Flame — HabitableZone

Flame » in reply to re: That's entirely possible

Why do approximately half the members here assume...
McFly — (archived)

...that I want to make to make best buddies out of the most extreme elements of Islam, just because I said there is likely a large, much less radical contingent that--while they may currently dislike American policy--are probably quite reasonable people, and it would be in everyone's best interest for us to talk to them?

Thanks for the lyrics, btw.

As for nations with a foreign policy of which "they" approve (love may be too strong a word), as an ex-Canadian I can relate that Canadian foreign policy has often been lauded by people on the receiving end as fair-minded and unobtrusive (no, that's not always the case, but very often it is). I think it might be possible to argue that generally speaking, Canadian foreign policy has been less about seeking opportunity and more about establishing mutually acceptable relationships. Even Henry Kissinger, of all people, has written about the need to balance the quest for opportunity on the one hand with humanitarian concerns on the other (with humanitarian concerns in this context definitely not limited to the narrow issue of foreign aid).

It's reflected in levels of trust. Canada is--at the risk of generalizing again--relatively well-trusted in the non-western world. America is less trusted, partly, I think, because "foreigners" (if you will) perceive Americans as having a hidden agenda: namely, the exploitation of resources and people.

It has nothing to do with belittling the remarkable gifts America has given to the world, but even if you have the most wonderful neighbors, you probably don't want them over every night...even if it is to help with home-improvement (and certainly not if they're always trying to get you to sign over your hot-water rights).

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