Where have all the Americans gone? (Greece) (Victor Davis Hanson alert)

Townhall ^ | 7/13/03 | Victor Davis Hanson

[Guillermo]

Oh, so intervention by "ones own kind" is ok...

Point is, the USA shouldn't subjugate its foreign policy to the whims, desires and expectations of a bunch of greasy faggots, or any other foreigner for that matter.

[Cacophonous]

My point is (and it is admittedly a poor match for Greece) that the US constantly inserts itself - many times, true, by invitation - into regions and conflicts in which no American interests are at stake. This inevitably pisses off one side or the other, or, quite frequently, both. Then we wonder why they hate us.

As I said, it probably doesn't apply to Greece, so I'll withdraw that particular reference.

[Cacophonous]

Point is, the USA shouldn't subjugate its foreign policy to the whims, desires and expectations of a bunch of greasy faggots, or any other foreigner for that matter.

Like the UN. I agree.

[mewzilla]

...(and it is admittedly a poor match for Greece)...

Ah, what's that you wrote, Cac? A poor match for Greece? Well, you're right there :) Guess we should just chalk that one up to blatant anti-Americanism. Their loss.

[Cacophonous]

I'm not going to be baited by your antagonism. I was admitting that I was wrong in applying what I said to the Greeks. I would hope you accept that with civility instead of resorting to name-calling. I would hope that those using this forum have a little more class than the typical liberal. Leave the snotty, sophomoric name-calling to them.

[Cacophonous]

The Balkans under Clinton.

[rightisright]

The Balkans under Clinton.

Can't argue with that. He's got a point here

Still doesn't change the fact that Greeks have been conditioned to hate Americans by their politicians and complicit press.

I have seen it myself and it's the reason I have not returned in nearly 12 years. And someone like myself, who would be inclined to visit every several years will not be returning after such displays:

AEK Soccer Teams Burns American Flag

[DB]

It was posted here at the time.

That was the last straw for me.

[happygrl]

I was admitting that I was wrong in applying what I said to the Greeks

Isn't that the point of this thread ?

The unprovoked ant-Americanism of the Greeks whos butts we saved form Communism after WWII.

Or do you know any history?

[niteowl77]

My point is (and it is admittedly a poor match for Greece) that the US constantly inserts itself - many times, true, by invitation - into regions and conflicts in which no American interests are at stake. This inevitably pisses off one side or the other, or, quite frequently, both. Then we wonder why they hate us.

You can travel further back than Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet and find plenty of anti-Americanism, and none of it will be based on interventionism. Like anti-Semitism, there has always been a strain of anti-Americanism in Europe. Perhaps it is because we were too Anglo-Saxon, too Protestant, too industrious, too free, too proud, too... whatever. We were inferior upstarts in any event, and useful only as a political pawn; the current vision of Uncle Sam as manipulator is supremely ironic.

In any event, it doesn't matter. We piss a lot of these people off only because they want to be pissed off, whether out of envy or manufactured political unrest. Kiss their butts or kick them, they seem to have the same brand of friendship for us.

And that may just be the biggest difference between us and them (Greeks inclusive).

"If you could disguise your nationality you would not find any insolence here. These shopkeepers detest the English and despise the Americans. They are rude to both, more especially to the ladies of your nationality and mine.
However, these people are not impolite to Russians or Germans. And as to rank, they worship that, for they have long been used to generals and nobles."

Mark Twain, "A Tramp Abroad," copyright 1880.

[DB]

Europe is preparing itself for a major meltdown.

I don’t think these trends can continue for another 10 years without something giving way in an ugly way.

[Gringo1]

Point of order:

Question: Who does everyone scream for help from when it is their asses being invaded?
Answer: The United States of America.

That being said, we SHOULD ignore these countries. We don't OWE them our tourist dollars, military bases and the economic boon that comes with them, or any consideration at all when it comes to matters that are important to OUR COUNTRY.

It comes down to the old saying "you have made your bed, now lay in it"

[Arkinsaw]

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but my picture of Greece is some guy on a motorcycle rushing by shooting at Americans. Definitely no urge to go there.

[Cacophonous]

That's a good point. I withdraw my comments. I know when I'm whipped.

[A_perfect_lady]

Oh, so intervention by "ones own kind" is ok...

Yes, apparently that's the logic behind the whole slavery flap too. You see, whites' involvement in slavery more than a century ago is an atrocity that must be paid for forever and ever. Modern day slavery in Africa, well, that's different dontcha know. Lots of things are only bad if WE do them: sexism, racism, commerce, military force....

[Cacophonous]

I agree completely.

[jpsb]

I tend to agree that the USA is way to quick to jump into the affairs of other nations. Serbia, being the most recent and outragious example. We should not meddle unless our interests are clearly at risk.