Why can’t people look at the big picture? It makes no sense.
For instance…
Yeah, America’s got some issues right now. Bush is in office, and he’s a pretty big wanker. Nothing newsworthy there really. However, why do people hate America(ns) for only half the picture.
The reasons they give…
1- The war on terror and the war in Iraq.
Yep, there’s some motivated self-interest regarding oil companies, that really reduces the credibility of the government of the US. Understandable that this would irritate people. Meanwhile, hasn’t some good come of this as well? A despotic terror-monger has been removed from office, and people are no longer being tortured, murdered, and raped daily in his prisons. Granted, there’s still a lot of shite going on over there, but it’s getting better than it was. Not the U.S.’s fault if the people of that country are quibbling about things in their new constitution or fighting amongst themselves. I don’t think we have anything to be guilty about. We removed a truly evil man from power, and are trying to get the people started when it comes to governing themselves.
2- We didn’t give $$$ to country X.
So. Kiss our collective ass. We give more money in foreign aid than any other country on the face of the Earth. Billion and billions of dollars go out to other countries every year. We’ve essentially rebuilt several African nations from the ground up, and we continue to help around the world every year. And that’s just the government. How many hundreds of thousands of people voluntarily join organizations and go to various places throughout the world to do what they can to improve the standard of living in those places?
3- That damn Bush. I hate him.
Ok. So do most Americans I think. He’s really done a poor job in a lot of key areas. Even people that voted for him don’t like him. He was just the lesser of two evil options on the ballot from a lot of people’s points of view. Me? I wrote in Mickey Mouse. Besides, how has Bush effected most foreign civillians? Or even our government? What, did he only sign off on 1.2 billion dollars in aid rather than 2.5 that your government asked for? Did he make your government pass the laws that it has, and make the decisions it’s made? Show me where he’s done anything that’s effected you directly.
4- *inser deitie’s name here* said to KILL THE EVIL WESTERNERS!!!!
Yeah? Really? Well, you enjoy your poppy seed there butt-munch, and don’t forget to write.
I don’t see why people have such a narrow-minded view of the U.S. and it’s people. I’m an American. I try to be a decent guy, and do things that my family will be proud of. I treat people with respect, and don’t judge them based on what country they live/lived in. Most of the people around me are the same way.
Our country was attacked by people with attitudes similar to Sadham Hussein (or however it’s spelled). Some of those people are still out there. Do we not have the right to defend ourselves and proactively remove evil men from threatening positions? Or should we just say that it’s no problem, we deserved it because our nation is rich. Maybe we should just ask North Korea to drop a few nukes on Alaska, that’d be a good will gesture from hell, wouldn’t it? Or perhaps we should hand Al Queda the keys to the White House? Maybe they could clean the place up. Put an AK-47 over the mantle, and throw some holy war graffiti around to liven the place up.
Sorry….. Pet peeve hit me…
