[Allheart]

Our Government deserves it. Most of the people in our country deserve to be made fun of. Hell most school kids can't point out America on a map. Look the facts are when Britney Spears is "headline news" on CNN don't you think the rest of the world deserves to laugh at us because most American's care more about her then REAL NEWS!!!!!

Then you have these crazy people who watch TV just to call the FCC and Complain because NYPD Blues showed someone's Bare Butt on TV. When really they could be doing something IMPORTANT with their time instead of trying to make TV "safe".

The world has a right to laugh at us and we have no right to complain until we get our act together.

The world has a right to do as it pleases. Absolutey and I hope that everyone understands that it is not that I wanted the "sound" muffled, I wanted to stand up and say clearly...


I as an American, find the continual negative comments, that are voiced to hurt not to help (there is a difference), in the presence of Americans, to be disrespectful.

I am not asking anyone to stop expressing themselves, I just wanted to raise my hand and say... "ouch". Sometimes the comments can be so smoothering, as my instant and natural reaction is usually not very eloquent and it is not normally how I converse.

I also was truly reaching for understanding because I want so very much to understand. I don't want to hold negative in my heart and I do when I hear or see such comments made with such annimosity.

The wonderful thing, and I thank all of you so much, is that I did gain some understanding as a possible motivator. Why?? Why would non-Americans experss with such disdain?
But as some of you pointed out, a lot is how we are portrayed in their homeland. Not that, that is a valid reason to be disrespectful without regard, but it does help enlighten a bit.

I hope, and I mean this sincerely, that I have not upset one single person here. It was not my intent.

I can only hope for respect, but I surely would never demand it.

[Skell]

I think there is a distinct difference between bashing a country and questioning its policies. Captain rich has accused me before of bashing america when I have done anything but. Yes, I question its policies on matters I disagree with. Is that bashing? Elliot and I have had some great debates on gun control. I see it as a problem in America. I question it. Is that bashing. Some say yes. I say they are too thin skinned.
I have a lot of problems with the government of Australia and I question it. That isn't bashing. Im the proudest Australian there is.
I've had Mag question the way we treat our indigenous people. He's right, but he isn't bashing.

I think we can all tell the difference between bashing and questioning, and if you can't then your probably not worth having a discussion with anyway (and I certainly don't mean you Allheart, you know that).

I don't think there is a prouder American on this site than Excon. And the reason I believe that is because he is constantly wanting America to be better. He wants to move forward. The rest of the guys here are very proud too and I love reading every thread, but they are just content with what they got now :) where a lot of others aren't.

Plus the bashers are easy to expose for the fools they are. They often have no intelligent argument or case and generally struggle with the english language. If you see one take the pleasure in exposing them for the idiot they more than likely are.

[Allheart]

I think there is a distinct difference between bashing a country and questioning its policies. Captain rich has accused me before of bashing america when i have done anything but. Yes, i question its policies on matters i disagree with. Is that bashing? Elliot and I have had some great debates on gun control. I see it as a problem in America. I question it. Is that bashing. Some say yes. I have a lot of problems with the government of Australia and i question it. That isnt bashing.Im the proudest Australian there is.
I've had Mag question the way we treat our indigenous people. He's right, but he aint bashing.

I think we can all tell the difference between bashing and questioning, and if you can't then your probably not worth having a discussion with anyway (and i certainly dont mean you Allheart, you know that).

I dont think there is a prouder American on this site than Excon. And the reason i believe that is because he is constantly wanting America to be better. He wants to move forward. The rest of the guys here are very proud too and i love reading each and every thread, but they are just content with what they got now :) where a lot of others aren't.

Plus the bashers are easy to expose for thew fools they are. The often have no intelligent argument or case and generally struggle with the english language. If you see one take the pleasure in exposing them for the idiot they more than likely are.

Hi Skell :) Miss you tons. Hope things are going well for you :)

I think I used the wrong word "bashing". Perhaps exposing our areas of concern with glee and motivation to hurt not gain understanding or promote growth. That's more what I was referring to.

Oh Skell I welcoming questioning. I ask questions all the time about different cultures and practices because I am so intriqued.

There is a huge difference in questioning policies and some of the comments meant to harm. Taking pleasure in exposing.. yes, that does sum it up.

Skell, I hope you understand what I am saying. I know you do.

I agree with you about Excon... he does love our country and wants better. I do as well, and I am sure all Americans do.

Voicing concerns is healthy and perhaps the only way to expose in order to repair. I guess it's all in the manner in which it is done.

[Allheart]

Allheart, you do not stand alone.

Thank you Captain Rich!

I do know that now and perhaps I always did. I am so glad I did speak and feel stronger in my convictions as each day passess.

It makes me proud.

There is nothing wrong in standing up for something you believe in and something you love.

I would speak all over again and I thank you and all who do stand with me and I even thank those who disagree with me.

May God bless America, watch over us and watch over all people in this world. May we all learn one day to want what is best for each other and work together towards making each day better. May we be able to see the good in each other and regret and learn from the negative. May be a pipe dream, but sometimes dreams do come true and it can't possibly be wrong to dream.

[inthebox]

Well let's look at that. I know you believe it's an incumbent position (which it isn't) but let's play "what if". What if the wealthiest (not so much actually) and strongest nation decided to not get involved in fighting terrorism abroad? Let them fight it out. No meddling in the Middle East, etc. Instead that country focused on making its own populace happy. What would happen then?

So is it the governments duty to make its populace happy?

You know that is impossible.

[CaptainRich]

I also think a lot of the negative comments and degrading of America and Americans has to do with stereotypes. We're described as "stupid" "fat" "lazy" "loud", and someone from a foreign nation will have a few encounters with someone who fits that mold, and it will reinforce their belief we are all like that. Don't get me wrong, Americans do it too, and it's not right coming from either side. I try not to put too much stock in people who's comments are based upon stereotypes; I think that helps in not getting worked up or upset about negative comments.

But to inject myself in the conversation DC and spitvenom are having.... America can't win regarding being the "world police". Either we do too much, or too little. We're always in the wrong place and never in the right place. And I've found often the people who complain about this are the ones who want it both ways. I've mentioned this story before, but I used to work with several South Africans who were living in the US. They would complain and complain about the war in Iraq and how "America needs to mind it's own business" and that we "have no right or reason to be there"... Then they would complain America didn't step in during the Rwanda genocide. Or Sudan. Or anywhere else in the world where something was going wrong. We can't win.

We can't win, if critics haven't seen the whole reality.
I wish it was within my power to retract all of the good American has done! And don't let anybody take this the wrong way, There's been plenty! No, America can't stop hurricanes from hitting places like Honduras, or the Yucatan. Or any other of the many crisis' we've helped in. And there has been plenty!
Heck, I'd like to be able to retract the bad, too. There just isn't as much of it.
Concentrate on the rhetoric you find in the headlines now. Again that shows just how narrow your focus is.
America has broad shoulders. Has had for along time now. I'd like to see any other country, any other entity, put forth the same track record. It can't be done.

[Alty]

Hi Simoneauge,

I do undertand what your are saying. But I find it rude and incredibly unbecoming behaviour for someone not from America to speak so negatively about Americans, openly to Americans. Is that not rude, immature and uncivilized. I am not comparing cultures.

I had many interactions with Internationals, on our soil, and I was sure to know all about their culture, to ensure that I was showing the highest form of respect. That is all I am asking in return.

Respect is earned, it is not a God given right. I'm from Canada and have been to the states a few times in my lifetime. I have been made to feel like a dolt because of the way I pronounce certain words, I have been asked if I live in an Igloo, I have been treated rudely when they find out I'm not American. Now I'm sure that not all Americans are like that, and not all of my interactions with Americans have been negative but more than half have been. When I was in germany (which is were I was born and am still a citizen even though I've lived in Canada for 33 years) we visited the town I was born in which is a very famous tourist town. I speak fluent German, my husband does not, we were treated equally. Also while there I saw time and time again Americans being rude to store owners and expecting special treatment "I'm from the United States the best country in the world, you should be thrilled that I am spending my money in your store, show some respect." and yes, that is a direct quote. The store owners are polite and try their best to make them happy because the majority of people who come to their town are Americans, I have also been told by those same store owners that the majority of Americans coming to their store think that they should be treated like royalty because of were they live. Many times while voicing my views on this site I've felt it necessary to state that I am from Canada (I do this because the laws are different here as are other things that might change the way you view my advice) I feel nervous every time I do this because I don't know if the response will be negative or positive. The majority of people that read my posts have been very nice and do not have an issue with were I live but there are one or two that do. In short, you teach people how to treat you, I'm not saying that you should be ashamed to be American, you live in a wonderful country, so do, but we all have a right to our opinions and the freedom and right to voice them. And you are correct, you don't have to read anything that you find offensive. You don't have to agree with anyone on this site, in fact that's largely what this site is all about, and knowone has to agree with you and your views either. That's what living in a free country is all about. God bless, and take care.

[Allheart]

Hi Altenweg,

I am so very sorry that half of your interactions with Americans have been negative. I truly am.

Please, I am trying so hard to have myself understood. I am not saying people should not say negative things about Americans. I am not trying to take away non-American voices..
I would embrace a dialogue, very similar to your post. You held up a mirror to some of us, and I cringed. I believe in your heart you meant no animosity. You were sincerely sharing your experiences. THAT type of conversation I welcome. It's rationale and fair minded.

What I am saying, is that, when it is done with malace, openly, knowing Americans will read, I consider that to be very poor taste and it is a reflection on the author not Americans. But too many times we let the comments go by, truthfully because some Americans really don't care what non-Americans think. The reason I spoke up, was just to call attention to the negative comments continuosly made with malace, and say, you know, your not looking very pretty and your comments are found to be rude. But by no means am I saying stop making them. I also have to say, that I honestly don't think those that make such comments time after time after time, realized that yes, they do come off as inapprorpriate.

The best way I can make an association, and I hope I don't offend anyone, I am just trying to be understood...

When the African American community utilizes the "N' word amongst themselves, that community generally does not find it offensive. When other then someone from the African American communtiy utilizes the "N" word, it offends African Americans and rightly so.

So, bringing it to this discussion, to me personally, when an American openly discusses problems within our country, I say Amen and let's try and fix them, when a Non-American expresses negatives about my country, to be spiteful, I as an American find it in poor taste and rightly so.

Please, I am not saying don't make any comment you feel necessary, I am just holding a mirror to those making the negative comments with annimosity and asking them to take a peak.

That is all I am trying to say.

Alten, so very nice to "meet" you. I know you don't live in an igloo :), don't ever be nervous to say you are from Canada, you live in a wonderful and beautiful country.

100% of my interactions with Canadians have been positive, hopefully you will interact with more Americans that bring a smile to your face :)

God Bless you too :)

[Greg Quinn]

I see America now as the worst bacteria the planet earth has ever had to endure. The majority of voters have decided what they want and to bury their heads in the sand and almost cast their votes through CNN. Bashing America is something I do often, bashing the dealings Canada does with America is something I do more often. Some people have this massive pride in their countries and can not stand to see negative things being said about their native lands. Where is this pride when it comes to doing what's right? Taking a stand? I always get " I'm just one man" I use the same excuse myself... I am just one man, and I love to go online and B1TCH. I watch documentary after documentary, I read and explore... It always comes down to America did something really terrible, its always proven... And no one ever gets Bleep for it. America used to be a lot different with presidents like Carter and Hoover, since Regan its been $@ any cost.

[Allheart]

[QUOTE=Allheart] 100% of my interactions with Canadians have been positive, QUOTE]

I see America now as the worst bacteria the planet earth has ever had to endure.

:eek: Make that 99.9%
Actually, I am just kidding :D - A comment such as the above, aren't the type that phase me. Just found it interesting.

[Greg Quinn]

[QUOTE=Allheart]

100% of my interactions with Canadians have been positive, QUOTE]

:eek: Make that 99.9%
Actually, I am just kidding :D - A comment such as the above, aren't the type that phase me. Just found it interesting.

-_______________________________________________

LOL... I wasn't trying to phase you. Just my yearly vent... I liked your % :D line! Funny

[Alty]

AllHeart- Thank you for your kind words, they meant allot to me, I'm also glad that you know that I don't live in an igloo:p (it's too darn cold right now to build one:D ) you would however be surprised about the number of Americans who have that belief. Thank god it's not true, I'm allergic to seal fur. I actually live in the suburbs in a very nice neighborhood, I have a wonderful husband and, in my opinion, the two most wonderful kids in the world (doesn't every parent have the most wonderful kids in the world?) Even though I have had some disturbing interactions with Americans, the warm welcome and kind words from you make up for allot of it, too bad I've never met you in my travels, maybe my opinions would have been different. I do understand what you are saying and I agree, knowone has a right to bash someone until they've walked a mile in their shoes, you, as an American, know better what is going on in your country then I do, as do I about Canada. It's not good to rock the boat, especially if you're in it. I hope to "run" into you more often on this site, you seem like a delightful person and are very eloquent about your views, you also have a wonderful sense of humor. God bless.

[magprob]

I believe Canada has sent us their dirty laundry long enough. Instead of Reagan starting the decline of the United States, I believe it started when these three were allowed in. We should have stopped it after Lorne Green. Now he was a great American.

[magprob]

Better learn to get along.

Amero, Debut of the amero

[Greg Quinn]

Thank you so much for taking KD Lang, and Celine Dion, Pam Anderson too!

[Allheart]

AllHeart- Thank you for your kind words, they meant allot to me, I'm also glad that you know that I don't live in an igloo:p (it's too darn cold right now to build one:D ) you would however be surprised about the number of Americans who have that belief. Thank god it's not true, I'm allergic to seal fur. I actually live in the suburbs in a very nice neighborhood, I have a wonderful husband and, in my opinion, the two most wonderful kids in the world (doesn't every parent have the most wonderful kids in the world?) Even though I have had some disturbing interactions with Americans, the warm welcome and kind words from you make up for allot of it, too bad I've never met you in my travels, maybe my opinions would have been different. I do understand what you are saying and I agree, knowone has a right to bash someone until they've walked a mile in their shoes, you, as an American, know better what is going on in your country then I do, as do I about Canada. It's not good to rock the boat, especially if you're in it. I hope to "run" into you more often on this site, you seem like a delightful person and are very eloquent about your views, you also have a wonderful sense of humor. God bless.

Altenweg,

Thank YOU so much. You made me feel so much better. I wish too, that we crossed paths, and if I am lucky enough, there may be a day that we do.


Where you live sounds so very nice! No igloo huh :)

I again am so sorry about the interactions that you have that were less then pleasant.

God Bless you too Altenweg, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for understanding me. Means more to me then I can share.

[Alty]

AllHeart- It seems like be both brought a bit of sunshine into eachothers lives today, that's what more people should spread around.:)

If you come to Canada within the next month or so I could probably try and build an igloo in my backyard, but I have no idea how so I'd have to do some research first. Goodness knows that my kids would be thrilled.;)

Keep in touch.

Andrea

[CaptainRich]

Altenweg, I grew up in Alaska and you'd be surprised how many people asked ME about living in an igloo...
I just chuckle and say, "Yeah, and I rode dog-sleds to school, too."
Ignorance can and will show up when least expected. I think it's a matter of perspective in some cases. In other cases, it rears it's ugly head as idiocy. I've always had great respect for Canadians. Two of my favorite possessions are an Alaskan flag and a Canadian flag. I know what living in that general environment can do for a persons character.
Having lived in the lower 48, for nearly too long now, I sense my perspectives have faded some. To some folks here, that may not be much of a shock. Hehe

[Allheart]

AllHeart- It seems like be both brought a bit of sunshine into eachothers lives today, that's what more people should spread around.:)

If you come to Canada within the next month or so I could probably try and build an igloo in my backyard, but I have no idea how so I'd have to do some research first. Goodness knows that my kids would be thrilled.;)

Keep in touch.

Andrea

Oh Andrea you are so right. Hopefully the sunshine spreading is catchy.

Ya know, I wasn't too sure myself on how to build one of those things... oooh but look what I found . But wait for me to arrive, I'll round up some penguins, and be on my way there :D

Doesn't look too hard... does it :confused: Sending more sunshine... catch :)

[CaptainRich]

Building an igloo is great fun!
Look what I found! See who made it?
YouTube - How to Build an Igloo