Is Anti-Americanism Cool?

Back in the height of the Bush Administration, it seemed pretty clear that a large portion of the international population outside of the United States hated the United States. I remember asking international members of this website way back during the 2004 election whether or not being American is considered a stigma abroad, and most of them agreed.

David Axelrod, the main who called most of the shots on Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, said today that President Obama has made anti-Americanism "uncool". Is this true? What are your thoughts on this? Regardless of your own view, what do the people in your respective countries feel about the United States these days?

I think it's silly to be anti-[country] and not cool at all, especially since the people who commit most of the biggest cock-ups tend to be the (untouchable) higher-ups rather than the common civilian, who aren't the ones to blame at all. This is the same for most countries throughout the world, it just seems more prevalent as America is the leading world power and has gained an unfortunate image of being 'world police' as of late. It's a bit more complex than I'm making it out to be, but yes, it was Bush and his lackeys who contributed to this attitude, as well as his predecessor before him. Hopefully with Obama in charge now, America can begin to mend its ties around the world again. He's already made a nice start with abolishing torture.

Not too sure what other people in the UK/Australia think, but hey, that's my take on it.

I think that most of the international fear/hatred of the US was spawned by President Bush's stunt when he invaded a country after deciding that they had nuclear weapons, even though none were discovered. For Americans the only thing that this really affected were the oil prices and whether or not Bush's false claim would give the other party the advantage in the next election, but for other countries, this was a far bigger deal, because from their viewpoint there was a madman in control of enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world, who would attack anyone he deemed a nuclear threat. Obviously this caused some strain.

I do agree that Obama has been mending these relations with the world though, and people can't really hate the American government at the moment when it's obvious that they're trying so hard to resolve all their previous errors.

There's still the classic complaints of such stuff as "American chains like McDonalds are invading our culture and Americanizing it", but hate for the actual government is certainly dissipating.

"You're either with us, or with the terrorists. Also has anyone seen my left sock, hurr durr."

It can be a little bit disconcerting. I think that's the main reason.

Obama is cool. So i think he's helping. I remember when i saw the election, it showed people in Japan, and in other contries all around the world jumping for joy when Obama won. So i think he's helping to make the Anti- US thing a little better.

Originally Posted by Koulatio

Obama is cool. So i think he's helping. I remember when i saw the election, it showed people in Japan, and in other contries all around the world jumping for joy when Obama won. So i think he's helping to make the Anti- US thing a little better.

Except he's being treated like a pop star rather than a president.

As long as he does his job, then it doen't really matter how people see him.

Anti-Americanism was cool long before Bush came around.

Not that I'm in support of it or against it of course.

I consider America to be flawed but I do not support anti-Americanism. It mainly seems to be an opportunity for Europeans and others to have a sense of superiority.

Originally Posted by The Arbitrator

Anti-Americanism was cool long before Bush came around.

True, but policy changes increase and decrease the amount present. For example, there is more when America is conservative and less when it is liberal, reflecting the other stance.

Unfortunately, Bush has caused somewhat of a laughing stock of America. I never hear the end of "dumb American" jokes, or hatred directed at America. However, the majority of people I know love Obama and are behind him, even here. I think he's made America appear a whole lot "cooler" than it was previously perceived.

You mean there are ill feelings toward the world's foremost economic and military superpower? Nonsense.

Originally Posted by Captain Crusader

I consider America to be flawed but I do not support anti-Americanism. It mainly seems to be an opportunity for Europeans and others to have a sense of superiority.

Whereas it's America's belief in their own superiority that attracts such sentiments. Every country is up their own arse, it's just the fact that America is so big and so has a huge arse to be up.

Originally Posted by Jodd

"You're either with us, or with the terrorists. Also has anyone seen my left sock, hurr durr."

It can be a little bit disconcerting. I think that's the main reason.

Pretty much this.

I was pretty anti-America in the Bush years, for this as well as other reasons, but with Obama in charge my opinion of America has heightened quite a bit, as it is clear Obama is trying extremely hard to clean all the cock-ups Bush caused.

Of course, America still isn't perfect, and I'm not exactly in love with the country. However, Obama being elected is a sign of progress, and hopefully he can mend America's shattered reputation.

I'm not anti-American, I am - wait, sorry, I was anti-American-government, because having someone with a quite possibly negative IQ in charge of the world's biggest supply of nuclear weapons doesn't exactly make me happy. However, Obama seems to be doing much better, even if he is lacking in certain aspects, so I'm fine for now.

I'm just wondering what's going to happen to the seeming superiority complex in fifty years time when China comes knocking in the door.

No I don't think it is cool.

I was never fond of the American government, but I never had a grudge against the country itself.

I think that the Earth is a precious provider of resources that should be taken care of and respected.
I think that each human being has the right to choose their life partner, and has the right to have that civil commitment acknoledged by the government.
I think that a woman's body and future should be in her own hands.
I think that it's wrong to throw out the rules of engagement/honor code in order to torture prisoners of war.
I think it's wrong that huge corporations and industires are allowed to have the power to rip people off and essentially be their own regulators, at the expense of the peoples' health, education, and financial future.
I think that everyone has a stake in each other's future, and it's the christ-like thing to do to care for the well-being of our fellow citizens, even if it means a bit of sacrifice.

Clearly I'm an America-hating, anti-business socialist and a danger to all that's American (and therfore Godly).

And if that makes me not cool, then bring on the "kick-me" signs.

Anti-Americanism (or anti-anybodyism, for that matter) has never been cool. Even if it was, Barack Obama didn't make it uncool. He just made everyone else hate America less.

No its not cool..im no patriot to be honest but man.....the whole "America sucks balls" thing is retarded...Its like, stuffs gonna suck balls no matter where you are....

Originally Posted by Pelagias

I think it's silly to be anti-[country] and not cool at all, especially since the people who commit most of the biggest cock-ups tend to be the (untouchable) higher-ups rather than the common civilian, who aren't the ones to blame at all. This is the same for most countries throughout the world, it just seems more prevalent as America is the leading world power and has gained an unfortunate image of being 'world police' as of late. It's a bit more complex than I'm making it out to be, but yes, it was Bush and his lackeys who contributed to this attitude, as well as his predecessor before him. Hopefully with Obama in charge now, America can begin to mend its ties around the world again. He's already made a nice start with abolishing torture.

Not too sure what other people in the UK/Australia think, but hey, that's my take on it.

This.

I agree with this. I think that hating an entire country and all the people in it because of an image brought on by a handful of people is close-minded and stupid, and I usually tend to think lowly of people who are dumb enough to do it. I freakin' love my country.

But eh, pretty much every country is hated by another. It's nothing that can be escaped, unfortunately. Look at how many people hate(d) Iraq because of how much of an ass (to keep it decent in here...) Saddam was. Many of the Iraqi people are wholeheartedly against what he stood for.

The only thing I don't agree with from the quote above is hoping that Obama will make a difference. I really don't think he's going to accomplish anything. He's more of a celebrity than a president, really. He's not good to the veterans, either. :|

Canadians will always be anxious about our relationship with the USA and our comparative reputation internationally. We like to think that we're distinct, and insofar as we're distinct, that we run things better. Of course that translates into antiamericanism.