When people have their comfortable illusions ripped away, the most common reaction is not gratitude, but anger.
This is sad, but true. During certain periods of my life, I have stood up for individuals who I felt were being harrassed and/or victimized. What did I get in return of thanks? Scorn from those I helped. Sort of like Europe. Instead of being grateful for the U.S. going after the latest threat to their peace and welfare, the shower us with scorn and ridicule. When you show someone what they believe for years was a lie, they tend to hate you for making them look foolish.