You left out the many heavy-handed approaches in Central America in the past. Now THAT was not only embarrassing but a human disaster. In most cases the people here were not even aware of it happening during the process.



>Peter,
>
>>The fact is that currently the Europeans are less pro-American - actually more anti-American - than they were some decades ago. What can be the reason? Are the younger Europeans better educated and better informed than the older were? Perhaps. But I think that it's more complicated.
>
>I think that it might have to do with the american politics and their sense of superiority. From a personal pov I can give you a few reasons why I am critical (do not confuse this anti american though) to the american government.
>
>- The ease in which they started the war in iraq, but maybe also in vietnam.
>- Also related. Their tendency to think with their balls and muscles rather than their brains.
>- The seed they sowed with supporting sadam in the 80-ties.
>- Their way of forcing their viewpoint (I clearly remember a US general critisizing our drug policy)
>- Hypocrisism in subjects like teen-age pregnancies vs sexual education, gun control vs violence, politics and corruption.
>- An american president that more look like a clown than a capable leader.
>- Conservatism without a sense of reality (why did they not take over the metric system?)
>- Laywer culture.
>
>To balance this a bit. The following I really like:
>- Their powerfull economy.
>- The positive attitude of the average american, though somethimes with fake friendlyness.
>- Their way more succesfull integration policy.
>- The american dream of achieving wealth by working hard.
>- Their way of living by spending time with friends and family in a more open way.
>
>Walter,