Simon’s board rules "if you don't like the policies, you are free to leave" sounds a lot like the Neocons battle cry of "my country love it or leave it"...The irony is palpable…Simon's disdain of American political ideology is understandable. I remember on my first of dozens of trips to Europe, standing in line to board the ferry that crossed Lake Chiemsee to one of King Ludwig's castles. Though we were talking quietly, it became apparent that we were a couple of Americans mixed in with the German majority. Finally a man mustered up enough courage to catch my eye, but as he began to speak, two American F-16's flying overhead on their way from Italy to Germany, drowned out his words and put on impressive display of maneuvering for the crowd below. His shoulders just shrunk, and he resumed his position in line. Not until years later when working on a joint German-American project did I once again encounter a German who actually had the kahoneys to speak his mind. With a wild look in his eye and acting as if he were about to tell me something that would shock me, he said "You know Americans are not liked here"...to which I smiled at him and calmly replied "I know." His shoulders also shrunk and he turned around and walked away. He like most people outside the US will compromise their attitudes toward America in an instant if there is financial gain to be made. That is the problem outside the US. They hate us, but only when it doesn't count.
This forum is a perfect example...it doesn't matter....all the big talk in the world doesn't change anything. The US does and continues to do as it sees fit. The rest of the world's opinion is not what drives America's policy decisions. This is the way it has been since the time HS was in diapers, this is how it will be long after he dons his first Depends. All a guy like HS can do is whine about America, puff up his chest , proclaim Europeans to be politically superior, and hope to attract a few rutterless plonkerettes… but in the end, he and I know that he, his father and his fellow countrymen have been and continue to be completely impotent when it comes to having any sort of influence on American policies. This unfortunately for those outside the US is a fact. It also must be extremely aggravating for those outside the US to know that less than 40% of its citizens vote. It’s aggravating to me as I make up a part of that 40%.
I ask myself, why would an American (doing his best Stuart Smalley impression) spend his time on this internet forum apologize to strangers for being an American, yet he won't get up off his ass and make a real difference by voting? …But then I have to remember that this group was raised on, or more appropriately distracted by drama. How much more dramatic can you get than "OH MY GOD, the world is going to end tomorrow!". …Conspiracy theories are also filled with drama. They are also filled with wishful thinking that somehow reality is not what it appears to be. The reality about America is that foreign policy is dictated by itself. Aggravating to the rest of the world ? ...absolutely....about to change soon ?....don't count on it....Europeans have a long history of looking down on Americans...it is a precious tradition carefully handed down generation to generation....and why shouldn't it be....impotence without a cure turns otherwise normal men into bitter fossils. If you are an American reading this, I suggest that it is unnecessary to live life on your knees. You have the ability to vote and make it count for something. Don't be impotent. To non-Americans, on the one hand I understand your frustration, on the other hand I need to remind you that in reality, there is nothing you can do or more importantly will do about it. Not very dramatic, but reality seldom is.