Help de-Freep the American worldview on BBC News Talkback board...

[eeyore]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3569302.stm

I just clicked onto a BBC News board entitled "US military shake-up: Your views", a spot on the BBC News site where people can have their say about US troop redeployment.

I cannot believe the paranoid and isolationist crap being posted by Americans there. I wrote my own response to balance things a bit, but it goes through the BBC editorial staff. Hopefully they'll post mine and yours too, should you choose to accept this mission.

Here are some prime scary bits from Americans.....

Germany will not be a truly independent country until it provides for its own defence. Germans have been a bit spoiled in recent decades by decades of US aid and protection. Let them see how their foreign policy changes when their own security depends on them and not a benefactor who they can take protection from and yet condemn at the same time.
Phil Murray, Boulder, Colorado

Based on all the negative rhetoric from Europe, I think it's time we re-evaluate who our 'friends' are. Americans have had enough bashing from Europe. Pull out all of the troops and put the money back into our own economy!
James, USA

After 6 years here, watching the Germans grow more and more hostile and contemptuous, I can't wait until we go home. They wanted us to leave, now they complain about the economic impact when we do. I wish I cared, but I don't.
John, US soldier, Germany

Having a retired Lt Colonel in the family who was stationed in Germany and Turkey at one point, I can personally say that many US troops feel unwelcome in those countries and unappreciated, hence would prefer to come home. I, myself am disgusted with the anti-American parades in several of these host countries, many of whom invite US military assistance. So, as far as I am concerned, let the UN and these nations fend for themselves. Let someone else take the label of 'imperialist'
Doug, Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

I am very confused about the issue. During the beginning of the war in Iraq, I heard shouts of "America Go Home!". Now when America is pulling its troops back, I hear shouts of "America is Isolating themselves!". I am not sure what exactly the US should do to please the rest of the world.
Joseph Wojciechowski, New Jersey, USA

[richmwill]

1. Oh brother...

I can just see these "5-Star Keyboard Generals" now. Sitting in their basement, wearing their tattered baseball caps, eating hot dogs and chanting "USA! USA! USA!". Sends a shiver down my spine. :)

[eeyore]

2. No kidding...

I can only hope that the rest of the world realizes that they don't represent all of us. And people dare to ask why the world hates the US?!

[Warpy]

3. I thought a lot of the responses very reasonable

especially regarding Europe's shouldering of its own burden of self defense. That it was punctuated by a few xenophobic, sour grapes Freeper posts should come as no surprise. Every country has its share of assholes.

Personally, I hope this realignment continues under President Kerry and dismantles the imperial military we've been saddled with since the end of WWII. The military is useless in fighting against non national criminal organizations, and has also been useless at occupying the countries it's defeated. Perhaps it really is time to catch a clue and reserve our military purely as a defense force. If multinational corporations fear reprisal from reformist governments around the world, let them learn how to treat people better in their host countries.

In any case, I sincerely hope using the military as hired muscle for any corporation that cries communism is at an end. They have refused to contribute to the upkeep of this type of military, and it should be forever denied them.

[eeyore]

4. The US should not be the World Cop

I really believe that working in coalitions with other countries is the right way to create a peaceful world. What I object to is the notion that we have to punish any country that has not supported our little adventure in imperialist wars. I've always been uncomfortable with the idea that we should have bases all over the globe that protect our interests. Why not leave peacekeeping to world coalitions like the UN and NATO? Yes, it does require an implicit trust that we can work with other nations make a better, more peaceful world.

If our presence has left a bad taste with some of the countries that where we have been based then perhaps it may be time to go. I can't forget the reports of American soldiers raping Korean (or was it Japanese?) girls - how could they?

But many on that board suggest that we just pull back our forces and protect ourselves, ignoring diplomacy, and let the rest of the world fend for itself.

Do we always do more harm than good, or can some sort of balance be achieved with our military? I'm not sure that an all or nothing approach is going to make our global reputation any better.

-eeyore