Metin,

The US is certainly a fashionable target at present. But I'm not sure all those who criticise have a full viewpoint of the good as well as the bad. There are many, many, many good things Americans do with no expectation of reward or recognition, just because they believe it is right. There are also other things they do that have allowed much of the world to live better lives. Many of those who criticise have benefited. For example, the freedoms taken for granted in Europe and Eurasia today would have been impossible if not for American arms.

IMHO we just need to remember the good as well as the bad, and to be as ready to praise as we are to blame.

As for the invasion: many if not most Americans look at that war and wonder what they have gotten themselves into. They do not need a wave of hatred pouring down on them to be able to ask questions of themselves. It is no wonder some Americans wish they could just slam the door and leave the rest of the world to it.

I have a question for you. I remember one occasion when the Armenian genocide in Turkey was mentioned and you got quite angry. That was sonmething that happened a long time ago and you could not possibly be blamed, but still you were not pleased that somebody raised the accusation about your homeland. I'm wondering what sort of reaction you expect from Americans who are the targets of highly personal attacks and accusations every day?