In some ways, it seems to me that the use of the term
anti-Americanism, certainly in
Canada, is used in the way
unAmerican is used in the United States. To follow on Salutin's analysis, cited by
Whywait? above, it is used to drown out
debate, and
dissension.
As one who may have contributed, in some small way, both to DMan's writing of the original node, and to his request for its deletion, I can honestly say I felt it used in this way.
I have certainly tried to live up to Uberfetus' admonition to have a clear idea of what it is that you're 'anti-'; I have written a few nodes in that vein.
However, unlike Salutin, when accused of being anti-American I know exactly what is meant, and accept it, understanding it is the knee-jerk reaction to the illumination of an empire that less and less measures up to its own, apparant ideals.