[Retief]

Screw being liked or respected. I'll settle for being feared.

As for the premise that Americans have always wanted to be liked, I don't buy it. How many American western films have you seen, where the lone cowboy, not caring what anybody thought, did what he thought was right? Doing what you think is right despite all the critics is a part of American legend.

[flashbunny]

The world isn't a popularity contest. You get no points for being liked. Letting countries and terrorists know that they'll be hell to pay if we're messed with is much more important.