Will this presidential election discredit America, no matter the winner, in the eyes of the world?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 15:52:14 -0400

Response by SPC James Harsh made Aug 27 at 2016 4:22 PM

SPC James Harsh — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:22:13 -0400

In my opinion Hillary=yes, Trump=no.

America leads the world in many ways, whether it tends to believe that or not. During President Obama's 8yr tenure, he has driven the American society to be more like European society, to me that is the wrong answer.

Response by SFC George Smith made Aug 27 at 2016 4:25 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:25:42 -0400

It already Has...

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 27 at 2016 4:37 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:37:57 -0400

After the past eight years, they idolize one of the most incompetent administrations in modern history. As long as we protect their interests and pay them quiet money, they will pretend to love us. Look at how well the Iranian "deal" worked out.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 4:45 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:45:51 -0400

It will depend on the performance of the one elected.

Perhaps if WE quit degrading the candidates others would not be as judgmental.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 27 at 2016 4:52 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:52:57 -0400

America has already been discredited. Our current President has done a better job than any one else at bad mouthing America around the globe. And then there's the matter of the nominations. Neither casts America in a very good light. Still, I don't think we've reached bottom, not yet. There's still a few sparks of decency to be extinguished and I'm sure the next President will teach us why Smokey he Bear carries a shovel.

Response by CW4 Larry Curtis made Aug 27 at 2016 6:22 PM

CW4 Larry Curtis — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 18:22:57 -0400

I always felt, especially while I was on active duty, that delving into politics was sort of a taboo subject because no matter who wins an election, we are at their service. In my opinion things really started becoming strange for those of us on active duty when Mr. Clinton was elected. I do not wish to belabor the point, but there seemed to be a shift in values as the military seemed to become more of a social experiment, and that our president appeared, numerous times, to exude a particular disdain for the military. Since retiring in 1994 I have seldom visited any installations unless I had some sort of official business to deal with, such as renewing an ID card, and only occasionally going shopping at the exchange and commissary. It has been well over a decade or longer since I've been shopping though. I no longer live near any installation of significance being in the Houston area. I know I've rambled a little off-topic, but I said all that to say that now I feel free to "let her rip" over politics. But to my younger comrades in arms who may still be on active duty, I would caution you about "letting her rip", especially here on social media. Opinions are going to be all over the map regarding political stuff, as well as your place in the grand scheme of things political. Upholding, protecting and defending constitutional rights is a difficult thing for us in many ways because to a certain degree we are not allowed to fully exercise them. It can be a soup sandwich sometimes. Just be on your guard, my fellow servicemembers. I WILL say this, however, and that would be that I am very worried about the person who seems to have no regard for Information Security becoming the next president. And I will just leave it at that. Air Assault!

Response by Sgt Jason West made Aug 27 at 2016 7:47 PM

Sgt Jason West — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 19:47:00 -0400

It already has...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 8:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 20:55:26 -0400

Only if Trump wins.

Response by MSgt Timothy Kevin Whiteman made Aug 27 at 2016 9:04 PM

MSgt Timothy Kevin Whiteman — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 21:04:21 -0400

"discredit America, no matter the winner, in the eyes of the world" -- as compared to the past eight years? BTW, who gives a rat's ass what "the world" thinks of us? They always have and always will hate us. Only diff, under obama, the world has learned to tell America to fuck off.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 9:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 21:08:07 -0400

As a passionate amateur photographer of more than 35 years I participate in many photography groups, competitions, workshops and trips, both in person and online. In particular, I am involved in many activities relating to the Leica brand, of which I am a long-time and passionate user and owner.

While most of my discussions are about photography, including technique, equipment, destinations and of course critique of our work, other subjects frequently come up. This year, the 2016 US presidential election is something that dozens upon dozens of photographers from around the world have asked me as well as my fellow American photographers about.

Everyone I've spoken to in Korea, Japan, UAE, Lebanon, the UK, Taiwan, China, Israel, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Canada, Nigeria, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia, Ukraine, New Zealand, Vietnam and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few countries, almost all of them ask me how such a disgusting person as Trump can seriously be one of our major part nominees.

As for Clinton, comments are mostly that she screwed up on the email thing, but otherwise is a very solid and experienced choice and will probably make an excellent president.

Likewise these people all express admiration for Barack Obama.

Only in Korea and Israel do I have military acquaintances. In all of those other countries my friends are all photographers. Some are professionals, others are business people, doctors, policemen, retirees, teachers, laborers, artists, homemakers, farmers and even two politicians (one is senior government minister in United Arab Emirates and one is a member of the Scottish Parliament). Most are quite wealthy, most have at least a bachelor's degree and most would be considered political moderates or liberals if placed on the American spectrum.

Of all of these people, not one has had anything good to say about Donald Trump. Not one.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2016 11:27 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 23:27:39 -0400

We've been discredited since 2008. This is just more icing on the cake to prove the last two fiascos were not political flukes!!!

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2016 5:13 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 05:13:26 -0400

To me saying, "F*ck the rest of the world, who cares what they think..." Basically equates to... let's build as many enemies as we can and see how long it takes for them to turn on us, which indeed is insane. We need foreign policy/relations so yes I agree, this is important. I don't however think electing either one means complete failure, not at all. But to answer the question, I believe it already has. The rest of the world knows what is happening in this election as much as we do. They see HRC as a crooked, lying candidate like many Americans do. Just as well, they see Trump as a radical, hot-headed, act-first, think-second republican with no previous political experience. Russia and North Korea have already made statements about Trump being president and they love the idea. They believe he will lead us into self-destruction. Now is this true for either candidate? Not necessarily, but you cannot change the views of the rest of the world until they see something to prove otherwise.