"Personally, I have not seen a single post in this thread where I feel that "tempers are flaring"..."
Well perhaps I misjudged your replies to Hermann then. The excess of sarcasm in your replies seemed a bit defensive but I suppose your right, that doesn't mean "tempers are flaring". Perhaps I should have said "defensive to the point of being closed-minded" instead.
"I would agree that the majority of Americans are extremely patriotic...
Personally, I think this is a good thing...
In their own way, the majority of Iraqis are also patriotic...although, perhaps, fanatical may be a more appropriate word...at least in my opinion... "
Being patriotic is indeed a good thing, but you have to keep an open mind as well. Have you ever been to Iraq? Spoken with Iraqis on this subject? Perhaps your people are viewed as fanatical over there, after all YOUR the occupying power in THEIR country. I don't know if they think this but I wouldn't doubt it given the situation.
"You think "charisma" and "diplomacy" are the most important qualities for the President of the most powerful nation in the World?"
What makes you the most powerful nation in the world? Certainly not your standing army. Several countries have the capability to destroy modern society as we know it with nuclear weapons including France, England and China. In fact I would go so far as to say that China is in fact the most powerful country in the world. It would take 256 nukes to completely destroy Chinas economy and infrastructure beyond recovery. 115 would knock the states out and unfortunately only 17 would demolish my country
. (No I did not make these numbers up)
"I would submit that Bill Clinton had gobs and gobs of "charisma" and "diplomacy"...
Only trouble is, these came with some rather healthy doses of "lying", "cheating" and "deceit"...
There are many qualities that are desirable in a President...and many that are not. These must be weighed."
All politicians lie to and decieve their people. Cheating? Who cares about that? We're talking about leading a country here, the two have nothing to do with eachother.
"I will not address many of the points that you made...for the simple reason that I do not feel that I am sufficiently well informed to comment. On the issue of "healthcare", however, I do have something to say. Given a choice between the Canadian system of healthcare and the U.S. system, I'd take the U.S. system any day. Personally, I consider the healthcare system in the U.S. to be far superior to the Canadian system."
We have one of the best healthcare systems in the world, perhaps you shouldn't have commented on that either since you are obviously not sufficiantly informed on it.
Anyhow, I think being humble is the best way to be and you guys are far from that. You are hated by people all over the world, ever wonder why? When I travel I always carry a backpack with a huge maple leaf on it so that nobody mistakes me for an American. Your patriotic in your backyard, we're patriotic all over the world....and we're liked.