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Ahh yes, the old wise European's are sophisticated and so well educated, while us "cowboys" just do see the "bigger picture".

I had relatives who were party members of the NSDAP. Who served in the Wehrmacht, and who served on the US side. My family had just immigrated not to long before WWI and parts are still there today. Where do you think 60% of all Americans can trace 1/8 or more of their heritage too?

I lived a total of 21 years in Germany, speak German fluently and served there in the Army as well for 3 years. I went to a German school in my early years. I have traveled to nearly EVERY European nation, including the Balkans. Do you realize that we had 300,000 people in uniform alone stationed in Germany for 50 years, rotating out every three years on average? Millions upon millions of Americans have been stationed in Germany alone.

My brother IS German. He studied Medicine at Justus Liebig in Giessen GE. (http://www.uni-giessen.de/uni/ ) He liked your “socialism” so much that he now lives in Plano Texas!

Point is: There are MANY of us that have lived or visited Europe. Many many more than the other way around. In fact, large parts of Europe: Portugal, Greece, YU, Romania, Bulgaria…..Either were forbidden to travel in the past or today can’t afford to travel to the US. However, the average American can afford travel to Europe and we do it quiet extensively. Then you add in the DoD which has brought millions there over the years.

Fact is, most Europeans get there whole “expertise” about the US from Hollywood and their state run socialist media. MOST who rip their mouth open have never been here, and have NO idea what they are talking about.

A FEW may get a small glimpse of the US IF they vacation here. Then their whole knowledge of the US is based on what they saw in Florida, the Grand Canyon, Alaska or California. Most, and I mean 99% have NO idea about what the US is, what we represent, our values, even how our government works and state is organized. They are “IGNORANT”, but that sure does not seem to slow them down in making broad sweeping statements that are always the same old $hit. Most any discussion I ever had with a German ended up with me explaining how our system of government and justice work. They have no idea about our military, no idea about our history, other than: “We killed the Indians” and “oppressed the blacks.”

All you need to do to be liked by a self-proclaimed intellectual “old” European is string these words together - Hegemonic, imperialistic, neo-colonialist, oil, Bush, Cowboy, Halliburton - and you’ll be immediately accepted as an intellectual; an expert.

If I were you I’d be embarrassed. I’d be embarrassed about what STATE institutions like the BBC broadcast and call journalism! But no, you and other Europeans with your new found fake sense of European Supra-nationalism, believing in this Pan-European dream feel compelled to defend things like using American caskets in election politics (http://medienkritik.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/election_campai.html ). You feel compelled to defend people taking political advantage of catastrophes like in New Orleans. You revel in the Schadenfreude of the carnage in Iraq. You define yourselves through opposition to the US. “Old Europe”, is a very accurate statement. Why do you think it hit such a nerve with those countries like Germany and France?

Is that enough short words and sentences for you?

Red6

Now, where have I said anything like what you accuse me of? All I was doing was criticizing the tendency on FR to roll out the same old Nazi comparisons and allusions on every single thread about Germany and the Germans. It gets annoying. And to say the NSDAP were socialists is to misunderstand the essence of that party. Find out what happened to the genuine SPD in the Hitler period.

Never having been outside Europe, as I freely admit, I'm not qualified to pronounce on the USA. And I don't (well, a couple of times on less serious matters where my posts were more in the way of a question and/or humorous in intent - exceptions proving the rule). It's your country, do whatever you see fit; European countries will do the same.

I know full well about the American presence in Germany, and you'll be aware how very Americanised the country is. I knew quite a few US soldiers back in the 70s myself and always enjoyed their company.

To tell the truth, I've little interest in Iraq or Katrina or American politics/culture, and BTW like most other people here I thought the US caskets election poster was in bad taste.

You had a nice rant, but you're aiming at the wrong person!

"A FEW may get a small glimpse of the US IF they vacation here. Then their whole knowledge of the US is based on what they saw in Florida, the Grand Canyon, Alaska or California. Most, and I mean 99% have NO idea about what the US is, what we represent, our values, even how our government works and state is organized. They are “IGNORANT”, but that sure does not seem to slow them down in making broad sweeping statements that are always the same old $hit. Most any discussion I ever had with a German ended up with me explaining how our system of government and justice work. They have no idea about our military, no idea about our history, other than: “We killed the Indians” and “oppressed the blacks.” "

Shure, it makes me IGNORANT travel the US and answering questions like: "Is Hitler still president?" And yes, of
course every German has to know anything about the American
goverment, justice and military.

Let me remind you, that hundred of thousand´s people lined up the streets waving American flags as American presidents
visits Germany in the past. Same on 9/11. A little known
fact is, that 60.000 German troops doing service outside
Germany in NATO or whatever missions.

Yes, the American image has changed as most people thinking that the IRAQ war was not justified, great American values as "Freedom of Speech" are changing and part of the American economy is based on creative accounting and printing Dollars.

But, specially the Germans received so much help from America that these scratches in the image are not important at all. BTW,
BBC?
I thought the Brits are part of "new Europe".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Iraq and all these things are no real issue in germany anymore. Nobody really cares about Iraq including myself.
It is a topic for americans and the US. For example foreign policy was no topic during the election campaign (only turkey a little bit).

"You define yourselves through opposition to the US"

sorry but i really doubt you lived in germany.

"Most, and I mean 99% have NO idea about what the US is, what we represent, our values, even how our government works and state is organized"

these posts here show that even the americans that are interested in politics have no idea how our system works.

"Portugal, Greece, YU, Romania, Bulgaria…..Either were forbidden to travel in the past or today can’t afford to travel to the US. However, the average American can afford travel to Europe and we do it quiet extensively."

i am sure you will present a link and showing some numbers i will do the same.
Do you know when Greece and Portugal joined the EU and so who should deny their right to travel?

"All you need to do to be liked by a self-proclaimed intellectual “old” European is string these words together - Hegemonic, imperialistic, neo-colonialist, oil, Bush, Cowboy, Halliburton - and you’ll be immediately accepted as an intellectual; an expert."

Oh Jesus you really lived here you are a real expert of german people. LOL

I believe you make a lot of friends when you travel around the world and you must do that very often according to your knowledge of europe and europeans. Just stay as you are and keep your prejudices alive.