Once again, everyone is getting hypped on Ann Applebaum's little piece, and yet, most of what she shay is completely unsubstanciated.

She says: Contrary to European newspaper reporting, racism is not unique to the United States.

Which European papers says racism is unique to the US?

None to my knowledge. We in Europe are aware that racism is every where, and no one with common sense would say it's unique to the US. If anything, by making such unsupported comments, it's Ann Applebaum who is showing prejudiced views.

She then says: "How could a black man possibly understand European/Middle Eastern/South Asian politics?" is what my interlocutors sometimes, in fact, seem to be saying.

Which interlocutor is that...and 'seem to be saying' suggests that he or she is actually not saying it...so why are we supposed to take Ann's perception as what the interlocutor meant?

As usual, Ann Applebaum is showing very little honesty and professionalism in her article.

Yes, Ann sort of has a knee jerk reaction to any thing that is or could be anti Obama. Just because one doesnt agree with Obama doesnt mean that their disagreement is motivated by racism. Afterall, the US is not really admired in Europe anymore. Americans are viewed as fat, provincial, greedy, illmannered, and yes stupid. If Obama fails in foreign diplomacy, should he become president - it wont be because of racism. The world isnt waiting for Barak Obama or anyone else to give them advice.. Sure, there might be some racism/ethnocentricism involved but that exists even now. Racism is everywhere even in Europe -Ann , have you been sleeping under a rock? Ethnic slaughters in Africa, the Holocaust etc - all are examples of non US racism. I guess Ann thinks that racism only exists when it is directed toward blacks?

Actually the world is impatient to see the back fo GW and his minions. Europeans are not that hang up on americans...if anything they find them gullable. It's the way GW got away with lies and war that annoys everyone over here...That said, I live in Uk and the British public did for a while follow on the reasons for a war in Irak, but now the great majority do realise it was ill conceived.

It's not that much Obama that the Europeans support, it's a radical change from this appalling government that led your country for the last 8 years.

Your point about atrocities in other parts of the World is a good example of ethnic hatred but these predjucies are not the same as Racisim, even when the results are historically similar.

Your post is a post of misplaced anger. Talking about some Racisim as if it is so little that it dosent really matter. There is plenty of it to go aroung and it's free for the choosing. You are obviously unaware of the causes or effects of Racsim in America and the extent to which this scourge has polifirated into the general society. Take some time to understand what you hear before interrupting, you might just learn something. Yes, there are some poor examples of Racisim but the deafness I hear about this issue in your commentary is equally poor.

Then Donald Duck should run for elections on Platform of change what difference would it really make since the world would still get what it wants. The premise of your argument make some sense but not enough to vote for.

Irma only voices what many thinks: Ann Applebaum sucks!

This is only partly about Ann. The more important thing is what you take from it, why and how you take it. Your contribution to the post is your insight into the world.