Anti-Americanism and why, page 1

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Topic started on 11-8-2012 @ 01:28 PM by sonnny1

What is Anti-Americanism?

The term anti-Americanism, or anti-American sentiment, refers to opposition or hostility to the policies, culture, economics or international role of the United States. Common contemporary negative stereotypes of Americans include that Americans are: aggressive, arrogant, ignorant, imperialistic, know-it-alls, loudmouthed, militaristic, obsessed with making money rather than making friends, too moralistic, obnoxious, and that many Americans are overweight.

[German newspaper publisher and political scientist Josef Joffe suggests five classic aspects of the phenomenon: reducing Americans to stereotypes, believing the United States to have an irremediably evil nature, ascribing to the U.S. establishment a vast conspiratorial power aimed at utterly dominating the globe, holding the United States responsible for all the evils in the world, and seeking to limit the influence of the United States by destroying it or by cutting oneself and one's society off from its polluting products and practices. Other advocates of the significance of the term argue that anti-Americanism represents a coherent and dangerous ideological current, comparable to anti-Semitism. Anti-Americanism has also been described as an attempt to frame the consequences of U.S. policy choices as evidence of a specifically American moral failure, as opposed to what may be unavoidable failures of a complicated foreign policy that comes with superpower status

Anti-Americanism

Starting as far back as the 18th and 19th century's, those who planted their homes, in America, have been thought of as inferior. America could not produce "culture", could not become a "refined" Country. As I see it now, Nothing has changed with time. It has gone into a high fevered pitch.

Fascism's claim in World War 2, is still alive as well, even today.

Hitler himself claimed:

"He [Roosevelt] was strengthened in this [political diversion] by the circle of Jews surrounding him, who, with Old Testament-like fanaticism, believe that the United States can be the instrument for preparing another Purim for the European nations that are becoming increasingly anti-Semitic. It was the Jew, in his full Satanic vileness, who rallied around this man [Roosevelt], but to whom this man also reached out"

Fast forward, 2012.

The Blame Game

For Years now,anti- Americanism has served as a means of last resort by which failed political systems and movements in the Middle East try to improve their standing.The United States is blamed for much that is bad in the Arab World, and it is used as an excuse for political and social oppression and economic stagnation. By assigning responsibility for their own shortcomings to Washington, Arab leaders distract their subjects' attention from internal weakness that are their real problems And thus rather then pushing for greater privatization, equality for woman, democracy, civil society, freedom of speech, due process of law, or other similar developments sorely needed in the Arab World, the public focuses instead of hating the United States.

The real root of Arab Anti-Americanism

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:28 PM by sonnny1

The purpose of this thread is not to inflame. The purpose is for everyone who has something negative to say about the United States, to take a step back, and realize that those who live in the United States, are average, hard working, and want Peace. Criticism and blame, and blind Hatred has NEVER stopped the United States, and NEVER will.

Where do you stand ATS ? Have you played a part in it?

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:30 PM by babybunnies

Originally posted by sonnny1

The purpose of this thread is not to inflame. The purpose is for everyone who has something negative to say about the United States, to take a step back, and realize that those who live in the United States, are average, hard working, and want Peace. Criticism and blame, and blind Hatred has NEVER stopped the United States, and NEVER will.

Where do you stand ATS ? Have you played a part in it?

People in the United States want PEACE? Huh? Try running for office and telling the average American that you'll be cutting the laughingly called "defense department" budget by 50% (which will still keep it larger than the top 10 spenders combined) and see what sort of reaction you'll get.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:33 PM by 1/2 Nephilim

We were tricked! Until the internet came along what reason did we have to believe the flow of credit would ever end for the US? I think the US should witness 1st hand what its like to live in a 2nd/3rd world country for awhile just to get a dose of what the majority of the rest of the world experiences day to day. We are the modern Rome, just too conditioned now to fully embrace our vicariousness.

edit on 11-8-2012 by 1/2 Nephilim because: (no reason given)

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:37 PM by trysts

reply to post by sonnny1

Ummm...what about the fact that the U.S. government keeps murdering people by the millions around the world? Some of us are upset about that....

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:37 PM by neo96

that you'll be cutting the laughingly called "defense department" budget by 50% (which will still keep it larger than the top 10 spenders combined) and see what sort of reaction you'll get.

And the US currently spends 2.6 trillion dollars on entitlement double that of defense and then the US spend more that other countries out there for Education,foreign aid such as food and medicine and other relief out there to those same people who just love to vilify the us.

But really America is evil and yet the most bloody regimes out there the world has ever known get a free pass oh say like Hitler,Mao,Stalin,Pol Pot etc.

And then agian during the past 60 years Canada,and European countries have been right there along side the US as well as most middle eastern countries.

But hey since people missed the point of the op take a step about and think for once but I guess that is too much to ask.

What is the difference between the anti americanism on this site and some ME protests burning effigies and chanting death to America?

Haven't seen any.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:41 PM by billy197300

For Years now,anti- Americanism has served as a means of last resort by which failed political systems and movements in the Middle East try to improve their standing.The United States is blamed for much that is bad in the Arab World, and it is used as an excuse for political and social oppression and economic stagnation. By assigning responsibility for their own shortcomings to Washington, Arab leaders distract their subjects' attention from internal weakness that are their real problems And thus rather then pushing for greater privatization, equality for woman, democracy, civil society, freedom of speech, due process of law, or other similar developments sorely needed in the Arab World, the public focuses instead of hating the United States.

The Middle East was screwed up WAY before there even was a US. They just use us as an excuse for their problems now........how convenient.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:41 PM by sonnny1

Originally posted by trysts
reply to post by sonnny1

Ummm...what about the fact that the U.S. government keeps murdering people by the millions around the world? Some of us are upset about that....

The term anti-Americanism, or anti-American sentiment, refers to opposition or hostility to the policies, culture, economics or international role of the United States. Common contemporary negative stereotypes of Americans include that Americans are: aggressive, arrogant, ignorant, imperialistic, know-it-alls, loudmouthed, militaristic, obsessed with making money rather than making friends, too moralistic, obnoxious, and that many Americans are overweight.

Is it suffice to say, you have played a part in the definition?

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:43 PM by seabag

reply to post by babybunnies

S&F OP!

People in the United States want PEACE? Huh? Try running for office and telling the average American that you'll be cutting the laughingly called "defense department" budget by 50% (which will still keep it larger than the top 10 spenders combined) and see what sort of reaction you'll get.

Defense spending is just that – it’s for defense! Has it been misused? YOU BET it has; every power granted to our federal government has been used and abused! That doesn’t diminish the truth spoken by the OP. American’s want peace! It is those who have usurped power from the people and highjacked our country that have instigated and justified conflicts abroad.

Anti-Americanism is pointing a finger at every American rather than the real culprits. This is no different than if I criticize or cast blame upon the people of Iran for the actions of Khamenei and Ahmadinejad.

Figure out who is to blame and point your finger in the right direction. Is that too much to ask??

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:44 PM by beezzer

reply to post by sonnny1

America is a country of mutts. It is a blend of work ethics, a blend of cultures, a blend of attitudes that has culmonated into a desire and respect for freedom.

Those who espouse an anti-american attitude are being played by the attitudes and forces that are the antithesis of freedom.

Also it is hip and trendy and "chic" to hate America.

"Look at me!" "I bad mouthed America!"

Once upon a time, I wrote that America is the nosy neighbor on the block.
America is into everyones business.
America knows all the gossip.
If a neighbor is in trouble, America is the first one there to help.
Even if help wasn't asked for.
America's lawn needs work.
There are people hungry in America's house.
Sometimes we pay more attention to those other houses than our own.

It's because America is always looking outwards and upwards.

We are the eternal optimists. Annoying as hell sometimes, but a great friend when you need one.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:44 PM by neo96

reply to post by billy197300

The Middle East was screwed up WAY before there even was a US. They just use us as an excuse for their problems now........how convenient.

Yeah it has been some of them who created the mess in the first place like England,and France and the those EU countries and Canada and other countries in the world who outsourced their national security just sitting back and let the US deal with it and then cry when we do.

The stink of all the anti americanism on this site is those people apparently don't know their own history who have had the most bloody "empires" of world history.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:44 PM by sonnny1

Originally posted by billy197300

The Middle East was screwed up WAY before there even was a US. They just use us as an excuse for their problems now........how convenient.

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly. But the United States has stuck its nose in other Country's business. We cant say it hasn't. Failed policy's exist, in every country around the World. We just don't see the Negativity, of the China's, and Iran's and Russia's, so prominently displayed. Its EASIER to blame America.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:51 PM by redbarron626

After reading through links provided,

The conclusion I gathered about anti-Americanism is this:

However, most of these countries mainly objected to foreign policies that they considered unfair.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:52 PM by TDawgRex

Originally posted by trysts
reply to post by sonnny1

Ummm...what about the fact that the U.S. government keeps murdering people by the millions around the world? Some of us are upset about that....

Hundreds...not millions.

And there are others who are more involved in those deaths, not just the USG.

Think...outside...the box.

Please!

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:53 PM by sonnny1

Originally posted by redbarron626
After reading through links provided,

The conclusion I gathered about anti-Americanism is this:

However, most of these countries mainly objected to foreign policies that they considered unfair.

Ah, that's Country's.

But we are also talking about individuals also.......

And the definition is not just about foreign policies.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:55 PM by trysts

Originally posted by sonnny1

Originally posted by trysts
reply to post by sonnny1

Ummm...what about the fact that the U.S. government keeps murdering people by the millions around the world? Some of us are upset about that....

The term anti-Americanism, or anti-American sentiment, refers to opposition or hostility to the policies, culture, economics or international role of the United States. Common contemporary negative stereotypes of Americans include that Americans are: aggressive, arrogant, ignorant, imperialistic, know-it-alls, loudmouthed, militaristic, obsessed with making money rather than making friends, too moralistic, obnoxious, and that many Americans are overweight.

Is it suffice to say, you have played a part in the definition?

No, you're actually missing the part where the U.S. government/military has murdered millions of people around the world, and actually plan to murder many more. You'll never be accused of being "too moralistic" if you don't understand how horrible murder, torture, rape, etc., is on a massive, continuous scale. In my view, there is something terribly wrong with someone who defends, in any way, what this government is doing to people around the world.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 01:57 PM by binkman

US Americans always act like victims, as if the big bad world has just turned on them for no reason despite what they believe is continued acts of sheer benevolence. It´s sad for a number of reasons. Sad because you are so brainwashed to believe you are as good as you think you are, sad because you probably wont put in the time to research the many, many awful things that your country has done on order to find out why you are unpopular, and sad because this topic can never, ever be discussed without mudslinging.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 02:00 PM by sonnny1

Originally posted by trysts

No, you're actually missing the part where the U.S. government/military has murdered millions of people around the world, and actually plan to murder many more. You'll never be accused of being "too moralistic" if you don't understand how horrible murder, torture, rape, etc., is on a massive, continuous scale. In my view, there is something terribly wrong with someone who defends, in any way, what this government is doing to people around the world.

Again, is The United States the ONLY Country, involved in other countries internal struggles? Do we give the Hitlers, the Stalins, the Pol Pots of the Worlds, a free break, on Genocide, because the United States is an easier target? Have we forgotten the atrocities of China, and Russia, and Syria and Iran ?

Please, look at the definition, and outside the Box.

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 02:05 PM by beezzer

Originally posted by binkman
US Americans always act like victims, as if the big bad world has just turned on them for no reason despite what they believe is continued acts of sheer benevolence. It´s sad for a number of reasons. Sad because you are so brainwashed to believe you are as good as you think you are, sad because you probably wont put in the time to research the many, many awful things that your country has done on order to find out why you are unpopular, and sad because this topic can never, ever be discussed without mudslinging.

This is coming from an individual that wishes that China would nuke America to dust.

Mud-slinging?

reply posted on 11-8-2012 @ 02:05 PM by binkman