American Idiot or American Intelligence.......

[Island Epicurean]

Hey all;

I just figured I would start some real trouble here today and express what seems to be a semi-universal feeling outside the U.S. Now before I go on, these are not my opinions. I am actually a quasi Bush supporter who feels his Iraq conquest will actually have long term benefits. But since my feelings are not shared here in Canada, or at least by the majority, I thought I'd get your opinion on the following ideals.

Many people outside the U.S. see the United States as the biggest threat to global security since 1940's Germany. With your massive and unnecessary build-up of weapons of mass destruction, largely unnecessary army and bully-like attitude, it would seem that the U.S. is a true threat to global security. This large, cold war mentality is very repugnant to a large majority of the global population.

Also, your foreign policy seems "cowboy-style" at best. Your President's intelligent, or pig headed, take on foreign policy is completely ridiculous. He invades a country under completely false pretenses, and then has the audacity to support his actions. It seems that while the extrememly tragic events of 9/11 gave rise to this new go-get-em attitude, the U.S. has killed a dozen poor souls for every one American citizen lost. Hardly seems like equitable retribution.

In addition to all this, it seems that Dubya is completely set on polarizing the rest of the World. From his infamous axis-of-evil, to his use of grade-school big-bad words, like evil-do'ers , he seems to see everything in black and white. White being Americanized and Black being everybody else.

Anyway, since this is such a geographically diverse board, I am interested in seeing what everyone else has to say. This should be a good discussion.

Before I go however, I feel I should make it known that this is not my personal point of view. I am actually a quasi-supporter of G.W. Bush. I feel the bad he has caused is out-weighed by the good and that most of the fruits of his labor will not be seen for years to come. Also, please don't clutter this post with any un-thoughtful one word insults or patriotism. Lets make this an open discussion which allows everyone to express their opinion.

Thanks for your input guys and gals, and God bless the Troops from every country.

[SuperChuck]

I was just thinking about something similar in the shower today...

It seems the United States in only interested in spreading freedom and equality and democracy to unfriendly nations. Iraq is painted as a backwards middle eastern nation, while Saudi Arabia (friendly to the United States) is an oasis in the desert...

These attitudes toward the United States are actually nothing new. I remember sitting in a pub in London five years ago chatting about the Imperialistic United States. It's just been brought to the forefront by the current debacle in Iraq.

[reaganyouth84]

I support President Bush...sometimes. I disagree with him A LOT on different issues, but the ONE issue I agree with him the most on is Iraq. I might not necessarily agree with the way the head honchos at the Pentagon have planned out the mission, but I think it has to be done. The war on terror and the war in Iraq , if handled the way they should be, will be one of those instances where people thought Bush and anyone supporting his foreign policy were idiots, but then once the wars become successes and add a positive change to the landscape, then the naysayers will jump on the band wagon and be like "we did it!"

-Mike