There was a letter to the editor of the Dallas Morning News today from a Belgian man who implored Americans to basically look at what Bush had done to the world. What I find so frustrating about this and the disdain with which so many "countries" look at the United States is that if something horrible were to happen to their countries, we'd be first in line with a big bad of financial aid to help out...and they'd gladly take it. Just hypocritical to me.

The Belgian needs to STFU and look at what the EU bureaucrats in Brussels have done to Europe.

International Reputations
Kind of amusing how many folks are concerned about our "International Reputation." Funny thing is...you can still apply the "border test" and the US would end up being the refuge of choice hands down. The latest flag carrier on that argument is Senator Patty Murry (Wash. State).

Murray says the war needlessly damaged the United States' international reputation and criticizes the Bush administration for failing to prepare for the postwar chaos.
Seattle Times Oct. 10, 2004

I suppose that fits into the ideology of the Liberalism in general. While Conservatives revel in the concept of individualism and self-reliance, Liberalism is always dependent on those around them to support a Socialistic mentality. Socialists believe that everyone should own and control the means of production and what is 'right.' Therefore, the opinions of everyone else take on a more important role than your own opinions and interests. Yet, there is never going to be a common consensus on what constitutes what is correct by your "peers." Those across the globe have a more "liberal" even "socialist" press than the US. So, as they are spoonfed the anti-American medicine, they are only adding to the disease...

The casualties of such thinking are entrepeneurship, innovation, success, sovereignty, and, worst of all, idenity.

Short version of the above: Don't be concerned about what pants I'm wearing. Just be glad I'm wearing them.

The intelligentsia of Europe don't like us at all. They never have.

Never.

Go back to the late eighteenth century, you'll read them lamenting our uncultured, unlettered, mercantilist barbarian selves. We Americans have neevr been popular with the cultural and literary elites of Europe. So why sweat it now? Have applications for permanent resident status dropped off?

In other words, do ordinary people still look up to American ideas and want to emulate us, if not actually become us? I submit not.

We won't ever impress the European intelligentsia, unless we become like them. Which is not the point of this nation at all - it was founded by people who didn't want to be Europeans.

We've not given a hoot as to what Europe has had to say, since ... um, about 1620, if memory serves.

And I see no reason to start now.

I completely agree with that. Let’s forget about Europe. We have not obligation with them. We have spilled our own blood to make them free. Let’s forget about Africa, South America and Asia. We have no business there. But most of all, let’s stop helping Israel. Why my tax dollars have to go and help over there? Why are our kid and people dying for them?
AMERICA FOR THE AMERICANS
Ps. I am being sarcastic.

Ps. I am being sarcastic.

Incoherent, as well.

I suggest adding Dream Theater's "As I am" to the list of unofficial US anthems:

"To those who understand
I reach out my hand
To the doubtful I command
Take me as I am."