The youngest person held by the US in the 'name of security'

[Nixit]

This was a time when 80% of the world was controlled by Europe. The countries were colonizing like crazy and Germany had its eye on the Phillipines. I believe that had a few boats near the Phillipines at the time.

[Schme]

But do you honestly think they were about to invade the Philipines? After a revolution? While they were occupied in Europe? And lose a bunch of ships in an invasion they couldn't win?

[Nixit]

After a revolution? I would think that I would invade then, they've just had a war, they'd be tired and weak.

[formerly known as hf]

Come on now - If any European, especially someone from Birtain, is going to complain about American Imperialism, and American Military action, and american Human Right violations - they should first accept the truth about the past of their own country

I do - I know how awful the British Empire was, how it enslaved people, how the power was used for political and economic gains back in the UK. I know that, and I think that's as wrong as what the Americans are doing now and have done in the recent past

An argument with strength comes from first realising that you're probably as bad as those you're arguing against

[Nixit]

Was that directed at me?

Because I know how bad America is in that respect.

[Missy]

Was that directed at me?

Because I know how bad America is in that respect.

I think Schme.

[formerly known as hf]

not at anyone in particular - just anyone who's 'American bashing' without acknowledging the history of where they come from... and assuming that just because US actions are so awful, that the actions of their own governement, now or in the past, have been any better

[Nixit]

Alright. Whew.

[Stan]

We can list the bombings in Cuba or Abu Grahib or whatever. But answer this question please.

"If I could change America then I would make America just like _____________."

Please fill in the blank.

If you want you can look at it from different aspects (not government policy but judged by basic human need).

Opportunity
Freedom
Charity
Imagination

You can add some. When you insult Americans you insult me. I am not a government or a policy. I am an American and I am a person. I care for Iraqis, Africans, Brits, Egyptians, Palenstinians, Chinese, etc, etc, etc. Most Americans feel the same way. I've travelled the world and there are some great places. But, I believe, on a whole that America and it's policies are world class.

If you disagree, then tell who IS world class, please.

[formerly known as hf]

If you disagree, then tell who IS world class, please.

How about moving away from, quite simplistic and dangerously over-stereotypical, nationalistic views of politics and identity?

Just because I was born and raised in the UK - does not mean I count myself as 'British' - I am a Londoner, that I'm proud of, I am from Europe, that I am also kinda proud of, additionally, I am a 'citizen of the world' or whatever term you want to use...

People need to move away from 'American bashin'' or 'Europe is Crap' etc etc. Realise that national sentiments, patriotism, is not always that strong, and that the actions of governments may not fit with the sentiments of the population - just consider the numbers that marched against war in the UK

Everyone should be free to identify themselves how they wish - and if someone is arguing about the problems the US government has created - they should realise that this does not mean that all Americans agree.

As for you who IS better question?
The answer to that should not lie in a particular country, or a particular nationality. The world, and the identities of the people on this world, can not be, and are not, neatly packaged in parcels of territory given names such as 'USA', 'Iraq', 'Ethiopia'. Identity, politics and economies work on much larger, and much smaller scales. National confines are artificial, and do not present a meaningful basis for a stable world view.

[Stan]

That's my point exactly. So, the bashing of America makes no sense.

I'm included in "America".

I still believe as a whole, nothing beats "America".

Anyone can pick out things they don't like about American official policy. But, if they are fair then they should also be able to find as many good things about American practice.

The written Constitution and the heart of the nation is about as good as it gets with a population of 250 million.

Heck, there's only 4 in my household and we can't even agree all the time.

[Yo_Yo]

I don't know about Stan, but my family and I are very patriotic. So everytime you people feel like sifting through the Us and picking out only negative crap gets me very rilled up. I honestly am near the point of fed up.

I don't understand how the CD people can sit there and lock a post when the people fight about the amounts of bread and whatnot but let a anti US flame war go on.

[formerly known as hf]

I've considered locking this, but, you have to realise that most of the 'American Bashing' is directed at the government - at the political policies, and the actions of US companies. That's where my annoyance lies - not with the American people - but the government, and the companies, and the people that run them in the unfair, exploitative and inhumane ways.

I do not intend any American reading this to think that I think they're crap just 'cos I think their government is. But, if you want to be so patriotic that you see complaints against your government as attacks on yourself. That's your choice. But that's certainly not what I intended, and the posts so far have been anti-US government/companies. Not anti-American people, as some of the posts have been from Americans themselves.

Now, if someone was to start saying 'all americans are fat, dumb mad christians who spend their spare time shooting each other and bombing innocents'... Well, that'd be pushing it - and also it;d be wrong (they're not all like that...)

[Yo_Yo]

You're just saying that because this is your thread. Nothing good can come out of this. You and I both know this. I doubt either side will persuede the other to thier point of view.

And you say that its my fault i'm too patriotic and see these as attacks on america as attacks on me? Honestly, think about it for a second. Every generation, a member of my family has been a part of the military. How am I suppose to feel when the blood of my family has been used to make this country as free and as good as it is today.

My family and my people have fought to hard for me to just allow you all to badmouth what we have all fought for. Lock it.

[Stan]

Hey, I'm not fat.

But, I still like donuts.