United Fruit and Guatemala

I was listening to NPR this morning, and heard a bit on United Fruit
Company...this seems, to me, to tie in well with all of the discussions
about did the US "deserve" what happened on 9-11, and how folks around
the globe might perceive us. They talked about how huge United was, and
how occasionally they would "throw their weight around;" they (NPR) said
that United encouraged the USA to overthrow a "leftist" government in
Guatemala in 1954 (which they said was elected to office), because
United was afraid they "would be bad for business." Yow...if this is
true, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if it was, it may well sum up
what has been repeatedly said, by numerous folks, since 9-11...that the
US has certainly pushed it's power around the globe, over and over,
interfering in the affairs of other countries, if the US thought it was
in "our national interests." Perhaps that is why many nations loathe us,
unfortunately...and, I cannot say, in all truth, that I blame them.
Again, the concept of "Manifest destiny" seems to rear it's perverted
little head...that "we," meaning the US govt, have the right to take
whatever we want, because we are superior, for some unknown reason, to
others. If I sound a bit angry, it's because I feel that this attitude
is the cause of many of the world's ills (and, again, other nations have
done the same over the years...the US seems to be the best at it, and
the biggest). Because of these dishonorable policies, much hate and
negative spiritual energy has been generated over the years...not to
mention the millions of lives lost needlessly, the tribes and
civilizations exterminated, all in the name of "civilization" (and
business). I do feel that those who lost their lives in the Trade Center
horror were innocent victims; but, because they were in America (and, of
course, not all were Americans), they happened to be in the line of fire
when someone decided to teach the US a lesson. And, I feel very strongly
that this is just the first shot, that much lunacy and destruction is on
the way. Perhaps some of this could be avoided if certain national
policies were changed, and fast. But, that would mean a total
re-evaluation of who we are as a nation, that perhaps our national
interests are not necessarily the most important concerns on this Earth,
and that other nationalities have the inherent right to live life as
they see fit, without the USA deciding how their governments should be
structured. Yow...yes, that upset me to hear that on the news today,
because, in a nutshell, I think it said volumes about why the world is
in such a mess...Hstick

In a message dated 11/29/01 6:59:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,
STICK@... writes:

> they happened to be in the line of fire
>

Really, Neil? Would you feel differently if your neighborhood was mowed down
as part II? I think you would. Could anyone tell me which country does not
make policy based on its own self interest? And you think the U.S. is the
cause of all the world's ills? 90% or how much?

Johnny

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