Europe is not anti-American

David Brooks’ column (8/6, Opinion, “No world cooperation when power is divided”) on global power offers an intelligent contrast to the right-wing comments of Jim Byrd (8/5, Opinion, “Pro-con: Was Barack Obama’s overseas trip a political success?”).

Byrd says Obama was received enthusiastically in Europe because European nations despise America and want America to fail.

Brooks, on the other hand, notes that the United States does not enjoy the concentration of economic power it had in the post World War II period. This means the United States can accomplish foreign policy objectives only with the cooperation of other nations. To get the cooperation of democratic nations, their public must support the policy.

Byrd fails to grasp the fact that Europe is not anti-American; it is anti-Bush. Pew Foundation polls have shown that in 2000 the United States was extremely popular in the world. Today the United States ranks much lower throughout the world because of the Bush administration policies.

Bush’s economic and foreign policies have bankrupted us in both economic and moral terms. Instead of trivializing Obama’s success in Europe, Americans should be enthusiastic about the opportunity to return ourselves to a respected leader among Democratic nations.

Bond Faulwell
Overland Park

Comments

[solomon]

GC,

In this conversation today you've proven what I've often said of you. A couple of times you've pushed the envelope trying to get me to become angry, which quite frankly has become boring. I've asked you questions that instead of answering you've just been a jerk.

In the spirit of discussion I asked you what it would take for a lasting peace. Your response was that was not the point of the letter. Maybe you feel the constant need to control what not only you say but also what people ask you.

Hey, if that makes your day fine. In the spirit of our history here I'll call you an ass and be done.

[GCYL]

“I thought you were implying that our current adversaries are the muslim world.” – solomon

That’s YOUR assumption. Why do YOU associate Muslims with radical extremist bent on forcing their ideology through the use of unbridled terrorism? History has shown anyone can be brainwashed into a sick calling of killing innocent people.

“I did not say "whites are sad",” – solomon

Whatever Mr. the white oppressors must pay historian. “there has never been a time when the West, Christian, Democratic....however you want to put it, has displayed the cosmopolitan existence that was the situation from the 8th century through the 18th in Musim countries and Empires.” Say what? “there has never been a time when....” Really? “there has never....” Never. Wow. That’s sad. Probably not correct but still, that’s a sad statement to be made.

“You're really trying to start some stuff here, aren't you?” – solomon

No. You’re not saying anything relevant to the letter. Frankly you have worked hard at trying to add nothing here while waiting for an excuse to get irrationally angry at me again. I’ve seen that ball of dung get pushed around so I’ll move on and call it a day in this thread.

[solomon]

GC,

I thought you were implying that our current adversaries are the muslim world. I did not say "whites are sad", I was only comparing our history to people I thought you were judging. If you were implying that I made a valid point. If you were not saying we are somehow any better or different than I am admonished.

Who DID you mean if not the Muslims?

You're really trying to start some stuff here, aren't you?

[GCYL]

Posted by: solomon | Aug 12, 2008 1:26:08 PM

I get your typical “whites are sad” history lesson and a book report that has nothing to do with this thread.

“The thing about it, GC, is that they could say the exact same thing about us.”

The thing about it, solomon, is that you have an entirely different opinion who “they” are. They’re certainly not your beloved 8th through the 18th century cosmopolitan Muslims. Or are you saying that all these unhappy Europeans are still living in past? In which case, I would agree with you.

[solomon]

renfro,

You really dislike the guy, don't you?

[solomon]

"considering the current adversary"-GCYL

The thing about it, GC, is that they could say the exact same thing about us. Even more telling, there has never been a time when the West, Christian, Democratic....however you want to put it, has displayed the cosmopolitan existence that was the situation from the 8th century through the 18th in Musim countries and Empires. Certainly there were instances when a Muslim ruler was cruel and repressive, but a study of what actually happened shows them as the exception. As a very good book I read last month stated, peace does not make as interesting historical reading as times of conflict.

[renfro]

So ---- Mr.Faulwell you believe “Instead of trivializing Obama’s success in Europe, Americans should be enthusiastic about the opportunity to return ourselves to a respected leader among Democratic nations.” -- Wise up Faulwell, most Europeans only love us when they’re up to their necks in alligators or starving to death but I do thank you for the opportunity to rerun a day-old post related to the subject.
Obama? --- What success in Europe? – He does share their affinity and political wisdom to stand by and watch World Wars develop under their proverbial nose before [as in the past] Americans ride to the rescue then rebuild their decimated governments and economies. --- Obama and his political base suffer the same memory lapse and preparedness that our so-called “European Allies” now display in ignoring the Iraq, Iran problem in their own backyard. At least we will be denied the resources or military to help or save them again under an Obama administration.
Obama is wet-nose rookie Senator who inspires a liberal constituency with hope that he as a political unknown is more than enough to cure all our problems without the sacrifice, inconvenience, or risk of life necessary to defend the country and personal freedoms we now enjoy! --------- (And for his true believers he will lower the price of gasoline??)

[GCYL]

“What, in your opinion, would it take for a lasting peace?” - solomon

But that’s not the issue of this letter, is it? The issue is what all these unhappy people in Europe think it would take for a lasting peace. The implication from the letter writer is whatever the U.S. is doing right now to achieve that, ain’t on their list.

[GCYL]

Considering the current adversary, name me a time when they’ve supported long term peace.

Considering the current adversary, name me a time when they didn’t use temporary peace to recruit and rearm.

Considering the current adversary, give me a quote where their ideology of peace dosen't include the complete destruction/subjection of their enemies.

After considering all this, what makes you think we have something other than temporary peace right now.

[solomon]

Good morning GC,

Why is it that peace in your description is termed "temporary"? What, in your opinion, would it take for a lasting peace?

[GCYL]

“People are people and don't always share the animosity generated by their governments actions.” - solomon

People are people and don’t always agree with the policies and agendas of governments.

“United States was extremely popular in the world.” - Bond Faulwell

And there you have it. A popularity contest. All because various governments call themselves Democracies doesn’t mean they all think or act alike. Everyone here understands that if the U.S. says and acts differently others will then act like they’re happier with us. So what?

The real issue with this popularity contest is who are the people we’re trying to impress? Drug addicts who will sale or compromise everything for a very temporary high called peace?

[Rogue]

I think it was third, no change that, second grade when I learned that not everyone will like you in your lifetime, and to not worry too much about that fact.

[solomon]

i mentioned when i returned from a trip last month that Europeans don't all hate Americans, and the response here was "who cares".

From what I understand most Iranian citizens don't hate americans, their gov't is hostile to our gov't.

People are people and don't always share the animosity generated by their governments actions.