The whole "we don't care what they think" mantra?

Question

I just saw some post about Europe, what they think of Palin or whatever. The responses were hilarious, by which I mean completely slamming the European media for whatever reason. Yet with this vitriol, this rage, the almost non-sequitor "we don't care what they think".

Let's take a trip to Iraq. We invaded because there were believed to be WMD's. There ARE in Russia, but let's move on. When that caved, we decided to "liberate" the people. All under the guise of "we would be viewed as liberators, as heroes." If it was for their betterment, or ours, why do we care what they think?

Take a short walk to Pakistan. Intelligence says he's hiding out there, yet for some profound reason, we won't invade. Our "ally" Musharraf, recently uprooted, either wouldn't let us in, or agreed with our president that he was an irrelevant matter. Why didn't we invade? Why didn't we infiltrate, if Osama bin Laden was/is there? Why care what the Pakistanis think of us, considering how little Osama thought of us when he attacked us?

This whole "we're Americans, we don't care" fake patriotism B.S, I don't understand it. It's just like this totally un-conservative idea of constant interventionism. Can anyone rationalize any of this for me?

Answer 1

People like to think America's this very independent nation that doesn't need to concern itself with others because even if they think badly of us and don't associate with us, we'll still do fine.  The sad part of this is America's become so internationally dependent on so many nations that to separate ourselves from everyone else would be a disaster.  

What's the rationale though?  People want to feel like this country is above and beyond anything any other country can do.  They want to feel like they're part of a nation that is self sufficient and has pulled other nations out of the fire throughout its history.  In doing so, they become blind to the reality of things - every nation is dependent on others.  There's no weakness in it, in fact there's strength in it.  And we care what other nations think because they're our allies, or our enemies.  We both want to ensure that we have a continuously good relationship with our allies, and at the same time prevent warfare with our enemies.  The mentality that "we don't care" what they think has gotten us into more wars than anything except imperialism, which is just an extension of the same idea.

Answer 2

The Pakistani and Russia thing have more to do with the fact that these two countries have nukes than anything else.  Iraq didn't so they were an easy target.  It isn't about containing WMD's and terrorism so much as it is about making Bushy Poo look tough without actually having to risk himself.  Kind of like a bully on the playground who only attacks the weak, unpopular kids and ignores the other bullies.  

Answer 3

You mean our European "allies"?

No, let's not move on when it comes to Russia, NATO and EU's response to one of their neighbors being invaded and destroyed?

"It's not us. They deserved it."

I really don't give a d**n about Europe now, after having to watch a major ally be destroyed for weeks on TV, with help just standing mere miles away unwilling to do anything.

I'm not so sure we should be helping our European "allies" in anyway anymore, or even seek their advice or help in anyway either.

If Georgia is any indication of how they'll help us out if we ever need it, they can go to h**l, and we're better off without them.

Answer 4

in the end does it really matter what some other country thinks about who a possible VP is?...they have no right to interfere in our electoral process....i really don't care what they think....they are just socialist scum anyway

Answer 5

America will take care of herself. we don't need the whiny advice from places that we had to save their a$$es

Answer 6

the USA may act like they don't care...but they do...and they should because right now the USA is not looking so good to the rest of the world thanks to thinks like a pointless war.

Answer 7

"There are in Russia" doesn't make sense