Hi Gordon
I agree, that to some extent the US is seen as the largest and most power
country and is the so-called "leader" of the western world, it is to some
extent a natural target. However, if this were all there was to it, one would
expect the criticism and even attacks to be proportionally greater in degree,
rather than in kind, as sadly is the case. It is in the self interest of the
United States to seriously ask why this is so. I have a plane to catch in 2
hours, so this will be my last word on the subject.
Jon
gordon brown wrote:
> On Fri, 26 Oct 2001, Jonathan Clarke wrote:
>
> > JC There are many separate issues but together create an attitude of
> > suspicion. The US loses a lot of good will from people who might be
> > sympathetic because of it. It is not a red herring to focus on systemic
> > US policy failings in this area when they have contributed to the
> > environment that allows such hatred to grow. The majority of the world
> > people live in countries that have values incompatible with militant
> > Islam, but are not subject to the same degree of hatred. However there
> > is a danger that these countries may become collateral victims of hatred
> > primarily directed at the US.
> >
>
> Jon,
>
> One reason that more hate is directed toward the U.S. than toward other
> nations is that it is larger and more powerful. It is natural to want to
> bring Goliath down. We Americans have had a number of allies in many of
> our military actions. Britain has been in lockstep with us most of the
> time. If they had been the largest force, they might have received the
> most hate, but the U.S. is perceived as being the leader.
>
> Small nations such as Australia have often contributed their fair share as
> U.S. allies in some of these wars as is attested to by the monuments along
> the Anzac Parade in Canberra.
>
> Gordon Brown
> Department of Mathematics
> University of Colorado
> Boulder, CO 80309-0395
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