[CaptainRich]

Actually, I am not one to speak ill of another person, place or thing. Not saying that I haven't but it is a very very rare occassion. So, I do have expectations that I guess are high, as they are the same standards that I apply. Hard to beleive but it is true.

To be quite honest, I started this thread, as the continual negativity about America, I will admit, really does bother me and just wondered if it bothered any other Americans. I guess I stand alone.

You don't know me, but I always have given the upmost respect to all cultures and that's why I do get so taken back at how freely some speak so negatively about America.
I will always be uncomfortable with it.

Allheart, you do not stand alone.

I have also observed the prevalence of America bashing. I think it's partially due to the narrow scope of these peoples focus.
Read about how much monies the US sends to so many places in peril.
Did you hear about the US ship that was sent to to Indonisia to help with tsunami victims? Or doesn't that count?
Spend just half the time looking at or for good press and you'll change your tune!

Talk all you want about how we speak about rouge nations, while you sit as close to our borders as you'd like. Feels good to be protected by our proximity without having to face the same proverbial lashing we receive.
I could go on but my time is limited right now.
In the words of a very famous transplant, "I will be back!"

[spitvenom]

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.

[Dark_crow]

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.

Must be lonely way up there in your Ivory Tower.:eek:

[spitvenom]

Must be lonely way up there in your Ivory Tower.:eek:

Typical American response! Now I know my comment was correct and it hit a nerve. So my next question is what did I say that was not true?

Aren't you tired of our government acting like the police of the world? I know I am! Aren't you sick of seeing these idiots from hollywood on the news every night like they actually affect real life? I am!! Aren't you sick of how people freak out over a TV show showing someone's bare butt or cursing, But no one really freaking out when an election was rigged! I AM!! So until people in this country wake up and see what is really happening around them the rest of the world has a right to laugh at us.

You better run now I am sure you are missing some prime coverage of Britney Spears Eating a Big Mac!!

[Dark_crow]

I think it is incumbent on the wealthiest and most powerful Nation in the world to protect people against terrorism and fight for their freedom and liberty, in the pursuit of happiness. And I think those who would stand by and do nothing are cowards.

[spitvenom]

Well yes we should go after terrorist, but let's be honest we were never looking for terrorist in Iraq. But we sure got those oil fields locked down don't we!!

I noticed DC that you didn't say anything about the idol worship of singers and movie stars in this country, don't you agree that NO time should spent on them in the Real News and more time should be spent on World Issue's?

[Dark_crow]

It's apparent that you don't know anything about the Terrorist Hussein and his reign of terror; nor his intentions in the mid-east. It is also apparent that you have been reading some of what you are railing against.

[spitvenom]

Yes I know all about Hussein and all the killing he has done I am not excusing it he needed to be dealt with. But not under the guise that he was the reason behind 9/11.

It is also apparent that you have been reading some of what you are railing against.

Not sure what you mean here are you saying I am reading what someone else wrote and just putting it on this site?

[speechlesstx]

Our Government deserves it. Most of the people in our country deserve to be made fun of.

Yeah right, not much worthwhile comes from the US, eh?

Hell most school kids can't point out America on a map.

Maybe our schools should do less brainwashing and indoctrination and more teaching?

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!!

I think maybe the UK has us beat in that regard.

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".

So we should have no standards?

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

And we have a right to laugh back :D

[NeedKarma]

I think it is incumbent on the wealthiest and most powerful Nation in the world to protect people against terrorism and fight for their freedom and liberty, in the pursuit of happiness. And I think those who would stand by and do nothing are cowards.

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?

[inthebox]

Typical American response! Now I know my comment was correct and it hit a nerve. So my next question is what did i say that was not true?

Aren't you tired of our government acting like the police of the world? I know I am! Aren't you sick of seeing these idiots from hollywood on the news every night like they actually affect real life? I am!!!! Aren't you sick of how people freak out over a TV show showing someone's bare butt or cursing, But no one really freaking out when an election was rigged! I AM!!!!!! So until people in this country wake up and see what is really happening around them the rest of the world has a right to laugh at us.

You better run now I am sure you are missing some prime coverage of Britney Spears Eating a Big Mac!!!!!!!!

Complain complain complain complain.

Try a little humor.
Yakov Smirnoff - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Dark_crow]

It had to be under a guise, as most, if not all wars are…otherwise the status-quo would not stand for it. For instance, we prodded Japan into striking first so that we could intervene. In WW1 we purposely sent the Lusitania into German waters knowing the U-Boats would attack it.


What I meant was that I don't watch the shows you are against on TV, or read about them.

[jillianleab]

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.

[Dark_crow]

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?

Yes, a lot of Americans don’t believe it a Duty of the strong to protect the weak. You can watch the Local News in most large cities and read where someone was mugged while people watch and did nothing too often….again…cowards.

[spitvenom]

Maybe our schools should do less brainwashing and indoctrination and more teaching?

Exactly!!

I think maybe the UK has us beat in that regard.

Probably but I don't pay attention to any countries movie and music stars.

So we should have no standards?

No Not really. Why should I be denied seeing what I want to see cause someone was offended in some bible belt town.

And we have a right to laugh back :D

Yeah we have the right to laugh at other countries I mean France thinks Jerry Lewis is a comedy Genius. HOW FUNNY IS THAT!! All I am basically saying is why even get offended when other countries make fun of us. We deserve most of it.

[NeedKarma]

Yes, a lot of Americans don’t believe it a Duty of the strong to protect the weak. You can watch the Local News in most large cities and read where someone was mugged while people watch and did nothing too often….again…cowards.

Um... thanks for the non-answer.:rolleyes:

[Dark_crow]

Um...thanks for the non-answer.:rolleyes:

Yes, a no answer to a hypothetical that is not in the realm of reality. That is no different than saying we should have waited for Hussein to decide to make people happy.

But what of Duty and cowards?

[NeedKarma]

But what of Duty and cowards?

Not worth my time to answer.

[Dark_crow]

Why am I not surprised... Given that Canada's sense of Duty stops at its borders.

[speechlesstx]

No Not really. Why should I be denied seeing what I want to see cause someone was offended in some bible belt town.

I know, I know, parents can just turn the TV off... but consider the amount of sex, violence and other rot that kids are exposed to on TV. Wouldn't we be wise as a nation to tone it down a little on broadcast TV during hours kids will be watching? Preferably voluntarily by the networks?

Yeah we have the right to laugh at other countries I mean France thinks Jerry Lewis is a comedy Genius. HOW FUNNY IS THAT!! All I am basically saying is why even get offended when other countries make fun of us. We deserve most of it.

Come on now, we deserve some of it... just like everyone else.