Thoughts on nations that "don't like us"

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

This one is definitely NOT tongue in cheek. Sig, the author, was a teen-aged
Marine who marched and fought as a rifleman to and from the Chosin reservoir
in Korea in 1950. He switched to the Army, and served as a Special Forces
officer in Vietnam. After Vietnam he joined the CIA, and went back to Korea.

He's been there, done that, and has some specific thoughts on countries that
don't "like" us.

If you aren't interested in the ramblings of an old man, you probably should
delete this now. If you're still there, pull up a chair and read on.



Is there anyone else out there who's sick and tired of all the polls being
taken in foreign countries as to whether or not they "like" us? The last
time I looked, the word "like" had nothing to do with foreign policy. I
prefer 'respect' or 'fear'. They worked for Rome , which civilized and kept
the peace in the known world a hell of a lot longer than our puny two
centuries-plus.

I see a left-wing German got elected to office recently by campaigning
against the foreign policy of the United States. Yeah, that's what I want,
to be lectured about war and being a "good neighbor" by a German. Their head
honcho said they wouldn't take part in a war against Iraq. Kind of nice, to
see them taking a pass on a war once in while. Perhaps we needed to have the
word "World" in front of War. I think it's time to bring our boys home from
Germany. Outside of the money we'd save, we'd make the Germans "like" us a
lot more, after they started paying the bills for their own defense.

Last time I checked, France isn't too fond of us either. They sort of liked
us back on June 6th, 1944, though, didn't they? If you don't think so, see
how nicely they take care of the enormous American cemeteries up above the
Norm andy beaches. For those of you who've studied history, we also have a
few cemeteries in places like Belleau Woods and Chateau Thierry also. For
those of you who haven't studied it, that was from World War One, the first
time Europe screwed up and we bailed out the French.

That's where the US Marines got the title 'Devil Dogs' or, if you still care
about what the Germans think, "Teufelhunde". I hope I spelled that right;
sure wouldn't want to offend anyone, least of all a German.

Come to think of it, when Europe couldn't take care of their Bosnian problem
recently, guess who had to help out there also. Last time I checked, our
kids are still there. I sort of remember they said they would be out in a
year. Gee, how time flies when you're having fun.

Now we hear that the South Koreans aren't too happy with us either. They
"liked" us a lot better, of course, in June, 1950. It took more than 50,000
Americans killed in Korea to he lp give them the lifestyle they currently
enjoy, but then who's counting? I think it's also time to bring the boys
home from there. There are about 37,000 young Americans on the DMZ
separating the South Koreans from their "brothers" up North. Maybe if we
leave, they can begin to participate in the "good life" that North Korea
currently enjoys. Uh huh. Sure.

I also understand that a good portion of the Arab/Moslem world now doesn't
"like" us either. Did anyone ever sit down and determine what we would have
to do to get them to like us? Ask them what they would like us to do. Die?.
Commit ritual suicide? Bend over? Maybe we should follow the advice of our
dimwitted, dullest knife in the drawer, Senator Patty Murray, and build more
roads, hospitals, day care centers, and orphanages like Osama bin Laden
does. What with all the orphans Osama has created, the least he can do is
build some places to put them. Senator Stupid says if we woul d only
"emulate" Osama, the Arab world would love us. Sorry Patty; in addition to
the fact that we already do all of those things around the world and have
been doing them for over sixty years, I don't take public transportation,
and I certainly wouldn't take it with a bomb strapped to the guy next to me.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not in favor of going to war. Been there, done that.
Several times, in fact. But I think we ought to have some polls in this
country about other countries, and see if we "like" THEM. Problem is, if you
listed the countries, not only wouldn't the average American know if he
liked them or not, he wouldn't be able to find them. If we're supposed to
worry about them, how about them worrying about us?

We were nice to the North Koreans in 1994, as we followed the policies of
Neville Clinton. And it seemed to work; they didn't re-start nuclear weapons
program for a whole year or so. In the meantime, we fed them when they were
starving, and put oil in their stoves when they were freezing.

In a recent visit to Norway, I engaged in a really fun debate with my
cousin's son, a student at a Norwegian University. I was lectured to by this
thankless squirt about the American "Empire", and scolded about dropping the
atomic bomb on the Japanese.

I reminded him that empires usually keep the stuff they take; we don't, and
back in 1945 most Norwegians thought dropping ANY kind of bomb on Germany or
Japan was a good idea. I also reminded him that my uncle, his grandfather,
and others in our family spent a significant time in Sachsenhausen
concentration camp, courtesy of the Germans, and they didn't all survive. I
further reminded him that if it wasn't for the "American Empire" he would
probably be speaking German or Russian.

Sorry about the rambling, but I just took an unofficial poll here at our
house, and we don't seem to like anyone.

[mf_dolphin]

HEAR HEAR!!!!


Well said Rob!

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

I was forwarded that piece and thought I should pass along the sentiments since we are all pretty much along those lines!

[streetsoldier]

It is a sad day, indeed, when American policy is dictated by foreign pollsters...or our own, for that matter.

If people "like" me, that's neither here nor there; I'd rather have their "respect", if for no other reason than that I STAND for something far greater than I am....Duty...Honor...Country.

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

Not to mention the pursuit of happiness!

[streetsoldier]

Rob, that is only a guarantee that we can "pursue" the damn thing...doesn't mean we'll ever catch it.

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

So true....especially when you have a world that doesnt agree on things as we see as 'common life'.

[southerngale]

Thanks for passing that along Rob. I'd like to sit and talk with that old man.

[streetsoldier]

HOOAH!

[Rainband]

They like us when there is something in it for them!! Plain and simple. I hope that they need us one day soon and then they will see what we will do for them, Notta!!! "Your either with us or against us" as George W would say

[southerngale]

"You're either with us or you're with the terrorists"

[al]

Hi all

America, your not on your own in the "nobody likes us stakes", the UK
are running you a very close second.

Its nice to know that the UK has got at least ONE friend if and when world war three breaks out, so if it ever became possible and any Brits were
given the chance to settle and live in America, I for one would give up
this so called UNITED NATIONS ( EUROPE ) and spend the rest of my days in America, out the way of these two faced allies in europe!

God bless America!

all the best

cheers alan

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

Thanks alan.....very kind thoughts and many like yourself are in the same thinking.

[mf_dolphin]

Hi AL! Great hearing from you! I can tell you that this is one American that really appreciates the support from the UK! It is truly nice to have a real friend in the world!

Have a pint for me...I miss my Whitbread bitter

[streetsoldier]

Alan, should you ever come "across the pond", I'll stand you a few pints myself...you name the poison!

[southerngale]

Another American here that appreciates the support from the UK.

[streetsoldier]

All of these protests smack of incredible timing and planning worldwide; I wonder who's footing the bill for all this?

They also remind me of a scene in "King of Kings", when the centurion tells Barabbas he is free to go...

Barabbas -"They chose ME? The people wanted ME?"

Centurion -"Your followers yelled the loudest!"

I provide, YOU decide...