>The US was both back in the 40s as well as the late 80s when Germany and USSR crumbled. So hail to Pax Americana.

This is the historical equivalent of selective memory, and only really applies to a tiny slice of the planet - western Europe.

A lot happened in the world between 1945 and 1989. Outside of Europe and Japan, most people would probably not be so sympathetic of the US actions during those times. An abridged list:

* Iran 1953 - US and UK overthrow democratically elected PM, install brutal dictator

* Guatemala 1954 - US via CIA overthrows democratically elected president, install brutal dictator

* Brazil 1964, Chile 1973, Argentina 1976 - US supports brutal dictatorships replacing democratically elected governments

* Iran/Iraq 1980s - US funds both sides in the war

etc. This is a very resumed list.