The Global Declaration Against Anti-Americanism
Think of it as the Euston Manifesto for everyone else. The Global Declaration Against Anti-Americanism is a project of a British-based group called ‘America in the World’. The text reads as follows:
“Ours is a better world because of America. The world is safer because of the American soldier. The world is wealthier because of American enterprise. The world is healthier because of American technology. No nation is perfect, but imagine the world without America. I reject anti-Americanism. I declare myself a friend of the United States of America.”
There’s nothing in there to disagree with.
But why sign it?
Here’s why I will sign it. I like America. I like the place, the people, and the culture. I appreciate how much they give us and how much they sell to us and buy from us. I’m thankful that Canada’s northern frontier is defended by 98 American-made CF-18 Fighters backed up by 2,400 American Air force fighter-bombers. I am thankful that American capitalism created a climate that allowed for the rise of Google, Microsoft, Apple, Blogger, Youtube and Automattic.
I appreciate that they have problems, as we do, but know that their openness means that those problems will eventually be solved and not allowed to metastasize like in Burma or Zimbabwe.
I wholeheartedly reject any suggestion that Americans are stupid, ignorant, inherently wicked or imperialist – or that any American alive today is personally responsible for crimes committed by their great great grandfathers.
I know that there are some pedants out there who will say that hardly anyone is really anti-American, and that people are making legitimate criticisms of the country. While this is sometimes true, I encourage those people to look at the bigoted assumptions others make when they talk about America and also to look at how mainstream organizations like the CBC which may not necessarily be overtly anti-American, provide an environment where overt anti-Americanism can be safely expressed.
I’m under no illusion that petitions and awareness campaigns like this will change the world any more than a charity rock concert or a raging granny – but I think it is good to throw up static and resistance to bigotry wherever possible and to make the odd web bigot think twice about what they say.
You can sign the Global Declaration Against Anti-Americanism here.
Right on!!!
Louise
August 22, 2008 at 12:31 am
America is a decent country with, like most countries (at least for the most part), decent, and hard working people – their government and the propaganda it has foisted on them is the problem.
I’m not the least bit anti-American, but I most certainly am anti ‘lil George.
stageleft
August 22, 2008 at 1:13 am
“not the least bit anti-American”
Really? Hummmm.
“Decent, hard working people” whose choices you hate.
Louise
August 22, 2008 at 11:28 am
So you feel there’s something objectionable about media organizations “which may not necessarily be overtly anti-American”, but which “provide an environment where overt anti-Americanism can be safely expressed” ?
Seem to me that’s kind of the role of media, and the nature of free speech – to provide a forum in which criticism of ANY government, religion, ideology or movement can be “safely expressed”.
Over the past few days on CBC, I’ve heard views expressed which I supposed could be characterized as “anti American policy”, “pro-American policy”, “pro-capitalism”, “pro-union”, pieces both supportive of and critical of the global warming hypothesis – in short, a range of opinion both wider in its range and deeper in its analysis than the crap I get from our local talk radio litter boxes.
Louise:
“Decent, hard working people” whose choices you hate.”
Assuming this playground piece of sociopolitical foot-stomping reflects your political “vision” (cough), are we then to assume that you hated the decent, hardworking people who elected a series of Liberal Governments?
Wow. That’s a lot of hate.
balbulican
August 22, 2008 at 12:11 pm
SL:
Here are three quotes from a single article in the Globe – take a look at the article and let me know how any of these bigoted words apply to any specific American policy:
“Americans are so viral.”
“Americans have even made themselves physically ridiculous.”
“If you ever want evidence that Americans are the most ineducable people on Earth, read the amazon.com”
http://www.math.metu.edu.tr/~dpierce/texts/mallick.html
Robert
August 22, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Wow. Three sentences cherry picked from the Globe – no sourcing, context, or indication of whether these were quotes or not. A powerful analysis, and near irrefutable confirmation of our pervasive anti American bias, Robert.
balbulican
August 22, 2008 at 12:54 pm
No sourcing? They’re all from the same article – the link for which I put in the comment. And I said – go look at the article, find them in context and decide.
Robert
August 22, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Dude…a nine year old column???
balbulican
August 22, 2008 at 1:58 pm
[...] QUIT. YER. WHININ’ — The Global Declaration Against Anti-Americanism. And let’s remember Gordon [...]
Steynian 229 « Free Mark Steyn!
August 24, 2008 at 2:02 pm
No Louise, “Decent, hard working people” whose choices were made based on propaganda and fabrication – no one in the [supposed] free world wants to believe that their government actively engages in deceiving them but the evidence that that’s exactly what happened with our friends south of the border is mounting.
stageleft
August 24, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Oh. I see. My mistake. Decent, hardworking people with substandard intelligence.
Still whining cause the war in Iraq has been won, aren’t Bal. Too bad. So sad.
Louise
August 25, 2008 at 2:13 am
I reject anti-Americanism. I declare myself a friend of the United States of America, however, in defense of those who criticize the US, most people I read and hear are critical of the US government’s foreign policy (if freedom of speech is still OK with you), this is not a personal attack on the American people.
Remember, America has invaded Iraq (twice), Haiti, Panama, Grenada, Laos, Cambodia, North Korea, Nicaragua, Lebanon, Somalia, the Dominican Republic and a bunch of other Latin American countries. The US has bombed civilian populations in Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq, Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Libya, Lebanon (actually shelled by the US Navy) and North Vietnam. I’m sure I missed a few. The US has overthrown or attempted to overthrow numerous countries – “regime change” – and has been involved with coups against democratically elected governments in Iran, Guatemala, Venezuela, Haiti and Chile.
Under George W. Bush, the US has dropped the Kyoto treaty, cancelled the ABM treaty, refused to join in banning land mines and biological weapons and has invaded Iraq, which is illegal under international law.
The US has military bases all over the world, spending as much as the rest of the world combined on military. Why?
Why should the US decide which regimes should be changed and which should stand – even democratically elected governments? Does it surprise you that people around the world are fearful and angry at the US?
I have supported many US actions that have had altruistic intentions (and there have been many) however, many people in this world feel, and rightfully so, annoyed by US interference in their countries.
Tim
August 25, 2008 at 2:24 pm