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Originally Posted by suginami
Anti-Americanism Is Racist Envy
Paul Johnson, 07.21.03, 12:00 AM ET
Anti-Americanism is the prevailing disease of intellectuals today. Like other diseases, it doesn't have to be logical or rational. But, like other diseases, it has a syndrome--a concurrent set of underlying symptoms that are also causes.
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Paul Johnson , eminent British historian and author, Lee Kuan Yew , senior minister of Singapore, and Ernesto Zedillo , former president of Mexico, in addition to Forbes Chairman Caspar W. Weinberger , are now periodically writing this column. To see past Current Events columns go to www.forbes.com/currentevents. |
The author makes an awful lot of assertions, seems to have some serious issues with Continental Europe, failed to mention the UK and its Royal family as the antidote to democracy even once in his tirade (but of course he is British). I am not sure where gets his information from, there are many countries in Continental Europe (30, some of which actually invented democracy), and a lot more intellectuals, speaking as many if not more languages. I find it somewhat difficult to see how they all would speak with a unified voice when it comes to the US.
He finds the US’ system glorious for its just, honest and inclusionary (is that a word) ways yet, if my recollection is correct, on this very board there were accusation of vote fixing, coercion and outright fraud with the voting machines during the most recent election, and the leader may not have been elected as the will of the majority. Mentioning Bush was a particularly bad example, it has been shown (by Bush, himself no less) many times he is a near imbecile, especially when compared to some of the previous presidents.
It is also known that televised debates make or break an incumbent’s aspiration, for some of the viewers care more about style than substance. Rather shallow, but then again, “nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public”.
The same may apply to other countries, it is just the author is sure that democracy is flawless in the States. As to the spiritual interest, religious worship (as if was something to be proud of in the 21st century), creeds and morality he should have read a few statistics before going on a diatribe. Enron, WorldCom, Exxon Valdez, Bhopal, television evangelism, murder/rape/robbery etc. rate, crime infested inner cities, racism against blacks and Mexicans, the list is long. The popular criticism the US is receiving in Europe is for its foreign policy and its chest beating, loudmouth propaganda.
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Originally Posted by PaulC
Interesting that he has showcased Rosa "Park" as an example of America's continued failure to address race equality, when Miss "Park" was essentially an icon of America's ability to look within itself, and through primarily peaceful means, effect significant social and cultural change.
Had Rosa "Park" lived in Dacia's birthplace in 1955, I wonder if the revolutionary movement she triggered would have flowered, or if it's founding fathers would have been dragged into the woods and slaughtered. It's certainly unlikely that Miss "Park" would have been in a position to wait 95 years for anything. I wouldn't compare Miss "Park's" pre-1955 circumstances to that of a pre-Civil War slave, but perhaps to that of the average eastern European citizen.
I'm awaiting Dacia's showcase of a country, government and/or culture that we should emulate. I'm particularly interested in the identity of a country in which its government and inhabitants are free of prejudice, bias or partiality. It is most certainly not in eastern Europe.
I suspect that this may be the most flagrant case of the pot calling the kettle black I've encountered in quite some time.
Dacia, I patiently await your apology for calling me a stray dog. It was personally offensive and unwarranted.
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Interesting how a black civil right activist fighting against white racism in America ended up to be white America’s icon in changing “itself”. I guess some of the black readers here would disagree with you on that claim. She inspired not all Americans but black Americans to fight for their rights. If it were up to mainstream America, the status quo would have been just fine. The fight wasn’t “primarily” peaceful either, there were race riots for years, King was shot. Yes, her name was ParkS.
Had she lived in my birthplace in 1955 she would have been an ordinary member of society for there has never been slavery there, no Klux-Klux-Klan, no cross burning and/or lynching.
As to comparing her circumstances to that of an average Eastern European (this term is rather misleading, it is a geopolitical invention, the Iron Curtain divided Central Europe and West Europe) shows how little you know about that era. You are making a fool of yourself in your lame attempt to belittle her work.
I never claimed that other governments and/or countries are free of problems, but the most obnoxious yelling and screaming coming from your corner, as if it was your god given right to lecture others about the infallibility of the “truth, justice and the American way”.
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Originally Posted by MedMech
He went Dutch on himself.
Dacia means Romanian is that what he was before he strayed?
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Dacia was the name of a Roman province, approximately the area in which today’s Romania is located. Incidentally, it is also the name of the car I owned when I lived in Austria (it was a Renault 12 essentially, manufactured under license).
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Originally Posted by cmac2012
You make some good points, I regret that so many people are willing to dismiss it as America bashing. We've been reading and digesting our own press releases for so long, we've started to believe 'em.
However, many peoples have migrated over the centuries. The people you descended from likely as not came from somewhere else and displaced another people.
Many of your ancestors likely as not did horrible things to neandrathals, speeding them to a date with extinction. I dunno, seems like war and mass killing is going to happen now and then no matter what.
I could be wrong (it's happened) but I think he was referring to America as a whole rather than you specifically.
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True, human history is about conquest, but I never claimed that my people were the lightning rod for humanity.
Americans on the other hand:
“All too often, politicians rally their audience with inflated claims of American greatness. The United States is "the greatest country in the world." At other times, it is "the greatest country ever," "the greatest country ever conceived," or "the greatest country in the history of mankind." When the exuberance soars, America also "kicks ass!"
Nearly as often, one hears of the United States as the great Samaritan: second to none at 'civilizing' half-breed races. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, the United States is the "the last best hope of mankind," no less. More frequently, it is "the shining beacon on the hill." Recently, John Kerry, Democratic Presidential candidate, roused students at UCLA, "I believe we can bring a real victory in the War on Terror. I believe we must, not only for ourselves but for all who look to America as the last best hope of earth." I have to wonder if the Vietnamese civilians killed by Kerry and his crew also looked upon them as "the last best hope of earth."”
http://www.counterpunch.org/alam03232004.html
English does not differentiate between singular "you" and plural “you", sometimes it is cumbersome to make the distinction. In that comment the plural “you” was meant to be used.
Alex