Military Power

I am stating no personal opinion at this point.

Why do other nations hate, despise, envy the United States of America? Some nations show the most extreme hateful signs of it, and would most likely execute an American on site during their protests. Those reasons may never really be brought to reality. But why do some nations which are close to America (economically, ethnically and socially) hate this country? Is it because of McDonald's? Mickey Mouse? Military occupation? Economics? Leadership? What are the real reasons?

I see it on the news, internet, TV, movies, etc. But no one every really gives a good solid reason why they hate America. Sometimes its because of their leaders; they push it upon their citizens that America is evil. Look at Venezuela! Iran!

There are active members on this forum who are from other countries other than the United States, and I want to here from them...American members are more than welcome to post on this too, you will not be considered a traitor . Please, go all out, I will not be offended because I am merely seeking the truth.

Isn’t “Hate” rather a harsh term to use? I am of the opinion that such xenophobic fear is largely attributable to the lack of understanding by many Americans of the World beyond their own borders (I read somewhere that less than one third of all Americans actually own a Passport and that the percentage of the population who have actually travelled abroad is much less than in many other countries). Such ignorance can sometimes lead to a misguided lack of respect to the cultures, traditions and religious beliefs of other nationalities which can result in all Americans being tarred with the same brush.

As a European myself I will openly admit that there are factors in the US way of life which I fine distasteful to a European frame of mind, but from an optimistic viewpoint trust that, in time (and closer links), such differences that exist will be gradually eradicated.

I agree with you Hobilar that differences will be gradually eradicated...sorry I used 'Hate', it's a common word here for some reason.

I don't own a passport, yet. Time and money hasn't allowed me to travel, however I do plan to travel in the near future. You need to give me a list of places to visit

As far as most of Europe goes I don't think they "hate" the U.S. I think it is more that Europeans are building a common society not as Europeans, but as non-Americans, much in the way that John Kerry ran for president in 2004 - not on any solid Democratic plan, but as a non-George Bush. It's convenient to point fingers at America and blame her for all the problems in the world. Americans are blamed for a myriad of issues, from global warming to cultural decay. As Jean Francois-Revel (a French politician, journalist, author, prolific philosopher and member of the Académie française since June 1998) puts it:

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. For stupidity and bloodshed to vanish from Europe, the U.S. must be identified as the singular threat to democracy (contrary to every lesson of actual history). Thus, during the Cold War, it was dogma among Europeans from Sweden to Sicily, from Athens to Paris, that the "imperialistic" power was America, even though it was the USSR that annexed Eastern Europe, made satellites out of several African countries, and invaded Afghanistan, even though it was the People's Republic of China that marched into Tibet, attacked South Korea, and subjugated three Indochinese countries. A similar dynamic applies today in the war on terror.

Twice in the twentieth century, Europe nearly committed suicide. Both times Americans jumped in to bail them out, at huge personal and national cost, something which must eat at their psyche - the colonial upstarts who dared to create a new world had to come to the aid of the old. Those classless, cultureless, money-grubbing Americans had to go in and do a managed intervention, keeping Europeans safe from themselves and a now-collapsed Soviet threat. (That American money, while considered to be dirty capitalist spoils, also comes in handy, too.) America's steadfast support of Israel, is another bone of contention.

Now, that is not to say EVERYONE in Europe hates the U.S., and to say, or even imply, that is the case would be very unfair. But to say or imply that "it is all in our heads and that there isn't a level of, dare I say, hatred, for the U.S. is equally unfair. Europe aside, there are plenty of places with extreme hatreds for the U.S., the Middle East being prime among them.

Maximus the Destroyer wrote: Twice in the twentieth century, Europe nearly committed suicide. Both times Americans jumped in to bail them out, at huge personal and national cost, something which must eat at their psyche - the colonial upstarts who dared to create a new world had to come to the aid of the old.

Sadly such pomposity does not help to build bridges

Maximus the Destroyer wrote:Twice in the twentieth century, Europe nearly committed suicide. Both times Americans jumped in to bail them out, at huge personal and national cost, something which must eat at their psyche - the colonial upstarts who dared to create a new world had to come to the aid of the old.

Yes Max, that was THEN, but this is NOW. Those wars and times have been over, and people, economics and governments have changed. I'm quite sure that if America has caused anyone to hate it, that there is probably some ridiculous reasons. However, if you look back through the years, there is good reason why other countries would want to strangle us. I still stay a firm and true American Patriot, I love this country and would not want to live anywhere else. But you do have to except that we may deserve some of the things which have been said about our government. I'll leave it at that.

Maximus the Destroyer wrote: Twice in the twentieth century, Europe nearly committed suicide. Both times Americans jumped in to bail them out, at huge personal and national cost, something which must eat at their psyche - the colonial upstarts who dared to create a new world had to come to the aid of the old.

I'm impressed Max, that sounds like something I would have said. Though, I have to say, by the tone of the following sentence you are either one of those that "hates" America, or that whole paragraph should be taken as a tongue-in-cheek statement rather than you being a pompous-ass (like I am).