The Fearful Superpower

America won't get over being the most paranoid country on the planet as long as Bush remains in office - nor, I suppose, if Gulianni becomes president. Personally, I hope Fred Thompson becomes president, because he doesn't rush to conclusions like the rest of the candidates seem to.

This article was very insightful. Thank you Mr. Zakaria. I have witnessed the Bush Administration turn our nation into a nation of fearful xenaphobes. This is sad. It reminds me of the Soviets during thier heyday, seeing threats everywhere where none existed. It reminds of the Germans during Hitler's rise to power when no one spoke out against the hatred that spewed forth. Under the current regime, we're headed in the same direction. We cannopt live in fear, no matter what the demogogic Repubs speil.

This article was very insightful. Thank you Mr. Zakaria. I have witnessed the Bush Administration turn our nation into a nation of fearful xenaphobes. This is sad. It reminds me of the Soviets during thier heyday, seeing threats everywhere where none existed. It reminds of the Germans during Hitler's rise to power when no one spoke out against the hatred that spewed forth. Under the current regime, we're headed in the same direction. We cannopt live in fear, no matter what the demogogic Repubs speil.

Any leader that spreads hate and fear in this country should be impeached. Gulianni thinks that spreading fear in his campagin will win him the election. Hey it worked for Bush and Cheney. He is running on 9/11 just like Bush did. Smack him down America. Its Hillary or Obama, but personally I prefer Edwards!

This article really puts into perspective the opinion and way of thinking of practically every nation that is an ally or at least sympathetic to the US, that as the worlds only remaining superpower the US is able to exert its influence without any real opposition or reservation, this in itself, to be honest, is no different than what any other regime or state would do if it had the chance, but in this case the resentment towards the US government (not its people) is its dual positions on the actions it criticizes of other nations??? for years it was denouncing china for practicing torture, and currently is foolishly debating the very definition and reach of forceful interrogations (to me torture), it has singled out nations that do not adhere to its ???standards??? in fishing and farming, yet it opposes every position of the Kyoto protocol regarding harmful emissions, pollution and atmospheric care, it tries to justify its aggressions with lies and when discovered changes the justification for it (Iraq)???

If and when the American people actually realize the extent of damage done to their standing as a world leader because of these policies, they can pressure their leaders for change so they can regain their stature before the world, which will be all but impossible as long as their government remains on the same course of action.

This article is absolutely correct. The Republicans, and the Democrats by their complicity and cowardly inaction, have turned this nation's peoples into paranoid xenophobes. The Republicans offer war, hatred, and fear as the formula to win office and because of that, we have become cowards, afraid to engage the rest of the world as leaders should. We must heed Churchill's warning concerning fear and re-engage the rest of the world.

This is absolutely the most important issue facing the US today. The Republicans, and Democrats by their cowardly inaction, have turned the vast majority of this nation's people into paranoid xenophobes. The Republican candidates offer war, hate, division, and fear to motivate the vote. We must defeat this fear - in the footsteps of Churchill - and return to the world as leaders not cowards lashing out at everything and everyone who are not similarly fearful.