Well, that and all the killings and torture the Shah's secret police undertook. Which Khomeini outdid in short order, to be sure, but the point is that the overthrow of the Shah was a broad-based movement with support from many different segments of society. It was only after he was gone that the radical Islamists exploited the power vacuum to set up an even more objectionable dictatorship.
Even so, the Shah (like his father before him) would actually be considered a fairly benevolent dictator. He tried, but ultimately he just wasn't very good at running a country (his sister was said to have had the brains in the family).
What you are describing is something generic to humans. The answer is likely in the field of psychology. America is powerful and power buys the potential freedom to act with impunity. America is a free country, not a secure country. It doesn't really care about Israel or any other middle-eastern country. The American government's job right now is to be the will of special interest groups. Those groups raise money to buy politicians to fight for their desires. Israel is one of those many special interest groups. Because Israel is a special interest group. In the 1960's/1970's, A process of handing American power to special interest groups began. It is presently 100% controlled by and for special interest groups, not the people. Americans don't run America. It is controlled exclusively by special interest groups (both domestic and foreign). If you don't like the way America affects you then consider your own special interest group and fund American politicians to fight for your agenda.
786, IOW, to prevent another unjustified attack. I do agree that we have done many things to warrant resentment and even hate around the world. Some of it is jealousy as well. But I would agree that we are to blame for being ignorant (not choosing to be arrogant) about what our government does behind the scenes. This is a much more complicated question however. All governments do things to try an improve their lot in life and that may be detrimental to other countries needs etc. Just as people representing districts in the US try and bring home the bacon to their districts. Notice how we have the same problem there as well. We all cry about the high national debt, but don't cry when our senator brings home a cushy project to our home towns. We basically don't care what the US Govt does to others as long as it is not affecting us. Which brings us back to the unjustified attack. Because what you're saying essentially is that because we don't care about the US Govt's actions those who are being affected have no other recourse other than to attack and kill to get their point across. But in this, who else is responsible ? We didn't attack and take over with military action to get these dirty deeds done. We had the support and access from the countries representatives, business leaders etc who had something to gain. They are the ones who sold the interests of the countries people down the river for their own personal gains, payoffs etc. Yes we are partly to blame, but there is a lot of blame to go around and the first thing those who want to change it should be doing is change it from within. Some of these changes make take decades or more to resolve. People Like OBL needed to make it happen within his lifetime, kinda like people who get excited about the end of the world as it would prove the were right all along. There are a lot of things I want to see changed in this country, but I don't go chopping heads off to get my way.
I recommend people watch this video series for some insight, as it is a research he is describing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4HnIyClHEM jpappl- your concerns are addressed in the final advise he gives in the last part, so perhaps you should consider watching it too.
Pretty much...although I'd add ignorant to that as well, we don't know what our government has done in our name, so we think we're innocent. I honestly think growing up with my evil dad had to do with why I didn't get with the program...I just can't trust any authority. Long time no see, Li... I think the last time I saw you we were arguing about corporal punishment of kids... Edited to add, no, you've been back since then, just quietly...
lol. don't worry, because this type of delusion that breeds arrogance is what was the seed of america's downfall and continuing. have that nature in 'us'? who is 'us'? that nature can be in anyone, not just 'americans' and you'll soon find out and be awakened to reality. lol 'america' is a country with borders, full of 'people' who are not inherently more capable or special than anyone else. remember it.
Can you seriously consider that listening to the reasons the terrorists attack, and then changing policy to appease them, will deter them from attacking again? Most often their message or reasons are incoherent or change over time based on who does the talking. Most terrorist organizations will attack almost anyone; Europe, U.S., Russia, China, and each other. The reasons for this often has to do with their leadership. Though they state that Islam is their motivation, often it has only to do with their need for power and their own sociopathic tendencies. Al Zarqawi was a good example of a leader of a terrorist organization who in truth could give a damn about Islam. He enjoyed the brutality of leading an underground organization and the power it yielded. I suspect that towards the end, Osama bin Laden really gave not a damn about his religion but rather in his own legacy (I never see the supposed leaders of the organizations strap on suicide vests) . I do not argue that the U.S. has a perfect foreign policy and does not need to change many of its actions. I do think that if the United States did exactly what the terrorists asked, this would not put a hold on future attacks or prevent other demands. I think it is really naive to believe so. It is not what the enemy does when you lead a twisted organization bent on violence, it just matters that you have one to inspire violence.
Most Americans do not "choose" anything. We are "free" to let someone else do that for us! Heard a quote once, possibly attributed to Winston Churchill : "The best argument against Democracy is a ten minute conversation with the average American". Not sure Winston Churchill ever actually said those words but it sure does seem to be true now days!
