Originally Posted by jrh72582

I think we're safer with Obama for one simple reason. Bush inspired so much hatred of us abroad. He created a whole new generation of terrorists. Anytime we invade and force our will upon others, the victims tend to hold aggressive thoughts. Many will act on them. Bush was hated for his judgment and hypocrisy - he was polarizing and made us less safe.

If we lessen our imperialistic expansion, then the hatred dissolves and less act violently towards us. It's a simple concept. Aggression is reciprocated, as is peace (for the most part). The one thing I do like about Obama is his laissez faire, rational approach to foreign affairs. He doesn't shoot from the hip. I like that a lot. In my opinion, America doesn't have to comment on every foreign affair - we are not the barometer for righteousness and need to mind our own damn business.

Look at developed, peaceful countries. Are they attacked as often? Are terrorists devoting their lives to destroying them? No. Canada, Australia (one could argue), and dozens of European countries are not targets because they mind their own damn business. People tend to get pissed when you stick your nose in their business. Rome thought of herself as the world authority and inspired the ire of millions. They eventually collapsed under this force.

So now one might say that America is not an aggressor - one might argue that we don't stick our nose in other people's business. Or you might claim that when we do, it's justified. Hogwash. America paid Bin Laden to fight the Russians. Now he's fighting us and all of a sudden he's a terrorist (keep in mind, I hope we catch that fucker and kill him, but it's still a bit hypocritical). America sanctioned numerous murders and coups in Central America (research the School of the Americas, the Jesuit murders, etc...). America is not pure. I like our country and our people. I dislike our government. So I separate the two. Our people are nice and don't deserve to carry the blame of the government, but when terrorists act, the often do. This saddens me. If the terrorists focused their attention on our government, which acts heinously at times, I wouldn't be so crestfallen.

So no, I don't think Bush made us safer. He made us a target. He made me realize why we're hated abroad.