They love America for what we could be - they hate America for what we are

[kentuck]

There was a time, in my opinion, when most of the world respected us, even with all our flaws. They saw the potential in the American people. We may have had the worst form of government in the world... except for all the others.

However, the vision that Americans have of themselves today does not fit the reality as the rest of the world sees us. We are not respected. We are seen as bullies and corporate monsters. We have lost credibility because our leaders have lied to our faces and to the people of the world. Those now in power don't care what the rest of the world thinks of us. Unfortunately, many of their supporters feel the same way.

However, there are many of us that think it is important that we are seen as credible with our allies and other countries around the world. We care what the rest of the world thinks. We must fight to restore our hope and credibility.

[Roaming]

1. Could part of the reason be that the rest of the world, particularly

Europe, has changed a lot too over the past 50 years...

[Bandit]

2. The reason that our leaders lie to our face?

Yes Europe and the rest of the world has changed mostly for the better and I wish I could say the same for the US, however that is not the case. We have backed out of most treaties we entered into and do not feel we have any obligation to the environment although we are the biggest polluter. We were loved and now despised and how does that make you feel.

[Roaming]

3. What I was referring to was the changing face of Europe; for instance,

a unified Germany, a lot more diversity in the population due to immigration, a new generation that does not remember World War II, etc. And of course America has changed too over the years; just think back at how different we were in the 1950s compared to today.

[JCMach1]

4. It's Bush they hate here... at least in the Middle-East they

understand the difference.

[LeahMira]

5. It goes past him...

It's Bush they hate here... at least in the Middle-East they...
understand the difference.

I don't know that everything is the result of events that have happened only during this administration. The U.S. has a long history of trying to manipulate events in other countries. Think of what is going on with Haiti right now, as well as what has gone on in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua in the recent past. Go back even farther to the Vietnam era.

The U.S. has always been frustrated when other nations refused to go along with what we think they ought to do or how we think they ought to act. Generally, we have sided with the interests of the wealthy rather than with the interests of the poor majority of the people.

The U.S. has always interfered in the business of other nations, if we thought we could do that without suffering too many losses ourselves. The only thing that seems to be able to stop us is when we come up against a nation that has weapons that are as powerful as our own.

[JCMach1]

6. Don't get me wrong, they understand the history as well

but they love our culture...


and yes, our ideals (especially Democracy).

Few realize the future of the ME is in the young generation just now rising. Most of the countries of the region have very young populations. Virtually all of my students want REAL Democracy in their home countries... Democracy on their own terms-- and in their own way.