I remember when Bush first invaded Iraq, and all the Americans online were SOOOO supportive...and now?

Question

.....so many Americans are not supportive and now dislike Bush.

I am a Canadian and NEVER supported it. You Americans were almost all GUNG-HO on this 'war' and slammed down anyone who suggested it wasn't a good idea!!!

How can you all just change you minds so quickly, now that you see more of the picture? Do you ever realize how your patriotism is a dangerous thing? How many more times is your country going to do this?

I think that it is almost 2007...and tis time the USA started acting like a better role model...so many countries look up to you and seek American culture. Stop 'warring' with other countries. Its so immature and barbaric. Be a better role model

Greg, I specificly mean the people here in Yahoo....in chat rooms and such

I do appreciate that some people admit a mistake and have learned something from it. I thought Vietnam would have taught that lesson already
....uhhum.....ake a look at what happened there...and whats going on there today!

Violence just creates more violence. Please stop warring

Answer 1

You know, Paradox, at first glance, it would appear that we indeed have an interesting duality here: in 2003, the march of war, complete with death wishes on Iraqis, informative sessions on CNN and what-not about the military capabilities of the US armed forces, etc, etc, etc. 2006 comes around and everything appears different.

Actually, it always seems to work out this way with the US (and Britain). Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Americans seems to be "all gung-ho" and then they calm down and apparently start to think about what's going on. Now, with the caveat that I am Brazilian and lived in the US for five years, I must say that, for the most part, it is NOT Americans' fault.

Now, by Americans I mean Joe and Sally Shmo, your regular folk, who work and eat too much, who know too little cuz Oprah's on the tube and there just ain't enough time to read. But these Americans ARE victims, victims of the people that run the country (and this means more than just government), of those that, instead of informing, lie.

Propaganda in countries like Canada, albeit existent, is mild when compared to what there is in the US. I mean, it wasn't that your regular American folk were seeing some biased info here and there. No, it was all over the place, the lying, the cheating, the untruth. Everyone was in on it: the NYT, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Economist, the Financial Times, CNN, Fox News (obviously), NBC, EVERYONE.

Everyone in the mainstream media, every important scholar and academician was in on it. And it's not like it's a conspiracy, by any means. This is entirely institutional, kind of like what Australians say and do concerning the Aborigines (they apparently still doubt that they committed genocide). Like David Hume illustrated, we saw (and continue to see) the Few controlling the Many through OPINION, depriving people of the ability of making thoughtful, meaningful decisions by outright lying.

You think Americans know that Saddam was an ally right up until the first Gulf War? You think they know Donald Rumsfeld personally sold the chemical weapons Saddam used against the Kurds and the Iranians in the 80's? You think Americans know that Al-Qaeda was a purely American invention that cost the taxpayer $4 billion? Or, more importantly, that Saddam's crimes pale in comparison to the US-UK embargo of the 90's that killed upwards of one million people, half of them children? They don't know these things, it's hidden from them, every day, everywhere, all the time.

When ordinary Americans finally learn that theirs is the biggest terrorist state in the world; that they support the second biggest terrorist state in the world, Israel (and yes, I am Jewish); when they finally learn their own history, I am positive, certain!, that they will not stand up for what is done in their name. I would say that we foreigners can help this change come about, especially Canadians and the British, very closely tied to the US. It'll be tough and many times frustrating, but what choice have we?

In any case, I really don't think all of them can be blamed. Judith Miller, **** Cheney, George Tenant, they are indeed war criminals, they are directly responsible for over 500,000 dead (a low estimate, according to some). I just can't see how a guy that lives in middle-of-nowhere Kentucky with the nearest newsstand ten miles away and the "choice" of Fox News or CNN can make intelligent, informed decisions and come to intelligent, informed conclusions.

Answer 2

We were all wrapped up in keeping our selves secure, and gung-ho about getting the bad guys, nobody actually questioned in the Intel reports.

The President lead us into Afghanistan, and we removed the Taliban, who harbored the terrorists. We all thought "Alright, where else are the bad guys who hate us?". Then the President said "Hey, Saddam in Iraq is a friend of the terrorists, and he's got his own weapons". Then most of us said (not exactly sure, but still trusting) "Okay, let's get him".

Well, the Government screwed up, and we know that now. And I have to agree with the above user in asking why you can't accept the fact that we made mistakes. I don't like it, the President either lied directly or falsified intelligence reports first, but what are we going to do now?

Would you rather we all support the President & do whatever he says again? (that would NEVER happen.) I'm sure that would go over well with the rest of the world. You truly had to have been here, to have listened to the news during the attacks, during Afghanistan, during the President making his case for Iraq, and finally when the truth slowly started coming to light before you can make a judgment.

A large majority of Americans don't like the war in Iraq now, and don't support President Bush. But we're not the first country that has ever made a mistake, and we certainly won't be the last.

Answer 3

You are not correct in your assessment of what "all' Americans believed, then or now.

There was staunch support because some people believe what they are told and don't take the time to dig deeper, sort of like what you just did in your comments about us.

I never supported the war,nor did any of my family or frieds. But that is neither here nor there. Please tell me that you, being Canadian, have never been proven wrong before on any major issue? I know you can't since there is not one of us alive that can say that, but your comments would make one believe that you thought that of yourself.

Maybe, if you want to see more about the truth of the displeasure you should show up at the site Poets Against the War. Mayve then you will understand that your comment on 'all' the people or even ;most' of the people was completely wrong and the fact is you just took what YOUR papers said and believed it instead of investigating.

Answer 4

We were supportive in 2001 and most of the world was behind us, first and foremost England and Tony Blair, of which Canada is a Commonwealth. It's been several years since then and this is a war we are only going to continue to get mired in, and lose more lives. Patriotism is never a bad thing. It's kept us free for 230 years and what are you guys up there doing? Guess who you'll be looking to for protection if the terrorists hit Toronto?

Answer 5

Would you prefer that we DIDN'T learn, as new information became available?

OK...this is for Avner (above):
1. I believed the "he's got WMDs" story.
2. I didn't see the Sunni-Shiite civil war coming.
3. I didn't realize how disastrously the US presence there would breed more terrorism.

Am I allowed to learn from my country's mistakes?

In response to Paradox's "Additional Details:" no argument from me here...but might the recent US election results be an indication that the US is beginning to figure this out? A little late, yes, but maybe the national clue light is beginning to be illuminated.

Answer 6

After 911 that took 3000 lives the US government made its citizen believe that next hit will be or can be nuclear strike. Nothing too complicated about it. Just over reacted to terrorism and nobody stepped up to say 'look, you need to calm down.'

Answer 7

This is a good question. I would like an American who supported this war to give an honest answer.

Answer 8

im Australian and i still support the war
freedom for all
even if it comes in a form of a prejectile
you fight for freedom, Gods angels are always fighting for him
i will too
dont get in my way hippie

Answer 9

oh you wait, you just wait it's gonna get fun and interesting the next few months.

Answer 10

because the american did not think that there will be some resistance and alot of their soldiers will be killed