to blow ourselves up. Now, that seems like a last-resort approach, but I say, if that's what it takes, then by all means, we should do it.
I only have one request: I say we take the rest of the world with us. They deserve it.
...You are correct on every point...But have no fear, the Obamanation will save us all.
It’s just MSM and the Left that pushes that nonsense. I.e. it is a propaganda that has no foundation in reality.
I hope that vent helped you. Reading the essay made me want to pack my bags, return home and shut the door.
Wouldn’t mind seeing the U.S. take a brief rest from playing U.N. military force, protector, advisor, employer, etc., and take care of our own for a few years.
Never happen of course.
“Hate ‘em back! Works for me.”
They hate us because we are the world’s principle superpower and have influence over them. But let the Iranians start lobbing nukes and see who they turn to for a solution.
I don't think the world hates us ... I think some world leaders and politico's envy us so much, they react by hating us .. and misinform, or prevent information about the USA that keeps the people of the world from knowing us.
My guess is that the state controlled media in other countries hates us because we are the best contrast to their failed collectivist policies - the last bastion of individual freedom - although we haven't been doing too well in that department lately!
I wonder, under President Obama, will America become the country that no one wants to immigrate to anymore?
Carlin said this country is the best we have done so far. Like it or not, there is nothing better or even close.
I have traveled overseas a few times - never met anyone that hates Americans. Most people take you as you are.
Could it be that it’s the worldwide MSM and the folks behind it, including those in the US, that hate America? Nah.
If they hate us, why are they electing new leaders that are more aligned with the US than the leaders that they replaced?
Merkel - Germany
Harper - Canada
Sarkozy - France
I’m not sure what is really being measured. Surveys are tools of distortion.
So, they are used to portray us however...
So, don’t let yourself be manipulated by their distortions.
The interesting thing is this: When I was in Paris, England and Scotland in the fall, no one acted with disdain towards me or towards my wife.
Admittedly, I tried to speak French when in France, and savored the British and Scottish customs when there, and even discussed politics with some of the locals.
Perhaps, with the press, it is like Iraq. When a bomb blows up put it on the front page, but when violence is at a four year low, bury it on page 34....
Travel the world and then see if it’s worth giving a rat’s sack what it thinks of us. I can count on one hand the number of countries worth a damn and as it turns out they dont hate us.
Good rant.
The real problem is that anybody cares what “the world” thinks about the USA.
I know I sure don’t give the slightest rat’s behind what “the world” thinks.
They can all friggin drop dead as far as I’m concerned.
(Of course, when the Democrats and other scumbags refer to “the world”, what they really mean is fidgety, college-aged children of old Europe and that handful of loud socialists who control the socialist “mainstream” press.)
It’s not hate, it’s envy.
There are two reasons they hate us -
we are really free and we are are wealthy.
Jealousy is an overriding human emotion.
If it really looks like Obama is going to win, I propose we rain on his parade by nominating him as the GOP candidate. Then he'll win but his far-left buddies, the press and the international chattering classes will all hate him!
But you gotta take it in context... they hate each other, too.
I do.
China and Russia aren’t too worried about being liked either. Why should we worry about a superficial popularity contest?
Give him a few years and the idiots that voted for him won’t want to live here.
Yes. I've been all over. Australia's pretty nice. Europe bores me. The Middle East and Central America appall me. Haven't seen the Far East yet. Not going to Africa, ever.
Very good point!!
As soon as Obama is crowned, it’ll be racist to hold back his administration. Block his judicial nominees? It’s just because you want to see him “fail” because of his skin color. Block his agenda? You are just a big racist meany...
Bush never got a “honeymoon period” from the Left. From day one, he was in the dog house.
Why the World Hates America? Who cares?
I rather like our reputation as the most bad-ass country in the world with the best military ever assembled.
Keeps the riff-raff at bay.
Being the neighborhood nice guy is just begging for a mugging.
Hey, that’s a good piece of writing. Coherent, succinct—pithy
North and South Korea can blow each other away and the world would be better off. Japan is safe, clean, and civilized. Thailand is very friendly but dont get too far off the beaten path. Indonesia is Muslim. Nuff said. China is very interesting but they hate our guts. Hong Kong was ok but the Brits were in charge when I was last there. Singapore is a benign police state but it’s still a nice place to visit. That’s my take on what Ive seen of the Far East. Visit Japan and Thailand if you get the chance and skip the rest.
Few people hate individual Americans as people. Many people hate Americans/America abstractly because it’s easy, popular & instantly gratifying.
The real problem starts when Americans let it get to them as if its serious criticism that should be taken into consideration. It’s mostly just directionless hate.
Cain is arguably the very first leftist. He envied his brother Able to the point of murder. Envy is the underlying cause of war and should not to be ignored or appeased but countered with shame.
Other countries and people need a scapegoat to blame as a way to overlook their own deficiencies. We’re generally superior — we know it, they know it, and they are furious. A jealous Cain killed Abel and human nature has never changed since then.
I swear I didn’t read your post about Cain and Able before posting mine. Great minds think alike!
The rest of the world don’t need a reason to hate America/Americans.
as a Brit I hear anti-American sentiment all the time.
I say -”if you said that about an African country or people you would be an out and out rascist. What makes your opinions on America any different”.
Do they listen? Do they heck.
(there are also many folks here who are friends of the USA thankfully)
I don’t mind, you made quite excellent points
Lady,
Great post and a good summary of our MSM-tailored dilemma.
Assume that we had a liberal government and a liberal president in each case you cited. You would have heard nothing but praise domestically and internationally.
The MSM is inciting the world against us. I was told countless times: “the US is doing such and such evils and if you don’t believe me, listen and watch CNN (international! How are you going to deny what your own media is saying?”
No matter what I described our communist media and how perverted they are, just to have their way and elect a liberal, far-left government and president. That they hold the Conservatives responsible for the collapse of the Soviet Union, a grudge that’s very true.
I was asked: “If this is true, why would they do that? Isn’t life supposedly better in the US and the capitalist system? Why would they jeopardize their freedom, comfort, and livelihood?”
The only answer to this question is that the liberals have been out of TOTAL POWER for too long. The only way to grab power is to ruin the US reputation and they don’t even bother to answer when their lies are challenged.
There is no doubt in my mind that the liberal lies and smears were aided greatly by the fear of confrontation and the deafening silence of the spineless Republicans.
If the MSM gets Obama elected, they will ruin the country, a chance we shouldn’t take to prove our point.
BTW, in your post, there is one point I disagree with; we didn’t lose in Vietnam; the liberals forced a withdrawal, a feat they would like to repeat to get us to “lose again” in Iraq.
Best.
I think it was Julius Ceasar who said its better to be feared than loved.How many centuries did the Roman empire exist?A lot longer than the U.S. has been in existance.
I agree with Ceasar.
Wrong conclusion. Wrong solution.
Want to know how to make the rest of the world love us instantly?
Easy.
[1] Start an excrement list.
[2] List the names of every country that gets any money from us and undercuts and badmouths us as our thanks.
[3] Advise them all that they are on a two-year probation and won’t be getting anything more from us until they develop a track record of saying nice things about us and doing nice things for us.
[4] Once they earn the right to be taken off our excrement list and are in our good graces, they must maintain their good record to continue to get any sort of support from us.
[5] Default means being put back on the list for good (or until a more grateful, appreciative leader is elected)
I can’t take credit for this solution - Rush came up with the idea years ago.
It works for me.
... picking up attached graphics of angels and smilies and teddy bears along the way ...
... only to eventually get re-posted on FR under, "Boy, does this person ever get it right!"
Doesn't matter that "the man" saves you when you are drowning/burning/dodging bullets....
The bad guys will always be like that.
And I'm talking about our bad guys..and the rest of the worlds bad guys.
Agree - I don’t mind being hated - I mind being hated while helping those same nations.
About time we started looking inward and taking care of our own people and future.
It is never time to “start looking inward”.
Sorry. I don’t think like a loser. That’s why I like Rush’s solution for dealing with those jealous, covetous, ungrateful nations that have decided to make themselves our enemies while at the same time accepting our help:
“The Excrement List”
Details of which I provided in my previous post on this thread.
Clarification for you:
I was referring to your Excrement List.
Looking inward does not indicate I suggested we stop helping other nations - but rather support each other in this rough global shunning we receive - we are far too divided within ourselves.
I believe we should include ourselves first on the improvement list as well- as long as our needs are cared for - then we can look elsewhere to give aid.
Think like a loser? Never entertained the thought.
“The World” does not hate, or love America. “The World” does not feel emotions or hold opinions. Just a bunch of leftists and the MSM say it does.
Sorry for misunderstanding you. Carry on!
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