Does everyone else dislike Americans?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 11:37:42 -0400

Does everyone else dislike Americans?

RP Members what your take on this controversial question?

By the way - I like Americans and My Country!

After a decade of strong anti-Americanism all across the globe following the “War on Terrorism,” the notion that a majority of people in the world actually like the U.S. almost seems inconceivable. With Bush no longer in charge, though, such is the case. Global surveys indicate that, over the past three years, a plurality of people in the world have approved of the U.S. as a global power. Per the 2011-2012 BBC World Service Poll, 47% of people across 22 countries have a mainly positive opinion of America’s global influence, versus 33% holding a mainly negative opinion. The EU, per the same poll, had a minimally higher 48% approval rating. Gallup’s 2011 Leadership Poll shows that 46% of people in 136 countries approve of the leadership role of the U.S., with 26% disapproving. In that poll, only Germany surpassed the U.S., with a 47% approval rating. Pictured above is a crowd listening to Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech in (you guessed) Berlin, as a reminder of how constructive the relationship between the U.S. and other countries can be given the proper leadership – and how responsive people can be to this.

On the other hand: I don’t need to remind you that the approval ratings of the United States five or six years ago were, in fact, abysmal – and I do mean, abysmal. And regardless of the man in charge, Anti-Americanism is a widespread phenomenon, make no mistake. But the next time you hear someone say “that’s why everyone hates [you] Americans,” just remember that, fortunately, the world isn’t as stubbornly hateful a place as it’s made out to be.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 11 at 2015 11:46 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 11:46:13 -0400

In most places those who have the wealth got it by stealing from others. Those who have power use it to intimidate those without. Is it hard to then understand why when they look towards America where we have so much wealth and so much power that they assume we have stolen it? Isn't this why many of the new generation of aliens, especially those who enter the country illegally, feel it is there right to steal it back? Sadly, they cannot conceive of the concept that it is possible to create wealth and that is how America became wealthy. Furthermore, we have a growing segment, bordering on a majority, who have lost sight of that vision. They speak of "fairness" as though America's wealth is a finite supply and that it should be shared equally. Never, it seems, will it occur to them to go and create their own wealth. They feel compelled to take it from others. If others hate America it is because We the People who still believe in it are failing to make our case...

Response by SSgt Robert Dant made Oct 11 at 2015 12:38 PM

SSgt Robert Dant — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 12:38:53 -0400

I spent 30+ years as a civilian traveling the world and managing people. I do not think most people outside America hate America - most love us for what we did n the WW wars and other wars.

I think the press in the States wants us to feel bad about ourselves and lower our pride. I do think Americans have an identity crisis going on and will take years to correct what the past 16 years have done to hurt that image,

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 11 at 2015 12:47 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 12:47:54 -0400

They should do that poll on American college campuses - and they would get a big surprise.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Oct 11 at 2015 12:56 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 12:56:43 -0400

Sir, I can’t help IMHO feel that we, the United States, have lost the moral high ground, post 9/11. And I speak of the DISCLOSURE of grey/black area TTPs and our (albeit necessary) employment of GITMO. The United States hasn’t doing anything new or anything different than any other country with regards to rounding up terrorists and using “enhanced” techniques. It just took a public face. I took on this position of LOSING the moral high ground back around 2009 after reading how Turkey balked at a US State Department request to release an ethnic Armenian poet. I am still researching where I read this, but the gist I got from the piece was Turkey told the State Department to pound sand saying that any argument for the poets release from an indefinite “Gitmo” sentence. Turkey’s justification was part and parcel what the US had done with 9-11 suspects picked up on the battlefield.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 11 at 2015 1:02 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 13:02:17 -0400

I never take anything the BBC World Network says....they are more of a Liberal kind of station

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 11 at 2015 2:39 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 14:39:43 -0400

With all due respect to you and everyone else on RP, the ONLY approvals or "likes" I care about come from three places:

1. God
2. My mother being she is my world and who brought me here
3. the 1% of this nation that has served in some capacity in our armed forces.

This might sound egotistical or arrogant; it might even play into why others don't like us, but to them I'd say "who cares"? Are you a productive member of your home country? Are you working to better the lives of your countrymen? Are you interested in being an American and adopt our way of life? If not, you should do more to occupy your time than worrying about what the US is doing unless you directly see our influence in your country. There are going to be people who are never going to "like" us, share our values as Americans, or care about us. So they will forever be jaded against us. Others are confused with their opinions due to television and social media's take on various issues we have here and they're more than likely misgiven or straight up false.
On the flip side of that, If you have the time to talk about me, then I must be doing something right and you're taking notice.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 11 at 2015 3:32 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 15:32:07 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs the BBC and Gallop poll results that you mentioned seem very myopic since they are focusing on Anti-USA attitudes since the global War on Terrorism which was supported by so many other nations from the Philippines through Africa to Europe.
It would have much more useful if these polls compared current Anti-USA attitudes to the period of 1960 through 2000 [by decades] since the early 1960's with tensions with various African wars and insurgencies, our cold war with Cuba and the Soviet block, and our involvement in they Vietnam War, out strike against Panama in 1989, our support for Operation Desert Storm and Operation Southern Watch against Iraq.
My experience in the mid-1970's in the USA as a young soldier was that the population was anti-military and many were actually anti-American. Some of those anti-American folks went on to write or actually rewrite textbooks to diminish the reputation of the early explorers, our formative experiences as a nation, the facts about the internecine warfare among native Americans, emphasizing the evil of southern slave owners while downplaying the fact that many salves were sold by black Africans from victorious tribes which had captured the others who were sold as slaves, etc.
This nation and its people are certainly not perfect ; but, this nation is still the best hope for the world.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 11 at 2015 5:03 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 17:03:40 -0400

I guess it would depend on who "everyone else" is...

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 11 at 2015 6:07 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 18:07:53 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Remember this letter, Colonel:

America: The Good Neighbor.

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.

Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars! into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.

I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes?

Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles.

You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon -! not once, but several times - and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Oct 11 at 2015 9:14 PM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 21:14:45 -0400

Having been stationed overseas, I feel that we are hated by our host nations for our drunk antics. I feel that in addition, we are hated for our Policies and gung-ho approach to certain things. I feel that we need to refocus our efforts and make our Great Nation even better. Take a look at our infrastructure for example.

We need to pick our battles. We still need to stand for our beliefs but we don't always have to jump into the unknown. We need to think before we leap, and see the bigger picture for our part in subjects.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 11 at 2015 9:54 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 21:54:26 -0400

Not everybody, "Marco Rubio says U.S. admits 1 million immigrants a year, far more than any nation"
Verified by Politifact
Immigration policy
"For Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, the President set the worldwide refugee ceiling at 70,000, and the regional allocation,,,

WashingtonExaminier

"Report: 2.5 million illegal immigrants under Obama, 400,000 yearly"

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Oct 12 at 2015 10:30 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 10:30:34 -0400

Id say many are jelous of our way of life and standard of living. I'd also say there are some crazies that actually hate our freedoms. They think they should be able to control people more. Im sad to say I believe there are some hard left liberals that hate America and think they know better than the founders on how things should be.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Oct 12 at 2015 8:55 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 20:55:32 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs ice been in several countries and found have that Americans are generally liked wherever I have been.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 20 at 2015 3:25 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:25:30 -0500

I have traveled over the globe in the military and post-military as a civilian working for NORTEL, Siemens and Fujitsu. In sales I accompanied executives from the customer base to a variety of countries Asia and Europe. There is absolutely no doubt in my military mind that we have the best country anywhere in the world. Hands Down! Despite the Socialist that try to turn us into other failing Socialist states. I, personally, don't give a rat's patoot what others think. If we weren't so good, there wouldn't be millions trying to get here by hook or crook.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Nov 21 at 2015 8:24 PM

MSgt Michelle Mondia — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 20:24:28 -0500

As I read this I'm watching The Man in The High Castle. It's a mini series that spins off the idea of what if Impetial Japan and Nazi Germany won WWII. It's been putting concepts like you mentioned above into perspective for me. America dispite the corporatism, military industrial complex, and our foreign policy failures is at best an ideal, our history is light and dark. Our leaders altruistic and selfish. We were raised up by imperfect people who new they didn't have all answers...Because humanity is not perfect. were a country of misfits and losers who washed ashore from everywhere else. The "wretched refuse" of the world. whats happened is that we started telling ourselves the wrong stories, the myth of America is very powerful. It's what made people risk death and imprisonment to get here. The media, the corporations and fear have taken hold of our pop culture and divided the generations. We ignore our elders and alienate our young people. Citizens have no commonality, no connection. Which is why we are often divided again and again over moral dilemmas and unsure of our future. You don't have to love America but you have to live here and once we come to that unavoidable truth we can work on toward common goals that unite the genitions and encompass all citizens. Not just the privileged not just the poor, the naturalists, the liberal minded, the workers or the politically active but all of us. All of us want our children to grow up in a place capable of allowing them to achieve their dreams. Thats America, that's what lies behind the golden door, that's worth struggling toward, that's worth defending. To often we forget our own stories our own history. Because there's no one to tell it anymore. We need more artists and poets we need to hear from those who can tell us our story again.

http://youtu.be/59xGmHzxtZ4

Maya Angelou's Poem "On the Pulse of Morning"

This is video footage of Maya Angelou reciting her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at the 1993 Presidential Inaugural. This footage is official public record ...

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jun 25 at 2016 3:10 PM

SFC William Farrell — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 15:10:50 -0400

I like Americans and I am proud of my country COL Mikel J. Burroughs. The rest of the world likes us more when they need something from us.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 11:50 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 11:50:34 -0400

Sure hasn't stopped them from wanting to come to our country to live.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 26 at 2016 11:58 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 11:58:31 -0400

I love Americans! It's just so hard to find many of them these days. It seems that the nation is now pretty evenly divided between those who are unwilling to surrender their liberty and take responsibility for themselves, and those who only care about freedom from responsibility.

Do others like us? Some do. Some don't. What I really find dismaying is that so many pseudo-Americans don't like America. They have been taught its faults and its flaws. It makes me wonder how they can ever find someone, anyone, or anything to love. No one is perfect, certainly not America. We never lived up to the blueprint cast in the Constitution, although we were striving for it until the Left took command of our educational system and bureaucracy and began diddling with our children, our government, and our economy.

And then there are those who hate America. I'm not surprised when I find such hatred among our enemies, but am totally perplexed when I find it among celebrities who have been given so much unearned wealth and adulation by Americans. Maybe they're really just enemies who live among us.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 26 at 2016 12:49 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 12:49:06 -0400

When the foreigners stop standing in line to get VISAs (and not going home) and immigration to the USA and flooding our borders in every way possible, I will believe they don't like America. What I find irritating is for them to come here from some of the worst countries in the world and want us to govern like their home countries. If these other nations/countries are better, pack your bags and flags and go back home.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 26 at 2016 1:25 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 13:25:42 -0400

I never got the feeling that everybody hates us in my travels, actually I got the feeling they like us although they are not so fond of our Politics or Influence over their countries. The Japanese Protesting our Nuclear Ships arriving at Yokosuka go out of their way to make sure that we know this is not against the US but against Nuclear Propulsion and Nuclear Weapons. Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in England CND was pretty much the same, Their Protest were street parties and street theater to let us know they do not approve of the Nuclear weapons that we bring with us or provide their country. Many don't approve of the Crap we do influencing or even taking over other countries and I can't say I fault them. From putting the Shah in Power in 53 to Pinochet in Chile, we have a wonderful history on putting the most evil men in power.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 26 at 2016 1:48 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 13:48:03 -0400

As I sit here in my Crossed US/British Flag T-Shirt "4th of July US Navy London".

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 26 at 2016 5:20 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 17:20:05 -0400

As SSG Warren Swan said, I really don't care what other countries think of me.
I pretty much mimic his list, though I would have to add a fourth place. Namely I care what my family (wife and daughter) think about me.

But back to your post, I'm not surprised that the world doesn't have a positive view of the USA. Our President managed to get our country's credit rating lowered not once, but twice. Something that has never before happened in the history of the S&P.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Jun 27 at 2016 9:20 AM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:20:18 -0400

Good morning COL Mikel J. Burroughs - My answer to your question will be quick and simple; In so many ways I don't give a rip what the rest of the word thinks of us. We continue, as we have in the past, to reach out and help all in need throughout the world. How many other nations come to the aid of the oppressed in this world? Not many and I'm sure we can name the few that do. "PC" is killing us as well as others in this word that use our own laws against us. We need to continue to stand for our principles, our way of life here in the United States and our "Constitution". We just need to continue to do the best we can. I could go on and on with this subject, but this is enough for now. "Love it or leave it"!!!

Response by Sherry El Dora Trinity made Jun 28 at 2016 7:40 PM

Sherry El Dora Trinity — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 19:40:18 -0400

I really don't think I should render an oppionon because I don't think that we would be friends if I do.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jun 28 at 2016 8:20 PM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 20:20:25 -0400

Haters gonna hate... I don't apologize for being an American and part of the soon to be Best Country in the World again... If Trump wins.... Even though I'm proud of America.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jun 28 at 2016 9:46 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 21:46:17 -0400

Don't think "everyone" dislikes Americans. Like most of us Americans, they like some and dislike others. They like and dislike some of the things our politicians do, but so do I. America is not perfect - people are involved, but it has done a lot of things right.
There are the "Ugly Americans" who adversely impact the way others think of us by their actions and attitudes when they travel out of the USA.
Then there are those that have been fed a constant diet of hate like ISIL. They seem to hate everyone who is not a nutcase Muslim.
Lastly, are those who do not have to travel to create a negative view of America. People like Trump and Trey Gowdy.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jun 29 at 2016 9:25 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 09:25:40 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs there is an old saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. I hope that many around the world do not judge a nation by their diplomats. I hope that they would wait until they actually encounter a person from that nation. That is a double edged sword in its own right. If the American they encounter is an asshole, then they may think that we are all that way. If they meet a good person, then they may think that we are all that way. When I went to France, of course, I had heard all of the cliches about how rude the French are. I discovered that most of the French are wonderful people, bending over backwards to show that the reputation they have based on the people of Paris should not be applied unilaterally. Now the people of Paris, they absolutely lived up to the reputation of being miserable, snobby, elitist, pricks. So overall I think that people are people. In every community you are going to have those that stand out as being overly good people, and those that stand out as the town sphincter. Most are just people trying to get through their lives with the least amount of drama possible.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Jun 29 at 2016 9:50 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 09:50:30 -0400

Good question and to be honest...I just don't care. We have never worried about what others think until the last few regimes in the White House.

Response by SFC Alfredo Garcia made Jun 29 at 2016 10:36 AM

SFC Alfredo Garcia — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 10:36:00 -0400

I think it depends on which countries and our history with them. It also depends on the current state of affairs within each country comparatively. For example, Last year, I had 3 exchange students in my care. The one from Thailand didn't want to leave because of us as a family but she loves her country and America but she wishes to remain Thai. My Spanish student had contempt for our country and was in the program to further her education. She was arrogant, defied rules if should could get away with it. She was taught to still harbor resentment due to the Spanish-American War. I live in Florida and she would quip that this land belonged to Spain with a subtle vehemence. This is what she taught. We are the evil empire. Of course they gloss over the atrocities that the Spanish empire put forth in the past. By the time she left, her eyes were wider open but they will be closed once again when she returns. I also lived in Spain as kid and they accepted me due to my hispanic heritage but despised the fact I was American. Not much changed. My Vietnamese student was the one I feared for obvious reasons. In short, she wants to stay in America, become an American and absolutely loves what America stands for and what it offers.

Next week we will get another Spanish student from a different part of Spain and we will see how that goes. In August, I will get another Vietnamese student and a German student. Pre-interviews have been very positive with all 3 students. Ask this question again in a year.

Lastly, not all hatred or dislike of America and/or Americans is based on history or global current events. Some is downright jealousy or even lifestyle.

Response by Jahn Warner Laster made Jun 29 at 2016 11:59 AM

Jahn Warner Laster — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 11:59:44 -0400

I've traveled a lot and lived in Japan, Australia, Puerto Rico..never had an anti-American vibe.. I find if I'm respectful and courteous I am treated in kind..

Response by Anita Nowocin made Jun 29 at 2016 4:28 PM

Anita Nowocin — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:28:44 -0400

Encouraging positive statements, examples of positive actions, and what it means to be an American is important. I appreciate all of the views that have been shared on RallyPoint.

Response by LTC Jesse Edwards made Jun 30 at 2016 10:04 AM

LTC Jesse Edwards — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 10:04:58 -0400

I don't blame our international friends. Their media is much more controlled than our own. From my travels, I've picked up on the ongoing attacks on the United States. Ask a European about Trump and what you get is vomit passed from the mouths of the media into the public that eats it up (this is not an endorsement of Trump, it is only used as an indicator of media manipulation). I was in Nuremberg in 2008 and was asked by a local woman what I thought of Obama. I told her that I thought he would make an awful President. Her immediate reaction? She started yelling at me a slew of insults that include the highly anticipated "Racist" allegation. She didn't get that on her own.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 11:24 AM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 11:24:12 -0400

Some may hate what they view the arch typical American to be. However, having just returned from a two week trip throughout Europe, they love Americans who are ambassadors for what we stand for and are compassionate to people from other cultures. I fit in well abroad because I attempt to learn as much language and culture as I can.

Response by SGT Robert George made Jun 30 at 2016 11:37 AM

SGT Robert George — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 11:37:51 -0400

When you are no#1 of course you are going to get a lot of naysayers , and then born into different cultures and not knowing anything different than the surroundings a person grows up in , adds more contention to things .. So being #1 is like standing Guard Duty !!! Luke 12:39

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Jun 30 at 2016 5:47 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 17:47:23 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I worked with a woman who survived the Cambodian 'killing fields' who loves America and would never want to be anywhere else. She was refreshing...

Response by MSgt William Shimmin made Jul 1 at 2016 6:28 PM

MSgt William Shimmin — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 18:28:42 -0400

Mike, thats a question demanding a spread sheet. I'll be up front and say there are some Americans who I don't see at all as American due the fact they don't believe in adherence to our Constitution. They want a transcending document relative to social desires within the given era. There people want to be something other than what our country was founded upon and for. These people would just as soon redefine our nation under a "global flag" of U.N cooperation and embracement of the U.N.'s Agenda 23, along with the U.S. Constitution being adopted as the U.N has it already rewritten.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 9:09 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 21:09:10 -0400

Worth the watch -- great perspective on America... every warm-blooded America should watch this.

http://youtu.be/gcyNXxrfJIQ

Watch America Imagine the World Without Her Watch Movies Online Free

A story that questions the shaming of the US through revisionist history, lies and omissions by educational institutions, political organizations, Alinsky, B...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 6 at 2016 2:13 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 14:13:20 -0400

To be honest I am not very interested in what major news organization report about how foreigners feel about the USA. I have long debated my European cousins on this matter. they tend to be much more liberal than I have ever been.
I am more concerned about hos people in this nation "feel" about this nation. While there have always been rebels, in general most citizens have appreciated and been thankful for the USA and our flag. There seems to have been more instances of citizens of the USA misusing and abusing the flag.
I think the flag of the USA similar to the carefully balanced freedoms and responsibilities contained in our shared constitution and bill of rights offend a very vocal minority. Most of our citizens and even many illegal aliens are thankful for this nation which has been a melting pot since it was a group of individual colonies.
Progressives/liberals tend to focus on increasing "benefits" to those that merit them.
There are some who are focused on limiting the activity of those they disagree with including those who advocate: right for individuals to bear arms; right to life from before the cradle until the grave; sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman; etc.
This last group are the ones who tend to despise the flag and what it represents.
Since you tagged me again I ma making my second response COL Mikel J. Burroughs
FYI LTC Stephen C. LTC Private RallyPoint Member CW5 Charlie Poulton CSM Charles Hayden SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SGT Private RallyPoint Member SGT Robert George SGT Forrest Stewart SPC Private RallyPoint Member SN Greg Wright PO2 Ed C.

Response by SGT C Mendez made Jul 7 at 2016 2:18 PM

SGT C Mendez — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:18:27 -0400

It depends. It's like the rumor mill. All it takes is one person to disagree or have beef with a certain issue and poof...it will poison the minds of others who are too afraid to voice their own opinions or think for themselves.

Response by MSgt Ken Flood made Jul 9 at 2016 7:01 PM

MSgt Ken Flood — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 19:01:27 -0400

Anti-Americanism started long before the "war on terrorism". Like right after the War of 1812, the Mexican American war, the Spanish American war, WWI, WWII, the Korean war, the Viet Nam war, the Faulkin Island, every time we tried to save some other country we became more hated. I started my career nearly 50 years ago and in virtually every country I was assigned to or went TDY to we were hated!

Response by PFC Craig Karshner made Aug 8 at 2022 8:25 AM

PFC Craig Karshner — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 08:25:29 -0400

One thing we as Americans must remember not everyone thinks like us. We have many freedoms not available in other countries we have lots of choices not available in other countries. We must take care of America and Americans home is where the heart is. Let's give heart back to America God bless my fellow warriors...Rangers lead the way