You've nailed it, Mr Pipes

Submitted by Tim Gombis (United Kingdom), Jan 28, 2003 at 09:46

Mr. Pipes, I agree with you entirely. I currently live in Britain while I pursue Ph.D. studies and constantly encounter people who thoughtlessly give voice to anti-Americanisms while at the same time enjoying meaningful friendships with American friends, planning vacations in the U.S., and following the plot-lines from their favorite American television shows. Their resentment (yes, better term than 'hatred') has everything to do with the fact that the U.S. is the main player in the only show in town these days, and, frankly, there's not a whole lot else to complain about. Further, objections to the U.S.--even to its foreign policy--amount to vague generalities and presumptions to know the real motive behind President Bush's actions, instead of reasoned and thoughtful opinions based on fact, driven by conviction, sensitive to the complex nature of the U.S. government, and sustained by even a basic coherent worldview. At the end of the day, it is always more difficult to engage in sustained and persevering critical thought, especially when this involves self-criticism. I encounter constant calls from friends on the Left to 'listen' and engage in conversation, but an almost complete refusal by these same people to actually think through issues from a position of sympathy to the U.S., especially to Pres. Bush, and absolutely from the standpoint of Israel.

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