Non-Americans on McCain and the US's reputation.

[Bonniedundee]

Okay time to annoy some McCainites.

Non Americans what would a McCain victory do to your opinion of the US?

[sarmajor]

I would think that it would become even more of a laughing stock.

To elect a man who would be heading towards 80 years of age at the end of his first term is stupid in the extreme.

For a fundamentalist christian ( with nobrainer ideas about creation) waiting in the wings is also beyond comprehension.

Most of the world now holds the US in contempt and the election of McCain would only enhance that opinion.

In any event the world is a far different place than it was at the end of the cold war and the US, with its financial and social problems, - and with other countries developing strongly - will soon have a number of credible rivals.

The US is now past its heyday as the leading world power and appears to be doing everything that it can to expedite its downfall.

Electing McCain and Palin will be another step in that direction.

[Zan de Man]

I agree.

The real laugh is that most potential McCain voters will see international support for Obama as a minus. They prefer not to see how much every nation in the world depends on alliances for survival.

[potter]

I'm an American so I won't sully the vote, however I agree with the general consensus so far.....

[Dufrel]

Originally Posted by Zan de Man

The real laugh is that most potential McCain voters will see international support for Obama as a minus. They prefer not to see how much every nation in the world depends on alliances for survival.

I think it has more to do with the fact that you refer to them as stupid in the same breath. People will do odd things to thumb their nose at you.

[Zan de Man]

I do, do I?

[Dufrel]

That was meant as more of the generic you (foreigners who dislike Bush/Republicans) and not you in particular.

[Zan de Man]

I'm part of the generic you?

[Dufrel]

Better than the royal we.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by Dufrel

I think it has more to do with the fact that you refer to them as stupid in the same breath. People will do odd things to thumb their nose at you.

Like voting for someone who will fuck them in the ass.

[Suraklin]

Originally Posted by Dufrel

I think it has more to do with the fact that you refer to them as stupid in the same breath. People will do odd things to thumb their nose at you.

Do you have a better word for people who would vote against their own best interests just to spite people who live in another nation?

[Neko]

Where's the "confirm my views in their entirety" option?

[sarmajor]

Originally Posted by Dufrel

I think it has more to do with the fact that you refer to them as stupid in the same breath. People will do odd things to thumb their nose at you.

But what do you call stupid people when they do stupid things and are too stupid to realise that they are stupid

[Dufrel]

Originally Posted by Suraklin

Do you have a better word for people who would vote against their own best interests just to spite people who live in another nation?

Start off a conversation with someone by calling them stupid and then see how open they are to adopting your beliefs. I am not saying they will vote for someone to spite you, what I am saying is that they will not be very receptive to your opinion if you call them stupid while stating them.

[Zan de Man]

But it's worse than that. International approval of a candidate is seen as a negative.

[ninjalooter1701]

Originally Posted by Zan de Man

But it's worse than that. International approval of a candidate is seen as a negative.

Saddam Hussein would disagree.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by Dufrel

Start off a conversation with someone by calling them stupid and then see how open they are to adopting your beliefs. I am not saying they will vote for someone to spite you, what I am saying is that they will not be very receptive to your opinion if you call them stupid while stating them.

[Bonniedundee]

Originally Posted by sarmajor

I would think that it would become even more of a laughing stock.

To elect a man who would be heading towards 80 years of age at the end of his first term is stupid in the extreme.

For a fundamentalist christian ( with nobrainer ideas about creation) waiting in the wings is also beyond comprehension.

Most of the world now holds the US in contempt and the election of McCain would only enhance that opinion.

In any event the world is a far different place than it was at the end of the cold war and the US, with its financial and social problems, - and with other countries developing strongly - will soon have a number of credible rivals.

The US is now past its heyday as the leading world power and appears to be doing everything that it can to expedite its downfall.

Electing McCain and Palin will be another step in that direction.

I don't mind Palin much, she has a few pluses even in my book. I like a good hunt myself. The real minuses are McCain himself, I think it was Pat Buchanan who said he makes Cheney look like Gandhi and there is truth in that, he seems a neocon hawk(or worse.) on foreign policy, he has already made stupid comments about Russia. I actually think foreign policy is a big plus for Obama.

[sarmajor]

I don't mind Palin much, she has a few pluses even in my book

She is too pedantic in her views for my taste - without any apparent softening by the milk of human kindness.

One thing that worries me is her fundamentalist religious views on creation.

Religion per se does not concern me in the slightest and I may be elitist by holding this position but, for what it is worth, it is something along the following lines.

What has been published about her views on creation is, to my mind, in direct contrast to the accepted view of scientific and intelligent thought.

To hold such views therefor, to me, indicates a serious lack of judgement and also a lack of knowledge of how the world works - and the vast majority think.

For someone at the apex of power to seriously believe the unthinkable about creation makes me wonder what other unrealistic view that she may apply to serious matters.

Just as an example - and I stress that I cannot recall whether this is her position - but should a person who genuinely believes that the world was created in 7 days be considered intelligent enough to be President of the Uniited States. Does that view not ndicate that a person is irrational and not capable of applying lateral thinking to serious affairs in the real world.

For my part people are entitled to hold any views that they chose but those that hold them against the weight of overwhelming evidence to the contrary do not impress me with their general intelligence - and capacity to think for themselves about other problems that have a practical effect on us all.

I always prefer to trust people who will listen to reason (and change their views in the face of convincing argument) rather than those who dogmatically adhere to faith based opinions

[Bonniedundee]

Indeed it is worrying, although I have not heard much about these views. Personally I think spiritually is necessary for a society but I don't much like fanatics whether they be xtians, muslims or athiests.

I simply like the fact she seems quite in touch with the average person. She is less of an elitist than the rest and enjoys small town activites and has some small town values, although some of these are tinged with xtian fundamentalism.

As someone who is a decentralist, a man who prefers the country and small town over the city having lived their most of his life and loves hunting, shooting, fishing et al I can't help but admire her somewhat.

But she has alot of minuses, not least the other half of her ticket.

Obama is a Tony Blair or Kevin Rudd, he is all glamour and talk and little substance but like them his rivals are alot worse even if they have substance.