USA - have they taken, or have they been given?

[Gil-Galad]

I maybe should have posted this in Skywalkers recent post, wich raised this question in my mind. But being a question I chose to post it on its own. I hope I don't fail to explain the subtle difference to his question...

Why is there such a big difference in peoples perception of the worlds only superpower?
Why does it seem to me that some americans and pro-americans TEND TO see the status as given, or maybe even expected with helplessness by The Rest of The World?
And why does it seem to me that some other people TEND TO see their status as taken, or maybe even stolen?
Is it brainwash, failure to see past mistakes, a way to justify greediness, or is it envy, helplessness, the good old scapegoat tactics, or anger with someone who is simply doing better than yourself? None of the above?

I AM NOT ASKING FOR OPINIONS ON USA ITSELF - plenty of posts for that

Originally posted by Gil-Galad: I maybe should have posted this in Skywalkers recent post, wich raised this question in my mind. But being a question I chose to post it on its own. I hope I don't fail to explain the subtle difference to his question... Why is there such a big difference in peoples perception of the worlds only superpower? Why does it seem to me that some americans and pro-americans TEND TO see the status as given, or maybe even expected with helplessness by The Rest of The World? And why does it seem to me that some other people TEND TO see their status as taken, or maybe even stolen? Is it brainwash, failure to see past mistakes, a way to justify greediness, or is it envy, helplessness, the good old scapegoat tactics, or anger with someone who is simply doing better than yourself? None of the above? I AM NOT ASKING FOR OPINIONS ON USA ITSELF - plenty of posts for that

The people who share the the ideals of democracy, regardless of which nation they are from, are free to critisize American policy, But the America goverment's foundation of self-goverment, individual rights and freedom is a tough one to critisize. Especially if ones own nation has adopted lofy governing Ideals itself.

So I think the people who give America no credit and disrespectfully "yankbash" know less than half of what America is really about.

The people who give America all the credit blind themselves to the mistakes, missing the point of why some people speak out as a matter of accountability.

I hold my American leaders accountable for thier policy decisions and the consequences of them by speaking out. I love American Ideas of Democracy. We are free to make up for our mistakes and we do. Anyone can take up a cause, whatever it is and manifest change in thier goverment without need for violence here. That is great anywhere.


So to answer your question IMO , I think it is the degree ignorance and knowledge that determines a person perspective on America. Whenever an issue arises you only know less than half of it if you only take one side and not become knowledgable about another or all sides. Narrow-minded extremists of any degree can sometimes have trouble seeing both sides of an issue, or another sides issue. Extreme POV towards, oh lets say America, are born from the ignorance of what a democracy like America really is.

[Cloudbringer]

No offense but are you relating this to the terrorist attacks or the war on terrorism in some way?

Cloudy

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[Ladyzekke]

Well I'm not sure what you are trying to say Gil-Galad. So all I can respond is this: I am an American. There are a lot of Americans living here that all are from different races, religions, etc. "America" cannot be defined, as in "way of thinking," in an overall way. In other words, if you think to yourself "all Americans are smug and think their country the SuperPower" you would be incorrect. We all have our own thoughts and views, we cannot be labeled in that way. Same goes for many other countries. We humans, all over this world, are individuals when it comes down to it, not drones, we think for ourselves, and have our own separate opinions. You just cannot generalize any nation as a whole for that reason. As for MY thoughts on my country, I do not look at the U.S. as a "Superpower", as in, "better than the rest" type of thing. I though do support what America stands for. You can live here, and have freedom of speech, and freedom to worship any religion you wish and not get condemned for it or worship nothing at all, you can literally strive to be whatever it is you want to in life, all are considered equal. I may not always agree with some of the decisions made by our government, but overall, I still support America and always will. And hey, because of the standards I have been brought up with, I now have the ability to love other nations and other races, as MANY immigrants from MANY other countries are here living in my neighborhood. And we all blend in just fine

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[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Cloudbringer: No offense but are you relating this to the terrorist attacks or the war on terrorism in some way? Cloudy

No, not directly. But when reading through the post on the GD and this forum, it looks like this is the appropriate forum for the post.
Lots of post and opinions about USA, New World Order and so on...Hope it's cool anyway

[John D Harris]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad: No, not directly. But when reading through the post on the GD and this forum, it looks like this is the appropriate forum for the post. Lots of post and opinions about USA, New World Order and so on...Hope it's cool anyway

New World Order isn't that a bunch of guys in the WWF?



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Crustiest of the OLD COOTS
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A clean Head shot on that sack of Horse Manure Usuma Bin Laden PRICELESS!

[Donut]

Originally posted by John D Harris: New World Order isn't that a bunch of guys in the WWF?

How are the World Wildlife Fund involved in this?


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[skywalker]

The United States Of America is really not defined by all the good people who live here. If all the nations in the world really knew what we are like they would think differently about our country. Lots of people believe the stereotypes just as we perceive people of other countries.

But actually the USA is defined by our government and how our leaders conduct our business at home and overseas. Strangely enough, no matter who is in power here, the perception changes very little overall. You can get some nations that like a certain President, but the underlying feeling is usually the same. Country based sentiments(on a people not government level) can last centuries.

No matter what good America does, it will all be perceived that either we want something or we are covering for a mistake (not true). It's like Micheal Jordan giving his million dollar first year salary to charity. That is a great gesture and I'm proud of his effort, but it would be better if he did it and told all involved to keep it quiet. We (America) have such a bad rep in places (unfairly) that the government feels that nothing good we do can go without promotion (lately anyway). It leaves a sour taste.

If we know we are doing the right thing, that is good enough for me. For those who think we suck, well we can never change their minds, they just won't ever like us.


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Still The Most Humbly Prideful (?) Member Of The Illuminati!

Mark

[Fljotsdale]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad: I maybe should have posted this in Skywalkers recent post, wich raised this question in my mind. But being a question I chose to post it on its own. I hope I don't fail to explain the subtle difference to his question... Why is there such a big difference in peoples perception of the worlds only superpower? Why does it seem to me that some americans and pro-americans TEND TO see the status as given, or maybe even expected with helplessness by The Rest of The World? And why does it seem to me that some other people TEND TO see their status as taken, or maybe even stolen? Is it brainwash, failure to see past mistakes, a way to justify greediness, or is it envy, helplessness, the good old scapegoat tactics, or anger with someone who is simply doing better than yourself? None of the above? I AM NOT ASKING FOR OPINIONS ON USA ITSELF - plenty of posts for that

I'm deliberately not reading other posts till I have commented on this, so sorry if I repeat what others may have said.
Gil-Galad - imo, both things are true. Any power throughout human history has been a giver AND a taker, even the worst of them have given as well as taken; largely, it must be said, because it was to their ultimate benefit to give and such giving increased the amount they could take. The same is true of powers of the recent past of the modern world, such as Britain, and now of the USA. America is no better and no worse than any other power, and, just like past powers, they see themselves as virtuous and the less priviledged world sees them as a bully. It has always been thus!

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Here be Dragons!
Proud to be Dubbed Queen of the Illuminati by Diogenes.

"If I say something to you and it can be taken two ways, and one of those ways upsets you...I meant the other one."

[Hiram Sedai]

I think that the perception of the United States has changed throughout the years. When Woodrow Wilson was president, we were isolationists. When FDR was president and WWII started, we were trying to not get involved at first, but we became what Americans believe to be the savior of the world. Once again, I speak with my egocentric ideals. I can only guess what other countries think of us this day. I remember being protested against when I was in Japan because we were not welcome there. I also remember the feeling we got when in Saudi Arabia in 94. It was like we were a necessary evil because of the situation with Kuwait. Its like we were tolerated because of our Army and technology.

Many of the friends I have in France, England, and Germany speak to me with kindness and understanding that our education system is quite disparate from theirs. The impression I get, especially from my german friend is that we Americans tend to be somewhat arrogant for no apparent reason. We only speak one language and can barely find our country on the globe. I then make fun of him because he is a german who lives in England and speaks like Colonel Klink.

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