It's the big kid on the block syndrome Pen. This is only natural. That male take care of your own teaching again. Anything you see as a possible threat you make your presence felt, even if it's not looking good for you. Or so goes the theoretical game plan. Personally I see it as the worst possible choice of ways to defend. In my way of thinking you wait until a threat identifies itself, then counter appropriately. Preferably with some type of ploy that leads to attention or dedication of resources away from the point of worst potential. I like the John Pershing method of military conquest, where one tries to accomplish victory without physically engaging the enemy. It's always best if you aren't forced to actually fight in your battles.

For the same reasons, many around the globe are no longer fond of us. The change from everybody loving America to this took place after the end of WWII in every nation other than Russia, where many still reel over our invasion of Siberia in support of the White Russians back in 1919. That was caused by a misjudgment on Woodrow Wilson's part. He thought the Russian people were not supportive of the revolution. Teddy Roosevelt warned against taking actions of that nature in the days when he was making it clear that we could no longer avoid the world stage. Instead you wait for who ever to request your help. Our brief history on the international front is littered with misguided, but well intentioned moves of that nature. Very few people are as wise as Teddy was about such things. Hence, our inexperience in these things shines through clearly everytime we jump to help where it's neither needed or wanted. While said people would probably accomplish their goals far easier with the help, people do like to take care of their affairs themselves.

But that has not prevented a tremendous influence over the entire planet by us. Without even trying no less. When you are the yardstick people use for comparison, everybody strives to copy you. In my opinion they should not do that, opting instead to do things in their own way and style. And though this may surprise a lot of folks, most Americans would prefer that everybody conduct their affairs in that manner. Have you ever noticed how many things from all sorts of cultures has been incorporated into America? That is our way. Mix the best of everybody else with the best from us, and you should find yourself far better for doing so. It makes great sense to me, and has always worked. We are citizens of planet Earth first and foremost after all. Nationalism rates a distant second. Someday people will get it.

Tim