America loves the underdog

[whosinpower]

At least, insofar as watching movies - it is the underdog that gets the most sympathy - the long shot - think about it. The whole "Rocky" series, Bad News Bears, etc - I could go on and on and on about how popular "long shots" are. America loves stories that involve overcoming

But here is a gut question for Americans. Let's say - hypothetically - that Russia invaded Iraq. Russia was occupying Iraq. Would you still condemn the actions of the insurgents - or would you be more apt to call them freedom fighters?

[King Coal]

1. Excellent question

[dhinojosa]

2. Whoever holds the video camera....

makes the call.

[leveymg]

3. Except when the U.S. is the Alpha pack leader

In which case, most Americans instinctively tuck in their tails and follow orders, even when the leader is obviously howling at the moon.

:yoiks: :patriot:

[Kraklen]

4. This is why people pretend America's the underdog.

"America Strikes Back!" and all that jazz.

[bryant69]

5. Depends on whether they were killing civilians along with the enemy forces

I mean if they ratchet up a body count among their own people in order to further political aims, than fuck 'em.

But i'm given to understand that that doesn't apply to our invasion of Iraq, because of I understand correctly the Insurgents never kill Iraqis - all such acts of terrorism are committed by the American military and the CIA in order to frame the insurgents.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Didn't this already happen? In Afghanistan? Late 1970's?

Yep, I think it did.

--p!

[whosinpower]

8. Yes - and, thanks to Reagan

Al Quaeda was born.

[porphyrian]

7. Re: your hypothetical situation

I think most Americans would be more apt to be worried about who will be the next American Idol or when the next Survivor show would come on.

If we hadn't invaded Iraq, most of our troops would still be occupying Afghanistan, WHERE AL QUAIDA HAS ALWAYS BEEN. At least we would be dealing with something related to 9/11. However, I understand that this isn't what you were getting at.

Had Russia invaded Iraq pre-emptively and unjustified, then I would definitely see the Iraqis as freedom fighters rather than "evil" insurgents. In the reality, this issue is complicated, however, by the deaths of and dangers to American soldiers doing their duty, despite the idiocy and criminality of those ordering them to do so.

[Crankie Avalon]

9. Movie underdogs get sympathy because...

...so many audience members are humble mediocrities or even flat out losers whose bosses, spouses, parents, teachers, or whomever make feel like they'll never amount to anything. So, when they see a movie character being told by everyone in the world of that movie that he/she can't win--and that character then does--they can fantasize about themselves in the character's role, proving that the world was/is wrong about them.

That same audience can have a different reaction to America pushing around 98lb countries because they vicariously share in the "triumph" of the Americans actually doing the fighting. "We kicked their asses!" It's their big chance to associate themselves with a winner in the real world, to feel like winners themselves. Given a chance to be a bully, most of these stepped on, put down people will take it. It's similar to how some people who were abused by their parents as children go on to be much more likely to abuse their own children.