SNIP
>
>Big brother? America trys, but I think we pay to much of a price, not mention all the negative repercussions afterwards. Some people are never happy. I think US should stop trying so hard to make the world happy. We are not a genie that people call whenever they need something and complain and bitch afterwards.
>
SNIP
Indeed, the record speaks for itself - the U.S. has contributed the most, to defuse or end more conflicts, than any other country in modern times. And it has always been costly to you (the U.S.) in terms of lives and $$$ and in terms of reputation in some quarters (usually the 'losing' side and any of its allies).
But you notice, too, that the world still looked to the U.S. for leadership, so the reputation was psoitive more than it was negative in the majority of the world.

Things are different now, with the new "Bush Doctrine" and the way it has been effected, specifically as regards Iraq and thus how it will be applied next. You know very well that if there had been WMD found quickly in Iraq and/or if there had been clear connections between Al-Quaida and Saddam the world would have quickly got into line and congratulated President Bush for his prescience. Instead, their worst fears came to be and Presidnet Bush was shown to be the bully that they all worried he might be.

It used to be that 'with great power comes great responsibility'. Now it is 'with great power comes "bring 'em on"'.

Jim