America Is Blessed
Replies
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I'm from the US and live in Russia (yeah, go ahead and gasp). Most Russians love the idea of America, and want to visit, but really dislike Americans (of the US variety) as a whole. Why? 1 - we wage war on so many different countries 2 - we don't stay out of other peoples' business 3 - Americans are so ridiculously bigoted and ethnocentric.
The whole superiority complex is way out of hand. People can't seem to accept that other countries may have ideas and policies that are equal to or, OMG, better than :noway: what exists in the US. Go read the 'quality of life' surveys and you'll see that the US isn't at the top.
Don't get me wrong, the US is a great place, I just always struggle with the above when I'm home.
"we wage war on so many different countries " "we don't stay out of other peoples' business," . and how is Putin doing.....? -
Heh, I was expecting that. That's an extremely complicated situation because they genuinely believe Crimea is theirs, so to them it's not an invasion (and most of my friends - and students - are seriously pissed that the US has gotten involved). I stay far away from it because I hate politics with a burning passion. I was simply providing the view of the Russian people toward the US as a reason for people disliking us.
As a sidenote, I've heard these comments from many people in many different countries, so while my current experience is with the Russians, these views are not, by any stretch, limited to just them.
LOL. Yea, opinions differ, and it's not just based on country but on individuals in those countries. I love listening to slightly traveled people discuss "national" opinions . . . the singular, national opinion of an entire people . . .
If you consider having been to 17 countries (and having lived in four of those) only 'slightly' traveled, then I have some work to do, now don't I?
Everything in life is indeed based on individuals. I should have added a 'that I know' in there. My bad. It's late, I'm exhausted, and I thought I had something interesting to add to the conversation. Guess not.0 -
nvm0
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I'm from the US and live in Russia (yeah, go ahead and gasp). Most Russians love the idea of America, and want to visit, but really dislike Americans (of the US variety) as a whole. Why? 1 - we wage war on so many different countries 2 - we don't stay out of other peoples' business 3 - Americans are so ridiculously bigoted and ethnocentric.
The whole superiority complex is way out of hand. People can't seem to accept that other countries may have ideas and policies that are equal to or, OMG, better than :noway: what exists in the US. Go read the 'quality of life' surveys and you'll see that the US isn't at the top.
Don't get me wrong, the US is a great place, I just always struggle with the above when I'm home.
"we wage war on so many different countries " "we don't stay out of other peoples' business," . and how is Putin doing.....? -
Heh, I was expecting that. That's an extremely complicated situation because they genuinely believe Crimea is theirs, so to them it's not an invasion (and most of my friends - and students - are seriously pissed that the US has gotten involved). I stay far away from it because I hate politics with a burning passion. I was simply providing the view of the Russian people toward the US as a reason for people disliking us.
As a sidenote, I've heard these comments from many people in many different countries, so while my current experience is with the Russians, these views are not, by any stretch, limited to just them.
LOL. Yea, opinions differ, and it's not just based on country but on individuals in those countries. I love listening to slightly traveled people discuss "national" opinions . . . the singular, national opinion of an entire people . . .
If you consider having been to 17 countries (and having lived in four of those) only 'slightly' traveled, then I have some work to do, now don't I?
Everything in life is indeed based on individuals. I should have added a 'that I know' in there. My bad. It's late, I'm exhausted, and I thought I had something interesting to add to the conversation. Guess not.
If you're trying to fill us in on national opinions without taking unbiased poll information, then I'd say that your travels were wasted, and you learned very little from the experience.0 -
I'm from the US and live in Russia (yeah, go ahead and gasp). Most Russians love the idea of America, and want to visit, but really dislike Americans (of the US variety) as a whole. Why? 1 - we wage war on so many different countries 2 - we don't stay out of other peoples' business 3 - Americans are so ridiculously bigoted and ethnocentric.
The whole superiority complex is way out of hand. People can't seem to accept that other countries may have ideas and policies that are equal to or, OMG, better than :noway: what exists in the US. Go read the 'quality of life' surveys and you'll see that the US isn't at the top.
Don't get me wrong, the US is a great place, I just always struggle with the above when I'm home.
"we wage war on so many different countries " "we don't stay out of other peoples' business," . and how is Putin doing.....? -
Heh, I was expecting that. That's an extremely complicated situation because they genuinely believe Crimea is theirs, so to them it's not an invasion (and most of my friends - and students - are seriously pissed that the US has gotten involved). I stay far away from it because I hate politics with a burning passion. I was simply providing the view of the Russian people toward the US as a reason for people disliking us.
As a sidenote, I've heard these comments from many people in many different countries, so while my current experience is with the Russians, these views are not, by any stretch, limited to just them.
LOL. Yea, opinions differ, and it's not just based on country but on individuals in those countries. I love listening to slightly traveled people discuss "national" opinions . . . the singular, national opinion of an entire people . . .
If you consider having been to 17 countries (and having lived in four of those) only 'slightly' traveled, then I have some work to do, now don't I?
Everything in life is indeed based on individuals. I should have added a 'that I know' in there. My bad. It's late, I'm exhausted, and I thought I had something interesting to add to the conversation. Guess not.
so traveling to 17 countries makes you an expert on the national view and foreign policy of each one?0 -
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
George Washington
Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism - and wars.
Dale Carnegie
Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it.
George Bernard Shaw
It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.
Voltaire
True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.
Clarence Darrow
Real patriotism is a willingness to challenge the government when it's wrong.
Ron Paul
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.
Albert Einstein
Patriot: the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.
Mark Twain
You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.
Malcolm X
Our government has kept us in a perpetual state of fear - kept us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervor - with the cry of grave national emergency.
Douglas MacArthur
If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen.
Ronald Reagan0 -
ndj - Wow, seriously, I'm speaking based on my friends and students asking me questions and trying to get me to talk politics with them. I admitted I should have worded my statement better. I also admitted I hate politics, so obviously no, I don't know OR CARE about the foreign policy of the countries I visit unless it's going to directly impact me while I'm there. I mis-worded what I said. I've actually gone back and edited it. There, I changed it to be in caps for ya.
SonofaBeach - ok, next time I go to a country, instead of seeing the sights, meeting the locals, and hanging out, I'll go gather unbiased poll information just for you, so that my travels won't be wasted. WTF dude, do you do that when you visit a foreign country? If not, then all your travels have been wasted too, eh? Again, I've edited my post. Maybe the clarification will aid in your comprehension of my intended meaning instead of my poorly worded original.
It's almost 3am and I'm going to sleep. I hope you feel better about yourselves now. Goodnight.0 -
ndj - Wow, seriously, I'm speaking based on my friends and students asking me questions and trying to get me to talk politics with them. I admitted I should have worded my statement better. I also admitted I hate politics, so obviously no, I don't know OR CARE about the foreign policy of the countries I visit unless it's going to directly impact me while I'm there. I mis-worded what I said. I've actually gone back and edited it. There, I changed it to be in caps for ya.
SonofaBeach - ok, next time I go to a country, instead of seeing the sights, meeting the locals, and hanging out, I'll go gather unbiased poll information just for you, so that my travels won't be wasted. WTF dude, do you do that when you visit a foreign country? If not, then all your travels have been wasted too, eh? Again, I've edited my post. Maybe the clarification will aid in your comprehension of my intended meaning instead of my poorly worded original.
It's almost 3am and I'm going to sleep. I hope you feel better about yourselves now. Goodnight.
So strap on your fanny pack and be a tourist, but admit that you don't know jack about what you're talking about. Otherwise, yes, actually get out and meet the locals and learn that they don't all think the same way. It's actually not that difficult and it's a great way to travel.0 -
ndj - Wow, seriously, I'm speaking based on my friends and students asking me questions and trying to get me to talk politics with them. I admitted I should have worded my statement better. I also admitted I hate politics, so obviously no, I don't know OR CARE about the foreign policy of the countries I visit unless it's going to directly impact me while I'm there. I mis-worded what I said. I've actually gone back and edited it. There, I changed it to be in caps for ya.
SonofaBeach - ok, next time I go to a country, instead of seeing the sights, meeting the locals, and hanging out, I'll go gather unbiased poll information just for you, so that my travels won't be wasted. WTF dude, do you do that when you visit a foreign country? If not, then all your travels have been wasted too, eh? Again, I've edited my post. Maybe the clarification will aid in your comprehension of my intended meaning instead of my poorly worded original.
It's almost 3am and I'm going to sleep. I hope you feel better about yourselves now. Goodnight.
you hate politics, and then comment on them…interesting..0 -
Oh, beach. Not the fanny packs...
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I am low income/poor folks... I am definitely at the bottom of the totem pole.
However I do appreciate that even though I am poor, I can afford food. And not just junk food, but good healthy food.
God bless America!
I do however wish I had medical insurance.0 -
If you don't specify which one, you need to refer to it as "the Americas".
It's referring to America.Is this thread referring to North or South America?
No need to thank me, I'm here to help.
ETA:
As a counterpart to bregalad5's post, I was born in Eastern Europe, have lived in a few countries and have been living in the US about a year now. Like I said before, okay/10, not very different from most of the first world. Not sure I'd settled down here but have enjoyed my stay.
I haven't noticed most of the stereotypes to be true : the people I've met were neither particularly overweight nor crime-prone and I have yet to see a firearm over here. Then again, I live in the NY area and haven't much left the northeast. Perhaps the rest is weirder.0 -
I'm assuming you mean the USA? Why am I even asking, ha. I don't have a high opinion of the US government's global behaviour, but the majority of American citizens themselves seem quite decent and the natural beauty of the place is lovely. I'd also love to visit the rest of the Americas, particularly the southern continent... Meh, that's my contribution.0
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Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
George Washington
Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism - and wars.
Dale Carnegie
Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it.
George Bernard Shaw
It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.
Voltaire
True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.
Clarence Darrow
Real patriotism is a willingness to challenge the government when it's wrong.
Ron Paul
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.
Albert Einstein
Patriot: the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.
Mark Twain
You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.
Malcolm X
Our government has kept us in a perpetual state of fear - kept us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervor - with the cry of grave national emergency.
Douglas MacArthur
If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen.
Ronald Reagan
:drinker:
PATRIOT, n. One to whom the interests of a part seem superior to those of the whole. The dupe of statesmen and the tool of conquerors.
PATRIOTISM, n. Combustible rubbish read to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.
Ambrose Bierce0 -
Is this thread referring to North or South America?
Ambiguous grandpa is ambiguous.
As far as I know, there is only one country on those two continents in which the citizens refer to their country as "America."
Do you really think it's appropriate to tell people in other countries what to call themselves and where they live?
Besides, it's an abbreviation. It's short for (The United States of) America.
Do you have a problem with people saying Saudi Arabia? (the Kingdom of)
Or South Africa or Yemen? (the Republics of)
Or Russia? (Russian Federation) Or China? (the People's Republic of)0 -
:drinker:0
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We have a criminal government that no longer represents the people but large corporate interests. We have an abundance of food and clothing the problem is the dollar has been devalued 96% since the creation of the federal reserve. Most people live pay check to pay check and hardly can afford food , clothing and shelter. approximately1/3 of American's are in poverty and there are no jobs , we send a lot of jobs oversees because its cheaper for corporation's to do that. We were blessed when we first became a country but now we need real change!0
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This thread started well but it is not going to end well.The moderators must be taking Sunday off :ohwell:0
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Our corporate overlords keep a healthy supply of consumers to their corporate fast food chains by keeping them in poverty. Yay you! Since the recession, places like McDonald have seen a boom in business..more to come.0
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I was just making fun of the original post, but if you want to discuss appropriateness let's do that.As far as I know, there is only one country on those two continents in which the citizens refer to their country as "America."
Do you really think it's appropriate to tell people in other countries what to call themselves and where they live?
The continent was named long before the US existed, be it politically or culturally. In fact, I'm not even sure England had colonies at the time.
Was it appropriate for one country to use the pre-existing name of a continent, and in doing so appropriate for its citizens a term that people in other countries had just as much right to use for to call themselves and where they live?0 -
Haha I see what you did therr0 -
This thread started well but it is not going to end well.The moderators must be taking Sunday off :ohwell:
I like it that way, things get A LOT more interesting.0 -
The continent was named long before the US existed, be it politically or culturally. In fact, I'm not even sure England had colonies at the time.
Was it appropriate for one country to use the pre-existing name of a continent, and in doing so appropriate for its citizens a term that people in other countries had just as much right to use for to call themselves and where they live?
Le sigh.
Was it appropriate to name a continent that already had people living on it?
You know, I might likely agree with you if there actually were people (besides some Canadians) that wanted to call themselves Americans but felt constrained because we already took the name. If you ask a Mexican where they're from? Mexico. A Bolivian? Bolivia. Many of these people are descendants of those that were here before Vespucci and they don't seem super eager to claim the name for themselves. The only people that seem to care are those that are trying to take some kind of stab at the States. It's played out and tiresome.
If you think about it for only a second, you'll realize that The United States of America is actually quite a logical name for a Republic made up of different states on a continent named America. Abbreviating such a long name is quite natural. Think about the United Arab Emirates. It's a collection of emirates on the Arabian peninsula; similar logic there. Should they have picked a different name because they weren't the only Arabs?0 -
OK to sell widow's home over $6 bill, judge rules
http://news.yahoo.com/ok-sell-widows-home-over-6-bill-judge-195937984.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2615280/OK-sell-widows-home-6-bill-judge-rules.html0 -
OK to sell widow's home over $6 bill, judge rules
http://news.yahoo.com/ok-sell-widows-home-over-6-bill-judge-195937984.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2615280/OK-sell-widows-home-6-bill-judge-rules.html
That is just pure, sickening greed. Our justice system needs a serious overhaul.0 -
Despite all the complaints and whining, the failings and struggles, we as a nation are truly blesssed. We have an abundance of food widely available at very reasonable costs. We have the freedom of choice, and the ability to define our lives through those choices. We have opportunities to pursue our dreams and so many amazing marvels and innovations available to us, including this helpful and free fitness buddy thingy.
It's up to you to make it happen. It's not about America or wherever you live. It's up to you. Now go do it.
That may be so, but we do not have 100% freedom of choice, ours is certainly limited, maybe not as much as someone in the Middle East, Africa, China, Russia to name a few countries etc. But we fool ourselves if we really think we have unlimited freedom of choice.
About being blessed, well depends how one looks at it and how the country came by what it has and the treatment of others.0
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