Black Americans have been beaten into believing the dream doesn't exist for them and I think there is a degree of resignation in some black communities. Role models should be the likes of Condoleezza Rice, Maya Angelou, Colin Powell, and that president guy. Instead it's a basketball or football star or a rapper because those are the goals that don't require an education that isn't provided them. We give them 10yo text books while my brother's children get a set of books and laptop for school and a set for at home so they don't hurt their backs. I believe the US is still the country of choice when it comes to immigration and for the bulk of them the American dream still exists. Just believing the dream exists is a good first step.
Did the US drag Australia into any wars or did they go because they were our allies? It's a bit of an insult to those who at least thought they were doing the right thing and died as a result. When the Chinese stopped importing Australian products who picked up the slack? Yep the old USA and hell the last thing we wanted was Australian wine. We arm their military and make sure the East China Sea remains open. If Australia needed us we would be there but if we needed them (what for I don't know) they would have to be dragged. The reason the Australians speak so poorly of us is because we invaded their culture with our restaurants, TV, music, and stores. That's not our fault. You make your own choices and can glean what you will. Send the centrist to the pillory. It's expected.
Interesting post.
Black people here are also disadvantaged from the cradle on.
My dad went willingly to Vietnam (as did at least one of his brothers). Has hated our gov ever since. I think if a solder goes to fight an unjust war or a war started on a lie then its on the GOV and the people for sending them. Its a violation of the peoples to send our fighting folk off for wars that are not just.
America uses our special services (SAS) all the time. It provides a role that we do better than most. Often with a US communications person in the small team to clean up what could be confusing lingo to US Air Support when operating in the normal role -behind enemy lines.
"Soon after Prime Minister John Howard announced Australian forces would join a war if the US invaded, and at least 36 hours before the bombing campaign against Baghdad began, a large SAS group breached an Iraqi trench system and guard posts undetected. "
"At the same time, other SAS units with undertaking surveillance duties, with one unit flown 600 kilometres before the invasion proper began to be "far and away" the closest coalition forces to Baghdad "
https://www.theage.com.au/national/confirmed-sas-first-to-fight-20030510-gdvohy.html
I wasn't aware that America "gave" us arms to the military- Seems we pay a great deal for it. What's the Strike fighter up to? You get a lot from us in return, We support every war you guys start both politically on the world stage and with man power. Pine Gap, "Secret" air force bases. Darwin is pretty much a US base.
https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/australias-top-secret-sites-uncovered-by-google-earth/news-story/e4e8ebe7b987896c8c5ec668b93d7390
Australians don't speak poorly of Americans. Australians "take the piss" out of all nations (in particular the whinging Poms), including ourselves. Its part of our humor. Kiwis are the same. We don't tend to take life to seriously. Americans also give themselves a huge target on their backs for jokes and ridicule. Trump winning a Presidential election and then still getting nearly 50% of the vote in his Reelection campaign. Time to get some broad shoulders and or a tea spoon of cement inta ya.