November 17, 2005
POST-WAR RESPITE:
More Americans want US to mind its own business (AFP, 11/17/05)
Concern about the US campaign in Iraq has led a growing number of Americans to believe that the United States should not meddle overseas, according to an opinion poll."The percentage of Americans who agree that the 'US should mind its own business internationally and let other countries get along the best they can on their own' has risen from 30 percent in 2002 to 42 percent currently," the poll, conducted by the Pew Research Center in Washington, showed.
"This is on par with the percentage expressing that view during the mid-1970s, following the Vietnam War, and in the 1990s after the Cold War ended," it added.
The majority should be expected to narrow after we've won the most recent war and are in mop-up posture, as now. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 17, 2005 2:21 PM
We did that, it's called "The Vacation Decade."
And look at where it's gotten US.
Posted by: Sandy P at November 17, 2005 2:47 PMI'd rather we mind our own business as well. However, as long as WMD can fit into carry on luggage and a terrorist can fly to just about anywhere in the world in a day, just minding our own business is unwise.
Posted by: Rick T. at November 17, 2005 3:31 PMRick T. hit the nail on the head. But why should anyone take ANY poll seriously when most Americans could not even name their own congress person. Ever since the mid 90's every time I see or hear the word 'poll' I want to jump off a cliff. Who freaking cares!?
Posted by: BJW at November 17, 2005 3:51 PMRick: "as long as WMD can fit into carry on luggage and a terrorist can fly to just about anywhere in the world in a day", then what happens in Iraq, Iran, etc., IS our business...
Posted by: b at November 17, 2005 3:59 PMAmerica's default state is isolationist and always has been. It is part of its Jacksonian nature; we want to leave alone and be left alone. Before Pearl Harbor FDR had to tap-dance with Lend-Lease because he knew the opposition to "fighting another European war".
Posted by: Gideon at November 17, 2005 4:39 PMSandy:
Where? How much better do you expect American life to be?
Posted by: oj at November 17, 2005 4:48 PMThat's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking militarily, 9/11.
We also have disengaged from communism and our neighbors to the south are once again turning red.
I really hated the 70s and now they're back.
I just can't believe the Greatest Generation raised a generation of LOSERS!
Posted by: Sandy P at November 17, 2005 6:13 PMYes, and? The military was more than ample for our response. Indeed, it's because it remains bloated that we overcommitted to an occupation.
Posted by: oj at November 17, 2005 6:20 PMOr because we didn't have the guts to do what needed to be done.
LOSERS!
Posted by: Sandy P at November 17, 2005 9:03 PM