How do you, personally, use the term "anti-American"?

Would asking a question like this be considered an anti-American act by most people?

"Why do American leaders who vow "never again" repeatedly fail to stop genocide?"

YoungCalifornian wrote:

If a person were critical of America for both being too involved in the affairs of other countries, as well as being not involved enough, then they would have ceased to be offering any rational criticism.

Thanks for that very clear explanation of the way you see thinngs, YC. I'm mostly critical of America being too involved in some countries, but not in others. I hope that doesn't make me anti-American.

Clive wrote:

Hi guys, YC, I enjoyed reading your thoughts about anti-American. If you feel like taking a moment, I'd be interested in how you'd define the term un-American. Best wishes, Clive

Everyone who's been kicked out of America or turned away at the door?

Clive wrote:

Hi, I was just hoping for a thoughtful definition of the word from an American, since it is a term mainly used by Americans about other Americans. I don't believe it has a lot to do with what you are suggesting.  I'm starting to wonder if this topic would be better moved to one of the discussion forums. Clive

Very interesting discussion, Clive. Obviously, I am not an American;however, If I am allowed, I would like to share my thoughts. In my opinion, any foreign government or foreign leader who always criticizes or opposes the policies of America--no matter, America does good or bad thing--is considered to have "anti-American" stand . On the other hand, any American who is believed to act against the interests  or policies of America  is considered as "un-American". However, now a days, the word "un-American" is greatly used by the major policitical parties of America towards their own political interests.

I am very curious to hear from natives of  America on this topic.

Besides, I agree with you that this topic can moved to 'Topic of the Moment" section since this topic has nothing to do with English Grammar.

First off, having looked back at what I originally wrote, I want to apologize for the typos. I'd edit them, but I can't.

As for Clive's question regarding the term 'un-American', I'll start off by saying that I'm not fond of the term. As many of you have hinted at, it's largely become an example of political rhetoric devoid of any real meaning. It would be tough for me to define it, because it means many different things to many different people. For instance, my 83 year old, conservative grandfather, who's a veteran of World War II, would consider burning the American flag to be un-American. If he had his way, anyone who did so would be jailed. As for me, I find that sentiment to be un-American. Generally, I would say that someone or something is considered 'un-American' if it runs contrary to the principles America was founded on. Interpretations and opinions of what constitute those founding principles vary from person to person.

I guess it all comes back to fact that the United States of America is unique in that it was founded on an ideology. Because Americans cannot define themselves by race, ethnicity or religion, they do so by adherence to this ideology. For most, being a loyal American isn't simply a matter of being a law-abiding citizen, but of conforming to a set of basic principles. It would be difficult for me to define those principles except to say that they are based on the preamble of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. The vast majority of Americans hold these two documents in near-sacred reverence, and any opinions, actions, are beliefs which counter them are seen as un-American. Such is the reason that Americans may seem so paranoid of Communism. To most, you simply cannot be a true American and a Communist, because the formation of a Communist government would require the dissolution of the Constitution.