[NCSteve]

I guess it would be too much to ask that people actually read her remarks before sounding off, but here on FR, as with everywhere else these days, knee-jerk seems to be the mode of the day.

I don't think I completely agree with everything she said, but the level of outrage over her remarks is way out of line. Her fundamental message is that the power, wealth, and importance of the United States can be used as a force for either good or evil and that it is up to us to determine which it will be. I think her underlying message is one that is overly cautious, but the response to her remarks tends to give them credence.

Many on the right are becoming just as insufferable as those on the left. Have we truly become the United States of the Offended?

[ARCADIA]

Have we truly become the United States of the Offended?

It is more like the United States divided, where the slightest gesture is enough to send either camp into a frenzy. I wonder if Coke has signed up to fund the protest against Pepsi?

[Brian Allen]

<< I guess it would be too much to ask that people actually read her remarks before sounding off ... >>

A good idea -- even though a bit knee-jerked.

But what is it about you that you feel exempts you from your own knee Jerk?

I'd suggest you cancel your exemption and have a bit of a read. Including post #35 and post #39.

[chgomac]

Have we truly become the United States of the Offended?

No. More like the United States of the Disgusted.

Disgusted that here is one more opportunity lost to inspire a group of young people with even one example of something that the US does right.

[Coldwater Creek]

Look! We are a military family from way back with children active duty now. I do not appreciate out child getting their butts shot at while some overpaid foreigner women tells future CEO's how bad this country is. I read her remarks and this is not a knee jerk reaction.

[The Red Zone]

Her fundamental message is that the power, wealth, and importance of the United States can be used as a force for either good or evil and that it is up to us to determine which it will be.

For cornsakes, this was not supposed to be a political science oriented address. It was supposed to be a business oriented address. Did Ms. Annoying fear that by supposed US "aggression" (such as in Iraq) the market for Pepsi and other American brands would suffer? That's the only possible approach to a reason for a statement like this, and even so she could have left out the throw-a-rod juvenile imagery (which I think drove her choice of hand analogy, and I can't blame Pepsico for not releasing an official copy because I think Africa would be rather peeved to be compared to her pinky finger). I think she should do some estimates for Pepsico business in Iraq in the coming years, assuming Dubya does not back down or we don't get a Rat in 08 who will abandon the ship. It ought to look rather rosy compared to the Saddam years.

[justa-hairyape]

Many on the right are becoming just as insufferable as those on the left. Have we truly become the United States of the Offended?

Actually, we are the United States of America which lost over 3,000 lives to a covert terrorist attack. Are you aware that there was recently a demonstration or protest in England by Islamists against the US because of the false Koran Abuse Story in Newsweek Magazine ? Do you know what some of those kind europians were calling for ? The nuclear destruction of New York in response to a false story about sticking a book in a toilet. Its not the US that has the problem. We are responding to the apparent mentally unstable condition of many extremist islamists. Therefore consider this a warning to all nitwit progressives. If you make comments that stir up terrorist attacks againts the US, well to quote a famous movie, 'you are either with us or against us'.