George Hill said:
They have to bash us to make themselves feel better. They are a silly little nation with very limited significance anymore.
While I don't particularly condone the description of "silly little nation," I'm not going to let the crux of the above quote escape me.
Most nations have limited significance outside its own borders these days. This includes most European nations. This does not, however, include the USA. It is my belief that there is a certain amount of distain for that little reality-- especially in nations where once "the sun never set."
So why does that matter? Frankly, it doesn't.
But some hold onto past national pride and are disparaging towards us.
On the flip-side, some of us have quick rebuttals for this attitude. It is my belief that we are so quick to engage because we have an opinion that our efforts in the world are not appreciated.
It seems that everyone LOVES to criticize the US society, and everyone loves to criticize our activities in the international community and at the same time they come running to US the instant they are in a situation to where they need help.
I suspect that there is no nation that has shown more willingness to shed the blood of its sons and daughters for the benefit of others than the US has shown. American Blood has seeped into the ground of battlefields across the modern world.
Think about it. There's a reason I am seeing Television spots asking for intervention in Darfur whenever I turn on the TV. They are asking for a US-led action. If it were a UN-led one, there would be decades of censuring and resolutions. They KNOW that the best chance for actual "boots-on-the-ground" action is to appeal to the US.
...Because we always seem willing to bleed for others.
And of course, the motives are practically always twisted. After all, we are only in Iraq because they have oil. Sure. And there is SO much oil in Bosnia. And they are overflowing with it in Somolia.
I frankly wish we would leave more of the world to its own devices --not because I have a reluctance to shed more American blood-- but because I am more stingy with that American blood.
However... (and getting back to the point)
We have ZERO right to be offended for some twit at the BBC taking a stab at America with this piece when we take every opportunity to take our own stabs at the UK or Europe as a whole on our little forums.
We routinely point out the idiocy of UK gun laws, laws pertaining to Self-defense, etc., etc., etc.
Do I think those laws and attitudes are idiotic? You betcha. Do I believe it is important to take notice of what goes on in other countries as it pertains to gun rights and other "Bill of Rights" issues? Absolutely.
But that IS their country. It falls to them to take responsibility for allowing such idiocy to occur-- and it falls to them to work in correcting those missteps.
It falls to US to quickly meet any threats to OUR Bill of Rights in OUR country when they pop up. After all, there are a LOT in our country that would love to have a European-style society.
The only ways I feel comfortable criticizing the practices of other countries fall into the following categories:
1. A person of that country comes to a US-based board looking for an arguement in asserting their system as compared to ours.
2. A person of any country makes their arguments with another country's system as a central theme of their arguement.
3. Someone of another country just wants to take stabs at the US.
Beyond that, I really don't give a damn what others do in their country. Unless, of course, if we are asked to or have need to dismantle that country.
And if we are asked, I expect a certain manner of attitude consistent with our efforts. And If we have need, we better have a good, righteous, and defensible reason for such actions.
-- John