Midnight Oil

[Powderworks] VLMOC: anti-Americanism, so-called

Tom Davies minuteparticular@yahoo.com.au
Wed, 16 Apr 2003 08:17:04 +1000 (EST)


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I want to add a little bit to the discussion around "anti-Americanism," since Felipe has called MO an anti-American band and others have thoroughly rejected the idea. 
What is "anti-Americanism," anyway? Sometimes it seems to mean nothing more than disagreement with the policies of the U.S. government. Certainly, in the last couple of years, a wide variety of critics of the U.S. government's actions have been labeled "anti-American," whether they were radical Muslim clerics or French politicians or American activists. If "anti-Americanism" is defined as the pro-Bush crowd seems to want to define it, then I guess you have to count me in as an anti-American (or is it anti-Americanist?). 
But then, it seems like some folks believe that anti-Americanism is just a sort of irrational prejudice against all the people and the culture of (the United States of) America. If that's all it is, then I think the burden of proof should be on anyone who uses the tag "anti-American" to show that the person referred to has no rational or principled objection to U.S. policy. This is probably doable in some cases, but clearly not in others. 
To put it another way, I think Americans should quit whining about all this "anti-Americanism" that's supposedly out there, and either defend their country's actions or else admit wrongdoing where it has occurred. Cheers to all y'all who are already doing that. 
best, 
Tom


Opposition is true Friendship.

William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell


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<DIV>
<DIV>
<P>I want to add a little bit to the discussion around "anti-Americanism," since Felipe has called MO an anti-American band and others have thoroughly rejected the idea. 
<P>What is "anti-Americanism," anyway? Sometimes it seems to mean nothing more than disagreement with the policies of the U.S. government. Certainly, in the last couple of years, a wide variety of critics of the U.S. government's actions have been labeled "anti-American," whether they were radical Muslim clerics or&nbsp;French politicians or American activists. If "anti-Americanism" is defined as&nbsp;the pro-Bush crowd seems to&nbsp;want to define it, then I guess you have to count me in as an anti-American (or is it anti-Americanist?). 
<P>But then, it seems like some folks believe that anti-Americanism is just a sort of irrational prejudice against all&nbsp;the people and the culture of&nbsp;(the United States of) America. If that's all it is, then I think the burden of proof should be on anyone who uses the tag "anti-American" to show that the person referred to has no rational or principled objection to U.S. policy. This is probably doable in some cases, but clearly not in others. 
<P>To put it another way, I think Americans should quit whining about all this "anti-Americanism" that's supposedly out there, and either defend their country's actions or else admit wrongdoing where it has occurred. Cheers to all y'all who are already doing that. 
<P>best, 
<P>Tom</P></DIV></DIV><BR><BR>Opposition is true Friendship.<br><br>William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell<p><br><hr size=1>
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