The US lost a LOT of credibility in the 60s and 70s. We allowed or aided a lot of really shitty totalitarian and theocratic governments into power throughout the world in the name of "stopping the spread of communism". Why should the world or the people of nations like Iran now believe the US govt is acting only in the interests of the people of those nations? It's typical Bush mentality though: Listen to what I'm saying now and don't compare it to anything I've ever said in the past and in the name of all that is holy please never look at my record in Texas just take my word I'm competent and always have been and I have a plan and the Lord's on OUR side and let's ROLL OUT.
I find Canadian mentalities extremely frustrating as a true conservative from the US, but the idea of the US as a benevolent country spreading seeds of democracy throughout the world out of the goodness of our hearts is laughable. The imagery of the US as the champion in human rights around the world is also amusing. There's a really great chance for democracy spreading and human rights protection. It's the continent of Africa. Why then aren't we involved in that part of the world with hundreds of thousands of troops and a clear plan? Because there is no larger strategic value to that region.
If you get your news from sources other than the US media (BBC for example) then the world's view of our middle eastern forays can be summed up with "bungles and miscalculations". I'd say that's pretty accurate; there were a lot of mistakes made in Iraq for sure. Now we are just seeing the next evolution in spin on the bungling from the Bush camp. Not only was this operation a complete success (never mind the facts it went GREAT), it is a shining example of the triumph of the neo-conservative principles. We should expand this into all parts of the world now! Onward Christian soldiers and whatnot.
Give me a break.
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