This is frustrating, because, while there's a lot you don't know, there are at least two instances you definitely do know about: the Nayirah testimony, and the Iraq WMDs reports. The wars and sanctions following those lies killed millions of people and displaced and immiserated millions more. There's a term for this: manufacturing consent. Many other examples have never received the same degree of attention because America did not use them to justify major wars.

And yes, "the West." Imperialism still exists, books and papers are written about this by serious people. Even in the thread where you were banned, people had already started to bring up details. Imperialism is a little better hidden than it used to be, but it's still not that well hidden. Michael Hudson's "Super Imperialism: The Economic Strategy of American Empire" is a good source.

They act like Nazis... the behavior makes a really bad first impression

nazis who were very intent on telling you about queer rights in Cuba and colonialism in the global south.

[–] FaeDrifter@midwest.social 1 points 1 year ago

Being anti-American-imperialism is great, what's suspect is the apparent Soviet ultra-nationalism, which somehow extends to Russia, so the same people who say they are against imperialism and in favor of gay rights end up supporting an imperialist, colonialist, and insanely homophobic empire.

And yes, lots of countries in the West do lots of very bad things. I think the vague, broad, all-encompassing term of "the West" is about creating an out-group boogieman man for the in-group to identify itself against. And that's how you get people supporting a country that represents almost everything against their apparent values. Russia gets a pass for using homophobic conspiracy theories to justify a military invasion, because it's "against the West".

Michael Hudson's "Super Imperialism: The Economic Strategy of American Empire" is a good source.

Thank you, I'm grabbing an audiobook version to listen to, I am interested in learning more.