Europeans hate America...yeah, right

[WilliamPitt]

An email I just received:

==

Hello,

I am not an American citizen, but what is going on in America today has
a worldwide impact. A lot of Europeans (such as myself) are baffled by
what is going on in the USA. Your country has been an inspiration and
example on so many levels, it's hard to see all that "freedom" just go
down the drain. I have heard and read many articles of people who, like
you, express their worry and outrage at the course the Bush government
has taken. Please know that many of us support you guys. I encounter
cynicism here, as well: "What's the use? We can't do anything about it,
anyway." But please don't give in to it. Take comfort from the fact that
there are many people out there who disagree and want a change. Don't
give up hope, keep on fighting, the world REALLY depends on it!

Thank you,

******** ************

[gWbush is Mabus]

1. facts and policy-positions and fighting for our cause do NOT matter

we need media reform - it is the only way to stop the lies and propaganda from reaching ignorant people

we can't convince the American people otherwise when they are receiving a constant drumbeat 24/7 on radio, tv, and internet of manipulative untruths

[forgethell]

7. That is censorship,

and it is bad. what is needed is to get the truth out. The truth will ALWAYS win out in the end over the lies and propaganda.

Besides, the Republicans are in power. If the power is created to "reform" the media, who do you think will be using it?

In any event, we should not abandon our principles of free speech and the market-place of ideas just because we lost an election.

[gWbush is Mabus]

10. by reform i meant Fairness Doctrine

or at the minimum, one news station that is left of center (Gore?)



and NO the truth does not always win out over the lies
look at election 2004

[forgethell]

11. Maybe not in the short term,

but in the long term it always will. As far as the Fairness Doctrine goes, nothing controversial is ever aired when free time has to be given to the other side. I prefer the free market place of ideas.

We just have to learn to use the system as well as the conservatives have. But I love getting a diversity of ideas, even those I don't agree with, and would never choose to return to the intellectual pablum of the Fairness Doctrine.

Besides, isn't Air America growing? I don't get it, and haven't heard lately.:-)

[sonicx]

14. Cable News is stacked against liberals

FOX News is obvious, but MSNBC and CNN has been doing it increasingly over the years. Some say it's because the bosses are trying to counter the 'liberal media' label repukes love to throw around.

[forgethell]

22. They do seem to have a rightist tint,

dont they? But as they are not broadcast channels, they wouldn't be covered by the Fairness Doctrine in any event.

[ooglymoogly]

12. and how do we change things

by boycotting the bstrds pulling the strings of cnn fux and cnbc. www.choosetheblue.com

[NamVetsWeeLass]

2. That is Really Cool, Will. Thank you for Sharing it. n/t

[Melodybe]

3. Thanks for posting Will

www.apologiesaccepted.com

Many all over the world feel the way that we do.

[russian33]

4. Europeans, are a smart bunch, no matter what Coulter might scream

They understand it's not use (well, not most of us), it's the people at the top...this is just another proof

[ooglymoogly]

13. your are right

having reveled my way through europe for 12 of my young years i found the europeans to have pretty much the same mix of rightists and leftists. so they do understand. they however have learned to keep them in check. we haven't don't forget they have lived through the horrors of Hitler and mussolini, as we are now living through the horrors of bush. so they understand and for god sakes forget about pudensa, she is a complete farse

[Worst Username Ever]

5. They don't hate america, they hate bush.

[McKenzie]

6. there are quite a lot of us Yoorapeens on the DU

Besides, most Europeans are sufficiently savvy to suss out that your semi-literate leader and his ilk are to blame for the current mess, not every single American.

[Hosnon]

17. Thanks - always good to hear from you guys. eom

[212demop]

8. Thanks for posting- I'd hate to think our European friends have given up

on us. Part of the misery of living with this arrogant leadership is knowing that every time he opens his mouth, every policy decision he makes, is done without regard for its effect on other countries of the world community. And it's as easy to say, "Look what America is doing," or "Look what the Americans are doing," as "Look at what Bush is doing."

Thanks for noticing that there is a difference between the two. A BIG one.

[Maat]

9. Thanks so much for the post.

Reading an e-mail like this makes me sad ... that we have let many, many earnest, hardworking, intelligent people down. It gives me hope, however, that the World knows that some of us were not so ill-informed that we voted for *! Progressives care very much about quality of life for the World's citizens. Thanks for spreading that message so successfully .. as is evidenced by the e-mail's sentiments.

[u4ic]

15. sometimes I think

(many, not all) people in the West take democracy for granted; most are comfortable, have a home, aren't starving, etc. We think that we have fought for it a long time ago, and that it should just be now.

Look at Ukraine. They are struggling for democracy, and passionate about it. It's still new to them, and being oppressed is fresh in their memory. THEY are fighters! And so must we be; we should never take democracy for granted.

There is a lot of propaganda around us, and those in power (whether it be government, corporate or religious) know the power of media, of myth and propoganda. We see it all the time, in movies, commercials, advertising, print, sermons - one has to stay aware (not nutcase vigilant) - but aware that certain factions are trying to sway us to what they want (not new).

Remember when all those women were urged to return to the home, after WW2...or making so many products disposable, yet 50 years ago things were being saved, or reused...that new is always better (for the economy only, not the environment)...there are many, many more examples.


I see it in your media, I see it in my own country's...many people are not even aware of it.

I think this cult of individualism is hurting our society. I think it is a very polarizing position...us vs them. One doesn't hear us AND them much anymore. :( I think we lost a lot of that, and need to regain it. The unitement against Bush may be the defining point.


I guess this is more musing than a direct answer or comment to the original post.

[Hosnon]

16. Perhaps we need a system where non-Americans get to vote because

of the enormous impact we have on everyone. Perhaps the ole 3/5s.

[killbotfactory]

18. I hate Americans

At least the ones who voted for Bush.

I wouldn't blame anyone for hating us after electing that stupid turd of a human being president.

[Hosnon]

True, hate them. However, do the ones who voted for him

out of ignorance deserve the same disdain that those that voted for him with knowledge?

[killbotfactory]

21. Not as much disdain, no

I just feel like Chuck Heston at the end of Planet of the Apes...

"You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you! Damn you alll to HEEELLLL!"

Only, instead of seeing the aftermath of human stupidity, I get to have a front row seat and watch the horrorshow unfold before my eyes.

[Hosnon]

19. True, hate them. However, do the ones who voted for him

out of ignorance deserve the same disdain that those that voted for him with knowledge?

[sandnsea]

20. America - 5% of world population

World, maybe it's the perfect opportunity for you guys to stand up, be counted, and take the lead.