Well, let's discuss what it is to be an American. Does that mean unrequitted devotion to our leaders, even when they do foolish things? Should we stand by our leaders when they send 18 year olds to Vietnam in a war that drags on with no victory in sight, and a blurred sense of why we were there in the first place?

Should we support our leaders when they have affairs, lie in senate hearings, or do unfashionable things like Watergate, or when they have people "silenced?" It was never proven that Gary Condit had anything to do with what's her name's murder, but I think we can assume that in all the representatives/senators, something like this might have happened. The value of one life becomes extraordinarily insignificant if it threatens to blow up a scandal.

Now, G-Man, you have made some of your better points here, but it exposes part of the root of why our views are different. You see, I have lived in Europe, traveled around the continent, lived in India, and traveled... well... everywhere there. One thing I find myself asking people is, "What do you think of the U.S.?"


I do this for the same reasons I engage you in debate. I want to see all of the alternate perspectives before making my final conclusions. Based on what I have seen, the U.S., for all of its power, is very much a hypocracy.

Firm holds or influence in multiple governments around the world display how the country results to intimidation tactics. There was a vote in the U.N. several years ago about sanctions and supervising Iraq. One South American country on the board, I think it was Chile, voted against it. The U.S. representative later told the person "That is going to be the most expensive vote you ever made." You see, the U.S. was on the verge of giving them some 800 million or something for the basic necessities. So the government tries to sway other countries with promises of money or business trade.

That is called bribing. A country in need feels that if their people are to do better, then they must vote with Americans. And then again, there was that ultimatum Bush gave following 9/11. "You are either with us, or against us on terrorism."

But it goes beyond this. The unilateral methods of the government alarm me. If we are to ever have something that relates to ... "world cohesion" we must respect the opinions of other countries and work with them to ultimately achieve the same goals.

That doesn't happen. Clinton's administration was working on getting other countries to pass the Kyoto Treaty, and when it came ful circle, only a few had not signed--stipulating that they would only do so if the U.S. signed it. And we didn't.

Or go back to the beginning of the War with Iraq. It was Powell who suggested to Bush that we go to the U.N. We weren't looking too good, and our relationship with other countries was rapidly deteriorating. But creating a unified force, we would be a... dare I call it... "team" that would be taking action. Bush grew impatient and attacked with the assistance of Britain.

And there are disturbing facts about why Britain helped. Apparently, many of the powers that be within that country were given funds by the U.S. gov't, albeit quietly. Have people on your side take seats in a foreign government. Easiest way to put them under your control, or at least exercise some authority abroad. Remember the guy who became the president of Afghanistan? I went to his brother's restaurant in Baltimore. Good Food. Put in people with American ties.

My point is this. The U.S. is under silent expansion. We do it through influence, money, and economics. Remember how we hated it when the Japanese seemed to be buying everything? That is what the U.S. does abroad. People who are loyal to their own nations don't care for potential outside influence. However, it seems rather obvious to me that the U.S. does not give a damn about what anyone thinks.

So, when Germans and the French speak out, saying that this is a foolish thing, then I happen to agree with them. I remember lessons of invading a country and taking over occupation. Seems our leaders do not. So I constantly question every action they make, whether it is by a republican, democrat or what. Because it becomes increasingly obvious that these men are taking action with other things on their mind.