As we know, Latin American dislike for the US is completely unfounded, based on absolutely nothing. The US is completely and totally innocent in those nations.







Nope... the US has never intervened in Latin America in a violent manner to put its own interests ahead of the interests of the people living there.

Or perhaps Obama does not fancy himself a shoot-em-up decider of a cowboy on a mission from God, and actually wants to THINK about this to avoid doing more of the same crap that farked it all to whit in the first place.

The book blames Latin America's failures on white Europeans. It opens, "Renaissance Europeans ventured across the oceans and buried their teeth in the throats of the Indian civilizations."

Civilizations? Before Pizarro and Cortez, the Inca and Aztec empires these conquistadors overthrew were into human sacrifice.

I really was interested in this article until I got to that line. Somehow, in my universe, not liking the way a culture does things doesn't justify STEALING THEIR GODDAMN LAND.

Perhaps he's a space alien from Rigel IV and he's simply softening us up for the impending invasion. Or perhaps the author should refrain from using wild-assed supposition to push a point of view.

People like Pat seem to think that the United States is so small, weak and defenseless that to act anything like a bully prick will open us up to downfall.

The United States is by far the richest, most powerful nation on the planet. We don't have to react to every slight delivered upon us by Third World dictators. In fact, to do so makes us look small and petty. We can be above it all, and that's how Obama acts. Pat here seems to think the USA should be wallowing down in the muck with the likes of Chavez. Bullies are typically bullies because they are insecure and want to project "strength" despite their internal weakness. The US is strong so needs to play no such petty games. Perhaps people like Pat are projecting their personal feelings and vulnerabilities onto the United States?

Oops, that SHOULD read:

WorldCitizen: People like Pat seem to think that the United States is so small, weak and defenseless that to act anything other than like a bully prick will open us up to downfall.

kellynoel: I really was interested in this article until I got to that line. Somehow, in my universe, not liking the way a culture does things doesn't justify STEALING THEIR GODDAMN LAND.

They didn't steal it. It was given to them by God, for their steadfast delivery of the Requirement. Even Friar Vincente de Valverde absolved them. I mean, Atahualpa threw down the bible. The bible! What do you think is going to happen when you disgrace God almighty?

Smallpox and butchering for everyone, that's what.

Somewhere Glenn Beck is sobbing uncontrollably over this

Cubansaltyballs: Somewhere Glenn Beck is sobbing uncontrollably over this

Well ... the thought of that makes me feel a lot better.

Cubansaltyballs: Somewhere Glenn Beck is sobbing uncontrollably over this

To be fair, that's his response to everything.

"Sorry Glenn, they were out of pickles, so your burger has no pickles on it."
"BAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!"

Cubansaltyballs: Somewhere Glenn Beck is sobbing uncontrollably over this

Dammit, now I'm harder than a priest surrounded by choir boys wearing hospital gowns.

WorldCitizen: The United States is by far the richest, most powerful nation on the planet. We don't have to react to every slight delivered upon us by Third World dictators. In fact, to do so makes us look small and petty like a big oafish bully.

ftfy

"Keep your friends close - but keep your enemies closer."
Lao Tzu

kmmontandon: Well ... the thought of that makes me feel a lot better.

Occam's Chainsaw: To be fair, that's his response to everything.

"Sorry Glenn, they were out of pickles, so your burger has no pickles on it."
"BAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!"

GAT_00: Dammit, now I'm harder than a priest surrounded by choir boys wearing hospital gowns.

Whenever I'm having a bad day, or stuck in traffic or something. I just imagine Glenn Beck sitting in his car with Toby Keith blaring on the radio while sobbing and waling into his steering wheel because the light isn't turning green.

Try it sometime. But be warned, the people next to you will wonder why burst into maniacal laughter just sitting at the red light.

The Spaniards owe the Central Americans an apology.

Whats that?...They're mostly all dead?

Nevermind.

Interesting.

Now how does Fox reconcile the fact that it was the ACLU that got Mr. North off the hook for the Iran-Contra thing?

BarrRepublican: Now how does Fox reconcile the fact that it was the ACLU that got Mr. North off the hook for the Iran-Contra thing?

The same way zealots always do, by simply ignoring facts they don't like.

Ya, Europeans are totally blameless when it comes to the state of the third world. We're innocent. We cured communism! Reagan is a saint, and US foreign policy is based on altruism and selflessness!


Someone should give us a medal.

Civilizations? Before Pizarro and Cortez, the Inca and Aztec empires these conquistadors overthrew were into human sacrifice.

I hear they weren't even Christian!

PS

Perhaps pacifism is in his DNA.


pssttt..hes black.

hollytrolley: Ya, Europeans are totally blameless when it comes to the state of the third world. We're innocent. We cured communism! Reagan is a saint, and US foreign policy is based on altruism and selflessness!


Someone should give us a medal.

You got the party line down. Wanna be the VP?

The arrogant world policeman "do it our way or else" plan hasn't really worked over the past 40 years. Let's try something different.

Occam's Chainsaw: Cubansaltyballs: Somewhere Glenn Beck is sobbing uncontrollably over this

To be fair, that's his response to everything.

"Sorry Glenn, they were out of pickles, so your burger has no pickles on it."
"BAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!"

Please. That's a total mischaracterization of Beck. He wouldn't just start crying. He'd first launch into a diatribe about how the liberals stole all the pickles to give them to poor illegal immigrants and then socialized the pickle industry and then he'd weep for his pickles.

ninjakirby: kellynoel: I really was interested in this article until I got to that line. Somehow, in my universe, not liking the way a culture does things doesn't justify STEALING THEIR GODDAMN LAND.

They didn't steal it. It was given to them by God, for their steadfast delivery of the Requirement. Even Friar Vincente de Valverde absolved them. I mean, Atahualpa threw down the bible. The bible! What do you think is going to happen when you disgrace God almighty?

Smallpox and butchering for everyone, that's what.

It certainly seems logical to blame the US for the destruction of the Inca culture.

...Civilizations? Before Pizarro and Cortez, the Inca and Aztec empires these conquistadors overthrew were into human sacrifice...

Aside from the fact that's by and large a myth, I still fail to see how an epic scale of torture and genocide is a remotely sane approach.

MegaCorpEmployee: It certainly seems logical to blame the US for the destruction of the Inca culture.

That's not what the pamphlet said, and that's not what I said it said. I just can't give my attention to an article that would be so blatantly stupid.

This article is such a simplification of the past 500+ years of world history I think Michael J Fox's character from Family Ties might have written it.

ColdFusion
Picture of Augusto Pinochet

As I understand it (and I'll disclaim that my understanding doesn't reach far beyond Isabel Allende novels), the CIA was cleared of involvement in the coup against Salvador Allende. Nor do I think they involved in propping up Pinochet's dictatorship -- I'm less certain of that one. Though the CIA did mount a massive political war against Allende as a candidate.

But more importantly, I think hell hath frozen over: I laughed at something Hillary Clinton said. Because she wanted me to. "I thought the cultural performance was fascinating" is probably the best response possible under those circumstances.

Regardless of the fact that it is Buchanan, he does have a point. Letting your nation get railroaded consistently in the presence of foreign dignitaries is not a very successful method of diplomacy.

bhcompy: Letting your nation get railroaded consistently in the presence of foreign dignitaries is not a very successful method of diplomacy.

And do you feel this has happened so far in the Obama Administration?

And, if you do, what in the blue bloody hell are you basing this on?

i hate politics.

bhcompy: Regardless of the fact that it is Buchanan, he does have a point. Letting your nation get railroaded consistently in the presence of foreign dignitaries is not a very successful method of diplomacy.

How have we been railroaded exactly? Because Obama didn't beat Chavez to death with the gifted book right there on the spot? Because he didn't take off his shoe and smack down Ortega with it like a Taiwanese parliment minister?

This article's evidence is based on data that is so shaky that I think Michael J. Fox might have written it.

demagogue: (n) the inspiring and well-liked leader that you do not like because he is so inspiring and well-liked.

see sour grapes

This article's evidence is based on data that is so shaky that I think Michael J. Fox might have written it.

that too.

Etchy333: This article's evidence is based on data that is so shaky that I think Michael J. Fox might have written it.

Ooooh... too soon

...Civilizations? Before Pizarro and Cortez, the Inca and Aztec empires these conquistadors overthrew were into human sacrifice...

WFern: that's by and large a myth

Cortez's conquest of the Aztecs was largely due to numerous Indian allies, those neighboring tribes more than happy to help Cortez because they hated the Aztecs.

Myth?

WFern: Aside from the fact that's by and large a myth,

You need some edumucation (new window).

We're not the world police. If the rest of the world wants to fark themselves in the ear, let them.

Sgygus: Cortez's conquest of the Aztecs was largely due to...

...the Spanish having grenadiers and riflemen vs. the Aztec's Jaguar Warriors.

who farking greenlights this shiat?

so embarrassing.

I read this headline with Dennis Miller's voice in my head...

Now, I don't want to get off on a rant here, but perhaps Obama believes in turn-the-other-cheek diplomacy, though it is hard to find much success in history for such a policy. Perhaps he shares the indictment of America that is part of the repertoire of every Latin demagogue. Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Number41: Civilizations? Before Pizarro and Cortez, the Inca and Aztec empires these conquistadors overthrew were into human sacrifice.

I hear they weren't even Christian!

We christians would never engage inhuamn sacrifice!!



Actually the Spaniards burned many thousands of Indians at the stake to appease God.

Notabunny: Ooooh... too soon

Righteous indignation?

That can mean only one thing:

You LOL'd.

If you look at this through his lens then all of the pieces fit together. I get that. I also get why it would inspire fear in people that see the world that way.

Through that lens, Obama's approach must truly be horrific. It comes from the wellspring of American Exceptionalism, so at least their heart is in the right place, even when their brain isn't.


OmniscientSean:
As I understand it (and I'll disclaim that my understanding doesn't reach far beyond Isabel Allende novels), the CIA was cleared of involvement in the coup against Salvador Allende. Nor do I think they involved in propping up Pinochet's dictatorship -- I'm less certain of that one. Though the CIA did mount a massive political war against Allende as a candidate.

The CIA was very much involved. The most recent full narrative to that effect was in Naomi Klein's last work. You might discount her as a source because of her political leanings, but the case she makes is pretty compelling and well documented. And the influence of Friedman and the University of Chicago at the time was equally as damaging.

Sgygus: Cortez's conquest of the Aztecs was largely due to numerous Indian allies, those neighboring tribes more than happy to help Cortez because they hated the Aztecs.

Myth?

And that has... what to do with claims of human sacrifice?

beerbaron: WFern: Aside from the fact that's by and large a myth,

You need some edumucation (new window).

1. Your link has nothing on that subject either at face value.

2. Sacrifice in Mayan culture is grotesquely overstated. Most of it involved bloodletting (not remotely lethal) and only in extreme and rare circumstances was a person ever killed. That doesn't make it okay, but it also doesn't make Apocalypto a documentary.

0Icky0: ...the Spanish having grenadiers and riflemen vs. the Aztec's Jaguar Warriors.

I love that game.

Still waiting for Empire to be patched up properly, **grumble**

"Renaissance Europeans ventured across the oceans and buried their teeth in the throats of the Indian civilizations." AND THEY WERE DELICIOUS! All those years of Reconquista made the Spaniards hungry for some foreign conquista. It was the Indians' fault in the first place for leaving so much sweet, sweet gold lying around.

Anyway, in my opinion, the only thing that Obama has to be ashamed of is that during a 50-minute tirade, he couldn't come up with a better quip for the reporters.