Response to: Michael O' Keefe - US Military Bases & Anti-Americanism

         "In 1997 Richard Haas described the US as a 'reluctant sheriff' who’s military was simultaneously viewed as the world's policemen as well as an imperial force." Why is the United States military viewed in such a negative way? It's as if anti-Americanism spread like an infectious virus, and the most powerful country in the world is now viewed as a contagious disease. "Stay away" outsiders of the US say, you can hear them clamor. They don't want to catch whatever it is we're spreading around. To be honest, I'm not sure I'd want to either.
            My brother and I thrive on conspiracy theory movies. I do not always believe them - but they are interesting nonetheless. I was brought up in an American-Brazilian household, which was based upon both cultures. My mother is very conservative, and my father is also conservative, but slightly more liberal. Neither will watch them with us, but we do for a reason. We don't want to be blinded by the corruption existing in this world; we want to open our eyes, when the United States government wishes so strongly we'd shut them. What is there to hide? Why haven't all of the government's activities been exposed? Don't the people of this country have a right to know?
              There was a polygamous group living in Waco, Texas an extremely conservative town in the south. Interracial relationships were forming, and the community was growing. They were a religious group of people called the "Branch Davidians: Students of the Seven Seals". There was has never been any knowledge of any wrongdoing, or that the group was harmful in any way. So why, did the military act in such a violent way? They said it was an accident; they even tried to change their story, but they couldn't. I watched as a branch of the United States military shot and killed innocent civilians - consisting not only of adults, but the worst kind of slaughter, children. Why did they do this? They committed this unfathomable sin because they did not agree with the way these people were living their life. The US Military appears to do anything when it comes down to the sacrifice of the way they think life in this country should be lived.
                The country in which we live is complex; one is not able to comprehend its monstrous power by taking but a fleeting glimpse; one cannot digest the benefits of life here, as well as the downfalls of life as a citizen of the United States of America. Our military force is one of the strongest in the world. We are one of the biggest threats to other countries. We not only have the power to destroy what they know and love in times of war, but we also have the power to try and change the way they carry out their lives. What if your life is not seen as proper or acceptable in the eyes of our government? What happens then?