Quarrelsome Allies and Real Enemies

There are two sources of criticism of America: From quarrelsome allies and from real enemies. The French criticize America, but they do not want to see America destroyed. ISIS, Taliban and Boka Haram do.

Many young people develop anti-American convictions in their learning stages, but come around when they realize what other systems look like. Reading Ward Churchill got me to hate the Western civilization and to drop out of society; but I found myself in the path of some very good people who helped me out during that time. From seeing their example I developed respect and appreciation for America and American people, so now America has my loyalty.

In addition to quarrelsome allies and real enemies, there are also powers that are neither. China and Russia are neither allies nor enemies of America; they pursue their own interest and work with Americans when it is in their benefit to do so. When Boris Yeltsin and Jiang Zemin met to create a multi-polar-bear world, they were articulating something that has since then become more entrenched. Neither country is crazy enough to start an outright war against America; but there will always be people in both countries who are very anti-American and who will want to influence their countries' policies in that direction.

The quarrelsome allies and real enemies must be treated differently based on what they are. You don't carpet-bomb France, nor do you invite terrorists into the US Congress. Some of the criticisms of the French are legitimate; and America would in fact benefit from having better art and poetry and possessing more respect for such things. From those who actually want to see America destroyed, America has the right to defend itself.

It is imperative to see the difference between quarrelsome allies and real enemies and treat them accordingly.