tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20480185.post5571871872215782552..comments2023-12-23T10:18:58.321+00:00Comments on The Extra Bold Blog: Anti-anti-anti-anti-americanJoe Ottenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380362092159905533noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20480185.post-26534078127891317052008-09-08T12:38:00.000+01:002008-09-08T12:38:00.000+01:00Sorry that should read "The US believes LESS in fr...Sorry that should read "The US believes LESS in freedom today"Left Libhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06363370783879139149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20480185.post-55768472759059041132008-09-08T12:37:00.000+01:002008-09-08T12:37:00.000+01:00"Anti-Americanism" is a term that conflates legiti..."Anti-Americanism" is a term that conflates legitimate criticism of US politics with some form of bigotry. It is a way of guilt-tripping and obstracting debate.<BR/>The US government does not believe in freedom anymore. Their clampdown on civil liberties at home is far worse than the fights we have in the UK to preserve ours. In addition, the US government now supports torture for untried suspects of terrorism.<BR/>The USA is a foreign country and an increasingly illiberal one.<BR/>In the overall scheme of things they ARE liberal compared to most of the world, and there are good reasons for them to be our allies. But that is not to say we should overlook or be naive about what is happening there.Left Libhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06363370783879139149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20480185.post-73806582479139859982008-08-22T21:18:00.000+01:002008-08-22T21:18:00.000+01:00My big problem with anti-Americanism is it is not ...My big problem with anti-Americanism is it is not usually confined to criticising the government, it degenerates into criticising America and Americans as a whole.<BR/>Just like some idiots turn criticising the Israeli government into antisemitism.<BR/><BR/>The most laughable case was when I attacked that sort of anti-Americanism and got the reply 'but they voted for George Bush' as if that makes all Americans like Bush. Of course, the British electorate elected Blair enough times, but that doesn't count ;)Tristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15395992764678278326noreply@blogger.com