Americans...

[Frigidus]

RUSSIA

and im not joking

Yea, but that wasn't true a couple decades back. Most Russians hate us because they are frustrated that American does not have the power to make calculated foreign policy decisions. Anyway... go Garry Kasparov!!!

Anyone who plays chess (especially a chess god like Kasparov) is OK in my book. Hopefully Russia agrees.

[moomaster2000]

Uhh Boston is one of the most american towns. ur av?

[Carebian Knight]

Ok, to start, most people who say that they hate Americans don't know Americans. Now I'm going to guess, since you are Canadian, that you have had some contact with Americans, but apparently not enough. When most people watch news, or read about America, they are not seeing the vast majority of Americans who are: a.) fed up with the government in power, and/or b.) well-educated and know what they are talking about. Granted we to have a significant amount of idiots in this country, but what else could you expect in such a highly populated country. Not to mention, the south is a bit worse than the north as far as education goes (but maybe I'm biased).

Now I'm going to take a wild shot in the dark here and say that since you don't live in this country, you aren't quite up to date with politics here. So let me say this. If "liberals", (I'd rather use the term democrats because they are not all completely liberal) come into power, I can assure you that terrorists will not swarm into America. Terrorists exist because they are mad at America, its culture, and its policies. A few security checkpoints aren't going to stop them. And I believe that the Iraq war has clearly demonstrated that neither will war. In fact, war will have the opposite affect. Conservatives like the country to believe that they are strong on national security - but where else has their policies gotten us besides fear? Under what political group did 9/11 occur under? Republican. It is clear that the Republican way of controlling national security is not working, and furthermore, it is infringing upon basic human rights and freedoms.

As I stated above, terrorists are mad at America's culture and policies. With culture, neither party can really change that. As for policies, that can be changed, and with that change, there will hopefully be a change in the number of terrorist groups or organizations downward. I acknowledge that terrorists will always exist, but with a change in policy, one can hope the the dominance, presence and importance of terrorist organizations can be reduced.

In regards to the "most Americans don't care" part...unfortunately, that is generally true. Just look at our pathetic voter turnout rate.

Finally, no one is going to demand that you leave your country.

That's not really relevant, they had to be planning it before then, whether Kerry or Bush had taken office, 9/11 would have happened. Plus, look at all the suicide bombings under Clinton's administration, there was like 3 that I recall and there were probably more than that.

[radiojake]

Ok this is not pro-america or anything (I learned my lesson from the last america thread) but well let me just start off by saying WOO! HOO! we got a new usergroup...the American Dominaters!

But i was just wondering what countries or areas in the world like really hate us?

I know the Middle East, North Korea but is there any other parts in the world that really, really hate us?

You're an idiot...

[b.k. barunt]

QFT


Honibaz

[Balsiefen]

Ok this is not pro-america or anything (I learned my lesson from the last america thread) but well let me just start off by saying WOO! HOO! we got a new usergroup...the American Dominaters!

But i was just wondering what countries or areas in the world like really hate us?

I know the Middle East, North Korea but is there any other parts in the world that really, really hate us?

You're an idiot...

At least he got his answer...

[flashleg8]

Ok this is not pro-america or anything (I learned my lesson from the last america thread) but well let me just start off by saying WOO! HOO! we got a new usergroup...the American Dominaters!

But i was just wondering what countries or areas in the world like really hate us?

I know the Middle East, North Korea but is there any other parts in the world that really, really hate us?

Speaking for Britain (which I feel I have the authority to do ) The population is split between the Left who can't stand the particular brand of capitalism/consumerism present in the States, the average punter who laps up American culture (if that's not an oxymoron) and aspires to the "good life" as seen on TV, and the Right who respect the States financial and military might but who's conservatism (with a small c) cringes from their brashness.


Just to turn it round a bit - what countries of the world really really like the USA?

I can't think of many, though perhaps the States cultural imperialism amounst the youth of the world gives them a lot of prestege in certain sections of society.

[Guiscard]

As I stated above, terrorists are mad at America's culture and policies. With culture, neither party can really change that.

They don't hate your Culture, they hate you imposing it upon them against their will.

[Napoleon Ier]

poor terrorists : having nasty americans forcing them to do all sorts of things their "culture" tells them not to...
When was the last time the US invaded a country to change its culture?
I dont see how Iraq or Afghanistan are suddenly becoming the 51st and 2nd states of AMerica. You can say a lot of things are at cause for causing US ME policy, but I certainly dont think they are spreading culture. There is the danger that raw globalisation can cause threat to national identity, but I hardly think that is a primary motivation behind terrorists.
As for the stat's cultural imperialism amongst youth in certain countries, I like the point, being an interesting one. Raw capitalism has indeed infiltrated some youth, but not with them conciously welcoming it or desiring it. It simply is an unfortunate by-product that has resulted from a general degradation of society, evident in Europe especially but to a great extent in the US also. Everyone in the West is in a state of dissaray and has no roots and culture he is proud of. The average individual of our society likes to talk about freedom and so forth, but in reality, has the warped view of it the islamo-lefitist dhimmi medias give him of it, and is too weak, too pathetic, to pampered, to plain ignorant, to realise how precarious his position is and quite what true values are. I frankly dont see Europe winning the war against Islam, much less accepting it will need to fight it, with the half-men we have at our dispoçsal.

[Kal]

Canadia reporting here.

Please ignore that other dude from up here. He seems to pretend to know what's going on. See, at least I admit that I don't know anything about politics. At least I'd be percieved as a dumbass rather than an ignorant smartass.

Anyways, I'll do a summary of everything I've read up to this page. I think that the 9/11 incident would have happened under any government. It wasn't a spurt of the moment "Hey guys, wanna blow up some buildings tomorrow?!"

As for Canada-U.S. relationships, Canada exports a large amount of natural resources to the States, so I think if that were to end, we'd both be screwed over... Well, maybe not so much Canada, but the states kinda need us (whether you want to admit it or not ^^)

Anyways, I was watching "Talking to Americans" and "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" the other day, and on Fifth Grader, it asked some Lady "What Northern country shares a border with the United States of America?" She used peek, and looked at the kid's answer. "Canada, yeah, I was thinking that but I wasn't sure!" You could tell she was BSing.

Anyways, my friend is convinced that all of the US are stupid idiots. I swear that the producers purposely choose the dumbest people in the country for that show, because it's impossible that the majority of the people from the States are all that dimwitted.

He was also like "YA, our dollar is higher now! WOOO" like that means anything to him. I asked him if he realized the detrimental and beneficial effects of having a higher dollar and he was like "uhmmm... WOO, STOOPID 'Mericans!"

He also pointed out the forever rising horrible obesity rate in the U.S. But I told him that we're not that far behind.

When it comes down to it, most Canadians are just as ignorant, undereducated, and overweight as any "American" can be. Seriously, it's pathetic. Most of my friends think they're smarter than Dumb Americans, but by thinking that they prove themselves wrong.

The difference, other than our Health program, some gun laws, etc, isn't much. But if you ask what what defines "Being Canadian" a few people I know (including my moronic brother) will say "We're NOT Americans!"

Wow, a REAL national identity. Not being something else. It's actually quite sad. I guarantee you that people from the states would define being American as something, rather than NOT being something.

Our dollar is close now, and we're basically governed almost as one Nation (people will argue this, for sure). We might as well merge and become one country: Canamerica (Willing to accept better names)

Crap, I watched Mad TV for a moment and forgot what I was going to say. Ohh well, I'm sure I was pretty much finished.

[Guiscard]

poor terrorists : having nasty americans forcing them to do all sorts of things their "culture" tells them not to...
When was the last time the US invaded a country to change its culture?
I dont see how Iraq or Afghanistan are suddenly becoming the 51st and 2nd states of AMerica. You can say a lot of things are at cause for causing US ME policy, but I certainly dont think they are spreading culture. There is the danger that raw globalisation can cause threat to national identity, but I hardly think that is a primary motivation behind terrorists.
As for the stat's cultural imperialism amongst youth in certain countries, I like the point, being an interesting one. Raw capitalism has indeed infiltrated some youth, but not with them conciously welcoming it or desiring it. It simply is an unfortunate by-product that has resulted from a general degradation of society, evident in Europe especially but to a great extent in the US also. Everyone in the West is in a state of dissaray and has no roots and culture he is proud of. The average individual of our society likes to talk about freedom and so forth, but in reality, has the warped view of it the islamo-lefitist dhimmi medias give him of it, and is too weak, too pathetic, to pampered, to plain ignorant, to realise how precarious his position is and quite what true values are. I frankly dont see Europe winning the war against Islam, much less accepting it will need to fight it, with the half-men we have at our dispoçsal.

Did I say I thought that it was a reality? No. Don't put words in my mouth.

And have you stopped to actually think that, in line with most of the pre-9/11 Al Queda statements, it was America's interference in and support for a warmongering Israel which provoked the most vehement Islamic opposition... Not a fucking Starbucks in Baghdad.

[Neoteny]

poor terrorists : having nasty americans forcing them to do all sorts of things their "culture" tells them not to...
When was the last time the US invaded a country to change its culture?
I dont see how Iraq or Afghanistan are suddenly becoming the 51st and 2nd states of AMerica. You can say a lot of things are at cause for causing US ME policy, but I certainly dont think they are spreading culture. There is the danger that raw globalisation can cause threat to national identity, but I hardly think that is a primary motivation behind terrorists.
As for the stat's cultural imperialism amongst youth in certain countries, I like the point, being an interesting one. Raw capitalism has indeed infiltrated some youth, but not with them conciously welcoming it or desiring it. It simply is an unfortunate by-product that has resulted from a general degradation of society, evident in Europe especially but to a great extent in the US also. Everyone in the West is in a state of dissaray and has no roots and culture he is proud of. The average individual of our society likes to talk about freedom and so forth, but in reality, has the warped view of it the islamo-lefitist dhimmi medias give him of it, and is too weak, too pathetic, to pampered, to plain ignorant, to realise how precarious his position is and quite what true values are. I frankly dont see Europe winning the war against Islam, much less accepting it will need to fight it, with the half-men we have at our dispoçsal.

One word... damn.

Here's my two cents (losing value as I type... did you know people actually vote Republican because of their "money management skills?")as an American:

9/11 did not happen in response to us forcing our culture on terrorists (I'll use the generic term). Jihad is part of their religion. Plain and simple. Part of the reason this war is a disaster is because we are, to an extent, forcing our culture on the Iraqis. In scholarly circles, it is highly debated as to whether the Muslim religion can coincide with democracy. So far, it's not looking good.

I'll be the first to admit that American culture is going to shit. Current politics have strayed so far from where the founding fathers of the country intended that we are barely recognizable as the great United States of America that arose after the Revolutionary War (no offense to my British friends). However, I disagree with the idea of imperialism on the part of the youth's of America. General attitudes of 16-25 year-olds that I have encountered (south Georgia = conservative) are that we don't want anything to do with foreign countries. "We should leave Iraq as a blackened hole in the Middle East." There is a general dislike of Europeans and one of the worst ways they can think of insulting someone is to call them French (Canadians are also typically lumped in with the French). There are a few of us who see coexistance with other countries as a good thing, but we are apparently in the minority.

The sad thing is, no one has proposed any realistic ideas on how to change the country or what to do in Iraq. Yes, we should get out of Iraq; no, we should not leave them out to dry. So what the f*ck do we do? Ask Europe to help? The whole idea of leaving the US to clean up our own mess is like leaving George Bush (or another small child) to clean up a broken glass... he might hurt himself. We fucked up, yes, but the pessimistic, pretentious bitching and moaning that other countries are currently taking part in are not helping matters. All parties need to suck it up, grow some fucking balls (or if you are female, some other secondary sexual characteristic; i hate sounding chauvinistic) and work together to find a solution. If we don't, then we'll all be bitching and moaning about each other until we die, which, if Islam keeps heading the direction it has been, might be sooner than we think.

And why the hell are gas prices still rising?

[Guiscard]

9/11 did not happen in response to us forcing our culture on terrorists (I'll use the generic term). Jihad is part of their religion. Plain and simple. Part of the reason this war is a disaster is because we are, to an extent, forcing our culture on the Iraqis. In scholarly circles, it is highly debated as to whether the Muslim religion can coincide with democracy. So far, it's not looking good.

Jihad, as a concept, is both not a necessity of Islam nor a necessarily violent undertaking. As part of my studies I've spent a fair amount of time researching the development of Jihad, which occurred during the Crusades, and I can tell you that it is no different to any other religious violence. Religious verse can be used to justify violent undertakings, or interpreted entirely differently. No different to the Old Testement. The concept of Holy War developed as a specific response to OUR Holy War - that of the Crusades! In an effort to encourage a united and resistant Islam in the near east leaders encouraged aggressive interpretations of religious texts and ideas. It is anything BUT plain and simple. If the televangelists began to tell the Christian population of the US that it was OK to re-introduce slavery, and quoted verses from the Bible that seem to support that view, would that mean slavery was inherent in Christianity? No. Its just interpretation. And interpretation out of context at that. Christians would say 'but those Old Testement references were meant for a tribal Hebrew society, not the context of modern America.' Again, Islam is no different.

As for the compatibility of Islam and democracy, well it certainly is a field of intense debate (much of it useless). But why SHOULD they be forced to be democratic? I'm afraid one of the mantras of US foreign policy centres around sovereignty. If the citizens of Islamic states WANT democracy then their damn well going to get it. It tends to happen like that (see the fall of Communism as an example). But if their religion isn't compatible with democracy and the citizens of that state agree then who are we to impose it?

[Neoteny]

9/11 did not happen in response to us forcing our culture on terrorists (I'll use the generic term). Jihad is part of their religion. Plain and simple. Part of the reason this war is a disaster is because we are, to an extent, forcing our culture on the Iraqis. In scholarly circles, it is highly debated as to whether the Muslim religion can coincide with democracy. So far, it's not looking good.

Jihad, as a concept, is both not a necessity of Islam nor a necessarily violent undertaking. As part of my studies I've spent a fair amount of time researching the development of Jihad, which occurred during the Crusades, and I can tell you that it is no different to any other religious violence. Religious verse can be used to justify violent undertakings, or interpreted entirely differently. No different to the Old Testement. The concept of Holy War developed as a specific response to OUR Holy War - that of the Crusades! In an effort to encourage a united and resistant Islam in the near east leaders encouraged aggressive interpretations of religious texts and ideas. It is anything BUT plain and simple. If the televangelists began to tell the Christian population of the US that it was OK to re-introduce slavery, and quoted verses from the Bible that seem to support that view, would that mean slavery was inherent in Christianity? No. Its just interpretation. And interpretation out of context at that. Christians would say 'but those Old Testement references were meant for a tribal Hebrew society, not the context of modern America.' Again, Islam is no different.

As for the compatibility of Islam and democracy, well it certainly is a field of intense debate (much of it useless). But why SHOULD they be forced to be democratic? I'm afraid one of the mantras of US foreign policy centres around sovereignty. If the citizens of Islamic states WANT democracy then their damn well going to get it. It tends to happen like that (see the fall of Communism as an example). But if their religion isn't compatible with democracy and the citizens of that state agree then who are we to impose it?

I'm not saying they should be a democracy, I was just indicating that there was some culture-forcing going on there.

While jihad (I should have italicized the first time) is by no means a necessity, there is no greater reward in the religion than those for jihad. And Mohammed in the Qur'an (at least later, he wasn't as bad earlier) is quite specific about the spreading of Islam via the sword, and how infidels should be treated. Additionally, throughout Islamic literary history, many Islamic leaders and philosophers have reinforced the importance of jihad in the religion as a means of spreading it, not just for defence. Is it required, no; is it highly regarded, yes; is it widely admired, yes; does it contribute to my extreme distaste for religion, definitely.

Why do you say it is not necessarily violent?

And remember who you're talking to. Using Christianity as a balance for other beliefs does not work on atheists like me. Christian violence is just as stupid as Islamic violence, and equally pointless. Additionally, most people don't, as much as they might think they do, take the Bible as the literal truth anymore. A lot of people take it figuratively. In Islam, the Qur'an is the word of god. Saying it is not is blasphemy, and this crime is still punished.

[got tonkaed]

And have you stopped to actually think that, in line with most of the pre-9/11 Al Queda statements, it was America's interference in and support for a warmongering Israel which provoked the most vehement Islamic opposition... Not a fucking Starbucks in Baghdad.

As for the compatibility of Islam and democracy, well it certainly is a field of intense debate (much of it useless). But why SHOULD they be forced to be democratic? I'm afraid one of the mantras of US foreign policy centres around sovereignty. If the citizens of Islamic states WANT democracy then their damn well going to get it. It tends to happen like that (see the fall of Communism as an example). But if their religion isn't compatible with democracy and the citizens of that state agree then who are we to impose it?

if we want to start taking some more reasonable steps toward foreign policy dealing with islamic fundamentalists, we need to realize much of wisdom from the first statement. Yes, there are many out there who dont like the lifestyle they are told comes from the west (even though its something of an ideal type). However, this is not nearly the main motivation or selling point for anyone who joins the groups who combat western influence. In nearly every bin laden tape, bin laden makes the same assertions against American militiary policy, and makes little to no mention of american culture. If anything American culture arguments are made in order to make the pill a little easier to swallow...much like we make out some of the enemies we have as crusading against our way of life, to make taking action seem more reasonable. Its the military policy they are sick of....and you can debately at length whether or not we have viability in changing some of the policy. However....you cant do this until you actually look at the real issues at hand.

Now im not against a little hypocrisy, i do it myself all the time. But the notion that we support democracy as a country, when we have repeatedly tried to reverse or change the outcomes of democratically held elections throughout the world is getting a little humorous if anything. We have such a limited conception of what democracy is supposed to produce that we seem shocked that anyone could want it any other way. Frankly, not everyone shares the same cultural history of some of the western nations, and they do not see government the same way. To assume that their elections will give the same results as ours, is a bit silly. We should...if we want to be honest at least....actually start demanding a certain type of outcome for democratic elections....or we should let them have their elections and be satistfied with whatever result occurs. Now out of those two actions theres the practical choice we take and teh idealistic choice we claim to take, im sure all of you are smart enough to know which is which.

[Neoteny]

^ Well said.

[Gregrios]

Ok this is not pro-america or anything (I learned my lesson from the last america thread) but well let me just start off by saying WOO! HOO! we got a new usergroup...the American Dominaters!

But i was just wondering what countries or areas in the world like really hate us?

I know the Middle East, North Korea but is there any other parts in the world that really, really hate us?

I think the love from our northern neihbers are deminishing.

[Napoleon Ier]

9/11 did not happen in response to us forcing our culture on terrorists (I'll use the generic term). Jihad is part of their religion. Plain and simple. Part of the reason this war is a disaster is because we are, to an extent, forcing our culture on the Iraqis. In scholarly circles, it is highly debated as to whether the Muslim religion can coincide with democracy. So far, it's not looking good.

Jihad, as a concept, is both not a necessity of Islam nor a necessarily violent undertaking. As part of my studies I've spent a fair amount of time researching the development of Jihad, which occurred during the Crusades, and I can tell you that it is no different to any other religious violence. Religious verse can be used to justify violent undertakings, or interpreted entirely differently. No different to the Old Testement. The concept of Holy War developed as a specific response to OUR Holy War - that of the Crusades! In an effort to encourage a united and resistant Islam in the near east leaders encouraged aggressive interpretations of religious texts and ideas. It is anything BUT plain and simple. If the televangelists began to tell the Christian population of the US that it was OK to re-introduce slavery, and quoted verses from the Bible that seem to support that view, would that mean slavery was inherent in Christianity? No. Its just interpretation. And interpretation out of context at that. Christians would say 'but those Old Testement references were meant for a tribal Hebrew society, not the context of modern America.' Again, Islam is no different.

As for the compatibility of Islam and democracy, well it certainly is a field of intense debate (much of it useless). But why SHOULD they be forced to be democratic? I'm afraid one of the mantras of US foreign policy centres around sovereignty. If the citizens of Islamic states WANT democracy then their damn well going to get it. It tends to happen like that (see the fall of Communism as an example). But if their religion isn't compatible with democracy and the citizens of that state agree then who are we to impose it?

Well I'll agree that the lines between a religion and its interpretation are blurred, but let's say, as an extreme example, Pagano-nazism, clearly it is not an acceptable religion. And in all honesty, having read te Qu'uran (albeit in french not the original), and understanding Islam's incompatibility with temporal/spiritual divide and its nature as moving necessarily to a societally theocratic one, it is comparable to a very brutal, barbaric, and generally loathsome ideal.

[Carebian Knight]

Canadia reporting here.

Please ignore that other dude from up here. He seems to pretend to know what's going on. See, at least I admit that I don't know anything about politics. At least I'd be percieved as a dumbass rather than an ignorant smartass.

Anyways, I'll do a summary of everything I've read up to this page. I think that the 9/11 incident would have happened under any government. It wasn't a spurt of the moment "Hey guys, wanna blow up some buildings tomorrow?!"

As for Canada-U.S. relationships, Canada exports a large amount of natural resources to the States, so I think if that were to end, we'd both be screwed over... Well, maybe not so much Canada, but the states kinda need us (whether you want to admit it or not ^^)

Anyways, I was watching "Talking to Americans" and "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" the other day, and on Fifth Grader, it asked some Lady "What Northern country shares a border with the United States of America?" She used peek, and looked at the kid's answer. "Canada, yeah, I was thinking that but I wasn't sure!" You could tell she was BSing.

Anyways, my friend is convinced that all of the US are stupid idiots. I swear that the producers purposely choose the dumbest people in the country for that show, because it's impossible that the majority of the people from the States are all that dimwitted.

He was also like "YA, our dollar is higher now! WOOO" like that means anything to him. I asked him if he realized the detrimental and beneficial effects of having a higher dollar and he was like "uhmmm... WOO, STOOPID 'Mericans!"

He also pointed out the forever rising horrible obesity rate in the U.S. But I told him that we're not that far behind.

When it comes down to it, most Canadians are just as ignorant, undereducated, and overweight as any "American" can be. Seriously, it's pathetic. Most of my friends think they're smarter than Dumb Americans, but by thinking that they prove themselves wrong.

The difference, other than our Health program, some gun laws, etc, isn't much. But if you ask what what defines "Being Canadian" a few people I know (including my moronic brother) will say "We're NOT Americans!"

Wow, a REAL national identity. Not being something else. It's actually quite sad. I guarantee you that people from the states would define being American as something, rather than NOT being something.

Our dollar is close now, and we're basically governed almost as one Nation (people will argue this, for sure). We might as well merge and become one country: Canamerica (Willing to accept better names)

Crap, I watched Mad TV for a moment and forgot what I was going to say. Ohh well, I'm sure I was pretty much finished.

What about Amanada?

Ok seriously now:

Just to turn it round a bit - what countries of the world really really like the USA?

The Northern third or so of Iraq admires us, don't know how many of you knew that. While the majority is in civil war, the northern part is doing all it can to help America in Iraq, there was even talk about them forming a new country because Iraq wasn't progressing, but I don't think it was true.

We aren't forcing culture on anyone, we may be somewhat forcing a government, but that doesn't mean changing culture. We aren't forcing them to dress a certain way, we aren't telling them what god to worship. We aren't forcing a culture on them.

[Guiscard]

The Northern third or so of Iraq admires us, don't know how many of you knew that. While the majority is in civil war, the northern part is doing all it can to help America in Iraq, there was even talk about them forming a new country because Iraq wasn't progressing, but I don't think it was true.

We aren't forcing culture on anyone, we may be somewhat forcing a government, but that doesn't mean changing culture. We aren't forcing them to dress a certain way, we aren't telling them what god to worship. We aren't forcing a culture on them.

If you mean the Kurds? Like is perhaps the wrong word... Doing whatever the f*ck they can to get the independence they had no chance of under Saddam? Maybe... Don't kid yourself. They're a different people to those in the centre and the south, and there are Kurds in Turkey and Iran as well. Surely most people who are genuinely aware of whats going on in Iraq know the situation regarding the Kurds...

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdish_people

And secondly, Yes. You are. Its called Liberal Democracy Promotion.

[Neoteny]

9/11 did not happen in response to us forcing our culture on terrorists (I'll use the generic term). Jihad is part of their religion. Plain and simple. Part of the reason this war is a disaster is because we are, to an extent, forcing our culture on the Iraqis. In scholarly circles, it is highly debated as to whether the Muslim religion can coincide with democracy. So far, it's not looking good.

Jihad, as a concept, is both not a necessity of Islam nor a necessarily violent undertaking. As part of my studies I've spent a fair amount of time researching the development of Jihad, which occurred during the Crusades, and I can tell you that it is no different to any other religious violence. Religious verse can be used to justify violent undertakings, or interpreted entirely differently. No different to the Old Testement. The concept of Holy War developed as a specific response to OUR Holy War - that of the Crusades! In an effort to encourage a united and resistant Islam in the near east leaders encouraged aggressive interpretations of religious texts and ideas. It is anything BUT plain and simple. If the televangelists began to tell the Christian population of the US that it was OK to re-introduce slavery, and quoted verses from the Bible that seem to support that view, would that mean slavery was inherent in Christianity? No. Its just interpretation. And interpretation out of context at that. Christians would say 'but those Old Testement references were meant for a tribal Hebrew society, not the context of modern America.' Again, Islam is no different.

As for the compatibility of Islam and democracy, well it certainly is a field of intense debate (much of it useless). But why SHOULD they be forced to be democratic? I'm afraid one of the mantras of US foreign policy centres around sovereignty. If the citizens of Islamic states WANT democracy then their damn well going to get it. It tends to happen like that (see the fall of Communism as an example). But if their religion isn't compatible with democracy and the citizens of that state agree then who are we to impose it?

Well I'll agree that the lines between a religion and its interpretation are blurred, but let's say, as an extreme example, Pagano-nazism, clearly it is not an acceptable religion. And in all honesty, having read te Qu'uran (albeit in french not the original), and understanding Islam's incompatibility with temporal/spiritual divide and its nature as moving necessarily to a societally theocratic one, it is comparable to a very brutal, barbaric, and generally loathsome ideal.

^Bingo.

[ritz627]

Ok, to start, most people who say that they hate Americans don't know Americans. Now I'm going to guess, since you are Canadian, that you have had some contact with Americans, but apparently not enough. When most people watch news, or read about America, they are not seeing the vast majority of Americans who are: a.) fed up with the government in power, and/or b.) well-educated and know what they are talking about. Granted we to have a significant amount of idiots in this country, but what else could you expect in such a highly populated country. Not to mention, the south is a bit worse than the north as far as education goes (but maybe I'm biased).

Now I'm going to take a wild shot in the dark here and say that since you don't live in this country, you aren't quite up to date with politics here. So let me say this. If "liberals", (I'd rather use the term democrats because they are not all completely liberal) come into power, I can assure you that terrorists will not swarm into America. Terrorists exist because they are mad at America, its culture, and its policies. A few security checkpoints aren't going to stop them. And I believe that the Iraq war has clearly demonstrated that neither will war. In fact, war will have the opposite affect. Conservatives like the country to believe that they are strong on national security - but where else has their policies gotten us besides fear? Under what political group did 9/11 occur under? Republican. It is clear that the Republican way of controlling national security is not working, and furthermore, it is infringing upon basic human rights and freedoms.

As I stated above, terrorists are mad at America's culture and policies. With culture, neither party can really change that. As for policies, that can be changed, and with that change, there will hopefully be a change in the number of terrorist groups or organizations downward. I acknowledge that terrorists will always exist, but with a change in policy, one can hope the the dominance, presence and importance of terrorist organizations can be reduced.

In regards to the "most Americans don't care" part...unfortunately, that is generally true. Just look at our pathetic voter turnout rate.

Finally, no one is going to demand that you leave your country.

That's not really relevant, they had to be planning it before then, whether Kerry or Bush had taken office, 9/11 would have happened.

That is exactly my point. And you mean Gore or Bush. The people of America see Republicans as protectors of national security, and they really aren't any better at it than people think democrats are.

[Simonov]

...

















exactly!

[ritz627]

As I stated above, terrorists are mad at America's culture and policies. With culture, neither party can really change that.

They don't hate your Culture, they hate you imposing it upon them against their will.

That too. Although I think its a combination of both. And I try to separate myself from what America is doing in that regard. I have always been against what we are doing in the middle east and I always will be. I agree though that the whole culture being forced down their throats is a by-product of the war thing. Just another reason why the war isn't helping stop terrorists.

[ps3]

Ok this is not pro-america or anything (I learned my lesson from the last america thread) but well let me just start off by saying WOO! HOO! we got a new usergroup...the American Dominaters!

But i was just wondering what countries or areas in the world like really hate us?

I know the Middle East, North Korea but is there any other parts in the world that really, really hate us?

EDIT: This really was to advertise the American Dominaters and to start a conversation piece cause i was bored. thanks all that said i was an idiot

Canada oh and Iraq they hate everyone