RE: RED ALERT 2

don’t have it sorry

“Anti-Americanism”

I just want to add something on the term “anti-americanism”. I just this term a couple of times, but I did not invent it. It’s the Americans themselves who have introduced the word, and this proves again that criticism on the US is regarded as “anti”. I’m not burning flags I said, but maybe I’ve gone a bit further than Sam and others, who were only giving ‘constructive’ criticism. I also added my own opinion to it, though I never denied this.

I used to word in reply of so many other (mainly) American posters. It is true, however, that many people (especially the new generation in and outside Europe) do not consider the US anymore as an ‘ally’. The gap between the atlantic is getting bigger and bigger, and I don’t think it will change in the very near future.

RE: RE%3A Images-Tanks in acti

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-07-02 AT 10:44 PM (GMT)]Nice

t

RE: air new zealand to get a32

>and I couldn’t believe that a Boeing 747-400 was scheduled
>to do the flight when there were so few passengers, everyone
>almost had a free choice of seats. I would have thought
>from the point of view of Air New Zealand that it would have
>been more economical to use a Boeing 737 (even then it would
>not have been full) which I would have thought uses less
>fuel than the 747?

South African operatares Jumbo’s on their route Jo’burg Cape Town. I was also supprised, and I thought at least they were going to use the SP but they didn’t. They flew the -400! I guess it happens more. Nippon Airlines, the biggest 747 operator, also uses them on short haul flights.

RE: Images-Tanks in action.

Nice pictures Tomel.

RE: American Bashing!

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-07-02 AT 04:40 PM (GMT)]No man can stay neutral in any conflict or discussion. When I participate in a discussion, I’m going to devote myself 100 % to it. I’m not a diplomat, I never said that, nor am I a ‘self proclaimed expert on world affairs’. I said many things other posters did not agree with, but you, however, PII, is the only one who really pisses me off. Instead of asking why there are so many anti-Americanist feelings on this boards, you start from the conclusion that these feelings are unfair, just because, the US has also did many good things, and because we are all jealous on the US. Those are weak arguments I must say.

The term Euro-liberal doesn’t even exist here, we just call them liberals. I don’t know who came up with the word (I think it’s Rabie), but we don’t use it because there is no such political party, it’s more like a philosophy.

You, Phantom, are the one who comes up with conspiracy theories, and I’m fed up because in the 2-3 years you are here, you didn’t learn a thing on worldpolitics. Anti-Americanism is a big problem however, whereas we used to discuss football in the local pub, now that has been replaced by another magnificant story of the Bush-administration. I’m not one of those crying out loud saying “screw you W”, you may not think it of me, but I find it better to get some info on the subject and discuss it here, than to ‘badmouth’ him in public.

But what frustrates me is the question “Why the Anti-American bashing?”.

I can’t believe you Americans don’t know why. If so, you are blind or/and stupid. The question you ought to ask is “What can we do about it”. Satisfy the Europeans? No, because that will not solve the problem, although the position of the US on Europe has been very arrogant lately (and vice versa ofcourse), not a way of treating your so called allies. America has evolved from a democracy to a emocracy, ruled not by Bush anymore, but by patriotism. Patriotism is nice, I also like to wave the flag when our national football team wins a match, but there should be a limit on it. In times of war, patriotism is useless, if there would be a real war going on in the US, people wouldn’t be waving flags, they would have other things to worry about. 9-11 was a terrible event, but America is not at war today. The US finds it normal that all people get behind them because they were under attack. They actually have the arrogance to say that if you are not with them, you are against them. It’s the black-and-white world the US created since 911 which scares me and many non-Americans.

If your nation is under attack, you should take actions, but a country like Iraq does not posses a threat to the US, maybe to the interests of the US but that’s not the same.

The Europeans are no saints, but I think it’s safe to say that we put more efforts in understanding problems than Americans, and we try to stay out of it if not necessairy. Maybe you find this cowardly, I find it a way of protecting yourself. Remember, it’s not the bravest man that wins the fight, it’s the strongest.

“FREEDOM” vs Freedom
FREEDOM The US’s main export product. Do we still have the freedom to say that Bush’s administration stinks? NO! Freedom is a very nice thing, people have fought for it, but that’s not the same “FREEDOM” the US has in its mind. “FREEDOM” is about getting more influence, to strenghten the US’s position. The Freedom I’m talking about is the ability to live in peace, and freedom can’t only be achieved by tanks and F-16’s, but (sorry if you find me getting too emotional :D) it’s in the people’s hearts and minds.

Bravery
It’s easy to be brave untill something bad happens. As I kid I always thought no dog could harm me, untill I was chased by one and pissed my pants. Talking to my grandmother, who has seen the horror of WWII, I learned that there were no brave-soldiers, only soldiers who came home with a depression, and soldiers who came home in a 8ft wooden box.

The myth of a nation which is build upon bravery and FREEDOM is broken. That Americans still believe in this, this is what causes all the US-bashing.

Your honour, I rest my case!

RE: American Bashing!

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-07-02 AT 01:16 PM (GMT)]

During the German occupation, many people in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, etc openly helped the Germans to round them up too. Have you forgotten that too? Which is worse, Americans who didn’t do too much until later, or the rest that actually helped Hitler’s satanic plans?

Yes, this is not something we are proud on. But that happens in every war, a war is not a time to prove how brave you are, it’s all about surviving. I’m sure Americans would also have cooperated with Germans if Germany would have attacked the US. Luckily for the US, there has never been a war on its own soil in the 20th century, so therefor, I don’t think the Americans have the right to judge others. Many people have colloborated with the Germans, but there are differences. Some people who were shot after the war have been found innocent. Many Ukrainians also fought alongside the Germans, they though Germany could free Ukrain from soviet suppression.

You are seriously telling me that in 1945, the US government knows that by rebuilding Western Europe we’ll have a excellent trading partner which in turn will drive us rich?

Exactly.

Tony Blair is a fine man and I thank God that he is in charge over there.

So why do so many Britons consider him as Bush’s poodle?

a liberal is very similar to a Democrat, which means only social programs are cared for simply to get votes

A liberal and a democrat have as much in common as the microwave and the computer I’m typing on. First of all I do think the US has a small liberal party. Liberals also want to promote free trading etc, but unlike the democrats, they are no anti-socialists. The socialists have done many great things in Europe, like the health care, education. I always thought the democrats to be a progressive party, but now I know they are about the same as the republicans, they just have other multinationals sponsering them.

Dutchy has said in the he thinks people are good. (I disagree but to continue…)

Parmenides, a great greek philosopher said that people can’t be bad, they can only be ignorant.

though I don’t claim to the all-knowing expert as you do….and don’t deny that cause your demeanor is enough to prove to me that you think you are

I’m not going to deny this, not because I agree with your opinion, but because its up to the other people to decide wheter your statement is true or not.