Quote Originally Posted by FreshNugz
Thanks for your kind words. I too agree almost 100 percent with things you write. I am also glad that you can disagree with me intelligently, and not just shoot your mouth off because you don't agree. Its this type of debate that is good for the mind..not the childish bickering between those who actually don't know anything. :rasta:
That said ...you are about to disagree with me. I am going to try to make this as well argued as I can, and before you jump on me..remember we're both smart and can take a debate, right?:thumbsup:

Okay so I really wish I could find that post I did where I explain my negative views on the US. Alas, I cannot find it...but please don't think I am being anti-american. I'm not at all, its just that being anti-american is defined by saying ANYTHING NEGATIVE about the US, and lets face it, theres always negative things to say in life. So just because I criticize the country, doesn't mean I'm anti american.
Damn, I honestly am trying to find the nicest way to say this...basically, I just think your country has evolved in contrast to the vision laid out by your founding fathers. The original system of checks and balances and multiple political levels, ie. state vs. federal, the constitution and bill of rights, etc. are all great documents that shaped a wonderful country. The problem is, along the way, the US stepped into the forefront(I'd argue with their entrance to the second world war). And when they stepped into the forefront they did so very powerfully, and got a taste of what its like to be on top of the world. This has been the case since 1941, and it has only gotten more infested with power and corruption. Never do I say that other countries aren't corrupt, like you mention...just that some have a hard time swallowing the notion that great old USA isn't perfect. Well, thats what I take issue with, and thats why some things come off anti-american...some people just don't understand the arrogance you guys emit. I understand it...and realize that a superpower is always being prodded, and therefore has to clearly define its power. But sometimes America oversteps its bounds. The reason everything comes off so anti-american is that since America is the top dog, everyone has to nip at their heels. That's why as you said it seems most turn a blind eye to the fact that there is corruption around the world. And the reason its so easy to blame your one nation is because its at the top.
It is pretty hard to deny arrogance when your country ousts leaders and replaces them, starts a 'global war on terror', and basically controls the world economy. If a nation is the most powerful in the world, how can it not be arrogant??? So don't necessarily assume that people speaking the truth, whilst it may be negative, is anti-american.

Now to the part where I agree...pretty well everything you said about the UN i agree with. It is a useless waste of time even being around until it learns to set the tone. This is the connection to both of our arguments.
Your argument is the US is always having to step in to right wrongs on behalf of the useless nature of the UN. Agreed. My point is that the US thinks it controls too much...although it is responsible to a degree, its unilateral actions are much to the chagrin of the rest of the free world.
A good solution to both our grievances would be to make the UN into a more powerful body that is capable of standing without the firepower of the US. It can keep all its sanction crap, but when the time comes to do something about it, the UN should have UN troops, ones without spiderwebs cloaking the triggers of their shitty 9mm. And when they are needed, like they are in say DArfur for the part 9 years, they could be deployed. If the UN acts unilaterally its alright because its made up of all of our countries.....it comes off a hell of a lot less condescending when its not just the US. See what I'm saying?? Basically to fix the UN would solve a lot of the anti-american sentiment...because people would be less offended if an international body was controlling things, not a piece of North America.

I welcome and look forward to your rebuttal, sir
Or madame. Damn cannacom and its vague gender displays.
Oh, I don't disagree at all. I see your point and where you're coming from and I honestly can't argue against it, mostly because you see and understand the other side of the coin also.

I agree we overstep our bounds, and I agree since 1941 the United States has done whatever it could to stay in the lead of all the other world nations.

One thing you have to understand though is that it's not just the US that does this and while I am not justifying it, my problem with this is that everyone seems to ignore the fact that many other nations participate in the ousting of governments and replacing the head figures with someone of similar mind.

I do not think this is right, but I hate seeing the world look at America as we are the root of all evil.

I feel President Bush has really made America look far worse than we actually are.

It's very hard to rebuttal your post because the root of the problem at hand here, as both you and I have both said, is the UN.

You're right, it is simply too weak to perform it's job. The UN never acts on it's own and part of the problem is because of the countries that participate in it. Countries like the US, Russia, China, Britain all have huge sway in the UN. The only way you are going to remove personal interest and favoritism in the UN is to remove the countries from the UN.

I think the UN would work better as a seperate entity. Make it a world governing group as opposed to a group of nations who have different agendas and will work against each other. This is counter productive.

It could be setup similar to a State government vs federal government. Meaning let the UN handle all the big world issues and let the countries continue to handle any domestic issues themselves (within reason).

This would be hard to setup and may not even be feasible, but this is the only way I could see the UN working properly. As it stands now the UN cannot do it's own job because of people working against each other.

I do not think you're anti-american. The people I find that are Anti-America are the ones who make empty statements with no reason, history or anything to back what they say. Those statements just seem hateful to me.

I have no problem someone being against America but then explaining it as you did. We are all entitled to our own opinion after all. :thumbsup:
daihashi Reviewed by daihashi on . Nuclear Showdown: Iran Says It Won't Stop Enrichment TEHRAN, Iran Aug 21, 2006 (AP)â?? Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday that Tehran will continue to pursue nuclear technology, despite a U.N. Security Council deadline to suspend uranium enrichment by the end of the month or face the threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has made its own decision and in the nuclear case, God willing, with patience and power, will continue its path," Khamenei was quoted as saying by state television. Rating: 5