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[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 |
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I'm proud to be American.
-bonbon |
#3
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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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EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque) wrote:
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! Last night I roasted a very nice pork tenderloin. It was nearly 2 lbs. in weight rather than the usual smaller 1/2 pound hunk of pork. I brushed it with olive oil, slathered it generously with minced garlic, sprinkled it with a bit of lemon-pepper, currey powder and just a pinch of salt. I roasted it at 400F for a little over an hour. Sadly, my meat thermometer broke last year and I neglected to purchase a new one. I don't like over-done pork but I didn't want it to be undercooked, either. The roast was perfect; nice and juicy. I will be able to gently reheat slices of this to eat for a couple of days. Accompanied by my favourite and that often bashed vegetable, Brussels Sprouts. Jill |
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"jmcquown" wrote in message ... EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque) wrote: 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! Last night I roasted a very nice pork tenderloin. It was nearly 2 lbs. in weight rather than the usual smaller 1/2 pound hunk of pork. I brushed it with olive oil, slathered it generously with minced garlic, sprinkled it with a bit of lemon-pepper, currey powder and just a pinch of salt. I roasted it at 400F for a little over an hour. Sadly, my meat thermometer broke last year and I neglected to purchase a new one. I don't like over-done pork but I didn't want it to be undercooked, either. The roast was perfect; nice and juicy. I will be able to gently reheat slices of this to eat for a couple of days. Accompanied by my favourite and that often bashed vegetable, Brussels Sprouts. Jill I *love* brussels sprouts. I was supposed to go out today, but my *7^% car broke down for the first time ever. I was looking forward to spending the day with some of my family 11 miles away. So I couldn't go. I ate a fish pie (which was nice) and some peas/sugar snap peas/mange tout and beans. Not much of a Boxing Day Meal though, eaten alone. Ah well, that's cars for you. I'm cold too, nearly out of wood, and no chance of a delivery until after Jan 4. Brr. Off to bed now. At least my electric blanket is on :-) Good night all Tweed (12.30 a.m.) |
#6
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In article , "jmcquown"
wrote: EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque) wrote: 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! Last night I roasted a very nice pork tenderloin. It was nearly 2 lbs. in weight rather than the usual smaller 1/2 pound hunk of pork. I brushed it with olive oil, slathered it generously with minced garlic, sprinkled it with a bit of lemon-pepper, currey powder and just a pinch of salt. I roasted it at 400F for a little over an hour. Sadly, my meat thermometer broke last year and I neglected to purchase a new one. I don't like over-done pork but I didn't want it to be undercooked, either. The roast was perfect; nice and juicy. I will be able to gently reheat slices of this to eat for a couple of days. Accompanied by my favourite and that often bashed vegetable, Brussels Sprouts. I suspect that some of the secrets of making decent Brussels Sprouts are far more sensitive than most political strategies. I find that halving and blanching them, so they just turn bright green, is an essential to get out the bitterness before using the main method of cooking. The primary cooking method can be a saute, steam, or braise, usually some thought given to the sauce. I tend toward the Asian, but am not dogmatic about it. Sauteing them in a ginger-soy-garlic, preferably with toasted sesame seeds rather than sesame oil, is one approach. Stir-frying with hoisin sauce, sherry, five spice powder, perhaps a bit of ground beef, and then lightly tossing with noodles. I dehydrate celery and powder it, and then make a light sauce with milk, pepper, and celery powder. This tastes like a white sauce made with chicken stock, but, for some reason, using actual chicken stock doesn't work as well. Whatever the cooking method, the degree of doneness is critical. Undercooked sprouts won't take up the flavor of the sauce, while overcooked are mush. Blanching definitely helps with early sauce absorption. |
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Last night I roasted a very nice pork tenderloin. It was nearly 2 lbs. in
weight rather than the usual smaller 1/2 pound hunk of pork. I brushed it with olive oil, slathered it generously with minced garlic, That sounds great, Jill. Pork loin is actually on the heart-healthy diet. I eat so much chicken now I swear sometimes I'm going to lay an egg.Your post made me want to try that recipe. Sherry |
#8
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Sherry wrote:
Last night I roasted a very nice pork tenderloin. It was nearly 2 lbs. in weight rather than the usual smaller 1/2 pound hunk of pork. I brushed it with olive oil, slathered it generously with minced garlic, That sounds great, Jill. Pork loin is actually on the heart-healthy diet. I eat so much chicken now I swear sometimes I'm going to lay an egg.Your post made me want to try that recipe. Sherry Yeah, I have a friend who is low-carbing and the sheer amount of chicken he's eating is utterly beyond my comprehension! Another good seasoning for pork (tenderloin or lean chops) is a sprinkling of dried crushed rosemary. Of course keep the garlic and the olive oil, a little pepper. I don't add much salt when I'm cooking but a light sprinkling is okay. Jill |
#9
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jmcquown wrote:
The roast was perfect; nice and juicy. I will be able to gently reheat slices of this to eat for a couple of days. Accompanied by my favourite and that often bashed vegetable, Brussels Sprouts. My Mum did something very nice to go with our Christmas lunch which I'd never had befo sprouts with roasted chestnuts. Mmmmm. The sprouts and chestnuts had slightly softened and were mixed together in the cooking and it made a delicious alternative to sprouts on their own. Deb. -- http://www.scientific-art.com "He looked a fierce and quarrelsome cat, but claw he never would; He only bit the ones he loved, because they tasted good." S. Greenfield |
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Debbie Wilson wrote:
jmcquown wrote: Accompanied by my favourite and that often bashed vegetable, Brussels Sprouts. My Mum did something very nice to go with our Christmas lunch which I'd never had befo sprouts with roasted chestnuts. Mmmmm. The sprouts and chestnuts had slightly softened and were mixed together in the cooking and it made a delicious alternative to sprouts on their own. Deb. Now that sounds delicious! Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for me to find chestnuts (roasted or ones in the shell I'd have to roast myself). I gather they are more commonly available in the New England states. Jill |
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