And in saying that we should take the time to acknowledge that this is not solely a US thing, just so we don't appear as simply USA bashing.
My personal take on it is that we seem to be filled with this idea that the US are the "good guys", when in reality some of what the US does is questionable. Its layered, the politicians say go to war and then the army uses depleted uranium that leaves a toxic legacy, should the whole USA be tarred and feathered for that? But to continue this line of thought, we all know there have been talks of civilian deaths of a number that would shock us if it happened in our own countries, these are not the actions of movie heroes but villains.
Personally I'm glad that Israel is finally losing its "good guy" image and the world press is starting to report on their activities in a more realistic way, their conflict is a clear example of how for years if a side is known as the "good guy" little international pressure will be put on them to change.
When there was a war in Jugoslavia people weren't problem. I'm from a country that was part of Yugoslavia.
Problem were politicians that were fueling racial disagreements to the point of war. Once people start fighting it's hard to forget for people that were attacked. And violence escalates exponentially.....
Its not what country but how many have to band together to defeat us. The more america pisses off the world the bigger the coalition of the willing will be that takes us down.
LOL
Afganistan is 21 century Vietnam for USA
Yes, I am living in an imperialistic territory.
This simply confirms my argument. Forcing people of a different culture to conform to you is imperialistic. Thats what happened to the native Americans and it does not matter how long ago this happened. The fact that they are part of the country means nothing. The Roman Empire's subject peoples were integrated, but this doesn't mean that it wasn't imperialistic.
Mexico and Brazil are the products of imperialism. Mexico and Brazil were conquered and then established independance. What became the US was conquered, got independance and then did its own conquering. Mexico once had twice as much territory as it now has. The US gained that territory through conquest.
No one has to stand up to America...nations nearly have to stop standing with America...
The next time America plans to "liberate" a nation, its allies are going to be a lot more wary...each time America meddles, it becomes less popular...its not the enemies it makes that is a problem, its the friends America is losing...the next time America tries to build a "coalition of the willing", it will be a lot harder, because nations will remember the last time they went on a crusade with America...
The problem with America isn't its politicians, its the people...its not that Americans are inherently evil or selfish, its simply that a lot of them don't get it...
Most Americans side with Israel...why? Because its not muslim, its hated by the whole muslim world, and it's supposedley on "defense"...Palestine just wants violence, Palestine hates Jews, Palestine is constantly bombing or attacking Israel, Palestine is evil and probably sacrifices virgins and eats babies...all Americans see is Palestine being the aggressor and Israel being the poor innocent kid on the playground that everyone makes fun of...
Americans fear the unknown, and since Americans are generally ignorant about the rest of the world, there's a lot of unknown out there for them to fear and hate...a few decades ago the unknown was "the evil commies"...now the unknown is Islam...god have mercy on the next group of victims that are skimped over in US history class...
Obama wants the Brits! Maybe...
Moving on, I think that Al-Quaeda is a threat to more than America (British underground bombings anyone? Less big than 9/11, because the IRA had been doing that for years...). They're dangerous and may not compromise, and threaten a lot of countries. If they're gone, there's also one less valid excuse for America invading places, so true goals may come to light, and people may stop siding with them.
But did you know that one of the goals of Al-Quaeda which the press never tells us, is that they want Western countries to stop propping up Middle-Eastern Dictatorships to get oil?
From your own link: Perhaps you want to debate with the authors. However, America still does not qualify under your definition, which is not in the top 5.
America is a nation of man. Man is not perfect, and so no creation of his will ever be. America has faults (2 of the most glaring is slavery and the treatment of the natives). What makes America the "good guy" is that while mistakes are made, and bad situations are inevitable. But the over all thrust of the US is peaceful coexistance. for the most part, nations do not have to fear the US (except for the tin plated dictators who are seeking to gain a reputation). Many do not agree with the US, but most never have to fear that in a fit of pique caused by gout or goiter, the USA is going to rain down bombs on them.
Some will argue about the validity of the Iraq invasion. But no one can claim that Saddam was not spoiling for a fight or he was some how a good guy. he just crossed the wrong president, and found out that sometimes America does back up words with deeds.
Yes, and by your definition all lands are products of imperialism. With the possible exception of Israel.
Incorrect. Israel was created from the British mandate of Palestine, severely pissing off all of the neighbouring countries in the Middle East. Basically, Israel was made out of land which we were meant to be looking after. Us Limeys successfully cause the biggest political uproar since... a long time ago, in the Middle East.
By the way, I can't remember if this has been said already, but I think a key reason that American Politicians back Israel is because of the many Jewish voters in America. If a President was to condemn Israel's actions, he'd stand no chance of staying in at the next election.
Your thinking of the american media.. The american public is much more divided over the issue... A lot of people I know are more sympathetic towards the palestinians than the jewish population. The way I look at it is how can we say we're sorry to the Native Americans and then back up the bulldozing of houses in Israel. Our gov't feels its forced to support Israel since it was Britain and America's big idea to do it plus to hold off an all out war between Israel and the surrounding countries.
And because no American politician would dare piss off their Jewish voters.
Do we really want an all-out war between Israel and the Arab nations that surround it? I mean, Israel has only won the past few wars they've had with those guys, and by huge margins, so what would be any different this time around? However, let's say Israel is about to lose, then what? Chances are they have nuclear warheads, so we can kiss Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan good-bye. Either way, Israel wins, and the only difference is how much their attackers lose by.
Definitely not! Then they'd have all the oil!
But what we do want is for them to stop taking more from Palestine!