> The U.S., in its desire to do good, has stepped in for all sorts of conflicts in every nation. Often we've helped, sometimes we've messed up. We've messed up particularly badly in the Middle Eastern countries. Many people in that area strongly want us to get out of their business, and view our continued presence as hubris. We stay because we'd rather be thought arrogant than see the whole place go up in flames should the fanatics get their way. Since we are stopping these foreign extremists' attacks, we are the ones, in their eyes, who are evil. Thus, our policies often put Americans at much higher risk than if we just sat on our thumbs and let these few terrorist groups viciously murder weaker people. It may be stupid on our part, but at least it's kind-hearted and stupid.

gabby, you and I have disagreed on a TON of various issues in the past, but I think here you have hit the nail on the head. I really hope that everyone who is so quick to bash the US sees your point.

We're not some totally evil, corrupt regime. We're involved in a lot of things, and we sometimes mess up. By virtue of the fact that we are bar none the most powerful country in the world, our mistakes generally have pretty large ramifications. But if the US government had ONLY the direct concern of American interests in mind, we could be doing a whole lot worse.

Stephen