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While we're at it, let's not forget about the Armenian genocide (which Turkey still denies), and the recurring genocides in Africa (in particular the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda) in more recent history.

What you seem to gloss over is that Germany's crimes still play a strong role in the politics and culture of present-day Germany (to the point of obsessive paranoia about any expression of patriotism).

Even Japan -- which compulsively avoids admitting any wrongdoing -- is regularly facing the crimes of its past.

The US is not just built on the successful genocide of Native Americans. There is also the slavery and racial segregation (which still reverberates throughout American culture and politics though everyone seems to pretend it's no longer an issue). Then there's the religious fundamentalism (resulting in the Prohibition, the Red Scare, the War on Drugs, homophobia, Creationism and all kinds of other systemic problems). The internment of Japanese Americans during WW2. The McCarthy era (which likely re-enforced the underlying causes of the social problems we still see today by persecuting left-wing activists). The various CIA assassinations and coups, especially in South America. The gaming of Middle Eastern countries (including funding Islamist extremists until 2001). Agent Orange and other crimes in Vietnam. The mass seizure of communication data of its allies (both political and civilian). The mistreatment of Muslim or Arabian-looking Americans after 9/11. The blanket Authorization for Use of Military Force that cemented the US's permanent state of quasi-war. Drone strikes, including those against its own citizens abroad. Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and black sites. Detention of citizens and foreign nationals without any process or trial. Extraordinary rendition and enhanced interrogation (i.e. torture). Systemic police brutality (Occupy, Ferguson, etc). Interfering with Ukraine prior to the secession of the Crimean peninsula ("Fuck the EU", right?). And so on and so forth.

The US is not just morally questionable. It is morally reprehensible. And it's chock-full of itself. The only reason everybody else is tolerating this behaviour is that the US is armed to the teeth and willing to go down fighting. The US isn't on top because it's good. The US is on top because it is holding the world at gun point.

Here's hoping that when the American economy is eventually overshadowed by whatever powerhouse comes next (my bet is still on China or India) it won't do something incredibly stupid and hurt us all.



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