NationStates Jolt Archive

We have started to settle back into apathy again. We have not been attacked on our own land lately, but our soldiers have been killed and mutilated. Our lives need a little boost. Here, read this.

> EDITORIAL FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY
> We rarely get a chance to see another country's
> editorial about the USA. I think this is very much
> worth reading and passing on. It says a lot. Read
> this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper. The article
> was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published
> under the title "C"ntarea Americii (meaning "Ode To
> America") on September 24, 2002 in the Romanian
> newspaper Evenimentulzilei ("The Daily Event" or
> "News of the Day").
>
> ~An Ode to America~
>
> Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble
> one another even if you painted them all one color!
> They speak all the languages of the world and form
> an astonishing mixture of civilizations and
> religious beliefs. Still, the American tragedy
> turned three hundred million people into a hand put
> on the heart.
> Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the army,
> and the secret services that they are only a bunch
> of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank
> accounts. Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby
> to gape about. The Americans volunteered to donate
> blood and to give a helping hand. After the first
> moments of panic, they raised their flag over the
> smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in
> the colors of the national flag. They placed flags
> on buildings and cars as if in every place and on
> every car a government official or the president was
> passing. On every occasion, they started singing
> their traditional song: "God Bless America!"
>
> I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun
> for hours listening to the story of the guy who went
> down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair
> without knowing who she was, or of the Californian
> hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the
> terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a
> target that could have killed other hundreds or
> thousands of people. How on earth were they able to
> respond united as one human being? Imperceptibly,
> with every word and musical note, the memory of some
> turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with
> every phone call, millions and millions of dollars
> were put in a collection aimed at rewarding not a
> man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can
> buy.
>
> What on earth can unite the Americans in such a way?
> Their land? Their galloping history? Their economic
> Power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer,
> humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of
> sounding commonplace. I thought things over, but I
> reached only one conclusion...
>
> Only freedom can work such miracles.
>
>
> This deserves to be passed around the Internet
> forever.

----------------------

E-mail I got from my Grandma, and this is the most true thing I have ever seen. It takes someone from another Country to realize what makes us United, while all Americans must have a tragedy to start it up again. Well, at least we can set grudges and shit aside for awhile and stand united as one like we always should.

Ah I love it they see the days following 9/11 and assume we're like that all the time......We arewnt united at least no more than most countries

True...very true. Yet Some loser is gonna come and ruin the moment. But for now, it's awesome

True...very true. Yet Some loser is gonna come and ruin the moment. But for now, it's awesome


I suppose I'm that loser? Its ok I'm used to it.

we're not

corporate controlled media may give that impression
because of it's own very narrow range of vested interest

but otherwise
to put it quite simply
we're not

=^^=
.../\...

I think people saving others in time of crisis is not an American/freedom thing. It happens all over the world, all the time. Over here in China that happens many a time, too. We're Communist, Asian, not-so-free, and yet.

Unity is not a virtue.
Sheep are united.

I don't think we're united in friendship or comeraderie or anything, but I think most of us realize our world situation on a clearer level now. We know we're in for a long fight against 9-11 type terrorism, and most accept it, I'd say.

Unity is not a virtue.
Sheep are united.

Tell that to my Australian Shepard. (Sheepdog) Sheep don't herd together nearly as much as you'd think.. they wander all over the place. My hounds are from a litter off a friend's farm..

Let's see some American writing...Tolerant and freedom loving:

"You Worry Me

By: American Airlines Pilot - Captain John Maniscalco

"You worry me. I wish you didn't. I wish when I walked down the streets of this country that I love, that your color and culture still blended with the beautiful human landscape we enjoy in this country. But you don't blend in anymore. I notice you, and it worries me. I notice you because I can't help it anymore. People from your homelands, professing to be Muslims, have been attacking and killing my fellow citizens and our friends for more than 20 years now. I don't fully understand their grievances and hate but I know that nothing can justify the inhumanity of their attacks.

On September 11, nineteen ARAB-MUSLIMS hijacked four jetliners in my country. They cut the throats of women in front of children and brutally stabbed to death others. They took control of those planes and crashed them into buildings killing thousands of proud fathers, loving sons, wise grandparents, elegant daughters, best friends, favorite coaches, fearless public servants, and children's mothers.

So I notice you now. I don't want to be worried. I don't want to be consumed by the same rage and hate and prejudice that has destroyed the soul of these terrorists. But I need your help. As a rational American, trying to protect my country and family in an irrational and unsafe world, I must know how to tell the difference between you, and the Arab/Muslim terrorist.

How do I differentiate between the true Arab-Muslim Americans and the Arab-Muslims in our communities who are attending our schools, enjoying our parks, and living in OUR communities under the protection of OUR constitution, while they plot the next attack that will slaughter those very same good neighbors and children? The events of September 11th changed the answer. It is not my responsibility to determine which of you embraces our great country, with ALL of it's religions, with ALL of it's different citizens, with all of it's faults. It is time for every Arab-Muslim in this country to determine it for me.

I want to know, I demand to know, and I have a right to know whether or not you love America. Do you pledge allegiance to it's flag? Do you proudly display in front of your house, or on your car? Do you pray in your many daily prayers that Allah will bless this nation, that He will protect and prosper it?

Or do you pray that Allah with destroy it in one of your "Jihads"? Are you thankful for the freedom that only this nation affords? A freedom that was paid for by the blood of hundreds of thousands of patriots who gave their lives for this country? Are you willing to preserve this freedom by paying the ultimate sacrifice? Do you love America? If this is your commitment, then I need YOU to start letting ME know about it.

Your Muslim leaders in this nation should be flooding the media at this time with hard facts on your faith, and what hard actions you are taking as a community and as a religion to protect the United States of America. Please, no more benign overtures of regret for the death of the innocent because I worry about who you regard as innocent. And no more benign overtures of condemnation for the unprovoked attacks because I worry about what is unprovoked to you. I am not interested in any more sympathy...I am only interested in action. What will you do for America — our great country — at this time of crisis, at this time of war?

I want to see Arab-Muslims waving the AMERICAN flag in the streets. I want to hear you chanting "Allah Bless America". I want to see young Arab-Muslim men enlisting in the military. I want to see a commitment of money, time, and emotion to the victims of this butchering and to this nation as a whole.

The FBI has a list of over 400 people they want to talk to regarding the WTC attack. Many of these people live and socialize in Muslim communities. You know them. You know where they are. Hand them over to us, now!

But I have seen little even approaching this sort of action. Instead I have seen an already closed and secretive community close even tighter. You have disappeared from the streets. You have posted armed security guards at your facilities. You have threatened lawsuits. You have screamed for protection from reprisals.

The very few Arab-Muslim representatives that HAVE appeared in the media were defensive and equivocating. They seemed more concerned with making sure that the United States prove who was responsible before taking action. They seemed more concerned with protecting their fellow Muslims from violence directed towards them in the United States and abroad than they did with supporting our country and denouncing "leaders" like Khadafi, Hussein, Farrakhan, and Arafat. If the true teachings of Islam proclaim tolerance and peace and love for all people then I want chapter and verse from the Koran and statements from popular Muslim leaders to back it up. What good is it if the teachings in the Koran are good and pure and true when your "leaders" are teaching fanatical interpretations, terrorism, and intolerance.

It matters little how good Islam SHOULD BE if large numbers of the world's Muslims interpret the teachings of Mohammed incorrectly and adhere to a degenerative form of the religion. A form that has been demonstrated to us over and over again. A form whose structure is built upon a foundation of violence, death, and suicide. A form whose members are recruited from the prisons around the world. A form whose members defended Johnny Cochran and O. J. Simpson after the latter butchered his wife and murdered an innocent friend. A form whose members (some as young as five years old) are seen day after day, week in and week out, year after year, marching in the streets around the world, burning effigies of our presidents, burning the American flag, shooting weapons into the air. A form whose members convert from a peaceful religion, only to take up arms against the great United States of America, the country of their birth. A form whose rules are so twisted, that their traveling members refuse to show their faces at airport security checkpoints, in the name of Islam.

Do you and your fellow Muslims hate us because our women proudly show their faces in public rather than cover up like a shameful whore?

Do you and your fellow Muslims hate us because we drink wine with dinner, or celebrate Christmas? Do you and you fellow Muslims hate us because we have befriended Israel, the ONLY civilized democratic nation in the entire middle-east? And if you and your fellow Muslims hate us, then why in the world are you even here?

Are you here to take our money? Are you here to undermine our peace and stability? Are you here to destroy us? If so, I want you to leave. I want you to go back to your desert sandpit where women are treated like rats and dogs. I want you to take your religion, your friends, and your family back to your Islamic extremists, and STAY THERE!

We will NEVER give in to your influence, your retarded mentality, your twisted, violent, intolerant religion. We will NEVER allow the attacks of September 11, or any others for that matter, to take away that which is so precious to us: Our rights under the greatest constitution in the world.

I want to know where every Arab-Muslim in this country stands and I think it is my right and the right of every true citizen of this country to demand it. A right paid for by the blood of thousands of my brothers and sisters who died protecting the very constitution that is protecting you and your family. I am pleading with you to let me know. I want you here as my brother, my neighbor, my friend, as a fellow American. But there can be no gray areas or ambivalence regarding your allegiance and it is up to YOU, to show ME, where YOU stand."

Until then ... you worry me. "

Unity is not a virtue.
Sheep are united.

Tell that to my Australian Shepard. (Sheepdog) Sheep don't herd together nearly as much as you'd think.. they wander all over the place. My hounds are from a litter off a friend's farm..

Australians nver call their dogs "hounds".

Crikey.

Sheep do cluster together.
Sheep can be rounded up fairly easily by very few (or sole) dogs.
Been there, done that, using Aussie dogs.
The most common "sheep dog" here is a kelpie.
I have never hear of a breed called an "Australian Shepherd" (pardon my correcting your spelling).
Maybe that is what you call them, never what we do.
I repeat, though, unity is not a virtue.
The German people were quite united behind Hitler at the beginning of the war, the Japanese were equally united behind their Emperor. Unity doesn't make them "right". In fact, some times it is only the "dissenters" who are right.

True...very true. Yet Some loser is gonna come and ruin the moment. But for now, it's awesome


I suppose I'm that loser? Its ok I'm used to it.

Yes you are. Europeans don't understand us. Its our country, we will do what we want and no dumeA** european is going to order a change in us or our country!

Unity is not a virtue.
Sheep are united.

Tell that to my Australian Shepard. (Sheepdog) Sheep don't herd together nearly as much as you'd think.. they wander all over the place. My hounds are from a litter off a friend's farm..

Australians nver call their dogs "hounds".

Crikey.

Sheep do cluster together.
Sheep can be rounded up fairly easily by very few (or sole) dogs.
Been there, done that, using Aussie dogs.
The most common "sheep dog" here is a kelpie.
I have never hear of a breed called an "Australian Shepherd" (pardon my correcting your spelling).
Maybe that is what you call them, never what we do.
I repeat, though, unity is not a virtue.
The German people were quite united behind Hitler at the beginning of the war, the Japanese were equally united behind their Emperor. Unity doesn't make them "right". In fact, some times it is only the "dissenters" who are right.


Yeah, I'm not sure why they're called "Australian Shepherds" either, since they were originally bred in California, into their modern form. http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/ausshep.cfm Mine don't look quite like the ones on the page, since they're mixed with German Shepherd, at least 1/4. Still, sheep are not what I would see as the epitome of unity, by my experience. Either way though, decentralization is at the heart of the downfall of civilization, time and time again. There is and always will be strength in unity, whether you think a civilization should survive through strength, grovelling, begging, or whatever.

Edit -- Technically, shepherds and hounds are in completely different categories, according tot he AKC, but it's still a more convenient term to me, though technically incorrect. :wink:

True...very true. Yet Some loser is gonna come and ruin the moment. But for now, it's awesome


I suppose I'm that loser? Its ok I'm used to it.

Yes you are. Europeans don't understand us. Its our country, we will do what we want and no dumeA** european is going to order a change in us or our country!
Heres another example why I don't mind and am not offended when a few American assh*les get toasted. I'd be more upset about a rabbit or squirrel getting run over.

Can you Americans explain why your nation (actually, consists of many different cultures, races, and languages around the world) could unite like a powerful and mature nation?

Even in many monocultured nations like Korea and China, these kind of nationalism are very rare to see.

we aren't united. come to my school and see how many kids actually give 2 f*cks about america or anything else.

Most "normal"* humans don't like to see other humans suffer horribly if they can help it. During and after the attacks people simply did what they could to help others. It's about being human, not about being American. It happens all over the world, all the time. (Think Schindler, think about the Doctor in "Hiroshima" - I forget his name.)

Furthermore, if the carnage was not the result of terrorist attacks, but of engineering faults (it was engineering faults too, but that's another thread) then it would not have been so widely publicised or distorted by the media. The emergency services did what they do in these circumstances, and would have done so whether it was after a terrorist attack, or whether a warehouse just blew up.

The point is: Americans are human too.

Aidan

(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama)

I don't know. I just moved here.

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)

We're only united when pissed off... and even then there are fringes.

Heres another example why I don't mind and am not offended when a few American assh*les get toasted. I'd be more upset about a rabbit or squirrel getting run over.

Real intellectuals form their opinions using anectdotal evidence. :roll:

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)

Yeah...the minority is slim :wink:

Can you Americans explain why your nation (actually, consists of many different cultures, races, and languages around the world) could unite like a powerful and mature nation?

Even in many monocultured nations like Korea and China, these kind of nationalism are very rare to see. Because Nationalism is how we define ourselves. We all have a blistering hatred of outsiders.

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)

Yeah...the minority is slim :wink:
Less then 250 kilo's.

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)
CHOKE ON YOUR LIES!

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)
CHOKE ON YOUR LIES!
What lies? I don´t see any.

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)
CHOKE ON YOUR LIES!
What lies? I don´t see any. The lie that you compare the greatest ruler in the world of 2000-2008 to scum like Hitler and Stalin.

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)
CHOKE ON YOUR LIES!
What lies? I don´t see any. The lie that you compare the greatest ruler in the world of 2000-2008 to scum like Hitler and Stalin.
Your right. He´s from a rich family. Like Osama Bin Laden. My apoligies. He´s not like Hitler or Stalin who are both from rather poor families.

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)
CHOKE ON YOUR LIES!
What lies? I don´t see any. The lie that you compare the greatest ruler in the world of 2000-2008 to scum like Hitler and Stalin.
Your right. He´s rich. Like Osama Bin Laden. My apoligies. OSMA LIVES IN A GOD DAMNED CAVE! HOW IS HE RICH!?!

The point is: Americans are human too.
Only a slim minority.


(*Exclude such unsavoury characters as Hitler, Stalin and Osama,George W. Bush*)
CHOKE ON YOUR LIES!
What lies? I don´t see any. The lie that you compare the greatest ruler in the world of 2000-2008 to scum like Hitler and Stalin.
Your right. He´s rich. Like Osama Bin Laden. My apoligies. OSMA LIVES IN A GOD DAMNED CAVE! HOW IS HE RICH!?!
Yes. I know my initial post was a bit confusing. But I edited it so it is more clear.

in a lot of ways americans are like students, on a regular day they are fine, they will pass by exchange glanes with each other talk with their groupies, eat lunch with thte peple that they like. but then when the finals come p everybody is with everybody, studying, and working together.

in a lot of ways americans are like students, on a regular day they are fine, they will pass by exchange glanes with each other talk with their groupies, eat lunch with thte peple that they like. but then when the finals come p everybody is with everybody, studying, and working together.

He's got a point. The Americans aren't all that united. After 9-11, everyone is all, let's be American, i love america, let's put up american flags everywhere. But as soon as the iraq thing started, people started protesting, and hating, and hating the haters, etc.

The title of this thread sounds like a question in a propaganda film that is promptly answered with more propaganda

Yes you are. Europeans don't understand us. Its our country, we will do what we want and no dumeA** european is going to order a change in us or our country!

Correction! It are a select few americans who do with the USA what they want regardless of what the majority wants. A fine example of this is how Bush came to power.

Most USAers have no more real say on how their country is run than the average illegal immigrant. Unfortunately many USAers still seem oblivious to this.

I'm just going to let all you foreign liberals continue to insult America, because its obvious you don't understand our policies. You can just continue being jealous of our power and might, and how just we use it. You hate to see a nation greater than your own. So keep on insulting Americans, in only reflects on how bad off you are.

Yes you are. Europeans don't understand us. Its our country, we will do what we want and no dumeA** european is going to order a change in us or our country!

A fine example of this is how Bush came to power.



How is the 2000 election an example of this?

I'm just going to let all you foreign liberals continue to insult America, because its obvious you don't understand our policies. You can just continue being jealous of our power and might, and how just we use it. You hate to see a nation greater than your own. So keep on insulting Americans, in only reflects on how bad off you are.
There's nothing wrong in criticising a nation which kills thousands of innocent Iragis (amongst others) Individual Americans can be judged on their own merits however.
As to "foriegn Liberals" being jealous, violence and overweening arrogance are not qualities that I admire. I would rather count an innocent Iraqi as friend than a war crazed American.

Frankly, I think any post that starts with the concept that Americans are all united is clearly from somebody who has NOT been paying a whole lot of attention to things. In many respects, I've never seen the country so divided on many key issues.

It is true - in time of crisis a country will pull together. The US did that after 9-11. Spain did that after their attack (even if it wasn;t the response the US wanted). Canada did it during the October crisis. Germany did it when the wall came down.

There are instances that transcend politics. However in the US, that moment was nearly three years ago now and the unity is completely gone in many areas.

-Z-

I'm just going to let all you foreign liberals continue to insult America, because its obvious you don't understand our policies. You can just continue being jealous of our power and might, and how just we use it. You hate to see a nation greater than your own. So keep on insulting Americans, in only reflects on how bad off you are.
There's nothing wrong in criticising a nation which kills thousands of innocent Iragis (amongst others) Individual Americans can be judged on their own merits however.
As to "foriegn Liberals" being jealous, violence and overweening arrogance are not qualities that I admire. I would rather count an innocent Iraqi as friend than a war crazed American.
I completely agree with you. I was born in America. My mother was, as well as my father. However, I do not count myself American. Because I despise everything Bush stands for. I despise the fact we think we(they) can 'free' any country that they don't see fit. They are playing father to the rest of the world, and with a populace who is clearly not the superior to any other, what right do they have? As for you Bush Thumpers, how could you call him a great ruler? What exactly makes him so grand? The fact he adores declaring war in any situation that as a last resort might call for it? I'd call him an egotistic insane war criminal.
Perhaps thats just me.

What exactly makes him so grand? The fact he adores declaring war in any situation that as a last resort might call for it?
war crazed American.
[Quote]


Its funny to see people complain about Bush being a warmonger and going to war as the first resort, considering its totally untrue.

Then again, so are most of the accusations leveled at Bush.

What exactly makes him so grand? The fact he adores declaring war in any situation that as a last resort might call for it?
war crazed American.


Its funny to see people complain about Bush being a warmonger and going to war as the first resort, considering its totally untrue.

Then again, so are most of the accusations leveled at Bush.

[quote]What exactly makes him so grand? The fact he adores declaring war in any situation that as a last resort might call for it?
war crazed American.



Its funny to see people complain about Bush being a warmonger and going to war as the first resort, considering its totally untrue.

Then again, so are most of the accusations leveled at Bush.
You say it, but do not back up your comments with factual information.

Since I'm not the one making the accusations, its not my duty to provide the burden of proof.

Criticize all you want, as an American I am used to people criticizing the government, taxes, gasoline prices, and all sorts of things. I hear that right here at home, we can do that here. Many of you that are not American can do that where you are also so have at it.

We Americans disagree often with one another on many issues. Problem other nations have with us is that we can come together for certain issues, even though we are still bickering within our own ranks.

If you have a problem with the U.S. that is fine, if you enjoy living where you do that is fine also. Please stay there. Be assured however that if a natural disaster strikes your land, Americans will band together to donate food, clothing and money for relief. Volunteer workers and organizatins will come to help you out and we will not even ask if you like us or support our politics. I assume you can say the same.

What really bothers non-Americans is that we don't ask permission to defend ourselves. Don't kid yourselves, it is no accident that we did not simply use extreme force against Iraq and Afganistan. Our issue was not against the people of those nations but rather against their governments and the programs they supported. What other nation in the world has spent as much time and effort to develop weapon systems that are dedicated to reducing civilian casualties as much as possible? Why should we care about non-military casualties? There will be those out there that will counter with 'Why have weapons at all if you are not warlike?'. YOU are the reason we have them.



I have seen war close up. It is the least of man's accomplishments.

Since I'm not the one making the accusations, its not my duty to provide the burden of proof.Then your refusal to back up your claim makes what you say meaningless.

Then your refusal to back up your claim makes what you say meaningless.

No it dosen't, Joe. Lets see if you can follow this carefully.

1.) You said I need evidence to back up my claims,

2.) If I don't have this, you said it would make it meaningless,

3.) My claim is that the accusations that Bush is a warmonger is untrue

4.) The side that claimed Bush is a warmonger didn't provide any evidence (Besides maybe shouting out "Iraq!"

5.) Therfore, using the same line of thought as you, their claims are meaningless and I don't need any evidence.

Since I'm not the one making the accusations, its not my duty to provide the burden of proof.Then your refusal to back up your claim makes what you say meaningless.

Not that again... Burden of proof falls on anyone who wants to make a claim or deny a claim. Rather, anyone whose argument is unfounded by fact is immediately nulled, be they in favour or against a proposal. So you're both in need of evidence.

Anyway, National pride is a big part of American unity. While a little of that can be a good thing, especially if they're proud of it for the right reasons, Tumaniaa's quotation worried me to no end. I hope those are only the views of a select minority; exchanging the terms "Arab" and "Muslim" for "Jew" and "September 11" for "November 11" would pass convincingly for a Nazi party-member writing that would be globally condemned...

Since I'm not the one making the accusations, its not my duty to provide the burden of proof.Then your refusal to back up your claim makes what you say meaningless.

Not that again... Burden of proof falls on anyone who wants to make a claim or deny a claim. Rather, anyone whose argument is unfounded by fact is immediately nulled, be they in favour or against a proposal. So you're both in need of evidence.

Anyway, National pride is a big part of American unity. While a little of that can be a good thing, especially if they're proud of it for the right reasons, Tumaniaa's quotation worried me to no end. I hope those are only the views of a select minority; exchanging the terms "Arab" and "Muslim" for "Jew" and "September 11" for "November 11" would pass convincingly for a Nazi party-member writing that would be globally condemned...
I think you'll find that it is established fact that thousands of innocent Iraqis have been killed in this American invasion. If you don't accept what I say, check it with other sources.

Compliments Graustarke. Well said. Hope you will have time to post more.

Did you ever notice how many of these critics are like the "Monday morning quarterback." They contribute nothing at all to the game. Just endless criticism, second guessing, and nonsense.