What does the world have against America?

[Communist partisan]

Pretty much everything, do I need to explain properly? Well no so I'll put it in a nutshell.

"War for freedom", "democracy", "freedom", ignorance, war, culture, ignorat hate against Communism even if they don't know shit about it, behavior, politics, they bombed my home country, still raging about 9/11 that Bush planned and before you argue on that point it even stands in our fucking schoolbooks and pretty much everything else. I got no personal hate towards the people, not everybody is a ignorant fool and every country got decent people but for the rest I mostly hate America and wish it will fall.

 

[DefiantGoblin]

In my opinion, I think it is probably a combination of the following:

1. A resentment of the integration of American culture into other cultures due to the media. The worst example I can see of this is how American urban gang culture has been glamorised to the extent that it has been adapted over here both in fashion and attitudes.

2. The apparant ignorance of America to other cultures. I've read somewhere that most Americans do not own passports as they don't see benefit in seeing the rest of the world. Furthermore, if another culture produces a piece of popular media, such as film or TV, America see fit to adapt it to fit to their own culture rather than taking it for what it is. (Among a few examples of this are Doctor Who (that 1996 tv film was awful), The Office, The IT Crowd, Troll Hunter, Let The Right One In, Skins and Life On Mars).
With regards to this, I found particularly annoying the American aquisition of Torchwood. This spent hours filling in back story as the network believed its audience too ignorant to go back and watch the earlier BBC Wales episodes. Furthermore, they all but ditched the interesting and diverse Welsh setting for a bland and uninspired American one; with little differentiation from shows such as and a consequent loss of the charm the show originally had.

3.The way that when American people find out you're British the majority instantly assume you're best mates with the queen and seem baffled by our accent (seemingly forgetting that every region has a different dialect and that they themselves have quite a thick accent).

4. The heroic attitude that they take towards World War 2. Aside from the fact that they only joined at the last minute, if America hadn't been as hell bent on its isolationist stance and had gotten involved with the League of Nations it's arguable that the whole war could have been avoided - as sanctions would serve to be more threatening with the increased weight behind them.

5. I think the heavy difference in culture could also have some baring as whereas the British seem to value the underdog in American media the big, bullying jocks are always presented as the heroes.

 

[Something Amyss]

Now, I'm Canadian, and I know that a lot of people dislike, even hate, the US. There are several things about the US that I really dislike and hate. But I've always wondered why people seem to view every single American in a bad way. Sure, the US has a lot of obnoxious, arrogant, self-centered, greedy, immoral people, especially in the government. But honestly, what country doesn't? Can any country claim to be perfect bastions of freedom, democracy, happiness, cute puppies and cute smiles on a baby's face? None. Each country has it's flaws. Is it maybe because the US is often set as a country to aspire to? Is it because it's one of the three most powerful countries on Earth? Is it because the Republicans and Democrats seem determined to tear the country in two apart because of their feud? What are your thoughts?

So, let me throw this back at you. As a Canadian, how many countries are you currently waging war in, attacking with drones, talking smack about, or similar?

As a Canadian, can you tell me how many major politicians have endorsed bullying people based on sexuality?

As a Canadian, what is your nation's level of consumption and waste compared to the US?

Has the Canadian Government ever passed a law or similar act of official government to try and claim jurisdiction over the internet?

Just how many Canadian companies are taking out life insurance policies against their own workers without the consent or knowledge of said employee?

Does Canada allow people to die by withholding aid to regions that refuse to vow no abortion under any circumstance?

Does Canada endorse torture, rendition, or waterboarding?

Does it engage in the above?

Do Canadian companies operate under the "company store" model in third world countries, effectively creating corporate slavery?

"Nobody's perfect" is a REALLY shitty excuse.

 

[Something Amyss]

People here cry about the whole SOPA thing, but the problem is that most of your countries already censor things like you wouldn't believe. Like Aussieland and video games.

You mean, one of the other things people "cry" about on here frequently?

People aren't ignoring that, or pretending it doesn't exist. "Someone else is doing something you guys hate and actively oppose" is kind of a shitty example.

The only reason why SOPA is such a big deal is because America is doing it. Never mind that France tried to pass the same thing, which failed.

What you leave out is that HADOPI was actually far more like the system we already have in place with DMCA notifications. Which means, in short, SOPA and HADOPI really aren't comparable. While the "Three Strikes" policy is harsher, the major contested elements of SOPA are quite dissimilar. HADOPI still allows appeal. HADOPI does not expand copyright infringement to make millions of people felons. HADOPI affects the end-user, rather than blacklisting access to a site based on piracy allegations.

So yeah, three examples, at least two of which are dishonest, are quite likely "most" of the Escapist users' countries.

Posters from other countries aren't acting like their shit don't stink, so pointing out a false double standard doesn't really work. Also, pointing out people not being outraged by a definitively less severe copyright bill in another country doesn't really work.

Did you just think nobody knew the details of that bill, and you would get away with making false comparisons uncontested? Or did you just not pay attention to what the two laws would do?

 

[Khanht Cope]

Well, this topic is starting to get really morbid.

Can we revert to a more healthy, balanced and constructive tone for discussion here?

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Spoiler

Joking aside: I think I have an answer. The American system is based around personal rights, rather than the common good. To us Americans, what's good for the individual is good for the country. In several European countries, it's the opposite. What's good for the country is good for the individual. I would trace that back to us having an explicit Bill of Rights. Something which innumerates what rights I have to myself from other groups. It's very much a "care about yourself" system of government. At least that's my take on it.

 

[Avalanche91]

I know most americans are pretty normal people, but the stupid and loud minority is enough to make me cringe. So I do have some dislike for it. Mainly for the hypocrisy, the stupid ass politics, the overly religious zealots.

And yet despite restricting regulations, and stupid rules and politics, they are still convinced they are the land of the free.

 

[aprildog18]

"nosing on around other people's business"

That is a huge reason. The Vietnam war started because the US didn't like how communism was expanding. It's not their country, they have no right in going gun blazing to "fix" things. Im glad they lost that war. If they had won they probably would have gone after the othe communist counties and more people would have been killed.

And here I thought the French attacked Vietnam first.

OT: Go watch Inside Job. What they show in the movie is probably why many hates America (USA).

 

[orangeban]

Well, people judge a country's people by the country's government, so let's look at the government.

I think the problem for a lot of people in Britain (or at least in my corner of my county in Scotland) is that America thinks itself to be teh GREATEST!!! when no-one else really thinks it is. Seriously America, a lot of notice quite a few problems with you, for instance: Your healthcare, your prisons, your government, your civil rights. Yeah, you should probably fix that shit at some point. Though I suppose Britain isn't really any better, but it's less in the public eye, and everyone loves those crazy accents we all have anyway.

The other thing I find odd about America (I don't really hate it because of it, but it's strange) is the way you claim that you have a "left-wing" party and a "right-wing" party. No, you have a right-wing party (Democrats) and a *really* right-wing party (Republicans). Seriously, sort out your political spectrum, it's hella wonky.

And while I'm moaning, switch to the bloody metric system already! Geez!

 

[Vausch]

(also, the patriotism I always see in the media, movies, etc, is sickening. Not a fan)

If it makes you feel better, as and American the ultra-patriotism is obnoxious to me and a lot of others too. Honestly the only time I've felt strongly patriotic was during Captain America: The First Avenger. I'm not ashamed to admit that scene where Steve leads the troops back to the camp after they escape gets me a little teary-eyed. Otherwise it's pretty obvious that the "patriotism" is just propaganda.

 

[Khanht Cope]

I don't approve of the idea of judging a country's people by their government. To rise to the top in political prominence; you generally have to be a superficial, disingenuous, sycophantic, multiple back-scratching douchebag... and that's if you're democratically accountable.

 

[KingCrInuYasha]

...

And yes, Russia is different because Russia actually did *less shit than this*. Seriously. Russia is a brutal dictatorship even today, Russia is committing genocide in a country right now (why does nobody care about this, by the way? Western allies sure don't seem to give a damn), and they still weren't as bad as far as historical facts go :/

...

Still weren't as bad? Have you even heard of Ivan The Terrible or Joesph Stalin?

Not that America is any better; e.g Andrew Jackson enacting the expulsion of the Native Americans into Oklahoma and set up the events that led to the Panic of 1837. Why is guy on the 20 Dollar Bill again?

 

[Lord S. Binkleheimer]

you mouth off to a cop and you will get your ass beat and then probably beat again once your in custody. Their media will simply report it as some rabble-rouser getting put in his place by proper authorities, if it gets reported at all.

It's not the 1940s anymore, sorry dear, so don't even try to make the United States look better by invoking Nazi stereotypes.
The German police is pretty much a joke compared to the American one, and also to that of other european countries (just look at an incident in Poland this year, where a group of german protesters ran into a police that wasn't filled with softies. Their first time, actually). Protesters love dancing on their noses, because the police really cannot do all that much. The cases where the police fucked up were cases that wouldn't even make news in the US, because they happen there daily. The worst case of police brutality we had in years were water throwers used to break up a protest. Not only did worse protest-breakups happen in the last few months in the US, in Germany this actually led to the politicans that forced this getting voted out of office immediately. For the first time in decades, that part of the country now has a different party (the greens) ruling. Meanwhile, in the US, the police can happily kill non-whites, cover up rapes, brutally break up protests, and nobody cares.

Yep, thats worse. Still, the german folks that screwed up with the water throwers should get punished: ANd they did. The US being far worse does not mean they didn't screw up.
And similarly, even if German police WAS worse than the US, the US police is still horrible, so your defense doesn't even work.

"Yes, he beat them bloody and killed people, but that guy over there beat up harder!"

Claiming that any european nation is as bad as the US with police brutality is ridiculous. In Germany, you cannot get shot for being non-white and carrying a sheated knife you use since you're a woodcarver. In the US, you can get shot for this 5 seconds after the cop spotted you. Actual case, too. The murderer wasn't even actually punished.

The only reason why SOPA is such a big deal is because America is doing it. Never mind that France tried to pass the same thing, which failed.

No, it is a big deal because American policy has the potential to affect everyone in the world, even those not in the United States. Also, big difference: it FAILED in France. If you cannot comprehend the difference, I feel sorry for you.

Yes, you're an apologist for the crimes of the US, we get it. Thing is: Blaming the british doesn't work here. Even if you ignore Iran, there's more than enough countries the United States ruined. Irak for example. Or there's another. Funny story.

Remember the 11 September? No, no, not 2011 - 1973. That's when the lovely United States destroyed a nation that was considered a beacon of democracy by installing a vicious ruler that would kill hundreds and torture scores more just in the time after the coup itself.

Not to mention the lovely way your government believes that 6 americans are worth more than thousands of africans. AIDS medicine vs Anthrax.


Remember: You jumping up and shouting "but the british!" isn't helping. The british fucked up as well, yeah, but that doesn't absolve what the United States did. You yelling "but the british!" makes as much sense as Nazi Germany officials shouting "but the Japanese!" or "but Stalin!"

Yeah, Stalin was a monster, and he actually caused millions of deaths without even counting war casualities, but that still doesn't mean that the german crimes were absolved.

A crime is a crime, other people doing crimes as well does not make a crime not a crime.

Fact is, people hate the US because the US is actively causing their lifes to be worse than they could be. Nobody likes this, and nobody should have to like it.

Apologist isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I'm not saying, "Oh, look, this is so awesome!", I'm saying, "Oh, look. They're doing it too. It's not just one country."

It only really matters because everything America does is publicized and put out on the news.
Even then, you don't get the full story or anything in context. Everyone screams about how america unlawfully invaded Iraq to steal its oil. But why? Most oil used in the US doesn't even come from the Arab states. The official reason is because of WMDs, but it's probably more a thing of "because we can", vengeance, or both.

I've even seen Vietnam get listed as something that was solely America's fault.
Except it isn't. Vietnam was a French colony till around the 50's when they were forced out. France immediately turned to USA for aid in the whole debacle. Soon after, they bailed and left it to America to fix the whole thing.

And naturally the American government places the lives of Americans over Africans. Would you expect it not to?

Not sure what happened to the German police in the past decade then, unless it was the one hardball on duty that day and/or the guy telling me about it had rather bad luck that day.
With the German protesters who met the rather harsher Polish police, that might just be because foreigners in trouble with another country's law enforcement.

In regard to American police, a lot of the wrongs are done under the whole "Wall of blue" or whatever it's called, where you do not rat out a fellow cop. This leads to the few bad eggs getting by that would often lead to a much larger mess. Why? Because under this system, any slight mistake can be used as grounds for appeal. That means that if those police officers get in trouble, it brings their entire career into question. That means any case they've ever been related to, no matter how small, can be dragged up and then brought out for an appeal.

The 60s and 70s are probably the grayest era there is. America went after anything remotely Russian supported and tried to crush it. It's why we funded various factions in Afghanistan when the Russians were there (See how well that turned out?). It's why we supported various dictators in South and Central America (Probably more a cause of the Monroe Doctrine, but then again, we -really- hated communism).

With SOPA, it has yet to pass. I'm saying it failed in France, it will fail here.

Posters from other countries aren't acting like their shit don't stink, so pointing out a false double standard doesn't really work. Also, pointing out people not being outraged by a definitively less severe copyright bill in another country doesn't really work.

That's the thing, they are acting like it's only America that's doing wrong. A lot of those posting about how the country sucks are also forgetting that theirs isn't so innocent either.

I'm also aware that they cry a lot about how Australia is draconian about video games. It goes to show that the American people aren't the only ones who elect out of touch officials.

Which leads to another thing... The whole Aussieland video game stuff is only relevant to this site because of the fact it's a video game site (Surprise!). But what of other public issues in Australia? What's their immigration system like? How about how they treat the Aborigines (Now and before)?

And I was going on that legislation on policing the internet doesn't pan out. I shouldn't have used the word "Same". "Similar" or "something like it" might have been better choices. If I remember correctly, it failed to pass in France since they realized that it would cost too much to enforce.



But none of it helps that everyone is basing their views of America based on what the media tells them. Do any of you think they'll talk about how amazing things are? Or the latest innovations? Fuck no. They just want to report on negative things because that's what sells. They want to tell people that the world is utter shit and going down the drain. They want to convince people that it's all X's fault, or solely Y's. They want to go on about the latest sexual fad among teens that doesn't actually exist. They just want money, regardless if they're telling the truth or not.

But to rationalize anything? We're bored. Plain and simple. We don't have some common enemy to fight. We don't have some world threatening evil to stop. We've got nothing to do. As a result, we got bored and started to create bad guys for the sole purpose of beating the crap out of them. Which is kinda plausible considering the batshit insanity of the things the CIA comes up with and tries to get working, but then again, we like fighting.

 

[Starke]

snipity snip

Someones a tad defensive today..... but the difference between the British empire and U.S.A is that most Britons well....dont like the idea of a empire, and think it was a terrible time...and this forum is about america as a governmental body, not the individuals.

That's funny, because most Americans don't like the idea of empire, and think it is a terrible idea. Those that actually like the idea tend to be either a small cadre of elites or people who have been lead blindly by the nose, either through patriotism or other incentives. A pattern that should be painfully familiar to you. Saying you hate America for it's hypocrisy while at the same time raging at the very behaviors your own government engaged in is, well, hilariously hypocritical. Especially when you do not even acknowledge your own government's history.

Though, in point of fact, this forum is about random shit, not America, it's governmental body, or it's people. You're thinking of the Religion and Politics Forum, which is over there somewhere.

-Bizarre paragraphs of 'It's not America's fault'-

I'm sorry, what? Do you really think anybody still cares about the British Empire? The only people who still remember that there even WAS an empire are British nationalists.

You keep making this typo, you keep saying "people" when you really mean "Brits". I'm sorry, but in the interests of clarity someone needed to point that out to you.

The reason Eastern extremists burn effigies of American presidents and American flags is NOT because they're angry at their oppression at the hands of the British Empire some two hundred years ago, it's because America is waging a subtle war even NOW.

Quite, but the hatred they have for the British hasn't abated in the slightest. And their willingness to gleefully bomb you only only tells us how well they remember. It seems ironic, but it would seem that they have a better understanding of who they hate more than you do.

The British have indeed done terrible things. We're a culture that developed from having terrible things done to us, and doled them out in equal measure. The Norse made us their ***** for years, and that really only ended because the French came and conquered us. Then we got the upper hand, and yes. Did some nasty, terrible things.

So, what you're saying is you were oppressed, except you were also the invaders. In fact the British isles have been invaded so many times it is entirely possible that there are no indigenous people left. Which of course fully justifies your decision to export that to other foreign lands.

Oh well. Nobody even cares any more. My associates care - but that's because we're all very Irish, there's a lot of pro-independence going around. My family had a castle in the 17th century, but the English destroyed it. This was hundreds of years ago. Why do you think people harbour resentment of that time?

Maybe you should ask them. After all, the Irish remain subjects to foreign colonial rule today, in an era when most nations that once had empires, said, "no, this was a bad idea." But, here you are, gleefully holding on to your last foreign colonies like there's no tomorrow. I should applaud you for your rugged determination in the face of changing times.

NO. The Middle East is angry at the NOW, not at the THEN. You're delusional if you think it's somehow England's fault that America is doing what it does now. You're NOT our colony any more, you cannot justify your actions by saying 'England did it first'. You wanted independence, and you got it. Take responsibility for the actions of your country and government, Starke, because saying that we've done worse is NOT an excuse.

Of course it isn't an excuse. I'm applauding you. For all our efforts we have never managed to screw up the region as seriously as you have. With the exception of that one little case you referred to us, we have tried to have the same degree of impact on the region, but it turns out we just cannot do it. Our disruptions tend to be much shorter, whereas you have been able to upset balances of power, and generate enmity lasting for centuries.

As to them hating us and not you, I'd have to suggest you ask them. You know, ask them, "do you hate the British?" Because, when you do ask that question, the answer tends to be, "yes, because we have a memory longer than a goldfish."

As for building cultures on genocide...bah, who hasn't? The Native Americans at least got the chance to preserve their heritage. Every other victim just got wiped out. The Inuits were only too happy to exterminate the original Norse Greenlanders, but everybody thinks they're friendly polar bear people...but I know their secret.

And your point is? You see, we practiced genocide on our own continent. You practiced it across three, that is a staggering level of achievement. Perhaps not the best example to follow, but we seem to be trying none-the-less.

 

[Nimzar]

Because we are a bunch of arrogant bigoted assholes that's why. Or at least thats the persona we seem to project to everyone else.

At least that's my view of the situation.

 

[Pyramid Head]

Maybe it's America's habit of trying to make itself out as the injured party when it still controls a large chunk of all of the worlds wealth and our habit of being so war obsessed we even fight wars on drugs and wars on obesity?

I actually think you nailed it on the head with the utterly retarded politicians actually. The reason need not be so complex, our politicians can't get shit done because they're more focused on fighting each other than facts, as you can tell by the advent of the Tea Party and politically charged global warming denial.

 

[Jonci]

They hate us because we have all the butter. Everyone loves butter.

 

[Spawny0908]

As an American I can understand why everyone else may not like us. We tend to think we know how to run everyone else's countries, we bully, can be arrogant, we seem to forget that the world doesn't revolve around America and that there is a whole lot more world out there, and feel like we run the world. But not all Americans are like that (like me). I know that we can be hard to deal with and I know there is a lot more out there than just America.

In a nutshell: We're not all bad but we can be assholes at times.

 

[Vigormortis]

People hate America because the worst of you gets the most exposure. Being the worlds last superpower, and the influence of music and movies, means that most people who see the news see stuff about America as well.

But we never hear of Bill Smith, the man who works hard, looks after his family, gets a degree at night school and volunteers for charity.

All we ever hear about are the Scientologists, the homophobes and the racists. I know its only a small minority but its the small minority that gets the most "air time".


Its the same with Terroism. 99% of Muslims are hard working, family people who don't care about killing Jews, but all you get exposed to is the 1% of maniacs, which clouds your views and gives the implications that all muslims are terrorists, which is bullshit.

The same with america. Sure 99% of you are intelligent, hard working good people, but all the rest of the world ever sees are the gay-hating, flag worshipping, racist, ignorant wankers, and so it clouds our view.

The main reason, plain and simple is because everyone knows America. They have won the cultural war. The UK and the rest of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. These are the predominant "western" cultures and have their influences in our global culture.

But the most popular music, the most popular films, the most popular games all typically come from America. We know who your president is, we know the names of dozens of your cities, we know your catchphrases, your accents, your landmarks, your major historical events. America's policies affect the whole world. Where they choose to trade, who they choose to aid/invade/embargo. Whatever national debate is occurring suddenly it's a global debate (the UK has had gay marriage for a while now, so why are people in the UK debating it? Because the US is).

Like it or not America is a beacon to the world. Good or ill.

Now reverse that and ask the average American what they know about another country. I doubt most of them know who our leaders are, what our landmarks are, our history. I'm not saying Americans are uneducated, probably the opposite but their education seems largely internally focused on American culture and history.

So when non-Americans see America make decisions which are good for them and bad for the rest of us, it rankles (carbon footprint anyone?) It gets us mad. When America holds itself as the "world leader" and does things we don't like we call them a bully. When they do something good we say "they should have done it earlier if they think they're so damn amazing".

It's tall poppy syndrome, you are attacked because you are the biggest, and the loudest. But here are two facts;
1) Every western country has things to be ashamed of. The UK effectively dragged the US into Iran in the 50's which has caused most of these terrorist problems. The French have a terrible reputation with their colonies and Germany, well we all know what Germany did. And Russia. But none of these countries is screaming their successes and power from the rooftops like Americans do. Maybe they would if they could but as I said American culture rules. So we see everything they do.

Americans are largely ignorant of things outside America, also largely dismissive. It makes me laugh the way politicians are getting attacked over the global financial crisis. Think about it. GLOBAL financial crisis. No country has escaped, certainly no western countries. So how can a politician who only has power in his country be held responsible for GLOBAL occurrences. So here's the other fact, 2) America is not as powerful as it thinks it is. It has military might but what good is that these days? You can't use it where every you like and it costs you billions. Other than that they are suffering the same as the rest of us but still say "Greatest country on Earth". It's not all about you, despite what movies, TV, games and music seem to say.

So in my mind it's all about what we see, hear, watch and play. Few people express opinions about stuff they don't know and we all know America.

This right here is the primary reason for most of the "hate". It's the combination of overexposure and the nuttier, fringe groups having the loudest voices. It's ironic really, we're the purveyors of our own bad image. We're often the ones giving the nut jobs the most air time. Talk about "shooting yourself in the foot".

'Course, it's not the only reason. Our actions and policies over the years are just as much responsible. And the fact that most of the world seems hell bent on only pointing out the bad ones or the mistakes. Not that our mistakes haven't been worth that attention.

Frankly, it comes down to this. Are we perfect? Hell no. Of course not. But then, no country or group is, and any that claim to be are both arrogant and stupid. Do we screw up? Oh man, do we ever. Spectacularly at times. Yet, we don't mess up any more or less than any other country. (though in some cases, FAR less) But, because of our sheer level of influence and exposure to the world, even our smallest hiccups are broadcast, in HD, to the world stage. There to be scrutinized by all.

What bugs me, though, are these people that point out mistakes America has made in the past as if we're the only ones to ever make those mistakes. However, a vast majority of the "errors in judgment" they point out are ones their own country and government have committed. In some cases, more than once. (and are still committing some to this day) Yet they'll never admit to it. They're content to just "forget" their own transgressions as they lambast and chastise the US over it's transgressions. It just screams ignorant hypocrisy and I'm growing VERY tired of it.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I don't hate Americans, never have. Why would I?

Many of my favourite things are American.

I don't like to get bogged down in the politics, for that way leads to madness.

I will say that many of my real life encounters with Americans were pretty awkward. I have a very sarcastic sense of humour, something that always seemed to fly right over the heads of the Americans I've met.

I know this isn't true everywhere (this site is a testament to that, many Americans here 'get' British humour very easily).

It just leaves me a little hesitant to make jokes around Americans outside the internet.