You can argue with the Mods. This isn't the USSR or Natzi Germany. You can say that they are wrong and challenge them.

I can argue that this thread, "Your veiws on America," doesn't exclude American's views on America. I can argue that, whatever your view, you should have reasons for that view and I should be allowed to question those views.

Yeah Tim, if no one argued with me I'd be very bored...

So, how did I misunderstand your comments (if you're still here)?

__________________
... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
I have the honour to be... your obliged humble servant, Anthony Henley
- MPs reply to constituent, mid 1700s

IMO there is an element of US citizens who have those negative qualities. But it's only an element. The majority are better than that.

Here are some thoughts on America by Australians. Also comments on Howard's support for the Iraq invasion.

In March 2003 the people of Perth, Australia wrote on a 300 metre scroll to protest the war in Iraq. This youtube video shows the scroll on display.

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QoTZmVccTJk&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QoTZmVccTJk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Some bugger, as he was walking by, stepped right on the scroll. Actually several people did (I can forgive the kid, his legs aren't that long). There's even a guy walking down the scroll like it's a path. I like the "drop pills, not bombs" (1:51 left) and "Rosie is cool" (0:49 left)

We know Americans, mainly from USA foreign policy. We supposed your government, the president Bush represents and promotes, your interests, your values, your dreams. For many reasons, Bush's policy is not very popular overseas. This policy creates a negative impression for Americans worldwide. I understand that this is not fair but this is the truth. The Americans does not have many friends overseas, even in Europe!!
I know there is an other America, civilized, sensitive, responsible At the moment for most people on our planet, American means cowboy, bullier. That is the truth!!
Antonis Symeonakis
Adelaide

We do not know you as individuals as you do not know us. We know each other from the mass media. USA is the only super power, we know Americans, mainly from USA foreign policy. We know Americans from their president. The truth is that Bush does not enjoy enough respect overseas, even in Europe. That means Americans does not have many friends overseas. Most people on our planet think that you are cowboys and bulliers. It is truth that Americans are not very popular on our planet, not because they are bad but of cause the American policies on main international issues, as war in Iraq, Kyoto protocol, international Criminal Court, United Nations, Human Rights, Guantanamo, Foreign Military Bases, 95% of them USA etc.
You have to change your foreign policy to avoid bigger International Isolation. If you read the public opinion about USA worldwide you could feel very bad. I know that there is an other America, civilized, mature, responsible , sensitive.
President Bush has created a huge problem to Americans image!!
Antonis Symeonakis
Adelaide

I used to think Americans are honest, hard workers and religious in majority, who are good at making movies and music. I still think they are all those, but the thing that surprised was when I was judged several timas as an enemy without considering anything else than my nationality many times here.
the other things that bothers me is the reasons of Americans disagreement with war, which is most of the time the increasing taxes, not the lives that it takes and if ever talked about, mostly would be American soldiers only, and in some case I was shocked when killed gay-soldiers and their families had disturbing comments about how god did not love them because they were not straight.

Well, I think every American is an individual so some can be nice, stupid, annoying, friendly, idiots etc.
That's in every country the same.

The US its foreign policy is really not my favourite. What I dislike is that American politicians try to force their allies to "join" an invasion and if they don't they start insulting. What I dislike also is that the US overflows the interests of its allies. Good is that the US is much faster with sanctions than the EU.
Oh...what I miss in politics are the leftwingers. There's no real party for them. And I miss also a bit that there seem to be not so much pacifists...

I don't believe so much in surveys but I got the impression that some Americans are rather in favour of war than their allies.

What can I say....music, films, science etc.

All in all, I think Americans are people (what a statement ). Nothing bad about being American.

Well, as an American, I can say I'm sick of our politicians as well, and our foreign policy could be a lot better. Its looking like we are at least four years away from that after these upcoming elections.

The war? Well, we can all argue back and forth whether we should be there or not, but all I know is, we haven't had an attack since 9/11, Saddam Hussein is dead, and Iraqui's can vote. Gas is much higher than it was in 2003 now, so I can't say we've made out, maybe the oil companies have, and I think they are taking a nice chunk, but I'd say it hasn't been about oil and only oil like many seem to think.