(no subject)

[xatalantax]

I'm interested to hear what people think of these recommended courses of action for after the fighting is over:
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-taheri032403.asp

I don't think much of the recommendation about France, Germany, and Russia, but at this point, at least, that is a reaction of scorn rather than considered judgment. I haven't thought about what would actually be best in the end.

Comments

[cris.livejournal.com]

And I'm all for it...see some of my other opinions on this thread...by bringing in France post-war we embarass the government doing us more long term good than any offical embargo...although I'm keeping my Freedom Fries :)

And I commend your troops' struggle to preserve your right to call them that ;) I'm also curious to see if the Congressional cafeterias might be offering Russian dressing ...

As far as the duality, the amazing thing is the more developed the country and more educated the populace (ie, the ones who should have the more nuanced understanding) are the most offensive about it. Korea, Italy, Germany, and France are, between personal experience and reports of friends in the military, are the worst. Nations with real complaints (my biggest experience of that was Panama) show it less and have many more people supportive of US troops.

I am guessing here, but I imagine that discrepancy is also related to the relative ages of the nations you were referring to. Korea, Italy, Germany and France have a national image based on centuries of culture, and have national mythologies that prize a certain sense of identity (Dan-gun myth, Imperial Rome, the Volk, Zee French 'nuff said) and education only serves to reinforce that perception. The nations of Latin America and South America though, still have large components of their identity tied up with being a colony, and when not a colony, being a part of the Monroe Doctrine -- so in a certain way, living under the protection of an American military is more ingrained in their point-of-view. (which can also describe the perceptions of Filipinos who, in polls, lead all other nations in their love for the US, but individually struggle with this postcolonial teenage angst thing of trying to find a future that can be independent of American influence)