[thisisit]

True, yes they are :)

[speechlesstx]

But only one was the reporter.

[thisisit]

This is true, that is why I said biased "reporter" ;)

[speechlesstx]

this is true, that is why I said biased "reporter" ;)

Thank you :)

[paraclete]

What I really find hard to believe is a geezer MP lowering himself by patronizing an American francise like Micky D's . The violent reaction was due to something they added to the McWallaby.

What! You don't believe in american marketing now? Any person travelling might conveniently use a Mcdonald's they are as prolific as blowflies in our towns and cities and very convenient as public toilets

[paraclete]

I don't know, just a hunch, paraclete, you seem like a biased reporter.... just sayin.

I wouldn't even have mentioned it excepting for the bizzaire statement made by the lout and I thought you might like to comment on what your citizens get up to when out of the gaze of their fellows, or is this sort of behaviour common place in the USA. Instead you find it convenient to shoot the messenger

[paraclete]

The MP should've pulled out one of them Paul Hogan knives.

Yes Tom that's the way, encourage violence and mayhem. It may surprise you to know that assaults like this are very uncommon in our society. It isn't the average american tourist that goes around thumping people shouting this is the way we do it in america and so we don't feel the need to be armed to protect ourselves from american idiots and thugs with delusional tendencies who frequent McDonald's carparks. I know americans don't understand humour but Paul Hogan was a character actor/comedian and entirely unrepresentative of Australian bushmen

[tomder55]

You mean Crocodile Dundee isn't real ? Crikey !

My problem is that we are constantly lectured that the actions of the individual doesn't represent the group and we therefore shouldn't make conclusions or broad generalizations about the group from the acts of the individual .

But it's perfectly OK to broad brush all of us as ugly Americans based on the alleged actions of this guy who according to the one sided reports has anger management issues (oh I'm sure no Aussie ever brawls )

[paraclete]

you mean Crocodile Dundee aint real ? crikey !

My problem is that we are constantly lectured that the actions of the individual doesn't represent the group and we therefore shouldn't make conclusions or broad generalizations about the group from the acts of the individual .

But it's perfectly ok to broad brush all of us as ugly Americans based on the alleged actions of this guy who according to the one sided reports has anger management issues (oh I'm sure no Aussie ever brawls )

I happen to think the actions of the individual does mirror the group and your countrymen appearently think so too otherwise why would they have destroyed Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11. There is a double standard here where you judge others by the actions of individuals but when we flip the coin you want to allege that the actions of the individual doesn't mirror the group. Let's take this american thug we were discussing, obviously he comes from a culture where his behaviour is a norm and may even be considered obligatory in some parts of his society. Okay I'll concede his behaviour and attitude may be confined to young black americans and as that makes him part of an oppressed minority I expect he should be excused. You forget he made a point of making sure his victim knew he was an american is if beating up a senior citizen is a thing of pride.

Now as to the aussie brawling issue, strangely enough it appears to be endemic among a group of misguided "black" indigenous youth who think black american culture is something to emulate, the rest of us have better things to do, usually confining our brawling to the sporting arena where we hand our merciless punishment to our opponents unless of course some luckless muslim happens to offer an opportunity

[tomder55]

Let's take this american thug we were discussing, obviously he comes from a culture where his behaviour is a norm and may even be considered obligatory in some parts of his society. Okay I'll concede his behaviour and attitude may be confined to young black americans and as that makes him part of an oppressed minority I expect he should be excused.

You are full of presumption's, cliche's and stereotypes. You accused me previously of excusing his action and then in turn make excuses for him based on a stereotype you have of American blacks.
You are using this to bolster your own prejudices.
Why can't you admit that this is a very isolated case ;that it doesn't represent America or the majority of "black" America.

[thisisit]

I wouldn't even have mentioned it excepting for the bizzaire statement made by the lout and I thought you might like to comment on what your citizens get up to when out of the gaze of their fellows, or is this sort of behaviour common place in the USA. Instead you find it convenient to shoot the messenger

I have traveled all over the world and never had any kind of incident like this. I'm a US citizen. Some of us behave well, and others behave differently. In fact, US citizens living within the US behave somewhat differently depending on what state or area of the country they are from. We are basically individuals here and what floats one's boat, may not float his neighbors.

[speechlesstx]

I happen to think the actions of the individual does mirror the group...

I have two close friends in Australia right now that couldn't be more different than the perpetrator in this case. At least twice as many American tourists in Australia are kind, gentle, friendly and most appreciative of your land and people, than are violent and screaming "this is how we do it in America." Therefore, the group must be a pretty good bunch.

[paraclete]

I have two close friends in Australia right now that couldn't be more different than the perpetrator in this case. At least twice as many American tourists in Australia are kind, gentle, friendly and most appreciative of your land and people, than are violent and screaming "this is how we do it in America." Therefore, the group must be a pretty good bunch.

What gets me in this is we welcome everyone who comes here legally and respects our laws and our people. We aren't interested in imposing our culture on anyoneelse, and we certainly don't want to know how you do it in america. I think we have shown time and time again we are ahead of the game even if we don't have some of your innovations. We live without the violence you experience in some parts.

[paraclete]

I have traveled all over the world and never had any kind of incident like this. I'm a US citizen. Some of us behave well, and others behave differently. In fact, US citizens living within the US behave somewhat differently depending on what state or area of the country they are from. We are basically individuals here and what floats one's boat, may not float his neighbors.

I have travelled all over the world too and I have not experienced anything like this, even in some places that have a reputation for violence. Does this mean I haven't seen isolated incidents, no, but, what it makes me think is we need to improve our border protection and visa procedures to do background checks on US citizens like we do with people from certain other places.

[speechlesstx]

What gets me in this is we welcome everyone who comes here legally and respects our laws and our people. We arn't interested in imposing our culture on anyoneelse, and we certainly don't want to know how you do it in america. I think we have shown time and time again we are ahead of the game even if we don't have some of your innovations. We live without the violence you experience in some parts.

Clete, what the heck does that have to do with what I said? I don't disrespect your country or your people, I have always considered you friends. Stop ragging on mine.

[excon]

Hello clete:

I think he got beat up because of that sissy Aussie accent. It ain't American. If you come over here, you better speak American..

excon

[speechlesstx]

I think he got beat up because of that sissy Aussie accent. It ain't American. If you come over here, you better speak American..

What is "American?" I speak Texan... and a little French. Almost all my neighbors speak Spanish... and English... and most, speak Texan. I love a solid North Carolina or Tennessee accent, as well as New Jersey. But those from Nebraska and north... sounds way too whiny. Oh, and on our last visit to San Diego, the hotel clerk was an Aussie. Loved listening to the dude talk.

[paraclete]

Hello clete:

I think he got beat up because of that sissy Aussie accent. It ain't American. If you come over here, you better speak American..

excon

Hey ex up your nose with a rubber hose

[twinkiedooter]

Hey ex up your nose with a rubber hose

Ohhhhhh you're so tough, tough guy. Why not just boycott McDonalds and stop going there altogether. They just serve unadulterated poison for food with all the additives MSG, etc. washed down with aspartame (ant poison) soda. If you Aussies are so danged smart you'd boycott all fast foods but no, you too have been suckered into eating at fast food places. Pretty soon you'll be happily obese as well.

You're going to bash ALL Americans over what one rotten apple American did or said. Please. He must have been delusional or not taking his Prozac or taking his Prozac. You were not there. You have no idea just who's story was true or made up.

And telling my friend Exie that unspeakable insult tells me that you secretly HATE all Americans. And just as I had clocked you months ago you just LOVE to American bash every single chance you get. Well, why don't you go bash folks elsewhere. I, for one, am really, really tired of your American bashing of our President (that's for US to bash - not someone from a totally different country to bash - we get first dibbs on any of our lame and retarded presidents thank you with no help needed from you Aussies). And you can tell your Queenie to come and clean up all her BP oil that she just accidentally let boil out of the ocean floor. Oh Queenie you'll be wondering why this winter you are under at least 12 feet of snow because the Gulf Stream is not warm any longer keeping your little Island warm in the winter months.

And to answer Exie's question about Brittany Spears I hear she's shaved her head again and is currently drinking Drano (or something like that) so she can go back to the nuthouse and taunt the press. At least that's the latest rumor I've heard on her.

[excon]

Hello twink:

You go, Girl!

Ex