Should we support America?
\\''] | 22.04.2003 11:20
Reactions to proposed (and uncertain) anti-US demo illustrate depth of emotional support for US troops, and for the present economic system.
The announcement of a demonstration against the American invasion of Europe, next month at Maastricht, led to angry reactions on Indymedia Netherlands and Indymedia Belgium - and some on Indymedia UK. The demo - which will probably be banned anyway - is against the idea that US troops 'liberated' Europe in 1944-1945. It is against the continuing presence of US troops in Europe, and against the 'freedom' that they brought, meaning especially the free market economy.
It is worth looking at these reactions, they partly explain the failure of the anti-war movement. There are still very aggressive pro-American attitudes, even among people who say they oppose the war in Iraq. The specific reactions are:
1. the United States armed forces are indeed liberators, liberators of Europe, and US forces are not in Europe as occupiers
2. it is wrong and insulting to question this fact
3. those who oppose the United States are Nazis or Nazi sympathisers, and the demo is organised by neo-Nazis
4. the European countries invaded by US and allied forces in 1944-1945 were in fact liberated, meaning they are now free societies where the population lives in freedom
5. if the present (free-market) system did not exist, they would still be living under the Nazis, or alternatively under Communism (if Soviet troops had reached them first).
Reactions Indymedia Netherlands
http://indymedia.nl/nl/2003/04/11408.shtml Comments Indymedia Belgium
http://belgium.indymedia.org/news/2003/04/58235.php Note that all these points are similar, even identical, to the American justification for the invasion of Iraq. The neoconservatives who wanted a war primarily for 'regime change' used the example of Nazi Germany, and the post-war democratisation of Germany. For the neoconservatives, US forces are doing the same in Iraq as they did in Normandy in 1944, and they deserve the same gratitude from the population.
The United States claims to be the liberator of Iraq. General Garner denies that the troops are occupiers. The media and public opinion in the United States accept this as a fact, and think it is wrong to criticise the troops. Right-wing media and commentators say that those who oppose the war, support Saddam and his brutal regime. They claim that Iraq under US troops will now become a free society - meaning a market democracy allied to the US and NATO.
If you accept all these claims for Europe, it is hard to convincingly oppose them for Iraq. It is not logical to say "Oh, it was completely different in Europe in 1944". It was the same United States that invaded Iraq.
A reminder of the aims of the demonstration, from the formal request to the municipality of Margraten, near Maastricht....
"The demonstration on May 25 is against the US invasion of Europe in 1944-1945, against the presence of US troops in Europe, and to demand the withdrawal of those troops. It is also directed against the American soldiers buried at Margraten: they fought as conquerors, to subject Europe to American values and American interests. They deserve no honour, and certainly no gratitude. They should be reburied in the US.
The demonstration is against the Europe of the Nation States - supported by the US - and for the formation of a continental state. It is against nationalism and liberalism, and against Atlanticism - which combines both these ideologies with uncritical admiration for American society. It is also directed against the slavish attitude of the national elites in western Europe, who kneel before the American flag, and unjustly honour the American dead."
\\'']
Comments
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America
22.04.2003 13:13
Ironic, because the received wisdom was that the 'good Americans' stepped in to save Europe from Hitler.
Ironic, too, since the 'good Americans' supplied Britain with arms, fuel, food, and all we needed to fight the war.
Ironic, since they supplied most of the troops that liberated France, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and eventually Germany.
Ironic, since they assured the Allies of vitory over Germany by their heroic actions over Dresden, an act of courage prefaced by their masterful incineration of only 45,000 citizens of Hamburg.
Ironic, because it was only last year that Britain, America's best ally in Europe, finally finished paying the debt on the loans for all that fuel, food and arms that we so wastefully used in 1939-45.
Wildly ironic, given that the current President Select of America is the grandson of Hitler's partner in business.
Ironic, since I do not hate Americans - just America as it has become - a leech on the civilised world, a corruper of cultures, a vulture preying on the weak, a tool of the moneylenders, a tool of Israel.
For the rest of the world, it were as well that George III had succeeded in trampling the arrogant tax rebels, and the bastard son of Empire were never born.
B.
Brian
NO!
22.04.2003 13:51
Carlos Malvado
Grand
22.04.2003 17:28
No government is perfect. And, no, I was not and am not in favor of the war in Iraq. However, in the 1970's, touring through Germany, I was actually told to my face that the Holocaust did not happen. It was an 'American Invention.' Is this the level of apologist behaviour that we now find acceptable?
Come on, people. Really, the bombing of Dresden was not just a unilateral decision made by the Americans. Read your histories and speak to those involved before you make judgement calls. Also, remember that American forces were also in the Pacific responding to the bombing of Pearl Harbor for a large portion of that time. Sure, they provided supplies - and the people at home made do with less (when it was not 'necessary') so that those alive here at the time could eat, and recieve that aid.
But, wait, that's intrusive and imperialist!!! Come on, people, get over it. Stop protesting things that happened more than 50 years ago. Start working for postive change. Set up organizations or collectives that have a real chance at making positive differences at home. If we can't fix our own problems... What right have we to criticize? Besides, we should be thanking the Americans for one thing. It was the end of World War II that signalled the end of British Imperialism. It saved us from continuing to be the bad guys.
Why is it that when we find an outside force to protest against, we become all enthused, yet when miscarriages of justice occur here at home - we ignore them?
Beth
why?
23.04.2003 14:10
its the politicians who for their own psycho power crazed benefit send lads out to die, 50million people died in WW2, many more, many millions will die in this world war 3.
however i do not support the decision for war, its ilegal its imperialist, kids are dying for oil.
one thing to the anti-war movement this is not just about iraq's oil or its re-shaping of middle east, its about american power in the world and it becoming the holy supreme power, we must stop to prevent world war 3 from going further because we'll get killed too, not just those on the other end of yankee bombs.
ser