ANSWERS: 55
  • I think that's a case of the Pot calling the Kettle "black"
  • What I think about it is I heard the entire speech and there was a lot more to it than the one word you quoted. Why would anyone want to argue with you when you phrase a question like this?
  • i think its true!
  • I did not know he said that but I would have to agree with him if he was brave enough to say so. Many Americans believe we are the master country on this planet. Many Americans believe that they should get everything now that their parents had to work a lifetime for.
  • He did that? Haven't been watching the news. Offhand, I'd say he needs to step back and watch what he's saying. Once words are spoken, they can't be taken back. Yea, we're all arrogant. Going to work everyday, paying our bills and worrying about our future and the economy. Yep, that's us alright.
  • Well, he's right. Calling a thief a thief is a good thing. Don't like it? Don't be so arrogant.
  • He's Very right!Hats off to Obama....
  • We ARE arrogant. And the rest of the world knows it and hate us for it. Nobody likes a nasty attitude.
  • I think he is not the American he claims to be! He did not check with the people he represents and does not know the history he thinks he know's. He is the Arrogant One!
  • America is arrogant. Overly patriotic, uninformed about the rest of the world for the most part, living high on the hog for too long and many believe that when they go to other countries that they are not subject to laws or customs of those places...many people think being American gives them the right to do and act however they please, many think it is our job to police the world, to get involved in every war. We Are arrogant in our actions, our consumption and our policies, it's a shame and a fact I don't think anyone informed could argue.
  • He was kissing up to France and other Europeans. Why he thinks he needs to do is a mystery only he knows. It is a common thought of Europeans that Americans are "arrogant". Even those who have never met an American and certainly never been to America. Well, I have met many Europeans, and many are the most arrogant and boorish of any people anywhere. In Thailand and Taiwan and Malaysia, I was recognized as an American immediately. "How did you know?", I asked. "You are polite, and you smile", was the usual answer.
  • As a Europian - It´sign for me - Americans must stop to think just about themselves. And that s good - not all Americans do this - it s change. I think very good change of thinking.
  • As opposed too? (yes but not on the level of the french.)
  • I think that part of being a citizen of this country is to be able to tell the truth as you see it without being labeled a traitor. Several people, that answered this question implied that calling the country arrogant is anti-American. What our country needs now is a touch of humility. After 8 disastrous years of arrogance mixed with stupidity. The only way to regain our previous standing in the word is stop telling the world what to do and asking what we can do to help. Maybe in eight year from now I can go to another country without covering my passport and telling people that I'm Canadian.
  • Americans are extremely arrogant. We have been trained to think that the world revolved strictly around us. Being in an international business, I've been able to learn that it's not all about us. In many cases, we do not make the best products. We are not the most educated. Yet most Americans think we are. How many Americans speak two languages? yet in most other countries, they speak at least two. There may have been a day were we were number one, but today, we don't live in that same world. It's time that Americans realize that.
  • He best be talkin' 'bout the American government cause dem are fightin' words.
  • wth?? America is multi-cultural society. You can't say that.
  • I think what President Obama really said was that the past American administration had been arrogant. Former President Bush's attitude "do it my way or the highway" did not sit well with other countries. Obama never said the average American people are arrogant.
  • It is my experience that Americans do tend to be a little on the arrogant side. When someone does not agree with something that they plan to do (go to war), they get all huffy puffy as though their decision is the only possibly correct one. I'm not talking about France, but Canada going to Afghanistan and not following the US to Iraq. I got a lot of lip from my American friends for that. *Note: I do not think all Americans are arrogant, but the attitude of some of their public speakers gave that impression.
  • im sure this one word was probably taken out of context. And why does it make people so mad to hear the truth? if Americans weren't arrogant, would these CEO's be taking all these bonuses in this economy? that's no to say that they represent all of America, they don't. wouldn't people in congress do more to stop this? that's what I call arrogant. People around the world hate America for that reason.
  • I think hes wrong I think all countries have Arrogance, but not the country as a whole. (added for dumdum) Everyone somehow acts arrogant at some point, or occassionally. I find the French president more arrogant for condeming the G20 before it had started, more than America for "failing to appreciate Europes leading role". I dont believe America is arrogant, but that is MY personal opinion.
  • As everywhere else, there are arrogant peoples and there are humble peoples. Most nations, including the United States, have far more of the latter...but their humility, itself, causes them to be less apparent in society. What I have found more times than not, in most every walk of life, is that the arrogant usually have little or nothing to be arrogant about. They are merely obnoxious noisemakers, ofttimes reflecting badly on others. Furthermore, I find politicians of every nation and of every stripe to be the most arrogant of all.
  • We've had a touch of arrogance for ages, but the Bush years were marked by such arrogance they deeply damaged our vital relations with our allies and with all the nations of the world. In just 8 years, according to international surveys, we slipped from being the most admired nation on earth to the most hated. When you know you have done something wrong, the first step in recovering from it is to admit the error and apologize.
  • There is some truth to this, any country with a strong sense of nationalism has some amount of arrogance amongst it's population. This is not usual nor is it bad, the U.S. really is and will always be a target for criticism. Although i think other countries shouldn't through stones at glass houses. Obama is only doing what politicians do, appease.
  • i think he`s right
  • I think - that is the pot calling the kettle african american!
  • He didn't say America is arrogant. He said we have occasionally acted in a way that could be described as arrogant. For anyone who questions that, I'll just assume you haven't read a newspaper or watched television for the past eight years.
  • It's nice to see someone in power admit the truth for once. We haven't had that in a while. When all of these people who refuse to admit our arrogance can get past their self-esteem issues maybe we can start to fix our reputation.
  • He must be talking about himself.
  • I think its horrible. You should have pride in your country, not trying to knock it down a peg. (plus, I love how it comes from Obama, or ANY presidential candidate either Republican or Democrat, because they are extremely arrogant if you listen to their debates)
  • Way pasrt time for that ass to leave the office of President of America. Just goes to show that he is Anti- American completely.
  • Some call it arrogance, others pride. Yet there is not another country in the world I'd rather live in.
  • I think I agree with him...other peoples can be as well..
  • We don't think about it but to look at the rest of the world and think they should be like us is arrogant. He was/is right. Peoples of other nations have been saying that about us all along. We think everyone should be like us.
  • As others have said this has been taken a little out of context, and if you read everything he said it isn't the insult it appears to be in isolation.
  • He's right, we have been arrogant. Always telling other countries do as I say not as I do. We always yelled about human rights and then go and torture people. Yes very arrogant and ignorant. Like being an American is the only thing. People love their countries too and not everybody wants to be an American. They don't want anybody telling them what to do. Do you like people telling you what to do? NO.... But some of the leaders in this country think they have some god given right to tell the rest of the world how to live. They say do this and do that. Yet we do so many things that are wrong, the USA should clean up our act before we go telling the rest of the world what to do.
  • He is right. He doesn't think Americans are arrogant. It is the actions of America which have been arrogant over the last number of years. It takes a big man to say that and Americans should be glad that you have a president who has the stones to say it.
  • I think Obama is pulling our heads out of the sand. He's not placating us with the usual...'our country is great, therefore we'll be just fine'... we're in deep shit, he knows it, and wants us to pull ours heads out of our asses and get our shit together. Compared to the rest of the world, the American idea is arrogance. I can have whatever I want, was the idea, now people think they are entitled to it at the expense of someone or something else.
  • I think he is right as far as the political leaders are concerned!
  • I didn't hear how the term was used in context, however, one of my friends did and she didn't like it. I assured her that when Obama spoke this morning at the UN news conference he was praising America quite highly. Maybe he was trying to mend whatever damage he might have done calling America "arrogant".
  • you all have been sheep for to long! and trust much to easily!
  • I don't have a problem with his comments. Now I hear the Fannie May or Freddie Mac is getting into the "I deserve a bonus" mood and this right on the heels of AIG. Aren't bonuses supposed to be for a job well done? Written into the contract MY ASS! Who said it was written in my contract as a taxpayer to reward people for a job TERRIBLY DONE!!
  • If America is so Arrogant than why are we the ones that are fighting the wars and helping out other countries. I think if Obama isn't proud to be an American he should have said it before the Voting took place and I would have not Voted for him. So what has Obama really done? He only made History. I see him giving money to GM and Banks, but not ones who really need the help. He needs to help down in New Orleans where they need it most.
  • At last someone who tells it like it is. I think he is correct. I don't see much humility.
  • that hes the only presdidant ever to tell the complete truth?
  • It takes one to know one!
  • He is totally right! It's good that a leader has the balls to tell his people the truth and get them to realize that what they have thought was patriotism all this time, is actually just arrogant and ignorance!
  • I would just like to say you asked a very good question that attracted some very intelligent and non arrogant Americans. Hats off to you guys.
  • No i don't.
  • I think it's fine because I really think we are. The shoe definitely fits.
  • I think Obama is WRONG. 60 million Americans voted against Obama and do not accept his views. I'm sure this will lead to more personal attacks against me and those will just verify that all Liberals want to do is muzzle those of us who disagree with them... freedom of speech only extends to those whom they agree with.
  • Okay.Wired, You can't change policies just to please other countries. And certainly not apologize about it. Show some dignity and pride for your country. So far I have not seen any in what you are writing.
  • I didn't know about that comment until today. It probably is true but he has to lead the way to it becoming a less arrogant society if his comment is true. There is this unfortunate stereotype in other countries that the US is arrogant. Personally, the main things I don't like about the US ethos is the one about not having compassion for the underdog and educational snobbery. Not everybody can get a job so there needs to be a social security safety net for those who have fallen upon hard times instead of simply kicking them when they are down or leaving them to live on the streets. Plus, I also think it very objectionable to call young people who don't start or don't finish college "drop-outs" as if they are the lowest of the low. Some aren't academically inclined and others can't afford the exorbitant fees (or their parents can't).
  • now you go to another country and rant and rave all you want and if you get out alive you will appreciate this country for what it is! now you deal with it or shut up untill you have some experience under your belt.
  • heres a question what would happen if it was a different president that called america Arrogant?

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