Belief is a powerful thing. It holds 9/10ths of the earth in its grip. Some folks hold the Bible as the greatest book on earth while others place the Koran in the same spot.

Belief has the power to shape its own reality for those who embrace them. For the religionist they are convinced some deity is looking over their shoulder judging their actions and is preparing to punish or reward them for them.

However religions by no means hold the monopoly on belief. Political beliefs are equally powerful and determine the way many view the world and the events that take place in it. Those who hold strong beliefs view the world through the kaleidoscope of these beliefs, it cannot be otherwise.

For many Europeans of today, they view America as an imperialist nation. This rhetoric and belief is mirrored in our educational institutions by those whose political left credentials are bronzed and sitting on their desks. That they spread this belief is as important to them as the religionist leaders who know the money and power dries up if folks embrace some other faith.

Implanting and propagating the concept of American imperialism is very important to folks because it acts as a huge escape mechanism. Foreigners from weak nations, with limited economies and who have no SUV, or car, or home of their own need to find something evil about those who do. They need to create a justification for their own apparent deficiencies and turn these things into medals of honor.

The concept of an imperialistic, capitalistic America exploiting the poor and waging war on the innocent appeals to those with difficulties of one sort or another.

These difficulties can be financial, family, psychological or sexual in origin.

The general response to these problems is to create a inferiority/superiority complex. While feeling like the odd person out, when compared to others the natural response is to justify this disparity and actually build it up into something superior in their minds eye.

The poor comfort themselves with the fact that they work hard for what they have and are not dishonest materialists. They can point out the sorrows of the rich and can embrace this belief and it gives them a feeling of superiority.

The educators and government employees who often cannot compete/desire not compete in the corporate world tell themselves that they hold a superior philosophy. This rejection of capitalism is embraced early on and with it comes a rejection of much of the American lifestyle and a tainted look at America's history.

This is just the way it is. Human nature is predictable. Ego deflations create responses which can be calculated. The HZ is chock-full of proof of this ego-deflation ergo hostile response & rejection formula. This thread alone provides ample proof.

The very existence of America acts as a ego deflation for residents born in other nations. Why weren't they born in America? Why should others enjoy freedom, wealth and a better way of life than they do? To allay this disparity they need to turn it into a positive and in the process the demonizing of America begins.

Instead of a big picture view they embrace a view which is supported by their provincial/personal outlook.

"America is the great Satan"
This phrase was coined by those who would stone women for revealing their faces, chop off the hands of thieves and whose lifestyle is the very essence of psychological and technological barbarism. It is a reaction to massive inferiority of mentality and capability. It is the very essence of the hostile reaction to ego deflation impulse.

"America is an imperialist, warring nation" is another hostile reaction to a nation with superior technological weapons and an army to use them. The very existence of America's military power exists as a deflation to those who do not have such power. The many European nations who could never dream of displacing Saddam or the barbaric regime in Afghanistan, something even the mighty USSR was incapable of, must see all American use of force as evil.

That this is an imbalanced view and not borne out by history is completely lost on those that embrace this belief.

"America is an imperialist nation"
This phrase was coined by communists who wished to whitewash their militaristic exploits under some flag of brotherhood while demonizing American military ventures which were always linked to the freeing of people or the defense of others from tyranny or barbarism.

America is now the favorite global target of nations, much as the leader of America is the favorite personal target of hostility based upon personal inferiority complexes.

The left have envisioned a grand scheme wherein 9/11 was created as an excuse to go ahead with planned imperialistic conquest.

"Its all about oil"
This phrase was popular during and before the conflict. Sadly, American gas prices did not drop, US companies did not take over the Iraqi oil fields and all this was just more inferiority complex rhetoric.

"They let Saddam & Bin Laden escape"
Another bit of rhetoric that came crashing down when Saddam was captured. Now the rhetoric has twisted and "Saddam was a legitimate leader" is the one that replaces it along with "Why haven't they caught Bin Laden?".

When Bin Laden is finally caught he will experience the same transformation as Saddam has in the eyes of those who constantly have a psychological need to diminish America to puff up themselves. Bin Laden will be a genuine victim of American imperialism and have genuine grievances. Think this is unlikely? Already the left are starting to embrace Bin Laden. His "America is an imperialist aggressor" finds a welcome spot in their belief structure. Such will only increase when he is captured. The same thing goes for terrorist/murderers such as Nelson Mandela whose violence is whitewashed in an effort to paint them as martyrs. We enjoyed a recent example of this same process with the recently executed "redeemed" of Crips founder and convicted murderer in California. Now he is a martyr for the far left as well.

These America-haters are not to be hated or pitied. They are the byproduct of a normal human response. At the same time one must not let their rhetoric go unchecked because it is all too easy for others to embrace this easy way out - to point the finger at America, or the President for the world's ills or as somehow responsible for our personal shortcomings or difficulties.

The educational institutions do not produce scholars who can evaluate history objectively and think independently. Instead they create and foster a network of individuals who share a inferiority/superiority complex and view corporate America and the political right as "the Great Satan". When Bush is gone, his replacement will inherit this antipathy and resentment of much of the world. Others whose hatred of Bush is deep seated enough to prevail will continue to hate and blame him for years and decades to come.

The power of belief is powerful.

Hating Bush and America is a powerful belief system. It allows many folks to go through life without getting drunk as often, kicking their dog, using drugs, or beating their children or spouse as much. It redirects their hatred at a an intangible that they cannot harm and so can safely project their animosity at it repeatedly. It allows them a shred of self-dignity and superiority that if it were torn away might leave them with nothing.

When seen from this big picture view, one sees how necessary such an intangible outlet for their hatred becomes. It reduces suicides, clinical depression and gives an outlet for the pent up frustrations of daily life.

Sure, it would be nice if more supposed educators could separate their emotional needs from their political views. It would be great if logic and reason supplanted hatred and emotionalism as the default response to an ego deflation. This is the inherent flaw with teachers. They, even moreso than books, taint history and education with their own personal viewpoints- even when they are cognizant enough of this problem to try and conceal their own biases.

Humanity has few nations, and way too few educational institutions, where such balanced, unbiased, rational thinking is fostered.