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Originally Posted by accella4.4
I believe Timothy McVeigh was a bad apple....good point. All countries live in glass houses...and except for Noranda and Newmont Mining leaching cyanide in third world countries, (and the annual clubbing of the harp seal pups-- still can't quite get over that) I think Canada rocks. (And Canada is like one of two countries who still sort of like us). And Whistler. Whistler kicks a$$.
As an American with a relative buried in Arlington, I submit that the United States does not choose to be imperialist or militaristic; we were dragged into WWI due to a Serbian ultra-nationalist. We were dragged into WWII (as Canada and England was) due to the failures of Versaille and the unfortunate arrival of facism coupled with damn good Panzer divisions...but, the US happened to be the last and toughest dog standing in 1945...and we basically kept the candle of democracy burning in Germany and Japan as the Iron Curtain descended in Europe and communism ruled China.
We tend to mind our own business as long as possible, but we happen have more aircraft carriers than France and things like Pearl Harbor and 9/11 tend to get our attention in a big way. When the Gitane-smoking, Hermes-wearing, Citroen-driving politicos fail to step up to the plate, the 82nd Airborne has to fill the frickin' void. If not for the 82nd Airborne, nobody in Kabul or Baghdad would have felt the power of the a purple ink stain on their finger.
Yes, the Shah of Iran likely came to power thanks to the CIA, but ask any Persian who lost a father or brother in the Iran-Iraq war, who they'd rather have in power. Ask any Iraqi with a pretty daughter if he misses living in fear that Uday or Kusay Hussei will take her for a concubine. And Kuwait--they are probably pretty damn happy about the Abrams tanks that we sent over the berms about 15 years ago.
Collectively, we want nothing more than to keep our lawns free of crabgrass, coach some Little League, have a beer at Hooters, and watch some NASCAR. History will take note that, on the night of 9/11, hordes of men wearing Dale Earnhardt ballcaps did not march in the streets and burn down mosques and convenience stores. I'd bet the safest place in the world for a Danish cartoonist is the infield of the Daytona 500.
Unfortunately, fascists, fanatics, fundamentalists, and people who execute women in soccer stadiums don't play by the rules of the ballot box. Playing by the rules means you don't kidnap Canadian aid workers when they are volunteering to help rebuild your country. Over and out.
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EXCELLENT rebuttal, I like America( in small doses) I like the buffets, Victoria's Secret, free pouring, the NFL, Bill Walton and most of all the abundance of hot women.
What I question is the secular belief that some ( I didnt say ALL) Americans dont feel they get a fair shake in the rest of the world. I say this ( and I dont claim to speak for the rest of the world,lol..just me) "perception truly is 9/10ths of reality" and the good ol USA is perceived as a hypocritical bastion of apparent freedom and land of opportunity.
In light of handgun deaths(you knew I would bring it up), Guantanamo, and the disturbing images of Katrina that shine the light on the casual and often undisturbed reality of a caste system that is racist and showcases values that often put personal property above people.
I for one believe America is better then this, but unfortunately an economy that is based on a cheap unrenewable resource is probably headed for an enentual dramatic downturn.
The myth of social mobility and "anyone can be President" is just that "a myth" When citizens of the U.S.A. can die of thirst and then have more spent on a congressional inquiry into the matter then on housing for the underprivileged there is a problem.
A prosperous America is a prosperous Canada, and America does make Canada a safer place, no doubt about it.
And I could not help it, given news reports today, it seems some members of the 82nd Airborne are experts at filling a different void
