NORTH AMERICAN UNION & V CHIP TRUTH

(watch this video on YouTube)

"But the reelection of President Bush despite the ongoing war really confused the rest of the world, which had expected that the good people of America wouldn't be that easily duped into supporting the war"...

While many Americans did vote for Bush in the last election, the world should know that the majority DID NOT. The elections were rigged, as they were in 2000. George Bush is a dictator, not an honestly elected public official. He represents the corporations who put him in power, NOT the American people. We need an international watchdog group to monitor OUR next presidential election.

well first we have nonimating conventions all over the us. then the parties nominate a canidate and that canidate runs for office. when everyone has voted they count up the votes per state and then the electoral college casts its vote. and the real amazing thing is we do national elections ever 4 years and the house and senate do it every 2 years, [at lest for some senators] and we live by the results. we dont ask anyone who does not like our election results to give us money or even agree with what we have done. and we have been doing it since 1788 - wow - pretty good and we even did it during a civil war.

AMVIENNAVA,
That is but an opionion and i really can't tell what it is based on. Bush had Abbas to the Whitehouse, channeled millions of additional dollars to the PA, made demands of Israel, promised to help reconstitute the Palestinian security forces and announced that the United States would give $50 million to the Palestinians to help with housing and infrastructure projects in Gaza among many other initiatives. That sounds like support to me. There are a number of articles that document what was done in 2005. Even way back in 2003, Bush was working up the Abbas angle as the hope for the Palestinians. Just search on Bush/Abbas/2005 and you will find plenty documenting what the Bush administration did. It was one of the things that they actually got right over the last couple years. Then the Palestinians voted.

Sorry i should say hate speech is ACCEPTED against select groups, but it is allowed for all..its a freedom of speech thing

little PESKY constitutional bump

AMVIENNAVA, you're right Hate speech is only allowed against certain groups, one of which is mine, white males. So, honestly it really doesn't bother me when anyone is spoken against in a hateful way, they are words, and i have gotten over it, so should everyone else. I have heard things on primetime TV about white males that would be censored in a heartbeat if said about any other group other than Arabs/Middle easterners. Get over it... it sucks

Dave!: About the US and Abbas. Please follow the link to page 2, where you will find this "But after Arafat's death in November 2004 and Abbas's election in January 2005, he got one -- a very real chance to put the Palestinians' first post-Arafat leader to the test. But instead of stepping in with both feet, Washington watched from the sidelines with its post-9/11 contempt for serious diplomacy. Abbas faded; Hamas rose. Of course, Fatah's own corruption and dysfunction was what elected Hamas in January 2006 -- but Washington and the Israelis helped."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702049_2.html

Unfortunately it is difficult to get WP links to articles going back to 2005 or 2006.

As I posted, the US and Israel 'discovered' Abbas' virtues after he lost the elections. It speaks poorly of our admiration of democratic principles.

"... and amaerica should care what you think why?"

The fact is America does care.

American cannot not care.

America cares to the point of being sick caring.

Caring has become America's obsession.

America can hardly think about anything else, these days.

That is the price to pay for pretending so long not to care.

That is the price to pay for unilateralism in the community of nations.

Once again, this proves that hype and hysteria still carries the day in America. Over and over we heard, “this is a post 9/11 world” to justify the lies and deceit. As if 9/11 gave this administration the license to suspend democracy, the free press, and personal freedoms. It’s funny we decry what Putin and others do, yet when a crisis arises here we do the exact same thing. Just because you say it isn’t the same thing, doesn’t make it different.

This President was reelected based on fear. In a winner take all type of democracy that we have there was no room for dissension.This administration co-opted the media into a us versus them world view that was used to silence critics. And the truth be told it didn't take much to sell the war in Iraq. After 9/11, there was anger and indignation and someone had to pay.

It is exactly this attitude of invincibility and arrogance that has this nation on the downward path that it is on. It was arrogance that caused Mr. Bush to fly onto that carrier with the “Mission Accomplished” banner, it was arrogance that made him say, “Bring it on” to the terrorists, and it was arrogance that believes that if I say “global warming” doesn’t exist, then it doesn’t exist. How dare, we the American public have the nerve to question these loyal patriots. We are only trying to protect you from yourselves. You know you can’t have too much freedom for the masses. The only truth that you need is what we are willing to provide you.

While the loss of 2,973 Americans is tragic and unjustified under any conditions, can we now justify holding 6.6 billion people hostage as a result? We have declared war not only on the terrorists but on the whole world as well. When we start using the language of “either you are with us or against us” we force the world and ourselves to either accept everything we do or “embolden the terrorists”. Life despite what some in this administration would like us to believe is never that black and white. By defining the struggle in those terms we declare war on ourselves and our democracy. No one said having a democracy would be easy, no one said defending a democracy would be easy either. Living in a democracy we put our beliefs to the test every day. Those beliefs include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We believe that these are unalienable rights granted by a beneficent Creator.

The rest of the world has always admired us, but at the same time they have always believed that we are arrogant. Talk to people from outside of America and you will continue to hear this refrain. There is no one right way to live! While our way of life has worked for us, that doesn’t mean it will work for everyone in every circumstance. We must be willing to humble ourselves and accept that others also have opinions and ideas that are valuable. No one person or country knows everything about anything. Here is a sample of what the world is writing about us:

“Understand that I am neither European nor American but that I see Europe as a more adequate partner than the USA. I am shocked of the attitude of people like Miller as they are the reason for antiamericanism in the world. Americans think that they are armed missionaries and that they have a "divine mission" to export their model of political government in the world... Well guess what gringos? you'll be amazed to see that the world is a very diverse place and that different cultures demand different things. If you try to make someone accept something which he doesn't want (ex: occupation of Irak, Afghanistan...) he'll give you something you don't want either ( ex: terrorist attacks...)

It is a shame that America does not realise that. Until it does it wont bring upon itself sympathy from the rest of the world.”

“It is commonly known that around the globe, we Americans are regarded as rather arrogant. In part, our subtle (or not so subtle) sense of superiority flows from the belief (espoused in our schools, churches, and service organizations, and reinforced by our politicians) that we are citizens of the best and most powerful nation on earth. Most of the planet, however, doesn't quite see it that way.”

Now is the time to climb off of our high horse and engage the world, not in a condescending way but in a mutual partnership. Where each party is valued and whose opinions and concerns are given merit, even if they go against our own…

The Disputed Truth

and amaerica should care what you think why?

Daoud, it's really easy why America re-elected Bush. America always elects the best government that (business) money can buy. Bush was paid for by the oil industry and indirect Zionist interests.

AMviennaVA,
Hate speech is allowed for all groups. There is very little governing what people in the US are allowed to say. Certain hate speech coupled with another crime makes the penalty of that crime harsher. This may not be the case for Arabs or Muslims which, IMO, is one of the reasons "hate" crime laws are a bad idea in general.

As far as your comments on Abbas, they are simply not correct. The US would not deal with Fatah under Arafat. Given Arafat's previous terrorist history and failures at being a statesman for peace during the Clinton administration, the US under Bush was waiting on someone new to come along. They were receptive to Abbas from the get go. If you will recall, there was much joy when Arafat died because a terrorist was dead but also because it opened up some possibilities for the Palestinian problem. Then the Palestinians elected Hamas. It seems there is a trend there with Palestinians electing terrorists.

Liking democracy as a principle does not mean that we have to, need to or should like the outcome of every election. Regardless of the method of governing (democratic, monarch, dictator, etc), the US backs the people it thinks are in its best interest at that particular time in history. Sometimes, depending on the situation, we wind up backing people like Saddam or the Shah of Iran. It's not an exact science, it's really a choice of the lesser of two evils sometimes.

Bush got re-elected because of the manipulation of joe-six-pack by Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, James Dobson, Ted Haggard, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson et. al. These political wizards used religion and fear to not only terrorize American voters to re-elect Bush but also to reject what's-his-name based on a vile campaign of the religions right so called Swift Boat Veterans.

America, especially our dying solders, does not deserve to suffer two more years for this mistake. The problem can be taken care of by a series of impeachments. The crimes are there. Congress needs to be more agressive.

If the Arab world wants to prevent further interference of the US with its bullish tactics in its land, then they will have to Unite.

get used to it, america will be incharge for a very long time.
and if the price for being liked is having no spine and letting others dictate what we have to do - then i dont give a rats butt if you like us or not.

With all due respect, Mr. Kuttab, it is not just the re-election of Bush that made the large majority of people around the world feel a strong surge in their loathing for American boisterousness. It is the inability of the system (including such utterly decent and intelligent people as Senator Ray MacGovern) to adjust to a changing world where Asia’s rise is irresistible and where might is no longer necessarily right.

I would not be exaggerating too much if I said that, with every breath that I take these days, I pray that a Democratic Presidency starting in 2009 and a Democratic-controlled Congress can REALLY make America adjust to the idea of a world that will have to be at least tripolar to be stable. Only if America understands that will the promises that advances in science and technology (a substantial part of it the work of Americans or immigrants to America of the best and the brightest minds from other countries) offer will be realized. If America continues stubbornly (as seems to be likely) to want to dominate the world, we, the global human fraternity, are in for an immense catastrophe.

Timely question... thanks for jumping on this one, Daoud. You are right about one thing. 'They' had (and have, and always will have) contradictory views about the U.S. As long as 'We' provide bucks, food, support, whatver, things are fine. As soon as 'We' open our mouths, the fur starts to fly. As you say, there was worldwise sympathy after 9/11 (except in Palestine/Jordan, where your countrymen were literally dancing in the streets) until We actually had the temerity to address the cause of the attack. No, Daoud, the rest of the world is confused for many more reasons than because We reelected George Bush.

9/11 changed America. The murder of 3,000 civilians, most of whom were completely unaware of America's foreign policies or al-Qaeda's "declaration of war," this single act awoke a rage inside the American soul and changed how our country views and interacts with the world.

So if you'd like someone to blame for waking the wrath of the sleeping giant, America, then look no further than al-Qaeda. They have brought on this new America full of rage and aggression, and their Islamic brethren have suffered for it.

You talk about building trust? Trust is a two-way street. How about Muslim nations gaining OUR trust? Seeing the ethnic nature of terrorist groups, chants of DEATH TO AMERICA proclaimed proudly in the streets of numerous Islamic nations, human rights violations galore, stifling of free speech or political dissension with torture and/or death... How is America supposed to trust any nation like that?

Here in America we love our country. Proud of our achievements, we can compare our way of life to anybody’s and feel great. We have done better and progressed further than any country in the history of this planet. Our technological achievements are unparalleled. Our medical breakthroughs have added years to the life expectancy of people all around the world. The whole world is benefitting from our achievements. So, why are they so resentful of us? We have been very generous. We have shared our wealth with the world. Why the world does not appreciate it?

These are questions that need to be answered. We should look at the underlying causes, figure out what and where things need improving, and change the situation to our favor. We can do it because we are Americans and we are very able people.

I believe in all of the above and am trying to find some answers to the above questions.

Up until a few years ago (Before Bush) the world in general was very much partial to America and anything American, exactly for the reasons I mentioned in the first paragraph. Although America had caused some problems around the world, changed some unfriendly governments, affected the balance of power in some areas, pushed off others for more elbow room, but her own balance sheet in general was very positive and most people around the world liked her and wanted to imitate her.

After the collapse of the USSR the world became uni-polar and unfortunately the helpful and understanding kid on the block gradually changed to the bully on the block. During Bush 1 and Clinton years America was still evaluating her new position in the world. With Bush 2 and the neo-con gang, America planed to become an Empire. When Vice President’s office commissioned historians to research the underlying reasons for the collapse of the Roman Empire, people around the world noticed the change.

When 9/11 happened, the entire world moved to America’s side. Around the world people genuinely felt and showed their compassion. America could organize an appropriate response and the world would have followed. Instead, the Bush gang decided to use the opportunity to further it’s Imperialistic agenda. In America most of us think of the Iraq fiasco as an unfortunate mistake. People around the world look at it as the first stop in a march toward the world domination. And they do not like it. People who see themselves as next targets start to fight back now. It’s all to be expected.

“War on Terror” is a pretext for American interventionism. It does not stop terrorism, it cultivates it. Stopping terrorism is a police action. Small bands of terrorists around the world are organized criminals and should be confronted as such. An army’s job is to fight other armies not dead-enders that hide in residential areas. 9/11 Made us angry and scared. These two feelings when combined can be very ugly.

So "Anti-Americanism is fueled by ...: 1. an information war going on through media channels here and abroad that would exist regardless whether a drastic shift in American policy took place". 2. "Envy and the frustration of becoming increasingly irrelevant..."."

It obviously comes from "...people who know absolutely nothing about it... Someone must be to blame, right?"

Zbigniew Brzezinski: "The "war on terror" has created a culture of fear in America.... That America has become insecure and more paranoid is hardly debatable... Government at every level has stimulated the paranoia."

Source: Terrorized by 'War on Terror': How a Three-Word Mantra Has Undermined America, March 25, 2007 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/).

Thanks to George Bush for not letting Brazilians, Mexicans, Irananians or anyone else dictate what is in the best interest of the USA. I have lived for decades in Asia and Mid-east and find that the most complaining about the USA from the outside comes from people who know absolutely nothing about it. ESPECIALLY in the Middle-East, dissaffection comes from their own country's problems. Someone must be to blame, right?? It is more soothing to swallow the well-worn myths and cliches about big-bad Uncle Sam and the Jews

Thanks to George Bush for not letting Brazilians, Mexicans, Irananians or anyone else dictate what is in the best interest of the USA. I have lived for decades in Asia and Mid-east and find that the most complaining about the USA from the outside comes from people who know absolutely nothing about it. ESPECIALLY in the Middle-East, dissaffection comes from their own country's problems. Someone must be to blame, right?? It is more soothing to swallow the well-worn myths and cliches about big-bad Uncle Sam and the Jews

Unfortunately that reelection act changed the worlds point of view from "How can we help the Americans" to "They deserve what they get"

Mr. Kuttab,

It's funny to me that you're asking the same question so many of us in the US asked when Hamas was elected last year. It seems to me that both questions suggest a poor understanding of the interests and values of people in those societies. We, as Americans, are often criticized for imposing our value system on other cultures - but aren't you behaving similarly here? The concern of most Americans following 911 was security, and to many people Bush provided an assurance of security through strength (which I understand you disagree with). In my opinion, Anti-Americanism is fueled by more than just our foreign policy. There is an information war going on through media channels here and abroad that would exist regardless whether a drastic shift in American policy took place. I also believe that a good deal of Anti-Americanism can be explained by envy and the frustration of becoming increasingly irrelevant - particularly in Europe.

Dave! @ May 18, 2007 10:12 AM:

You posted 'Would the US response be different than if the status quo of Hamas' one state solution, support of suicide bombers and constant mortar attacks remained the same? Obviously. Until that happens, don't be surprised if the US remains "one sided" in its support of Israel.'

We were not talking to the Palestinians, under Bush, before that either. The fact is that we refused to talk to anyone on the Palestinian side. We even 'discovered' how wonderful Abbas is only after he lost the elections. Till then we did not consider him worthy of any consideration. We love democracy so much that we support every dictator who throws a kiss our way, and to top it all off, back the loser of elections at the expense of the winner of elections!

Remember this the next time want to argue that the Palestinians have caused the impasse.

You also posted 'Hate speech. Well, that is allowed in America. But please stop lecturing us on hate speech.'. Actually hate speech is NOT allowed in America, against selected groups. It so happens that Arabs and Muslims are not among the selected groups, and as a consequence hate speech against them is not only allowed, but encouraged. (PS: I am neither Arab nor Muslim - there is a great difference).

It was clearly evident that the other Presidential candidate was not going to stand up and support America. He was perceived as a weak elitist. Bill Clinton said," It is better to be wrong and strong, then right and weak. " America likes strong leaders who follow the mold of Reagan-Bush, and not ones that follow the mold of Carter-Kerry. The rest of world has to remember, their county's leader must do what they think is best for THEIR country. If their leader did the bidding based on another country's opinion, who would accept that?

Mr. Kuttab, by asking "But How Could They Reelect Bush?", you raise possibly the most important question in relation to the personalisation of anti-American feelings, at present. Some day, at last, that question will have to be answered convincingly.

How often have I read in utter amazement, here and elsewhere, that "as we all know, it is all Bush's fault", as though American citizens were in no way responsible for the foreign policy of this country! As though American citizens were in no way responsible for not only electing, but for re-electing that President (more than 58 million American citizens voted to re-elect the man!!!). As though American citizens were in no way responsible for electing a complicit Congress and tolerating complicit media, year after year. As though American citizens did not live in a democracy. As though exercising one's democratic rights, as American citizen, did not entail the least responsibility towards the nation and the world.

It is my opinion that avoiding massively to answer the question you ask (or simply acting massively as though it did not even arise) is equivalent to abdicating one's responsibilities as an American citizen, and indicative of the precarious political climate that prevails currently, in the US.

I think the main problem is that people seem to want to differentiate between the US government and its people. The government of the US is Of the people, by the people, for the people. Perhaps instead of trying to figure out why the American people "got it wrong", the world should look at itself to see why we act like we do. Its not that hard. Americans re-elected Bush because they felt it was in our best interest, from a security of the nation point of view, to do so. There are problems in the ME, some of them the US has contributed to or caused, many (some would argue most) have nothing to do with the US - although we are certainly easy to blame. Palestinians elected a government with no interest in peace or a two state solution. But, the arguement goes, that is the US's fault because of previous events. I don't think so. In a free election, people tend to vote for the candidates that are in their best interest. Palestinians voted for a one-state, no peace with Israel, approach. So what do observers in the US see based on this? No desire for peace from the Palestinians.

Hate speech. Well, that is allowed in America. But please stop lecturing us on hate speech. Given the rhetoric coming out the ME, you should be one to talk about hate speech. At least our solution to it is not to call for people to be killed because of it.

Profiling. Some of us call it looking for terrorists, most of which are Middle Easterners. Not all people from the ME are terrorists (most obviously are not). But most terrorists are middle eastern. Don't like it? Stop trying to blow up things and people and fly planes into buildings.

The point is that a lot of the US's actions are a result of events from outside, in particular from the Middle East. Yes we have caused problems and deserve some of the blame. But don't sit there and think the American public just doesn't get it because they do. But it is a two way street and each of our actions affect the other. If Hamas were to change its charter, condemn and prosecute people that support suicide bombers, allow that Israel has the right to exist, support a two state solution, and ask for peace talks to discuss the difficult issues involved, what do you think the US would do? Would the US response be different than if the status quo of Hamas' one state solution, support of suicide bombers and constant mortar attacks remained the same? Obviously. Until that happens, don't be surprised if the US remains "one sided" in its support of Israel.