Topic: The US roll in central & south America.

bulldogg · July 5th, 2005

I can definitely see both sides of this firefight, erm, thread. I am an American and was shocked myself when I started to discover some of the things that have been done by our government. Not just to others but to US soldiers as well, things I wish I did not know but so be it. I understand the saying that "Ignorance is bliss" now in a way that I could never had understood before. If I could put up some of the essays in here I wrote as a senior in HS you would not recognise me from what I write today.

Having lived in other countries now for a few years and making friends with locals who are also prior service I can tell you Corocotta that Americans are not alone in their ignorance of their own countries policies and programs. Yet they are quite fluent of their major rivals faux pas. It is endemic in our world, Asia, Europe, pick a country, damn near all are guilty. How many governments will maintain their grip on power if they tell their constituants all their dirty secrets? Not many I think.

At the same time 03, Redneck, the US is a lightning rod for criticism owing to its unique status as the current lone big dog. And the fact it is the last man standing right now from the cold war the dirty laundry list is long. Holding up the rule of law and having a government that criticises other countries openly and very publicly will always draw fire and close scrutiny.

Perhaps unless the (insert any country here) citizens persuade their government to curtail their activities then "thicker skin" would be the order of the day.

And perhaps before the rest of the world hurls stones at (insert any country here) a little introspection would be in order.

In the end, we either share this planet or, as 03 said elsewhere, "Die in place".

July 5th, 2005
bulldogg	I can definitely see both sides of this firefight, erm, thread. I am an American and was shocked myself when I started to discover some of the things that have been done by our government. Not just to others but to US soldiers as well, things I wish I did not know but so be it. I understand the saying that "Ignorance is bliss" now in a way that I could never had understood before. If I could put up some of the essays in here I wrote as a senior in HS you would not recognise me from what I write today. Having lived in other countries now for a few years and making friends with locals who are also prior service I can tell you Corocotta that Americans are not alone in their ignorance of their own countries policies and programs. Yet they are quite fluent of their major rivals faux pas. It is endemic in our world, Asia, Europe, pick a country, damn near all are guilty. How many governments will maintain their grip on power if they tell their constituants all their dirty secrets? Not many I think. At the same time 03, Redneck, the US is a lightning rod for criticism owing to its unique status as the current lone big dog. And the fact it is the last man standing right now from the cold war the dirty laundry list is long. Holding up the rule of law and having a government that criticises other countries openly and very publicly will always draw fire and close scrutiny. Perhaps unless the (insert any country here) citizens persuade their government to curtail their activities then "thicker skin" would be the order of the day. And perhaps before the rest of the world hurls stones at (insert any country here) a little introspection would be in order. In the end, we either share this planet or, as 03 said elsewhere, "Die in place". "The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental." - John Steinbeck