I would love to have your opinion

[here2bsilly]

What is it about the U.S.of A. that makes other countries hate us so much... (especially right now with N.Korea and Iran).

What is it about say... France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, etc... that they never get read the riot act?

I haven't heard "Death to Belgium" evah...

I would love to hear your POV.

Thanks!

Comments

[otopico]

A lot of countries get the 'death to..' line, but we (the US) tend to be a bit oblivious to the rest of the world

[cainmark]

Maybe that we have actually used the atomic bomb twice on civilian populations instead of military targets. And have the largest nuclear stockpile of any country (except maybe Russia, but they've probably sold most of theirs to middle eastern warlords). And if you're a smaller country being told what to do by a much larger country, having a nuclear weapon can be seen as self-defense

[cainmark]

Oh also, I love this country. I think the constitution is one of the most amazing documents ever written and I love the bill of rights and the declaration of independence. The promise of America is its greatest strength-to strive for ideals, but sometime fail, but to keep trying, persevering and be compassionate to one another. We are, as a whole, a very compassionate country when faced with crises. It's how our government and the media tend to shape us to act like jackasses after those times I have a problem with

[aposak]

The atomic bombs did kill civilians. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were industrial targets providing materiel for Japan's imperialist war effort. This was the standard practice in the European theatre, and to lay siege or otherwise cut supply lines has been around as long as war itself. Wars get nasty sometimes

[gleisdreieck]

In short, America has a history of diplomatically inept governments, making implacable enemies for no discernible geopolitical benefit. European countries have been doing diplomacy for centuries, and are better at juggling competing interests.

And I'm sure they have shouted "Death to Belgium" in the Congo. As well as in parts of Belgium.

[aposak]

I'm personally thinking it's envy and reporting. Being at the top makes you an easy target.

Things that are reported here are things of interest and significance to Americans. The fact that someone likes us (as a country) isn't news; the fact that someone has a problem with us puts us on the defensive and makes news. People liking or disliking Italy isn't terribly relevant here. Being in the Western hemisphere isolates us from much of the rest of the world, and contributes to our appearance of arrogance and aloofness (as if we need that help).

My $0.02, but I think most of it has already been said.