Posted on 07/11/2004 11:59:56 AM PDT by quidnunc
If a cunningly disguised reconnaissance team from a far-flung galaxy fanned out across the globe, monitoring local media and expressions of public opinion ranging from polls to riots with a view to identifying Planet Earth's unifying creed or cause, they would surely conclude that Earthlings are united only in their disdain for the United States.
Anti-Americanism is now the only "ism" you can get away with in civilised company. Indeed, insofar as civilised company is synonymous with the educated middle class, anti-Americanism is virtually de rigueur.
There are two elements to it: opposition to the political, economic and military juggernaut that is America Inc, and distaste for American popular culture and the American way of life.
The latter often descends to racial stereotyping that portrays Americans as hog-fat, gun-waving simpletons whose wilful ignorance of the outside world is matched only by their bullying arrogance towards it, and whose pious sentimentality co-exists with a reverence for violence.
An irony here is that one of anti-Americanism's gurus, the film-maker and polemicist Michael Moore, is himself a prime example of Slobbus Americanus.
And if he turned his cynical gaze upon himself, Moore would note that his don't-let-the-facts-spoil-the-story assaults on his country and countrymen (his countrywomen are largely spared) have made him, in the American way, extremely rich.
Many of America's critics, whether visceral or intellectual, subscribe to both views, and the strands converge in the accusation of cultural imperialism: that America uses its economic predominance, particularly over the mass media, to impose its debased culture — fast food, pornography, cinematic violence and Britney Spears, on the rest of us.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at nzherald.co.nz ...
And Israel. Israel and the US, Siamese twins who are the object of most of the world's envy and hatred.
They need us more than we need them.
And frankly this Great Country is blessed with enough varied terrain and inspiring landscapes that I can't see reason one, why I should travel beyond it's "Sea to Shining Sea".
The insanely jealous Mr. Thomas hoists Bush on his petard and then says Kerry will be no better. I've got news for Mr.Thomas...if Kerry wins we're all finished.
W'04 - Now like never before
And the world hates Americans.
And always will. Envy is human nature.
You ought to read the article again.
The author is not endorsing anti-Americanism, he's defining it and saying that America is going to follow pursue its interests regardless of what the anti-Americans say.
Actually, this article isn't anti-American at all.
Sounds like a plan!
If I don't care what France, Germany, Russia, et al think, then why should I care about what some extra-terrestrial from another galaxy thinks?
Oh my God! We've lost the good will of France and now New Zealand! What will we do without their....without their...whithout their whatever-it-is they supply?
The "culture" that the world hates so much is invented and dispensed by the liberal left. It's Michael Moore and his ilk who are responsible for all that hatred of America. Everyone loved America when it was a Christain nation.
quidnunc is right; it's isn't an anti-American article. And I agree with you that we need W in '04, more than ever before.
I saw him here in York, PA, just last Friday. Awesome event.
In every way, I might add.
We are shining light of freedom here in the USA and we will not stop our fight for freedom worldwide.
Ops4 God Bless America!
What the rest of the world is against is the Hollywood culture. That is what is exported. I doubt only a few know of what exists outside the East and Left coastal areas where the elites live.
You've got a point. Why does to world hate us? Because of Holiwood (depravity) and Jimmy Carter (weakness).
BTTT
All I know is that all this hate is going to have consequences down the road. Real consequences for all of us. Eventially perception becomes reality if left unchecked.
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