Y seguimos con el tema

El miércoles publiqué un post que se llamaba ¡Ay, cómo detesto la ignorancia! en el que explicaba que después de leer un artículo del Time en Facebook empecé a discutir con varias personas que estaban de acuerdo en que había sido justo que un oficial de la patrulla fronteriza de Estados Unidos le hubiera disparado a un niño de 15 años, que estaba en tierra Mexicana, por arrojarle piedras al oficial. El disparo no fue de atención, fue una sola bala directo en la cabeza que lo mató.

Los comentarios han seguido y a través de toda la discusión han defendido la postura un ex-marine llamado Adam Brown, quien dejó de responder eventualmente y un tal Brian Rushing quien ha dicho en variadas ocasiones, que Estados Unidos es el mejor. Así que pensé que sería bueno abrirle un poco los ojos y responderle de manera objetiva y con fundamento.

El post de Brian decía:

"This country was built on the rule of law, the immigrants you speak of that came to this country, fought for independence, and created the Constitution that led to us being the greatest country on earth. The United States (that you seem to hate) has helped out, liberated, and defended more countries over the past 200+ years than ANY other country in history! What do we ask in return? Obey our laws if you wish to be a citizen whether you were born here or came here from abroad. Is that too much to ask? You rely on our legal system when it benefits your sidde of this argument, but when it doesn't, you whine and cry that it's not fair. Well BOO freakin' HOO! If you don't like it here, go to Mexico. Oh wait, in Mexico they rape and torture illegal immigrants. I guess that's ok in your eyes since you defend Mexico's double standard on immigration. If you'd like to see the Amnesty International report on these abuses, you can google it. Where are your tears and protests when it's a Central American being abused? Why don't you go to Mexico and protest their policies? Oh yeah, because chances are that you'd end up in a Mexican jail with out the rights you take for granted here. I have Korean, German, and Cuban relatives, so calling me a hater is laughable. They came here LEGALLY and for the most part have been welcomed by average Americans. As for this shooting, if it happened as it is reported, I have no sympathy for some dumb-ass (of any color) that throws rocks at the authorities that are doing their job. If it comes to light that facts on the ground are not what was reported and it was an abuse of force, hold the agent accountable. See, that's an example of following the law. It has nothing to do with hate, being a Mexican, or any of the other distractions you post. I do pray for the kids family, though. No parent should have to bury their child."

A lo cual contesté:

"Brian, I just want to clarify that I don't hate the US. I believe it's a great country. I just think you are being left behind because, people like you, believe you are the best. What makes you say that? Are you well informed?

Economy: Did you know that the US owes 98% of it's GDP to China? That is $14 Trillion dollars. If you don't know what that means, it means that 98% of the money that is generated in the US from final goods and services is owed in public debt. Moreover, did you know that there are 10 other countries with a better GDP per capita?

So who is economically the best?

Did you know that there are 112 countries with lower unemployment rates than the US?

So who is the best at keeping their citizens productive?

Culture: Did you know there are 42 countries with a better literacy rate than the US?

So who is the best in education?

Did you know that fewer than 10 percent of Americans speak a foreign language proficiently compared with the 56 percent of Europeans?

So who is better prepared?

Did you know that there are 12 countries with a better Human Development Index (HDI)? If you don't know the definition of this Index, here it goes:

"Human Development Index (HDI) is a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education and standards of living for countries worldwide. It is a standard means of measuring well-being, especially child welfare. It is used to distinguish whether the country is a developed, a developing or an under-developed country, and also to measure the impact of economic policies on quality of life"

So who has a better quality of life?

Did you know that there are 7 countries with a better State of Libery Index (The State of World Liberty Index is a ranking of countries according to the degree of economic and personal freedoms that their citizens enjoy)?

So who enjoys more freedom?

Did you know that there are 17 countries with a better democracy index?

So who enjoys a better democracy?

Did you know the US ranks number 85 in the Global Peace Index?

So who is more peaceful?

And I could go on, and on, and on... the bottom line is that there are better countries at any of the indexes that measure well-being, economy, development, culture and education. Key measures to determine what country provides a better quality of life for it's citizens and their competitiveness versus other countries around the world.

So let me ask you again: What makes you say you are the best?

Just because you say "The US has helped out, liberated, and defended more countries over the past 200+ years than ANY other country in history!"???

You believe that you had the right to go into those countries. Why? You were not invited! You used the force and declared war to supposedly liberate them, but there were hidden interests. In the war that has been going on for 9 years, the United Nations did not authorize the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan. You make the rules for the entire World? Why? You talk about rules, well follow them. That war has implied a cost of $1,000,000,000,000 dollars (yes, that number is correct) and counting.

http://costofwar.com/

Are you okay with paying for that war from your taxes? From the money you have earned working? From the money that is supposed to go to education, infrastructure, employment, health, government services?

Maybe if that money was not spent in the war, they could have trained the border patrol officer better, and this discussion wouldn't be taking place."

Todavía no entiendo quién le ha metido en la cabeza a los gringos que son los mejores, pero quien sea que haya sido, ha hecho muy buen trabajo haciéndoselos creer, tatuárselo, portarlo en la ropa, defenderlo y gritarlo aunque no tengan ni idea de porque lo dicen. Una cosa es ser patriota y amar a tu país, con sus defectos y sus virtudes, sabiendo que tiene defectos, como cualquier otro (ya parece que estoy hablando de relaciones de pareja, pero no, sigo hablando de países), que nos dará alegrías y también tristezas y que habrá cosas por las cuales nos hará sentir orgullosos y otras por las que nos dará vergüenza y otra cosa es sentirte superior sin mirar que hay allá afuera.

De verdad que creo que Estados Unidos es un gran país. Si no, no viviría aquí. Este país tiene muchas cosas positivas, pero la ignorancia de mucha de su gente y esa actitud de "soy superior", simplemente no la soporto. No aguanto su arrogancia, su prepotencia y su orgullo mal entendido. Estoy convencida de que esa actitud es la que ha hecho que el país se haya congelado desde hace años. No saben admitirlo, no saben ver más allá de sus narices y reconocer lo bueno que hay allá afuera. Por supuesto todos los países tienen sus defectos. Algunos son inseguros, a otros les falta desarrollo económico, muchos de ellos (si no es que todos), tienen malos Gobiernos. Simplemente no existe "el mejor". Eso es lo que hay que entender.

¡Paz!