Anti-Americanism in Ireland

It's Dubya and the notion that Americans are dumb just because a lot of dumb stuff is reported from there. But I haven't observed it to be as widespread here as you say, OP.

Athlone_Bhoy wrote: »

I doubt bombing the **** out of other countries has anything to do with it

Well it shouldn't in fairness, unless all Americans support the Iraq invasion, which all don't of course.

JaneLane wrote: »

Every country hates America.

That's true. OP, stop discriminating against the Irish!

Here is an example of stupidity from America (not using it as proof that all Americans are stupid btw, just wanted to paste it):

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infotech/internet/Facebook-picture-of-baby-with-bong-triggers-outrage-probe/articleshow/6096080.cms

Osu wrote: »

Being Irish-American born in the US to Irish parents this is my point of view on the avid anti-American stance in Ireland.

I find it quite funny and hilariously sad the severe Anti-American stance in Ireland. Some people I meet in Ireland have some sort of hatred towards the States. For what reason, I can't comprehend. It makes no sense at all the fact that a lot of Irish people seem to think it's okay to hate America.

It makes no sense at all. Any Anti-American topic on here seems to go down well, but any topic regarding any any-British content seems to be a taboo subject for you guys.

I can't get my head around this fact that you hate us more than you hate the British. We have been the most accepting country of Irish immigrants, we are the country who love the Irish, yet we're hated.

We have never tried to colonize your country, obviously, yet the Anti-American bias holds stronger than the anti-British bias over here. That point is merely a comparison between ourselves and the British.

Can somebody shed some light on this for me? Why are Americans hated over here?

Any great reasons?

I do not agree that the Irish have more resentment towards the American people than we have for the British. Just because you read it here on boards doesn't mean it's actually true. The United States has been very good to Ireland over the decades, mainly, as you well know yourself, because of the cultural and family ties. I suppose historically we cannot find huge reasons to hate the United States based on Irish-American relations (Apart from the maltreatment of the Irish because of their religious beliefs when they were integrating into American society during the 19th century).

We do, however, have historical reasons to hate the British (700 years worth actually plus disagreement with Britain's policies in Northern Ireland). This seemingly hereditary hatred of the British (especially the English) will probably remain in the Irish psyche for the next hundred years or so but history can never really be denied I think.

'Anti-Americanism' has only really developed in the last 15 years. I suppose the main reasons it developed are because a lot of Americans come across as ignorant and arrogant (thinking that they are always better than everyone else) and the foreign policy of the United State's government, especially under Bush. The invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan really did tarnish public opinion of the United States mainly because of opposition of the invasions (especially Iraq). This condemnation existed in many other parts of Europe, not just in Ireland. The United States also sees itself as 'leader of the free world' which really doesn't go down well in Europe and also the fact that they act as though they are a 'global police force'. I would go so far as saying that American foreign policy is almost like a modern form of imperialism, again another source of resentment.

The arrogance and ignorance I mentioned exists and is quite obvious when talking to some Americans,to a large extent on the internet but sometimes in public too. A lot of Americans seem to be very assertive and too outspoken. When I'm on youtube and other international internet forums Americans seem to make preliminary assumptions that your views are in reference to the United States. For example, I was watching a documentary (not even a remotely about America) on youtube and I left a comment. Then someone replied to my comment and made reference to 'this country' instead of saying America, making a preliminary assumption that everyone watching the video was American (I knew the person was American because I read their profile).

As I said Americans come across as quite ignorant but I would not call them stupid. I just think it is their presentation and accent that make them look and sound stupid but I do not think they're in any way lacking in intelligence in comparison to other nationalities. While British people might look smart and even sound smart with their accent, I would view them as having equal intelligence as the Americans, as these videos below might show;

Athlone_Bhoy wrote: »

Seriously Bush was president so how stupid do Americans have to be? You can always make a reason for the first time been elected but the second?

There's a old saying in.... Oh never mind

I can't believe 41.6% of the Irish electorate voted for Fianna Fáil in 2007. They must have all been imbeciles.

I have no problems with the US, indeed i like all things American. Sure there are some dumb people but this is the nation that put man on the moon and have given us almost every scientific breakthrough in the past century.

Saying all Americans are stupid is about the most ignorant and uneducated statement one can make.