Bubba, go back to the shrimping business.

Off-Topic:
What you are saying is:
A] Killing is better then raping
Both are evil, but if you had to choose most would think being raped is better then getting killed.
B] You also assume that all fights are clear. In most cases you will see someone in a dark alley, shoot him and later figure out he was on his way with a toy gun for his kid.
C] Nut jobs tend to have guns and use them. The rest of us dont have the time or inclination to buy guns.
D] Worst of all: in your world, you automatically get into an arms race. Every time someone buys a bigger and better gun, you need one to for "protection". In the end that will drive you paranoid and your only option is a preventive strike.

On-Topic:
What the hell do religious fanatics have to do with Europeans hating Americans or not? Is this a new form of Godwins law? If a discussion is sufficiently long, someone starts to compare issues with terrorism?

BTW, those countries you mentioned were hated plenty in their imperialistic days. Not the least by a group of people who fled those countries to find their luck elsewhere. Yes, smart ass. I am talking about your ancestors. If there is such a thing as hating Americans (and I dont believe a word of it) they are just returning the favor.

Instead of hate or scorn, try bewilderment. Most of the people in this world read about the US, shrug, roll their eyes and go about their business wondering how a country can dig its own grave like that.

I still remember the US as 1 of the 2 countries not recognizing the international war tribunal. The standpoint being that if ever a US citizen would be accused of war crimes, the US would send an invasion force to liberate him. The mayor of The Hague (small town where the court is) had US flags placed around a small section of beach so the invasion force wouldnt disturb the tourists. That is how the rest of the world thinks about the US. Like you do about your grandmother. There is a lot of respect for what she could and sometimes still can do. But most of the time she is just totally demented.