Salman Rushdie on Anti-Americanism

by JanH 12 Replies latest jw friends

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  fodeja

  While we're far and away better than all countries, we're not better than every country combined

  Better in what respect, except military power? Income distribution? Personal freedoms? Environmental protection? Violent crime rates?

  Have you actually _been_ to all countries, or at least more than two or three of them, and for more than just a brief visit?

  With statements like the above (which I usually don't take as a sign of arrogance, but of simple ignorance), it's no wonder many people don't exactly have the best opinion of the USA. It's that belittling, "here's a dollar kid, buy yourself some ice cream" attitude that triggers a range of emotions from amused eyebrow-raising to vitriolic hate all over the world.

  I expect better of Europeans.

  The thing I'd expect is that people stop thinking in terms of nations and their respective penis lengths. Generally, I think a huge step would be getting genuinely interested in what's happening outside of their little "best places in the world". As regards self-chosen ignorance of the outside world, I'm afraid that the USA are pretty much #1 at this time. The competition is fierce, though.

  f.
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  ashitaka

  I think the article makes sense, but perhaps the states should just keep to their own business for a while. Bush is not known for tact or discretion. Perhaps Colin Powell should handle ALL speeches on foreign policy for now on.

  It's understandable why people would hate the states. we have a lot, and complain more than the rest of the world, who have so little in many cases. But, their acting on their derision is not acceptable.

  Does anyone NOT think that Hussein is dangerous? Iran? North Korea? Who here would want North Korea to have nukes? Sure, they'd probably never dare to hit the states, but what about them dropping nukes everywhere else? Radiation isn't stationary, you know.

  Because people are foolhardy is the reason the states get involved. They just don't want the states out of the world arena, they want them blown off the face of the map.

  Bin Laden was saying how all Americans are prisoner to USA rhetoric. Well, every nation is prisoner to it's own particular rhetoric. You live as best you can under the conditions you were raised under.

  I do think the USA should bring their boys home, and not enforce another major action this soon. Perhaps just increasing coverts and small operations, not known in the world theatre.

  I think the States should form valuble alliances with China, and stop trying to spy on them. It's only going to get them more pissed off. China has a measure of say in the extremeist countries, and if the States were smart, they would ally themselves with the Chinese enough so that if North Korea got of out line, for example, China would say, NONONO, instead of the states going over there and killing a bunch of soldiers.

  Just a part of MHO.

  ashi
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  Seeker

  The U.S. doesn't think Hussein is dangerous, actually, which is why he was left in power a decade ago. Top-level discussions figured that they would rather have him in place than the unknown that woudl follow. After all, Hussein was America's buddy for a long time until America double-crossed him into thinking they wouldn't care if he invaded Kuwait. After Hussein made his intentions known to American diplomatic sources, and got no indications that America would care, and went ahead only to have the U.S. public relations machine turn him into Public Enemy #1 overnight.

  He's only a danger to his own people, and the U.S. doesn't care about that. That's why he's been in power for the last decade.