Rioting in France--How much longer before...

[baker12]

How much longer before you hear from the French that it's the fault of the US? The rioting has actually spread to 300 towns. It's quite serious. I know it seems like just something that church people say, but the French need prayer for this situation.

[mcgreen311]

Most of the reports I have read attribute it to the discontent of the lower/foreign class with the French governement.

I am wondering when the media will pick up the situation in Denmark on a larger scale.

[wbthornton]

I got some news today and late last week from missionary workers in and near Paris. Thankfully they are all safe.

[oohmercyme]

How much longer before you hear from the French that it's the fault of the US?


Puhleeeeeeze. Get a grip.

[RevZeek]

Puhleeeeeeze. Get a grip.

I think that was the point being made...and I can guarantee you that this will probably happen.

[oohmercyme]

I was referring to the "oh poor us (US)- everyone hates us, everyone blames us attitude". It's tiresome.

[Pouye]

I was referring to the "oh poor us (US)- everyone hates us, everyone blames us attitude". It's tiresome.

It is tiresome... but there is truth to it. England has been blamed for a lot lately, too... but ultimately it is because Blair is kissing Bush's bum. At least that's what I hear in the media (including the BBC).

Rock

[coldcupofjoe]

Sometimes it takes someone who IS removed from a situation to point out flaws (well i would actually say most of the time). I'm from a very conservative family and background and I too tend to get tired of the 'everyone hates us line'. Is it true? I really don't give a flip. Crud man, GOD!!! said it would happen to people who stand up for whats right and YOU PEOPLE act SURPRISED when it happens! OF COURSE it's gonna happen! Deal with it! With as much time spent complaing about other countries whining about us you could be out DOING something.

[oohmercyme]

You live in a liberal country, which puts your government above criticism by default. The "everyone blames us" attitude which the US seems to have at times stems from the flak we take because every so often we try to stand up for something, which few other countries seem to do. I'm not advocating defeatism or self-pity, but as an American I don't like to see someone who is far removed from the situation calling us a gaggle of whiners.


Is it that other countries "don't do" (as in don't have the moral stamina to do what America does?)

Or is it that other countries have neither the firepower nor the financing to spend more on wars in other countries (selectively) than on helping their own citizens. (Given that the US is the most financially rich country in the world, it stands to reason you give more money than other countries. Given that America is the only remaining superpower, it stands to reason that it has the military means that other countries don't).

Or is that while other countries may agree that help is needed, they do not support the US's manner of intervention? (Certainly from the number of casualities and death sustained by other countries in peacekeeping and in "the war on terrorism" is it evident that Americans are not the only ones suffering.) Not supporting America's intervention is NOT anti-American, in fact it shows a great degree strength for smaller, less powerful countries to stand up to a superpower when they believe that power is acting in a morally irresponsible manner (isn't that what you suggested the US does? Stands up where others won't/ don't?)

It is arrogant to think that the whole world is either waiting to blame you or destroy you, in fact that the world revolves around you. Surely the majority of countries in the world have more important tasks at hand than thinking about the United States.

I lived in ultra-conservative Grand Rapids, Michigan for 9 years, which of course does not make me an American, but I do have some idea of what I speak.

I lived in Canada most of my life and now live in the UK- both of which are US friendly countries. Agreed, both are much more liberal than the US, which according to you makes them above criticism, which I assume you are saying sarcastically. Quite contrary to the political passions in the US, neither Canadians nor Brits elevate their politicians to the "god-like" status that Americans seem to. It is very alarming to see that much faith placed in a mere man. Perhaps you have lived elsewhere as well, but it is very interesting what the perspective of the world is outside of the vacuum.

If one is the (self-appointed) greatest country in the world and flaunt's ones power and money everywhere, one should expect a bit of criticism. In fact, one would think to be a superpower, one should have a thicker skin.

To whom much is given...

***

With as much time spent complaing about other countries whining about us you could be out DOING something.

Indeed!

[VeggieFan05]

It is tiresome... but there is truth to it. England has been blamed for a lot lately, too... but ultimately it is because Blair is kissing Bush's bum. At least that's what I hear in the media (including the BBC).

Rock

Well, that's definitely what you'll hear if you watch the BBC... :rolleyes:


Is it that other countries "don't do" (as in don't have the moral stamina to do what America does?)

Or is it that other countries have neither the firepower nor the financing to spend more on wars in other countries (selectively) than on helping their own citizens. (Given that the US is the most financially rich country in the world, it stands to reason you give more money than other countries. Given that America is the only remaining superpower, it stands to reason that it has the military means that other countries don't).

Maybe you didn't mean it to come out that way, but I don't see where you get the idea that the US spends more money for war than for domestic purposes. I really do not think that is true.


Or is that while other countries may agree that help is needed, they do not support the US's manner of intervention? (Certainly from the number of casualities and death sustained by other countries in peacekeeping and in "the war on terrorism" is it evident that Americans are not the only ones suffering.) Not supporting America's intervention is NOT anti-American, in fact it shows a great degree strength for smaller, less powerful countries to stand up to a superpower when they believe that power is acting in a morally irresponsible manner (isn't that what you suggested the US does? Stands up where others won't/ don't?)

I don't see how the sentence bolded above relates to the rest of what you're saying. Surely the countries that are sustaining casualties are the ones that (to varying degrees) supported the war, since they contributed troops?

Not doing anything is the easiest and least estimable way of demonstrating strength, nine times out of ten, IMHO. In what way does this show any courage? Has the US retaliated in any significant way against countries that did not join the war? Defiant speeches and finger wagging don't cost much.

It is arrogant to think that the whole world is either waiting to blame you or destroy you, in fact that the world revolves around you. Surely the majority of countries in the world have more important tasks at hand than thinking about the United States.

Since the world apparently revolves around us, surely other countries would do well to consider thinking about the US as an important task...
It's usually the biggest and the most important that have good reason for some slight paranoia (I think that makes more sense than calling it arrogant), since the biggest target is the easiest. Examples on a smaller scale: Wal-Mart, Microsoft, McDonalds. The best in their industries, the biggest targets of lawsuits and rabid hatred (especially Wal Mart).

I lived in ultra-conservative Grand Rapids, Michigan for 9 years, which of course does not make me an American, but I do have some idea of what I speak.

I lived in Canada most of my life and now live in the UK- both of which are US friendly countries. Agreed, both are much more liberal than the US, which according to you makes them above criticism, which I assume you are saying sarcastically. Quite contrary to the political passions in the US, neither Canadians nor Brits elevate their politicians to the "god-like" status that Americans seem to. It is very alarming to see that much faith placed in a mere man. Perhaps you have lived elsewhere as well, but it is very interesting what the perspective of the world is outside of the vacuum.

Politicians? God-like status? I think that the trust that many Americans have for President Bush (I assume that is what you really mean) is the exception rather than the rule. And even that is not blind, as is pretty obvious from the Miers nomination mess. We tend to be skeptical of government in general and of politicians in particular. Europeans, on the other hand, seem to have less problems with letting government into far more aspects of their lives than Americans.

Which vacuum do you mean? The one you left when you moved to the US for 9 years? Seriously, though...everybody lives in a 'vacuum' to some extent...don't assume you have any superiority.


If one is the (self-appointed) greatest country in the world and flaunt's ones power and money everywhere, one should expect a bit of criticism. In fact, one would think to be a superpower, one should have a thicker skin.

Okay. So we're self-appointed. When did that ceremony occur? Must have missed that one. Sorry about the sarcasm, but that is ridiculous. The US never was appointed by itself or anyone else. Events in history built it up to this point. It was a fifty-fifty toss during the Cold War between the US and the Soviets. I'm sure the USSR would have been a much more kinder, gentler, generous 'superpower.'

I think we are demonstrating that we have thick skin when it comes to criticism. We're going ahead with the war, doing what we have to do to win. But that doesn't mean we have any obligation to simply sit back and take jealous criticism.

To whom much is given...

Well, wouldn't want to do too much...that would be 'flaunting.'

[WeaselInYerFoot]

... Quite contrary to the political passions in the US, neither Canadians nor Brits elevate their politicians to the "god-like" status that Americans seem to. It is very alarming to see that much faith placed in a mere man. Perhaps you have lived elsewhere as well, but it is very interesting what the perspective of the world is outside of the vacuum...


quote worthy