Why Do People Hate The Usa?

[Ruby]

Originally posted by Epinephrine
No Ruby. Every other country in the world was acknowledged for giving their condolences to it. Canada meanwhile wasn't even mentioned. Three days later Canada had a national day of mourning where over 100,000 people turned up on our capital. Meanwhile in America they kept thanking the British for their phone calls. Don't you think that's a slight? Completely forgetting your closest ally and friend?

-Epi

Originally posted by Ruby

They mentioned canada 3 days after it happened. If you can't accept that, that's just pure stupidity, 3000 people died yo, my goodness.

[pv=nrt]

Originally posted by Childrn of Light
http://www.policyreview.org/JUN02/kagan.html

Long read, but neat.

epi read this and put canada in place of europe. i think it might open your eyes to world politics.


the ferry anology is a stereotype. unless you have done an experiment with 2000+ americans at late ferry crossings. this is only a cute story. i can come up with a few about snotty canadians and annoying euros. but those story's pertain to those people not a whole country.


the whole most democratic stuff.

either they are dumb or just trying ot annoy you. get over it.


Remember how America declared war on British North America (aka Canada) back in 1812? How about America taking over large tracts of Mexico (such as California and Texas) to fulfill their manifest destiny? All forgotten.

name a perfect government that has not done something wrong. epi somewhere along thelines, people will get the shaft. happens.

On one hand America asks for other countries to stop farm subsidies, then a few months ago, Bush signs a $300 billion bill for farm subsidies, which will certainly cripple many Canadian farmers and farmers from 3rd world countries which create the same products (which America proports to care about).

its called self-interests. hmm cause the voters who put you in office to go bankrupt and on welfare or protect them and help them live. Sure the admin cares about the other countries farmers. but they dont put him in office.

in my opinion, basically you are taking things that are just simplely politics and protecting self-interests and making it way to personal.

if people would avoid steroetyping it would help a lot. Each person is different, no one the same. stop grouping people together. i have different thoughts than everyone else.

[Epinephrine]

pv=nrt, the whole manifest destiny thing was really in rebuttal to Annux who thinks that the US never had any war that wasn't purely in self defence.

Seriously it's nice that you have rebuttals to a lot of the stuff I said, but the fact that can't be changed is that stereotype or not, a lot of people don't like Americans. The original question asked why, and I attempted to explain.

Pertaining the specific example about farm subsidies, really that didn't help small farmers all that much. Around 80% of the money will benefit corporate farms. A lot of American politics (and really all governments) just protect the rich in the guise of helping the little guy. But while protecting the rich, many many little guys usually get screwed over in one way or another.

-Epi

[Pearl Jam]

This is such a pointless debate. Stop the madness.

EDIT: pv=nrt said people should stop being so stereotypical and open their eyes. You respond with "most people don't like Americans". That's because of stereotypes.

I could just as easily say "all canadians are do-nothing pacifists that like to sit back and criticize others when they take very little action in world affairs themselves." But I know thats not true. It's a stereotype.

It's an evil word, really.

[recon marine]

plz...stay with me on this one...and annux...sry for the periods..lol

When i was being recruited into the Marines (and yes i know the marines are stereotyped as ruthless cold blooded killers by some people) A recruiter told a story...

You have this neighborhood and there is this guy that lives up the street that can beat the shit out of anyone that picks on you or bothers you tries to take your money...whatever....One day this kid was walking down the street and all the sudden these goons jump on this kid and just start beatin the shit outta him....The kid struggles to fight against them but can do nothing...The kid looks up and he happens to be in front of this guys house...the guy that could make this all end if only he would help....the kid looks at him pleading him to help and the man does nothing......

I probably forgot some of the story but this is my point....If there was someone in your neighborhood that could help you with the problems that you may have...wouldn't you want him to help....The US has become that man...we are asked for help by countries in wars and when we help them we are loved by them and hated by the people who are fighting them....But i do admit that the US has gotten out of hand with some of the things we do and the actions we are taking....But guess what...power corrupts...any other country in the world that had our power would eventually turn into the corrupted bunch of beaurocrats that we have....i'm not exactly up to par on all the current events of the united states but i do know that we have screwed up a lot...but so have other countries...but when you're the superpower that we've become you're put under the international spotlight and every move you make is examined and examined again for flaws and mistakes....we won't be the superpower for the rest of time....we will fall just like all the other's...roman's for example...which is what most of our government ideals are based on....it won't be soon mind you...but we will fall...and someone will take our place...and the cycle will continue....so all this rambling leads to one thing really....being humans we will be corrupted by the power that we have....it's natural for any human being....in all reality..no government will ever work when it comes to be a superpower with massive world influence....it will have it's reign and then it will fall....

and my veiws on the 911....it infuriates american's to have their homeland attacked in such a savage way....to us it was inprovoked....but i can see the terrorists view also...as much as it pisses me off that they would do something so terrible....it's all about the point of view...if we were a third world country and being bombarded by..lets say russia...and innocent people dying...then i'd be pretty frickin pissed off too....the problem is...the US has never attacked anyone without being provoked...ever...yes innocent people die but it's "war" people...innocent people will die...it's a horrible fact that haunts the human race because we are too damn bullheaded to resolve our problems...instead we go to war....humans are the only species on the planet that does such a thing....no aminal on the face of the planet injures innocent's....humans seem to be a plague on the earth...a virus of sorts....i do vote republican...so let the critisizm begin...but i do admit george bush isn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer....

And not everyone hates the United States...but you can't be liked by everyone....people like adolph hitler....but a lot of people hated him....people like europe and people hate europe....you can't win em all....the ideal world would be no borders and 1 government that is uncorrupted by the heartless beaurocrats who's soul purpose is to feed their wallet....honestly...if the world had more people like those who play SubSpace i'd be much happier...at least in my experience....but there's always going to be a retard out there that screws things up....sry bout the ongoing babbling....and annux...be gentle...i would use proper punctuation and spelling and not so many damn periods...but that's what i get for too many years of chatting and subspace...lol

[Annux]

Periods are overrated anyways,,,

[Epinephrine]

Originally posted by Pearl Jam
This is such a pointless debate. Stop the madness.

EDIT: pv=nrt said people should stop being so stereotypical and open their eyes. You respond with "most people don't like Americans". That's because of stereotypes.

I could just as easily say "all canadians are do-nothing pacifists that like to sit back and criticize others when they take very little action in world affairs themselves." But I know thats not true. It's a stereotype.

It's an evil word, really.

I'm not really sure what you're trying to say here. Read my response again, because you put meaning there and words there that I didn't say. The question was why people don't like the US. I gave reasons. Fine you don't agree, that's too bad because those are some of the reasons. The fact is there are many people who don't like the US for whatever reasons. That's a fact, that's not a stereotype.

If the question was why do people hate Canadians and you said whatever you said, maybe it would be in context, but really you're just semi-bashing Canada for no reason when I'm just trying to answer the question posed in the first message of this thread.

-Epi

[Pearl Jam]

Double post, homeys. Check lower.

No, not my groin area.

[Pearl Jam]

You got pretty defensive when I "semi-bashed" Canada, when I said myself that it wasn't true. It was an EXAMPLE on stereotypes. It's a FACT that all the reasons you pointed out ALL stem from stereotypes commonly placed on the average American by foreigners.

I have no problem with any country in this world. I don't base my judgment of a person solely on what country that person is from. That's simply an evolved form of rascism. Rather, the best indicator is through personal experiance. It's called "having an open mind towards your fellow man".

You may all consider yourself educated and worldly individuals because you flaunt the handful of facts you know about other countries, then make vast sweeping judgments - but I tend to believe that that just makes you all concerned with trivial matters.

Just live your life. I don't care if Canadians I'll never meet think I'm a shithead because I'd be willing to defend the place where I live. I enjoy my surroundings, my friends, and my life. Live for yourselves and stop this POINTLESS DEBATE (oh oh, I said it again!). No one is going to gain any ground. Agree to disagree, for the love of Peejnasty.

Hugs and American Kisses,

Herman Picklestein

[Annux]

Originally posted by Annux
If I was you, I'd pack up for Taiwan. I hear the hookers in TaiPei are top notch.

[Yoshiba]

bo-o-ring

[The Crimson King]

just another dumb post on forum

DISCLAIMER: I'm too tired (and buzzed) to edit this or continue it further, so it's a little rough. Cut me some slack, huh.


As the originator of this apparently provocative post, I feel somewhat obligated to chime in now with some feedback. I have really enjoyed skimming through everybody's responses, although I have neither the time nor the patience to closely read eight pages of dense text. I do have a couple of thoughts, however, which I'd like to relate. (I have responses to each and every long post, but GODDAMN there's been so much written on this subject, it would be a heroic task to articulate and type out those responses, so I'm forced to be brief.)

First off, my objection was, at root, not that people in other countries complain about the USA, but rather that people in other countries lay their political dislike of US policies (I'll get to the rationality of this in a second) upon USA players in a personal fashion. I alluded to this when I compared nationalism to racism. In short, this country is so diverse -- owing first to our consistently liberal immigration policies, and perhaps even more so to our federalist system of government and the differing ideologies in our major political parties -- that the knowledge that I am from the USA does not in fact tell you anything meaningful about my views, beliefs, political leanings, or culture.

To say it another way, you can hate me because you don't like what you see me saying or doing, but knowing I'm an American citizen does not convey to you an understanding of what I will say or will do. I'd be just as big an asshole if I were Canadian. Thus my nationality is pretty far from relevant, in a personal exchange.

Second, I often wonder why the fervent dislike for the USA in Canada, specifically. When I attended college in Boston, I travelled through Canada (from Detroit to Buffalo or Niagara Falls, quite a nice country drive) several times a semester. The people who lived upon that route were all very friendly and helpful. Perhaps they were friendly because their livelihood was in some part dependent on the income produced by US citizens travelling through that part of Canada. I, however, fail to see just what in hell your average Canadian citizen could, practically speaking, have as a serious complaint against its southern neighbor.

(Hey Epi, as an aside, I'm quite well informed about the USA attacking Canada in the 1800's. . I also know that Canada came down, kicked our ass, and burned the old White House. LOL. But that was the 19th century. Is that relevant today? Further, I'm sure that Canada hasn't always been a paragon of considerate virtue throughout its history, though I'm reluctant to do research just to validate the proposition that all -- or nearly all, there is, I'm sure, an exception -- nations in the world have their "skeletons in the closet.")

I haven't really heard, in EIGHT PAGES of responses, any everyday-esque complaints from Canadians. I mean, sure, from a political standpoint the majority of your citizens harbor leftist political views. Hence the socialist elements in your governmental system, and hence a lot of Canadians take umbrage with the actions of a fairly right-wing US Government.

But really, how do we make your day-to-day (ignoring stress because your political ideals are offended by reading the morning paper, etc.) life worse?

Now contrast that with (and you may have to stop for a minute to think about this, as it probably isn't a topic you concern yourself with on a daily basis) this question: How is your day-to-day life better, because of the USA?

I really don't want to get into an economic / philosophical discussion about the merits of capitalism over other alternatives, either. Capitalism has its costs and its benefits, like anything (including: jerking off, drawing a picture, chewing gum, etc. . . if you can do all three then -- don't tell me about it). Of course those who are satisfied with a semi-socialist system and plagued with nationalist pride will have objections to a rampant, wasting capitalist monstrosity such as our own (I'm kidding with the adjectives, so stay cool here). Ah lemme see.. umm, BLAH BLAH BLAH .. I'M TIRED OF TYPING. BUY WAR BONDS. DON'T TRAVEL TO IRAQ IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, unless you like fireworks.

I will continue to vote for Republican candidates until they pry the gun from my cold, dead fingers. (You think that's bad? Chicago's old mayor, Richard Daley, had people voting from beyond the grave.)

You're just mad 'cause we took away the Vancouver Grizzlies.


PS You can have them back, and keep those Expos too. We just want the Montreal Canadiens. I love hockey, too bad I never get to play . . .

[Epinephrine]

Crimson, what I said about the manifest destiny was really in reply to Annux talking about China 'invading' Tibet and how the US has never done such a thing even remotely close, EVER.

As for daily life, I would say that Canada and the US are more or less alike. I live in Toronto, and half our TV channels are from the US. As well our movies and music are basically exactly the same aside from regional differences that you'd find throughout North America even within the US. We buy more or less the same products and shop at the same big box stores.

Yet there are a few ways the US affects us. When your economy goes to crap you guys bring us down with you. Also thanks to the ever persistant currents in the atmosphere we here in Ontario are privy to a lot of pollution and smog from factories in New York state and other near parts of the US (not to say we don't do our fair share of polluting so I guess that is a moot point:P).

Really though, it's safe to say that Canada has no real enemies in the world. I mean who would want to take over Canada right? The only problem is that by being so close to the US, if someone hates you guys, we'll probably be affected as well. So if you guys are making enemies all over, you're really screwing us over. If someone nukes New York say, where do you think the fallout is going to blow towards?

-Epi

[THE PUSHER]

THIS IS OFF TOPIC!

I for one would like to overthrow Canada. If global warming is going to kill us all, at least I could make some money off shipping traffic through the Northwestern Passage.

[Pearl Jam]

Because thats what us Americans love. Making enemies all over the fucking world.

Can't get enough of it, baby!

Please.