Suddenly It’s Cool To Be American Again
William J. Kole, an ex-pat who reports for the Associated Press as its Vienna bureau chief, says that after years of having his Americanism assailed because of unpopular American policies now being hailed for being from what is suddenly a more popular country.
It happened on the bus on my way to work Wednesday morning, a few hours after compatriots clamoring for change swept Barack Obama to his historic victory. I was on the phone, and the 20-something Austrian woman seated in front of me overheard me speaking English.
Without a word, she turned, pecked me on the cheek and stepped off at the next stop.
Nothing was said, but the message was clear: Today, we are all Americans.
Americans abroad who have been used to being whipping posts are suddenly being congratulated with smiles and pats. The truth is, the rest of the word wants to like us; wants us to succeed, wants to show its support. We haven’t encouraged it. Now, there is a new sense of hope, as demonstrated by a simple peck on a reporter’s cheek, who earned such a gift simply for being overheard speaking English.
As the old saying goes, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.
Before you start whipping up on me, let me say that I love America. I am proud of the USA. Plenty of men, and a niece, in my family have fought in the armed forces for this country. My grandnephew was killed in Iraq. I pray for America and her allies.
…it remains to be seen what this “change” is really all about.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Alan,
Unlike Michelle Obama. This is the first time of my entire life that I am not proud of the americans decision neither of the new president Hussein. Now I feel that I am sleeping with the enemy. Besides, Hussein won because of the media and all those sheeps like you. I advise Obama and Michelle to go to the psychoanalyst to solve their traumas first then go to the white house. Hopefully Michelle takes some personality courses because she is a woman with No Class.I am embarrass about her to represent american women. Alan, once you lose objetividad on the facts you do not have any credibility.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:43 am
I am not even mad at your comment Juana Gonzales. Our new president will make sure you are taken care of as well. I fought in Iraq for people like you. I have friends who died to defend the simple freedoms people like you enjoy. And this is how you honor their sacrifice. With words of hate towards the one man who has moved our nation forward. Change is here my friend… finally here…
November 7th, 2008 at 12:59 am
I have a similar story but here in the U.S. On my way into work yesterday morning, a gentleman whom I had never met before said to me, “Congratulations on your new president.” I asked him where he was from and he told me that he was on vacation from Turkey and that he was very excited to see that Obama was our new president. Only you “REAL AMERICANS” could look at a situation like that and see a bad thing. Alan is right, for years now we have been disliked by much of the world and the fact that foreigners are beginning to warm up to us is in no way a negative sign. You guys need to stop pretending that you’re “patriots ” by ignoring the rest of the globe and start being real patriots by restoring America’s standing with the global community. Obama will help us restore that standing.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:09 am
great story AL.. very well said
November 7th, 2008 at 1:17 am
F&B, this story should impart a bit of what this change is about – already the respect America has lost is being regained at a rapid rate in the rest of the world.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:26 am
I was abused for 8 years and freed on 11/4/08
November 7th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I, in fact, am not ignoring the rest of the globe. Lest we forget, America have people who historically, philosphically, and spiritually hate us, no matter what. These people are already wondering what our new President is going to do in a crisis…
www dot paklinks dot com/gs/world-affairs/301039-russia-jam-us-anti-missile-system-deploy-ballistic-missile-next dot html
We have yet to see what this “change” is all about.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:37 am
“Now I feel that I am sleeping with the enemy.”
Then please do yourself a favor and go live in a country where you’ll feel more comfortable. Somehow the rest of us will try to get along without you.
“Congratulations on your new president.”
And just like the former chief of the CIA bin Laden unit said, THE REASON PEOPLE HATE US (or not) IS A DIRECT RESULT OF WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT DOES TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
And maybe, just maybe, by the time Jan 20 comes, we’ll be able to start building some political capital in the world, instead of chucking it into the gutter.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:49 am
I find it amazing that the same people who’ve so faithfully defended the obvious failings of Mr. Bush for these last eight years are already getting busy and investing energy in their criticism of President-elect Obama.
Well, I’m not that amazed. Same old, same old. Business as usual.
Whether you realize it or not, things are looking up. It’s sunrise in America. Our long, dark night is over.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:59 am
I understand the need to be liked, I appreciate and, indeed, want the improved relations Obama’s Presidency will hopefully give us, and there’s a far better chance of that happening with him than would happen with McCain, but there’s a big but here.
Go back 3 years: suppose you were in Germany. While there, based on nothing but the guilt of your association with America by virtue of being an American, you were subjected to harsh, perhaps harrassing, treatment. No one seemed to care if you were liberal, or even apolitical, they wanted a scapegoat for the bad policies of the Bush administration.
Now fast forward: It’s a month from now, and you are in Germany again, and, based on the same association, you are innocent; you are praised. But, as before, no one knows you, they assume what you are, that you agreed with the election of Obama and therefore deserve their praise.
The fact is, the very premise some used to justify bigotry against individual Americans is now used to heap praise upon individual Americans.
I did vote for Obama, and improved foreign relations was a big reason for that, but I want to be thanked, should I ever be abroad, or speaking with a foreign person here, when it is known what I did, not just assumed that I made the choice to vote for Obama.
To me, these so-called positive anecdotes are insulting, and I can’t help but wonder what bigotry lies behind them.
I want stronger allies, and their peoples to support my country when it endevours to do good. I don’t want to be liked for something before they even know if I did it.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:30 am
~~Liberman is an American Hero?
~~Sorry, my heroes stand for freedom of expression and ~~personal rights and family rights. Lieberman believes ~~none of these things.
~~He has crusaded against music, movies, videogames, ~~and crusaded FOR stricter government involvement in ~~families. He is just a power hungry politician, like ~~99.9% of them are. And I’ll include Obama in that ~~blanket statement I just made.
~~Posted by Jim From Jersey
Jim from Jersey,
Is this the same Obama in your statement above who was just elected our new President that you’re talking about? Is this the change we can expect?
Just as the rapid rate of respect from some in the world is being played out, that same rate of hate is being played out by others.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:14 am
@ Juana – all i will say is i feel sorry for you -it is pathetic :(
November 7th, 2008 at 3:17 am
F&B – I’m expecting change in policy – not in politicians. Everything every one of them says must be taken with a block of salt. Trusting blindly gets you… well, it gets you people like Bush.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:52 am
okay, thanks! I wanted to be sure he was The One.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:58 am
If you believe Oprah and him, maybe. I hope I’m wrong about politicians in general, but I’ll maintain a healthy dose of cynicism. It’s better to be pleasantly surprised then devastatingly disappointed.
I didn’t vote for Obama because I thought he was the next coming of Christ, I voted for him because his financial plan makes a hell of a lot more sense than McCain’s, and I’m leery of Republicans at the moment.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:06 am
A copious dose of cynicism and healthy amounts of blocks of salt will be the ingredients to help me keep one eye open and the other one closed. Thanks again!
November 7th, 2008 at 4:25 am
As a Kiwi I can say that over the past 8 years I have meet a lot of (mainly democratic) Americans in exile living in NZ, I
November 7th, 2008 at 4:49 am
They are now all proud to be Americans again- amazing!
November 7th, 2008 at 4:50 am
WFG:
Would you mind explaining that a little more? I don’t understand why you would find it insulting or bigoted.
Thanks
November 7th, 2008 at 6:56 am
In my hypothetical, the Germans thought ill of, and treated badly, the visiting American. Their opinion of him was based only on his nationality. He was guilty, in their minds, because of that association. He was basically wrongfully punished. If those same Germans then decide, with the same ignorance as before, that +3 years later he deserves praise, they are using the same faulty premise as they did when they thought him to be a rotten American. That is indicative of a mindset that doesn’t value an individual for having righteous beliefs and character, but one that is willing to make assumptions about said individual for being born in a country which, at this time, is regaining its popularity.
What that means is, keeping the premise consistent, if Obama turns out to not be the leader we expect him to be, those Germans (anyone) who had been excessively critical of individual Americans, would have to be so again, or, at least, it should not be surprising if they are.
To me, this shows bigotry as being behind the mindset which would now praise me, something which I cannot unquestioningly appreciate.
The way to avoid this, is to simply have asked the American 3 years before, what he thought. Then there would either be a valid and fair basis for at least some of the negativity he received, or they would have been spared embarrassing themselves from taking their grief out on an ideological friend.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:17 am
pardon typos.
anyway, i don’t expect many, perhaps any, will see it as i do.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:19 am
WFG,
Thanks for the explanation. I can understand and agree to a certain extent with what you are saying, but if I may offer a bit of criticism, I find it a bit of a detached, academic viewpoint.
I think you may be underestimating the relief factor folks from around the world are feeling. The existing US administration has caused unbelievable grief around the world, and the world was amazed and disappointed when we reelected Bush. Before Bush’s second term they blamed the government, when we reelected him they started blaming us.
And I don’t think they liked blaming us because Americans are actually pretty likable (contrary to the ‘ugly American’ stereotype, the average American behaves pretty well abroad compared to the average German or Brit, for example). Of course it is a type of bigotry to judge all individual Americans ill or good based on an election outcome, thus academical you are correct. However, I think when we were judged ill it was more a way for someone to release frustration with America in general, and now that there is tremendous relief, and encountering an American is a way for them to pour out their relief.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Obama has the chance to unite the country and lead us to a prosperous future, if he can govern from the center. The majority of the American people wanted him as President, and they got their wish.
I did not support him with my vote this time, but if he lives up to his word and governs from the center – I as a Republican will vote for his second term.
Give him a chance. If all else fails, he can be voted out in four years.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Sam,
Any former ‘Canadians’ among them?
Nothing has irritated me more, the past five years or so, than Americans traveling abroad who claim to be Canadians. Several Europeans have told me stories of obvious Americans claiming to be Canadian. One asked a ‘Canadian’ which province he was from and the guy didn’t even know what a province was!
True, an unfair question, like asking Palin to name a newspaper.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Bigotry is tied in with anger. Whether it’s the racist who thinks blacks are inferior and to be feared because of what he was taught, or because of some evil innate within himself, or the homophobe who loathes gays because their existence and behavior is supposedly an affront to his god’s will, in either case, and including in the case of Americans unjustly subjected to the release of pent up frustrations, none are fair, and all should be condemned.
When I refer to harsh criticism, and such, I mean its cruel form, not the form of lamentations and emotional appeals to our better nature.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I do understand the existence of their anger.
If necessary, I’ll try to continue in this later.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:02 am
ps i’ll try to better address your post, too.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Pallin around with anger. Pallin around with hope. This is one crazy country with alot of mix up folks. All sorts of racist. All sorts of sexist as well. The post readings,seems like we all end up in hell. This is AMERICA. Land of the free and brave. We are divided like pie on display. White,black and other. Gay,handicap and GOD. I love this country and i love all these viewpoints as well.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:29 am
WFG,
I’ll tell you a quick anecdote that supports your view.
I was on a flight from Amsterdam to London, it was Bush’s final trip to London, and he was on his way home. Heathrow is a very, very busy airport and Bush’s departure from London had air traffic control completely backed up.
We were in the plane, on the ground (in Amsterdam), and the pilot came on the intercom and said something like: “Because of Mr. Bush, air traffic is backed up at Heathrow. I don’t know when we will get our slot, they had to close a runway because of Mr. Bush. I will let you all know as soon as I find out when we will have a slot for take off. Mr. Bush was making his last trip to Europe”
I don’t remember exactly what he said, but he said ‘Mr. Bush’ in a hateful way at least 5 times. I was thinking, OK, I don’t like Bush either, but I would say this is Heathrow’s fault, not PRESIDENT Bush’s fault.
Then there was a French lady talking to a Brit in the seat behind me. She started talking bad about Americans, and saying she hoped ‘Americans let Obama be president’. The poor British lady really seemed to want nothing to do with the discussion, but the French lady went on and on about how horrible Bush was and how she couldn’t believe Americans voted for him, blah blah blah.
I wanted to engage her in discussion, but she was elderly, and I was angry, so I thought it better that I not say anything, lest I say something I might regret later.
At any rate, I am certain that had I announced myself an American to her I would have been treated in a bigoted way, so don’t think that I completely disagree with you.
However, I’ll be traveling abroad for the next few weeks, and should I come across folks who celebrate the US rather than denigrate, I have to admit – I’ll be a long way away from feeling offended at their ‘bigotry’, and instead quite gratified, and I too will celebrate with them the election of a man who actually seems to care about relations with the rest of the world.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:32 am
To the Bush bashers,
For nearly 2,600 days this nation hasn’t had a major terrorist attack. I for one credit Bush for this and thank him for it. I whole heartedly pray that in 4-8 years I can thank Obama for doing the same thing if nothing else.
But, Obama has promised to do more hasn’t he? Much, much more. Well, we’ll see.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Bernie,
Just because we were hit with the biggest terrorist attack on US soil in history early in the Bush administration is no reason to bash Bush.
And yes, I hope Obama does more than keep America safe from terrorism. Bush certainly did more, of course most of what he did was not so good.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Bernie is right. Security of the homeland is the president’s number one priority. If Obama can do the same over the next 4 years I will applaud him also. What Obama has promised over the next four years will swell the national debt even more so than the last eight years.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Sure it is, and having friends around the world contributes to our security.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Cara,
It is way to early to judge Bush’s administration. The final chapter won’t be written for at least 50-60 years.
It’s only now that we are beginning to look at FDR’s policies without the rose colored glasses. It’s only now that we are beginning to look at Vietnam in the context of the Cold War.
Bush’s Administration will be judged by what he did or didn’t archive in Iraq and Afghanistan. These outcomes may be years in the making.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Bernie,
Fair enough. Nixon too is seen a good deal more positively than he was immediately after his resignation. Clinton has picked up a few more friends amongst the hard right even just eight years later.
So, first time we agree – 50, 60, or even ten years from now it is possible Bush will be judged quite different than today.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:09 am
It’s Always cool to be an American! Always.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:25 am
It’s cool to be an American again. That’s awesome dude. Do I get invited to the cool kid parties now? Oooo! Will Hugo Chavez be there? He’s sooo cool man. He’s into CHANGE. He started it!
“This historic election of an African American to lead the most powerful country in the world is a sign that the era of change which has taken root in South America could be reaching the doorstep of the United States.”
November 7th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Hugo isn’t so popular amongst the folks from South America I interact with on a daily basis.
Where did you get this quote, and what was it’s context?
November 7th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Never mind, I found it on Politico:
November 7th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Sheesh,
Senhor SPAM filter is working overtime today.
I found the full quote.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Been to Europe 3 Times; 2003, 2005, 2007. 3 weeks each time with constant travel and eating in public places at every meal with numerous conversations and have never had a negative anti-American moment. Maybe it’s the people you take with you or associate with while your there or, most likely, how you behave.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Sheesh,
Senhor SPAM filter is working overtime today.
Posted by Um Cara
…………………..
I’m going out now, and I don’t know WHY I’m so obsessed with this, but if people are still having trouble with the spam filters, and yet this Russian stuff keeps getting through…
Is it because they don’t use the English alphabet?
And WHY only on that page from July??
Why not more currant threads?
I believe that there is a Seinfeld episode for everything in life, and in this case, it is the refusing of the pie ….I just want to know why!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:18 am
It’s more the frequency, I think. The majority of my visits pass w/o an anti American comment, to be sure.
If you have only been to Europe three times, I’m unsurprised that you have not heard an anti American comment.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:20 am
If all it takes is a peck on the cheek for you to figure out It’s cool to be an American “Again,” you must have not been much of one to start with!!!
Next you’ll be holding hands with Michella saying how proud you are of your country “Again.” Trust me “my friend” there is no better place on earth and I’m proud of her all the time!! I may not always agree with her direction but I’m always very prideful of this country!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:20 am
President Bush did keep us from another attack. I hope Mr. Obama can do the same. More than that I hope that all of you who have spent the last 8 years hating this President and this country can find peace. You always say how enlightened you are – but what I have witnessed is a closed mindedness that puts all the folks you so distain to shame. It will be interesting to watch. We will see it you have the ability to be generous and thoughtful and at the very least civil to people who beg to disagree. God speed.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:21 am
I don’t hate him, some people probably do
Who are you talking to? I haven’t seen anyone on this blog say they hate this country, or say anything that could be construed in that manner.
You always say how enlightened you are
Care to back that up? Who has been bragging about their ‘enlightened-ness’?
I’ll agree that zealots on all sides are often very closed minded.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Thanks for proving the point.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Alan, “it’s suddenly cool to be an American again”…I have always been proud to be an American. If you weren’t, why didn’t you leave? It’s sad to think you are only proud when things are going your way. That is not a true American.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Not being snarky, but what point are you talking about?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:33 am
The power of HOPE is amazing.
Ask any cancer survivor.
The power of Fear- well, ya’ll know what that did for the republicans. Look at Juana’s post above :)
Sorry to those who are or never can be satisified.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:21 am
To Juana Gonzalez
From the inflamatory intonation of your posting, I gather that you don’t believe our president elect that he will listen to you and be your president, too. You may choose to remain in your anger, or you can move forward and participate in our country’s future. If you remain in a resentment filled world, your spirit will wither. I will hope for you.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:26 am
For decades we’ve shouldered the bills and carried the rest of the world on our backs. They may hate us but they call us when they need our money and when they need our troops. Who cares what they think or feel? They’re hypocrites and bloodsuckers. They’re like spoiled college kids who hate their parents but won’t stand on their own two feet and support themselves. If they really had any character they’d take care of themselves and stop feeding off us. Europe is dying and Russing is as corrupt as it was in the 30s. And we want to win their love? Please!
November 7th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
In what way? Are you still fighting WWII? I agree we should shrink our military and pull out of Japan and Europe, is that what you are referring to?
They don’t really hate us, and our war in Iraq is why they were mad at us.
Decent human beings? Don’t you care how others think and feel?
In what way are they feeding off of us?
Europe’s economy has been stronger than the US, in what way are they dying? I agree Russia is bad news.
Nah, we just want to be responsible members of the world community, a side effect of which will mean they will be less irritated with us.
Not starting any more unilateral wars will help.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Enjoy the approval of foreigners while it lasts, because it never lasts. As Le Monde put it on 9/12/01, “We are all Americans now”. Until we went and did something.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
November 7th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
oops
November 7th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Wow, the rest of the world thinks highly of the country again because we elected Barack Obama, and we should be proud about this. People have short memories, on 9-11 the rest of the world did not look at this country in a bad light because of George Bush. They likewise did not look at us differently in 2003 the first time the twin towers were attacked. The problems began when we asked for help in fighting terrorism. Only then did critics start to find fault. We are the greatest country ever when we protect them, but when we ask to work together, well, how dare we.
I suggest that it is far too soon to talk about how the citizens of the world view us. No one, and I mean no one knows what kind of President this one will be. We have some idea of the major challenges he will face when he comes into the office because of the continued war in Afghanistan and the economic crisis. The rest of the world will quickly turn against him and the rest of us again if he turns his attention to keeping most of his promises. One such example is his promise to go after Bin laden in Pakistan. No country likes to be attacked inside its borders, and there will be accusations that civilians were killed. A simple look at recent history will prove that.
A word to Alan, your side won. Now is the time to stop heaping the crap on the other party. One of the big reasons people supported Obama was his promise of a new kind of politics. many, including myself have a deep distrust of any of that happening and it is because of this very type of gloating. The proper response at this time is to give credit to how gracious John McCain was. That would help provide a bit of healing, and healing is badly needed. Your side of this election has been vicious for the entire process. This has been ugly because of the way people have gone after each other. A total and complete lack of respect for freedom of choice has led to property destruction and personal attacks that really are unwarrented. The healing should and must come at least in part by Obama supporters stopping the attacks. New type of politics, indeed!
November 7th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
What a bunch of garbage. Liberals have been seeing “what they want to see” in this issue for years, and can’t separate their own bias from a real truth.
The truth is, America has always had detractors in the world. But Liberals can’t handle the Truth.
I will say it – “Real Americans put America first”. Now, come on Liberals, how about some talk about dissing America first…
November 7th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I’m speaking from personal experience of extensive world travel for the past dozen years.
Having friends around the world helps America, Bill.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
The truth is, America has always had detractors in the world. But Liberals can’t handle the Truth.
I will say it – “Real Americans put America first”. Now, come on Liberals, how about some talk about dissing America first…
Posted by Bill Sanford
………………………
I have worked in health care ( knowing many foreigners), and my in laws are in India.
Whether we are talking about South and Central America, Europe, Jews, Christians, Muslims or Hindus from the Middle East, Pakistan and India, they have ALL said they same thing:
They LOVE the American principles, the people and the culture…..they feel our government too often places the interests of multi national corporations ahead of
democratic principles, and supports dictatorships who favor our corporations over their own people.
Most feel that the US government must lie to the American people in order to pursue these policies….So that Allende, and Arbenz, and Mossadegh were all called commies,because the American people would never approve of the violent overthrow of elected leaders for the sake of IT&T, United Fruit, and Anglo Iranian oil.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
One thing to point out is that I don’t dispute the legitimacy of some, perhaps most of the criticisms, and can understand why they occur, but how they are sometimes manifested, and especially toward whom, which bothers me.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
* is what bothers me.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
What bothers me is that you need a peck on the cheek to feel good about your country! What is wrong with you? We should all be very concerned about America,but who really cares if everyone in the world likes us! What are we in grade school running for a popularity contest…give me a break!
November 7th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
To those who believe that George W Bush has kept us free from terrorist attacks, do you all forget the history of the 911 attack? Bush was warned of the upcoming 911 attack while he was at his Texas ranch. To that he replied, Okay now you’ve told me.” And several days later the attack took place. If he had been more attentive to the intelligence at that time the attack may have been avoided.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I don’t believe he said he needed a peck on the cheek to feel good about his country. I believe he was stating the peck on the cheek indicated the stranger felt good about our country.
I am constantly amazed at this kind of attitude. We are a global economy now, this isn’t 1920 – plus the US influence will naturally diminish as emerging markets rise.
Now is a good time to make some life long friends.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
So after 8 years of the librial media telling the world how bad american is, they now want to flip a switch and now we are cool again. Sorry CNN, the world doesn’t work that they.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
You think the rest of the world is watching our news media? CNN does have an international station, and FOX broadcasts their cable network internationally. But local news sources are far more influential globally than CNN in shaping local opinion.
None of my Brazilian friends watch CNN, they all watch GLOBO
November 7th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
It’s absolutely amazing the number of people think that the United States can exist in a vacuum. Do we need the rest of the world to LOVE us, no we do not. Do we need the rest of the world to exist, Yes we do. Therefore, it is paramount that we have at the very least have a working relationship with other nations. These clueless people would be the first to scream, cry, and run home to mama if our oil and other resourses were cut off by the nations of the world.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Or advocate bombing them into liking us
November 7th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Yes, after 8 years of the Bush crime family destroying the constitution and flushing this country down the crapper I will say WE ARE COOL AGAIN!!!
After living in a near fascist state for the past 8 years, I will say WE ARE COOL AGAIN!!!
After 8 years of a tanking economy, sky high gas prices, housing foreclosures, torturing detainees, etc, I will say WE ARE COOL AGAIN!!!
Barack, make us proud!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hey! Susan, : 1993 -2001 =8 years ;2001-2008=7 years. So what did Bill Cliton do to prevent another attack in the homeland?
November 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Cookiegramma: Well said.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Um Cara, You are an idiot. Did it ever occur to you that the world wants Obama for us because he will weaken us? Maybe they want the United States to crumble and with us electing incompetent socialists to lead us they get their wish?
November 7th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Senorita Juana Gonzalez
U should be ashamed of yourself talking this garbage!!!!!!It’s people like U that I have to say always have a negative opinion of change. U will probably be one of those that will benefit from the new administration!!!SHAME ON YOU HERMANITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!ESPERO QUE DIOS TE PERDONE
November 7th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
You went ad-hominem hard, and early. Gotta respect that.
Parts of the world would like us weakened, Russia for example. Interesting that they were the one nation that did not welcome Obama (well, her people did, but the government did not).
How is a weakened US in the best interest of ‘the world’? Certainly developed nations are quite interested in the US being healthy, wealthy, and wise.
Well, since Obama is neither incompetent or socialist, I don’t understand your point.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Juana
I really believe that the one that needs to go GET SOME help with anger management is you. Go see a preist or however you confess to AND PERHAPS U WILL FIND SOME PEACE!! If this does not work I suggest you move, move and please go far, far away. This country has no use for people like yourself that have the hatred and egnorance that obviously you have obtain in your live time!!!!!!!!!!GO AWAY SISTER THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT NEED U!!!!!!!!!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Did I miss something??? Don’t remember an attack on American soil during Bill Clinton’s reign. Guess he must have done something right! Furthermore don’t think W did anything to prevent another attack. Bin Laden got our attention that’s all he wanted to do. He stated that we would destroy ourselves economically, looks like he was right! He knew that our dependence on oil etc would be our downfall. Furthermore don’t forget, Bin Laden used to be “our man of the hour”. We armed him and gave him support to fight the soviets, guess that turned out to be a real bad idea!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
The cell phone lines were open.
The votes have been tallied.
While the world watched, America has elected its very first “American Idol President”.
Thank you Simon Fuller.
Thank you Simon Cowell.
You have changed the future of American politics.
Caveat Emptor.
(click my name to see my blog. Give me your feedback)
November 7th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
So after 8 years of the librial media telling the world how bad american is, they now want to flip a switch and now we are cool again. Sorry CNN, the world doesn’t work that they.
Posted by other man
…………………………….
I don’t know what universe you live in.
Only right wingers believe in the so called “liberal media”.
And who says America is bad? Remember Bush is NOT America.
If your kid steals a car, and you admit it and disipline him do you hate your child?
If the teacher tells you that your little Pookie was smoking in the boy’s room, do you call them the anti little Pookie teachers. who hate your child?
Please!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Aliances seem stronger when the parties respect each other.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Cookiegramma,
No, the problem started with our unilateral war on Iraq, which had nothing to do with the war on terrorism in the vast majority of the world’s eyes.
The world was working together quite well against Iraq, a war was not necessary in the belief of the majority of the world. It wasn’t working together they were against, it was an unnecessary war they were against.
It is not too soon to talk about how the rest of the world has taken the news of our elections. Obviously no one knows what kind of President Obama will be, he hasn’t even started the job yet.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
It’s cool to be an American again? Are you kidding me. My pride in America does not come from Europeans, chinese, or any one else. It comes from the fact that this is the most incredible country in the world. For liberals, their pride only comes when their guy wins. The president does not make me work hard, or want to achieve something great. My parents instilled these qualities in me. I quite frankly, couldn’t care less about being cool. liberals care way too much about what other people think.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Bah. Politics is a tiny part of the vast majority of people’s lives. I was more involved in this election than any other as I felt there were two good candidates to choose from. Then McCain picked Palin, and it became obvious that there was only one possible choice for me.
But my pride in America has little to do with who is or who isn’t president.
The world is not as small as it once was, we need friends to continue to be successful.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Thinker said,
I quite frankly, couldn’t care less about being cool. liberals care way too much about what other people think.
……………….
I’m sticking with my analogy:
If the neighbors, and your spouse, and the school, ALL think your child is becoming a juvenile delinquent, do you blow them off, and say I don’t care what they think?
Or do you apply your values, EVEN when it’s difficult, to keep your child on the straight and narrow?
And you sometimes need all those people to give you a heads up once in a while.
Again, If the teacher tells you that your little Pookie was smoking in the boy’s room, do you call them the anti little Pookie teachers, and accuse them of hating your child?
November 7th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Cowboy diplomacy and foreign policy results in more gun fights than aliances between powers. Cowboys were a “go it alone” bunch with a penchent for more conflict rather than problem solving. The day of the cowboy is behind us.
The new outlook is one of realization that we don’t have to go it alone…we can gather friends and experience the strength of many through cooperative effort. Remember the coalition of the willing? Well, there are far more willing nations when nations respect each other….yeah, it’s cool to be an American. The Ugly American and the Cowboy are both out of date…they have expired.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
oh….and I agree with not calling Pookie’s teachers names…..that aint cool. LOL
November 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Um Cara has amnesia about what happened in the 2000 election. Bush won in the electoral college but had fewer popular votes than Gore. For that, the dems and their handmaidens in the MSM began a campaign to undermine the man whom they felt didn’t deserve the presidency. Disclaimer: I voted for Gore but felt that his sulky behavior afterwards was a disgrace. If you think the system is bad, change it for the next time, don’t scream foul unless you have the evidence (he didn’t). The only time Bush got a reprieve from his 24/7 trashing in the media was around the time of 9/11, and that interlude was brief, once the MSM figured out that it was going to take balls of steel to win the war on terror, not flowers. Consider where we would be today if Bush had let the UN inspectors play footsie with Saddam Hussein. He’d still be in power, we wouldn’t have a clue if he was or wasn’t stockpiling WMDs to use against us or Israel. There would still be the danger of Iran, North Korea. All the jihadists who we killed in Iraq would have gone to Afghanistan to fight us, a much more difficult battlefield and cultural milieu. We would still have had the financial meltdown. Granted, Bush made many mistakes in executing the Iraq war. Enough to say it was overall a mistake? I don’t think so, but I recognize there is plenty of room to debate that. One thing that is positive about Obama’s win is that perhaps the MSM will re-learn that their role is to inform, not make policy. Ever since the Vietnam War they have develop a sense of infallibility and omniscienece that is undeserved. What’s more, where are the checks and balances in the way they operate? Other than Fox News and bloggers, there are none. Journalists possess no more immunity than doctors, and we at least have to renew our licenses every year and answer to the tort system if we screw up. Dan Rather was given his walking papers from CBS for falsifying the Bush National Guard story, but his producer wrote a best seller perpetuating the lies, and he still has a microphone turned on somewhere. Let’s all pray that Obama governs wisely and remembers he is the President of all the people who did not vote for him. Only then can a healing process begin to take place.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Recovered,
If you care whether or not people read your posts, use paragraph breaks. Add some white space.
Anyway, I don’t have amnesia, I remember well when the tide of world opinion turned against the United States, it was the Iraq war. Bush Jr. failed to do what Bush Sr. did, which was build a true coalition.
They weren’t ‘playing footsie’. They had successfully dismantled his WMD program.
Of course! But he needs to remember to implement the policies the majority of the voting population wants, too.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Recovered Liberal…
Have you built your bomb shelter yet?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
“For that, the dems and their handmaidens in the MSM began a campaign to undermine the man whom they felt didn’t deserve the presidency.”
There is nothing even Christ himself could do to undermine Bush that would top the man’s own eight year record of bungles, fumbles and flops.
“Consider where we would be today if Bush had let the UN inspectors play footsie with Saddam Hussein.”
We’d be a lot better off.
“There would still be the danger of Iran, North Korea.”
The danger of North Korea remains unchanged, and thanks to Bush’s brilliant geopolitical strategy Iraq is now an Islamic republic with close ties to Tehran. Good job. Brownie.
“What’s more, where are the checks and balances in the way they operate?”
It’s called a free press. Traditionally, journalists are supposed to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. In the modern era, they should probably be giving us all the news we DON’T want to hear, as well, because it seems like a great many people only listen to the news that suits them.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
what a pleasure it is to see all the rightwingers seething in their impotent anger.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
“They’re like spoiled college kids who hate their parents but won’t stand on their own two feet and support themselves.”
WORD. Truer words have never been spoken.
There is nothing more insufferably lame than traveling Americans pretending to be Canadian or acting apologetic about being American in order to curry favor with irrelvent snotty foreigners. I am not sure why liberals are so desperate to look cool in front of the Western Europeans; they have more dirty laundry than we do and are not really in a position to be casting judgments on us. They do it because American liberals let them and it is so pathetic.
The truth is libs, that when fundamental American policy doesn’t change W.Europe is going to go right back to criticizing and undermining America at every turn while simultaneously allowing us to foot the bill for the West’s military security, the security of international waters, the UN etc etc etc. They ARE like spoiled teenagers with no selfawareness mooching off their parents while criticizing them constantly. Bush was just a symbol of unabashed americanism. They hate what he represents probably because deep down they are envious of our wealth and general happiness.
I understand wanting to have good relationships with our allies and making and effor but they have to meet us half way too. Stop groveling it is pathetic – they still need us alot more than we need them; don’t forget it!
November 7th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
It’s always cool to be an American. Even when people in police states, welfare states and totalitarian states disagree. Pretty pathetic, Al.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Erin,
I’m a liberal, and I’ve complained about the same behavior a dozen times on this very blog. I did it without insulting ‘foreigners’ however. I have also seen this behavior by folks who were not liberal.
You might also remember when you are traveling abroad, you in fact are the ‘foreigner’.
Hopefully the current American policy of unilateral preemptive warfare will in fact change. That’s the policy they care about, they care as much about our domestic policy as you care about Slovenia’s domestic policy.
Yea, right. That is very apparent when you call them snotty and irrelevant.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I’ve never understood this uniquely American need to be “proud” of their country. A country is only as good as its people – are you sure there’s nothing EVER done by your countrymen that is, say, a little less that stellar behaviour?
Every other free nation on earth seems to be able to support a good healthy amount of self-criticism…without all this nationalistic ranting…
Proud of your “country? What doed that mean exactly? You can be proud of your dog, your children…even your new sailboat (if you built it)…but proud of some imaginary line in the sand?
Are you “proud” that much of your wealth was built on the backs of other nations? Proud to be the last western country to abolish slavery? Proud to still lag behind the western world in fighting racism and bigotry?
What you should be proud about, is IF and WHEN you see the nation come together to work as one to make not just your own lives, but those of others worldwide, better…with power comes responsibility.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Hey Frosty,
I usually agree with you, but not on this one. Folks all over the world are proud of their country, it is not uniquely American.
Brazilians are as proud of being Brazilian as Americans are American. It’s true of quite a few other countries as well.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
You’re right, but I haven’t found the zealous “my country right or wrong!” attitude in other places I’ve been. Not to the same blind extent.
Look at the UK, where I lived and worked for 7 years. There IS a lot of “patriotism”, especially when it comes to sporting events etc, but the only Brits I heard with blind “nationalistic” fervour where the far right, usually white supremecists, such as the national party.
I guess what I was referring to was this attitude that somehow an American who claims he is “proud of my country!) no matter what – that somehow they are a more valuable citizen that he who stands back and says “whoaaa…” when he sees bad policies…
It’s like a religion that lets us all behave poorly, as long as we once a week say were sorry…
November 7th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I have always thought it was cool to be an American, but I don’t think that coolness rested on the love of the rest of world.
I always thought cool people were a little rebellious and contrarian. Not a bunch of suck ups. America should always do what it thinks is right. The reality is most of the world didn’t think that Reagan was cool either.
Except of course the countries he freed from Soviet domination and the Soviets themselves, who thought his scariness quite charming.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Juan Gonzalez and the rest of them need to stop smoking that stuff that is killing their brain cells. Thank God, that in 2008, people like Juana are in the MINORITY now. Our country has proven not just to the world, but most importantly – OURSELVES, that we are a more perfect union as of November 4, 2008.
It’s a great day to be an American!
November 7th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
No country is perfect. And America is far from being perfect. We all know this and accept this. But what makes America unique is that we always strive to become more perfect. We strive to grow and learn from our past mistakes. We look at history and try NOT to repeat it. We strive to become a more perfect Union. And that is and always will be the envy of the world.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Us true Americans- (and I KNOW that you Godless Dummycraps will hate this) but WE still think America is the greatest country in the World.
We will watch the Obama administration- and support him.
But NOT like the Obama-maniacs.
We will watch the Obama administration and all the left wing loons in the party- Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Dodd, Schumer.
And we are growing an energetic base- we will clean house in the Repulican Party- get fresh faces on the ticket in 2012-
Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal.
http://www.TeamSarah.org
http://www.Potus45.com
AND
http://www.ReaganAction.com
November 7th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
ALLEN….FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HATE AMERICA AS WELL AS THE ELITIST RACIST COMMIE TO BE PRESIDENT…THE TERRORIST LOVER WILL HAVE TERRORIST KNOCKING AT OUR DOOR….
November 8th, 2008 at 9:49 am
It is so pathetic how many people now love and believe in America. America is not one person, one president. How can all the liberals now tell us to support Obama when all they did from day one was to criticize and hope Bush failed.
I agree with the post from cunning, many of us have always loved America (even when Clinton was president) and will now even if our man did not get elected. It is too bad that so many “open-minded” liberals could not feel the same way when their man was not president.
I am proud of America but disgusted with Americans on the far left (some of them my very good friends)!
November 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
And the liberals loved America even through the Bush years….we were just afraid that he was hell bent on destroying it.
It’s interesting that liberals seem to take the most pride in the victory of movements driven by the little people, for example, we take pride in the shared sacrifice of ALL Americans in WW11, the abolition of slavery, civil rights, women’s sufferage, ending child labor…..
Conservatives, on the other hand seem to hate the movements driven by the riff raff, while taking pride in the victories of the powerful.
Many on the left feel that the right hates the principles of America, while others feel they are like irresponsible parents who let their kids run wild, while dismissing anyone who tries to warn them about their kid’s bad behavior as “those who just HATE my little angle”.
But the idea that one side loves America, while the other side does not, is nothing but sheer propaganda.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Complex, I agree.
I was saddened when I read the letter that Donna Brazile wrote to the “losers”. A letter she held back from herself and her party’s members for 8 years.
http://www dot cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/07/brazile.losers/index.html
She states it is for the McCain losers but if she had stopped hating a long time ago she could have shared this with so many people, and she and them would have been able to move on and thus helped moved this country forward.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am
“And the liberals loved America even through the Bush years….we were just afraid that he was hell bent on destroying it.”
Posted by Oldlefty.
Fair enough. Conservatives can also say this about Obama or any other past or future presidents.
Maybe this could be a mantra moving forward. We can love this country and hope the best at all times for it, no matter who leads it.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:21 am
It makes one proud that we have told the world that America is back!
That we are once again the beacon, and the shining city on the hill.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Fair and Balanced,
Amen.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Strong, selfless, smart, creative, inventive, active, engaged, healthy, wise and good.
Let’s return to THESE American traditions, shall we?
November 8th, 2008 at 10:45 am
One thing that I’ve felt over the years while talking to friends back in India has been an increasing level of uncomfort due to my embrace of America.
However everything changed from Wednesday… people have been making international calls to congratulate me and say that they are proud of America…
November 8th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Dear Alan,
This AMERICAN Jewish Vietnam war veteran was, and always will be, proud to be an AMERICAN as long as America stands for the 3 principles stated in the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It’s when those principles are forsaken that I will fly my American flag upside down and cry.
November 8th, 2008 at 11:24 am
A few questions:
What about the life of an unborn? Do we abandon one principle for the pursuit of another? Does the end justify the mean?
I have to be proud of America no matter what because I DO NOT WANT to live any where else.
But we have to remember that being proud fosters feelings of pride. And we know that pride comes before destruction.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
From my experience in Europe and the reports like this, it’s pretty fair to say that most Europeans are closed minded, ignorant, bigots.
If they can’t look at each American without labeling them because of their President, then they’re the ones that need to change.
November 8th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Alan,you are going to be the first one shaking in you pantyhose when we end up going to war with Russia because Putin sees weakness in President goose lips
November 8th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Oh,!!! its just wonderful that goose lips will pay our bills for us , and Alan will have a brain.well,somethings even goose lips can;t do.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
The conservatives on here are sore losers when in effect everyone has one.Cant wait for JAN. 20th
November 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
The conservatives on here are sore losers when inaffect everyone has won. cant wait for jan 20th
November 9th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
“Cant wait for JAN. 20th” posted by Dustytrails
Yeah, the honeymoon will be officially over.
Please try to enjoy the rest of the 4 years of marriage, though. No divorcing allowed before then, unless you decide to vote GOP next time.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:36 am
“You might also remember when you are traveling abroad, you in fact are the ‘foreigner’.”
Well thank you for putting me in my place. Where would I be without insufferably condescending liberals in the world to parse words in an effort to make themselves feel superior?
November 11th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Erin,
Let’s remember, you are the one who used this phrase:
It sounds like you are the one who has a need to feel superior, to ‘foreigners’.
I just don’t like sloppy language.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:46 am