: Like most people everywhere, I would like to take pride in everything my country does. Why? Its not your cpountyr- do you own it? Disreali, that ol' tory got it spot on- there are two nations- the rich and the poor. The American national interest is always the interest of its ruling class. Further, can you tell me the difference between nationalism and racism- coz I've never spotted one. Personally, I always like to see the white race do well.
: I immediately answered that the use of atmoic bombs was eminently justified.
Yes, lets kill some more civilians- don't you think they could have chosen a military target- and Japan had allready long lost the war...
: However, the US has also done many good things that must be considered alongside teh bad things it ahs doen.
But, we should ask teh question- did it do these 'good things' on teh exact same power basis as that which it used to do wrong. Rather, like a tyrant who dispenses munificence and clemency at special times of teh year, can we seperate the rights from the wrongs?
: 1) The US defended Nasser's claim to the Suez canal and threatened war with Britain and France, thus defending self-determination against the evil of colonialism.
What, it defended one bunch of nationalists against anotehr bunch of nationalists- not long after it denied self-determination (whatever that means) to italy and greece...
: 8) America defends the cause of taiwan, which wants to be separate from mainland China.
Erm, no, just last week the US was carefully telling Taiwan to shut up and stop antagonising China.
: 10) America brought aid and protection, at least fro a time, to war-torn Somalia out of humanitarian interest.
And public relations interest- after much of the disaster was allready over.
: 11) We stood up to the murderer of Halabja, Saddam Hussein. Sure, we did fund him for a while, then we realized it was wrong and we took action against him. Knowing what he did, how can any leftist defend him?
What, gassing kurds, yes, preserve of Winston Churchill that one. Don't you think teh US has a big interest in using Iraq to ensure a strong military presence in teh Gulf- hence why they are basically ensuring they can stay, and that he stays in power?
: 12) World War II. Enough said.
Erm, not really- one group opf imperialists against another.
: This evidence should be enough to convince anyoen that teh US is NOT an evil monolith that always does the selfish and oppressiev thing. Often it does teh right thing, as these examples should show.
Not, because:
1:Did it stop these murderers out of humanitarian interest?
2:Was it doing so under the rule of law?
3:What was the power basis for its intervention?
Look at it this way- British troops ostensibly went into the North of Ireland to save the Catholics, and ended up defending the British state there- sometimes good things happen despite the bad intentions. Even if you could call some things it does good, that doesn't make its rule right.
