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As we study American history, we must remember that it did not occur in a vacuum. Internal events in American's past were influenced by other countries, and our internal events influenced other countries' events. I think it's fine for leaders around the world to comment on internal American events, but that of course means we get to comment on theirs. But if a criticism by Russian President Putin on internal American events smacks of hypocrisy, then we'll call him out on it. I think another key issue is what is being compared to what? apples to apples? or apples to oranges? For instance, racial tension in Ferguson, Missouri exposed a continuing theme of American history, but modern day inequalities in the U.S. are not as severe as they are in Iran or Russia. One must put comparisons in context to see if they are appropriate comparisons, or ridiculous ones. What do you think? Should foreign countries be allowed to comment, and possibly influence, internal U.S. events? Or should they keep out of our business?
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ReplyDeleteI believe we should be allowed to comment because what is happening in Ferguson is not ok. Not only has there been issues in Ferguson but in Palestine as well. The reason we should be allowed to comment is because we should want peace in the world and we have the freedom of speech to say what we believe. Racial discretion has been going on a lot and we are now in 2014, passed segregation, why is this still going on? we may never know but thats why we should be allowed to comment.
ReplyDeleteOther countries should be allowed to comment on U.S. issues, especially if we do it to them. I'm sure that the voice of the U.S. is heard in places like Israel-Palestine and influences the events that happen there. It would be hypocritical to say that they should not be allowed to voice their thoughts on our issues. In regard to Putin's comments, I think there is more to his comments than just pure hypocrisy. America is has a reputation of free speech. The arrest of journalists in America is completely out of character with what history has shown us, whereas in Russia, they have a history of those types of events. It is a bigger deal that journalists are being arrested in America than in if it were to happen in Russia. It really is about whether the actions are in character with the country doing them.
ReplyDeleteForeign countries definitely have the right to comment on internal U.S. events, especially since the U.S. does it to other countries, particularly on Russia and the Middle East. In the article, although he later does acknowledge that what other countries say of them are things that cannot be denied by the citizens of America, Aaron Brown describes in his third paragraph that it is "maddening" to hear criticisms from "someone like Putin." Vladimir Putin may be acting hypocritical for commenting about the arrested journalists while not taking any action to investigate the deaths of the journalists in his own country, but Brown, an American, is also criticizing Russia's internal affairs by calling Putin out on his hypocrisy in this manner. It is not as if Russia and any other country are commenting just because they want to pick on America, they are most likely doing it because of America's well-known reputation of "freedom" and "equality" which is obviously not being demonstrated in Ferguson. In short words, because America is contradicting its declaration of "equality for all" through the events of Ferguson and calling out other countries, the very countries America comments about have the right to comment on America. And think about it. If Americans hear of these criticisms from other countries which are acting "hypocritical," and had a sense of shame, would they not feel embarrassed and fix their actions, thus making America's reputation better than it is today?
ReplyDeleteI think foreign countries should be allowed to comment on the issues in Ferguson or any other internal issues. The U.S. has had very similar shootings similar to the one in Ferguson and if no one is picking out what is wrong in america then it will continue. One of the main rights in the constitution is the right to free speech and preventing other countries from commenting on issues will make the U.S look almost hypocritical. Instead of trying to prevent other countries from commenting on the issues they should try to fix what cause them in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI do not see why other countries would not be able to call out the US when it allows brutality as showcased in Ferguson. The US in turn can comment on other countries issues as well. Nothing can really stop either country from doing it to begin with. I doubt a war would start over a passing comment. I would encourage countries to question the US's "freedom" and "justice" to keep this superpower in check. Gross acts of racism and violence should not be swept aside just because it's "hypocritical". The US should be an example of democracy and freedom and should take feedback to heart. The events of Ferguson are so similar to the events in Gaza which is frightening. Freedom of speech is one of the biggest things on the line as well as racism. It seems like the news is trying to sweep Ferguson under the rug and have the audacity to call the protesters a "riot".
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