[OT] [PW] [Long] America Bashing
OK, this is probably totally inappropriate for this group, but other rants
are allowed and this one has been building for some time now. I'm getting tired of America bashing. I'm getting tired of Americans agreeing that we should be bashed. Are we, as a nation, perfect? Of course not. Have we done things that we should be ashamed of? Of course. But so has every other country that has ever existed. To quote a popular guy, "Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone." We are *NOT* a nation of evil, greedy, stupid, egotistical maniacs who are out to conquer the world. Here are the things I'll concede: Does America put its own interests first in its policy making? - Of course, ALL COUNTRIES DO! Is America "selective" about its economic and military support internationally? - Absolutely. The U.S. is not a "bottomless well" of financial aid and good will. Does American foreign policy contain some prejudices and favoritism? - Naturally. Lawless regimes or those opposed to the U.S. will not be viewed favorably. Will America manipulate a country or political situation to advance its goals? - Necessarily, as world politics are a dangerous chess game. Remember the U.S.S.R.? Are some of the many "conspiracy theories" about the U.S. government true? - Probably one or two of the more "sane" theories are in fact true. All that being conceded, that does *NOT* change the following facts: NOT ONE MAJOR NATION could truthfully answer "NO" to any of the above criticisms either. Only in a perfect world without rivalry is this possible, and we are most certainly NOT in a perfect world. Only America can say it has liberated many countries from occupation or oppression and "COLONIZED NONE!" America is still the "land of dreams" as evidenced by people of ALL the world's nations immigrating to America, including those nations professing to hate the U.S. America is a positive force in the world as recorded by its actions throughout history which have propelled mankind forward. America, a young nation of just 228 years, achieved economic superiority ultimately because of it's many tolerances for the ways in which a person may pursue life, liberty and prosperity. To quote journalist Neil Cavuto: "This whole foreigners versus the U.S. thing brings out strong feelings. And I won't lie to you: I have clear biases here. I love this country, so I take exception when people criticize this country. I'm no fool. I know we're not perfect. But I know we're still the last, best hope on this planet. So to those foreigners who question us, some questions for you: # If we're so greedy, why do you crave our money? # If our culture's so base, why do you seek out our movies? # If our people are so tacky, why do you hunger for our tourism? # If our fast food is so passé, why do your countrymen rarely pass up going to a McDonald's? # If our people are so stupid, why do your people seek out our universities? # If we're so backwards, why do you buy our computers? # If we're so unconcerned about the world, why did we commit $15 billion to wipe out AIDS in this world? # And if we're so selfish, why are we always there when you need us? Maybe it's just me, but I cannot -- for the life of me -- remember the last time I saw peasants in rickety boats, risking life and limb to come to your country. They risked it all to be in "this" country. Now, I'm not asking you to love us all days. But maybe think about us this Normandy anniversary day. Dead men do tell tales. Hear them. Someone said I had a problem with foreigners. That's not true. I just have a problem with lying and ungrateful ones." Back to my own comments... America has been responsible for most of the inventions of the modern world that make life easier, more enjoyable, and including medical inventions, longer and more satisfying. America is always there when disaster happens anywhere in the world - how many other countries send *us* help when a major hurricane hits or an America city is hit with a devastating earthquake? OK, I could go on like this for pages and pages, but I think you get my drift. I'm not asking that everyone else in the world praise us, or even give us our due, however grudgingly. I'm only asking that you quit taking every opportunity to criticize, "bash", and sneer at us just because it's currently the fashionable thing to do. I'm asking Americans to quit hanging your head and agreeing with those who bash us. No, we're not a perfect nation, but I don't know of any other nation, present or past, that has been so caring, so generous with it's money and volunteers, so willing to try to "save the world", so adamant in trying to spread freedom, wealth, and happiness, and so willing to sit back and take the criticism without ceasing that help in retaliation. OK, I'll get off my soapbox now. In fact I'll sit back and wait for the firestorm (even from some Americans, I'm sure) that this will surely generate for the gall of me for being proud of my country and tired of being demonized just for where I live. Hugs, CatNipped |
I'm proud to be American.
-bonbon |
fOn Sun, 26 Dec 2004 16:25:30 GMT, "CatNipped"
wrote: OK, this is probably totally inappropriate for this group, but other rants are allowed and this one has been building for some time now. I'm getting tired of America bashing. I'm getting tired of Americans agreeing that we should be bashed. Are we, as a nation, perfect? Of course not. Have we done things that we should be ashamed of? Of course. But so has every other country that has ever existed. To quote a popular guy, "Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone." We are *NOT* a nation of evil, greedy, stupid, egotistical maniacs who are out to conquer the world. Here are the things I'll concede: Does America put its own interests first in its policy making? - Of course, ALL COUNTRIES DO! Is America "selective" about its economic and military support internationally? - Absolutely. The U.S. is not a "bottomless well" of financial aid and good will. Does American foreign policy contain some prejudices and favoritism? - Naturally. Lawless regimes or those opposed to the U.S. will not be viewed favorably. Will America manipulate a country or political situation to advance its goals? - Necessarily, as world politics are a dangerous chess game. Remember the U.S.S.R.? Are some of the many "conspiracy theories" about the U.S. government true? - Probably one or two of the more "sane" theories are in fact true. All that being conceded, that does *NOT* change the following facts: NOT ONE MAJOR NATION could truthfully answer "NO" to any of the above criticisms either. Only in a perfect world without rivalry is this possible, and we are most certainly NOT in a perfect world. Only America can say it has liberated many countries from occupation or oppression and "COLONIZED NONE!" America is still the "land of dreams" as evidenced by people of ALL the world's nations immigrating to America, including those nations professing to hate the U.S. America is a positive force in the world as recorded by its actions throughout history which have propelled mankind forward. America, a young nation of just 228 years, achieved economic superiority ultimately because of it's many tolerances for the ways in which a person may pursue life, liberty and prosperity. To quote journalist Neil Cavuto: "This whole foreigners versus the U.S. thing brings out strong feelings. And I won't lie to you: I have clear biases here. I love this country, so I take exception when people criticize this country. I'm no fool. I know we're not perfect. But I know we're still the last, best hope on this planet. So to those foreigners who question us, some questions for you: # If we're so greedy, why do you crave our money? # If our culture's so base, why do you seek out our movies? # If our people are so tacky, why do you hunger for our tourism? # If our fast food is so passé, why do your countrymen rarely pass up going to a McDonald's? # If our people are so stupid, why do your people seek out our universities? # If we're so backwards, why do you buy our computers? # If we're so unconcerned about the world, why did we commit $15 billion to wipe out AIDS in this world? # And if we're so selfish, why are we always there when you need us? Maybe it's just me, but I cannot -- for the life of me -- remember the last time I saw peasants in rickety boats, risking life and limb to come to your country. They risked it all to be in "this" country. Now, I'm not asking you to love us all days. But maybe think about us this Normandy anniversary day. Dead men do tell tales. Hear them. Someone said I had a problem with foreigners. That's not true. I just have a problem with lying and ungrateful ones." Back to my own comments... America has been responsible for most of the inventions of the modern world that make life easier, more enjoyable, and including medical inventions, longer and more satisfying. America is always there when disaster happens anywhere in the world - how many other countries send *us* help when a major hurricane hits or an America city is hit with a devastating earthquake? OK, I could go on like this for pages and pages, but I think you get my drift. I'm not asking that everyone else in the world praise us, or even give us our due, however grudgingly. I'm only asking that you quit taking every opportunity to criticize, "bash", and sneer at us just because it's currently the fashionable thing to do. I'm asking Americans to quit hanging your head and agreeing with those who bash us. No, we're not a perfect nation, but I don't know of any other nation, present or past, that has been so caring, so generous with it's money and volunteers, so willing to try to "save the world", so adamant in trying to spread freedom, wealth, and happiness, and so willing to sit back and take the criticism without ceasing that help in retaliation. OK, I'll get off my soapbox now. In fact I'll sit back and wait for the firestorm (even from some Americans, I'm sure) that this will surely generate for the gall of me for being proud of my country and tired of being demonized just for where I live. Hugs, CatNipped The only thing that I have to add to the above rant is AMEN!! Hugs, CatNipped!! Nan |
Nan wrote:
fOn Sun, 26 Dec 2004 16:25:30 GMT, "CatNipped" wrote: OK, this is probably totally inappropriate for this group, but other rants are allowed and this one has been building for some time now. I'm getting tired of America bashing. I'm getting tired of Americans agreeing that we should be bashed. Are we, as a nation, perfect? Of course not. Have we done things that we should be ashamed of? Of course. But so has every other country that has ever existed. To quote a popular guy, "Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone." We are *NOT* a nation of evil, greedy, stupid, egotistical maniacs who are out to conquer the world. Here are the things I'll concede: Does America put its own interests first in its policy making? - Of course, ALL COUNTRIES DO! Is America "selective" about its economic and military support internationally? - Absolutely. The U.S. is not a "bottomless well" of financial aid and good will. Does American foreign policy contain some prejudices and favoritism? - Naturally. Lawless regimes or those opposed to the U.S. will not be viewed favorably. Will America manipulate a country or political situation to advance its goals? - Necessarily, as world politics are a dangerous chess game. Remember the U.S.S.R.? Are some of the many "conspiracy theories" about the U.S. government true? - Probably one or two of the more "sane" theories are in fact true. All that being conceded, that does *NOT* change the following facts: NOT ONE MAJOR NATION could truthfully answer "NO" to any of the above criticisms either. Only in a perfect world without rivalry is this possible, and we are most certainly NOT in a perfect world. Only America can say it has liberated many countries from occupation or oppression and "COLONIZED NONE!" America is still the "land of dreams" as evidenced by people of ALL the world's nations immigrating to America, including those nations professing to hate the U.S. America is a positive force in the world as recorded by its actions throughout history which have propelled mankind forward. America, a young nation of just 228 years, achieved economic superiority ultimately because of it's many tolerances for the ways in which a person may pursue life, liberty and prosperity. To quote journalist Neil Cavuto: "This whole foreigners versus the U.S. thing brings out strong feelings. And I won't lie to you: I have clear biases here. I love this country, so I take exception when people criticize this country. I'm no fool. I know we're not perfect. But I know we're still the last, best hope on this planet. So to those foreigners who question us, some questions for you: # If we're so greedy, why do you crave our money? # If our culture's so base, why do you seek out our movies? # If our people are so tacky, why do you hunger for our tourism? # If our fast food is so passé, why do your countrymen rarely pass up going to a McDonald's? # If our people are so stupid, why do your people seek out our universities? # If we're so backwards, why do you buy our computers? # If we're so unconcerned about the world, why did we commit $15 billion to wipe out AIDS in this world? # And if we're so selfish, why are we always there when you need us? Maybe it's just me, but I cannot -- for the life of me -- remember the last time I saw peasants in rickety boats, risking life and limb to come to your country. They risked it all to be in "this" country. Now, I'm not asking you to love us all days. But maybe think about us this Normandy anniversary day. Dead men do tell tales. Hear them. Someone said I had a problem with foreigners. That's not true. I just have a problem with lying and ungrateful ones." Back to my own comments... America has been responsible for most of the inventions of the modern world that make life easier, more enjoyable, and including medical inventions, longer and more satisfying. America is always there when disaster happens anywhere in the world - how many other countries send *us* help when a major hurricane hits or an America city is hit with a devastating earthquake? OK, I could go on like this for pages and pages, but I think you get my drift. I'm not asking that everyone else in the world praise us, or even give us our due, however grudgingly. I'm only asking that you quit taking every opportunity to criticize, "bash", and sneer at us just because it's currently the fashionable thing to do. I'm asking Americans to quit hanging your head and agreeing with those who bash us. No, we're not a perfect nation, but I don't know of any other nation, present or past, that has been so caring, so generous with it's money and volunteers, so willing to try to "save the world", so adamant in trying to spread freedom, wealth, and happiness, and so willing to sit back and take the criticism without ceasing that help in retaliation. OK, I'll get off my soapbox now. In fact I'll sit back and wait for the firestorm (even from some Americans, I'm sure) that this will surely generate for the gall of me for being proud of my country and tired of being demonized just for where I live. Hugs, CatNipped The only thing that I have to add to the above rant is AMEN!! Hugs, CatNipped!! Nan I hate American bashing too and unfortunately I hear plenty of it here in New Zealand. I think it is just plain jealousy - I have made several trips to the US, loved the country and its wonderful hospitable people. Bev -- The email of the species is more deadly than the mail. |
CatNipped wrote:
OK, this is probably totally inappropriate for this group, but other rants are allowed and this one has been building for some time now. I'm getting tired of America bashing. I'm getting tired of Americans agreeing that we should be bashed. Thank You, Pam S. |
CatNipped wrote
I'm not asking that everyone else in the world praise us, or even give us our due, however grudgingly. I'm only asking that you quit taking every opportunity to criticize, "bash", and sneer at us just because it's currently the fashionable thing to do. I'm asking Americans to quit hanging your head and agreeing with those who bash us. While much of what you say is true, there seems a problem that Americans tend to invite criticism. For example, if you tell me my government is a load of old women I will probably agree, and think no more about it. If I tell you that your government is a load of old women you will tell me all the good the USA has done, and get huffy about me. I do not tend to criticise the USA any more than other countries - and certainly not more than my own. But Americans take it worse and react quicker. Recently I made a comment about something on American TV, and it was just like the end of the world. But if you said something similar about English TV I would merely shrug my shoulders: we certainly have some terrible programs. Also, just occasionally, Americans tend to just work people up a bit by putting forward advantages they do not have. You tell us how generous you are with your money, how much you help everyone, how you have been responsible for most of the progress in helping people's standard of living, how you are the most important country for keeping the world secure. Now the above is true, except one item which definitely is not. But I would not wind you up by making these claims in the first place. So, while the USA has a lot going for it, it also has some problems in its attitude. I do not think people should seriously criticise the USA, but I do also think that Americans should accept mild criticism in the same way as others do, and realise that other countries have done and still do a lot for everyone else. -- David Stevenson Storypage: http://blakjak.com/sty_menu.htm Liverpool, England, UK Emails welcome Nanki Poo: SI O+W B 11 Y L+ W++ C+ I T+ A- E H++ V- F Q P+ B+ PA+ PL SC Minke: SI W+Cp B 2 Y L W+ C++ I T A- E H++ V++ F- Q- P B PA+ PL+ SC- |
"David Stevenson" wrote in message
... While much of what you say is true, there seems a problem that Americans tend to invite criticism. Yes, we do invite criticism because we are completely open about our government, our scandals, our problems, and our mistakes. We don't try to cover up the wrongs we've done, we admit them and try to atone for them (note, I'm not talking about individuals who may indeed try to cover up their scandals, I'm talking about America as a nation). This leaves us wide open for the rest of the world to take pot shots at us. That's not what I'm talking about. snip but I do also think that Americans should accept mild criticism in the same way as others do, and realise that other countries have done and still do a lot for everyone else. I'll take all the mild criticism you can dish out, and probably thank you for pointing out anything that I'm not already aware of so I can try to fix it. Again, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about America *bashing*. I'm talking about calling Americans (as in *ALL* Americans) evil, stupid, greedy, dumb, backwards backwoods dolts who go around the world sticking their noses in where they don't belong and stating that Americans should go home and mind their own business and stop their war mongering. I know I'll get bashed for this one, but America is not only the world's last super-power, it is a "hyper"-power. Our military weaponry and technology is unequalled by any other nation on earth. If we truly were the evil, satan-incarnate conquerors who were out to subdue the world (as we are made out to be), then all I can say is that right now every living being on the planet would be saluting the America flag. But we are not. The following was written by a *Canadian* journalist, Gordon Sinclair, over thirty years ago, but it is still pertinent and still true... "The United States dollar took another pounding on German, French and British exchanges this morning, hitting the lowest point ever known in West Germany. It has declined there by 41% since 1971 and this Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least-appreciated people in all the earth. As long as sixty years ago, when I first started to read newspapers, I read of floods on the Yellow River and the Yangtse. Who rushed in with men and money to help? The Americans did. They have helped control floods on the Nile, the Amazon, the Ganges and the Niger. Today, the rich bottom land of the Misssissippi is under water and no foreign land has sent a dollar to help. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy, were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of those countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When distant cities are hit by earthquakes, it is the United States that hurries into help... Managua Nicaragua is one of the most recent examples. So far this spring, 59 American communities have been flattened by tornadoes. Nobody has helped. The Marshall Plan .. the Truman Policy .. all pumped billions upon billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now, newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent war-mongering Americans. I'd like to see one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplanes. Come on... let's hear it! Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar or the Douglas 107? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all international lines except Russia fly American planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or women on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy and you find men on the moon, not once, but several times ... and safely home again. You talk about scandals and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everyone to look at. Even the draft dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, most of them ... unless they are breaking Canadian laws .. are getting American dollars from Ma and Pa at home to spend here. When the Americans get out of this bind ... as they will... who could blame them if they said 'the hell with the rest of the world'. Let someone else buy the Israel bonds, Let someone else build or repair foreign dams or design foreign buildings that won't shake apart in earthquakes. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name to you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbours have faced it alone and I am one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of these. But there are many smug, self-righteous Canadians. And finally, the American Red Cross was told at its 48th Annual meeting in New Orleans this morning that it was broke. This year's disasters .. with the year less than half-over. has taken it all and nobody...but nobody... has helped. " Hugs, CatNipped -- David Stevenson Storypage: http://blakjak.com/sty_menu.htm Liverpool, England, UK Emails welcome Nanki Poo: SI O+W B 11 Y L+ W++ C+ I T+ A- E H++ V- F Q P+ B+ PA+ PL SC Minke: SI W+Cp B 2 Y L W+ C++ I T A- E H++ V++ F- Q- P B PA+ PL+ SC- |
"CatNipped" wrote in message
... OK, this is probably totally inappropriate for this group, but other rants are allowed and this one has been building for some time now. I'm getting tired of America bashing. I'm getting tired of Americans agreeing that we should be bashed. Snippity... Its America's PR that sucks. We get to see on our TVs all the nasty stuff that America does, but rarely see much of the nasty stuff other countries do. And by the same token, we rarely get to see all the good stuff America does. Through this group I have learnt that Americans are exceptionally generous people. That isn't advertised far and wide. Nor is you openness, your friendliness, or the fact that many of you find some of the things you country does in your name just as distasteful as the rest of the world. Its only once you get to know regular Americans reasonably well, can you see that they are just regular folks like everyone else, and aren't really like the people we see on the nightly news. That being said, however, I cannot stop being openly critical of those things I feel are wrong and causing more harm than good to this planet and its occupants. Of course, this forum is not the place for that criticism, but I am just as critical of Australia, my adopted country and one I love deeply, as I am of America, England and any other country's politics and global behaviour. And I remind myself that, whilst I am critical of the behaviour of the government of the country, that does not mean that the general populace are at fault, after all, except for a very vocal few, they are regular folks trying to lead regular lives, just like the rest of the world. Yowie --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 19/11/04 |
"Yowie" wrote in message
... Snippity... Its America's PR that sucks. We get to see on our TVs all the nasty stuff that America does, but rarely see much of the nasty stuff other countries do. And by the same token, we rarely get to see all the good stuff America does. That's our "Catch 22"! Our freedom, especially freedom of the press, is more important to us than our image to the rest of the world. Nice, "feel good" stories *might* make page 8 of the paper, *if* it's a slow news day. Scandals are when sells cereal and cars. Through this group I have learnt that Americans are exceptionally generous people. That isn't advertised far and wide. Nor is you openness, your friendliness, or the fact that many of you find some of the things you country does in your name just as distasteful as the rest of the world. Its only once you get to know regular Americans reasonably well, can you see that they are just regular folks like everyone else, and aren't really like the people we see on the nightly news. I think that's what's been getting to me lately. Our country gives billions and billions of dollars to other countries, bails out their railroads and their currency, gives our lives for others' freedom (who often won't fight for their own freedom) and the only thing we seem to get in return is nasty remarks about our stupidity (well, maybe we are being stupid by giving away our hard-earned dollars and young lives to ungrateful people who pay us back with slurs instead of thanks). But we won't stop doing it, we'll continue to help wherever help is needed, and we won't even complain much when we're stabbed in the back for doing so. I just have this image of the rest of the world holding out their right had for our dollars while thumbing their nose at us with their left. That being said, however, I cannot stop being openly critical of those things I feel are wrong and causing more harm than good to this planet and its occupants. Of course, this forum is not the place for that criticism, but I am just as critical of Australia, my adopted country and one I love deeply, as I am of America, England and any other country's politics and global behaviour. And I remind myself that, whilst I am critical of the behaviour of the government of the country, that does not mean that the general populace are at fault, after all, except for a very vocal few, they are regular folks trying to lead regular lives, just like the rest of the world. As I told David, I have no problem with criticism of the wrongs my country has done, I'm fighting here at home to right them. It's just the ingratitude and the "painting us all with a broad brush" approach that I'm getting tired of - the "America bashing" that has become almost an epidemic among the rest of the world. Hugs, CatNipped Yowie --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 19/11/04 |
bonbon wrote: I'm proud to be American. I WAS, until our moronic majority actually ELECTED the current idiot to the White House for a second term! What's to be "proud of", now? Does the loss of the Bill of Rights mean NOTHING to you? Or being systematically lied to by our country's chief excutive, who insists upon the "truth" of his own self-righteous preconceptions, in the face of all objective evidence to the contrary? (Said evidence being frequently ignored by the allegedly "impartial" news media, except for the true believers in a free press, like Bill Moyers - before PBS fired him.) Until the election, I at least had faith in the American PEOPLE, but now I think we deserve what we get. (And if you honestly believe "it CAN'T happen here", read the Sinclair Lewis novel by that title - or any number of other cautionary tales, like Shirer's "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich".) |
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