20 February, 2003 2:00 PM
Once again I've been accused of being Anti American in some of my postings below. Specifically 'Anon' who's email address and webpage are both 'Anon' writes:
"I am sick of your Anit-American Comments Darren. You obviously have a problem with our nation and the direction we are headed. You look for every opportunity to knock us down even though we are one of the last chances our world has at freedom. God is using our Nation to bring about peace, harmony and freedom in our world and yet you continue to question our motives! You are a short sighted, ignorant man!"
Why don't other people seem to get comments like these???
I would like to say for the record that I have no issues with America - I am not Anti America - I do not hate America. I have numerous close friends who are American - some I see on a weekly basis here in Aus, others I have met through this blog. They are all good people - I like Americans as people. I think America has given alot to the world. As a nation it has done many things to help our world. It does lead the way on many things. It is a powerful nation and in its history it has used this power for good many times!
However - whenever one is given power, one should also be held accountable for how they use that power. We can see throughout history many occassions when nations, groups and individuals have abused their power because they were not asked the tough questions, they were not held accountable or challenged when they made certain decisions.
I do not believe that America is 'Gods chosen nation' any more than any other nation or individual is. I believe we are all called to bring freedom, peace and justice to our world - America does not have a monopoly on these things. Therefore I think I have a right to ask questions of the most powerful nation of the world.
To take this freedom to question away from any individual would be to go against what I suspect most Americans would say is one their nations founding principles. Perhaps it is you Anon who is Anti American in suggesting that I keep my mouth shut!?
I think America is big and strong enough to handle being asked some questions by other nations and individuals. I think the critiques and questioning from around the world will only strengthen what America is trying to do in bringing peace and freedom to our world.
Comments
Page:
You are a bastard Darren. You are a traitor Eddie!
Anon Anon Anon » 21 February, 2003 8:36 PM
Those that accuse you of being anti-American are guilty of a similar crime - if you had a knee-jerk reaction against the US simply because of the fact that it was the US, that would be short-sighted.
But in turn, if someone else has a knee jerk reaction against you because you are labelled Anti-American - isn't that just as bad?
dan » 21 February, 2003 8:36 PM
Another thought - a paraphrase from Pamela Bone's article in the Age yesterday - just because you don't like someone doesn't mean that they don't speak the truth.
dan » 21 February, 2003 8:37 PM
I wonder if in the desire of 'anon' to punish dissenting voices that they become anti of the very same ideals that America prides itself on and even boast about to the rest of the world.
Once you start attempting to silence the other voices by labelling them traitors - do you not cease to be a democracy?
Phil » 21 February, 2003 8:38 PM
I am concerned that a country with weapons of mass distruction is planning on attacking another country with weapons of mass destruction without the permission of the greater majority of the world.
Sure Saddam Husain has killed thousands upon thousands of people throughout his day and most definately needs to be stopped. But again, who gave the job to George, Tony and Howard. The representitives of all three countries have certainly done their share of damge in the past, especially in recent years with trade embargos; crippling loans to thirld world countires and unreasonible political pressure (letalone the sheer genocide of indigionous peoples around the globe).
My point is that I absolutely agree that Saddam Husain needs to be stopped however this needs to be done through global democracy.
Once Saddam Husain has been disarmed, perhaps we should start looking at disarming the US - "The best democracy money can buy"! :P
Matt » 21 February, 2003 8:39 PM
As you know, Darren, I don't always agree with everything you say or believe. But, as an American, I absolutely believe in your right to say it. I agree with everything you've said in this post. If those who hold strong views are not up to the questioning of those views, then they should think twice about airing them. You seem to be up to the challenge--"Anon" does not. You have my respect for the calm way you respond to detractors, whether I agree with your views or not. (BTW, sometimes I do.)
Debi Warford » 21 February, 2003 8:39 PM
Darren - on my own blog I've felt the need every once in a while to reiterate that I am also not Anti-American.
Anon (aka Coward) seems to take the position that if you disagree with anything the United States is doing you must be anti-American. I recall other world powers who have held similar "holier than thou" views throughout history. Thankfully, most of them were either defeated or overthrown by their own people.
Kind of ironic.
Mike Todd » 21 February, 2003 8:40 PM
You ask,
"Why don't other people seem to get comments like these???"
Well, maybe because you are so Christ-like? I mean, I re read what you posted and geeze, it was not a 'shove it down your throat' kind of post. I basically see you making observations, not judgements...
Like U2 sings: Don't let the bastards drag you down...
Laura » 21 February, 2003 8:40 PM
One of the things America is supposed to be about is freedom of expression. Those who try to silence you are probably more anti-American than you are, Darren. I don't always agree with your views, but I respect them and definitely defend your right to express them. Keep up the good work.
mark morris » 21 February, 2003 8:41 PM
Pro- or anti-American, or just neutral; it really doesn't matter. I'm an American who believes that nationalism is dangerous, especially to the church.
God bless you, Darren. Do what you do for Christ, and don't let the bigots bother you.
Randy McRoberts » 21 February, 2003 8:41 PM
I've never gotten that impression from you Darren. And you are right, America is not above criticism any more then Oz is. I think everyone is entitled to their own political pov. Good on ya' mate!
Rich » 21 February, 2003 8:41 PM
Darren-I agree with you 100%
And yes, I am American.
Tony » 21 February, 2003 8:42 PM
i've received some smarmy anonymous comments... i plan to not respond to them... i've put my name out there, they should put theirs out there, too...
you have every right and freedom to express what you believe and feel... keep it up, Darren...
Rudy » 21 February, 2003 8:42 PM
Thanks all for your comments and kind words. Glad that there are so many around in the blog world that are keen to keep the conversation going - who are able to hear other points of views and not reject the person saying them. Appreciate it heaps! Blog on!
Darren » 21 February, 2003 8:43 PM
Why do people hate a whole nation just because of their leaders ideas?
Tedge » 10 November, 2003 10:08 AM
america has done more good for the world than anyone else and doesnt ask for anything back.
all of you who so proudly and loudly talk of america as if it were satan, i tkink you all have a big problem with reality, and it shows.
where were all the protestors when innocent iraquis were being killed by their leader?
i didnt hear all of you being anti-iraqui.
andy » 22 November, 2003 12:38 PM
Dear Australians, (oh no this is an australian site yet we are being accused of being anti-american)
Let me just say a few little things here:
1. The yanks commited genocide 15 times against their native people
2. They installed a dictator in Iran in place of democratically installed government
3. They supported saddam hussein in the iran-iraq war and supported his invasion of Iran. Which meant they supplied him with weapons, I believe this was Bush's father oh what a coninsidence.
4. Those bastards the CIA were drug trafficing in Vietnam or somewhere for christ sakes
5. They supported Israel pretty much right from the start
6. The CIA trained Osama Bin Laden to kill Soviets.
7. The USA tried to invade Canada and got their arse kicked, they successfully conquered part of Mexico (lots of tasty blood)
8. The country was so dumb that the North and South splitted over Slavery, 600,000 men died in the war, for a good cause some of them died but for the south, they were just too lazy to get off their arses and do their own work.
9. Just because our Australian news doesn't tell us bad things about americans, who knows how many people have died by their responsibility, oh and this whole restoring iraq to democracy was a big mistake right from the beginning.
10. Buffalo population reduced from 3,500,000 to 37 and wasted just so the indians couldn't eat. I know the Australians were bad with the aborigines but surely we didn't go to that extremeity :|
Long-live Australia, long live Reconciliation (At least us Australians have the guts to reconsiliate)
And for what little USA has done for this world they definately have done their equally if not worse for bad and now they try to invade our great southern land with their violent and destructive culture.
Republic yer, independance yea but America in Australia NO! and if dare they touch this country god help them. We kicked the crap out of the japs in World War II and the the japs were good fighters but not good enough.
So for all your australians in here please speak up and say how you feel. Same for the good americans but not the insane ones
Andrew McKenzie » 12 February, 2004 10:47 PM
You all need to let it go. It isn't a big deal, I am half american and a big american patriot. I curently live in Australia and have found it to be the most anti american place I have ever lived in ( and i've lived in a few) So I wish that you all will have your own little discusions but stop getting at american for all the things in the past. We may have done some bad things but if you look it has always ended for the better.
wasawata » 16 May, 2004 7:00 PM
"You look for every opportunity to knock us down even though we are one of the last chances our world has at freedom. God is using our Nation to bring about peace, harmony and freedom in our world"
that is the biggest load of bollocks i have ever read. i cant believe some one could be dumb enough to believe that george bush is leading america into wars to create freedom. osama bin laden has no ties at all to iraq or afghanistan. the only thing george bush has done is shoved a stick into the middle eastern hornets nest. i pray that george bush and the rest of his party all die very soon and allow the world to fall into peace once more.
» 22 May, 2004 8:41 AM
Okay, this is old. Quite old. But personally I think this guy's a troll. Somebody who goes around spouting ridiculous, controversial shite for the fun of provoking people.
Stupid and annoying but comforting when you start wondering about how stupid people can possibly get.
lizey » 20 June, 2004 4:39 PM
I am an Australian living in America. These are hard times without a doubt. The politics are extreme, and frightening. We need some moderation and voices of reason in the USA.
I want to caution my fellow Australians (yes, I still am Australian), and Americans for that matter. Do not look at what the media exclusively portrays. The media is part of the problem. If you want to understand a political situation, a country, a culture etc, you must dig deep. Digging deep is becoming much harder in an age of one line sound bites.
A lot of Australian family ask me the question: So what is it like living in America?
I have a standard answer for this question. It is extreme at all times. America has both the best of everything and the worst all rolled into one.
James
James » 25 October, 2004 6:37 AM
..and as an ex-American myself, I think most proud Americans would agree with you...
Eddie » 21 February, 2003 8:35 PM