[Riddil]

Which is the next thing that the US needs to learn... when people don't like you the very last thing you want to do is get in everyone's faces and try to impose your will.

It's sad to say it... but there's actually a big similarity between modern day politics and internet forums. It's all changed b/c global media / communications has created a new-found globally aware perspective. To see the similarities just take a look at the modern forum... if someone is well respected, in a position of power, and out-spoken then there's no end to the string of forum trolls that do everything they can to knock the king-of-the-hill off his perch.

The lesson the world needs to learn is you *can't* win against the trolls. There's only two solutions: you either have to own the forum so you can ban on a whim (a la Something Awful), or you just have to keep a low profile. The US can't own the whole world, and we're doing a god-awful job of keeping a low profile. The idea of "keeping a low profile" is why I really like the motto, "walk softly and carry a big stick." Unfortunately our mantra now reads more like "stomp loudly and use a stick on people who complain". You're not going to make many friends that way.

The Muslim nation *will* change for the better, they *will* grow up. Eventually. They'll get smarter, more globally aware... eventually. Will it be before we have a nuke-u-lar war? That I don't know. I hope not, but right now the odds aren't looking too good.