Comments on America....what would happen if?

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Mr. Bad Apple here again

Well, looking at all these facts I guess I should bow down to the Yanks, beg for forgiveness and hope to remain under the USA freeloader bubble.

Look, I read the same history from different books and have gathered the same facts with a different bias. The Marshall plan was aggressive and necessary.  However, that was the cost for entering the war late; which eventually America did pay the price-Hawaii. The USA got huge lucrative arms contracts from Britian during world war 2 and at the same time wasn't participating in the full blown war, isn't that kind? It got all the benefits without any of the costs, for two whole years.

I am of the opinion, that American CIA was studying the war closely trying to pick the perfect time to join, to ensure American dominance. 

The lost teen, who hated world war I so decided bluntly not to enter the second world war.  Now, If America didn't enter the war at all, Russia would have eventually crushed Berlin, all but Britian would have collapsed under a soviet carpet.  This we can thank America for.  Now, If America had entered the war from the beginning, Germany would have been stopped dead in its tracks, and Japan would followed without the European war to confuse things.  How many lives would have been saved?  My guess is there would have been lives saved across the board from every country save Germany.  The killing of Jews would have been halted much more quickly.  There would have been no need for nuclear weapons, or at least they would never have been used.  Isreal would never have been located in the middle east and the world would be more united than it is today.  Looking back, we can all paint the rosy picture; that's the one I see.  And for the hard core American right that keeps screwing things up, America would have rose the most politically powerful and dominant country regardless.

After world war II, I believe the CIA was so pleased with the recruitment of German scientists who were helping get the USA to the moon that it also pressed for the dismantling of Canada's Avro Arrow project?  What's that you ask?  Look it up.  The Avro Arrow scientists eventually fled to the USA.

There is no doubt in my mind that America does good in the world,  without a question yes it does on a lot of levels.  I am thankful that Canada has the USA as its neighbour, most of the time.  However, to believe that American can do or has done no wrong is delusional.  Late entry into world war II, Grenada, The Vietnam War, the second Iraq war, stalling the UN peace process to allow the Hezbolla to be decimated; so many odd decisions that work toward winning political concessions in favour of the USA at the cost of principle and wider long term implications.  Afghanastan is being half-assed at the moment because attention has been diverted to the wrong place......Iraq!

If decision makers, literally, made decisions based on right and wrong like they were taught from their parents versus, decisions that try to make American the top unquestioned dog on the block, their would be less anti-American rhetoric and the world would be a better place.  There would be no reason to have mis-givings agianst the USA. 

George Bush and his "Bring it on speech" or "Freedom fries" are the epitome the republican arrogance that drives public policy decision making federally.  These are the type of idiots that hold the good American back from showing itself, the optimistic American that the world needs, not the greedy America that tries to profit at the expense of others.  To be proud of such silly comments, is to invite the sort of anti-Americanism that nobody benefits from. European leaders annoyingly entertain Americanism.....watch the UK election you'll see it.  "Freedom Fries" shows that the USA is just as guilty as the Euro-leaders.  Pathetic really..both sides.

The final point I want to make is, I don't know any Canadian who feels jealousy toward the USA, nor do I know any Aussie or Brit who feels inferiority visavis the USA to think such thoughts smacks of arrogance.

Ask yourself on a less superficial level, why do people feel as they do against our beautiful and prosperous country?  I hope you find the answer in your mind and send it to your heart.

Peace....NY

posted by NorthernYankee on December 25, 2006 at 8:32 AM | link to this | reply

Ariel......

There are many kinds, groups, or councils of elders.......Having enjoyed your writing and  especially your comments throughout the blogs here, I'd take counsel from you anytime......I know that you come from one of the  "good" groups.....it's the "bad" groups that scares me.....

posted by Corbin_Dallas on December 24, 2006 at 5:37 AM | link to this | reply

Corbin

 

As a 75 year old " elder ", with a wealth of experience of living in " interesting" time, I feel that I have much wisdom to pass on to those who will listen.

But one should never become arrogant, and assume that age endows one with a monopoly of wisdom, for even now, almost daily, I amend my opinions in the light of new evidence, and new thoughts.

You who are younger have much to teach us oldies, and I often envy you your youthful thinking and attitudes ; although at times I could muder some of you for your ignorance of your own histories! Which shows that it's all swings and roundabouts, doesn't it?

Nobody knows best for all things, but far too many do, and inflict their own views upon us ; vide political correctness.

We should all remember that he who knows not his history is doomed to re-enact it, and some of us have lived thro' some quite significant historical events.

Happy Christmas to you all.

el Tel

 

posted by ariel70 on December 24, 2006 at 5:18 AM | link to this | reply

"It wouldnt hurt to listen to ones elders once in a while"

And of course those elders would be of the "We know whats best for one's existence" liberal, secular, moral relativists of the world?

Can you dispute and of the humanitarian claims in the article?   

Colin Powell said it best when it comes to America's intentions........

 

posted by Corbin_Dallas on December 24, 2006 at 5:02 AM | link to this | reply

Yankee again

 

And of course, one might add, the post-WWII Marshall Plan ; the greatest act of international altruism in human history.

For those who are not aware of the Marshall Plan, it was billions of dollar's worth of food and other aid, and economic reconstruction funded by America. Millions of Europeans               ( including Germans ) were saved from death by starvation and want.

The 1948 Berlin Airlift of food, fuel and other necessities to break the Soviet blockade of Berlin, was also a mainly American effort ; although of course the RAF played a large part in it.

So much for gratitude!

posted by ariel70 on December 24, 2006 at 4:38 AM | link to this | reply

Yankee

 

Oops! 1917 of course, not 1817!

posted by ariel70 on December 24, 2006 at 3:56 AM | link to this | reply

Yankee

 

America was never in the Commonwealth, but was a mere colony, governed from London.

Your commentators could well add to the list of blessings that America has given the world the following ...

The first serious attempt to suppress the scourge of the Barbary pirates by the American Capt. Decatur in the early 19th century.

Intervention in in 1817 in WWII, when the Allies had no chance whatever of defeating the Central Powers ; all that they could have hoped for was a truce of exhaustion.

Lend Lease, which enabled Britain to continue WWII, before America's involvement in 1941; once more a crucial factor in victory.

Turning the military dictatorsihp of Japan into a flourishing democracy after WWII

Providing the backbone of NATO since 1945, and bringing about the demise of the Soviet empire.

Ending the bloodshed in the Balkans in the 1990s.

Germany can't yet swallow the ignominy of her defeat in two world wars, and France her defeat by Germany in 1940, and her salvation by ( mainly ) America.

Anti-Americanism has its roots in envy of American dynamism and economic power, reinforced by feelings of inadequacy.

Rather than make strenuous efforts to sort out their own sclerotic eonomies, and curb the overweening powers of that latter day Holy Roman Empire, the EU, European politicians take refuge in strident anti-Americanism.

Helps to blind their own populations to their own incompetence, corruption and other misdeeds.  

 

posted by ariel70 on December 24, 2006 at 3:54 AM | link to this | reply

Whoever wrote that artcle

Is the sort of American that anti-Americans rally around; way to nationalistic and close minded. 

If that article was written by a non-American it would have more crediblity as it stands he's just another flag waving American-zombie; hoplessly lost in nationalist ferver, unable to see the evil created by his superpower with an extremely mediocre record is the worlds cop on the beat.

Space travel is an example of the good America, Vietnam and Iraq are examples of ineptitude, power hungry, greedy ambitionism. 

American has potential, but its behaviour is more like that of a lost teenager.  It wouldnt hurt to listen to ones elders once in a while. 

posted by NorthernYankee on December 24, 2006 at 3:23 AM | link to this | reply

I think I'll answer with an excerpt from a previous post of mine.....7-6-06

On July 4th, Peter Brooks wrote an outstanding article, in Real Clear Politics, asking the question:

"What would the world be like without America?"

Let's see.........

For all the worldwide whining and bellyaching about the United States, today - America's 230th birthday - provides an opportune time for them to consider for just a moment what the world might be like without good ol' Uncle Sam.

The picture isn't pretty. Absent U.S. leadership, diplomatic influence, military might, economic power and unprecedented generosity, life aboard planet earth would likely be pretty grim, indeed. Set aside the differences America made last century - just imagine a world where this country had vanished on Jan. 1, 2001.

On security, the United States is the global balance of power. While it's not our preference, we are the world's "cop on the beat," providing critical stability in some of the planet's toughest neighborhoods.

Without the U.S. "Globo-cop," rivals India and Pakistan might well find cause to unleash the dogs of war in South Asia - undoubtedly leading to history's first nuclear (weapons) exchange. Talk about Fourth of July fireworks . . .

In Afghanistan, al Qaeda would still be an honored guest, scheming over a global caliphate stretching from Spain to Indonesia. It wouldn't be sending fighters to Iraq; instead, Osama's gang would be fighting them tooth and nail from Saudi Arabia to "Eurabia."

In Asia, China would be the "Middle Kingdom," gobbling up democratic Taiwan and compelling pacifist Japan (reluctantly) to join the nuclear weapons club. The Koreas might fight another horrific war, resulting in millions of deaths.

A resurgent Russia, meanwhile, would be breathing down the neck of its "near abroad" neighbors. Forget the democratic revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia, Comrade! In Europe, they'd be taking orders from Paris or Berlin - if those rivals weren't at each other's throats again.

In Africa, Liberia would still be under Charles Taylor's sway, and Sudan would have no peace agreement.

And what other nation could or would provide freedom of the seas for commerce, including the shipment of oil and gas - all free of charge?

Weapons of mass destruction would be everywhere. North Korea would be brandishing a solid nuclear arsenal. Libya would not have given up its weapons, and Pakistan's prodigious proliferator, A.Q. Khan, would still be going door to door, hawking his nuclear wares.

Also missing would be other gifts from "Uncle Sugar" - starting with 22 percent of the U.N. budget. That includes half the operations of the World Food Program, which feeds over 100 million in 81 countries.

Gone would be 17 percent of UNICEF's costs to feed, vaccinate, educate and protect children in 157 countries - and 31 percent of the budget of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, which assists more than 19 million refugees across the globe.

In 2005, Washington dispensed $28 billion in foreign aid, more than double the amount of the next highest donor (Japan), contributing nearly 26 percent of all official development assistance from the large industrialized countries.

Moreover, President Bush's five-year $15 billion commitment under the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is the largest commitment by a single nation toward an international health initiative - ever - working in over 100 (mostly African) countries.

The United States is the world's economic engine. We not only have the largest economy, we spend 40 percent of the world's budget on R&D, driving mind-boggling innovation in areas like information technology, defense and medicine.

We're the world's ATM, too, providing 17 percent of the International Monetary Fund's resources for nations in fiscal crisis, and funding 13 percent of World Bank programs that dole out billions in development assistance to needy countries.

Yep.......we sure have been doing a lot of evil to the world we're a part of..........

Brooks sums up his and alot of fellow Americans feelings about the promoters of Anti-Americanism..........

And what does Uncle Sam get in return? Mostly grief, especially from all the ungrateful freeloaders who benefit tremendously from the global "public goods" we so selflessly provide with our time, effort, blood and treasure. How easily - and conveniently - they forget . . . unless they need help, of course.

But let us never forget, especially today, that despite the name-calling, the jeers, the petty jealousies, we're the envy of the world - and rightfully so.

The fact is that no matter what anyone says: No country has given so much to so many so often - while asking for so little in return - for so little gratitude than this great country of ours.

posted by Corbin_Dallas on December 21, 2006 at 5:40 AM | link to this | reply

The foundations the America was built on in many ways.....

Are the opposite of those that Canada was; thus the United Empire Loyalists, many of whom were tarred and feathered in the USA, in typical American populist style, the ones who survived came to Canada.

Prior to independence, the British were on the verge of outlawing slavery; I have the opinion that America left the commonwealth to keep slavery and allow elite colonialiststs to wield more power at home. For example, the presidencial-congressional system that frees the president from the popular-legislature, the electoral college that protects the interests of the elite and divided congressional election system the kills party politics.......

I think Average people would be better off while rich people would have accept less.

England never made a profit on the investments it made into the US......Fair question I think.

My American uncle tells me that the facts of Americas prided independence, if questioned in the US would likely get me beaten up.  Hmmmm.......

I think the world would be way different.

posted by NorthernYankee on December 20, 2006 at 6:21 AM | link to this | reply

Justi

Me too~~

posted by Offy on December 19, 2006 at 12:56 PM | link to this | reply

Northern Yankee

Direct all questions of any sort to Greta Van Strussen she builds shows around 'What if' and gets people who have decent careers to come on there and give their unprovable opinions. Me I like it like it is!

posted by Justi on December 19, 2006 at 12:50 PM | link to this | reply

They would drink more tea & maybe have decent Indian restaurants.

posted by CringeintheUSA on December 19, 2006 at 12:31 PM | link to this | reply