Why does the World dislike the US?

[smeagol]

My point is Smeagol has a tendency to post topics like this with a tear in his beer, and then he runs circles in the ring like a boxer with no game.

I've only started five topics in the political forum. In all of them I have tried to convey my thoughts and opinions about a certain topic as honestly as I could. And I have always tried to do my best to try to back up my opinions. So I do not really follow you (what a surprise!) when you say "tear in his beer" and "runs circles in the ring like a boxer with no game".

But you GON have not really contribute much to the threads I have started.

There's the first I ever started in the political forum:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7996&page=1&pp=26

where your contributions where:

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

and

Leggo of my Eggo

and

And quit bringing God into the conversation. Does your God sit idle while billions suffer?

Then there was another thread where I comment about Live 8:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20932

where you enlighted everybody with this post:

Eliminating poverty with money is like eliminating obesity with guilt.

and this other one

Translation - Mean people suck.

The third thread I started was about the Chinese trying to buy Unocal:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22035

and you again enlighted us with a witty comment:

Well! The thread le made me hungry.

Surprisignly, in the Michael Moore thread I started you had no nuggets of knowledge to share with all of us:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22236&page=1&pp=26

So according to you I might have no game, but boy does your game suck baboon's ass!

There are guys I don't agree with on many issues, such as whottt, scott, Manny, Yoni and others, but atleast I can engage with them in some honest debate. As for you, well let the record speak for itself.

Actually the MVP (most valuable post) you ever posted in one of the threads I started was to scold me because I brought up God in my posts (as if it were not allowed).

So if you don't like the topics I start, simply don't post in those threads. But if you feel the uncontrolable urge to post in the threads I start, bring a ing thought . . . bring something to the table, not just posts such as how I'm the Argentine McFly or getting mad because I believe in God.

[Jelly]

Smeagol,
for what it's worth, I have no idea what the Argentine McFly or Tear in Beer stuff is supposed to mean either.

[smeagol]

Smeagol,
for what it's worth, I have no idea what the Argentine McFly or Tear in Beer stuff is supposed to mean either.

Jelly, I believe his McFly comment had to do with Michael Fox's character in Back to the Future (or maybe Marty McFly's dad).

The other one about the beer, well I guess its GON lingo.

[Jelly]

Jelly, I believe his McFly comment had to do with Michael Fox's character in Back to the Future (or maybe Marty McFly's dad).

The other one about the beer, well I guess its GON lingo.

I never saw Back to The Future. But maybe you'll find some clues to the other metaphor with this little country song...

There's a tear in my beer
'cause I'm cryin' for you,dear
you are on my lonely mind.
Into these last nine beers
I have shed a million tears.
You are on my lonely mind
I'm gonna keep drinkin'
until I'm petrified.
And then maybe these tears
will leave my eyes.
There's a tear in my beer
cause I'm crying' for you dear
You are on my lonely mind.

Last night I walked the floor
and the night before
You are on my lonely mind.
It seems my life is through
and I'm so doggone blue
You are on my lonely mind.
I'm gonna keep drinkin'
till I can't move a toe
and then maybe my heart
won't hurt me so.
There's a tear in my beer
cause I'm cryin' for you dear
You are on my lonely mind.

Lord, I've tried and I've tried
But my tears I can't hide
You are on my lonely mind.
All these blues that I've found
Have really got me down
You are on my lonely mind
I'm gonna keep drinkin'
till I can't even think
Cause in the last week
I ain't slept a wink
There's a tear in my beer
cause I'm crying for you dear
You are on my lonely mind.

Good ole Hank Williams Jr.. Gotta love that man

[Dos]

I am sure if we brought all our troops home from all over the world and pretty much only cared about us... (like some liberals want) the world would either be nuking one another or begging us to go protect some poor defenseless country... come on you can't have it both ways.. but I guess people oversea's forget their is this f***ing thing called the UN that usually is begging us for money and troops....

[boutons]

"pretty much only cared about us... (like some liberals want)"

it was the ING REPUGS years ago who:

1. didn't want to engage in the world, no internationlism, diplomatic entanglements like NATO and UN, and shrub said in the 2000 campaign that he doesn't do "nation building"

2. wanted to pass a cons utional amendment requiring balanced federal budgets.

Now, a few years later, the Repugs have led the US into monstrous nation breaking/building exerises in Afghanistana and Iraq.

and with tax cuts for the rich and corps, and run-of-the-mill pork insanities, indebting the US for decades at a level as bad as any S. American tin-pot basket case.

ie, the Repugs are "having it both ways", choosoing whichever way today pays them the most money and power, and exposing themselves as hypocrites.

[Guru of Nothing]

I've only started five topics in the political forum. In all of them I have tried to convey my thoughts and opinions about a certain topic as honestly as I could. And I have always tried to do my best to try to back up my opinions.

I disagree. Read below and highlight for me the thoughts and opinions you conveyed.

Why is it that the rest of the World has “issues” with the US?

Knowing that the US represents freedom and democracy, why is it that so many people are su ious of the US or just flat out hate Americans?

I have my own ideas but I would like to hear the American POV on this issue.

Look Smeagol, I'm sure you are a nice guy, and I really don't want to argue - AND, I understand there is a language barrier, as you put it; but, you come across as kind of a whiner (you wallor in emotion). Again, I'm probably repeating myself here, but it strikes me that the gist of your message is that "the U.S. is mean and I don't like that."

My point (and I do have a point!) is that people, at their core, are the same the world over, yet you put all your eggs of negativity into one basket - the U.S. government is unsatisfactory, while ignoring the universal truth that people tend to address the world through their own self-interests. THIS IS NOT UNIQUELY AMERICAN.

If I am not making sense, or if you are not getting my point, fine. I'll cut bait.

Have a nice day. If you are ever in Mississippi, holler and I will buy you a beer.

Adios.

[smeagol]

Look Smeagol, I'm sure you are a nice guy, and I really don't want to argue - AND, I understand there is a language barrier, as you put it; but, you come across as kind of a whiner (you wallor in emotion). Again, I'm probably repeating myself here, but it strikes me that the gist of your message is that "the U.S. is mean and I don't like that."

I agree with you. I have focused more on what I think the negative aspects of the US government are. I know there is lots of positive things the US government does, but who the would like to debate those points??!!!

If I start a topic saying unemployment is at record lows, or another one stating that inflation is contained and economic growth is a robust levels, I guess I would get five responses max. If I start another topic on the war in Afghanistan, which I believe is the right war to fight, again, not much of a debate because 95% of the posters would agree with me.

Therefore, to get the debate going, I have to start more controversial posts .

My point (and I do have a point!) is that people, at their core, are the same the world over, yet you put all your eggs of negativity into one basket - the U.S. government is unsatisfactory, while ignoring the universal truth that people tend to address the world through their own self-interests. THIS IS NOT UNIQUELY AMERICAN. .

Again I agree with you when you say “people, at their core, are the same the world over”. But if you did read my posts closely you would have noticed that my issue with the US boils down to two points:

1) International trade, and 2) Foreign policy.

Regarding the former, which is the most important one to me, I have blamed Europe and Japan as much as I have blamed the US. So I have not put my negativity basket only on the US. Actually I blame Europe more than the US for those damn subsidies to agricultural products that hurt my country so much.

Have a nice day. If you are ever in Mississippi, holler and I will buy you a beer.

Adios.

Thanks. I’ll take the offer. I don’t drink much alcohol, though.

[Dos]

I think pretty much of the hate is just because we are the biggest, baddest MOFO's in the world... we consume more, we waste more, we don't give a rat's ass about the world... about half the kids in this country couldn't tell you where Iraq is on a map, but I am sure they could show you how to win at HALO 2, not to mention that nearly half of this country doesn't vote... and is pretty non-exsistent when it comes to local politics.. so yeah we are self absorbed we don't give a rat's ass about much.. maybe about just what are we going to eat next and what we are going to buy next... but if you attack our country you will definetly feel the wrath of the united states of america... except maybe for a few ultra liberals that somehow think we deserved it.... but they have that right to believe that... so I will just go watch my south park season 5 dvd now and maybe play some tiger woods PGA golf later... why because I can .. because that is all that concerns me today.. after working all weekend... it's all I can think off...

[Extra Stout]

I agree with everything Extra Stout said. Though for a conservative, I'm surprised how admiring ES is of Europe's public infrastructure.

Eh, just different priorities. If we're forced to live on top of one another like the Euros do because of high energy prices and land use restrictions, then we'll probably gain their appreciation for public spaces.

I don't think their way is bad, but I just like our way better.

Oh, whottt, I think MI6 made up the story that Mossadegh was making ie noises to the Russians and that they, along with the CIA in an operation headed by Teddy Roosevelt's grandson, fomented the revolution themselves. Kermit Roosevelt masterminded the street protests. It was all about protecting British oil interests. It was called "Operation Ajax."

In fact, the only reason it took until 1953 to happen is because Truman kept rebuffing Churchill's advances.

The memory of 1953 is why the first thing the revolutionaries did in 1979 is go after the American embassy to prevent the CIA from executing a counterrevolution to restore the Shah.

That was the most idiotic thing Ike ever did, and he did it because WC was his war buddy. What Ike got in return was that when the Iranian oil industry was denationalized in 1955, some American oil companies got a piece of the new British consortium (along with the French and the Dutch).

[bigzak25]

i know i'm late to this party, but i'd venture to say that the majority of the world actually loves the usa. the negative has a tendency to be what the media focuses on, big suprise there, i know.

[Jelly]

Zak,
it would be nice if that were true, but it just isn't. Practically any opinion survey will show that the rest of the world doesn't like us very much. Recently, there was a lot of press (especially overseas) about the findings of a poll that indicated that people in 11 out of 16 countries viewed China in a more favorable light than America. But take heart, we are much loved in India!

here's a link to some recent polling data:

http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=247

[MaNuMaNiAc]

My experience has been different. I've been to about a dozen different countries and in pretty much every one of them I had to listen to a lot of anti-American rants. And all this was before Iraq. They usually will say that it's because of our foreign policy, but when you question people more indepth they don't seem to be very educated on our foreign policy beyond the generic America as world police stuff. Europeans might bring up examples of our interferance in various countries but these same people are totally disinterested and/or unaware of Europe's interference all over the world, particularly Asia (India, Indochina) , the mid-east (a lot of the Palestine/Israel BS can be pinned on Britain) and Africa. I've met French people who lambast the U.S. over Vietnam but when you want to talk about their Vietnam war or Algeria or the greenpeace boat they blew up in Australia it's "lalalala....I can't hear you....lalalal". There is hardly a powerful nation on earth that can complain about the U.S. meddling in other people's business. All nations will interfere in any matter that is of strategic significance to that nation to whatever degree their power allows them.

I think the dislike of America comes down to jealously, envy, insecurity and fear.

amen to that! I think Jelly hit right on the nail!! the problem is you can't deny that the US does meddle in a lot of people's business, even where they're not wanted. I agree though, that most powerfull nations would do the same, and actually do. Still, can't blame people for being resentfull of that side of the argument. However, I do believe that a lot of the resentment towards the US is unfounded.

[Jelly]

thank you Manumania. Finally someone agrees with me on something.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Smeagol....we look at the rest of the world with su ion too....we can't figure out why all these countries we liberated and give aid too turned on us....

But it's not like we're handwringing over it...I just think most Americans don't have as positive or as friendly a view of the rest of the world as we used too...the facade has dropped.

And I think W's re-election was our message to the rest of the world about what we think of the World's at ude after we were attacked.


Iraq is going to work out though....and the middle east will be the better off for it...the socialists will rewrite history though to make sure America doesn't get the credit it deserves for cleaning out the filth of that region.


Meanwhile...it'll be cold day in before I let my country go to the aid of France again...not one more soldier will ever spill his blood on that hate filled country....I don't care if it's Satan himself they capitulate to this time around...not one more soldier will ever give his life in the aid of that country. I will be the most anti-war protesting mother er who ever lived the day we try it.

And the Somalians can starve for all I ing care...idiots.
We better not give them any aid. Of any kind. Except a nuke when their s bags get out of hand.

There is so much ignorance in this post, I'm surpriced you could fit it in only one!

First of all

And I think W's re-election was our message to the rest of the world about what we think of the World's at ude after we were attacked.

I can't help but laugh at that statement! The US depends on the rest of the world more than the rest of the world depends on the US! you think that by electing Bush you'll be able to scare the world into thinking your way? well think again. All Bush is doing is alienating the out of "the rest of the world" with this "either you're with us or against us" ! Like it or not, you live in this world with everyone else, and you will have to learn to ing coexist.

Iraq is going to work out though....and the middle east will be the better off for it...the socialists will rewrite history though to make sure America doesn't get the credit it deserves for cleaning out the filth of that region.

you must be able to tell the future then, because everything points to an American retreat from Iraq due to economic issues and public disconformity! You think saying "Iraq is going to work out" makes everything alright? its a of a lot more complicated than that sister.

You want to know why there are people that don't like the US? its not due to your ideals, which I think most people agree with. Its because of people like you, and that "its either our way or the highway" mentality. Trust me, you would do well to get along with your neighbors, and get of your high horse Whottt.

[word]

Ironically, one of the reasons they hate the US because of it's seemingly lack of morals, which the extreme left cherishs and are the very people that aren't willing to fight them.

[whottt]

There is so much ignorance in this post, I'm surpriced you could fit it in only one!

Said the guy from a country where a 3rd great education is considered scholarly.

First of all

snip...

I can't help but laugh at that statement! The US depends on the rest of the world more than the rest of the world depends on the US! you think that by electing Bush you'll be able to scare the world into thinking your way? well think again. All Bush is doing is alienating the out of "the rest of the world" with this "either you're with us or against us" ! Like it or not, you live in this world with everyone else, and you will have to learn to ing coexist.

Who died and left you leader of the rest of the world...Nazi sympathizing s bag.

you must be able to tell the future then, because everything points to an American retreat from Iraq due to economic issues and public disconformity! You think saying "Iraq is going to work out" makes everything alright? its a of a lot more complicated than that sister.

How would you know?

Your country gets it's ass kicked by the concept of peaceful transfer of power.

You want to know why there are people that don't like the US?

Actually I don't...I tend to think there a ton of idiots like yourself in the rest of the world...and therefor consider them lost causes...

In fact...you and your kind have pretty much lead me to conclude the Argentina is a country full of ing assholes...

your opinion on my county.

I don't give a what you think about it...mmmkay?

Trust me, you would do well to get along with your neighbors, and get of your high horse Whottt.

Said the hypocrite with the Argentina flag next to his name....


How dare you like your country...other than provding reguge to Nazis and defaulting on the largest loan in history...what has it ever done besides produce a bunch of assholes like yourself that think they are experts on everything, specifically my country.

When you doctors learn to behave when a celebrity visits a hospital...then you can lecture me.

You're a hater...and you're hardly unique.

It doesn't take a lot of brain power to do...

Nazi.

[JoeChalupa]

Ironically, one of the reasons they hate the US because of it's seemingly lack of morals, which the extreme left cherishs and are the very people that aren't willing to fight them.

BS. There are plenty of conservatives on the right who lack morals and who don't have any of their children willing to fight them.
I know a set of twins as an example.

[j-6]

defaulting on the largest loan in history

Hey whottt, not to change the subject, but wasn't the largest single loan in history given out to Brazil? Or did you mean largest defaulted loan in history (what I don't know about)?

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[whottt]

Largest defaulted debt repayment in history.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107288.html

In Dec. 1999 Fernando de la Rua became president. Despite the introduction of several tough economic austerity plans, by 2001 the recession slid into its third year. The IMF gave Argentina $13.7 billion in emergency aid in Jan. 2001 and $8 billion in Aug. 2001. The international help was not enough, however, and by the end of 2001, Argentina verged on economic collapse. Rioters protesting government austerity measures forced de la Rua to resign in Dec. 2001. Argentina then defaulted on its $155 billion foreign debt payments, the largest such default in history.


Maybe I was too harsh on him...I hope he doesn't kidnap my family.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Said the guy from a country where a 3rd great education is considered scholarly.



snip...





Who died and left you leader of the rest of the world...Nazi sympathizing s bag.







How would you know?

Your country gets it's ass kicked by the concept of peaceful transfer of power.



Actually I don't...I tend to think there a ton of idiots like yourself in the rest of the world...and therefor consider them lost causes...

In fact...you and your kind have pretty much lead me to conclude the Argentina is a country full of ing assholes...

your opinion on my county.

I don't give a what you think about it...mmmkay?





Said the hypocrite with the Argentina flag next to his name....


How dare you like your country...other than provding reguge to Nazis and defaulting on the largest loan in history...what has it ever done besides produce a bunch of assholes like yourself that think they are experts on everything, specifically my country.

When you doctors learn to behave when a celebrity visits a hospital...then you can lecture me.

You're a hater...and you're hardly unique.

It doesn't take a lot of brain power to do...

Nazi.

Thank you Whottt. That post now allows me to watch you under a whole new light. I now know how ignorant and simple minded you are. Feel free to spout all the insults you want, I know its just to cover for that monster insequirity you have looming over you. You're a sad little man Whottt, and I thank you, sincerely! I thank you for making me realize that I don't have to continue arguing with someone so close minded and uneducated.

P.S. I still can't get over you calling me Nazi! LOL too funny

[whottt]

No...I just get sick of every foreign hypocrite in the world coming here sporting their national flag and sounding like an outtake from farenheit 911 taking a piss on my country...

Amazing how you seem so willing to talk about how ed my country is but lose interest once the subject turns to you country...

It's been well do ented that the government of your country sympathized with the Nazis in WWII by the way...at least they did until they saw who was going to win...

You must have a lot of French people there.

Damn...I think I am getting the hang of this blind hatred thing...can that, "why does the US dislike the rest of the world" question be long in coming?

[j-6]

Largest defaulted debt repayment in history.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107288.html

In Dec. 1999 Fernando de la Rua became president. Despite the introduction of several tough economic austerity plans, by 2001 the recession slid into its third year. The IMF gave Argentina $13.7 billion in emergency aid in Jan. 2001 and $8 billion in Aug. 2001. The international help was not enough, however, and by the end of 2001, Argentina verged on economic collapse. Rioters protesting government austerity measures forced de la Rua to resign in Dec. 2001. Argentina then defaulted on its $155 billion foreign debt payments, the largest such default in history.


Maybe I was too harsh on him...I hope he doesn't kidnap my family.

Gracias. Good little history read on that link, too. Nothing too heavy for those of you that might need a little background on Argentina.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

No...I just get sick of every foreign hypocrite in the world coming here sporting their national flag and sounding like an outtake from farenheit 911 taking a piss on my country...

Amazing how you seem so willing to talk about how ed my country is but lose interest once the subject turns to you country...

It's been well do ented that the government of your country sympathized with the Nazis in WWII by the way...at least they did until they saw who was going to win...

You must have a lot of French people there.

Damn...I think I am getting the hang of this blind hatred thing...can that, "why does the US dislike the rest of the world" question be long in coming?

I know I said I wouldn't argue anymore with you Whottt, but I just can't help it, call me a sucker for lost causes. First of all, I never said I hated your country, I said I hated that "its our way or no way" at ude people like you have. You all of a sudden felt insulted, and decided to proceed and spout the first thing that you could think of about Argentina to try and insult me. Don't get upset if it doesn't work.

I'm don't have a problem discussing Argentina's problems, and I'm not a hypocrite. I say what I believe and I believe in what I say. You call me nazi because some Argentinian dictator back in the 1940s happened to side with the Nazis? you actually consider that to be an intelligent comment? by that line of thought, every German is a Nazi, every Italian is a fascist, and because you happened to have slavery, every American is a racist. Would you agree with that Whottt? I bet you would.

In fact, its funny that you call me a hater. Why don't you take a look back at the thread sweetheart? The only one being a blind hater is you, and yet, you just don't seem to grasp that concept.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

No...I just get sick of every foreign hypocrite in the world coming here sporting their national flag and sounding like an outtake from farenheit 911 taking a piss on my country...

Amazing how you seem so willing to talk about how ed my country is but lose interest once the subject turns to you country...

It's been well do ented that the government of your country sympathized with the Nazis in WWII by the way...at least they did until they saw who was going to win...

You must have a lot of French people there.

Damn...I think I am getting the hang of this blind hatred thing...can that, "why does the US dislike the rest of the world" question be long in coming?

*Cough* NASA rocket scientists...*cough*