NationStates Jolt Archive

Why is it that everyone seems to put Americans in the same basket, criticizing us because we supposedly put everyone else in the same basket. It's the pot calling the kettle black, Americans are supposed to be so ignorant, and not know what's going on with their country, especially the youth. But tell me, If I were to go to Britain and take a survey of teenagers, asking them about their government, history, and current events, do you really think they would answer better than the average American? Everyone seems to look at us before they look at themselves, and I'm not even a republican so don't play the bush-card.

Call it a rant if you want, I just want to know why we get such a bad wrap.

Why is it that everyone seems to put Americans in the same basket, criticizing us because we supposedly put everyone else in the same basket. It's the pot calling the kettle black, Americans are supposed to be so ignorant, and not know what's going on with their country, especially the youth. But tell me, If I were to go to Britain and take a survey of teenagers, asking them about their government, history, and current events, do you really think they would answer better than the average American? Everyone seems to look at us before they look at themselves, and I'm not even a republican so don't play the bush-card.

Call it a rant if you want, I just want to know why we get such a bad wrap.
Americans are ignorant.

Americans are ignorant.

Ok, so you've met and had a conversation with every American. Well it's great that you could do that, you must be a very busy person.

This is why we get such a bad wrap. In America, the president is our head, and he's supposed to represent the ideals and ways of our nation.

In Europe and so many parts of the world, people look to Bush as the biggest threat to world security since who knows when, and think he's a horrible leader, and since he's representative of us, that must mean that all or most Americans support Bush and etc.

This is why we get such a bad wrap. In America, the president is our head, and he's supposed to represent the ideals and ways of our nation.

In Europe and so many parts of the world, people look to Bush as the biggest threat to world security since who knows when, and think he's a horrible leader, and since he's representative of us, that must mean that all or most Americans support Bush and etc.

Well jesus christ, Europeans need to turn on a t.v. every once and awhile. Bush's political support is split right down the middle, not every American blindly believes everything he says. Have they not seen the war protests, the anti-bush propoganda? All evidence that some Americans can actually think for themselves.

Ok, so you've met and had a conversation with every American. Well it's great that you could do that, you must be a very busy person.
Well, you are ignorant.

Well jesus christ, Europeans need to turn on a t.v. every once and awhile. Bush's political support is split right down the middle, not every American blindly believes everything he says. Have they not seen the war protests, the anti-bush propoganda? All evidence that some Americans can actually think for themselves.
Maybe. However, my statement was just as much a blanket statement as yours. Not all Europeans think that we are ignorant. A good many know what's actually going on.

I am an American. I am also a teen. I actually fall into that ignorant American category, because I do not follow politics a whole lot. But, one thing I do that distinguishes me from the truly ingnorant, is that I don't make decisions, nor generalizations, or even form opinion's based on my limited knowledge. I leave that to the more knowledgable.

I also know Americans who are very in tune with the political world, as well as American's who are so far removed, it sicken's even me. And I am sure that you will find the same in any nation: That it's just a homoginization of people, some who know, and some who don't.

Therefore, I wish to make a generalization based on what I have just said. If I am incorrect, let me know:


The world is ignorant.



Oh, and one more thing which I rather like. I like to claim my citizinship as a member of Earth, not an American. When I said I was an American, that's because that's what my birth certificate says, and it just so happens to be where I live.

Americans are ignorant.

You are actually calling yourself ignorant? That's interesting.

Maybe. However, my statement was just as much a blanket statement as yours. Not all Europeans think that we are ignorant. A good many know what's actually going on.

One could say that the ignorant make all the generalizations, and those who know better have nothing to say, other than that the ignorant are fools, but that's just redundant!

Yes. I accept the fact that I don't know everything about world politics. Neither does George Bush.

Yeah, that`s for sure. Americans are ignorant, and not only because of George Bush and stuff like that... Americans cultural level is low, they know nothing about history and geograph outside US (some even inside), not to mention about politics... I hear them calling Football as soccer... They have no idea of where in the world Belarus is set... think that the capital of Brazil is Rio de Janeiro and that brasilians speak spanish... They even call Metallica and Guns N' Roses Heavy Metal bands hehehe... Believe that the so called "D-Day" was THE decisive and crucial point for Germany's defeat in WWII instead of the Stalingrad battle... and the best but not the last one... They believe the airplane was invented by the Wright Brothers... hahaha come on guys... gimme a break!

Yeah, that`s for sure. Americans are ignorant, and not only because of George Bush and stuff like that... Americans cultural level is low, they know nothing about history and geograph outside US (some even inside), not to mention about politics... I see them calling Football as soccer... They have no idea of where in the world Belarus is set... think that the capital of Brazil is Rio de Janeiro and that brasilians speak spanish... They even call Metallica and Guns N' Roses Heavy Metal bands hehehe... Believe that the so called "D-Day" was THE decisive and crucial point for Germany's defeat in WWII instead of the Stalingrad battle... and the best but not the last one... They believe the airplane was invented by the Wright Brothers... hahaha come on guys... gimme a break!
Your just jealouse because Buffalo Bill sailed to the Americas before Leonardo Da Caprio did.

Well jesus christ, Europeans need to turn on a t.v. every once and awhile. Bush's political support is split right down the middle.
most of the 100million americans that support Bush are ignoranr or stupid.

A great deal of americans i have met are ignorant...these are the ones think that there better than everyong else and have never lost a war..NOT TRUE...I will be the first to poke holes in my own country but cannot comprehend how many americans are so blind to the world..and themselves...i must also point out that many are very knowledgable...many others in the world are also ignorant about them.. think that they are all greedy..but its not all of them just a few..personally i think the only problem is they are overly capitalist and warped ideas of how history happened

I live in America, among other Americans. And I think I can safely say that a lot of Americans are ignorant, stupid, or just plain lazy.

Im fairly certain, though, that this problem isn't confined to an area in the middle of the North American land mass. It just seems to be more common in America. Whether this is an illusion based on the fact that I'm exposed to more Americans (or something like that) or if it's actually true, I do not know.

Not to sound even more ignorant, but due to my American education, it was my belief that the Wrights invented the airplane. Does anyone actually know who did, if not the brothers?

By the way, the best way to get rid of all the political shit is to just say fuck it and dont play their game by opposing them. After all, without a workforce driven by fear, the American government would likely collapse in on itself. The world needs to realize that the American people and the American government are essentially two different entities.

From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.

Something that amazes me about (some) Americans is how outdated some of their world views are.

For example, mention Australia or Australians to a lot of Americans and they will make a comment like "Ah, Crocodile Dundee" or "Has a dingo got your baby?". Thats like an Australian saying to an American "Ah, yes, Mr. T - I pity the fool!" or "Nixon, watergate!". If your going to make wiseass comments about a country, at least try to keep it to events from the last 2 decades or so. ;) (You should really update those Crocodile Dundee jokes with Steve Irwin jokes) :)

>Americans are ignorant, and not only because of George Bush

and tell me, how is it George Bush's fault

Believe that the so called "D-Day" was THE decisive and crucial point for Germany's defeat in WWII instead of the Stalingrad battle...


Only about 200,000 Axis soldiers were annhilated in Stalingrad, 350,000 surrendered in Tunisia, three entire Army Groups were destroyed in the summer of '44 (G by Dragoon in southern France, B by the Falaise pocket, and Centre by the White Russian offensive), what was the decisive battle again?

Yeah, that`s for sure. Americans are ignorant, and not only because of George Bush and stuff like that... Americans cultural level is low, they know nothing about history and geograph outside US (some even inside), not to mention about politics... I hear them calling Football as soccer... They have no idea of where in the world Belarus is set... think that the capital of Brazil is Rio de Janeiro and that brasilians speak spanish... They even call Metallica and Guns N' Roses Heavy Metal bands hehehe... Believe that the so called "D-Day" was THE decisive and crucial point for Germany's defeat in WWII instead of the Stalingrad battle... and the best but not the last one... They believe the airplane was invented by the Wright Brothers... hahaha come on guys... gimme a break!

You must be ignorant to think that all Americans think even half of this stuff...Brazilians speak Portuguese and the capital is Brasilia. You can't lump all Americans together and say we are ignorant....believe it or not, we take world history and European history as well as geography.

I've traveled extensively around several continents, and reside outside Boston, and haven spoken with many many foreigners and domestic citizens during my time I can tell you Americans are not the population with the most ignorant. If I had to draw a list it would look something like this

1. Japanese
2. Indians
3. Brazilians
4. Germans & Czechs (Having only talked to 2)

But I do not think these populations are ignorant, in fact one of the most intelligent men I've ever met was an Indian (Rest his soul, he is no longer with us) who trounced me in historical fact and completely destroyed my belief that the Soviets single-handedly won WWII. I've completely changed my belief on this idea since then. I have just happened to meet an abnormally large amount of ignorant people from these populations, this does not make the population at large ignorant. I could have visited Hokkaido or Kyushu instead of Honshu and maybe I would've met less ignorant people, or maybe talked to another person, and avoided contact with the ignorant.

No one nationality is ignorant, some countries may have more ignorant then others, but this is the luck of the draw and will disappear over the generations. The ignorant make up their own race, and anyone who calls a nationality ignorant probably belongs to this country, which I have tentatively named Ignoramia.

I live in America, among other Americans. And I think I can safely say that a lot of Americans are ignorant, stupid, or just plain lazy.

Im fairly certain, though, that this problem isn't confined to an area in the middle of the North American land mass. It just seems to be more common in America. Whether this is an illusion based on the fact that I'm exposed to more Americans (or something like that) or if it's actually true, I do not know.

Wow. I think everyone needs to stop assuming things about the American people. The amount of assuming that has gone on in this thread is scary. I could "assume" all French are "cheese eating surrender monkeys," (i can't remember who said that) and then say that "i think that's safe to say." Yeah, you may think that all Americans are ignorant of everything outside their immediate surroundings, and I may even agree with that, but don't act like it's fact.

...And for those of you who think Americans are lazy, go check the facts. Americans work, on average, many more hours per week than their European counterparts. Spending a lot of time at your job may not mean you aren't lazy, but i'd say it's a good indicator of the American work ethic. This country isn't where it is today because we're stupid and lazy.

I'm out by Worcester. (I challenge any foriegner to tell me where that is if they haven't been to America.) Who cares if people don't know where some city in a country they'll never go to is? Although I am quite versed in historical/geographical information, being a top placer in statewide geographical competitions at Clark, I realize that it's just a hobby. If things are ever going to get better, they've got to start at home. Love your neighbor, understand? Why do we even say ANYTHING about other countries' problems when we complain about our own.

Simple answer folks. Fix the problems you can. Fuck the ones you can't.

From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.

I'm out by Worcester. (I challenge any foriegner to tell me where that is if they haven't been to America.) Who cares if people don't know where some city in a country they'll never go to is? Although I am quite versed in historical/geographical information, being a top placer in statewide geographical competitions at Clark, I realize that it's just a hobby. If things are ever going to get better, they've got to start at home. Love your neighbor, understand? Why do we even say ANYTHING about other countries' problems when we complain about our own.

Simple answer folks. Fix the problems you can. Fuck the ones you can't.

From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.

You know, when I was a kid I used to hate Worcester becuase you guys seemed to always get the snowstorms and snowdays, now having to shovel the crap now that I'm older, I'm all for storms hitting Worcester, Springfield's even better ;)

Like I said, I'm outside of Worcester, in the Blackstone Valley (Where what began in America?) We got one snow day last year. Springfield, although I've never been there too long, seems alright. Six Flags!

Hi I'm from Ireland and on my first trip to the states 9 years ago I was greeted with a warm welcome by my host family and treated very gently till I got indoors where i was dazzled by a huge collection of leprechaun paraphernalia. After suppressing my gag reflex they sat me down and asked me if it was the first time I felt safe. When I asked what I meant they were surprised that I should be so nonchalant about coming from a war zone. After a lengthy discussion trying to convince them there were no trenches within a hundred miles of my hometown they loosened up. Then the questions started flying. "Do you have baked beans in Ireland?" "This here's a MUTE button son" and even "Do you have electricity in Ireland"?!?!?!

However this was in Cleveland...

I've been to the states many times purely because some of my family live there. I feel the greatest problem with the so-called ignorance level is from where Americans are educated. The main staple of information in America is the television. It's everywhere. The analogue to royalty in America are movie-stars. Literacy levels are far lower than those in European countries. Therefore there are two major causes of America's "ignorance".

1 - There is a huge rich-poor divide, there are towns in the US that charity workers go to to gain experience before going abroad. There is excellent education to those who can afford it - paying highschools and damn your colleges are expensive! This schism is a natural result of the extreme capitalist politics of America.

2 - There is no such thing as un-biased news anywhere. However in the states the so-called "news" channels may as well be called entertainment channels for the selectivity and subjectivity of their information. All of them (including the one's you probably consider good like CNN) are rubbish, try watching BBC for a comparison - I hate when I'm in a room with an american news channel on because I hate hypocrisy and they strike me as nothing more than pro-american propoganda vehicles. The level of coverage of foreign news is pitiful both in quantity and quality while later there may be a half hour special on how to deal with snakebites!? This leads to extreme nationalism where if "it" isn't happening in America - you're not interested, or you just don't know.

How many Americans heard of Afghanistan before Sept 11?

What do Americans mean by "World Series Baseball"?

The American foreign policy strikes me as a deliberate ploy that "if you can't compare, you can't complain!"

I also know that there are many relatively well informed people who happen to live in the United States but unfortunately you are the minority but all you can do is keep voting and promoting change.

If it makes you feel any better I took part in the anti-war marches in Ireland when against our neutrality status our prime minister allowed American planes to refuel in one of our airports, yet this amounted to nothing. However I'm gonna keep on voting cause I want to get that rubbish party out of government and it's not going to happen by just complaining.
Cheers
T.

Like I said, I'm outside of Worcester, in the Blackstone Valley (Where what began in America?) We got one snow day last year. Springfield, although I've never been there too long, seems alright. Six Flags!

Cradle of the American Industrial Rev, though I've never been there, and it's part guess since I know it's a river valley and a national park. I grew up in a little town called Halifax one town over from Plymouth, I'm currently in Quincy. The only time I've ever been to Springfield was to visit the Armory or Six Flags (I'm obsessed with the Batman ride), I stayed in the city once at a Holiday Inn, I stepped outside and felt like I was in Mattapan.

Wow. I think everyone needs to stop assuming things about the American people. The amount of assuming that has gone on in this thread is scary. I could "assume" all French are "cheese eating surrender monkeys," (i can't remember who said that) and then say that "i think that's safe to say." Yeah, you may think that all Americans are ignorant of everything outside their immediate surroundings, and I may even agree with that, but don't act like it's fact.

...And for those of you who think Americans are lazy, go check the facts. Americans work, on average, many more hours per week than their European counterparts. Spending a lot of time at your job may not mean you aren't lazy, but i'd say it's a good indicator of the American work ethic. This country isn't where it is today because we're stupid and lazy.
I'm not assuming things, I happen to know many ignorant, stupid, and lazy Americans. Not saying that all Americans are, just some of them.

I'm out by Worcester. (I challenge any foriegner to tell me where that is if they haven't been to America.) Who cares if people don't know where some city in a country they'll never go to is? Although I am quite versed in historical/geographical information, being a top placer in statewide geographical competitions at Clark, I realize that it's just a hobby. If things are ever going to get better, they've got to start at home. Love your neighbor, understand? Why do we even say ANYTHING about other countries' problems when we complain about our own.

Simple answer folks. Fix the problems you can. Fuck the ones you can't.

From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.

The city of Worcester in England (pronounced 'Wooster') is the county town of Worcestershire (similar to a "state" in America).

you may know where you're from, but do you know where that's from?

Yeah, that’s for sure. Americans are ignorant, and not only because of George Bush and stuff like that... Americans cultural level is low,

Which culture is that? Each area of the country has it's own culture. We are a nation made up of people from the world. As such we have several cultures. The French/Creole of Louisiana; Asian and Italian in San Francisco. Italian, Russian, Irish in New York. The Irish in Boston......

So what is our culture? Can you define it?


they know nothing about history and geography outside US (some even inside), not to mention about politics...


To some degree sure. But I am quite sure we can find ignorant people in your country as well. To label all Americans that way is well.....Ignorant.


I hear them calling Football as soccer...

Well Mr. Intellectually superior. If you knew as much as you think you do, you would find we have a different game called Football. Soccer (football) did not catch on in this country for a long time.


They have no idea of where in the world Belarus is set...

I do.

think that the capital of Brazil is Rio de Janeiro and that brasilians speak spanish...

Sure some may think that. Not all. My sister lived in Brasilia for a spell as an exchange student.

So what are the capitols of all 50 states? Where is the district of columbia? Shall I wait while you Google? :rolleyes:

You invalidate yourself with blanket statements....


They even call Metallica and Guns N' Roses Heavy Metal bands hehehe... Believe that the so called "D-Day" was THE decisive and crucial point for Germany's defeat in WWII instead of the Stalingrad battle... and the best but not the last one... They believe the airplane was invented by the Wright Brothers... hahaha come on guys... gimme a break!

Ignores the kiddy flamebait

:rolleyes:

I am Am3rican and i think Bush is a terrorist.

Ohhh! He said Am3rican! He must be REALLY smart. :rolleyes:

If you're going to insult someone, don't make yourself look like a retard.

Hi I'm from Ireland and on my first trip to the states 9 years ago I was greeted with a warm welcome by my host family and treated very gently till I got indoors where i was dazzled by a huge collection of leprechaun paraphernalia. After suppressing my gag reflex they sat me down and asked me if it was the first time I felt safe. When I asked what I meant they were surprised that I should be so nonchalant about coming from a war zone. After a lengthy discussion trying to convince them there were no trenches within a hundred miles of my hometown they loosened up. Then the questions started flying. "Do you have baked beans in Ireland?" "This here's a MUTE button son" and even "Do you have electricity in Ireland"?!?!?!

However this was in Cleveland...

I've been to the states many times purely because some of my family live there. I feel the greatest problem with the so-called ignorance level is from where Americans are educated. The main staple of information in America is the television. It's everywhere. The analogue to royalty in America are movie-stars. Literacy levels are far lower than those in European countries. Therefore there are two major causes of America's "ignorance".

1 - There is a huge rich-poor divide, there are towns in the US that charity workers go to to gain experience before going abroad. There is excellent education to those who can afford it - paying highschools and damn your colleges are expensive! This schism is a natural result of the extreme capitalist politics of America.

2 - There is no such thing as un-biased news anywhere. However in the states the so-called "news" channels may as well be called entertainment channels for the selectivity and subjectivity of their information. All of them (including the one's you probably consider good like CNN) are rubbish, try watching BBC for a comparison - I hate when I'm in a room with an american news channel on because I hate hypocrisy and they strike me as nothing more than pro-american propoganda vehicles. The level of coverage of foreign news is pitiful both in quantity and quality while later there may be a half hour special on how to deal with snakebites!? This leads to extreme nationalism where if "it" isn't happening in America - you're not interested, or you just don't know.

How many Americans heard of Afghanistan before Sept 11?

What do Americans mean by "World Series Baseball"?

The American foreign policy strikes me as a deliberate ploy that "if you can't compare, you can't complain!"

I also know that there are many relatively well informed people who happen to live in the United States but unfortunately you are the minority but all you can do is keep voting and promoting change.

If it makes you feel any better I took part in the anti-war marches in Ireland when against our neutrality status our prime minister allowed American planes to refuel in one of our airports, yet this amounted to nothing. However I'm gonna keep on voting cause I want to get that rubbish party out of government and it's not going to happen by just complaining.
Cheers
T.

Oh, your feelings are hurt because they didn't know much about Ireland. I'll shed a tear later.

Oh, I get to answer some of these.

For the Afganistan question....Most over the age of 20 do. After all, the Soviets invaded there in 1980 and one of the Rambo movies was set there.

World Series baseball...teams from two countries play for top place in the MLB. The players are from places like Cuba and Japan.

Does Ireland have a foreign policy? Other than keeping the abortion ship outside its territorial waters.

The reason everyone thinks Americans are ignorant is because they think they are the center of the world. Guess what? You're little piece of Europe is not the center of the world no matter how much you try to change history to suit your point of view (Hah! Stalingrad was the turning point. If we didn't supply the soviets with Planes, steel and bullets they'd be attacking the Germans with swords) and no matter how much you hate to see one nation have most of the money and power....you're going to have to deal with it.

Listen, jump off your little soap box, stop standing on the sidelines and criticing countries and governments that are taking part in the world stage and get involved yourself.

Also, one last thing. Bush was elected to protect the American people, he's doing what he believes is the right thing. He's not the anti-christ, he isn't Hitler, he's just a guy who is President and if he isn't gone this year, he'll be gone in four more years. Point is, not everyone who disagrees with you is an idiot or ignorant. I know you like to tell yourselves that make yourselves feel better but it's true. I don't like some of Kerry's positions...when he gives them out, but I don't think he's a moron.

And usually, I find when people start making things up in order to put someone down...like I've noticed quite a bit on this board...it means that your position is weak.

Oh, by the way, Shannon Airport is wonderful. I had a nice two hour stay on the way to Iraq....THANKS IRELAND!!!!!

I am an incoming college freshman art student in America, and I can say from my experience that a good deal of Americans are ignorant. However, I find that to lump an entire country together as an ignorant, threatening mass is, in itself, an assumption bred of ignorance. Currently, the American people are led by an ignorant and bumbling leader; that much is true. However, that does not at all mean that all Americans are ignorant and bumbling, or that all Americans stand behind their leader. I am a left-wing, liberal independant. I challenge you to name a left-wing, liberal independant who agrees with and supports Bush.

I do find myself often muttering about how stupid my fellow citizens can be, but I am also marveled time and time again by how brilliant others are. I am quite aware that America is currently viewed in the world as a dangerous influence. It saddens me that Bush turned a once-great nation into a cesspool of political division and corruption. The ignorant Americans are the ones who do not see and realize this... and those who think America is the center of the universe.

Oh, and by the way, I know that the Wright Brothers did not invent the airplane. To my knowledge, the first ideas of man-powered flight were created during the Reniassance.

I am an incoming college freshman art student in America, and I can say from my experience that a good deal of Americans are ignorant. However, I find that to lump an entire country together as an ignorant, threatening mass is, in itself, an assumption bred of ignorance. Currently, the American people are led by an ignorant and bumbling leader; that much is true. However, that does not at all mean that all Americans are ignorant and bumbling, or that all Americans stand behind their leader. I am a left-wing, liberal independant. I challenge you to name a left-wing, liberal independant who agrees with and supports Bush.

I do find myself often muttering about how stupid my fellow citizens can be, but I am also marveled time and time again by how brilliant others are. I am quite aware that America is currently viewed in the world as a dangerous influence. It saddens me that Bush turned a once-great nation into a cesspool of political division and corruption. The ignorant Americans are the ones who do not see and realize this... and those who think America is the center of the universe.

Oh, and by the way, I know that the Wright Brothers did not invent the airplane. To my knowledge, the first ideas of man-powered flight were created during the Reniassance.


Oh yes, you don't agree with him so he's an idiot. That just means your own positions are weak.

I drew a spaceship as a kid....did I invent the shuttle? Whoohoo, I'm going to be rich!!!!

Oh, I just read a post that our culture level is low...that's why everyone tries to emulate it, I'm sure. But then it was followed up by how our metal music sucks, so I'm assuming the person who wrote it is about 12.

Never have I seen such a pathetic display. Especially the Americans on this thread falling all over themselves to prove that they are not ignorant by disassociating themselves from the current administration and all those who support it. Just because someone does not agree with you, doesn't mean he's ignorant. You may be the one that's ignorant, or the other person may simply be assessing the facts differently. Socrates said that the begining of wisdom is admitting that you know nothing, that is to say, that you are ignorant. No one (but God) is omniscient. Therefore, we must make assessments based on what we do know while keeping an open mind in case new information becomes available thus rendering us less ignorant. So yes, Americans are ignorant, but so is the rest of the world. If you think that you're not, remember: Those that the gods would destroy, they first make proud.

*SNIP*
I've been to the states many times purely because some of my family live there. I feel the greatest problem with the so-called ignorance level is from where Americans are educated. The main staple of information in America is the television. It's everywhere. The analogue to royalty in America are movie-stars. Literacy levels are far lower than those in European countries. Therefore there are two major causes of America's "ignorance".


Well greetings. Some of that is ignorance. Some bad taste. If you talk to some people that were in Ireland of 15+ years ago, they would be valid questions. I remember a one hotel whose telephone system was a military style wind up phone. The shower was in the bedroom. Just a bricked over place with a curtain.

Things have greatly changed but do you get my point?

As to the safety comments. Well when the news only talks about Belfast; some people assume.

It happens in every country. When I was in a pub in Dublin; these two blokes asked if I knew Charle Heston since I lived in California. They asked the Gal I was with if she knew Bruce Springsteen because she was from New Jersey.


1 - No comment.


2 - There is no such thing as un-biased news anywhere. However in the states the so-called "news" channels may as well be called entertainment channels for the selectivity and subjectivity of their information. All of them (including the one's you probably consider good like CNN) are rubbish, try watching BBC for a comparison - I hate when I'm in a room with an american news channel on because I hate hypocrisy and they strike me as nothing more than pro-american propoganda vehicles.

TV news is a corporation now so that is true.

About the only "true" news outlet I find for local coverage is the Washington Post. They seem to bash everybody. But to say there is no Bias in any news source in the world? I am sure if we dug hard at the BBC we could find some. I do watch/read it when I can BTW.


The level of coverage of foreign news is pitiful both in quantity and quality while later there may be a half hour special on how to deal with snakebites!? This leads to extreme nationalism where if "it" isn't happening in America - you're not interested, or you just don't know.

The term I heard which I think discribes it the best is "infotainment"

Can't argue with you there. There is a big news gap. Again blame the corporations that run the news agencies now. A think that is almost dead here is investigave Journalism. There have been many instances of stories being dropped because of possible lawsuits.


How many Americans heard of Afghanistan before Sept 11?

More then you think. Because of the Soviet Invasion and Reagan.

I knew it before that from reading about Alexanders campaigns. ;)


What do Americans mean by "World Series Baseball"?

Legacy term. Baseball is over 100 years old. Back when the Series started, we were the only players of it. Personally, I would love to see it open up to the other countries, especially Japan. But it will be a while. People don't want to see America's past time being won by a foreign team! :rolleyes: Never mind the fact the Canadian teams :rolleyes:


The American foreign policy strikes me as a deliberate ploy that "if you can't compare, you can't complain!"

I am not sure what you mean by that.....


I also know that there are many relatively well informed people who happen to live in the United States but unfortunately you are the minority but all you can do is keep voting and promoting change.

Glad to see somebody admit that! :p


I want to get that rubbish party out of government and it's not going to happen by just complaining.
Cheers
T.

A great many Americans can learn something from that statement. ;)

Yep, we're everything they say---and WORSE! We're PROUD to be ignorant, and we're gonna screw the whole world by re-electing Bush. After all, why should WE bother learning anything, when WE have it all? You're just jealous. Nyah, Nyah. Be afraid, be VERY afraid, that we'll blow you all up. Oh, it's just SO much fun to be the ONLY superpower. And by the way, God IS on our side, so don't go crying to Him. God's an American anyhow. You didn't KNOW that? Oh well, ignorance is bliss, they say.

let me just say one thing to all of you who think we Americans are ignorant...

Whose flag is on the moon? :sniper:

Oh yes, you don't agree with him so he's an idiot. That just means your own positions are weak.

I drew a spaceship as a kid....did I invent the shuttle? Whoohoo, I'm going to be rich!!!!

Oh, I just read a post that our culture level is low...that's why everyone tries to emulate it, I'm sure. But then it was followed up by how our metal music sucks, so I'm assuming the person who wrote it is about 12.

I recognize and realize that I do not know everything. I know I am ignorant on some issues. I did not enter this discussion to attack and belittle others with baseless accusations and sarcasm. If you really take the time to look into Bush's past, you'll come to the conclusion that he's either a total fool who got to where he is with his daddy's name, or a complete genius who managed to make everyone else think he's a fool. Personally, I could care less what your view is on it. I'm not going to call you an idiot for disagreeing with me, am I?

I agree with the reference to Socrates in another post. The first step in wisdom is to realize that you know nothing. A very deep and very true statement.

Oh and I forgot.

Unless the education books have changed the Wright Brothers were mentioned as the inventors and pilots of the first engined flight.

Da Vinci is mentioned in our schools! ;)

I am an American. I am also a teen. I actually fall into that ignorant American category, because I do not follow politics a whole lot. But, one thing I do that distinguishes me from the truly ingnorant, is that I don't make decisions, nor generalizations, or even form opinion's based on my limited knowledge. I leave that to the more knowledgable.

I also know Americans who are very in tune with the political world, as well as American's who are so far removed, it sicken's even me. And I am sure that you will find the same in any nation: That it's just a homoginization of people, some who know, and some who don't.

Therefore, I wish to make a generalization based on what I have just said. If I am incorrect, let me know:


The world is ignorant.



Oh, and one more thing which I rather like. I like to claim my citizinship as a member of Earth, not an American. When I said I was an American, that's because that's what my birth certificate says, and it just so happens to be where I live.


Please, enjoy being a teenager now. Don't worry so much about politics. Be young, have fun.

It's the ADULTS who are ignorant that we need to worry about. Are Americans ignorant? Yes. Can we do better? Yes.

What's the problem with a little self-analysis?

Oh and I forgot.

Unless the education books have changed the Wright Brothers were mented as the inventors of the first engined flight and the first pilots.

DaVince is mentioned in our schools! ;)

he is in ours, but, he did not "invent" it, he didn't follow through, for lack of good enough resources at the time, the Wright Brothers, did invent the first engine propelled aircraft, because they were the first to actually build it and fly it.

Americans are ignorant.
I think I answered this question in like the very first reply...

let me just say one thing to all of you who think we Americans are ignorant...

Whose flag is on the moon? :sniper:

So, because the US flag is on the moon, most Americans are well-informed, curious, fountains of knowledge? I guess all Americans are NASA scientists in disguise.

For such a great country, our schools sure crank out a lot of morons.

But, I guess because it's America, we are ALREADY perfect, and don't need to do any better. This is it. Stop trying. Pass me the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. bucket of chicken and the Freedom fries.

he is in ours, but, he did not "invent" it, he didn't follow through, for lack of good enough resources at the time, the Wright Brothers, did invent the first engine propelled aircraft, because they were the first to actually build it and fly it.

Damn it you answered before I corrected my lame writing skills! ;)

I should have said more about Da Vinci and his researh into flight. Didn't mean to imply he did it.

Just watched an interesting show on TV(history channel) about the Greeks and the near steam engine. Of course I blank on the names and the name of the proposed calender computer they found on that wreck in the early 1900s.

Our school system is kind of "average" about certain subjects. I really doubt that many Americans understand that the Vikings took over the Russian area. Or the Greek inventors with their Calender dials or steam bulb. Let alone the great Library of Alexandria.....

But there is access to that info in College.....

let me just say one thing to all of you who think we Americans are ignorant...

Whose flag is on the moon? :sniper:

Hold on there.

Now ask yourself this; which countries scientists made that a possibility?

Arantia, Bush's daddy got him into Yale...he still graduated from there. He also flew jets, not a job for the stupid.

You think he's a fool because you disagree with him. Yeah, he mispronouces words, sure he doesn't know the names of all the leaders from the hundreds of countries around the world and niether does anyone else and we all mispronouce things. Hell, I don't even know if I'm spelling mispronouce right.

Point is, you liberal folks have really nothing bad to say about him. So instead of saying..."I disagree with his tax plan", it's "He's an idiot". Why do you do that? Because you yourself don't know how do debate the subject or perhaps you're just not a strong debater in general.

If Bush is an idiot, and you're a genius...or atleast not an idiot. Then by age 40 you should easily become President, flying Jets, graduated from an Ivy league school and maybe make millions of dollars too.

Good luck.

Hold on there.

Now ask yourself this; which countries scientists made that a possibility?


American, German, Isreali, Brittish and I'm sure a few others.

But since you seem to indicate it's so easy, how many other nations have gone?

Arantia, Bush's daddy got him into Yale...he still graduated from there. He also flew jets, not a job for the stupid.

You think he's a fool because you disagree with him. Yeah, he mispronouces words, sure he doesn't know the names of all the leaders from the hundreds of countries around the world and niether doesn't anyone and we all mispronouce things. Hell, I don't even know if I'm spelling mispronouce right.

Point is, you liberal folks have really nothing bad to say about him. So instead of saying..."I disagree with his tax plan", it's "He's an idiot". Why do you do that? Because you yourself don't know how do debate the subject or perhaps you're just not a strong debater in general.

If Bush is an idiot, and you're a genius...or atleast not an idiot. Then by age 40 you should easily become President, flying Jets, graduated from an Ivy league school and maybe make millions of dollars too.

Good luck.


Now there's a post i can agree with

Arantia, Bush's daddy got him into Yale...he still graduated from there. He also flew jets, not a job for the stupid.

You think he's a fool because you disagree with him. Yeah, he mispronouces words, sure he doesn't know the names of all the leaders from the hundreds of countries around the world and niether does anyone else and we all mispronouce things. Hell, I don't even know if I'm spelling mispronouce right.

Point is, you liberal folks have really nothing bad to say about him. So instead of saying..."I disagree with his tax plan", it's "He's an idiot". Why do you do that? Because you yourself don't know how do debate the subject or perhaps you're just not a strong debater in general.

If Bush is an idiot, and you're a genius...or atleast not an idiot. Then by age 40 you should easily become President, flying Jets, graduated from an Ivy league school and maybe make millions of dollars too.

Good luck.

Graduating from Yale with a C average probably doesn't take as much as you think. I know someone who cheated his way from like 6th grade all the way through a master's degree and even cheated his way into a job...

And no, you're not spelling mispronounce properly.

You can or can not call me a liberal. I really think of myself as more centered, but I have bad things to say about him. Most specifically concerning the UN charter, but more importantly our Constitution.

It doesn't take a genius to have your father get you into an Ivy league school, graduate from it, fly plans, be president and make millions of dollars. It takes a genius to do something worthwhile and contribute something to society that society really needs. I think that it is possible that I am genius but graduating from an Ivy league school, being president, flying planes, or making millions of dollars are none of my goals.

Graduating from Yale with a C average probably doesn't take as much as you think. I know someone who cheated his way from like 6th grade all the way through a master's degree and even cheated his way into a job...

And no, you're not spelling mispronounce properly.

You can or can not call me a liberal. I really think of myself as more centered, but I have bad things to say about him. Most specifically concerning the UN charter, but more importantly our Constitution.

It doesn't take a genius to have your father get you into an Ivy league school, graduate from it, fly plans, be president and make millions of dollars. It takes a genius to do something worthwhile and contribute something to society that society really needs. I think that it is possible that I am genius but graduating from an Ivy league school, being president, flying planes, or making millions of dollars are none of my goals.

What was your average at Yale? You're right about it not taking a genius to do all the things I listed, but a fool or idiot wouldn't be able to do that.

I didn't know the UN charter was our constitution though I can't wait to hear what he did concerning it. And before you say, 'Patriot Act', please have read it if you want to debate it. All it takes is a google.

There are loads of dumbfucks in this country, but luckily for the rest of the world, if they vote in a dipshit (which has happened enough in the past) it only has a chance to effect us, not people all over the world.

What was your average at Yale? You're right about it not taking a genius to do all the things I listed, but a fool or idiot wouldn't be able to do that.

I didn't know the UN charter was our constitution though I can't wait to hear what he did concerning it. And before you say, 'Patriot Act', please have read it if you want to debate it. All it takes is a google.
Sorry, but I'm not talking about the Patriot Act, and if you want to suggest Google then learn to use it yourself. Go read the UN Charter. Go read the United States Constitution. The UN Charter was drafted and signed by the United States, stating we agreed to everything in the Charter. Well...the war in Iraq was not in self-defense no matter what you want to say and self-defense is the only type of war that is justified in the UN Charter which is why the French and Germans among other nations were opposed to the war. They weren't convinced that Iraq was a real threat (because they weren't...). And concerning our constitution, there was an audio clip of Bush responding to a guy's website saying "There ought to be limits to freedom" and he called the webmaster a garbage man. Also, whether or not you are for or against gay marriage, it's pretty easy to see that an ammendment restricting rights does not belong in the constitution. The last time that happened it was repealed. That's not what the constitution is for.

There are loads of dumbfucks in this country, but luckily for the rest of the world, if they vote in a dipshit (which has happened enough in the past) it only has a chance to effect us, not people all over the world.
Uh...I think that Bush effected more than just the ignorant Americans.

Bob is American. Bob is ignorant. Therefore, all Americans are ignorant.
-- Wrong. This is just inane (that is a word). I have studied books on logic, and this is a prime example on judjing the group by an individual.
Let's say, "Bob" is black. Because he is American, can we assume that all Americans are black? In a way, we can, but that is faulty logic.
Bob is male, Bob is gay, Bob has a dog. From this example, our imaginary "Bob", the Average American, we can thereby assume that all Americans are gay, black males, with one dog apiece.
This souds completely insane, right? :confused: Well, anyone who says "All Americans are ignorant" or even "most Americans are ignorant" is doing the exact same thing, just in a different way.
Yes, some Americans are ignorant to what is going on in today's world. I would even be so bold as to say that many Americans are ignorant, but "ALL"? No. That is just plain stupidity. :headbang:
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I'd also like to point out that ignorance is different than stupidity.

American, German, Isreali, Brittish and I'm sure a few others.

But since you seem to indicate it's so easy, how many other nations have gone?

Actually I was refering to Werner von Braun and his people. Without him the mission probably wouldn't have happened for awhile.

There is American "know-how" but we kind of like to over look the fact that Nazi Rocket scientists made it possible.

As to your question. Not all the countries have the type of capitol and resources to pull it off back then. Also why go?

These days that is a different question.....

Uh...I think that Bush effected more than just the ignorant Americans.

I was talking about here.

Bob is American. Bob is ignorant. Therefore, all Americans are ignorant.
-- Wrong. This is just inane (that is a word). I have studied books on logic, and this is a prime example on judjing the group by an individual.
Let's say, "Bob" is black. Because he is American, can we assume that all Americans are black? In a way, we can, but that is faulty logic.
Bob is male, Bob is gay, Bob has a dog. From this example, our imaginary "Bob", the Average American, we can thereby assume that all Americans are gay, black males, with one dog apiece.
This souds completely insane, right? :confused: Well, anyone who says "All Americans are ignorant" or even "most Americans are ignorant" is doing the exact same thing, just in a different way.
Yes, some Americans are ignorant to what is going on in today's world. I would even be so bold as to say that many Americans are ignorant, but "ALL"? No. That is just plain stupidity. :headbang:
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I'd also like to point out that ignorance is different than stupidity.

I'm glad that you can spell judging, although I'm dissappointed in you. After all the rigorous studying of those books, you forgot the term "stereotyping"

I was talking about here.
Where is "here"? ...moron...

Americans are ignorant.

YOU are ignorant.

YOU are ignorant.
Americans are ignorants. I am an American. I am ignorant.

Where is "here"? ...moron...

obviously not the US, which was the point.....

Sigh, you know what? The literacy rate in the US is low. The CIA World Fact book shows it at 97%

While most other first world countrys are 99%
(My god!!!! 2%)

Oh and by the way, please note the huge numbers of illegal immigrants we have in the US.
When you have to count in large numbers of people who grew up dirt poor in Mexico then moved to the US... Well it messes with the numbers.

Sorry, but I'm not talking about the Patriot Act, and if you want to suggest Google then learn to use it yourself. Go read the UN Charter. Go read the United States Constitution. The UN Charter was drafted and signed by the United States, stating we agreed to everything in the Charter. Well...the war in Iraq was not in self-defense no matter what you want to say and self-defense is the only type of war that is justified in the UN Charter which is why the French and Germans among other nations were opposed to the war. They weren't convinced that Iraq was a real threat (because they weren't...). And concerning our constitution, there was an audio clip of Bush responding to a guy's website saying "There ought to be limits to freedom" and he called the webmaster a garbage man. Also, whether or not you are for or against gay marriage, it's pretty easy to see that an ammendment restricting rights does not belong in the constitution. The last time that happened it was repealed. That's not what the constitution is for.


First, whether Iraq was self defense or not is up for debate. I, for one, was in Iraq and saw/took part in the destruction of some terrorist camps. Also regarding Iraq, there were numerous resolutions stating that if Iraq didn't heed to ceasefire agreement they would be attacked....we all know they didn't, hense the war in Iraq wasn't illegal regardless of how much you want to paint it so.

And as far as your gay comment, marriage is not a constitutional right nor does not being able to marry infringe on any rights. Everything you get in marriage can be duplicated by a power of attorney.

What the ammendment was for, was to stop liberal justices from passing laws from the bench and enabling state legislatures (you know the people that represent you in your state capital) to decide whether gays can use the term marriage in that state and not a judge on a mission.

Sorry about the google comment, too many times today have people tried to debate me on this board about the Patriot act and they didn't even know what they were talking about...they were just repeating things their liberal friends told them.

obviously not the US, which was the point.....
That is the largest "here" I've heard of...

Arantia, Bush's daddy got him into Yale...he still graduated from there. He also flew jets, not a job for the stupid.

You think he's a fool because you disagree with him. Yeah, he mispronouces words, sure he doesn't know the names of all the leaders from the hundreds of countries around the world and niether does anyone else and we all mispronouce things. Hell, I don't even know if I'm spelling mispronouce right.

Point is, you liberal folks have really nothing bad to say about him. So instead of saying..."I disagree with his tax plan", it's "He's an idiot". Why do you do that? Because you yourself don't know how do debate the subject or perhaps you're just not a strong debater in general.

If Bush is an idiot, and you're a genius...or atleast not an idiot. Then by age 40 you should easily become President, flying Jets, graduated from an Ivy league school and maybe make millions of dollars too.

Good luck.

Well I have a friend that is an Ivy League graduate(Harvard) and he will you that there are a few stupid people in the schools because of the parents money and or contacts. They managed to graduate as well.

So the Shrub beame a jet pilot? Just about anybody can do that. The terrorists had the rudimentary knowledge to fly the jets. My friend who had a Bachelors in PE is learning to fly one.

The Shrub also saw three companies fail under his command.

The Rangers? Didn't they trade Sammy Sosa when he was around?

As to the President? Hmmm an old political family. What are the odds of a son becomming President if daddy was one?

The comman man is pretty well cut from process these days due to the way the two parties run things.

Can you name a President that wasn't a lawyer and or didn't have money in the first place?

Ronald Reagan

That is the largest "here" I've heard of...

Yeah, but it shouldn't be too hard for you to find out the specifics.

And as far as your gay comment, marriage is not a constitutional right nor does not being able to marry infringe on any rights. Everything you get in marriage can be duplicated by a power of attorney.

What the ammendment was for, was to stop liberal justices from passing laws from the bench and enabling state legislatures (you know the people that represent you in your state capital) to decide whether gays can use the term marriage in that state and not a judge on a mission.

Sorry about the google comment, too many times today have people tried to debate me on this board about the Patriot act and they didn't even know what they were talking about...they were just repeating things their liberal friends told them.
Uh...
Well, like you said about Iraq being up for debate, whether or not banning gay marriage is up for debate I guess...however, it most certainly does not expand on any rights so I still argue that it needs to be left out of the constitution. Anyway, any comment on the Bush remark which I quoted for you? And don't ever think I'm repeating any thing that anyone tells me becuase I'll let you know if I am. I feel you're making a bad decision by thinking everyone opposed to you is just brainfed their information...

Can you name a President that wasn't a lawyer and or didn't have money in the first place?
GW...without the B...

Can you name a President that wasn't a lawyer and or didn't have money in the first place?

Eisenhower, Grant, Jackson, basically anyone from a military past.

There are loads of dumbfucks in this country, but luckily for the rest of the world, if they vote in a dipshit (which has happened enough in the past) it only has a chance to effect us, not people all over the world.


This is the first time I've posted and will probably be the last, but I could not let this stand. You think that when a country with a large nuclear stockpile and one of the greatest militaries in the world elects a... how did you put it... ah yes, "dipshit", that it does not affect the rest of the world? Let's take a look at what the current President and past Presidents have done (not calling any dipshits, nor am i saying that there haven't been a few). Our current President has launched a war on terror which has toppled a government (or two if you count Iraq in the War on Terror, though the initial "reason" for war was WOMD) freeing people from a fascist regime. Other Presidents have led to the fall of the Soviet Union, the development of the Atom Bomb, the only ever use of the Atom bomb, the assistance of two wars which if they had been lost Europe would now be in chains (whether you believe America was instrumental doesn't matter, because we can never know if we had not helped how things would have turned out), and helped found the United Nations. I personally don't like some of the Presidents we've had (or have for that matter) but to say that a man who controls one of the most powerful nations on Earth doesn't affect(by the way you spelt this wrong in your post) the rest of the world makes me ill to be of the same species as you, let alone the same nationality. If you represented America, these people who say all Americans are ignorant would be completely correct. May God Almighty prevent you from ever voting, because, after all, it's not like the results could lead to a man who could destroy the world!

No not you Opal, just quite a few people today.

I assumed you'd be one of them and ended up making an ass out of myself.

No not you Opal, just quite a few people today.

I assumed you'd be one of them and ended up making an ass out of myself.
Reread my comment. I think you're making a bad decision by automatically assuming anything about anyone.

Congratulations, you're and idiot.



I'm not American for fucks sake, that was entirely the point. when a crap leader gets elected in this country it doesn't have an affect on the world unlike in the US. Sorry if it was a bit above some of you.

All right all right.

I guess I should have also said that wasn't already policitally connected.

Ronnie was very connected due to his involvment with HUAC.

We do like military men but that does nto guarantee election(MacArther, Clark).

Hell I will just concede this point. ;)

Bush was talking about a website guy. That comment?

I don't know what context it was spoken in. It could have been something he said when talking about people can put anything they want on a website, true or not, in order to mislead the population. You should see how many websites I found on how UFOs are real and people do actually talk to God on the phone. But if he said it meaning that freedoms in general should be limited then that's a different story.

And Opal, this is my first day posting here. All I've seen is people repeating the same party lines from both sides. Almost makes it not worth debating things on this forum.

Monkey butt guy, you weren't exactly clear in your posting. It isn't their fault, it's yours.

Originally posted by Opal Isle
I'm glad that you can spell judging, although I'm dissappointed in you. After all the rigorous studying of those books, you forgot the term "stereotyping"
Thank you for pointing out my typo, that was very nice of you. I do know how to spell judging, it just happens to be one in the morning here and i got three and a half hours of sleep last night (also, 'j' is only a key over from 'g'). That's also most likely the reason i forgot the word 'stereotyping'. I sat there for about 7 1/2 minutes racking my sleep-deprived brain trying desperately to think of the word, and finally gave up.
It's really too bad, though, that a person I've never met, and most likely will never meet, one who has very little effect on me & my opinions, is "dissappointed" in me.
Oh, I almost forgot, don't point out my typing errors when you don't even fix your own.

Desmonisca:

We have checks and balances in place to keep the President from doing anything he wants with the Nukes. So yes we can put an idiot in the House. The system will prevent him from using the Nukes.

There is also a bunch of people surrounding the President so in theory you can have a "not so smart" man and have really smart people around to "help" with the decisions.

Oh well......

I don't mean to be picky but in regards to your comment "As to the President? Hmmm an old political family. What are the odds of a son becomming President if daddy was one?" I don't think there are any presidents who were the sons of a previous president, except for John Adams and John Quincy Adams. So the odds are, in fact, pretty bad. Given, better then the average citizen but still not a valid arguement.

All right all right.

I guess I should have also said that wasn't already policitally connected.

Ronnie was very connected due to his involvment with HUAC.


ok... So you want someone that has no real political connections before becoming president. He would have no idea how to deal with the politics of the world.

Someone without a lot of money.
When you have a lot of money you tend to know a lot more about how to get and keep money. That translates into being better able to handle financial problems for the country.

And someone who is not a lawyer.
While I don't like lawyers, I still think the leader of our country should be well versed in it's laws.

Shrug.

Desmonisca:

We have checks and balances in place to keep the President from doing anything he wants with the Nukes. So yes we can put an idiot in the House. The system will prevent him from using the Nukes.

There is also a bunch of people surrounding the President so in theory you can have a "not so smart" man and have really smart people around to "help" with the decisions.

Oh well......

My point, which was voided because the man was not an American, for which I apologize, is that the President has a huge affect on the rest of the world. And as for the checks and balances, that's true. 100%. I'm not being sarcastic as so often happens on this thread. But on using our military, the President can send soldiers oversea for up to... I'm not sure of this, so if I am wrong I do apologize, but I believe it is three months without Congress having to give any permission. Once the three months are up the Congress can decide whether to pull them back, but how long did it take for us to cripple Afghanistan and Iraq? Nukes are not the only way we can change the world balance of the world. (We being The United States)

Actually, congress can make it so the President can't send soldiers anywhere simply by not paying for it.

Actually, congress can make it so the President can't send soldiers anywhere simply by not paying for it.

Offer subject to void in Vietnam..

My point, which was voided because the man was not an American, for which I apologize, is that the President has a huge affect on the rest of the world. And as for the checks and balances, that's true. 100%. I'm not being sarcastic as so often happens on this thread. But on using our military, the President can send soldiers oversea for up to... I'm not sure of this, so if I am wrong I do apologize, but I believe it is three months without Congress having to give any permission. Once the three months are up the Congress can decide whether to pull them back, but how long did it take for us to cripple Afghanistan and Iraq? Nukes are not the only way we can change the world balance of the world. (We being The United States)

You are correct as the President does have that effect. With our military and equipment, we can affect just about any nation. With trade we can effect the nations that have an army that can challenge.

I hope we don't fall to the old rule about power and corruption.

The next election should tell.

Actually, congress can make it so the President can't send soldiers anywhere simply by not paying for it.

Excuse me sir, but the President is the Commander in Chief. Theoretically, yes, Congress COULD stop the military but cutting all funding. But it would take so long for the effects to take place our military would already be in place, and pissed at Congress, which could quite easily lead to huge problems. Anyway, if you were talking about funding a single campaign, the President does not have to have permission from Congress. Funding will come, because the President, if he doesn't plan to have them in tour for more than three months, doesn't have to go to Congress at all. He can sign an order and send them in. Besides, name one time Congress has not permitted a President to use at least a small amount of the force he would like? None comes to mind. Anyway, even if I'm wrong in everything I say, it doesnt matter because I'm going to bed and I don't plan on reading your responses because this is such a stupid thread to begin with. 1. Because many Americans are ignorant. 2. Because many people are ignorant. 3. Because the most important people aren't the ignorant, or really even the intelligent, but the charismatic because they are the people who can take control of the ignorant, and the intelligent if they have good ideas, and change the world. The fact is it doesn't matter if even ninety percent of Americans are stupid, it only matters if the man at the White House and the fine men and women on the Hill or in the Halls of Justice are stupid.

I don't mean to be picky but in regards to your comment "As to the President? Hmmm an old political family. What are the odds of a son becomming President if daddy was one?" I don't think there are any presidents who were the sons of a previous president, except for John Adams and John Quincy Adams. So the odds are, in fact, pretty bad. Given, better then the average citizen but still not a valid arguement.

I conceded the point already! ;)

You are correct as the President does have that effect. With our military and equipment, we can affect just about any nation. With trade we can effect the nations that have an army that can challenge.

I hope we don't fall to the old rule about power and corruption.

The next election should tell.

No matter which way the election goes, this country is screwed. We're trillions of dollars in debt. Because of deficit spending this figure grows by almost a billion dollars a day. Somehow, I see something wrong with that situation. Right now, 25 cents of every dollar the federal government spends goes to interest payments alone. Interest payments. That means no goods produced, no businesses helped, no innovative social programs attempted or reinforced. It doesn't even reduce any debt! That makes no sense to me! Most of the world's major civilizations have fallen when they reached the same economic state this county is in. Add that to the number of illegal aliens that have emigrated here.. It's all just a freight train speeding towards a cliff. We can see out the side windows, but only the few at the front can see where it's headed..

is no one else going to reply? :(

Oh I am. I'm a Canadian. I have to deal with watching american tv stations, because I live close to the Canadian-US border, my life is practicly influenced by the decisions of my country(of course) and also the US, and also we(the canadians) were horriblely critizized for my former Prime Ministers decision for not going to war in Iraq, so if we actually wanted to go to the States for something, we had a incredibly long border to contend with( because of security increasments on both sides because of 9-11) and the increasing resentment of my countrys decision on no war. Also, because I have more american stations than Canadian, I get to hear more comments from south of the 49 degree line than up here.

Oh, your feelings are hurt because they didn't know much about Ireland. I'll shed a tear later.

Oh, I get to answer some of these.

For the Afganistan question....Most over the age of 20 do. After all, the Soviets invaded there in 1980 and one of the Rambo movies was set there.

World Series baseball...teams from two countries play for top place in the MLB. The players are from places like Cuba and Japan.

Does Ireland have a foreign policy? Other than keeping the abortion ship outside its territorial waters.

The reason everyone thinks Americans are ignorant is because they think they are the center of the world. Guess what? You're little piece of Europe is not the center of the world no matter how much you try to change history to suit your point of view (Hah! Stalingrad was the turning point. If we didn't supply the soviets with Planes, steel and bullets they'd be attacking the Germans with swords) and no matter how much you hate to see one nation have most of the money and power....you're going to have to deal with it.

Listen, jump off your little soap box, stop standing on the sidelines and criticing countries and governments that are taking part in the world stage and get involved yourself.

Also, one last thing. Bush was elected to protect the American people, he's doing what he believes is the right thing. He's not the anti-christ, he isn't Hitler, he's just a guy who is President and if he isn't gone this year, he'll be gone in four more years. Point is, not everyone who disagrees with you is an idiot or ignorant. I know you like to tell yourselves that make yourselves feel better but it's true. I don't like some of Kerry's positions...when he gives them out, but I don't think he's a moron.

And usually, I find when people start making things up in order to put someone down...like I've noticed quite a bit on this board...it means that your position is weak.

Oh, by the way, Shannon Airport is wonderful. I had a nice two hour stay on the way to Iraq....THANKS IRELAND!!!!!


good post

Well I’m tired and not in a quotey mood so I apologize for inappropriate references to previous posts.

1) Yes the Americans have their flag stuck on the rock that orbits us. A growing number of your own people are beginning to question weather or not it was actually placed there in 1969 or on a following mission. I won’t go into the conspiracy theory on that I’m sure you’ve all heard it. Besides the first ‘legs’ on the moon were Canadian since the legs and trusses of the original lunar landers were contracted to Canadian companies.

2) The World Series has more to do with the company who started it than the actual world. The company is now defunct having split merged and so on and so forth but try googleing for it. I believe it was a newspaper, someone may correct me if I’m incorrect.

3) The congress that refused to send American troops? WWII pre pearl harbour. Its one of the lowest vote records I’ve ever seen, look it up.

4) Okay. An excess of 70% of middle school Americans do not know their states well enough to place them, unmarked, on an unmarked map. This is in my opinion very bad because this is the age when they are learning them in school.

5) The literacy rate in Canada according to the CIA world fact book. 97% in the year 1986. USA? 97% in the year 1979. Before responding to this is it your contention that the public schooling system in the United States has gotten better since the 70s?

6) (I’m going to double up on a point here), The United States has massive billion dollar media empires. These empires live and die by the overhead vs. revenue graph. So they do what they can to make their shows more watched. It can’t really be blamed on them that they are pushing a product that is so highly in demand. With a very profitable domestic market (high concentrations of wealthy, by world average, people) these companies are expanding to project their brand of Americanism to foreign countries, where it is still watched. The reasoning might be different, you might watch it with contempt, but you are still creating a demand that the market must fill.

7) I think that its very interesting that people will point the finger and pronounce ignorance flows from America. Why would they want to learn about us? Look at the conversations that are popping up now. We, non-Americans, are discussing how ignorant Americans are and they’ve been put into a position where they feel they have to defend themselves. A great Canadian once said about the United States “Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant: No matter how friendly and even-tempered the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt." (Pierre Elliot Trudeau) I think this some up very nicely the relation we, and a lot of other countries, have with the hegemon. The United States in principal has good intentions but whenever they attempt to do something, anything, they are jumped all over. You have to realize that it is an American curse and blessing that they don’t do things small, ever. This is not by design this is merely their sheer weight coming to bear on something. It seems to me that the United States has something to prove internationally. They are the biggest economic, military, political and cultural (yes cultural. Culture is something that a society produces and who here has not seen a Hollywood movie recently? CNN anyone?) power on the planet. Yet no one likes them, some hate them and whenever they do something there’s a protest in every European capital.

8) Let us take the war on terror as it seems to be on everyone’s mind. The United States was brutally and savagely attacked by an enemy that had long ago declared open warfare. Most Americans didn’t know the extent of contempt that was held for them until the elephant got a pin prick in a sensitive spot. They needed to hit Afghanistan to appease an enraged public. I think ultimately some good will come from the removal of the Taliban, its sad but in this case the ends will have to justify the means. Iraq however is another can of worms. Realistically, in my opinion, the best way to do this would’ve been to, with the help of the Israeli infrastructure already in place, send in spec ops and the CIA to garner support and assassinate Saddam. Then it would be a matter of the Americans stabilizing as apposed to occupying the country. Hell that might’ve even got UN support. But that doesn’t fit the shock and awe strategy very well.


I think my conclusion here would have to be that we haven’t given the Americans any reason to want to learn about anything outside themselves. When an American is traveling in Europe do you know what common sense says to do? Unless they’re asking for a passport tell them you’re Canadian. Let me ask you, when Joe country bumpkin from Oregon comes out to the western front to see where he’s father lost his leg is he representing America? Did he buyout the company you work for and lay you off? Did he order the bombings in Iraq? Has he set American foreign policy for the last 25 years? No we both know he hasn’t, so why is it your tsk tsking him. Or talking about him behind his back, or even breaking into conversation about American foreign policy and its ineptitude. All he’s going to do is go back to Oregon and tell his friends, who will then get on the net and pass the opinion along. It’s a vicious cycle. Instead, email the White House, throw and egg at an American diplomat, whatever. But its not Joe Country that caused your problems. Next time befriend him, buy him a drink. See why he thinks like that, who knows? You might make enough of an impact on him to make him vote differently come next election.


Now, that said I feel I need to get my jabs in.
http://www.letssingit.com/?http://www.letssingit.com/three-dead-trolls-in-a-baggie-the-war-of-1812-cx8h48f.html
That should do it. Remember, it was Canadians who made the White House white. (Read the song then think white wash)

Nice post, Nova.

My country is America. And they are rather stupid.

It all boils down to a very simple question. All the ignorance, foolishness, and distrust matter so very little. It doesn't matter if Americans, or citizens of any nation for that matter, don't know geography. It doesn't matter if they don't follow politics. Because when you get down to it, when you get to the real core issues, it comes down to one question.

Do you love your neighbor, or do you fear him?

From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.

Do you love your neighbor, or do you fear him?


Well Stephistan is technically my neighbor so hmmmmmm?