Also: yeah, America's just-about off its little pedestal.
OK, some of this is bound to piss someone off so please don't take it as a personal response Le Fou, it is just something I thought about when I read your post.

Sometimes its frustrating, as an American, when people attack America and by default, intentionally or not, blanket all the citizens of the country in the same ball. For the most part were all the same, the whole world wide, some just have more means that others but the people are the same. We all like Poker right? We all like women and a good brew right! And, think about the fact that everyone has always wanted to come to the USA. Think about all the great things we have accomplished in the past and whatever nation you are from I bet you will come up with something positive that we have contributed to your country.

Sometimes its nice to get clarification from people when they are talking about our foreign policys for example vs. the people of America in general. Most of the American people are good hard working people who don't care for politics and don't want to start problems with other people etc...we just want to provide for our familys and get along. Of course, I know most thinking people know this. I just wanted to say it.

Although there are a certain number of Americans who have definately bought into the "I want it all and I want it now" or the "I'm an American God Damnit, you can't do this to me" mentality. (Think our current leadership)

Now, for example, There are a ton of things I could say bad about China and I would want to personally clarify that it is in no way meant to disrespect the common men and women of China but her own foreign and domestic policys could use some help based on the kind of country I would want to live in. The same goes for N. Korea, most of the Pan Arabic nations and many Central/S. American nations to name a few. Everybody has problems we just happen to be the big boy on the block right now being scrutinized as we poke into others affairs, and rightfully so I suppose.

Having said that, I do think we will, by peaceful means, be knocked off our pedastal so to speak but thats not neccassarily a bad thing. Every other country in the world is second to the US in most tangably measured aspects (except gradeschool education surprisingly) because of the position of power we currently hold and they seem to get along just fine. I actually hope that China and the USA will form a mutually beneficial relationship, get other nations involved and help peacefully stabalise the world somewhat from where it is at today.

I just wonder if China will take the same abuse over everything they do worldwide when they assume the mantle of First Power on Earth? Remember its very PC to talk shit about the USA these days the world over and very non-PC to talk shit about any other country. I suppose the same will hold true in reverse whomever assumes this position next.

Personally, the nicest place I've even been in the world was Vancouver B.C. I think the Canadians, in many respects are doing it right and us Yanks could learn a thing or three from them.