RE: OT Hatred (was Re: New Ada compiler for .NET)

["Smooth Sailor" <smsail@yahoo.com>]

 
> "Why do so many people hate America."
> 
> Ignorance.  Honestly, hatred of people of whom you do not 
> know can only be the result of ignorance.  It is irrational 
> to hate a country. It may be rational to oppose a 
> government's policies or an individual actions, but to hate a 
> group of people is simply irrational and the first step 
> towards handing out blanket judgements.

I don't understand your claim that is irrational to hate a country.
Many (including me) *love* America, so why can't it be hated by others.

I believe we (America) have done many things to engender hatred from
people in other countries.  We have gone in places that were not our
country and coerced, forced, and killed to get our way.  I'm not talking
about "wars", and not even the "war" on terrorism.  I'm talking
Nicaragua, Somalia, and various middle east countries.  

Yes we have also done a lot to love.  But I don't consider it irrational
for someone to hate a country or a government that has killed their
family or taken their land and made them refugees or propped up a puppet
government their country that did those things.  It actually seems
rather rational.

I believe as part of my love of America I need to ask "Why do so many
people hate America." and even more, try to *hear* what the response is.
It doesn't weaken me or America to listen.  We need to mend our ways
when we do hateful things, and the first step is understanding those
things.

Sweeping such questions away with the claim of "ignorance" or
"irrationality" begs the question. 

There are legitimate reasons for dislike and even hatred of America.  If
you truly love America (as I do), then you will want to take steps to
eliminate any unnecessary actions that engender hatred of this great
country. 

(Now we can debate what actions are *necessary* and what actions are
not. :-) )

Oh, by the way, hating (or loving) America does not justify vicious acts
against innocents, whatever country they are from (America, Somalia,
Afghanistan etc.).  Retribution against people who have visited violence
against us is semi-defensible, but when taken to extreme (going beyond
simple defense) it just escalates.  One of the parties has to
de-escalate the actions and that party is the morally stronger one.  I'd
like America to be the morally stronger party in this world of
escalating violence.

> >    "What have America done to the world."
> 
> Furthermore, what has the world done to itself?

This is too defensive for my blood.  We are arguably the strongest
nation in the world.  I believe that makes it incumbent on ourselves to
lead the way by doing the right thing, not blaming others, nor trying to
justify past errors that are unjustifiable.  Personally, I like to take
responsibility for my actions and, when necessary, make it right.  I'd
like America to do so as well.

> The American governments have made mistakes, but they have 
> also benefited the world significantly.

We seem to be making more mistakes lately.  Our focus on eliminating the
negative (as we perceive it), rather than emphasizing the positive, has
actually created more negatives, not less.

Some day this great nation will grow up and become a responsible world
citizen rather than just the strongest nation that can push others to
our will.  I intend to work towards that goal because I think America is
worth it.  Time will tell.