We Have Found the Enemy and It Is Us: We Are The Ugly Americans
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For years or perhaps decades now people have called us the ugly Americans as we traveled abroad. This is mainly because of our arrogant swagger in their country plus a complete and utter disregard for their homeland, customs, language and pride.
I have always attributed this behavior to a few bad apples that show their asses while they visit other nations. Unfortunately, we are now seeing our true selves in the behavior of Donald Trump and his followers. He is rude, crude, braggadocious, and like most believes that when he takes a crap it doesn’t stink.
Many years ago when I was in the Marine Corps they always had a briefing when we were in a foreign country and reminded us that we were guests in that country and should behave as such. Even with fair warning there were always a few guys that acted out and disrespected the culture or the ways of the locals. This happened when we were in a different country or even a city that was not used to having a bunch of uncouth Marines prowling their streets. Actually, it was the Marine culture that was as offensive as it was the American culture.
Watching the antics of “Trumpeters” and listening to them rationalize their leader’s behavior I have now concluded that it has not been the exception that cause people to think poorly of my fellow countrymen, but rather the normal behavior that has given us all such a bad reputation.
I don’t think it is, or was, ever the intent of most Americans to become the assholes of this planet, but we, as a group, actually have become just that. Oh sure, there have been worse in days gone by but it is likely we come from that stock as opposed to the more civilized member of the civilized peoples of the world. There are groupings that flowed from the barbarians who cared for no one but themselves. There is no need for politeness, or organized ethical behavior because it all works out if we live by the laws of the jungle. Only the strong (or rich) survive.
This is the intent of the new regime in Washington. If they are successful the EPA will become a distant memory. They will turn Medicare and Social Security over to the private sector and let those who can survive do just that: survive, but not prosper. Those that can’t will die along the way. The same will be true for Medicaid and Aid for Dependent Children. One only has to look at the cabinet being formed by Trump and his intent to not be involved in how each handles their own little kingdoms. The poor idiots who visualized this country as one of exceptionalism will soon find that they are not among the exceptional people. But, by the time they realize it, it will be too late. The damage will have been done.
As one of the welfare nations who always had some type of safety net, America will soon be a nation of haves and have nots to the degree we have never dreamed of before. We will have, for the first time ever, a part-time president who enriches himself by virtue of his office.
This is reminiscent of the kingdoms of old where the king sits atop a throne and enriches himself while allowing certain nobles to enrich themselves at the expense of the peasants. If one were of the conspiracy theorist types it would not be a big stretch to foresee Trump ruling over a dictatorship. Hopefully, our constitution and courts would prevent this, but as Commander in Chief of the military, plus a philosophy that coincides with the extreme right wing, who knows?
In any event, I stand by a quote by my favorite cartoon character Pogo:
“We have found the enemy and he is us.”
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As a friend of mine pointed out last night, even if the EC DOES do what it should and what a lot of us would like, our country is still screwed! You thought we were divided before? The enmity running through our country if Donald Trump is NOT allowed to be president is unfathomable!
And having spent a year in another country, although with a goal of TEENAGERS, I can see and agree with military folks spent time overseas and observed our effect on other countries. Yes, the enemy IS us!
Marsha, how true it is you speak. Donald will have his “turn at the wheel” and it is likely that we will survive. A really big question is who and what we will be after four years of Trump. I really hope that I am wrong but I anticipate that the next four years are going to become a nightmare for all people of goodwill and intellect. We, as a country, have made numerous blinders in the past and have managed to live with them and at least tried to improve. Well, some of us anyway. However, the mistakes that are looming in our future today have a huge multiplier effect because of the smaller global world. The idea of America being a great nation because we held ourselves to a higher standard of conduct will be tarnished if not destroyed altogether. Even as we bathed in hypocrisy we at least were trying to be fair with the rest of the world. Trump’s vision of America’s greatness is far different than that of what has made others think of us as a great nation.
Careful boys. The “we” you talk about includes some of us who would just bitch slap Donnie Boy prior to kicking him in his bb balls.
I agree, but at some point someone needs to explain niceties.
Um, no just no. I do not see myself in Hair Gropefuror or his followers at all and I never will. I’ll be fighting in my own way against every single thing he may put forth and I’m hoping beyond hope, the EC does what it is supposed to on Dec 19th by ridding us of this damned spot on our country.
Jess, while the “we” in this was meant to mean that we are collectively branded by the repugnant acts of some. I will admit that I never thought that there were as many people in the country who would vote for Trump. It only showed that I likely do not know my fellow Americans as well as I thought I did. Even to this day people who I used to think were reasonable people were only nut cases in disguise and are still defending a lot of his stupid acts.
I just listened to him being interviewed by Chris Wallace, who doesn’t take his bullshit. As I hear his voice and his empty compliments I can’t help but cringe. What an embarrassment he is.
He’s like, Buybull Spice Our Lady of Perpetual Victimhood without her smarts isn’t he. Low fuckin bar right there.
Mike, every time I hear about things he is doing the more concerned I become about the safety and security of our country. We will have to depend on the career government people to keep us safe and hope he does not screw everything else up.
One of the uglier sides of my fellow Americans is how we admire the ugliness of Trump. It’s not that I didn’t cringe when Bush giggled at the titties in the Louvre and grabbed Angela Merkel from behind, but Trump is a new low and boy do we love it. Face it, when we grumble about political correctness, we’re including decency, respect and all social graces as part of the package and to many Americans refraining from calling foreigners in their own countries derogatory names is a burden, not to mention yelling at them to speak English.
Yep, just like Saddam Hussein did El Supremo sits on a golden throne. I hope to hear that giant flushing sound as soon as possible.