Does anyone think that Americans are brain-washed like the Iraqi's ?

Question

But only a different 'God'..? controversial but we have got to stop this madness!!!

Answer 1

well look at who won the last election? how many dumb asses really thought iraq had something to do w/ 9/11? americans are soooo ******* stupid, i'm embarrassed to be one myself. i got so fed up w/ the country i left to live abroad, waiting for that jackass to leave office.

Answer 2

I'm somewhat at a loss to see why you posted this in Homework Help unless it is for a debate class. It also sounds to me like you're not asking a question, but stating your political opinion disguised as a question.

Do I think Americans are brain washed? Sure, some are. But some aren't either. As another poster said, quit using generalizations. I don't think all the Iraqis are either. Something you are conveniently forgetting, Iraq was rather secular until the war.

However, do we need to stop it ... indeed we do, if we can figure out a way out of the mess our politicians got us into.

Answer 3

Definitely. The media and government abuse xenophobia daily. The current JFK terror plot is nothing but crap; the 'terrorist' organizations in Trinidad and Tobago are harmless, and their influence outside of the country is negligible. The leaders visit Libya or wherever, and suddenly their a huge threat? Nothing has changed there in the past 15 years, and it's just the US trying to stir up trouble. Trinidad has its own problems (a huge crime, kidnapping and road fatality rate) and no-one could care less about the US....it is a 3rd world country with 3rd world problems...

As for the US, a study several years ago was taken: a map of the world was drawn and countries outlined (names were exluded): then a lot of people were asked to point out Iraq (this was after the war started)...less than 30% had a clue about it. For a country where education is so prevalent, it is disheartening to see ignorance of this level. The US is despised by every other country (except for the british parliament and Tony Blair who in turn is viewed as Bush' little puppy-dog).

Muslims pray to the same God everyone else does...but because they have different views on how a society should be run, they are 'the enemy'. Remember: the Middle Eastern countries and people have been around since at least 3000BC...Columbus discovered the New World in the late 15th century...how do we expect to change people who have had their ways before we even existed?

Answer 4

I think what you have just said is unfair ,

The Iraqi's are not brainwashed, In fact many of them live in poverty and some I am sure are decent people. Its the terrorists you should call brainwashed , not the Iraqi nation. The same thing could be said for USA voting in George Bush and yet we assume there are people who didn't vote for him. It is ignorant to call the Iraqi nation brainwashed and it is an opinion like that , that causes other countries to criticize America for their role in the whole war in Iraq.
As for do I think Americans are brainwashed , no I dont. I think they are a decent bunch of people , but it is a stupid question to ask and a nasty remark to make about Iraq.

Answer 5

Some Americans are for sure. Both on the right and the left. I think the question would be better answered if it was slightly reworded to say this "Are Americans brainwashed to the same degree as the Iraq people were at the start of the war." I would then answer like this. Some Americans have given up the fight because it is going to be a "long hard slog" as Donald Rumsfield and the president have said over and over again. Unfortunately some of the American Public has no moral values when it comes to finishing what you start. This is caused by many factors but clearly one of them is not having a family setting as the children grow up, by turning more and more parenting over to the school and by parents wanting to be their children's friend. There will be plenty of time for that kind of bond to form after they have turned at least 21.

Answer 6

The answer to your question about brainwashing can be found in the book "Lies my Teacher Told Me" by Jame W. Loewen. He document how high school history textbooks distort and invent a particular story of American history that enforces falsehoods like,

America is always right.
America is the greatest country.
America is the land of freedom.
America is always benevolent and giving.
America is a land of progress.

Think back to the days after 9/11 when the entire country was wrapping itself in the stars and stripes. Why was patriotism and nationalism our first response to tragedy? Why did we recoil inside ourself and not reach out in a time of pain?

The founding fathers had enough foresight (or hindsight learning from the past) to realize that Nationalism mixed with Religious faith is a dangerous combination that breds incredible zealotry.

Answer 7

Any suggestions on how this madness can be achieved?
I do not believe we Americans are the same as the Iraqis.

Answer 8

Now listen here, Smarty Pants, the only people who think that Americans are brainwashed are the Canadians! Don't believe me, ask one of them and see what they say! My boyfriend is Canadian, and he thinks we're all nucking futs, right?

Answer 9

I think anyone is "brainwashed" who oversimplifies complex issues - for example, someone who uses sweeping generalizations.

Answer 10

not brain washed, just poorly led.