As readers over at CLO are aware I left Colorado almost a year ago. I figured I was moving to the most close thing to heaven that I could imagine. For a Hunter and Fisherman at least .
Little did I know…
Apparently, since a vile and roundly condemned murder that was committed on a gay person… The entire state has gone insane! Also called “politically correct!”
Is this collective guilt in action? Hell if I know, but I digress. Not a hell of a lot of Catholics up here, at least from what I can see…
So then, where am I going with this? I walked into the IGA Foods Store yesterday to get some chow for grazing…And this…? Drag Queen, or Cross Dresser, call him, uh Her what you will ( JM pleases fill us all in on this weeks proper vernaciular for a man dressed as a woman.) The person screamed at us* that we are all a bunch of back country “Sheep fuc*ing Americans!” and then said that he was returning to France, where, “Men can be MEN!”
He/She then ran outside, and disappeared.
This person was not refused service, or anything else that I am aware of. Is this the “Gay Agenda?” For some reason, I just don’t think so.
So people from whatever background hate America for..? What?
64 years ago, my mother saw the Americans liberating Strasbourg, France, my hometown. Today she is proud that Strasbourg was up to the visit of the U.S. President, in giving him a warm welcome. She also saw the French-German border collapse on the Rhine, and was proud to watch the NATO allies meeting this week on the “Pont des Deux Rives”, which materializes the former check-point.
Mom called me from France today to make sure I had not missed the event on TV. But she also wanted to make sure that the American media did not put too much emphasis on the anti-NATO demonstrations held on the sidelines of the summit. “Just a few idiots and thugs” she said as to apologize. This is her city, she’s proud … and ashamed.
And it is true that aside from the overall warm welcome, some violent demonstrations took place in the suburbs of the city, against the Europe-US Alliance, against capitalism and against globalization. Not to say the word: against America. These events are not specifically French. They have become routine at most major international meetings. They were violent in London for the G20, as for all the latest “G” meetings. But from a US perspective, they take a special importance when held in a country which is viewed as the most anti-American in Europe. It’s a cliché (polls show that the anti-american sentiment is much stronger in Germany and Spain), but one must acknowledge that it is a cliché that many French politicians are likely to promote.
By showing respect and consideration for the European culture and influence, Barack Obama undermines the foundation of the French anti-Americanism. But it seems now that anti-Americanism gets fueled by the pro-American support Nicolas Sarkozy is showing in return. As the President of the United States gets more popular in Europe, anti-Americanism turns into “anti pro-Americanism.” Since we can’t blame the American president anymore , let’s blame the pro-american decisions of the French president. Pure rhetoric.
It will probably take more than the speech Barack Obama delivered in Strasbourg in a public meeting to put an end to this sterile antagonism. It will also require the media to report full excerpts of the speech, not just 5 seconds. In the excerpt of Obama’s speech reproduced below, the french media often broadcasted the first part only, while CNN pulled out the second part. Unfortunately, the “antis” on all sides have nice days ahead …
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
In America, there’s a failure to appreciate Europe’s leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.
But in Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans choose to blame America for much of what’s bad.
(…)
So let me say this as clearly as I can: America is changing, but it cannot be America alone that changes.
Right there on wordpress I saw the answer to VM’s request for the authors to post a bit. Typically warped the author over at another site is precisely why so many people get grouped as idiots on the left.
I could just as easily find right wing extremist places to blame the entire worlds ills on, but this is what I woke up to today.
Okay, I know that “firsters” isn’t really a word. But it is descriptive. So, we have a new President, and supposedly the world rejoices. Here is a clip that shows the joy…
I love Barack Obama for what he has done. Maby terrorists wouln’t hate america so much if they stopped putting their nose where it certainly does not belong. And stop acting like it’s the best country in the world because it is NOT!!!! With Obama I think America will see a lot more peace. I certainly hope so! He knows what he is doing.
Occasionally, I read someone (who invariably has problems with Americans, or is obsequiously deferential to Canadians and Latin Americans) that says the term American should not be applied to the citizens of the USA, but to all citizens of the North & South American continents. They propose terms like “North American,” “USian” and other terms that don’t exactly roll off your tongue.
As pissed off as you might be about Americans, renaming us will not catch on, and what’s more, it doesn’t make sense:
1. The USA is not the only United States country. Mexico’s official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos or United Mexican States (their term for the USA is Estados Unidos de America). So calling the USA “the US” is as egregious an error as calling it “America.”
2. The USA was the first sovereign nation in the Americas, and thus can lay claim to the name “America.” (Don’t like that? Should’ve declared your independence first)
3. No other country in the Americas has the word “America” in their name.
4. No other country national is called “American.”
5. People might say “americano/americana” in Latin America with respect to their residency in the Americas, but that’s in Spanish. Until we start, in English, calling Germans “deutch”, Armenians “hai,” and Croatians “hrvati,” I don’t see the point of adopting names in other languages into English usage.
6. “North American” is inaccurate since Canada is also in North America. (So is, arguably, Mexico)
7. “USian” could arguably apply to Mexicans. (See #1 above)
8. “Unitedstatesofamerican” is just stupid. (Even though it is the most accurate next to American)
9. Try calling a Canadian “American” and see what their reaction is.
10. I have a hard time imagining that the term “American,” which has become a dirty word worldwide recently, wants to be claimed by other nationalities in the hemisphere, who share nothing more with the USA other than the accident of geographic proximity and land bridge in Panama.
Post from JM at DailyCandor. You can find his blog here.
This is a bugaboo that I found galling. It’s worthy of a post because it’s probably far more common among American expatriates than most realize, and it’s probably not considered annoying or offensive to those guilty of it.
What is it? After being forced to listen to a litany of insults about Americans, an American is supposed to not take it personally because, “Well, you’re obviously an exception.”
It’s as if these morons want to enjoy their asinine (and often very hypocritical) stereotypes about Americans, but don’t want to piss off the American they’re unloading them onto.
Here are a few examples off the top of my head:
When I tell a Dutch man I’m American, he retorts, “But you’re not fat!” He expects me to chuckle along with him; I don’t.
Even though I speak several languages, a Ukrainian woman (who speaks Ukrainian and Russian, as well as Polish) tells me that Americans never know any other language than English. When I point out my Polish is as good as hers, and I speak other languages as well, she mutters, “Well, you’re an exception.”
A German I meet during my travels tells me confidently that Americans are a bunch of hyper-religious right-wingers. When I tell him I’m an agnostic left-winger, he says, “Well, you’re an exception.”
Depending on my mood, I find these sentiments (and there have been more) anywhere from amusing to really annoying.
First, I think it borderline idiotic to think the American caricatures that foreign (especially European) media delight in reinforcing trump live Americans that you actually meet. (It’s as idiotic as religious fundamentalists who happily ignore empirical data and fact in favor of the disjointed ramblings of a Jewish shepherd from a few thousand years ago – how’s that for an analogy?) I have even heard a Brit, living in London, say, “All the Americans I know are smart, but they must be exceptions to the rule.”
Second, at the end of the day, we’re still Americans, and you’re offending people that we know. Maybe it’s due to a sense that Americans are so individualistic, that we won’t be insulted when our friends and family are insulted. It’s wrong. If the majority of the people you know are bright, athletic and conscious of the world, you’re going to take issue to the contention that all Americans are stupid, fat, and ignorant of everything outside the U.S. I can only imagine a Brazilian’s reaction to “You’re smart and hard-working…are you sure you’re from Brazil? Well, I suppose you’re an exception to the rule…”
Third, sometimes the stereotypes that these people cling to don’t even make any sense. Do these people really believe a majority of Americans are obese, and that everyone voted for Bush in 2004? Does plurality mean majority, and does majority mean everyone (except, of course, the one or two Americans these people have actually met)?
When I’ve confronted imbecilic sentiments like these – supposedly softened with a “you’re the exception” – I’m always tempted to reverse it and say the same back. But I can’t. To do so would so ridiculous, that I’d be embarrassed for myself. The fact that some non-Americans can so brazenly do so is a sad reflection of their stupidity and provincialism — ironic, actually.
[Cross posted on culturepress, on November 26, 2008]
Culturepress is today’s guest speaker. You can find her blog over here.
Today’s tragic terrorist attacks and hostage crisis in Mumbai got me thinking about traveling as an American. The terrorists are specifically targeting U.S. and U.K. passport-holders, after all.
I’ve been lucky in some ways. I don’t “look” like an American, so I can pass as a citizen from another continent and feel relatively safe when traveling–even alone, even as a woman (well… okay, we’ll scratch that last part).
When I was in Bangkok a few years ago, I found that being American may cost me, but only in the sense that I was exorbitantly overcharged for various goods and services. My American accent’s what did me in.
When asked where I was from (which was occasionally preceded by, “Why you talk like white-lady?”), I said that I’m Korean-American. “Korean” got me in worse of a state, as Koreans are often seen as gratuitous spenders by other peoples of Asia.
As I uttered the words “Korean-American,” I saw a Ch-ching, ch-ching slot-machine-type effect in the eyes of these Thai vendors and cab drivers. The prices went up even further.
I thought, maybe I can fake a Chinese accent? No good. I can’t even fake a Korean one for more than five seconds with a straight face.
So, I started telling the Thai people that I’m Chinese-Canadian.
Guess what? Cab fares were cut in half. I started getting those killer deals that Bangkok marketplaces are famous for. All because I was no longer “Korean” or “American.” Interesting effect.
My (non-Asian) American friends travel with elaborate stories of Canada prepared and memorized, not so much as to get better deals, but because it’s “safer” that way. Hopefully, over the next few years, perhaps, if our nation begins to spend more time and energy on humanitarian causes as opposed to imperialistic or militaristic ones, the world’s view of America will change, and we’ll no longer have to fake-Canadian in order to travel safely around the world.
My thoughts are with the people of Mumbai tonight. Happy Thanksgiving and be safe. (–culturepress)
Hi. I am Patricksperry, and you can find my blog here.
Seems that someone posted here that is well beyond personal anti-Americanism. The international liberal is nothing more, and certainly nothing less than a classic perpetrator of propaganda. After reading the third hate mail, and checking the blog linked to there this was a pretty obvious conclusion.
Yes, my bit of commentary in Russian was, shall we say casting the fly upon the water. No, it was not taken, but my instincts were apparently still working.
Being anti-American because of childish hypocrisy and / or prejudice is one thing, and usually can be written off to sheer ignorance of fact. Organized propaganda has a much more sinister purpose though. That being the slaughter of innocent people at some point or other in time. Trying to lay the blame on the United States based upon a very tenuous connection to some Afghan Mujaheddin that fought the Soviets quite some time ago at best deals in historical fallacy. At worst it simply seeks to stir up blood lust against the American people.
Lastly, I find that blog’s failure to note that it was international parties that found Soviet land mines that appeared to be rocks and other common things that children might pick up. Nor Americans that just sat around and left them in place.
This is hate America first at a professional level.
It’s very rare for ME to find Liberals out there that are vehemently against Americanophobia. Happy Leftie is one of them, and just very recently, I’ve met another person online who feels the same way we do. If you haven’t read Happy Leftie’s post yet, please go and read it now!
I find Liberal Patriots like I find rainbows in the sky. They are rare and beautiful to see.
The below is a guest post by JM from DailyCandor.com whom I’ve just recently had the pleasure to meet.
All of his points are spot on in sync with my own.
ON THE FAR LEFT AND FAR RIGHT
* I am steadfastly left-of-center, and I’ve been saying for years that the far-left and far-right resemble each other more than they do their respective centers, because they are driven more by ideological purity rather than a practical assessment of reality.
ON POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
I also think political correctness seems to be practiced more by the Right these days (having to pretend you’re for God, Godly, Christian, loving Jesus, praising Jesus, fearing Jesus, saying Christmas and not Holidays, talking about our “Judeo-Christian heritage”, etc in order to rise to even a tiny city council position), so while I’m against it too, I would put that in your blue/liberal column.
ON AMERICANOPHOBIA
* I have lived overseas; 2 years in Poland, 2 years in the Netherlands, and 3 months in Israel (even though I’m not Jewish, Polish or Dutch by extraction).
* Idiotic Anti-Americanism annoys the living shit out of me, mostly because it relies on tired stereotypes that media establishments play to that are often wrong (your point about Europeans thinking Jews being right-wing is a perfect example), and because it’s a thinly-veiled attempt to divert attention from people’s insecurities and embarrassment about their own countries. I’ve consistently seen a high correlation between those non-Americans who obsess about America’s faults, and….interest in getting a US residency visa, questions about green card lotteries, etc.
* I’m thrilled that there’s another American who has actually lived overseas, who is politically progressive but …still gets annoyed at the patent falseness driving most anti-American claims about this country. For all of its annoying faults and problems (and there are, of course, many) in this country, at least the US and its citizens are forced to confront them and deal with them, instead of pretending they don’t exist and choosing to attack a country abroad as the source of the world’s ills. I’ve come to see Americanophobes as delusional and hypocritical as the “magical thinking” religious nutjobs (whom I also can’t stand).
ON THE AMERICAN FAR LEFT
* I loathe the Far Left’s fawning (and completely wrong) portrayal of Europe as some sort of Utopia, mostly because they’ve never lived there long enough to see the ugliness that Europeans desperately try to hide from the world. I have to chuckle when Americans (and Europeans!) talk about how right-wing America is compared to Europe. All I have to say to that is “with respect to *what*?” When it comes to immigration and the advancement of non-white people in all sectors of society, Europe is far more to the right than the U.S.
* You’re one of the few Left people to be as annoyed at Michael Moore and Al Gore as I’ve been. I firmly believe that the facts are condemning enough; you don’t have to resort to hyperbole, irrelevant pieces of information, or messianic grandstanding to make a valid point.
Sorry for the bullet points, but I wanted to capture everything and not write a bunch of long paragraphs. I like bullet points.
Keep up the good fight! You have a friend in cyberspace. –JM from DailyCandor
(I go by the nickname, “happyleftie” and you can find me here on Twitter.)
When the geographically- and semantically-challenged Sarah Palin made her comment about being happy to be in a “Pro-American” part of the country, I was offended less by the inanity of the comment than the idea that being a liberal city-dweller was somehow equivalent to being “Anti-American”.
You see, I am a liberal. And I consider myself very “Pro-American” and a patriot. I am also an immigrant and have travelled to numerous countries, and am very vocal online. As such, I have often found myself defending our country from the criticism of foreigners who are phobic of anything American. Now, I find myself being attacked by both rightwing Americans and sanctimonious foreigners.
So, is it really possible to be a liberal supporter of Barack Obama and be “Pro-American”? You betcha!
I believe that some of us are liberal because we actually care about the founding principles of this country rather than its trappings and symbols. Questioning oneself is a form of self improvement – therefore, being constructively critical of your own country is a form of patriotism. It is when the criticism is mindless and cynical that it crosses over into the type of Anti-Americanism that Americanophobes indulge in.
Having said that, I believe that it is equally wrong to be dogmatically patriotic or religious, or both, as many in the extreme right tend to be.
When Obama said that we are perfecting our country, and when Michelle said that for the first time she was really proud of her country – that is when they got me. I actually felt I understood what she meant – that our country, during many times in its history, failed to live up to its ideals.
When I was younger, I flirted with what people may consider Anti-Americanism. I went through a phase where I felt that nothing was right about the Untied States. I found it fashionable to be cynical and blame the world’s problems on our country.
But, as I grew older and perhaps more mature in my thinking, I came to realize the United States, through its ups and downs, had the mechanism to re-invent and improve itself. I realized that our country’s major failures occurred when it strayed from its ideals of equality, freedom of speech, religion, and expression, and the principle of a representative democracy. In my early teens, I lived under a dictatorship, so I know just how valuable these ideals are, especially when they were trampled and discarded. You might guess that during the last eight years, I had frequent flashbacks to my early teens.
Ironically, my most recent epiphany about our system and its ability to fix its problems came from an unlikely source – I was on a business trip to Ethiopia, talking politics with a local lawyer over dinner. He was formerly a political commissar in the Communist Ethiopian army and was now a successful businessman in Addis Ababa, thriving under an imperfect but reasonably stable democracy.
He recounted the number of constitutions that Ethiopia had written, ratified, and adopted over the years. He said they all failed “because of personal agendas”. Then he startled me by saying that there was one easy way to solve the problem – simply by adopting the US constitution, verbatim. His simple statement reflected the wisdom of an objective outsider with a problem to solve. The ideals that our country was founded upon and give it its sustainability are almost perfectly encapsulated by two documents – the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Our current government, along with a few past administrations, had sought to subvert what this Ethiopian lawyer considered the epitome of legal codes.
The strength of our country lies in our loyalty to these ideals and the existence of these two documents as our collective memory of these ideals. The strength of our country does not lie in platitudes and slogans, but in our ability to aggregate the voices of our people to protect and if necessary, restore these ideals.
Last Tuesday, November 4, 2008, those voices were heard. We showed the world the resiliency of our democracy, and that we can in fact gather the collective will to restore our nation to the ideals from which it had strayed.
So, for those who still think that liberals cannot be patriots, think again. Blind loyalty without discernment of what is wrong and what needs to be fixed is just that – blindness. Finding fault in our government when it strays, refusing to be silenced, and gathering our collective will to fix what has been broken – there lies true patriotism.
Of first priority, I would most humbly like to thank Ms. Monkey for allowing me this exalted venue to make a very important announcement.
Zontar the Magnificent (this is where my blog is), your ever faithful scribe has in the past been merely an observer of the machinations and follies of the events on your fair planet Earth. Zontar, however, feels he must now take bold action. Upon observing the very negative campaigning occurring in the “United” States for the current election, Zontar wishes to declare his intention to run for president!
I know all of my faithful minions from my own blog will be delighted to hear this news and will vote for me with no questions asked. It is incumbent upon me, in order to achieve victory, to give you Zontar’s campaign platform in this very fine blog of Ms. Monkey.
For those who don’t know me, I hail from Xenon which is a galaxy 12,000,000,000,000,002 light years from Earth. Zontar is eligible constitutionally to be president as Xenon was made a protectorate of the “United” States during the incumbency of Gerald Ford.
Don’t write me any letters! I know what you are thinking. “Zontar”, I hear you say, “This is absurd! You are an alien! How can you understand the problems of a (mostly) human country?”
Fear not, future faithful minion. I can assure you there is ample precedent. Simply look at history.
That is correct, oh ye of little faith. Abraham Lincoln, arguably the greatest president was actually a cyborg hailing from Uranus. During the 19th century, this tidbit was swept under the rug. But all Xenonians are very knowledgeable about this. The fable of his assassination at the hands of the mad actor Booth is a complete fabrication. What happened was his unstable wife through a glass of Big Red at him after a particularly heated argument. This caused him to short circuit. There was no cabal involved at all. It was just a marital spat.
Even in our own time there is proof that Aliens have been deeply involved in politics. It is well known that the neocon aliens endorsed George W. Bush:
Perhaps the most astonishing revelation of all is the fact that the current vice-president, Mr Richard Cheney, is an interloper from beyond the Milky Way.
This is certainly not hard to believe given the evil which he hath wrought upon the world. He was born on the Planet Fellatio and it is well known who malevolent and bad-tempered Fellatians are. Thank Allah he will soon be on the street in January.
But Zontar is not about finger pointing about others wrong doings. Nay! Zontar is benevolent and wise and is all about Change! Change we can believe in!
But what are Zontar’s stands on the issues? Why should I vote for him, I hear you thinking.
The reasons are sundry and overwhelming.
The most important reason is that Zontar is a good family man who has old fashioned family values. As an example I give you a picture of the most recent child which was given birth by his beloved daughter wife Placenta.
Don’t ya think Krok is adorable?
Among Zontar’s other accomplishments, are that he was co-chairman of the PTA (Parent Teacher Alien) association in Xenonia and later mayor of that fair city. While mayor Zontar made many fine executive decisions such as which books to ban and how much of a bounty to place of wolves legs.
The greatest reason to vote for Zontar is of his sacrifice for his planet of Xenon. During the Third interplanetary war between Xenon and Fellatio, Zontar was taken prisoner. He was tortured twice daily upon the electric chair
and inhumane toilet practices
Zontar would not give in to his captors. He would not divulge any military secrets until the second day of captivity.
Zontar is an intergalactic hero. Zontar is a maverick.
To make sure you can trust this ticket, Zontar is nominating himself as vice-president. Xenonians have a unique self cloning feature which comes in very handy.
So on election day, I want ya to ask yourself this question. Do you want four more years of Bush as represented by Mr. McCain?
Or do you really want a president who is a tax and spend liberal who will enslave you to his communist belief system and send you to a gulag prison camp if you disagree with him?
I think you know the answer my friends. On November 4th, as you enter the voting booth, make your choice for Change, Truth and the American Way!
Hi. I am an Expat Texan living in Canada. You can find my blog over here.
It always amazes (but no longer surprises) me when a random Canadian feels the need to disparage the country of my birth. This is even more baffling to me when the snide comments are made by someone who has come to me for help.
A few weeks ago, I was doing a physical examination on a patient who had come to me for a consultation. Everything seemed to go well, up until the auscultation part of the exam. For that, I use a stethoscope that has an American flag painted on the acoustic bell head (like the one shown here). This was apparently too provocative for the patient, who wasted little time in sharing their opinions with me:
Patient: Why do you have a stethoscope with an American Flag painted on it?
Me: Because I’m an American
Patient: Well, I would think that’s a fact you would rather keep to yourself.
Me: Why on Earth would you say that?
Patient: Well, you must know that everyone hates Bush – it just seems better if you would keep from making political statements in your place of employment. I find it offensive.
Me: I’m not sure how me wearing a symbol of the place I’m from is making a political statement.
Patient: Well, it just seems like you wouldn’t want to advertise the fact that you’re an American, is all.
This kind of attitude is fairly pervasive – to the point that a complete stranger felt the need to lecture me on the evils of my country. Let’s play a little substitution game, and see how it flies:
Patient: Why are you wearing that scarf on your head?
Me: Because I’m a Muslim
Patient: Well, I would think that’s a fact you would rather keep to yourself……..
Do I really need to go on? Do you think that kind of attitude would be tolerated for even a second? But of course, hatred of Americans is justified – while other groups can never be condemned, regardless of circumstance. As I said above – I’m no longer surprised by the anti-Americanism that is just a part of life in Canada. I would say my experiences closely mimic those described by this Washington Post author:
Although I enjoy my work and have made good friends here, I’ve found life as an American expatriate in Canada difficult, frustrating and even painful in ways that have surprised me. As attractive as living here may be in theory, the reality’s something else. For me, it’s been one of almost daily confrontation with a powerful anti-Americanism that pervades many aspects of life. When I’ve mentioned this phenomenon to Canadian friends, they’ve furrowed their brows sympathetically and said, “Yes, Canadian anti-Americanism can be very subtle.” My response is, there’s nothing subtle about it.
…
In “officially multicultural Canada,” hostility toward Americans is the last socially acceptable expression of bigotry and xenophobia. It would be impossible to say the things about any other nationality that Canadians routinely say — both publicly and privately — about Americans. On a human level, it can be rude and hurtful. (As it was on the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2001, when an acquaintance angrily told me that she would now have to curtail her travel plans because she was afraid she might be mistaken for an American.) And there’s no way to argue against it. An American who attempts to correct a misconception or express even the mildest approval for the policies of U.S. institutions is likely to be dismissed as thin-skinned or offensive, and as demonstrating those scary nationalistic tendencies that threaten the world.
Actually, I could have just cut and pasted the entire article as a mirror of my own experiences, impressions, and observations. But that wouldn’t be very “fair use” friendly of me, now would it? Stealing other people’s content – exactly what one might expect from an American. At least if that expectation comes from a Canadian.
Firstly, I’d just like to say how refreshing it is to have returned to the blogshpere to find people such as yourself speaking out about the ridiculousness of what seems to be happening in the world with regards this hatred. I’m so thrilled to see Americans speaking out against this.
While I have a feeling I’ll be posting about this on my personal blog, it is an absolute pleasure to be a guest blogger on topics relating to this. I think I could give a different perspective as I’m not American, yet simply because I’m with an American I seem to be part of a very strange “secret hate club“, so to speak.
I think there’s opportunity to post about many topics, such as:
Anti-Americanism in the NZ media, how it seems to encourage it and the false reporting on America.
The NZ Government and their Anti-American comments.
The “we hate Americans but thanks for McDonald’s” attitude or “Anti-Americanism over a cup of Starbucks”.
Weird things being blamed on America, recently I saw a news article on TV that blamed all gang activity on America .. what the?
I don’t know if you had a chance to follow Obama’s trip across Europe. I watched several reports in the German news, then in the French news, and he was unanimously being cheered like a rock star. As a French loving and living in the United States, I was pleased to see those pictures of true “pro-Americanism” in Europe. But I wonder how the American voters may react, and I thought this blog might be a good place to get some answers.
How does it feel as an American citizen to see a presidential candidate being praised by an overwhelming crowd of more than 20,000 or 200,000 Germans? How do American voters react watching a French president welcoming Obama as an almost-president of the United States and clearly endorsing his candidacy?
In a recent survey of 6,200 people in Europe by YouGov, Obama was favored by an overwhelming majority in Italy (70% vs 15% for Mc Cain), Germany (67% vs. 6%) and in France (65% vs. 8%). Only Russia (surprisingly considered as part of Europe in that survey) would support Obama by only 34% and gives Mc Cain a decent 28% credit (see here for more results and comments on this poll). This strong support lies in the perception that Obama would lead America in a way that better matches the European interests as well. He’s regarded by many Europeans as a kind of messiah, who will finally get the most powerful nation in the world back to reason: fighting Al-Quaeda where it really lies in Afghanistan – not in Iraq – and eventually joining European nations in their fight against climate change. Again, this is the general perception in Europe (please do not draw conclusions about my personal views on this .
Europeans – and especially the French – have great interest in the coming American election. By supporting Obama, my opinion is that they favor change in the French-American relationship rather than Obama’s program for change. In Berlin, most of the crowd that cheered Obama did not even speak English, and a lot may have joined just to be part of a mediatic event. However, I like to see it as a gathering against anti-Americanism, and a hope for renewed friendship after a long period of tense diplomacy.
You tell me if American voters may trust a candidate with such suspicious friends abroad (facts are: the European support did not really help John Kerry enter the White House!). But I can tell you this: this “simple U.S. Senator” – as he presented himself – did more for America’s image across Europe in 3 days than the entire Bush administration in a decade (and this is a personal opinion you can now sneer at) )
I am from Australia. I’ve been asked to step up and help out (you can find my blog here), so here I am…could not think of a better reason to join this team.
What is anti-Americanism?
It’s spitting on the flag, and the memory, of millions who have fought and died for your freedom.
It’s walking over the graves of many young men who sacrificed so you can argue to your hearts content.
It’s taking for granted the freedom and hope we have for the future, bought and paid for by the blood of patriots.
It’s standing under the shade of the Tree of Liberty, and then cursing those who have tended it and made it grow.
One afternoon, Vice President Cheney was talking at a symposium, and was being heckled by a French reporter. Cheney glanced over and asked the question.
“Are you French”? The man said yes.
“Do you speak German?” Cheney snapped back. The man blinked, and then said no.
Cheney replied with a straight face “You’re welcome”.
When George W. Bush visited Indonesia last year, thousands of us marched down the streets, with banners saying things like “Bush’s feet are stained with blood. Don’t let him on our innocent land and force our government to kick the President of USA out of our country.”
These people, we suspect, were the same people who had protested many times before — and who would protest again in the future — against US international policies and any bad news from Palestine (or ‘good news’ from Israel) regarding the conflict between the two countries. These people, claimed themselves anti-Americans. They burn the so-called star spangled banner, threw rocks and rotten eggs at the American embassy building …while wearing Levi Jeans and keeping a Motorola in their pockets! These kinds of people are usually not so anti-American and harmless on normal days. They love McDonald’s fried chicken. Only a few of them were true anti-Americans. And I can say is that an anti-American here is also a fundamentalist Muslim.
Anti-Americanism in Indonesia is almost always about Islam and non-Islam. That’s why whenever their brothers in the Middle East suffer from Israel and/or USA actions, they get angry, and they gather people to walk the length of all roads to express their resentment. It’s a good thing for them that most of Indonesian people would come with these Muslims (or any Muslim at all), for free lunch.
We Indonesians, actually, are not quite familiar with anti-Americanism. We’re never even anti to anything at all! We’re too lazy to think, to busy with our basic daily needs like getting something to eat, some place to stay, and some clothes to wear. We don’t have time for anti-Americanism. So if we joined the parade and burned American flags, we did it for free lunch.
In fact, in normal life, we respect Americans. I know many of us would rather live in the US than in Indonesia, if given the choice. What we commonly have in mind about Americans is that Americans are rich and generous, and that they’re nice and fun people to get along with. Thanks to Hollywood.
Moreover, there are many people who kept their head up high simply because they had an American friend. They talked about their American friend all the time, and tried to think and live like Americans do.
Me, I’m with most Indonesian people — not an anti-American at all. Only I’m luckier than my neighbors here. I don’t have to burn flags for lunch.
Okay, happy 4th of July! I’ll see you again next time.
First I want to have a look at Wikipedia’s definition of propaganda, to clarify the object I am going to deal with in this text and my following posts…
“Propaganda is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the cognitive narrative of the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda.
Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist.
—Garth S. Jowett and Victoria O’Donnell, Propaganda and Persuasion”
I rather dislike Wikipedia for some of it*s failures, but for now I will bow my head before them… this is a nice and short definition! If I should intend to accuse anybody of propaganda, I had to show, that he:
1) Changes information (means a direct lie) to encourage a certain reaction and opinion
2) Reduces information (means to focus information) to encourage a certain reaction and opinion
I will not try to deal with the big media stations of our time – I*ll leave it up to you, to decide yourself, if your media is fulfilling one or both of these two options.
Just a word of explanation, to clarify my own intention and opinion. Propaganda is not an action, that can only be used by dictatorships, or similar forms of government – this is the everyday option to lead the masses in the correct direction in every form of system and in every nation.
To add some more precise information: Every war is in need of an propagandist action, as war never is a popular step, you have to find ways, to MAKE it a popular action – you have to create an enemy. The easiest form of propaganda is to focus on all well known (by your people) negative information about the enemy – partially to recherche new negative information to add it and (as the most aggressive form of propaganda) to spread lies about the enemy and sell them as the one and only truth.
The standard way of dealing with information, that threatens the perspective you wish to create, is to censor them, to bring them down, to damage their reputation or to accuse them of being a collaborator of the enemy.
—>Information: I encourage you to do your own research and to compare the use of propaganda in the different forms of systems we know up to now – I would enjoy your opinion on this topic and would be pleased, if you could point out mistakes in my explanations.
Spoiler:You may for example compare the propaganda done by Nazi-Germany, communist Russia and the USA after, before and during WW2 – I found this piece of information to be very interesting.<—
Non-national Propaganda
What you read above is more or less my standard definition of propaganda, that never has been something special to me, as (I think) we all got – to a certain degree – used to it and knew, that this happens.
Especially during my experiences on the internet I found, that this definition is solely focusing on national propaganda and for this reason incomplete. If you simply watch big media sites like YouTube, you will find nearly all forms of propaganda, spread by nearly all forms of religious groups, all forms of political groups and sometimes – even by persons without any direct extraordinary orientation.
I found myself thinking, that the most common form of propaganda is non-national propaganda – used by common people.
You could say, that these persons are simple carriers of the information given to them and I encourage you too, that you point out that this is true – but I myself compared the official given information of the mainstream media (concerning this and that topic) with the thinking and actions of these individuals and found the following:
A lot of the information is indeed based on excerpts of the mainstream media – these excerpts/quotations/information are selected precisely to focus the message (for example of the video) on a clearly layed out conclusion… Every form of information, that does not lead to this conclusion (even if it is directly linked to the original message) will be ignored.
Many of the propagandists tend to use direct lies, where the truth is not leading to the wished target (compare for example the conspiracy theories on 9/11).
I also found the fact interesting, that individuals, that will add a comment to these videos, which is not providing the wished form of information, will be marked as spam – deleted or be accused of not knowing anything about the truth – being for example accused of supporting the true enemy.
You may agree, that this is more or less according to the definition above – but let me point out again, where this is propaganda:
1) Focus on “bad news” – bringing “bad news” which are not well known to attention.
The difficult thing to divide propagandist efforts from journalistic material, is the natural purpose of propaganda to look as if it was, well researched and entirely based on facts. But a clear sign for me is, that the information, that is given, is not just a journalistic effort, but leading to a certain conclusion, or trying to encourage strong emotions… The second and more obvious sign is, that the given information is not containing any contrary opinions – if a video is repeating the same information again and again and serving a certain purpose instead of providing knowledge, it*s time to examine it (for me).
To focus information on a certain target or opinion is the most common and basic operator of propaganda.
2) Direct lies – Spreading false information – taking original information out of context
is the most extreme, but even the most dangerous form of propaganda. One has to chose the lie carefully and has to think about the possibility, that people will try to examine the information, to show that it is not true.
The easiest way to deal with this is (already said this) to throw some dirt on them, but as this is also the most powerful tool to modify the thinking and feeling of other persons, one should be careful to not lie too obvious – there should not be any doubt, that he/she is speaking the truth…
You are used to that too, as all of us lied in our lifetime, but when acting as a propagandist you have to be even more careful.
3) Shocking audio and video content – modification of text, audio and video material – The use of media in another context – creating a threat through music and images
These is not new at all, but as the abilities of media have grown, the tools for this task have also. The basic target of propaganda is to invoke emotions… besides the intellectual information, you will find music, pictures and excerpts of speeches, which emotionally are creating a threat – this is serving a certain issue… it is to prepare you to believe the information. To make you believe, that you have to defend yourself through the new given knowledge and against the new enemy.
The message itself CAN be believed, but doesn*t have to be believed -
Whether you, for example, believe in the 9/11 conspiracy or not is not interesting – If you FEEL threatened after watching such a video – in fact threatened by the USA and believe them to be the enemy… the mission of the video is accomplished.
To be fair and to give an example for the American reader too… If you heard about the weapons of mass-destruction in Iraq… did you believe it? I say you don*t have to. The basic message is “Iraq is a threat!” if you believed that one – the task of the information is fulfilled.
And to calm down both groups… I don*t judge these, or you – one has to think about this him/herself – Whether you like it or not is your decision – what I want to say is, think about information very hard before you believe it.
My thoughts:
Some of the commentators will defend this information, as if they were defending their own life, they will get angry, thread or insult every opposition.
Indeed some of the videos I am referring to, even made it to encourage myself to feel in a certain way. I would recommend, that this is not underestimated, as some of these are true masterpieces of their art (if you can think the same way of these is up to you).
To give an interesting example (without providing too much material myself) – you may for example compare:
As this movie is taken down very often, I will add the name here, which you have to search for, to find it on Youtube.
[Zeitgeist - the movie]
A very good example, as it is using every operator I talked about. (You may have fun to watch it with this thought in mind – you may even have fun to examine my own text to find out if you can identify propagandist material – and I*m sure some of you will do that (if this text will get any comments anyway) )
My Personal Disclaimer:
These are MY thoughts on certain topics, but I don*t claim, neither that I am the first one to realise it, nor that I am speaking THE TRUTH – as this term is abused in so many ways…
I strongly encourage you, to distrust information, until you’ve examined it yourself. This is including MY information. I welcome you to point out my mistakes and to share your opinion. But I hope, that you will be fair on me and will not insult me for my perspectives.
However – there is no doubt for me, that there exist more intelligent persons on this planet than me, who know more about these topics – If you are one of these persons… I would feel honoured, if you could share your point of view with me.
I allow you to use excerpts of my texts for your own projects, if you wish to, but I don*t allow you to change my message (means to ABUSE my texts.)
The Future:
As I am very interested in these topics, I am planning to add posts where I will try to examine Anti-American (AA) propaganda and my understanding of the “Age of informational warfare” more closely.
Thanks for reading Cern4m (My blog can be found here.)
I for one am sick and tired of off the wall Anti-Americanism. I’m also a Canadian who happened to live in America for a year. Contrary to the stereotype of brashness and rudeness I found Americans, in general, remember their manners and are, in general, good Samaritans.
I flew down to Logan Airport from the Maritimes to make a connection flight to Albany and a family from New York state not only offered me directions but offered to buy me dinner as well. Man, woman and two kids. I took up their offer and they were really sweet people. It’s one of the few acts of random kindness I ever received, not from my fellow Canuckleheads but from those “evil” Americans.
In Albany one of those “evil” co-worker Americans took an evening from his schedule and helped me move from a smaller apartment to a bigger one and expected nothing in return.
When I was back home going to university an American from the South stayed in the room across from me. Nice guy with no pretensions. And, ummm, good manners.
I find some of my fellow Canadians give me a bad name, sure there are ignorant, rude Americans, but I’ll bet on a per capita basis there are way more rude, ignorant Canadians.
I have also travelled extensively through the USA and never once felt personally insulted. Canada, uh, a lot.
You see, when Canadians aren’t bashing each others’ regions they are busy bashing their guarantor of protection…the USA.
I think a lot of Canadians would rather speak Russian or German than English because of it wasn’t for being in the backyard of the US of A, Canadians would most likely be speaking one of those languages. There would be no Canada.
I just want to say that America has done some stupid things…we ALL do stupid things. It just so happens when you are a country that is as powerful as the US, stupid things get noticed.
But what about when Americans offer Atlanta-based CDC services. When Canadians got sick from SARS, who did they call first? Ottawa?
When someone needs to be rescued from thugs, who can get aid there the fastest? Canada?!!!!! Only if they hitch a ride with…American equipment.
This is one Canadian who will always consider America a friend. I am grateful to live beside a country who values the individual and who produces a good and kind people for the most part. If the US is as evil as some Canadians say, well we’d be singing the Star-spangled banner right now.
- Written by Troy (Reproduced with his permission)
I am French and moved from Paris to Pittsburgh (you can find my blog here), Pennsylvania, two years ago. The relationship between our governments being quite tense at that time, I did not know whether I should expect a cold welcome or a strong rejection, but I certainly did not expect being invited – two years later – to write a guest post on a blog about anti-Americanism! Thank you Virgomonkey for giving me this opportunity!
It is a strong belief in America that France is a bastion of anti-Americanism. Especially since France did not support the invasion of Iraq, the country became chroniclers’ favourite archetype of the “anti-American attitude” worldwide, according to the wrong but easy-to-understand statement that “who’s not with us is against us”. As a natural reaction, French-bashing gained ground in the US, and here we are, trying to stop that vicious cycle!
I’m convinced that both French-bashing and Anti-Americanism have no other ground than misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Living in the US, I’m amazed by all the clichés Americans have about the French, and vice versa, I must admit that I believed in a lot of stereotypes about Americans that (almost!) all have revealed to be untrue. But more surprising to me is why so many Americans are regarding France as anti-American. I’m not saying that France would be America’s greatest supporter, but it is certainly not the anti-American caricature that some media like to show here.
Images of violence, fear and hatred are much more “breaking news” than images of love and smiles. This very blog features a YouTube video showing French activists smashing down a Mc Donald restaurant as an evidence of anti-Americanism in France (watch at 3′51). I was in France when it happened. What the video does not show, is that the activists were actually protesting against the legal distribution of transgenic food, that has been pushed by the American food industry and that they think may be damageable for both the environment and human health, but they did NOT protest against America as a country! The same video features an interview of a French journalist saying that no French politician would ever win a presidential race by presenting pro-american views to the people (watch at 7′44). Well, I’m sorry for anti-americans to tell that the French just overwhelmingly elected Nicolas Sarkozy as president, who is and has always been a publicly known supporter of America and the American values. On the other hand, what you won’t find on YouTube or anywhere else are the pictures of French veterans and families respectfully flouring American graves in Normandy. This is not “breaking news”… and is usually not even taped.
My point is not to claim that everything your hear about French anti-Americanism is wrong. But to prevent you from buying into every single sign of supposedly anti-Americanism. France is a “maternal country” and a common French reflex is to stand with the weak and the poor against the powerful and the wealthy (remember we beheaded our king!) Because they are powerful, French love to make fun of Americans and opposing the American “hyper-power” has become mainstream. But, as Virgomonkey wrote on my blog, criticizing the Bush Administration is not hating America. Back in September 2001, the French most respected newspaper “Le Monde” reported the French feeling after 9/11 by titling: “We Are All Americans”. America had been deadly hurt, and it was a French role – as a “mother” – to stand with the injured. Once Bush pulled out the guns, it turned into another story…
I’m not legitimate to represent the French as a whole and, since I have not been forced to move here, you can easily guess that I’m not representing anti-Americans either! But I sincerely think that bashing the French for being anti-Americans just does not make sense. One last clue: unlike the supposedly more “American friendly” United Kingdom and Germany, France NEVER went to war with the United States and inspired its constitution. “We are family, and like in many families, we sometimes have a fight!” President Sarkozy said in a recent speech to the American congress. Love and fight: that’s what families are about!
Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to blog here. I hope that my English was not too painful to read!
I have been invited by virgomonkey as a guest blogger.
She asked me, if I could post some historical information about WWII (a German perspective) and I´ll do my very best to answer the questions as correctly as I can due to the ongoing debate between liberals and conservatives in the US regarding Hitler’s political orientation. For further information on my person and background, visitmy blog.
The first question I am asking:
“Was Hitler a right – or a left – winger?”
I want to start with some basic information on the German political system and understanding of the political constellation.
Basic information: In Germany we have many several parties, that are standing for different ideas and political orientations. (too many to mention them all – the most are unimportant. You have to get at least 5% of the votes, otherwise you´ll not even get a seat in the “Bundestag”. (-> 5% Hürde)
Political orientation:
Extreme Left – hates the democratic system and wants to replace it with – socialism/ anarchism/ communism etc… claims to be against authority/tradition and to stand for freedom and social justice.
known parties: Die Linke, PDS
—Here begins Democracy—
Moderate Left – liberal/social… Wants to improve certain aspects of the democracy – social issues, environmental protection, freedom. In this sector you can find: labour parties, environmental activists and similar.
known parties: Bündnis 90 die Grünen, SPD
Centered – SPD and CDU are the biggest parties in Germany, and they are the ones, that rule in Germany – I will only mention them to be right or left, because this is their origin… But in order, to win the elections they tend to be centered – to get votes from all political directions.
Moderate Right – conservative… they tend to support the economy and stand for “traditional morality” (Christian morality) for example for a stricter immigration policy, or against the manipulation of DNA.
Known parties: CDU, CSU
—Here ends democracy—
Radical Right – hates the democracy and wants to replace the democratic system with – a dictatorship these are the parties who claim to stand for our “national pride”, our national stability/tradition and most of their answers are simple: “remove ALL immigrants from Germany, and there will be no unemployment anymore…” Here you*ll find all that “intellectual” neonazi cowards and xenophobic, homophobic paranoids. This is the really conservative opinion in Germany, because they want back to our roots – and the whole world knows what that means.
Known parties: NPD, Republikaner
—Independent—
Additional there are some parties, that I would neither put in the right, nor in the left corner
- for example the FDP – they call themselves “liberal”… a pure party for the rich ones – they want an completely liberal economy (American style system).
—Unpolitical opposition—
- for example the “Autonomen” – It*s a mistake to call them a political group at all, but I*ll do it… they don*t have any party (they are not allowed to – because they are stupid enough to say, that they hate our democracy) – these are simple minded idiots – they are against globalisation, against the “system” (whatever this means), many of them believe in different conspiracy theories – most of them are completely anti/unpolitical (they say it themselves) and don*t know what they want, but they exactly know what they DON*T want and that is our system – culture – education – civilisation…. Right now I found a translation! chaos…
- for example the “Neonazis” – they are stupid enough to say, that Hitler was great and that we should start over again with this – conquer the world – thing. They don*t have any party for this reason. They are the militant part of parties like the NPD… but as there is no prove for it, the NPD itself can not be wiped. They are the ones that burn down houses and kill foreigners.
“Where to place Hitler?”
Let us have a look at the name of his party, first.
NSDAP – Nationalistic Socialistic German Workers Party
The first things you may realise are the words “socialistic” and “workers party”… you may come to the conclusion, that Hitler must have been a communist or socialist then. Hitler claimed to be “a socialist” to win the German working class for him as voters. He wanted to replace the SPD and similar parties, which are traditionally connected with the working class.
The sense of this is to “annex” the opposition as far as possible. The plan was to create the impression, that the NSDAP represented all classes of society and that there is no need for all the other parties – Hitler said this himself in a speech, but in short it is expressed in this slogan:
“One nation – one party”
In reality Hitler is far from being a socialist… His SA is fighting the communists and socialists in the streets and politically the left-wingers and the Nazis are direct rivals.
When Hitler reached his goal to become head of state, he used the “Reichstagsbrand” to declare, that all socialists are traitors and enemies – resulting in the first mass-murder and deportation in Germany.
Later when he established his dictatorship in Germany, he worked closely with the German companies and the last thing he would do, is to limit them – he needed the companies for his war plans.
He is a clear enemy of the socialists and supports none of the traditionally “left” ideological ideas. For this reason he can not be a left-wing politician.
The remaining words are “nationalistic” and “German”… This is closer to reality. Hitler wants to continue the war, that the “Kaiserreich” lost – WWI. He wants to start a military dictatorship again – an opinion shared by many german ex-militaries and conservatives. He believes, that violence is the only way for the “aryan” race to survive. He believes, what war will be the way to German dominance. His ideas can be described in three words -
imperialistic, racist, nationalistic.
the typical topics for a radical right and ultra conservative person in Germany.
It has come to my attention that a hotly discussed topic around here is the closing chapters of WWII, and the roles the various participants played in this stage. I have written an article offering a tentative explanation and potential answer to this question, in the hopes that through either agreement or provocation of further debate, a conclusion may be reached.
Call me Zontar. You can find my blog here. Zontar welcomes all to click on his link, and I promise you will be sore amazed at the intelligence and wonder therein.
I was born many years ago on Xenon, a lovely planet in the Houyhnmian Galaxy, approximately 3000 trillion light years from planet Earth. I excelled in Dominoes as a youngster and was named top champion for all galaxies as a tot. I grew up into a beautiful young alien and married 34,223 beautiful wives, all of whom are extremely fertile and blessed me with 158,233 children.
I wrote this at the request of my wife. I would like to share my experiences in your country, that you call “America”. If you dislike my comments, please respond to this post and Zontar will make every effort to take vengeance on the foolish mortal who dares to imply that Zontar is anything less than a God!!!
Please allow Zontar to introduce his magnificent self before I expound on my experiences in your country. Zontar is a highly complex, highly intelligent being, and does not expect ignorant mortals to comprehend his multifaceted and superior intellect. Therefore, I have pend the following missive in order to explain the way of God to man. I don’t expect you to understand all of it. All I expect is that you accept it fully and believe that Zontar is the supreme being of the whole universe. Hail Zontar!
Dear Earth Humans,
I thought you might like to know a few things about Zontar.
1. Zontar loves to eat glabrob in all forms, whether animal, vegetable, mineral or fecal.
2. Zontar does not understand your aversion to cockroaches. He loves cockroaches, especially the flying type. They are excellent company when you are down and need a shoulder to cry on. I feel that if you understood their language, you would also love them. How would you feel if every time you saw someone, they recoiled in disgust and horror?
3. Zontar likes long walks on the beach.
4. Zontar likes candlelight dinners.
5. Zontar likes eating pussy cats.
6. Zontar became lord of all universes at tender age of 17 when the former lord of universe was sent to prison for exposing himself to a convent full of nuns.
7. Zontar is top chef on Xenon.
8. Zontar loves all races and species. Earthlings are nice, but Xenonians are the best. Floating penises and vaginas floating in the air all the time. It doesn’t get better than that.
9. Zontar knows all, sees all, understands all. Ask him. He will answer all, for a nominal sum.
10. Zontar has very bad breath and very malodorous gaseous emissions from rectum.
11. Zontar is very beautiful and wastes too much time admiring himself in mirror.
12. Zontar is immensely attractive to opposite sex. Sometimes this gets tiresome, especially when he has to work.
13. Zontar is currently employed as hit man for Xenonian mafia. A very good one too.
14. Zontar believes children should be raised in strict, military environment. Zontar was raised in a military style boot camp and learned to appreciate cold, hard discipline. It has helped him a great deal in his current life, because of this, Zontar didn’t meet parents until he was 19.
15. Zontar works part time as bartender in Seacausus, New Jersey.
16. Zontar was great opera singer on Xenon…
17. Zontar appreciates humility and detests all those who are bragging about their accomplishments…
18. Zontar is greatest being in all universe.
19. Zontar thinks all world needs now is love. Sweet love.
20. Zontar thinks we’ve only just begun.
21. Zontar wants to buy some red roses for blue lady…
Good luck to all on Earth and in all universes.
Zontar’s Interests
General
Binging, purging, playing with matches.
Music
Xenonian heavy metal
Movies
I Married an Alien,Mars Needs Women.War of the Worlds
Television
Alien Or No Alien,Everyone Loves Zontar,Alien in the Family,America’s Next Top Alien,One Alien vs.One Hundred
Was it like you expected when you came to America?
Zontar was sore amazed when he first trod the shores of your so called “United States of America”. It was not what Zontar expected at all. Zontar was expecting to see a Utopian paradise of democracy and freedom. Instead he saw poverty, crime, ignorance and racial tension. Then I turned on your television and I saw a moronic simpleton who could barely said anything intelligible at all. When I learned he was your leader, the so called “W”, Zontar was in a state of linguar receptivity. Zontar kicked himself in the posterior region for coming here. On Xenon, we all live peacefully, eat well and have a wise and munificent leader. Zontar was very sad. Zontar was so depressed that he went to the Great White Northern neighbors of Canada and saw the same situations as was occurring in the United States, only its citizens were as obnoxious and ignorant. Zontar decided to go back to the United States as he had run out of options.
What made you come here?
Zontar was forced by the exigencies of circumstance to flee his beloved home planet Xenon, United Confederation of Xenon (located in the 499,735 of the olfactory galaxy, approximately 2,333,444,222,555 trillion light years away from earth). Zontar had great status in his previous life on Xenon. Zontar was most trusted advisor to our beloved ruler, Pubicus. Zontar made a grave error in eating the wrong set of victuals for his midday repast. He feasted on filet of glabrob (the national dish of Xenon), washed it down with fermented glabrob urine (very similar to your beer) and hard boiled glabrob eggs. The resulting effect from this delicious meal was an unfortunate need to expunge gas from my anal orifice (known as farting in your country). To my great distress, while in conference with Pubicus I emitted an extremely foul odor which had the effect of debilitating our beloved leader, Pubicus. He thought I had done it deliberately and I was condemned for the perceived attempted murder of Pubicus. Zontar was sore afraid and transported himself to his spaceship before the sentence could be carried out. Zontar set his target to the United States as he had witnessed several episodes of Earth television program “The Brady Bunch”. Zontar wanted to dwell in the same country as these delightful, humorous and kind people as depicted on this delightful show. Zontar’s heart was torn asunder by the knowledge that he had to leave his favorite wife, Chlymidia, but Zontar had no choice. Zontar set his spaceship towards Earth and left his beloved home, never to return again.
How are you treated by other Americans?
Zontar was treated with some puzzlement by his new found countrymen as he soon discovered there were some differences between him and humans. First, Xenonians have multiple sets of eyes while humans have only two. Also Xenonians possess no genitalia as all necessary sexual organs needed for reproduction float in the air. Zontar was mocked and ridiculed for these differences. Zontar has great temper and roasted the miscreants who dared show disrespect for Zontar into so much dust. Zontar was arrested and put into an American prison for the crime of murder. There Zontar met many delightful friends who indulged in many amusing games, my favorite being inter-anal seminal exchange. When Zontar was claimed as the bitch of his erstwhile friend Bubba, Zontar was forced to transport himself out of this prison.
How do you compare the US to your own country?
Xenon and the United States are vastly different. Your politicians are small minded, greedy and corrupt, while Xenonian leaders are wise and kind. The food here is terrible. On Xenon one could feast on many delicacies, whereas in the United States Zontar was forced to eat from the dollar menu at Mcdonalds, causing him severe gastric distress.
Your legal status?
Zontar is an illegal alien.
Why do you want to live here permanently?
Zontar has no choice but to stay. As mentioned above it is impossible to return to his homeland. Zontar did visit Canada with the intention of living there permanently, but found the same problems there as in the United States, only some Canadians thought they were better than the Americans. Their arrogant attitude angered Zontar greatly and he murdered one unfortunate hooser by stuffing 20 pounds of beef jerky down his throat.
Your likes and dislikes?
Zontar like pussy cats. Zontar like Glabrob. Zontar like cigarettes. Zontar likes Jamaican meat pies.
Zontar does not dislike anything. Zontar is kind, wise and hyper-intelligent. Able to see good in all things.
Your occupation or area of study?
Zontar is currently assistant night manager at Dairy Queen and…. more here.
Your age?
Zontar is 120,334,553,222 years young.
How long have you lived here?
Zontar moved to Earth in year 2001.
What is your advice to those wanting to live here or immigrate her permanently?
Visit Zontar and pay him homage and obedience! Zontar will repay you with many kindnesses. HaIl Xenon! Hail Zontar!
My name is David, I have been asked by the author of this blog to post a document that I wrote this morning regarding some postings that have been made on a Facebook group dedicated to the discussion of the problem of Anti-American Racism in western society. One member was making submissions stating that Anti-Americanism was not racism and that it was Justified. Click here for my response to that.
If you have comment or issue, please feel free to leave a comment under the relevant entry in my own blog, or this one.
Hello all, and welcome!
In my blog, I discuss Americanophobia, politics, political extremism (my rantings about the extreme right and the extreme left), anthropology, crime news, psychology, LOTS of humor, and try to debunk common rumors spread about the American people. The variety of topics I discuss are in 360 posts ... Continue reading »
“There is a big difference between being anti-American and being critical of the United States….critiques are appropriate and necessary, provided that they rest on facts and address real abuses, real errors and real excesses–without deliberately losing sight of America’s wise decisions, beneficient interventions and salutary policies. But critiques of this kind–balanced, fair and well-rounded–are hard to find, except in America herself…” — Jean-Francois Revel
"The fundamental role of anti-Americanism in Europe in general, and particularly among those on the Left, is to absolve themselves of their own moral failings and intellectual errors by heaping them onto the monster scapegoat, the United States of America. The U.S. is charged with all the evils, real or imagined, that afflict humanity, from the falling price of beef in France to AIDS in Africa and global warming everywhere. The result is a widespread refusal to accept responsibility for one's own actions." — Jean-Francois Revel
"Anti-Americanism is hypocrisy at its finest, You can spend your evening catching the latest episode of "24" and then complain about Guantanamo the next morning." --the Berlin bureau chief of Der Spiegel
"Of course some Americans are stupid, but... "It all boils down to the fact that knowledge and intelligence are two different issues. Rote memorization of world capitals does not equate intelligence.
I do find it interesting that Canadians and Europeans have such strong opinions on this, considering that there are many more pressing issues to be concerned about. Perhaps the steady Canadian and European refrain of "Americans are stupid" is a reflection of their own deep-rooted insecurity. You know -- an inferiority complex." --Mohammed
"As an American, please allow me to begin by asserting that our nation has had its strengths and its weaknesses, its successes and its failures, and its justices and injustices throughout history and continuing into the present. Although I sense much patriotism for my homeland, I recognize our need for humility to understand that our country is not above questioning or reproach but is rather under the same standards as all other nations of the world. I would simply like to ask those who view our country from afar to maintain a balanced perspective and realize too that there exists good and bad in America, both in terms of its domestic society and politics as well as in its relations with other nations.
Whilst there may be growing anti-Americanism in the United Kingdom I do not believe such sentiment to be reciprocated on our side of the Atlantic. I viewed a recent survey that indicated most Americans view England positively, and never have I seen the flag of your country (or any other foreign land, for that matter) burned in the streets of our cities. Clearly we as American citizens have not meant to be your enemies." --Seth
"As someone who takes human rights seriously, I'm appalled by the lack of sympathy the left feels toward the victims of any regime other than the Bush administration. Let's shout it to prisoners everywhere: If you're not harmed by an American, your suffering doesn't count." --Erik Svane
"Ambivalence, antipathy, and resentment toward and about the United States have comprised an important component of European culture since the American Revolution at the latest, thus way before America became the world's 'Mr. Big' -- the proverbial eight-hundred-pound gorilla -- and a credible rival to Europe's main powers, particularly Britain and France . . . . While the politics, style, and discourse of the Bush administration -- and of George W. Bush as a person -- have undoubtedly exacerbated anti-American sentiment among Europeans and fostered a heretofore unmatched degree of unity between elite and mass opinion in Europe, they are not anti-Americanism's cause. Indeed, a change to a center-left administration in Washington, led by a Democratic president, would not bring about its abatement, let alone disappearance." --Andrei S. Markovits (author of Uncouth Nation - Why Europe Dislikes America)
"Is Euro Disney Land a threat to the French Culture? If French culture can be squashed by Mickey Mouse, or more exactly by simply moving Mickey geographically, it would have to be disturbingly fragile." Moreover, Revel argued, culture always circulates and, in the case of Euro Disneyland, California was merely repackaging for Europeans such European stories as Cinderella and Pinocchio. According to Revel, French culture was not being colonized and if any culture was in crisis, he contended, it was that of America with its fad for political correctness and other forms of "neoprovincialism." --Jean-François Revel
"Anti-Americanism is the only face of xenophobia still broadly accepted in Europe." --Mary Fitzgerald (New Statesman)
"Americans find themselves damned either way. If they remain within their own borders, they are isolationist hicks who are shirking their responsibilities. If they intervene, they are rapacious imperialists." --To hate America is to hate mankind
"The British find it very difficult to come to terms with the loss of their global dominance. We felt a deep sense of hurt and loss. We used to run the world, and we don’t anymore. So, in order to palliate that insecurity, we tend to run ourselves down too much. And we’re also snooty about the people who DO run the world." -- Boris Johnson (Member of Parliament)
"It is tragic that Anti-American ideas are so easily passed through rumour, while reconciliatory ideas and notions must be backed up with catalogues of evidence before they are even considered, purely because of the fact that it is so much easier to hate than to keep an objective open mind." --David Hatton
"Other common anti-American objections are ignorance and stupidity. In dealing with these two, I have no reason to suspect that the average American is any less intelligent than the average person from anywhere else. One trait I have noticed is that other cultures are generally much more ashamed of any deficit in the intellect of the individual, especially ours (the British), and as such will make a much greater attempt to hide it. If all cultures bar one are scared of looking stupid and take action to prevent that happening, then that one remaining culture is inevitably going to be lumbered with that image." --David Hatton
"We became not a melting pot, but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams." --Jimmy Carter
"Most of the anti-Americanism these days stems from plain old nationalistic jealousy by a lot of countries that are born of insecurity about their own place in the world and their painful self awareness of their own failings and shortcomings...like the kids in the next block who are jealous of the boy who has a better bicycle or a newer fancier skateboard....phuque 'em all." --Robbins Mitchell
"Europeans, like the rest of the world, hate America and Americans, but love our aid when in distress, and our soldiers to die for THEIR COUNTRIES. You need to work, live and pay taxes from this side of the Atlantic to understand our vision of Europe and the rest of the world." --Jerry
"Unjustified hatred of Americans:
There is much unjustified hatred in the world. There is unjustified hatred of the USA. Much of this arises from the victimisation complex that sweeps much of mankind. Whoever is in charge, whoever is powerful or successful will also be hated. This immature hatred often evaporates quickly with a little reason or thought. There are some some invalid, unjustified criticisms. The most widespread hate is the hate by people the world over who fall victim to their own shortcomings, and want a scapegoat." --Vexen Crabtree
"USA citizens are not given world news in the same way as most the other developed nations, and may well be genuinely unaware that much of the world is as poor as it is. European news is highly world-centric, whereas due to its size most USA news does not have enough time to cover news in all neighbouring states, let alone news from around the world. " --Vexen Crabtree
"Despite the USA's dominance of mass media, it is frequently only the pro-USA, self-congratulatory messages that seem to arrive in Europe, the USA citizens criticism and disbelief of their own government is not apparent, which gives the overall impression that Americans are either gullible, ignorant or honestly uncaring." --Vexen Crabtree
"If a person outside of American culture is a hateful person, they may actively hate and verbally attack America. If the person takes this to include a hatred of Americans themselves, they are inconsiderate and have become a fool. If a person like this is brought up by people with vested interests in attacking America (and there are many), a person can be driven to take his opinions to a violent level. Generic hatred is not solved or soothed by adding more layers of hatred.
There is a belief and hope that if enough nations oppose America, the American people will realize what their government has been doing and will overthrow them. This hope is misguided, as anti-American actions are causing the opposite"--Vexen Crabtree
"I think it is best, when faced with people from other nations, to treat them as individuals. Yes, you can "hate" the injustices that governments perpetuate on us all, and yes, you can despise ignorance in all its' forms. But any sort of blanket prejudice punishes yourself more than anyone else, because it thwarts the opportunity to learn from someone else. It stops you from making potential connections that could ultimately change your life. As an "american" living abroad, I pity my fellow countrymen who still have the wool over their eyes, but I don't hate them. The fact that when I meet them, they are indeed traveling at the time, says to me that they are in the process of opening their minds. Being in Europe, for many Americans, is the first step to realizing that other cultures do indeed exist and thrive, and that other forms of social structures are both possible and desireable.
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Many ask me why I left. Political reasons aside, when I mention that my family now enjoys free health-care and that my daughter will have the opportunity to go to university virtually for free (O.K. not free exactly, because we all pay taxes, but these services are included in what we as citizens receive for our tax dollars here in Europe,) they always respond with a sigh as they realize that this is the way all societies should be run. They know that something has gone terribly afoul in their beloved "homeland."
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Americans, in essence, need to be re-taught what is possible in the world, they do not need to be shunned. Shunning them will only help to produce more negativity in the world. If we all, from without, can help them to change what is wrong with their country from within, by sharing our knowledge of alternatives, then the whole world will benefit." --Lily
"Sometimes the caliber of a nation is found not in why it is liked, but rather in why it is not." --Victor Davis Hanson
"Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people's idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage." --Winston Churchill
"With a military that has become a laughing stock and her increasing irrelevance in the world around her, I believe that the Canada I know and loved is gone. The sad truth is, Canadians have only themselves to blame since they meekly chose to accept everything without question and without fighting back. Most of them even pat themselves on the back for being so “progressive” and “multicultural” and “diverse,” while failing to recognize that all of those things will bring about Canada’s demise. America may not be perfect, but at least there is a strong conservative movement and a population who will fight to keep their rights." --Jayne Gardener (Why I left Canada)
"Regarding Race Relations in the South:
I once read an observation that ONE (and there are many) of the differences between the Northern and Southern approach to race is that the North tends to reject the Individual while embracing the Race. The South conversely seems to have prejudice towards the other Race while embracing the Individuals. It's a generalization to be sure but one with more than a grain of truth.
Blacks and Whites have always lived closely in the South, most southerners have an aquantince of another race whom they like, while at the same time generalizing about the 'others'.
The North has always been more segregated and less mixed in ordinary commerce and interaction. They accept the race but interact with few individuals of another group. Leading to less real experience with the other group. Fewer Northerners subsequently have friends of a different race.
I think we a need to be cautious when making these generalizations but I believe they still offer food for comment.
I guess I'm just saying that one shouldn't assume the South has a less open society because of some who have lingering, isolated, racist attitudes towards 'Canadians'. It just seems that these notions, are more exposed, and carry more gravity due to their past. --JG (reply #70)
"My “two cents” to all you Americans out there: speaking as a Brit, it pains me to see some of the comments emanating from this page by alleged British sophisticates. Much of the real reason for anti-Americanism of this type — though it will be hotly denied — is nothing more than envy. Truth be told, many an Englishman yearns for the day when we were the number one dog in town, with the world sitting obediently at the feet of hordes of short-back-and sides public school boys lording it over primitive tribes of Africans and Asians, whilst men such as Joseph Chamberlain and Winston Churchill sincerely speculated on the chances of the USA being welcomed back into the imperial bosom.
Americans, don't lose heart; you are the great power of the age. It is your lot to be envied and feared. Do not fall for the soft hearted illusion that this translates into moral superiority of any variety." --James
"It is sick that to be Canadian one must hate other people. I've been to US hundreds of times and England as well and they never equate their nationality with hatred of others. It seems we are a nation of people that are in serious need of therapy. Thank god I enjoy visiting other countries and felt no need to hate or denigrate others. When ever I go to United States or England I always leave the Canadian stuff at home and I get along just fine. I would recommend this for others." --Nov. 12th, 2005 5:08PM
"The only thing more annoying that a 'typical American' (and they do exist!) is a Canadian with a superiority complex! Americans do get the piss ripped out of them behind their backs but with the flag on your pack you probably will as well." --travoholic
"I grew up on army bases my whole life and nothing makes me prouder than watching Canadian soldiers do what they can, when they can, to help out more impoverished nations. I do, however, become angered at people who begin talking about who has the better, or bigger army and who can beat whom. Soldiers sacrifice their lives for the betterment of mankind, not to win pissing contests." --Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:12 pm
"I attribute European anti-Americanism to a state of prolonged “adolescence” from being protected by American treasure and military might throughout the post-WW2 era. I think about how teenagers rail against their parents actions and restrictions, all the while knowing, deep down, that they cannot provide for themselves.
On a somewhat lighter note, there was a program on PBS (Public Broadcasting System) a while back about why Europeans don’t like America. One interviewee attributed it to the Europeans knowing that America won’t hurt them." --Denis Eugene Sullivan
"In spite of the constant accusations of “arrogance,” Americans are really very self-deprecating in many ways and often place the French, and other Western Europeans, on a pedestal of cultural superiority; this probably goes further back into world history than virulent anti-Americanism does." --Jennifer
"Yes, anti-Americanism is a sad reality all over the world. I feel its simply part of "hatred of the superpower". Britian for most of its empire's history was mocked harshly by English speaking colonies and much of mainland Europe. Nobody likes the "big kid on the block". I think the fact that American media plays a more dominant role in English speaking societies around the world further reminds us of our inferiority complexes.
In short, America's ok with me. I can only hope that reason and the shedding of jealous ignorance can let other people see that America isn't that bad." --Matt
"Conservatives love America the way a six year old loves his mother. Mommy is perfect, don’t be mean to mommy, etc… Liberals, according to me, have a grown-up love for America — the kind that recognizes faults and works to improve the nation out of love." --Al Franken
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Anti-Americanism in New Zealand
In Americanophobia, Guest Posts on August 7, 2008 at 2:00 PMFirstly, I’d just like to say how refreshing it is to have returned to the blogshpere to find people such as yourself speaking out about the ridiculousness of what seems to be happening in the world with regards this hatred. I’m so thrilled to see Americans speaking out against this.
While I have a feeling I’ll be posting about this on my personal blog, it is an absolute pleasure to be a guest blogger on topics relating to this. I think I could give a different perspective as I’m not American, yet simply because I’m with an American I seem to be part of a very strange “secret hate club“, so to speak.
I think there’s opportunity to post about many topics, such as:
I think people need to see how ridiculous it is, how far it’s actually gone, and how much it effects people.