Hamas endorses Obama

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Educatingblue

I was thinking more along the lines of this. I wonder if a minority president will change the way the international community views the United States.

I've read stories from reporters in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. that include the comment that Obama does give the people there hope that America practices what it preaches. Average everyday people, btw, who may or may not be thrilled with the US but aren't on a jihad against it.

And I think that's the difference between the "international community" that macallan speaks of and Mohammed, John, Ivan, etc. on the street.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Educatingblue

I was thinking more along the lines of this. I wonder if a minority president will change the way the international community views the United States.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I've read stories from reporters in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. that include the comment that Obama does give the people there hope that America practices what it preaches.

From what i've been told, a lot of the "admiration" (for a lack of a better term) for Obama is mainly because his father was/is Muslim.

But, I think any president that doesn't have a George W. Bush mentality might be able to change the way the int'l community views us.

[Educatingblue]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I've read stories from reporters in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. that include the comment that Obama does give the people there hope that America practices what it preaches. Average everyday people, btw, who may or may not be thrilled with the US but aren't on a jihad against it.

Exactly! Everytime I watch international news reports, I am astounded by the Anti-American sentiment on various political issues. EVERY American obviously does not share the same views nor feel superior to the rest of the world.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by epchick

From what i've been told, a lot of the "admiration" (for a lack of a better term) for Obama is mainly because his father was/is Muslim.

But, I think any president that doesn't have a George W. Bush mentality might be able to change the way the int'l community views us.

I don't think it's simply because his father's Muslim, but what it means that America could elect a President with that heritage. There is certainly a tendancy to support the person "like" you, especially when you don't have as much of a stake in the winner.

Originally Posted by Educatingblue

Exactly! Everytime I watch international news reports, I am astounded by the Anti-American sentiment on various political issues. EVERY American obviously does not share the same views nor feel superior to the rest of the world.

*nod*
There are some people who should get the lesson from that and apply it to their own perceptions. Like those who think that all Muslims think the same way *cough hint cough*

And as for the media, as much as I like the BBC for example, they have their own bias too.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I don't think it's simply because his father's Muslim, but what it means that America could elect a President with that heritage. There is certainly a tendancy to support the person "like" you, especially when you don't have as much of a stake in the winner.

That's true as well. My professor made that comment when I asked her opinion about Hamas endorsing Obama (my professor's Palestinian).

But your last sentence is totally true--its just like the president of BET said (i'm pretty sure there is already a thread about that so i wont go into it).

[shinerbock]

While I don't think it is a bad thing to be admired because we're open to electing people from varying backgrounds...I'm not sure I care what those countries think.

Sure, I want the United States to be respected, but do I want the Netherlands to respect us because we're being destroyed by political correctness just like they are? Not really. Simply because something garners respect doesn't mean it is good for America.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

While I don't think it is a bad thing to be admired because we're open to electing people from varying backgrounds...I'm not sure I care what those countries think.

Sure, I want the United States to be respected, but do I want the Netherlands to respect us because we're being destroyed by political correctness just like they are? Not really. Simply because something garners respect doesn't mean it is good for America.

Which is why people should take these things for what they are, announced preferences. However people allow them to sway their opinions both for and against.

I think the United States should want to be respected by the rest of the world, and the fact that we're not suggests very strongly that we're doing something wrong. That doesn't mean that we change policy on the whims of Luxembourg, just that we respect the world's opinion.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Which is why people should take these things for what they are, announced preferences. However people allow them to sway their opinions both for and against.

I think the United States should want to be respected by the rest of the world, and the fact that we're not suggests very strongly that we're doing something wrong. That doesn't mean that we change policy on the whims of Luxembourg, just that we respect the world's opinion.

I avidly disagree with this sentiment, and find it pretty dangerous. I think EU countries are going to experience some very problematic times over the next couple of decades, and much of it is by their own doing. Thus, I'm not sure their opinion about us should really impact our course of action.

Of course I think it is fine when people argue the same points that the international community is arguing, but when they start saying "the international community's tenor about our actions indicates..." I think it gets a bit frightening when used as an appeal to authority.