1w ago

We are not all the same

129 comments

Anti-American is fucking weird.
How about get to the root that most of us here have in common? Even half of the Americans agree with the below principles.
Anti-consumerism for the sake of consuming. Anti-greed. Anti harming others for your own selfish gains. Anti-billionaires. Anti-waste and harming the planet.
- All of the issues you list as the real problem are currently magnified by the US Empire. Without the US Empire, progress on these fronts would be far easier.
- Let me break down for you why I'm anti-American. History and the absolute disregard for life the US promotes, as illustrated by the grim list below:
  1. Direct Military Deaths (Combat & Bombing):
  Korean War (1950-1953): Estimates vary widely, but civilian deaths in Korea are generally placed between 2 and 4 million. US military actions contributed significantly to this toll through bombing campaigns and ground combat. A reasonable attribution for direct/indirect deaths attributable to the US is 600,000 - 1,500,000.
  Vietnam War (1955-1975): This is where the largest numbers lie. Estimates of Vietnamese civilian deaths range from 2 million to over 4 million. US bombing campaigns (Operation Rolling Thunder, Linebacker I & II) and ground operations were major contributors. Estimated US attribution: 1,000,000 - 3,800,000.
  Laos (Secret War – 1964-1973): US bombing of Laos was extensive and largely secret. Civilian deaths are estimated at tens of thousands to over 100,000. Estimated US attribution: 20,000 - 100,000.
  Cambodia (Bombing – 1969-1973): As mentioned previously, estimates range from 50,000 to over 500,000. Estimated US attribution: 50,000 - 500,000.
  Iraq (Gulf War 1991 & Iraq War 2003-2011): The Gulf War resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths due to bombing and sanctions. The Iraq War is even more complex, with estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million. Estimated US attribution: 100,000 - 750,000.
  Afghanistan (2001-2021): Civilian deaths are estimated in the tens of thousands. Estimated US attribution: 20,000 - 40,000.
  Libya (2011): As mentioned previously, airstrikes contributed to an estimated 25,000-30,000 civilian deaths. Estimated US Attribution: 5,000 – 15,000.
  Other Interventions/Conflicts (Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Balkans, Syria): These smaller interventions resulted in fewer direct military deaths but still contributed to overall casualties. Estimated US attribution: 5,000 - 20,000.
  2. Indirect Deaths (Famine, Disease, Conflict Disruption):
  Korea: Sanctions and disruption of agriculture likely led to famine-related deaths. Estimates are difficult but could be in the hundreds of thousands.
  Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia: Displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and disruption of healthcare systems contributed to disease outbreaks and malnutrition. Estimates range from hundreds of thousands to over a million.
  Iraq (Sanctions after Gulf War): UN sanctions imposed with US support are widely believed to have contributed significantly to civilian deaths due to lack of food and medicine. Estimates vary wildly, ranging from tens of thousands to over 1 million. This is the most contentious area of attribution.
  Somalia: The "Black Hawk Down" incident and subsequent interventions disrupted aid efforts and exacerbated famine conditions.
  Estimated Indirect Deaths attributable to US actions: 500,000 - 2,000,000+ (This is a very broad range due to the difficulty in isolating US influence).
  3. Colonial Era (Philippines, etc.):
  Philippine-American War (1899-1902): Estimates of Filipino deaths range from 200,000 to over 1 million. This includes combat deaths and those due to disease and famine exacerbated by the conflict. Estimated US attribution: 100,000 - 600,000.
  Other Colonial Actions: Smaller incidents in other territories are difficult to quantify but likely resulted in additional deaths.
  Overall Estimated Range of Deaths Attributable to US Foreign Interventions Since 1945:
  Combining all categories (direct military, indirect, and colonial era), a reasonable estimate falls within the range of 2.5 million to over 8 million deaths. It is crucial to understand that this is an estimate based on available data and methodologies, and the true number could be higher or lower. The wide range reflects the inherent uncertainties in these calculations.
  Regarding CIA-Installed Dictatorships:
  While a precise count is difficult, historians generally identify at least 10-20 countries where US involvement (including covert operations by the CIA) played a significant role in installing or supporting authoritarian regimes since 1945. Examples include:
  Iran (1953)
  Guatemala (1954)
  Chile (1973)
  Brazil (multiple interventions)
  Argentina (multiple interventions)
  Greece (1947-1949)
  Philippines (various periods)
  Indonesia (1965)
  Nicaragua (1980s)
  Afghanistan (1980s)
  This list is not exhaustive, and the degree of US influence in each case varies.
  
  Incredible comment!
  I'll also mention that the number of people affected by these interventions and wars are much higher then the death toll.
  Laos was the most bombed country on Earth and both Vietnam and Laos, to this day, still teach kids how to identify bombs on the ground since a lot of them did not detonate and still cause harm and death.
  In Vietnam, the US used Agent Orange, a chemical weapon that sticks to your skin, which to this day still causes birth defects.
  North Korea was bombed to oblivion. US bombing campaign was so brutal, soldiers reported not having anywhere else left to bomb. I recommend this video to know more about the Korean War. (Just use youtube auto translate subtitles)
  Also in US-backed dictatorships, the number of deaths might not be as big as in their direct interventions, but the sheer number of affected people, those being detained and tortured is absurd. Not to speak of the torture methods these dictatorships implemented in these countries, the torture people endured here in Brazil is gut wrenching.
  
  I think that means you do not like American government and foreign policy.
  Not the American people.
  I think that's the line that becomes vague when you say "anti-American".
  Americans in history have been trying to fight the evil machine and have been assassinated or villianized.
  JFK
  MLK
  Edward Snowden
  I'll also say that other countries are not without blame. There is no reason why other countries should have trusted another country to protect them.
  Every country should have invested a healthy amount into their armies and never let one country get so powerful.
  Or exploit their populace for pennies. (INDIA/MEXICO COUGH)
  Imperialism is the devil on this planet but were all responsible for not fighting back against the machine or uniting the world working class.
  We have the technology now with things like the fediverse. The doors are open for now for open communication and coordination.
  
  Wow, so not only you're justifying the present actions of your government but you also manage to slide in some victim-blaming in the process.
  I fucking despise America's principles. It's stolen land built on genocide and perpetuated by constant war.
  
  Victim blaming who? The UK taught America how to exploit and also did the same. Heck they even did it better in terrifying way.
  Other countries just now thought of adjusting their GDP to account for not relying on the American Military.
  Can you explain to me how that is not oversight? How that is not irresponsible?
  Im Mexican American so I understand how the fucking border flew over my people.
  But there isn't a black and white villian here. Plenty of powerful people in multiple countries help create the reality and dynamics of the countries.
  American principles? There hasn't been a united states of America to have unified principles since our inception. It was just loud propaganda to tell us so.
  I don't even think we should be this big. You know how many countries are unified in ideals because they are monoculture, monotheist, monoracial? Were not it.
  But its also what makes us beautiful. Being a melting pot not often seen in a majority of countries.
  
  I’ll also say that other countries are not without blame. There is no reason why other countries should have trusted another country to protect them.
  Every country should have invested a healthy amount into their armies and never let one country get so powerful.
  Jesus fucking Christ, do you believe in meritocracy?

129 comments