Back in High School, I had a friend who was one of those blissfully ignorant worshippers of Japan, importing her Anime and Manga, and whatnot. Then one day I bring in a book on War Plan Orange (Which basically points out that the overall strategy used in the Pacific Theater of WWII was conceived of in the 1890's). Needless to say, at some point she brings up the Atomic Bombs, and gets fustrated when her love of anime can't hold against my logic, and ended up getting thrown out of the library.
Haven't talked to her since.
And speaking for myself (And being American), I take no offense, Qhimm, and wholeheartedly agree with you. And the only reason the US
really shows any interest in the Middle East squables, is
a) In a fit of Holocaust-induced Guilt, we (and some other countries) decided to establish a homeland for Jews; but neglected to take into account the people who were
already there. "Whups."
b) American society is dominated by Soccer Moms who have evolved from driving around in Station Wagons, to Minivans, and
now cruise around in the largest, most expensive, top-heavy, gas-guzzling and view-of-the-road-to-anyone-stuck-behind-one deathtraps known as the "SUV", and
God forbid
they have to worry about where the gas comes from when they say "Fill 'er up".
There's no benevolence or charitable concern on America's part in anything going on in the Middle East; just Enlightened Self-Interest.
And to anyone who owns a SUV, and doesn't live out in the middle-of-nowhere Montana or some other location without proper roads and such...
Stuff the kids in the back of the Station Wagon like I had to put up with when I was wee. I don't feel like getting drafted someday, just to fuel your Ego, and your Grand Cherokee >
And since Qhimm brought it up, Public Education is the single greatest Waste known to Man. Over here, anyway. New York started introducing "higher standards" in the form of longer and more complicated State Regents Exams...But when they got back test results saying something along the lines of only %20 of those who were going to take them would pass, they lowered the passing grade to 55%. Most schools (including my own) also got around the new regents their own way, by having the students take them half-way through the year, instead of as finals (when the new ones were to debut)
How much of the People's Money went into that whole debacle? Don't remember offhand, but knowing the government, probably a few million, at least.
What actually changed? Nothing, as far as I could tell.
The best quote to describe America nowadays is the classic;
Beware of Stupid people in Large Groups.
