Liberty or Death

I thought this article was an interesting look into how Europeans view us. Much of what the author describes in not new, the perception of crudeness and bellicosity on the part of Americans.

But when the Americans speak of freedom, we should not imagine, in our
cynical and worldly-wise way, that they are merely using that word as a
cloak for realpolitik. They are not above realpolitik, but they also mean
what they say.

I always assumed old Europe's outlook and prescriptions for the worlds problems stemmed weakness, not a view of the outside world as insincere. That might explain their eagerness to appease men like Ahmadinejad.