>>>>>>>>>Kevin seems to think that something like 9/11 is the worst thing that could possibly happen to a country, and that people from other countries have no right to comment because they haven't experienced anything as serious. I believe that viewpoint lacks perspective.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>With all due respect to the heinousness of 9/11, my position is that unrestricted general warfare is far more serious. The effect of WWII on the average Brit was far more traumatic than that of 9/11 on the average American. Figuratively speaking, with 9/11, the US got slugged in the face unexpectedly by a stranger, and knocked on its keister with a broken nose.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Kevin basically telling Nick to STFU because the UK has less experience of trauma and suffering, is simply ignorant.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>But it fits nicely with the view that whatever happens with/to/in the US us larger, greater, more serious and more important than whatever happens anywhere else in the world.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>It is to Americans. Why shouldn't it be?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Because you believe that you have the right to intervene anywhere in the world whenever your interests are perceived to be threatened. The combination of such self-centered view and proclaimed right based on own perceived importance is among the top 10 reasons everyone loves the US.
>>>>>
>>>>>The US don't seem to realise they are an imperial power.
>>>>
>>>>We did make a mistake by sticking our noses into european business a few times over the last century. You would have enjoyed being a subject of the Reich prior to being a subject of Stalin.
>>>>
>>>>In hindsight, I do wish we had left you to your own means.
>>>>
>>>>Of course, then again you would have still been firebombing German civilians until you surrendered, so your country would still have been just as wrong as it was when we intervened, right?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I really get tired of listening to people who won't stand up for themselves and instead try to take a holier than thou attitude with the people who protect them. It is an easy and cowardly thing to do - you know people still have to do the dirty work that protects you in order to protect themselves because they aren't allowed to leave you unprotected, but you can cop an attitude and bi+ch about them because you know they still have to defend you.
>>>>
>>>>It would be nice to be able to leave those people to their own means.
>>>
>>>You don't agree there is an American empire then?
>>
>>Correct.
>
>So why do you think there are US armed forces distributed all over the world. I think its a projection of power and while altruism may be a factor its not the main one.

Now that was a silly and uninformed statement. :o) I was stationed in Germany for 3 years, Panama for a couple, ( and a lot of other places I won't mention). Is Germany part of the American empire? Is Panama? Why were American forces in Germany? Do you even know? Every service member stationed there had to know. Why are American service members in South Korea? Why were American service members sent to the Sinai? There are American service member in many places and in most cases it is by invitation of the host government. Why are there American bases in England or British territories?