Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ In U.S., fear and distrust of Muslims runs deep, story from reuters

[Deepone]

Would any of these supposed neutral countries remain neutral after all their neighbors had been conquered?  I doubt it.

As for slavery, the US never supported slavery, but it did tolerate it.  In fact more American died eliminating slavery in our civil war.  Even the founders of the US Constitution debated about slavery.  Learn your history.

if US never supported it, then why it was there in the first place.. ? Why was it necessary to have a civil war ? If I recall my history lessons, America had a civil war because of part wanting to keep the slavery, not because it just conquered some land from the people supporting it.. well technically that might be said that way too I guess.

Not all Americans are from Europe.  Those that are came for a reason.  Not because Europe was so good.

Yes, because they wanted the gold from the native people, they were interested in the offer of receiving free land .. basically greed ? Or because of them having to flee because there were convicted in EU for criminal actions ?

I want countries to respect their citizens, impose and guarantee human rights and allow liberties such a freedom of speech to the extent the US does, freedom of religion to the extent the US does, guarantee a Bill of Rights to the extent the US does.  No country on earth, including Finland, guarantees these rights and freedoms to the extent the US does.

.. to the extent the US does ? so it is bad if there are more freedoms than you have ? I wouldnt go to say that.. And if you say "to the extent" then yes, only US does that way, but for me it feels the nordic (and EU) press have a lot of more liberties, as do the people. Are your companies allowed to see where the emails are directed towards ? Think so - but it is NOT possible here. That just as an example, fully knowing that I'm no expert in the laws there nor the laws here, and with adding my opinion of the EU citizens having more liberties than US ones.

The disregard for others you talk about seems a little disingenuous because no country has to accept the concerns of other countries in the implementation of its foreign policy. If other countries don't agree or view it as a threat they can respond appropriately and face the consequences.  Europe should have some regard for the opinions of Americans.  bitch Bitch BITCH that's all they do.  But recent events have shown what Europeans have done and continue to do to minorities in their countries, things which would not be allowed in the US.

which minorities you are referring to, if I may ask ? I admit that some people have problems tolerating foreigners even here in Finland. But it is still safe for everyone to walk around the city during the night, at least here in Tampere.. that is true for whole Finland as well I think. We don't really have to worry that much about the crimes here - there are some, sure, but it is really low amount.
So you are saying everyone should bend to US will if I summarize yourself ? It does seem a bit weird that we should have regards to US but yet no country should have regards to others ? In my view, foreign policy is all about regards to other countries by the defination of its meaning..

[Deepone]

Oh and it is good to have this conversation going, so far I feel it doesn't belong to Bitching section as we have been keeping the talk quite civilized. Let's try to keep it that way right ? :)
Knowing I'm attacking the ways you have said things, I have to say my apologies for you artzelda, it's not personal :)

[artzelda]

WOW, brainwashing must in vogue and there are susceptible people.

The US government does not require identification of individuals by race, nationality, religion or ethnicity, regardless of what people think. This is prohibited by the US constitution and we are a nation of laws - not men. Quote what you like, the facts are different. Muslim headdresses are prohibited in France and other countries. Not in the US - prohibited by the US consitution.

Past discrimination and injustices in the US have been removed and eliminated by the same government and people you condem - over 45 years ago. Before some of you were even born. Wow,to use this as an example is indicative of a total lack of knowledge and bigotry. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.

The issue of neutrality is really based on the supposition that there is an equal balance of opposing forces that will allow neutral? nations to remain neutral?. If this balance did not occur the neutrality of these nations would not be respected. When was the neutrality of the slavic countries respected?? Sorry - Thailand was once colonized by a European country.

Japan was not because it had no resources to provide. That's why Japan invaded China, Korea, and the South Pacific Islands. Know your history. Countries are invaded and colonized because they have something another country wants. Sweden was a colonizer as was Norway. In fact every major European country was a colonizer. The US has never colonized another country. Puerto Rico has special status and periodically the people there vote on what their status should be and they have continually voted to retain the present status. The US gave the Philipines its sovereignty after the Spanish American war. What other European volutarily relinquished territory and even aided financially???

Freedom of speech - in what other country can you burn the flag and get away with it. When Americans see people in other countries burn the flag they laugh and say they should come here and do it. Here it is legal.

The US as other countries has interests and has the right not to do as others ask. Other countries have the right to do the same. But the US has the right to retaliate if its interests are in danger. Let the most powerful win. Bottom line MIGHT DOES MAKE RIGHT.

As for the US being on the wrong side - the wrong side is any side you don't agree with. Wow what a statement. This implies no disagreement is allowed. THat's what I call freedom of speech.

Its not the weak who flee - its the disposses and oppressed that flee. Being weak is not the reason people left Europe. They came and continue to come to the US for a better life - and in most cases they get it. Hell - the governor of the largest state in the US is a prime example. Bodybuilder to governor. Our colleges are filled with foreign students. Look at the number of new businesses created in the US by foreigners inthe past 10 years - Google, Yahoo, Intel, etc. And the US is controlling the internet - Give me a break. We don't censor. China censors. Iran censors as do other countries.

[artzelda]

Deepone - no need to apologize. No offense taken