Falkomagno wrote:Now, the inhabitants of USA, if a generalization is ānecessaryā , have been characterized as a herd tending to the self indulgency, ignorance, and close eyes regarding the rest world.
Yes, but interestingly, the USA is accused of each of those at different times, depending on its present policy. for example, its initial refusal to enter WWII was self-indulgent, ignorant, and close eyes. Its entry into Korea and Vietnam were hardly self-indulgent, but could be considered ignorant... either way, it certainly wasn't close eyes. Entry into Afghanistan was similarly not self-indulgent or close-eyes, but could be ignorant. Entry into Middle East affairs (current and prior conflicts) were self indulgent to the extent that they were primarily intended to protect U.S. oil interests, but only close eyes if you disliked the effect on "innocent" people in the Middle East - which often depends on your own political or social leanings. For example, refusal to assist Israel is viewed one way, refusal to assist Gaza viewed another way, bombing Pakistan to get at probable terrorists viewed another way. And going back further and to a different part of the world, the US built the Panama Canal for its own interests; later, the political climate 'required' us to deed it back to Panama. Fair? Unfair? Smart? Depends on individual, political, and social perspectives.
Here's another example... we're "detested" for not wanting illegal immigrants (well, some of us don't) or for not just throwing open our borders to those who feel they want or need what the US has. Meanwhile, places like the Netherlands Antilles are even more selective about who is allowed in (Bon Aire, for example... you can only stay there 90 days in a year, unless you apply for permanency, which you can only get after a ton of paperwork, forking over a bond, proof of adequate health insurance and income to support yourself for at least 12 months.) I don't hear "latinos" griping about the Netherlands Antilles.. why? Because they aren't trying to GO to the Antilles.
So, if the US is being "self indulgent" in wanting to protect US citizens... so be it. If we're close eyes to the rest of the world's plight (despite 90% of our manufacturing is now over in other countries) so be it. I think it would be more ignorant to think one country can save the entire world...and as my previous lengthy post tried to indicate, the suggestion that the US did save the entire world is why the accusation of "arrogance" was merited.