Yes, them, Israel, and South Africa are all nearly the same in that regard. They have much to be proud of due to the diligent efforts of their citizens who are wholly responsible for the actions of their governments.

frank lee bent wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2019 4:07 am Yes, them, Israel, and South Africa are all nearly the same in that regard. They have much to be proud of due to the diligent efforts of their citizens who are wholly responsible for the actions of their governments.

All true FLB, and some hyperbole probably serves good purpose.
But the US takes pride in elevating that to a level which is akin to the old "divine right of kings/nations" thing.

The personality disorder of being a loud-mouth braggart, becomes a different ball game when it is the most powerful nation on earth believing they are divine.

But look, please don't get me wrong.
After a lifetime of anti-americanism, I am actually doing the old-man-changing-his-tune thing. In part.
The chinese exponential growth curve is a good motivation to start rethinking my attitude to US power in the Western pacific/ Asia region. For example.

But sometimes it's hard to get past the personality disorder thing.

SternAAlbifrons wrote:The personality disorder of being a loud-mouth braggart, becomes a different ball game when it is the most powerful nation on earth believing they are divine...But sometimes it's hard to get past the personality disorder thing.

This personality disordered nation as you put it, promoted the idea of equality since its creation, and changed the west and the world for the better.

Look at the family portraits before the founding of America. The husband was always elevated. After, husband and wife are always at the same level.

The idea of equality under the law with everyone required to follow the law. Not a separate set of rules for royalty and another set for the rest. Why? Because rights comes from God given to the ordinary person. The ordinary person gives up some rights to the government. Power is not from the King, not from the United Nations, but from ordinary citizens.

After World War 2, we could’ve done like the Soviet Union - gone on retribution hunts, then occupied and oppressed.

Instead, Europe was rebuilt, the finest American minds (like Deming) were sent to Japan to rebuild its factories and economy.

The US has always sought to pull everyone up, promote peace, free trade, and equal rules for all.

Protectionism (not getting involved in the affairs of others) resulted in two World Wars, and forced the US to radically change policy.

Be glad that such a personality disordered people have been around.

Otherwise the world would be bowing and scraping to some world emperor, under the greater Reich, or just miserably poor.

Or at least husbands would be openly whipping their wives and children in the street.

See how you like China as the major power seeing you hate USA so much and crave it's destruction.

frank lee bent wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2019 10:33 am See how you like China as the major power seeing you hate USA so much and crave it's destruction.

Sorry FLB, I think you have totally misread my last post.

we should continue to put all american threads in the asinine area- the posters on here make that something that seems logical. or maybe come up with an american section- that way we can all avoid it lol.

Funny how the American think they have made the world better. Fortunately, there are also awake Americans.

SternAAlbifrons wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2019 3:54 am My #1 fundamental problem with USA.

American's never-ending, loud and proud boasting about how their country is so blessed by God - and all the other aspects of "american exceptionalism" .

I just don't get it. Sincerely.

Try as I might, I find it really hard to warm to people who are always shouting about how God-given special they are.
Its ludicrous, how can you respect that??

Well, I gotta say that after meeting a lot of ordinary Americans in Cambodia, Thailand and Philippines along the way, I really don't get a sense of that. Nevertheless, I get the gist of what you're saying and I'm thinking this is more due to what their government (or the press) is espousing...??

OTOH as FLB indicated, would you rather China... which subjugates their citizens and seeks to dominate the world?

@SternAAlbifrons

Feeling lazy tonight so, instead of taking the time to craft a conscientious, considered and well thought out rebuttal of your dismally predictable, sweeping generalization of an entire nation, I'm just going to give you a hearty:

Shropshire is a lovely part of the UK, i used to visit friends there, i resent the slur on the place.

Charlie