"Clearly, they hated us pre-George Bush"

So right and so wrong at the same time. I recall the comments of a State Department diplomat who after tending in his resignation, issued a press statement that the problem with US Foreign Policy is that it expects to be judged by its words, not its actions.

Yes, much of the Islamic world hates the US prior to George Bush. But if you believe that clap-trap that their animus is borne of some hatred of your "freedoms", you need a history lesson. Its really quite simple:-

1.They hate you because of your unwavering and unequivocal support of Israel, and by necessity, your opposition to Palestinian national aspirations. It becomes all the more galling when it becomes clear that a lot of this is the result of the fear against crossing powerful lobbying groups like AIPAC, as opposed to a stand on principles ("We can't afford to lose Florida - so we better support bombing Lebanon" Nice, real nice).

2. They hate you because of the decades of support propping up unpopular dictators and regimes. Why were they propped up to begin with? Cold War (to keep in check Soviet expansion). Oil (to maintain energy supplies). Frankly, who can blame you. US foreign policy has always centered around identifying a strongman who best represents US interests, and heap on him financial/military backing while turning a blind eye to his excesses. The alternative is a lot of work - becoming intimately involved in each countries efforts at nation buidling, buidling bridges with various native religious/ethnic/political factions on the ground, develop a nuanced and flexible approach to balance everyone's competing concerns and interests. Decades of committment. Americans arent particularly famous for their attention spans. Much easier to write a blank checque to Pinochet/Noriega/Shah/Marcos/Mubarak/Saddam. Just don't act surprised when these tinpot dictators suppress the aspirations of their people (or more often a particular ethnic/religious group or social class), thus effectively neutering the voices of moderates (its hard to be moderate when your son just got "disappeared" by Govt goons), and thus encouraging the rise of radicals (communist, socialist, fundamentalist... take your pick). And don't act shocked when these radicals notice the guns shooting at them were purchased with US aid, and decide that America is the "Great Satan".

3. To top it all off, America adds insult to injury by doing all the above, while still mouthing off about promoting democracy and human rights. China may be just as bad, but at least they aren't claiming to be God's right hand. This problem has become more acute in a world with 24 hr news. The hypocrisy becomes a lot more glaring when contrasting news stories are put almost back to back ("Condi Rice - "This adminiistration has always supported the spread of democracy in the Middle East. The spread of democratic values is the only sure way to achieve a lasting peace" - Cut to story in Venezuela where US remains silent to an attempted coup against a democratically elected Hugo Chavez, and even gives muted/implicit words of support to the coup leaders)

In summary, yes the rest of the world hated you pre-Bush. We have good reason to.

P.S. Yes we are aware of the great sacrifices made by your grandfathers in WWII. Definetely America's finest moment. Its a real shame you squandered that legacy.

So, your plan is for Americans to willingly alter their lifestyles to make them more sustainable?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

I'm sorry, give me a moment to compose myself ...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHA!!!

Not a chance in Hell. Americans have no stomach for ANY kind of short-term pain, even when the long-term benefit is their own survivial? Why? Because you have been betrayed by the entrenched idealogical differences of your political elites.

In the zero-sum game of Republican/Democrat partisanship, any call for short-term pain in ANY context will immediately be seized on by the other side for political capital, citing dubious science from dubious sources to discredit the necessity of acting now ("We can't cut off oil! We'll lose ground to our foreign competitors" "Curb emissions? Not till China and India go first!!" "Climate Change? Hogwash!!"). And, of course, since people will ALWAYS gravitate to the path of least resistance unless forced off at gunpoint, the electorate will seize on these dubious assurances as moral cover to continue living in an unsustainable manner.

Personally, the only way forward I can see is if some "calamity" were to strike down all the sitting members of Congress and both parties. Bird Flu, Ebola, Mass Suicide brought on by accidental leakage of hallucinogens into the DC drinking water.

Hey, when there's life there's hope right?

BTW, just a little thought exercise for readers out there.

Re-read the article, but replace 'Briana Waters' with "Mohammad Sulaiman", and "Center of Urban Horticulture" with "Synagogue". Now replace William Rodger's last words in his jail cell with any Al-Qaeda press release about 'Jews and Crusaders'

Viola! Instant candidate for an all-expense paid trip to Hotel Gitmo!