2004 Summer Olympics

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Wow, I know what you mean. Letting professional atheletes compete in an international amateur event is ridiculous.

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Professional athletes have always been part of the modern day Olympics. What do you think state sponsored athletes are? Athletes that are paid to be athletes. It just so happens that US professional athletes tend to be paid a little more than other professional athletes. Many times, athletes that win gold medals are awarded large cash rewards by their governments, such as the 100,000 dollar reward that a Ukranian femal swimmer earned today.

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Apparently, they (the Greek security) thought that Americans are too unpopular these days.

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When have we ever been popular in Europe?In many ways, we are Europe's redneck cousin who live in a trailer park, so I can't say I really blame them anyway.

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I understand that, but I don't have to agree with it.

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I do understand your sentiment, don't get me wrong. I just get frustrated with the idea that professionals don't deserve to compete just because they are "too good". That was the purpose of the olympics to begin with (as in ancient Greece), a coming together of the world's top atheletes. I often hear the argument that amateur atheletes appreciate competing more than professional atheletes. Using that argument, I would bet that a local YMCA team would appreciate playing in the Olympics more than a team made up of college players.The US didn't start the trend, they simply started losing because they sent their second tier atheletes and too many people started complaining. All of these other countries started getting uppity, so we sent the A team to shut them up.After saying all this, I wouldn't mind seeing the USA basketball team get their comeuppance. Anything that wipes that smirk off of Allan Iverson's face is worth it.

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After WW I

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After WW II

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Anytime a country needs our money, in government aid or tourism dollars.

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After 9/11 until Bush screwed it up.

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Yeah, I guess. It was meant as more of a rhetorical question. However, there is a difference between the governments of two nations and the people of two nations. A friend told me once that I shouldn't feel bad if the French hate us since no one in Europe likes the French. It may not be true, but it is good for a little laugh here and there. I do feel that anti-American sentiments have been building since the end of the Cold War, and perhaps a little bit before that. It may not be totally uncalled for since it is a human foible to dislike those countries that are more powerful than your own. I guess it is just live and let live.

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If you behave badly, your behaviour will be criticised: that is a long way from "anti-americanism" or hate. If you want to stop being ill thought of, or want to improve your reputation, then change your behaviour.

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I totally agree with you Contra. I don't blame people for disliking and criticising America. The first step towards repairing that damage will hopefully start with the November elections. Unfortunately, even a Democratic, liberal president may not ensure unilateral and fair treatment of problems worldwide, but it will at least be a step in the right direction. Next, we have to boycott O'Reilly and Limbaugh to stop hate speech veiled as "conservativism". O'Reilly calling for a boycott of French products was probably the best example of an ego gone bad. His actions should not go unpunished.