Why Does the World Hate the US?

[Donovan]

Don't try to act like you know exactly what I was talking about, because you don't.

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So you are telling me what you meant to communicate was indeed actually not what you meant to communicate when you wrote those words? Interesting, confusing, but interesting that you would deliberately mislead me then get angry about me misunderstanding you.

It is a common theme of Republicans to blame problems on others.

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Has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand.

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Yes it does, your doing it right now.

You can try all you want to whine about things you do not understand, but you won't be putting words in my mouth like that,

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I didn't put the words into your mouth. It would not be worth my time to do so. You put them there, I just quoted you.

you try to tell people what they are thinking

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Not in your case; I am trying to explain that you are not thinking at all.

Your statements about the French are hurtful, bigoted, and only serve to reflect and reinforce the negative stereotype that all Idahoans are racist, bigoted, and is the true home of the Aryan Nations.

[Donovan]

You a hoser Donovan?  eh?

Cannot tell this guy voted for Bush.

[Nym90]

A lot of the problems that the US faces in the world is due to our idealism.  We hold ideals that are very attrictive, but have often failed to live up to them.  If we want the US to be better liked we need to either start following those ideals, even when doing so costs us in the short term, or become less idealistic so that the additional leaving of hate that comes from acting hypocritically doesn't happen.  Far too often in the Cold War and now in the War on Terrorism we have tolerated and even supported "good" dictators.  For instance when he attacked Iran Saddam was a "good" dictator, while when he attacked Kuwait he was a "bad" dictator.  His actions were the same, but we objected only when we didn't like his choice of target.  Whether consistent idealism, consistent realpolitik, or our current mix is the best foreign policy for the US depends upon what you want from it.  If the goal is to be liked, it is the worst policy, but being liked is hardly the most important thing for the US to worry about.

You hit the nail on the head there. The reason the US is disliked is because we don't have a consistent foreign policy. Sometimes we support dictators and terrorists (sorry, when we like them, they are called "freedom fighters"), sometimes we oppose them. It has nothing to do with this "they're jealous" BS. They hear us talk about spreading freedom and democracy and then wonder why we support some tyrrannical regimes.

We should just come out and admit it; we don't want everyone to have a democracy, we want everyone to have a government that is friendly to the USA. Whether that's a democracy or a dictator, we couldn't care less. That's the USA's foreign policy; it's based on what's best for big business in this country, not what's best for the people of the country in question.

[freedomburns]

Wellll, according the Secrectary of the UN Kofi Anan, it may have something to do with the hypocrisy of the US decrying the importance of the rule of law, while it blatantly disregards world law when it suits its interests to do so.

Iraq is a prime example.  Anan has declared that to be a completely illegal and unsanctioned war.  The vast majority of world opinion, including the Pope and many other religious leaders have all declared their opposition to this unjust war.  

This is in addition to our tremendous support of Israel and the brutally oppressive tactics they use against the Palestinians.  That is a big one.  That is a super big one.  If we could solve the Palestinian question, I think it would go a long way toward easing some of the hatred that is felt toward the US.  

[The Duke]

A lot of the problems that the US faces in the world is due to our idealism.  We hold ideals that are very attrictive, but have often failed to live up to them.  If we want the US to be better liked we need to either start following those ideals, even when doing so costs us in the short term, or become less idealistic so that the additional leaving of hate that comes from acting hypocritically doesn't happen.  Far too often in the Cold War and now in the War on Terrorism we have tolerated and even supported "good" dictators.  For instance when he attacked Iran Saddam was a "good" dictator, while when he attacked Kuwait he was a "bad" dictator.  His actions were the same, but we objected only when we didn't like his choice of target.  Whether consistent idealism, consistent realpolitik, or our current mix is the best foreign policy for the US depends upon what you want from it.  If the goal is to be liked, it is the worst policy, but being liked is hardly the most important thing for the US to worry about.

You hit the nail on the head there. The reason the US is disliked is because we don't have a consistent foreign policy. Sometimes we support dictators and terrorists (sorry, when we like them, they are called "freedom fighters"), sometimes we oppose them. It has nothing to do with this "they're jealous" BS. They hear us talk about spreading freedom and democracy and then wonder why we support some tyrrannical regimes.

We should just come out and admit it; we don't want everyone to have a democracy, we want everyone to have a government that is friendly to the USA. Whether that's a democracy or a dictator, we couldn't care less. That's the USA's foreign policy; it's based on what's best for big business in this country, not what's best for the people of the country in question.

Do you really think if we supported democracy everywhere that Al Qaeda would lay down their arms and say, "We like America now!"

Of course not.

Look, I've talked to you about this before and I think we basically agree that we ought to promote democarcy and we're often to cautious about where and when we do it.  But don't kid yourself into thinking that Islamic fanatics hate us because we have big corporations, they hate us because Britney Spears corrupts their youth and secularism erodes their power base.

[Donovan]

Making jokes about people on the bases of race, culture, ethnic background, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is bigoted.

It was NOT funny. It is never funny to make fun of people for their culture, or race, or gender, or religion, or sexual orientation, or size for that matter.

I don't need the Aryan Nations to discriminate against someone to be the validation of something being bigoted or not. Aryans like many people that are discriminated against by other groups, Christians being one.


Second, you are incorrect about Idaho kicking out the Aryan Nations. They are still here. I use to live in Hayden just 2 miles south of their compound. Bob Butler, their fearful leader, just died, and the compound was ripped down about 4 years because they were sued for violating the civil liberties of a black teenager and his mother.  

They still exist, and their ideas are still pervasive in the state of Idaho. I was also Vice President of North Idaho College's, Human Equality Club, which was the college arm of the Human Rights Task Force, which was the group that helped hired Morris and the Southern Poverty Law Center to sue the Aryan Nations. My Professor was Tony Stewart who was leading the effort for 15 + years against the Aryan Nation.

So yes, I am very much on top of what went on with them.

Anti-Semitic jokes are not funny, Gay jokes are not funny, fat Jokes are not funny, Black jokes are not funny, Arab Jokes are not funny, Chinese jokes are not funny, and French jokes are not funny.

To me all these are offensive and bigoted. By definition of any dictionary, they are prejudiced. And If I see it, hear it, or know about it, I am going to say something in response to let that person know that it is not socially expectable and it is hurtful to people to make remarks that attack their personhood.

I am just letting you know that your COMEDY is painful and hurtful to people You can care about people and knock it off, or you can keep on being offensive to people the choice it yours.

Take Care.

[Nym90]

A lot of the problems that the US faces in the world is due to our idealism.  We hold ideals that are very attrictive, but have often failed to live up to them.  If we want the US to be better liked we need to either start following those ideals, even when doing so costs us in the short term, or become less idealistic so that the additional leaving of hate that comes from acting hypocritically doesn't happen.  Far too often in the Cold War and now in the War on Terrorism we have tolerated and even supported "good" dictators.  For instance when he attacked Iran Saddam was a "good" dictator, while when he attacked Kuwait he was a "bad" dictator.  His actions were the same, but we objected only when we didn't like his choice of target.  Whether consistent idealism, consistent realpolitik, or our current mix is the best foreign policy for the US depends upon what you want from it.  If the goal is to be liked, it is the worst policy, but being liked is hardly the most important thing for the US to worry about.

You hit the nail on the head there. The reason the US is disliked is because we don't have a consistent foreign policy. Sometimes we support dictators and terrorists (sorry, when we like them, they are called "freedom fighters"), sometimes we oppose them. It has nothing to do with this "they're jealous" BS. They hear us talk about spreading freedom and democracy and then wonder why we support some tyrrannical regimes.

We should just come out and admit it; we don't want everyone to have a democracy, we want everyone to have a government that is friendly to the USA. Whether that's a democracy or a dictator, we couldn't care less. That's the USA's foreign policy; it's based on what's best for big business in this country, not what's best for the people of the country in question.

Do you really think if we supported democracy everywhere that Al Qaeda would lay down their arms and say, "We like America now!"

Of course not.

Look, I've talked to you about this before and I think we basically agree that we ought to promote democarcy and we're often to cautious about where and when we do it.  But don't kid yourself into thinking that Islamic fanatics hate us because we have big corporations, they hate us because Britney Spears corrupts their youth and secularism erodes their power base.

I agree, John. I was referring mainly to democracies such as in Europe. In countries in which there is a free press, the above is true. If there is no free press and people only hear anti-USA propaganda, then of course they will hate us no matter what. That's why it's crucial to have democracy everywhere; even if a dictator is friendly to the USA, it's going to be more bad than good for us in the long run.

[2952-0-0]

The state goes around messing up other nations and their internal affairs. Question solved. Though most of us like American values lke meritocracy.

[Citizen James]

Dnonvan looks like you are falling for the old "global test" crap already.  Europe loves our money like it is going out of style.  Having spent a lot of time there in the past three years, both before and after 9-11, the continental Euros want our money.  If the U.S sneezes, they catch a cold.  If we reach for our wallets, they get their noses hurt.  France's tourist industry has been down over 25% since we decided that we didn't need their permission for crap.  It is a beautiful place and I enjoy it and they are begging for our bucks.  Great cut rate hotel deals, etc, especially in the south of France.
If you decide not to move to Canada Donovan as you posted yesterday, France would be for you.  Look out...there is 13% unemployment.

In an odd way, you may have sort of a point.  China gets plenty of buisness despite their horrid human rights abuses, arogant foriegn policy, and lots of meddling in other peoples affairs.

We haven't gotten to that point yet, though Bush seems to have us heading in that general direction.  Do we really want to be like China?

Right now most of the world does not hate us.  They hate bush.  (though many blatently partisan bush supporters can't seem to tell the difference).  If he gets elected in a non-controversial way, that may change.  But still, like China, the money and manpower are there, so money talks louder than ideology.

[AuH2O]

More important question: why does Kerry hate the US?

[The Duke]

Anti-Semitic jokes are not funny, Gay jokes are not funny, fat Jokes are not funny, Black jokes are not funny, Arab Jokes are not funny, Chinese jokes are not funny, and French jokes are not funny.

You must be so much fun at parties.

[The Duke]

More important question: why does Kerry hate the US?

Funny sh*t.

[Jens]

I would say that the US has quite a big place in the heart of most Danes and other Europeans, but we do preserve the right to disagree with the policies of the US government and have a annoing tendency to see things in multiple shades of gray instead of black and white (That "either you are with us or you are against us" angered a large number of Europeans).

It IS quite easy to point fingers at American foreign political mistakes (like that nice fellow Mubuto Sese Seko) as it is to find British, Danish or French inconsistencies (like French support to various African dictators) but one thing that is very important to remember is change that occured within the EU after the mess created in Croatia, where the major European powers failed to present a common front to stop the loose nationalists in Zagreb and Beograd.

We had a long and hard fight in Bosnia-Herzegovina and don't really want to repeat that scenario anywhere.

(by the way. The main road in Sarajevo was called "Snipers Alley" because of the many Serb snipers. They shot at anybody exept to flags "Dannebrog" and "Tricolours" because the Danes and the French were the only ones who returned fire - In the presumed direction the shot came from. I would fight next to a French soldier anyday)

[Donovan]

More important question: why does Kerry hate the US?

I don't think it is Kerry that hates the US. Remember, he signed up to go fight for the country. It was Bush that snuck out.

If putting your life on the line is not loving your country then what is?

[Baggy Green]

More important question: why does Kerry hate the US?

I don't think it is Kerry that hates the US. Remember, he signed up to go fight for the country. It was Bush that snuck out.

If putting your life on the line is not loving your country then what is?

Hitler was in the German Army, but I wouldn't say he loved Germany.

Not comparing Kerry to Hitler, just showing you how flawed your logic is.

[Baggy Green]

The world doesn't hate America because of Bush. That is just a lame excuse. When America does something, it drastically effects the world. When most of the European nations do something, nobody cares. That breeds a lot of resentment and hatred. Foreigners are not jealous of the USA's democracy or freedom, as American right-wingers would have you believe. They are jealous of the USA's status and power.

[Donovan]

Hitler was in the German Army, but I wouldn't say he loved Germany.

Not comparing Kerry to Hitler, just showing you how flawed your logic is.

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Yes, Hitler did love his country, his mother, art, and his dog, but that is about it. That is why he wanted all that territory back that was taken after WWI. Hitler was a deranged manic, but he certainly did put himself at risk for his country as a Corporal in the German Army.  It was the reason he had the Nationalist at the front of the Name of the new party he created, in English means something like,  "Nationalist Socialist Party". His core support in his quest for power was derived from former WWI soldiers that felt they were sold out by their government and that Germany was raped by the international community and robbed of her dignity, land and property.

I would say that Hitler's obsession, or love, for his country was the reason that he took power. That and he couldn't draw well enough.

I don't know of too many world leaders that don't love their country, just a few that were forced by a monarchial system in the past maybe.

Even though I despise Bush. I do think that he loves his country. Just not enough to die for it, at least not when he was a young man, he might now.

[Huckleberry Finn]

Blaaah!

The world hates you because they are misguided about the facts. Bush has got some extra points though.

Of course you have done lot of mistakes, but people should remember all that good what you have done also.

And not all the world hates you, only the bad guys....

(Fine patriotism Jens!)

[Huckleberry Finn]

Everything that the modern day Republican leadership believes in. The War in Iraq, backing out of the Kyoto treaty, backing out of weapons test treaties, not signing the landmine treaty, SUVs, a lack of paid vacations and similar rules for workers, and being rich.

Finland hasn't signed the landmine treaty and I don't think that anybody hates us because of it!

[Jens]

(Fine patriotism Jens!)

I thought it was pretty discret

[??????????]

Donovan is a comical troll for sure.

[Akno21]

There is a very good book about this subject, it's called Why Do People Hate America?. It's fairly short and easy to read.

Basically, people are jealous and angry that we have great power, and that we use it. It's not just military and political power, almost every other economically able nation has copied our culture. It's a combination of many things. Also, they steryoptype us as arrogant cowboys. (I wonder why.)

[Hatman 🍁]

Everything that the modern day Republican leadership believes in. The War in Iraq, backing out of the Kyoto treaty, backing out of weapons test treaties, not signing the landmine treaty, SUVs, a lack of paid vacations and similar rules for workers, and being rich.

Finland hasn't signed the landmine treaty and I don't think that anybody hates us because of it!

Hmm... I never knew that. Time to hate Finland

Here in Canada, one reason is perhaps American ignorance. I know that annoys me.  Bush deffinately didn't help things. I think Bush single handedly prevented the Conservatives from winning the election this year. Another reason that annoys me is American influence in Canada. I heard that Canadian films are in the foreign film section here. That makes no sense... Bush comes off as an idiot. I'm not going to say that he is an idiot, but that's the way the media presents it. I think he is the laughing stock of the world, but his policies also anger the world.

[cwelsch]

Because we have money and power and they feel threatened.  A complex form of jealousy.

The same reason the mere fact that somebody is rich often draws criticism.  It makes people feel bad about themselves, feel weak, feel inadequate, feel threatened, and feel like they were somehow wronged.  Rather than crediting US success to historical processes, natural resources or economic policy, people like to assume they must have somehow stolen it, that the wealth is ill-gotten gains.  It's not entirely rational.

Other people hate us because it's cool and easy, maybe more people hate the US for social reasons than for the above reason.

[Hatman 🍁]

Jealousy is just the easy way out of describing it. It goes deeper than that. It means that the US has to work that much harder to have a good global reputation.  However the opposite is ture. Surely it would be hard to be envious of truly noble nation? Of course the real way to fix the US's global reputation would be considered too radical and indeed anti-patriotric to ever be implemented. So I say good luck with that.