Scroll up and look how this started with Colman several times calling the US stupid. For example with this:
My primary problem with US policies is their astonishing stupidity and counter-productiveness. It's not clear that switching party would help at all. Their unusual and brazen immorality is the icing on the cake.
When this discussion continued, I got the impression that EU difficulties were explained with how complicated everything was, while US difficulties were just called "astonishing stupidity" or "insanely stupid" by Colman and similarly by others in several threads of various diaries.
I did not have an issue with Migeru and his arguments. Therefore did not feel I needed to respond to his account of the Balkan history.
Colman was not talking about the Balkans, but in general. I should have made clear that I am mostly referring to Colman's comment. My mistake for not making that.
Sorry! Sorry, Migeru.
Jerome, I don't see how my reply was "rude" or more "knee-jerk" than your response to the French prison comment.
"Provocative" or "harsh" or "unfair" maybe, but not "rude".
Read Migeru's comment:
We not only are bombarded with US information but we spent a disproportionate amount of time reading their tea leaves. Everyone thinks they know enough about the US to have an opinion. If you look at any other global or regional actor that is not the case. Hopefully ET will improve our own understanding of the EU and its member states. It's not easy. http://www2.eurotrib.com/story/2006/9/15/125116/948#29
That won't happen, if the focus in many discussions on the Middle East is about highlighting US wrongdoings and "stupidity." I thought ETP is different from Dailykos.
As to my comment on French prisons, it was (probably like yours intended to be) ironic but (i) i did not defend French actions and (ii) I did not retort with accusations in return, so I refuse the comparison. I just did not see the relevance of the reference to Algeria at this point, apart from the "you did it too" argument.
You were quite specific in accusing us of having extremely simplistic, and anti-American, views, which I find offensive and, quite simply, untrue.
That won't happen, if the focus in many discussions on the Middle East is about highlighting US wrongdoings and "stupidity."
Well, if we keep on being accused of being anti-American, we'll spend disproportionate time justifying our criticism. Try to be around when we discuss Europe without reference to the USA. It happens a lot more than you may think. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
As to my comment on French prisons, it was (probably like yours intended to be) ironic but (i) i did not defend French actions and (ii) I did not retort with accusations in return, so I refuse the comparison.
I did not defend US actions either. I did not accuse anybody of "Anti-Americanism", but you repeatedly say so. Yes, irony. A general comment about what often happens in European discussions, not just on ETB. Nothing more, nothing less.
When the US can't achieve peace: They are stupid. When the EU can't achieve peace: The conflicts are complicated.
Obviously trying to interpret everybody else's opinions, and yes, quite explicitly calling us all anti-Americans (who think that everything the US does is stupid).
That came after a VERY substantial comment (and not anti-American) by Migeru which you completely ignored. It was totally out of place and frankly, callous to Migeru.
Meanwhile, we're still waiting for YOUR opinion on all of the topics you've raised. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
I did not.
"we're still waiting for YOUR opinion on all of the topics you've raised."
I gave a lot. ;-)
I replied to your question. I also responded to your criticism re Migeru, but yet you bring it up again. Do I want me to repeat myself?
