Europhobia

Great name, Europhobia. Most of the conservative Americans who fight any sort of change in this country have an innate fear of anything European, and I'm talking Western European, not Eastern. Funny how most of these same people listen to and believe 100% of what Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Mark Davis, or Bill O'Reilly have to say. God forbid questioning a radio host.

Have all of you forgotten that talk radio is geared toward the listener? They ARE NOT JOURNALISTS! They are entertainers who tell you what you want to hear. They deliberately stir up shit and preach to the choir. That's their job. They are not Walter Cronkite. Why do you not question statistics or rhetoric you hear on conservative radio or Fox News, but you wouldn't dream of believing a report or statistic you hear on MSNBC? Why do so many conservatives quote Rush verbatim without even checking his facts or reducing his venom?

Most middle-age, average, hard-working conservatives have never even traveled to Europe, or Australia, or the Caribbean, unless it was to a tourist port. That IS NOT being worldly! Having supper in Montego Bay, or taking the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, or watching whales off the coast of Alaska, or getting a suntan in Cozumel, these do not count! You have traveled, but you haven't stayed in a youth hostel in Prague, or seen a doctor for free in Germany, or been without a tour guide in Asia, or taken a mini-bus in Jamaica, or been given a free meal and place to camp by a local family in Italy.

I am constantly amazed about the isolationist attitude Americans have, especially considering their poor travel record and complete lack of understanding regarding the customs, languages, etiquette, and religions of the rest of the world.

We are very ignorant, yet we continue to shout about and ideologically maintain our dominance and regal attitude with no clue about our neighbors, history, or ongoing global events (unless they affect us). It's actually pretty embarrassing. Instead of trusting everything Fox News or Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck says or writes, perhaps their believers should try traveling and reading for themselves. They might be surprised.