Those Stupid Americans…
I was reminded the other day of how hated we Americans are. An admittedly stupid website was reporting that Pippi Longstocking is a Satanic character, and the visiting Swedes (Sweden being the country of Pippi’s origin) let their opinions fly:
- Another stupid American; the world is full of them!
- You’re probably a stupid American áššhølë!
- I wipe my ášš with the American flag and spit in your face.
Being an American myself, I was curious as the sentiment of others. So I decided to find some additional opinions by searching the Internet with Google, spelling (or lack thereof) intact:
- “The only thing Americans can teach is how to corrupt countries and take their money. All Americans are is greety báštárdš.” - I think countries have been corrupting themselves for centuries without the help of the United States. Also, most people worldwide work hard to better themselves and provide as much as possible for their families. Americans included. Yes, there are some really bad, greedy Americans — but not everyone fits that description.
- “[The] US is the laughing stock of the world. American cars suck, American people are stupid, fat and ignorant, your technology sucks.” - Yes, spoken out of prejudice and ignorance, Americans can be conceived as being the laughing stock of the world. So would whichever country happens to be in the economic and military lead at the time. Some American cars do suck, but the Yugo hasn’t won too many awards that I’m aware of. Oddly, the fantasy car of choice when I lived in Germany as a child was a Pontiac. Yes, some Americans are stupid, fat and ignorant. So are some members of any other country in the world. If Microsoft products are a measurement of our technology, then, yes, it sucks. But I haven’t seen any other countries that provide the number of major innovations that have stemmed from America in the last hundred years.
- “Americans are full of šhìt. ignorant, yet stuppied people. they are bvery norrow minded and veyr materiolistic.” - I already agreed that sum Amurikanz ar bvery stuppied. But not all — the first spell checking software was invented at UC Berkeley in 1972 — by an American.
- “You have a handful of smart and educated people who drive the country, and then you have this humongous blob of utterly clueless people who are hardly able to make a living.” - Can’t really argue with that. But the same can be said for just about every other nation in the world.
- “You are all non-sensical inbred morons.” - Actually I don’t personally know anyone who can be accused of resulting from inbreeding, although it may be common in certain areas of the country such as Tennessee (pronounced “Ken-tuck-ee”, if you’re from Tennesee). You think inbreeding didn’t occur within the European and Asian royals of the past?
- “Americans are generally loud and stupid.” - Yeah, I hate American tourists, too. Again, I’d qualify that as “some”, rather than generalizing the population as a whole.
- “U.S.A is the biggest šhìt hole.” - Seems that lots of people on the Internet are calling every other country on the planet the “biggest šhìt hole”, too, based on results from Google. I say we just all take a vote and decide once and for all. After all, that is the democratic way.
- “I thank God that I’m not a stupid ášš-fûçkìng American.” - I’m glad I’m not a stupid ášš-fûçkìng American, too — I’m just not into that. I’m a regular American of (perhaps) above-average intelligence, eking out a living, trying to fulfill the dreams of my family.
I’d rather be considered a stupid American than have to resort to pointless name-calling in a vain attempt to gain national stature. I am hardly a Bible-toting born-again Christian, but I find it difficult to disagree with: “The proud and haughty man, ’scoffer’ is his name; He works in the arrogance of pride… When pride comes, then comes shame, But with humility comes wisdom.”
Don’t lump every citizen of a country together under a single label; it just makes you look stupid.
You’re killing me, dude. (Did I say “dude?”). No, I didn’t. I wrote it.
Another stupid-ášš American.
The sad thing is that these people [who made the original comments about Americans] can’t express themselves. But, following the tragedy of September 11th, it was only the Americans who asked “Why us?” The rest of the world, horrified as they were, knew why. Most Americans still have no idea of the many millions who suffer and die as a result of the United States’ intervention in other countries. So many “enemies” are people who came to power funded by the US. So many have died to protect the commercial interest of a handful of wealthy Americans. Alas, they are led by a controlled media, an active secret service who sow dissent wherever they perceive the most minor threat. They have no idea of what their government does in their name and, if they knew, I believe they are good enough people that they would not tolerate it. The few who do know, do act (the ones who aren’t in big business, etc). Never forget “Reefer Madness”, McCarthy and now one day you will look back and remember Kyoto and Iraq, a country who, as allies of the US, freely massacred and ethnically cleansed the Kurds using chemical weapons based on freely given US know-how. Stupid? No. Ignorant and perhaps a bit too complacent, definitely.
I can’t speak for all Americans, but I know I never asked “Why us?” Admittedly, out of ignorance and a false misplaced sense of elitism, I more had the attitude “How dare they!” America is young, and has been blissfully naive since its creation as terrorism has been a fact that most other countries have had to contend with for centuries; the past couple of years have seen international terrorism in the form of exploding car bombs (unrelated to the US or US targets) in Israel, Afghanistan, Spain, Columbia, Serbia, Russia, Saudia Arabia, Finland, Algeria, Bolivia, India, Peru, Kuwait, and dozens more. Not only was September 11th an inaugural act of international terrorism in the United States, it was one so-far unmatched and unparalleled in history. I believe the “up in arms” attitude and the state of shock and confusion exhibited by Americans has been understandable. - RDL
[A personal note to those people who hate Americans:] What a shame you feel that way, but always remember this… If your country is under attack the GOOD OLD USA will be the 1st to be there to defend your country OR would you rather have us stand back and watch your world fall apart around you. We would never ever wish a 9-11 on your country, but, then again, you have your opinions. Opinions are like áššhølëš — everyone has one. I’m just glad your opinion means nothing to most of the world!!!
While promoting itself an emerging Pacific Island nation, EnenKio was reported to be a hoax by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2000. “…the Kingdom of Enenkio is not recognized in any international forum as a sovereign state nor is it a corporate or statutory entity.” - US SEC Litigation Release No. 16758 / October 6, 2000. The government of the Kingdom of EnenKio and the people loyal to the king of Eneen-Kio Atoll have been subjected to a wide assortment of deliberate disruptive actions by persons and agencies of the federal government of the United States. The reasons for these attacks are unknown, as EnenKio seeks only peace and the freedom to express the fundamental rights of the people of EnenKio, its monarch and the imperatives bestowed upon us by our loving Creator. [We want] to acquaint you with [the] history, claims and challenges we face as a people striving for equality in a world of antagonistic nations with egocentric goals seeking to “save” (dominate) lesser nations.
This is off topic as we’re discussing the perceived stupidity of the American people, not the perceived stupidity of the American government! And, due to repeated stupid spammings on my site, you’ve now been banned from commenting, Robert! - RDL
My sympathy for all the intelligent Americans who have been offended by the idiotic anti-Americanism of certain elements on the Internet. While I am British (and would still rather be British than an American), and am rather sick of the anti-English racism in the American film industry (which Hollywood film doesn’t have a baddie with an English accent?), I believe that much of the anti-Americanism is at best ill-informed and at worst, well, racist.
True Lies (Arabic), Collateral Damage (Columbian), Spider-Man (American), XXX (Russian), Minority Report (American), Rush Hour (Oriental), Die Hard (German), Raiders of the Lost Ark (German), and, of course, just about any James Bond movie…
Back to the previous comment, I think that the reason people regard Americans as stupid is largely because many do not seem to know and are happy not knowing the many terrible things the Government has done historically. They also tend to ignore the terrible things that do come to light. The hypocricies are so manifest but the majority of the population go on blissfully unaware that the world at large is often being held to ransom by the ‘biggest kid on the block’. The recent banana wars, the fact that the only country in the world with a right to refuse weapons inspections is the US, the country that supports the copyrighting of things like rice and medicinal plants in use in the developing world for thousands of years. One person earlier spoke about the US coming to the aid of other countries in times of war. The US refused point blank to join in the 2nd world war, despite having clear evidence of the atrocities committed on the Jews, until the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Saddam approached the US and informed them that if Kuwait was not brought under control in its dumping of oil on the market and stealing Iraqi oil he would attack. The US govt advised him that they would not interfere. Of course the rest is history. He gave the US a perfect excuse to dive in. The people of the US have been subject to many governments whose primary concern has been commercial exploitation and the lining of their own pockets. I will never deny for a minute that the majority of Americans are decent people, good and kind hearted. They just seem to be asleep.
It is perceived in the “rest of the world” that BornintheUSA is your typical American and so is correctly thought of as stupid.
If I pick apart the above sentence structure, I am lead to believe that Stephen is asserting that a person being a typical American leads to the forgone conclusion of that person being stupid. I started to call myself a typical American, and then realized that I have no idea what a typical American is. Perhaps I am not a typical American after all. I cannot even justifiably qualify myself as a typical Californian, or a typical San Josean, let alone put myself in the unenviable position of representing an entire country. I think it is inappropriate to judge a body of diverse people based on a single person, or even the perception of an average person. Perhaps Iraqis should be judged by the actions of Saddam Hussein, or Afghanis and Saudis by members of al Queda? - RDL
(No, I didn’t read all those comments first, so forgive me if I’m repeating…)
About Pippi; I myself am a young (20yo) Finnish student and though I didn’t spend my childhood reading Pippi, I know some other books written by Lindgren and also the theme behind Pippi. There is no reasonable way someone could in any way call Lindgren a satanist or Pippi as the antichrist. For one reason, Pippi’s names are different in swedish. Maybe the writer of that page got too scared of Pippi’s strong nature and independency? Or maybe he’s just a over-enthusiastic Christian…
September 11: Of course it was a terrible act and it had a tremendous impact on US, but did it really touch other countries? At least in Finland, it was all over the papers; Attack against the Western civilization (and I do think that Finland is a western country), a declare for war… And from what I’ve heard, major part of the Americans asked “Why us?” Now… Is that something you really have to ask? Since the dawn of United States, you have been meddling with things that actually don’t concern you. Just because you dominate world trades, technology, every day consuming, movie markets etc. doesn’t make US the world dominator.
During summer I heard this unbelievable news from the radio. United Nations made this new “law” about bringing soldiers (FROM ALL COUNTRIES) who have done different kind of crimes during wars, to be judged in Haag. The United States said that if any of their soldiers are brought to Haag and convicted, these convictions aren’t legal and the US will not act by them. How on Earth does the US (not all the citizens, but most of the bigshoes) think they can have this special right to decide what’s legal?
But ummm… anyways… I found this site when looking for web design articles (as I’m studying to become a graphic designer), and I came across the GODDESSY article… So someone has actually paid for her designing? Unbelievable…
Sir, as a Finnish-born teenager with plenty of travelling experience I found some of the attitudes on this page sincerely shocking. Before you accuse me of having no experience of American life, I would like to point out that I did live there and have travelled to many parts of the country. Seven years ago, while living in Italy, I idolized many Americans. I spent my time in an American school and found the work challenging yet fulfilling. When told that I would be moving to America, I looked forward to it with great enthusiasm. At first I enjoyed the size of the place and all the luxuries. I went to school, did my work and made friends. It was, however, all too obvious that the state school was moving too slowly. I used to be a “B” student, but here I was getting ridiculously good results. Eventually, I discovered that people were not interested in politics or morals, but would much rather discuss television and food. So much so, in fact, that it drove me crazy and I was taken out of the school by my parents. I tried the other schools in the area, and found them to be exactly the same. My parents decided that the education I was receiving was ridiculously poor and so I was shipped back to England to take my qualifications. Arriving as someone who had grown a strong dislike towards the American way of life, I thought I would find little sympathy, but all of my friends felt that americans are stupid. In fact, the stupidity of George Bush and how he was voted in is a frequently recurring topic of conversation. You see, the difference between the majority of Americans and myself is that I crave knowledge, understanding, philosophy, culture and art, none of which most Americans seem bothered by. It’s far too evident that America will collapse. I fully accept that there are intelligent Americans and that millions flock to America, but the fact of the matter is that you have no social credibility any longer. You lack art and sophistication. Raucous, that’s how you’re perceived. Perhaps you can prove me wrong, but I doubt it. Corruption, ignorance, poor education, laziness and greed ruined your country long ago. America has done many great things, but it has done so much wrong, too! You can keep your Bush and bland television shows with lifeless interviewers. I’ll stick with my beloved “Have I got news for you” and Jeremy Paxman.
I’m going to go out on a limb and agree with you on some points. Public education in the United States up to and including high school is laughable at best. However, lack of an education on par with a few other countries cannot logically reflect on intelligence, nor does a difference in values. In some respects I’d like to garner your opinion of me as to whether I’m a typical American or not. But it would be a bit unfair because, admittedly, I’ve been exposed to more of the world than most and attended schools in Europe for five years. So, I’m not exactly your typical American, whatever that is. And, thankfully, television networks in the United States have not adopted England’s Beat the Crusher, a game show oozing with class and sophistication… - RDL
Americans are hated because successive US governments abused the unprecedented power they gained after WWII e.g. Guatemala 1954, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam (1955-1975), Indonesia (1958, 1965), Italy (1948), Grenada (1983), Greece (1967), Nicaragua (1980s) (a complete list would take entire web pages). Not to mention the fact that American military had invaded Mexico 13 times, Dominican Republic 6 times, Haiti 5 times, Nicaragua 5 times as part of the Monroe Doctrine. Recently, US successfully violated every international law by tearing the province of Kosovo out of Serbia (Kosovo has been part of Serbia since the Medieval eras)!! US sanctions against Iraq that killed one million children was done under the assumption that starvation would be the incentive for the Iraqis to overthrow Saddam Hussein! I wouldn’t blame the Soviets for their paranoia of the United States because US troops invaded Russia in 1918-1920 in a bid to kill the infant communist country. Each time the US governmentt said that the reason they intervened was to “save” these countries from either communism, banditism, or terrorism. This is typical bûllšhìt as the racialist notion of white man’s burden used by the former Imperial powers last century. How would you feel if you were a Vietnamese farmer that had his house destroyed by US napalm, saying that the US did this to save him from communism? Americans are too ignorant of the outside world and always eat the propaganda their government gives them. Just look at how Americans react to the WTC attack (the terrorists hate us for our freedom and liberty). They think that the US is the best country in the world and other countries can’t survive without American help. Until the US stops being a serious international bully, America will still be universally despised!
Actually, history shows that the United States gained its status as a world superpower after the Spanish-American War, not after WWII. Your University of Queensland offers some excellent courses in world history including HIST2006, HIST2408, and HIST3402, which would give you greater insight and understanding into the roots of the American nation as well as some worldly perspective of some of the political mistakes of other great nations, including Hitler’s rise to power in Germany and the radical right-wing politics of Western and Eastern Europe over the last two centuries. - RDL
As a well-educated, bilingual, well-travelled, politically left-leaning, geographically inclined American (yes, there are one or two of us), I always read such posts with amusement. I like the sentences that begin, “You Americans…”
Who do you direct these comments to? All 287 million of us? To which “kind” of American are you directing comments that begin “you Americans”? Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, native American, naturalized citizens from Europe? Men and women? Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Christian, Sikh or Pagan? Gay or straight? Conservative or liberal? For we are all Americans, we share radically different views, different levels of education, different politics, different religions, different ethnicities… we even speak English differently.
Grouping us into “You Americans” is as naive as saying… “All Europeans are alike… you know… Swedes, Turks, Italians, Greeks… they all think alike… I mean, they’re all Europeans, right?” Hollywood may portray a neat package of what “an American” is like, but Hollywood is fantasy, and too many non-Americans watch a Bruce Willis movie and become experts on what Americans are like. Based on one holiday visit to New York City… everyone becomes an instant expert in defining “The American Experience.”
Simplistically generalizing a whole people into one stereotype is a form of racism… anti-Americanism based on stereotypes is the only form of socially acceptable racism left to the world. It betrays ignorance… though it may seem fashionable and elite. Like people of all other countries, we can’t be summed up in a phrase, an editorial, a slur, or any kind of sound bite. Let’s rid the world of stereotypes… whether it be toward Muslims, ethnic minorities, homosexuals… or Americans. They are all equally destructive to progress.
Just because I’ve been to Stamford, Connecticut, and now read comments by a Stamfordian doesn’t mean I or anyone else can judge the inhabitants of the city as a whole, now does it?! At least YOU get the point of what I’m saying! - RDL
Errr… Tracey, Europe is a group of nations, America is one nation, does that help? If you don’t understand the difference, I suggest a basic education might help.
Errr… Stephen? Ever heard of the European Union? Tracey can finish this one… - RDL
Thank you, Stephen, for underscoring the point of my e-mail with your Pavlovian, knee-jerk sarcastic comment. I couldn’t have produced a better reinforcement of my point.
To further expound on my original post, the U.S. is a union comprised of 54 independent state and territorial governments, making it a vast (geographically larger than Europe) amalgamation of different cultures, political ideologies, languages and governments. After the final steps in the creation of the European Union, the two entities will function in a similar manner (on some points).
And California, broken out by itself, has a greater economy than that of all of France, despite its smaller population of 34 million versus France’s 61 million. Yet France should not be lumped into its respective greater union, while California should? - RDL
Dear me, IQs really have dropped in the US… ONE passport for Americans (if any of you have bothered to get one), that means ONE country, numerous DIFFERENT passports within the European Union. I’m not German, French or Italian etc, I’m English, I have an English passport, and by the way you wouldn’t know a Pavlovian response even if the slavering dogs bit your ášš.
Now this REALLY is stupid:
9,390 - Number of people murdered with handguns in the United States in 1996.
15 - Number murdered by handguns in Japan during the same year. Compare the U.S. figure with: 2 in New Zealand, 30 in Great Britain, 106 in Canada, and only 213 handgun murders in Germany during the same year.
30,708 - Number of Americans killed by all types of guns in 1998. In comparison, 33,651 Americans were killed in the Korean War and 58,148 were killed in the Vietnam War.
15 to 24 - In 2000, the leading cause of death for African-American males in this age group was homicide by firearms.
22 times more likely - That’s how much more likely it is that a gun kept in the home will kill a family member or friend, instead of an intruder in self-defense.
192,000,000 - The number of firearms currently in the United States. That’s two guns for every family of three.
10 - The number of youth under 19-years-old killed with firearms, every day in 2000.
Every 6 hours - A child between 10 and 19 years old commits suicide with a handgun.
3 times the risk - Increase in chance that a homicide will occur in the home when there is a gun in there.
Every 3 hours - A child dies in America as a result of a firearm.
$100 million per year - The estimated cost to treat a year’s worth of gunshot injuries at a typical county hospital.
31 - The number of states (in 2000) without a waiting period for handgun purchases.
And meaningless statistics relating to various economic, educational, and legal conditions have WHAT to do with the perception of intelligence? More than 17% of Britain’s population fall below the poverty line as opposed to just under 13% of the United States. The unemployment rate in the United States is lower than that of England. Even staid and stoic British Rail unabashedly solved the problem of lateness in train service by redefining “on time” as arriving within one hour of the scheduled time. Should those be used as measurements of the intelligence of the British in general? I don’t think so. - RDL
Numerous different passports… but all EU passports now go through a single queue, headed with a sign that reads “EU Passports,” while the rest of us stand in the non-EU line. The pretty colors and type fonts on the front are different, but one line for all EU citizens sounds like a Union to me.
Aside from that… the point of my original post is that vitriolic ranting against a collective group of people, based on stereotype, is an ugly form of prejudice and racism, as destructive as hating a person of a particular race or religion.
Stephen, you don’t know ME. You’ve never met ME. I’m a person first, a magazine editor next, a fan of Jethro Tull third, an aspiring novelist next… then somewhere in that mix, yes… I’m an American and I’m not ashamed of it. Yet you spout such scorching menace based on… what…? Did an American girl dump you once? Do you hate McDonalds? So do I… I think it’s the second Evil Empire, after Microsoft. If it’s guns you hate… I’m with you there. I’ve never owned, fired, touched or even SEEN a handgun up close, except in a cop’s holster. I vote liberal, which is about as much as I can do to protest the lack of gun control in this country.
Though I dislike taking the offensive line because it’s counterproductive, if it comes down to education, Sweet Cheeks, anyone comparing your grammar and spelling and mine could probably draw a conclusion that reads right to my keyboard.
And don’t forget the accepted concept of the European Union passport! Plus, the Schengen Treaty allows travel across border with no passport check, and permits passengers traveling by air within those countries to use domestic terminals rather than international ones! And, like Tracey, I don’t own a gun, nor does any one else I know. - RDL
Meaningless statistics? Well, fair comment. However, in Switzerland, EVERY male aged between 20 and 42 is REQUIRED by law (with exceptions no doubt) to keep his assault rifle and 3000 rounds of ammo at home. There are more guns than people, so clearly INTELLIGENCE is a factor because they have extremely low gun crime. In addition I find it amusing that you are still trying to convince me that America isn’t a country but a group of disperate states, in that case I’ll invade one and see if the US armed forces think the same.
Interestingly you mention grammer and spelling, please enlighten me, would that be color for colour, thru for through or indeed any of the other remarkable ways Americans find to shorten words so that their puny little minds can remember them?
Our trains are poorly run, many people are below the poverty line, however we don’t stomp around the world shouting about how great it is to live here and why doesn’t everyone live the same way as us, unlike 95% of Americans that I have met.
America is a “young” country, an adolescent if you will (my house is older than your Constitution), so its hardly surprising that other nationalities regard you with some contempt, however grin and bear it and no doubt eventually everyone will adopt all of the many fabulous foibles that America has to offer.
One parting shot, just between friends, Cuba has a higher literacy rate than either the US or GB, perhaps we should all move there instead…
Aha! Something resembling civilized discussion and not spewing. I knew you had it in you, Stephen!
It was never my point to indicate that the U.S. are 50 different countries (well, maybe it’s two, since Texas likes to think of itself as the Federal Republic of Texas).
A great deal of U.S. gun violence is inner-city gang related. Los Angeles has the highest gang activities in the country; as a result, its gun violence is appalling. Unfortunately, it’s an ill that’s beginning to spread to other countries… when I read about the “for kicks” bombing of a shopping center several months ago in Finland, I was appalled. FINLAND, for God’s sake! Yet violent crime in the U.S. has been slipping dramatically lately (by some estimates, New York has a lower crime rate that London at this point… when Rudolph Giuliani accepted his OBE last year, London’s mayor (Livingstone?) asked him for tips on how to stamp out street crime. Yet private citizens STILL feel the need to keep guns… doesn’t make sense to me.
Cuba’s literacy rate is admirable… and I believe some poor Caribbean nations also have higher literacy rates than either the U.S. or Britain. Soviet Russia had a great literacy rate, too, and with the introduction of more personal liberties, it dropped. May have something to do with the fact that children have no choice but to attend school, instead of leaving at 16 to pursue a career as a rock guitarist, for example, like we can if we wish.
It doesn’t surprise me that I get regarded with contempt occasionally, my countrymen abroad can be excruciatingly embarassing and stupid. I do, however, think part of American’s ignorance of the rest of the world is a function of geography, at least a bit. When leaving the country is a major trip rather than a short jaunt, people are less inclined to do it. Geography insulates us. Canadians are no better travelled than the average American, either, for a lot of the same reasons.
I still can’t leap from Switzerland’s societal norms and extensive gun training to an increase in intelligence, but even they are reconsidering their laws regarding the private ownership of guns after a recent massacre in Zug. And I am not trying to convince you that America is not a country; more that the 3.6-million-square-mile United States is so vast economically, socially, and geographically, that it is SIMILAR in its diversity to the 4.0-million-square-mile continent of Europe. New York is to North Carolina as France is to Finland, passports and currency aside. Maybe we should all move to Japan: http://www.fadetoblack.com/bestcountry/ Thanks for sparring! - RDL
“I was reminded the other day of how hated we Americans are.” Hated is a strong word. Personally, I’d say disliked.
I think Stephen was trying to point out that Europe is a formal alliance of very old countries, each with their own cultures. France and Finland have been developing from independant ancestral tribes for a very long time. The culture and depth of a society increase over time, by the addition of events, national triumphs and failures, and relations with other countries. The states were formed at the creation of the USA right? Before which there was a bit of fighting, mainly between groups of Europeans? You’ve got, maybe 400 years to draw on? Ok, so Europe is moving together, and willingly growing. We have a common currency, some shared laws and minimal borders, but languages, working hours, and military commitment are varied. The America/Europe comparison works on many levels, especially global politics (you are more influential), business, currency, and ideals.
I think your culture is shallow, and as such the output of your society is shallow. I am not sure if Americans are generally shallow individuals, but you certainly present yourselves as that way. Your domestic and foreign presentations (news, film, tv) are formulaic, glitz and tinsel affairs. You invented marketing and then used it to remove any discerning nature from your audience i.e. you. America has clearly produced some pretty cool and revolutionary stuff. While we have a lot to thank you for (and that’s why I won’t ‘hate’ you), you’ve also given the world some pretty trashy entries in many countries’ guestbooks. You revise history in public media, use conflict to feel the way other countries do in football tournaments. Your foreign policy is self-interested, backed by a disproportionately prevalent insular attitude to the world. Your performance at Kyoto was disgusting. So I guess my perception is not that an American is stupid, but America is, and probably not stupid, just ignorant.
I’ve been to the states twice (San Jose and NYC) and enjoyed myself both times, and found every one to be really friendly. I’m sure it’s a pretty nice place to live. But, as a foreigner, feeling your influence on my life, I gotta say, booo. So, I don’t know how I found this site or why I decided to comment, but, well, “Hey, Richard - peace”.
– European, English, resident in Amsterdam, luckily not BornInTheUSA.
I don’t disagree with your points, but as I restate what I’ve said all along, I don’t think that it’s fair to generalize an entire people based on the actions or inactions of a few. Yes, the country is young and immature. Yes, the media and programmes are formulaic (although borrowed from other countries, The Weakest Link, Whose Line is it Anyway, Three’s Company, Big Brother, and American Idol included) and I am embarassed by popular exports such as Jerry Springer and David Hasselhoff! Yes, investigative journalism in the US is often biased which is why I often listen in to BBC Radio for a worldly perspective. Yes, I am shocked that coverage of actress Winona Ryder’s guilty verdict for theft and vandalism is more prevalent than the results of the recent elections. Yes, US international policy is self-centered. Yes, I, and millions of other Americans, were appalled by the behavior of some of the American competitors at Kyoto, including the hockey players (nothing compared to the ice skating debacle at Salt Lake City, though). Yes, I am shamed by the behavior of the occasional loud-mouthed, obnoxious, and uncultured American tourist. Just don’t judge me or the average American (whoever that is!) based on the actions of others, and I will not judge you based on my vision of Tony Blair, Eastenders, Melinda Messenger, Camela Bowles, or The Sun. Peace to you, too! - RDL
…and don’t underestimate how bemused we are by our perceptions of the British news media. I read most of the major UK papers daily, both trashy and respectable, and from where I sit, some days it seems all a large chunk of the British population cares about is Kylie Minogue’s cleavage and obsessions over what goes on in David and Victoria Beckham’s nursery/bedroom/car/garden/rubbish bin/trousers. I’m sure this is not the case… but if you judge a population by what its news “professionals” deem important, you’d never get a flattering picture of a people. And yes… GWB’s outright rejection of Kyoto was despicable. When exactly he thinks the problem will just “go away” is a mystery to me.
Oh, THAT Kyoto! Seems we’ve embarassed ourselves more than once around that particular namesake… Living in the past, I am… *spoken like Yoda* - RDL
Why are Americans so full of pride for their country? Goerge Bush has a need to kill people with any little excuse. You’re fat and you think you can sue the fast food chain for getting you that way. What the hëll do you expect from a burger dripping with fat? You’re thick in more ways than one. You’re accent is drowl and annoying. Your goverment thinks that your citizens should be excempt from the laws that everyone else in the world lives by. The only good thing you have going for you is Viggo Mortasen, Sean Astin and Elijah Wood when speaking in an English accent in Lord of the Rings.
Only one guy out of 287 million is suing the fast-food industry, Emma, sweetie. And yes, that man is indeed an ignorant, brainless twit. Fortunately for us, however, ignorant, brainless twits are not unique to the United States.
Well, Tracey, sweetie, Americans have the nack of flashing their ignorance, without realising that they’re doing it. Americans come 1st place in stupidity becaus you do it so well. Unfortunatly for us, your mistakes effects the rest of the world. You voted for a homisidal leader rather than Al Gore. Wuh?
Cor blimey guvnor, this as turned into a right old slanging match hasn’t it ? Ok, quick points. Bush 2 was not elected. The democrats aren’t much better. The diversity between American states in terms of politics is a bit of a joke. You cannot say Washington and Colorado’s populations are as different as the populations of Italy and Scandinavia. The idea that the EU is anything approaching the ‘United States’ concept is way way of the mark. And yes America, your president, along with our PM, is trying to kill everyone. I recommend everyone read ‘Stupid White Men’ by Michael Moore. Its not abusive of the American people, and so it shouldn’t be, but it does lay it on the line about how the most powerful country in the world is really a cancer on the world. I will add more when I think of more. No to war in Iraq !! Bush is rich enough and this is only about oil just like Afghanistan. I certainly dont want British soliers to lay down their lives for a bunch of multi millionaires to add to their wealth. We won’t benefit. Richard, you’re in no way stupid, but you do like to try and blame some things on others. The uk maybe respnosible fo some çráp TV, but we also have 11 newspapers just in London alone, and news programmes that are informative.
hmmm…..have just realised half of what i wrote was already said by people and responded to and have consequently made a bit of an áršë of myself.
Really should read everything through. Maybe I belong in America :o) I AM KIDDING before everyone goes mad and sends a navy seal to eat fish at the London zoo. I will keep quiet now until I have read everything.
Emma, sounds like the pot calling the kettle black… Oh, and I voted for Al, myself. - RDL
I have no personal beef with any Americans (though I don’t think much of Dubyah), but this really got me laughing - 70% of Americans can’t find New Jersey on a map? 49% can’t find New York? And the real winner, 11% of Americans can’t find America on a world map… That’s not even funny - it’s scary.
I voted for Al Gore, Emma. I believe if you read back over my and Richard’s posts, our POINT is that addressing a single American individual in a collective, judgmental “you” is a method of generalized stereotyping that is akin to racism. More than 50 percent of Americans voted for Al Gore; it was our highly flawed electoral college process that allowed our current “leader” to take office. Take heart, his term is nearly half over.
And “knack” is spelled with a “k”. “Homicidal” is spelled with a “c”, and that should be “affect” not “effects”.
The fact that anyone can accuse an ENTIRE NATION of people of stupidity and ignorance whilst making three spelling errors and a grammatical goof in a single paragraph is worthy of a smile.
I saw that report, Mike, about geography, and it terrified me (though it was a survey of young people ages 18-24, not a general survey of the American populace). But this from a UK newspaper terrified me just as much: 2 in 3 pupils fail to name one classical composer [according to an article] by Nigel Reynolds, arts correspondent for the Telegraph.
“The cellist Julian Lloyd Webber called classical music education in Britain ‘a national embarrassment’ yesterday after 65 percent of children interviewed in a poll failed to name a classical composer. Panicked by the question, a small minority of the 611 children questioned by the radio station Classic FM grabbed at names such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and even William Shakespeare. The children, aged six to 14, fared no better when they were shown pictures of common instruments and asked to name them. Only 31 percent recognised a cello and 23 percent a French horn; 21 percent could not identify a trumpet, while 23 percent failed to name a violin. Seven percent thought the violin was a guitar.”
We can sling statistics back and forth between the abysmal education systems in both our countries (as one poster remarked, literacy in Cuba is better than BOTH the U.S. and the U.K.) all we want. The only point I’m attempting to get across is generalizing individuals based on sound bites, stereotypes and a personal experience or two reflects an ignorant mind-set. I was in Edinburgh a few weeks ago, and I walked through the club district on a Saturday night on my way to the Greyfriars Kirkyard. I saw more messy drunks vomiting and rolling in the gutters than I’ve EVER seen in a clubbing district anywhere in the world. I would be wrong to draw the conclusion, “All Brits are messy drunks,” because you might say (a) But wait… I personally never drink like that; or (b) But those were Scots! (And if you allow cultural differentiation between Scots, Welsh, N. Irish and English, then you must allow for cultural differences between, say… Texans and New Yorkers). Hopefully I’m getting my point across, albeit in a roundabout way.
Actually Tracey, I think you raise a very good point, with an obvious conclusion - the planet is generally overrun with stupid people. And young brits drink too much, but I’m no longer all that young, and I’ve never been British.
What’s that wonderful saying? “The gene pool needs chlorine?” It applies to the entire planet.
After living in Europe and coming back to Charlotte, NC (I can’t wait to leave again), I was thoroughly shocked at just how horribly stupid Americans really are. I had forgotten what truly murderous ignorants they are. What’s worse is they really enjoy being stupid, because as long as they are stupid… they are right in doing things the way they do. Most Americans don’t feel the need to understand American foreign policy, and that is why everyone hates them. America is truly f*cking the rest of the world in order to turn a buck and the only time it “defends” a helpless country is to overthrow the government there and replace it with a puppet that is in line with USA economic needs. The people that will be killed as a result of the war on Iraq, and the people that have already been killed in Afghanistan have not made the world safer, nor did they pose a threat to the USA except by holding up economic interests. You will notice that Bush is tied to the oil companies that will now be putting a pipeline through Afghanistan in order to profit from natural resources such as oil and natural gas that could not previously be trafficked through Afghanistan because of the Taliban. The CIA put the Taliban in power to fight Russia, when they were done with Russia, they tried to get them to agree to a pipeline as payback and they refused. So then this whole stupid thing of 911 was fabricated and the Amercian public bought it all, hook line and sinker. Why? Because very few people know about the history of Afghanistan and the real reason the US is interested in it. Not many people know the history of Iraq and the real reason we are interested in it. Most people think Bush is here to save us from evil empires… unfortunately, the evil empire is America, it just has really good PR to the uneducated masses of civilians that finance its war machine. For anyone pìššëd off by what I say.. here is my suggestion: READ A BOOK. It will help you understand what the hëll is really going on here.
Yes, but many people graduate to read at a level beyond Harry Potter and have exited the fantasy world in which you are still stuck… It takes a true coward to hide behind a fake name, a fake email address, and boorish comments. I’m sure the line is long to provide LeavingTheUSA with a ride to the airport, or to just dump him/her somewhere in Canada… - RDL
I’m sure Charlotte, North Carolina is holding the door open for you. Bon Voyage!!
Well, Tracey, there is a great difference between being ignorant and dyslexic. Americans chose to be ignorant where as I have to work hard to be able to write as well as I do. I understand compassion is hard for you to come to terms with. It is only right that you can spell homicidal as it’s Americas favourite pastime.
Emma…and you think accusing me personally of being homicidal (I can’t even kill spiders in my flat) does not betray ignorance? That judging people you’ve never met based on a stereotype and the actions of their government does not betray ignorance? I’m sorry you’re dyslexic… that’s unfortunate. If you’d like to prove that you yourself are not ignorant, understand that I’m not responsible for the actions of a presidential administration with whom I don’t agree. Save your name-calling and your spleen-venting for GWB… not me.
Dyslexia is not an excuse to ignore the entire point of the conversation, and yet you persist… - RDL
It’s kind of funny that foreign people would say stuff like that when we, the Americans, migrated over here from Europe about three hundred years ago, maybe less (I was never good in History). So if that’s what they have to say about us, they better take a very close look at themselves, because guess what, WE CAME FROM EUROPE! The Natives were here first for god sakes. It’s amazing how ignorant and naive some people can be. What I’m saying is, all over the world, every country has their crazies.
People emmigrated 300 years ago. That’s 9 generations, alot of time for people to change attitudes. America is a very wealthy country and this has gone to the population’s head. Arrogance, in terms of how you visage the rest of the world, is a major problem in America.
Americans are brill. They give us great movies and great fashion so stop slagging, Emma.
Whoa, Emma! Listen, what I am saying is EVERYWHERE you go, there is Arrogance. I understand why people in other countries are saying those things about us. I never said I hated them for it! As a matter of fact, I love Europeans a lot more than I do Americans. The fact is, some people need to see it’s not the people, but in fact the government. Then again, people make the government, but the leaders in the government make the devistation (my spelling’s bad). There are Americans around who would rather live elsewhere.
And arrogance enables you to stereotype the entire population of a nation the size of Europe to simple, single adjectives like “homicidal”… One of this generation’s Jamaicans was the homicidal sniper on the East coast. Should I classify Jamaicans as homicidal? And the Young Offenders Institution in West London has suggested a link between dyslexia and crime, that offenders were more likely to be dyslexic than the rest of the population. Should I classify all dyslexic Brits as criminals? As I’ve mentioned umpteen times, I do not believe such classification is justifiable. - RDL
There are alot of very stupid people around the world. The majority wallow in their stupidity believing they are in some way superior. In the former Yugoslavia they have been slaughtering people on the basis of ethnicity for centuries. How sad and sick and depraved are they ? Saddam killed Kurds, so did the Turks. Israel has such a simple thing to do to avoid bloodshed ie withdraw from the occupied territories, but they dont. How stupid. Men of religion use their perverted sense of religion to go and wage war and wreak havoc all over the world. The problem is that the most powerful country in the world seems to be mixed up in so many of those scenarios. When a warlord was refining Heroin for shipment to the US, his whole business was aided by the CIA because he ‘held off the communist threat’. So loads of US civilians died horrible addicts deaths as a result. When Iran was fighting Iraq, the US backed Iraq (Saddam) and then sold weapons to the Iranians in contrvention of the law, and used that money to back a dictatorship in South America. A large number of american citizens dont realise what goes on in the world. They have no idea of even where these countries are. So many people say ‘kill the ragheads’ and then go and attack any brown face they see. Racism is part of the fabric of society in America. Italians, Irish, Poles, Koreans, Jews, Chinese, French, and black, they all hate each other, and take up any excuse to persecute or abuse in order to aquire a sense of superiority. There must be a national sense of insecurity in a country that is always trying to find a new reason to say ‘we are the best’. I mean Chilli dogs and hersheys chocolate ? Baseball ? American Football (where blokes play rugby with cushions on)? There are thousands of people alive and well in the US who were stringing up black men ad raping black women, who told the authorities that they suspected their neighbours we communist sympathisers and lost them their livelihood (very stalinist by the way). There is no body of humanity so large and so powerful in the world that believes what they read in the newspaper. With so many resources, how many people are living in poverty. The biggest industrialised nation in the world that refuses to sign a treaty on the rights of children. And the citizens are largely ‘dont know, dont wanna know’. That is why they give the impression of stupidity. But anyone who thinks they are superior should check themselves, because stupidity and apathy is not restricted to the US. Its a global problem.
Phew, I shold write speeches.
As you say, Paul, stupidity and apathy are not restricted to the U.S. Too many people point fingers at U.S. policy (and it deserves to get pointed at) but decline to point the fingers inward at the residual damage left in the world from their own countries’ histories of “foibles” (if the historical misery inflicted on the peoples of the world by the British Empire, the Australian treatment of aboriginal peoples, and the constant and ever-present African religious and tribal ethnic cleansing, etc., etc., ad infinitum, can be referred to as “foibles”). The human propensity for both great evil and great good knows no national boundaries.
Fingerpointing gets nothing done. If ALL the people in the industrialized world used even half the time they normally spend blamestorming, b*tching and moaning, to volunteer a bit and help make little improvements, the world would be a better place (and a quieter one).
That American citizens are largely “don’t know, don’t want to know” on child poverty is a little unfair. There are certainly such people (and many of them call themselves “Christians,” much to my disgust) and in no small numbers, but on the flip side there are a great deal of us who care passionately.
Child poverty is an ugly stain on all modernized nations (Scotland leads the numbers in Europe, Canada has alarming rates of it).
On a brigher note, looks like Senator John Kerry (Democrat, Massachusetts) is stirring for a 2004 presidential bid. Keep your fingers crossed that we can correct the present untenable situation in a mere two years.
Homo sapiens, the modern product of the family Hominidae. How ironic that the term sapiens is Latin for wise, rational. Finding wisdom or rationality in modern society is akin to finding a fart in a bubble bath.
If the humans of the world want to use “identity” as a qualitative measurement for biological value, then let us more closely examine this process. It is important to establish that the human species can not truly be defined by nationality whereas geography has little impact on genetic structure outside of natural selection. Whether a homo sapien was conceived in Europe or on the hood of a 1979 Cadillac with expired Arizona plates, the product will in fact be Homo sapien. All Homo sapiens can be characterized not only by physiological traits, but also by behavioral traits forgivingly classified as “human nature.” However, human nature is merely a euphemism for violence, fear and intolerance. It is my belief that all humans share a desire to exist above violence and are prepared to use force to achieve it. They might eagerly embrace a society free of fear, but are afraid it is not possible. They might even choose to eradicate intolerance if it were not for those with differing opinions on the subject. Yes, humans are indeed indistinguishable regardless of geography.
Throughout history, it is nigh impossible to find a civilization free from the traits people of one nationality use to dámn the other. They have all participated in war, selfishness, religious intolerance, and deceit. However, it is worth noting that I failed to produce any real evidence of major Eskimo participation in global decay, but there were nasty rumors of whale skin lingerie and unbridled envy breeding much nonsense and commotion.
So let us not forget, no matter what the “nationality,” the common link is there and all have contributed something to the soured soil from which modern society sprang. Japanese expansion is Southeast Asia, Russia’s Iron Curtain, British Imperialism, African genocide, Middle Eastern violence, Europe’s Third Reich, South American guerrillas or North America’s economic expansion and the resulting greed are all key ingredients to the biological delicacy called Homo Sapiens.
Despite some of the more glaring inaccuracies, I have enjoyed reading this discussion. I take issue at the US gaining its “superpower” status after the American Spanish conflict - regardless that this analysis may come from the University of Queensland, but agree that WWII is overstated as the historical point at which the US departed from the ‘isolationism’ that was a purported hallmark of US foreign policy up to circa 1940 (Central America and Southeast Asia would rightly argue that there was no US isolationism). I think that a lot of the arguments here have been at crossed purposes. I do not like the ‘nation’ of USA, but cannot comment on each American citizen. It is indisputable that successive US governments have sought to impose the US ideology upon other nations with little regard as to whether these nations desired such an imposition. Of course this is not unique to the US, but they are the most persistent offenders of late, and it has to be said that as a nation the US is a little out of control. I think it slightly strange that American citizens should persist in excusing the actions of their leaders when it is patently obvious that the US government, like most governments, is morally bankrupt and extremely dangerous. I think it is this refusal to be critical that rankles with Europeans and non-westerners (sorry Oz, but I kind of bundled you in with Europeans). There are many Americans who are saying, without qualification, that US foreign policy is wrong and dangerous and that the US has expansionist designs (Chomsky, Moore, Biafra, Schiller, Zinn, etc.). Your government has done more to pollute, starve, oppress, exploit and kill (in great numbers) than any other nation in the past 50 or so years. As has been pointed out the rest of the world’s nations have also had a pop at the killing, starving, oppressing game, but the US is currently the world leader and so it is to the US that our attention is turned. Obviously there are caring and compassionate Americans, as there are Syrians, Palestinians, etc. I don’t understand why so many Americans feel the need to defend the indefensible actions of your government. The US government is the moral equivalent of a serial killer, and, yes, the US public is partly responsible for its continued actions. This does not mean that the UK government is on some moral high-ground: Blair is complicit in the barbarism, and the UK public must share that responsibility. Bottom line is most of the world DOES NOT want to be American or live in America and would rather not have to endure the cultural, militaristic and economic US imperialism.
As for the constant, and often erroneous, references to history, both US and European, I suggest that people take a harder look at both histories before sweeping statements are derived from them. As for Americans being stupid? Yes, any American who defends their government is stupid for they refuse to think about what they are defending and that is stupid. The same is true in any nation, but it is the US that is bringing the world to the edge of global war and so the anger and hatred will be more potent when directed against the US. It’s not personal, many people just want the US to go back home and sort out its own considerable problems, rather than spying, starving, bombing, torturing and buying the rest of the world. P.S. I wonder why Americans have so much faith in their military ’solutions’ when the history of America’s “wars” (whether on drugs or peasants in Nicaragua and Vietnam) are marked by a signal lack of success and an appallingly high body count…
Nice debate - some well thought out points. I feel the American government really should do something about education standards in inner cities. Black youngsters grow up with litle education and little to aspire to. As someone stated - America is a ‘young’ country, so too are americans of african origin a ‘young’ people in that they have few positive role models and little culture, having been robbed of this by slavery (i would not wish to lay blame for this) . Consequently blacks in America have made their own culture which is largely Hip-Hop culture. As a young man I greatly appreciated this form of music but now find much of it distasteful. I digress. Many black youngsters cling to rappers as their role models (many being from broken homes), these rappers usually ill educated themselves have no answers to offer these children - not that they should, being mere musicians. My point is that these people through the lack of positive role models now have a culture where learning and the acquisition of knowledge is seen as unfashionable. This creates a vicious cycle of educational decline. This culture is now spreading, being readily accepted by young black people throughout Europe, who to a lesser extent share the lack of role models. This problem culture is evident in white Americans too, possibly what is needed for the government to react, when it is on ‘their doorstep’ and not some distant ghetto.
Back to the earlier post on the question of “what is an American?”, I wholeheartedly agree with someone who posted this question. Americans nowadays composed of a vast majority of many ethnics in the world. It is the globe in one nation. I used to be a citizen of another nation, but could not stand the stupidity and greedy nature of my own countrymen that I renounced it. Personally, I think America has its strengths and weaknesses; however, its strenghts are much more implicated than its weaknesses. I’m a strong believer in United States Constitution for many reasons.
Could it be jealousy that those people around the globe hate Americans? Personally, I think it is. I’ve been around the world from Asia to Europe and see the states of those countries are in. Lack of water, space, transportation infrastructure, etc… You name it. At the end of the day, I’m wishing once again to be back to America. We are creating our culture since United States is relatively a new country. So there is nothing wrong with that.
Everybody is proud of their cultures and civilization, but cultures are not everything. Americans prefer practicalities. Nothing is wrong with that also.
To someone who said that United States is weakening. I will say to them: “Dream on”. Because as long as the Constitution existed and held sacred among American hearts, it will be far long before this nation collapses.
A foreigner who becomes an American.
Bit busy at the moment, but ‘as long as the Constitution existed and held sacred among American hearts, it will be far long before this nation collapses’ is about as naive a statement as you can get Nick, so I had to say a quick something. Sorry mate, but you have not been paying attention. The only constitutional right that hasn’t been abused is the right to bear arms and thats because the NRA pretty much support half the election campaigns. The constitution has been totally and utterly ignored in so many cases over the past half a century that it has become a bit of a joke to make a romantic statement like that. Wake up and smell the (Starbucks) coffee. I will post examples anon, although if you care to do even the lightest research you will find examples all over.
Cheers
Paul
You seem to agree that the people who run your country are smart people. I would tell you that those people aren’t in the White House. You didn’t elect them; they are oil tycoons. Unless you are suggesting that Mr. Bush is the brains of the operation…
I think it is exremely pathetic to have nothing better to do than to insult Americans! I admit there are some [bad] things that the majority of Americans have done (or supported), but that doesn’t make us all dimwitted!
ANOTHER thing! It hurts me to see English people insulting us. I have supported so many of you on various things and I even wanted to move to England. I LOVE England, but some of its people can be really ignorant! Why can’t we all just love each other and get along?! What have we ever done to you? Just because we beat you in the war that determined our independence doesn’t mean you should hate us. [That's] the past; this is NOW!
I think you’ll find that the French kicked us out of the US…
interesting stats that came my way.
Can you imagine working for a company that has a little more than 500 employees and has the following statistics:
..29 have been accused of spousal abuse
..7 have been arrested for fraud
..19 have been accused of writing bad checks
..117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
..3 have done time for assault
..71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
..14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
..8 have been arrested for shoplifting
..21 are currently defendants in lawsuits
..84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year
Can you guess which organization this is? Give up yet? It’s the 535 members of the United States Congress. The same group of Idiots that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line. Our politicians are only slightly better (excluding the WHOLE front bench and the tories) but just to say, it aint all your fault America, its your politicians. But then thats always the way isnt it? Its not the poor oled Iraqis, just Saddam and his cronies. What a world.
I hate it when people try and generalize a whole country like that, but many Americans are guilty of doing the same thing… it is a sad world we live in.
> Actually, history shows that the United States gained
> its status as a world superpower after the
> Spanish-American War, not after WWII.
Superpower should mean above other powers. I don’t think that applied to the U.S. prior to WWII. That war was a crucible.
If you ever see a book titled, “Dreadnoughts” by R. Mackie, look through the photographs. There is one in there showing a funeral procession — either Queen Victoria’s or her successor’s. Teddy Roosevelt is president. Work out the era from that. He can be seen in the picture riding in a carriage behind the main procession. Being a commoner, he isn’t allowed to ride a horse amongst the myriad royalty. I don’t believe that this would happen today nor would it have happened then if were the U.S. a superpower at the time.
As an aside, images such as this or what I’ve read about President Grant’s funeral make a mockery of modern claims that ‘never before’ has such a sight been seen when referring to someone like Princess Diana.
What I find frustrating about ‘Americans’ is the tendency to go along with politicians who preach thoughtlessness. This is the ignorance which is often used to label Americans. It’s a preemptive strike on thinking. The impending war with Iraq is the example de jour. The issues are complex but any time someone tries to discuss them, they are shouted down and accused of something ad hominem. (e.g. If you disagree, you are old Europe; if you agree, you are new Europe. If the U.N. doesn’t do as it is directed then it is irrelevant, yet it is meaningful if it obeys.) Complex issues are not discussed per se, they are expressed through simple, triumphant, angry emotion.
This impending war might offer something useful, the demise of Saddam Hussein. Fair enough. Is that worth the $50B it would likely cost? That sounds perverse to me. How many tens or hundreds of thousands might die in this quest? What happens after? What happens to the neighbourhood.
All these questions are being evaded. Worse, pap answers like, “We’ll bring democracy to Iraq.” are given. When questions persist, ridicule is returned.
The end result is that nothing meaningful happens. The U.S. has been involved in Iraq’s affairs directly for two decades now, perhaps longer, and what do we have to show for it? That only by vapourising the place can we fix it. That is a mark of terrible failure.
No discussion of cause and effect are permitted. Adherence is the only virtue. Journalists who do ask rude questions aren’t allowed to ask them of anybody who could provide answers. Bush’s father had the gall to use the expression, “Twice before in this century the world was convulsed by war…” Which newspaper or broadcaster responded with a heaping of scorn?
Anyways, enough ranting. All nations have similar problems even though publicly, the U.S. wears a badge of ignorance proudly on its sleeve (hey, you did elect Mr. Bush). There is a difference though. When Canada has such problems, and we do, they don’t cause 100,000 to die elsewhere in the world. We don’t drop bombs on Chinese embassies, shoot down Iranian airliners or start wars which last a decade killing millions because we think some Viet Cong shot at one of our boats. Nobody else suffers for our shortcomings.
Finally, the way the U.S. rejects outright any thought that doesn’t comply is almost guaranteed to invite negative emotions and reactions.
I could go on for a while (e.g. Bush was going to introduce fiscal responsibility to government, he was going to reduce the size of government. The press and the opposition march in lockstep though with nary a peep in protest let alone an idea of their own to present).
So… these are my musings on why the U.S. draws such heat.
President Bush to Meet with Spanish President Aznar in Crawford — President Bush will host Spanish President Aznar at the Crawford Ranch on Feb. 21-22, 2003. President Aznar has personally demonstrated great courage and leadership within Europe and the U.N. Security Council in pressing Iraq to disarm peacefully.
This comment is on http://www.whitehouse.gov, the official website of the American President…. I wonder if anyone can spot the deliberate mistake?
No takers huh? Just for the record, Spain is a monarchy not a republic.
Uh, as far as I’ve been able to determine Anzar *is* the President of Spain. Yes, they have a king, but when Franco died in 1975, Spain demanded liberalization. The 1978 Constitution managed to combine Spain’s democratic ambitions with its royal tradition.
Anyway, where in the original comment does it say Spain is a republic, or is not a monarchy?
The problem is, Spain doesn’t have a president, Aznar is the prime-minister, because a president is exclusive of republics.
Well said, Joao! Inspired work by The Whitehouse.
The same “deliberate” mistake was made by Russia, Amnesty International, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations. Pushing that aside, don’t forget that in Spain, Aznar’s official title is “Presidente del Gobierno” or “President of the Government”, not Prime Minister. - RDL
As noted: his title is best translated as “President”. The powers/structure of the office may be something more akin to what we’d call a “prime minister”, but the title is President.
Aside from the fact that you cannot be a President in a monarchy, my Spanish friend told me it’s Prime Minister so I think I’ll go with her. If you’re on the look out for sheer stupidity, how about English pensioner Derek Bond, who the FBI had arrested when he was on holiday in South Africa in February. Why, you might ask? He has the same name as an alias that was being used by some guy wanted for a money laundering racket. He languished in a jail cell for 20 nights, during which time Interpol contacted the FBI who failed to respond. The real suspect was arrested in Las Vegas after a tip off. Even then it took another day before the FBI contacted the SA authorities to have him released. A quick look at a picture of the two men tells you everything you need to know. I was under the impression, given to me by the various Americans I have met recently that you are at the pinnacle of intelligence gathering… hmmm. Anyway why could’nt any of you just come out and say.. “Yeah another fûçk up by Government” (a capital G to denote all governments throughout the world). I’m quite sure you can find all kinds of things the Brit’s çøçk up. To be a truly great nation you have to be able to hold your hands up and admit that it’s not perfect, and for God’s sake don’t believe everything they are telling you, especially now.
Here is an interesting example, on the eve of war, as to why Americans are perceived as stupid as indeed are the brits in this case I am sad to say, this story has been covered up fairly well.
http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=490
My, I must say I’m growing particulary fond of this webpage. I have lived in America for most of my teenage years. Yes.. yes, my people, I have had to suffer through 4 years of American history, (which is all utter ÇRÃP by the way. Boy you know that Boston Massacre was terrible, wasn’t it? A huge turning point for its revolution, though! I’m not sure, I think it was all about taxes, even though they only had to pay 6 pence a year to that dámn British government, [while the] average Brit had to pay 50 times that. Too bad teacher forgot to mention [that])
I’ve learned that manipulation and propaganda is huge here, among government and especially among people who are confident their country is the greatest in the world (as I quote from Al Gore) and then when they experience resentment from other countries they go off with the same old excuse, ‘they’re just jealous.’ America feels they have that certain something, called the American dream, its theres [sic] and only theres [sic] and foreigners everywhere are just dying to dive into that great golden nation and experience that truly great sensation of being an American.
I’m not anti-America but it IS a load of bûllšhìt. Try leaving your country and experience other cultures. Germany, a great country not only devoted to killing off the Jews, a beautiful place where people ride bikes through the streets and purchase their foods from marketstalls, somewhere OUTSIDE of Taco Bell, of course that’s everywhere in Germany BUT the capital… not everyone is satisfied with the glamor of Hollywood or the excitement of Florida, where even your dogs can get facelifts, or the state of Utah where Mormons thrive or even sunny California where spending money is the thing to do.
911 was terrible, not only Americans died in there you know, yet there’s a part of me that wishes that building fell down (and no one got hurt) so America could get a feel of what countries that face war and terror everyday go through, maybe a little reality check is all that was needed (of course not with the killing of thousands of people!) and you can not blame people in other countries for ‘not caring’. Apparantly no one cared when Iran had their King taken away and replaced [with] an evil cult tyrant who calls himself an Islamic leader resulting in the mass murder of hundreds of innocents, and was put there by America, England and other first world countries all for the sake of oil! What about landmines? [They] thrive everywhere today and some in Santa Margerita too from what I’ve heard.
Plus, so much discrimination here, it’s almost funny. What was it first? Black people? Hispanics? Christians at one point, and now its the muslims! YAY! The Islamic religion, I’ve noticed, has been considered a huge threat in America (at least it gives the Mexicans a break) but that’s only because the people have seen leaders such as Saddam and Bin Ladin, those deprived Nazis who unfortunately represent the Islamic religion in all the wrong ways! (I’m not Islamic but it’s wrong isn’t it?! Please tell me you can see that!) Islam is about peace from what I’ve heard, and don’t just scoff and think its a load of bûllšhìt. What about the Catholics? Have you forgotten what their whole religion was about before all the evil priests began to grope and fondle and EWWWWWW. But remember, it was faith and love to God, (and I’m sorry you don’t believe in God, most Americans are athiests, true fact! I don’t give the slightest šhìt if you’re too intelligent to believe in a God) so what was my point? Every country sucks but from everywhere I’ve been America is the crappiest.
Loads of love
Sara
I think your name is Richard? Hi, Richard! I’ve actually been reading through everyone’s comments and noticed you’re only speaking when someone is bashing America. Tracey who takes offense at England’s views of America (VIEWS honey, views) I see you, yourself bashing away with her with that çráp Pop Idol thing/Emmerdale/Who wants to be a millionaire šhìt Britain’s managed to çráp out or the trashy trash of London. I think Stephen was pointing out the long term history and traditions of England that has clearly dated back way way way way way ago (god, I’m fûçkìng intelligent) different beliefs and views on culture, no taco bell in England, no Limp Bizkit in Bosnia, must you bite back every opinion and not agree with ANY of our views we’re spewing out, (I know you agree with us sometimes, but then it always follows up to an exhausted opinion of yours) I know you’re American but havn’t you been ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL around the world? for fûçkš sake man. could you be any more american? (yea, i’m expecting many responses for that one)
To your first comment, the tax in the Americas amounted to about 12 pence per year, with British citizens paying around 26 times that much. The Stamp Act, the real reason for the American Revolution, would have increased the taxes paid by mainly the American rich, and was overall a well-balanced tax-cutting solution to the booming national debt of Britain. To your other “points”: manipulation and propaganda is a part of every government. If you’re personally telling ME to “experience other cultures”, I’m very well-traveled and have lived in both England and Germany myself, and am aware of the pros and cons of living in each. You think discrimination is limited to America?! Every argument can be applied to just about every other country in the world, yet America bashing continues. My point, as mentioned several times, is that I do not think it fair to criticize the general populace of any region for the acts of a few. If you don’t like and appreciate being here, no one is making you stay! Why participate and reap the benefits the culture provides and slam it at the same time?!
To your second, that’s called moderation. Since the topic is about misplaced America bashing, I find it prudent to respond to comments on that topic, when time permits. If someone is interested in Britain bashing (or for another country), I can open up a new topic. For now, I’ll keep everything on-topic. Oh, and I don’t “speak” every time someone bashes America. Your second comment confuses me: you claim that I don’t agree with any of your views, but immediately say that I do agree sometimes. Which is it? I’m also confused by your comment as to whether you are intending to insult me for being a well-traveled American or whether you think I have not traveled enough. And “an exhausted opinion”? Generally, my responses are much more succinct than the previous poster, and are you implying that I should not make a response to errant facts on my own website? Hehe! - RDL
that’s exactly what i mean, it seems to be you can’t take opinion and find it neccessary to talk back with any means possible, even the most uncomprehensible ramblings i see you doing run on sentences or even overlapping yourself at times. I know its YOUR website and you feel that people do not give enough a chance to America, all there views are wrong to you obviously and it seems to me you shut off completely when its critism over America, even going on about their OWN country which is a quick cheap way to retort and not even prove a point. If you notice, I mentioned that you are a well-travelled man and I used this fact to futher question you and your responses to only anti-america posts, proamerica you seem to just leave to ‘justify’ themselves, (and how you can even find time to respond to these posts each and every day with your busy life is beyond me) and if you notice I provoked critism to my own country and I have much to say about other nations, but of course, this is a forum dedicated to opinion on America. Racism is everywhere, I of course have not missed that, me being from many places, I have experienced and witnessed this šhìt many times, its not fun, but you learn how to quickly retalliate and put those Nazis back in their places, (unless they get violent, then I suggest smashing their balls) Your facts, I will take your word for it because you seem like such a lovely man despite your arrogance at times, but my sources are pretty realiable also, i do not pull çráp out of my ášš just to make myself sound intelligent, and I don’t think anyone else is either but you don’t just merely respond to facts you agonizingly twist everything around to completely crush one’s post that actually made sense and provoked thought into me. Just for the statement, I have not and ever chosen to live here, and next year I have the freedom to leave ah yeaaa im living it up next year my friend, its Canada for me!
I’m hoping that Canadian schools will help you in the many areas where the pathetic American educational system has dismally failed. Oooh, criticism of America, formed in a concise, simple sentence, with correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and without the need for run-ons or epithets. All that and I still manage to pigeonhole you in the same sentence! You want to have a discussion on a specific pro- or anti-America issue, or one concerning another country? Let me know what that exact issue is and I’ll gladly research it and open up a whole new topic of discussion. Ya’ll come back now, hear?! - RDL
I have no grudges against the American people (my girlfriend is American, I am English, not that this means anything but i’m telling you anyway
however I heard a somewhat scary thing on the radio the other day. The BBC did a survey of the four main US networks (CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox) and found that in their main nightly news programmes (the U.S. equivalents of the 9/10 o’clock News here in the U.K.) they found there to be just two or three non-American news stories covered PER MONTH. These on the whole tended to have an American interest. Our news here is regurlarly dominated by international non-U.K. related stories. I find it a little worrying that the world’s most powerful and ‘advanced’ country seems to be so blissfully ignorant to the goings on in the rest of the world. The American media is a hugely powerful thing and if it is only feeding the American population with American facts and news, then its bound to breed ingorance and the lack of knowledge that can lead to hostility. What do the Americans think of this? Does it bother you that you don’t see much international news? Do the findings of this study seem correct?
Your sarcasm in failing miserably my friend. I’m not asking for any of those things, I’m asking for you not to BS your way into bring other peoples opinions down. I’m asking you to just accept views without snapping back like you do, and in a fairly obnoxious manner might I add.
-Sara
I am EXTREMELY bothered by the lack of international news in this country. In times of international dispute (especially when it is caused by the US- which, unfortunately is usually the case!) I thirst for information from an international perspective. It is VERY difficult to find. I would claim that Americans are stupid- myself included, not because we are generally unintelligent, or naive (well I haven’t decided on that one yet actually…) but because we do influence a large portion of the global cummunity, BUT we do it without consideration for the wishes of the affected nations. We do not consider the rammifications of our actions- we do what will benefit US (HA-sorry, bad joke), and expect (or more realistically- force) the opposition to comply. This is the American Foreign Policy in a nutshell. No wonder there is a general distaste for our “Nation”. I don’t approve of the sweeping generalization that has become “stupid american”, but I cannot ENTIRELY disagree with it either. No American could. Instead I look at the same generalization as an OBVIOUS implication that a change in foreign policy is necessary NOW.
The US is quite possibly “The Most Successful” nation (if economic prowess, liberty and military might is any indicator) but we are simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH to -ACT- like we are “the best”. If we are so hëll-bent on Amercanizing the globe, let us show everyone by example, what good can come of a government such as our own. The way we are acting now- is giving all the other nations of the world a VERY clear example of the unfortunate vulnerability of our Nations Government. Perhaps that is better- so they can fix that problem and clue us in. In all, I am feeling more and more, that our “Gung Ho” Foreign Policy, is the force behind our Nations corruption (which is historically the greatest danger of any democratic government…)
Oh- someone elluded to the idea that the repressive nature of American media is perhaps to blame for the “blinders” that Americans wear- BRAVO! And I don’t think it ends there- but I don’t have the energy to rag on the US anymore tonight. (maybe that is the media’s fault as well!) I’ll be back though.
Mateo
It is such a shame when Americans fail miserably in subjects such as history. One day I told one of my co-workers that America placed 27th in the world in student test scores. The person responded with, “Wow, that’s great!” It just shows how much social and intellectual apathy and lethargy has consumed the American psyche. I, like any other American, was shocked and appalled by the events of September 11th, but having a deep and astute knowledge of history, I considered 9/11 quite pale in comparison to other mass tragedies. For instance, every year in the Indian subcontinent, monsoons kill tens of thousands of people, every single year! Mother nature’s a bìtçh! In the Turkish region of Armenia after WW1, over 1 million Armenians were killed by the murderous Ottomans. That’s just a few terrible examples of how lucky we are to be living in America. And, just recently, the war in Iraq was a joke if I ever saw one. 99% of Americans never knew that during the 1980’s, the United States pumped millions of dollars into Saddam’s regime in order to help defeat the Ayatollah in Iran; we all remember him, don’t we? Those very weapons of mass destruction that G.W. so babbled over were actually given to Iraq by the U.S. during the 1980s. And guess what, the only country to be prosecuted for terrorism by the International World Court at the Hague? Libya? No. Iran? No. Afghanistan? No. El Salvador? No. I give up. The United States!!! And do you know how Israel was able to acheive status as a sovereign state in 1948? By terrorism, i.e. killing British officials who ruled the region of Palestine, which was then a mandated state under the British. So, every time that fat, greasy, twelve sandwich eatin’, overweight hater better known as Ariel Sharon wants to bìtçh about suicide attacks, he better realize in history what goes around, comes around!
I’m from Texas (the worse state EVER) and I have to say that if given the choice I would live in Europe. Though I dont hate America I think that our “leaders” have done a šhìt faced job trying to police the world…they make our public look SO BAD….not all of us are ášš holes….. Thats the problem with this country we try to police everthing! We cannot rule the world and take whats not ours…greed…a common word here? They arent in Iraq to help people they are there to take oil and protect their own interests. Bush cant even find those ‘weapons” he was looking for!…thanx Bush you have just spent millions on a lost cause when you should give the money to a more WORTHY cause maybe? Thats what happens when you let a wealthy redneck run our country, things just get ALOT worse. Yes a good majority of Americans are ignorant in their own way and light. When America started to boycott French goods that really pìššëd me off I took that as “Oh we are big bad America and if you wont help us kill whole families and little kids then you arent our friend!” I’m sorry but even though I am American I dont even feel partial to my own place of birth….Yes America MAKE France help you murder!:/ And thats kinda sad because as I get older I become more and more partial to Europe than anything….but then not sad europe seems like a cool open minded place. The courts just are now outlawing those laws forbidding homosexual relations! THAT SHOULDVE BEEN DONE A LONG ÃSS TIME AGO! HELLO its the 21st century! It also kinda disturbs me that it took America so long to make Civil Rights Laws (the 60s) That shouldve been done alot sooner….but thats what happens when your country is lead by stupid rich áššhølëš who are power hungry! Our government has done šhìt that they wont tell the public, we are left in the dark mostly as to why a good percentage of the world burns our flags and kills our vacationers. No one deserves to die, but dont act innocent and sad when someone is actually doing what you did to them….countless times….and sept 11th…we have been asking for that for a LONG time…not the deaths but just the event.
Thats all I have to say.
Don’t get so worked up about Americans. You should think about the comedy value they provide the rest of the world. If they’re not shooting each other in shopping malls then they’re marrying their sisters/mothers/aunts in the southern states. They live in a country they describe as “free” but youve got to worry that there are so many guns. And they’ve now become so utterly paranoid that any crime mentioned on TV is automatically an “Act of Terrorism”. We shouldn’t hate these people, we should pity them. Americans are hilarious!
Guantanamo Bay - this is an excample of the american hypocrisy people (including me) get annoyed about. How is it possible that a nation such as america can get away with detaining “terrorists” for an indeterminate amount of time without actually charging any of them? (and this is not an isolated incident either). The answer is that weak minded political leaders of the world are scared to say or more importantly, do anything about it for fear of american retribution. (anything from preventing imports, to war) The sooner the american government stops doing things like this, the sooner terrorists will run out of causes.
Let’s not be so hateful and judgmental of Americans! Americans are human beings just like everyone else, and they are privy to the same intellectual foibles and mistakes as everyone else. Let’s face it, do we really think Germans give a šhìt about Beethoven, or the English are constantly quoting Shakespeare? I, as an American, have been to those countries, and they are just as decadent and appalling as we are in the U.S.A. In Germany, I met a beautifulAryan’girl who wanted to have sex with me. She went so far as to ask me if I wanted her to take a šhìt on my face! I, terrified, quickly turned the offer down, but had normal sex with her nonetheless. After sex, I asked her if her fascination with coprophilia was just peculiar to her, or was it a widespread fetish? She shockingly said that most German girls are into it. So here it is, a citizen from the land of Bach and Beethoven, a Nordic specimen that Hitler would have admired, and she wants to šhìt on my face! How disgusting!
This comment is directed at ‘Bubba’: wha?! How come you managed to turn a discussion about American intelligence as perceived by the rest of the globe into a comment about German people’s unusual… er… ‘preferences’? However, good point about the fact that all English people aren’t continualy quoting Shakespeare: I much prefer Ben Jonson (”I fart at thee.”
First, If my country is under attack, the GOOD OLD USA will be the LAST to be there to defend my country PROBABLY because THEY ARE THE ONES ATTCKING IT! Americans think that the only answer to national problems is war. It’s disgusting actually. Also, whether i believe this or not, you won’t care, because as Americans, you think you are the most powerful áššhølëš in the world. Your COUNTRY may be rich and powerful, but a lot of your residents are in fact extremely poor and dirty and over-weight. Also, living in fear every day of your lives must be wonderful…everyone owns at least one gun, and you have kids bringing guns into schools! God knows why anyone would want to live in that supposedly “free” country of yours. Stop electing losers, and maybe things will get better, although that would take quite a lot of work…good luck with all that. “Bowling For Comlombine”-Good movie…All Americans should take a look at it.
The american government almost consistently throughout history has been made up of morons who cause more distruction to their people than good. And since the united states is a democratically ruled country, your government is a representation of the people, people who continue to elect govenments who cause destruction in not only their own country but around the world as well. Its interesting to see how Osama Bin Laden used his expert CIA training and funds given to the Afghan government to kill three thousand american people. One of many idiotic things in american history, caused by americans. So until you cease to elect destructive morons, who stupidly cause more harm than good you will always carry the “stupid americans” label.
I am a Canadian and dámnëd proud of it. I do not care much for americans. It is not so much the people I do not like it is the government brain washing them to believe they are right and the rest of the world is wrong. Therefore the world must abide by our way. For the most part Americans are not stupid. They are (I mean no disrespect) ignorant about the majority of the world because of their educational system. And to me that is so sad. I remember as a lad grwoing up in the 50s and 60s most of our school books were American and we learnt a lot if not more about the states than regular Americans. This is why I belive Canadains are a people of the world. Whereas Americans are isolationist and want to be left alone. That is a real contradiction isn’t it?. I just wish the govt there would just use some common sense. But George dubya doesn’t have much of that of that does he.
Can we all just get along!?!
PEACE
So the consensus is that all of Europe, America, quite a lot of Africa and most of continental Asia, not to mention South America are all implicated in being incedibly violent, ignorant and generally inconsiderate of other nations and peoples. This leads me to believe that apart from a brief misunderstanding with the aborigines when social cleansing was the fashion, Australia is the most goodwilled and people loving place on the planet. Try to be Australian!
Yes, I spelled *incredibly wrong and yes, I did add quite a healthy dose of irony there. The point is that being all school kiddie-ish and saying my country is better than yours is really not broadening anyones’ world view. It’s a shame that (some of) the Americans here can’t get past the initial sting of the comments and actually hear the points that some people are trying (if somewhat un-diplomatically)to make. There’s a really daggy phrase that I think applies which goes something along the lines of “If somebody has a problem with you, it’s their problem. If everybody has a problem with you, it’s your problem.” I think it’s sad that so many people dismiss the anti-american backlash as jealousy, there has to be more to it and as a country and a people it might bode well for America to pay heed to what’s being said.
We Americans need to stop bowing down and saying stuff like, “yes, I know most Americans are stupid, and I hate my government, and I didn’t vote for so and so, and I don’t agree with this, and I just want to make you feel better about me,” because it’s just making us look more like áššëš. Why should we need to make Europeans or anyone else in the world like us and think we are smart? As long as you’re American, and smart, who really cares what some idiots opinion on your country is? Oh no, some European has met and seen some Americans out of the 300 million Americans in our country and the American was acting stupid, so that must mean that all Americans are dumb. Look at how stupid that European is! Basically, it comes down to the ethnocentric nature of all these other cultures judging other countries to their own standards. If you look throughout the history books, alot of times the reasons that we went to war with certain countries wasn’t just because we wanted to create instability in the world, and alot of times it was because one side might have asked us for help, or because we were trying to stop communism, which alot of the world was paranoid of at the time. You all should know why we wanted to stop communism.
The opinion of Johny confirms once again (at least for me) that the US is not a “free” country, the americans are more influenced by ideological propaganda than were the guys in the Soviet Union. In the USSR people were at least free in their mind they could understand the reality, another thing that they could not speak out their opinions. Most americans are dump - they swallow every propaganda and believe it. If you ever read the book of Orwell “1984″, it is the book of what the US is now. They re-write books and history very easy. They pervet facts and the Americans fooled by the propaganda repeat as parrots after the mass media - we help othr nations, we struggle for peace, we struggle against terorristes…. ans stay hated by other nations.
Why did you (Americans) want to stop communism? Is this an American bashing board? Its a useless debate, as the problem is not how fûçkëd up Americans are, its the core values held in this western, and capitolist society. People, as a whole, are forced to live in a society that doesent cater for or reflect humanitarian values. Instead it caters for corporations and the desperate need to manipulate and degrade a populous to money-mad base-driven dogs( the term “dog” is used as a reference to metaphors?? ). The primary task of the media and corporations is to dumb down the populous therefore creating a population that will buy without (the corporations/government/…) having to expend energy/time/resources. Create a malleable populous, then you have control.
Blah, Blah, Blah, we still have no say in the way things are run ultimately as we are kept in the dark.
George: Condi! Nice to see you. What’s happening?
Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.
George: Great. Lay it on me.
Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.
George: That’s what I want to know.
Condi: That’s what I’m telling you.
George: That’s what I’m asking you. Who is the new leader of China?
Condi: Yes.
George: I mean the fellow’s name.
Condi: Hu.
George: The guy in China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The new leader of China.
Condi: Hu.
George: The Chinaman!
Condi: Hu is leading China.
George: Now whaddya’ asking me for?
Condi: I’m telling you Hu is leading China.
George: Well, I’m asking you. Who is leading China?
Condi: That’s the man’s name.
George: That’s who’s name?
Condi: Yes.
George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of
China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle
East.
Condi: That’s correct.
George: Then who is in China?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir is in China?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Then who is?
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Yassir?
Condi: No, sir.
George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China.
Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone.
Condi: Kofi?
George: No, thanks.
Condi: You want Kofi?
George: No.
Condi: You don’t want Kofi.
George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And
then get me the U.N.
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi?
George: Milk! Will you please make the call?
Condi: And call who?
George: Who is the guy at the U.N?
Condi: Hu is the guy in China.
George: Will you stay out of China?!
Condi: Yes, sir.
George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.
Condi: Kofi.
George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone. (Condi
picks up the phone.)
Condi: Rice, here.
George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too. Maybe we should
send some to the guy in China. And the Middle East. Can you get Chinese
food in the Middle East?
Oh, Ben. Oh, “Valentine”. Shame on you! Don’t you dare say anyone is forced to live in America. And when you write about the country and say “THEY” and “IT” you are speaking about me.
What you say we are influenced by is a Soviet originated term, collectively. Now stop. At least let us be influenced by our own propaganda please.
Why do you think it so great to be free in the mind with a forced reality? Actually - that makes it worse.
And PLEASE continue to complain about the darkness of media… ON A MESSAGE BOARD… ON THE INTERNET. I suggest you shut your computers off so that you are not subjected to the world’s evils… Maybe then you will not be so tempted to participate.
This entire discussion has proven my own point — at least to me. It has proven that there are stupid Americans and smart Americans, stupid Canadians and smart Canadians, stupid Swedes and smart Swedes, etc., etc., etc. It has proven that you can’t judge an entire country of individuals based on the actions of a single individual or of its government. It has proven that stupidity has nothing to do with a race of people or the citizens of any particular nation, but everything to do with individuals. I stand by one of my earliest points: “I’d rather be considered a stupid American than have to resort to pointless name-calling in a vain attempt to gain national stature.” I admit that I am an American and that I am not ashamed to be considered an American, no matter what the official policies (or lack thereof) are. Merry Christmas! Peace to you all. - RDL
MOVE then
And another example that proves his point. Thanks, Terri!
americans are very dumb.; monolinguistic, noncultured, do not know about anything other than, porno, baseball caps, tee-shirts, and bbqs. USA is filled with work-addicted baby boomers who have permanently screwed the country by $$$$ greed. americans are narrow minded, workaholics who talk about $$$ constantly, define themselves by their jobs, and cannot relax. they obsess over porno, tv, emailings, “pop” stars, and watching millionaire imbeciles swing their hands to hit balls; many do not read, symphony, or know how to truly relax. they only get 2 weeks of holiday a year whereby they inudate beaches, yelling/screaming, rude, obnoxious yelps from those americans–truly deranged from workaholism and their paltry 2 week holiday?!?! They cannot carry on a cogent converation unless it involves sports, porno, screaming, drugs, or talking about work/boss etc… Those corporate dumping grounds (work) terry nickell dime their employees hence, the american employee stupidity–especially when they dare leave the confines of their mother land. some are extremely dumb and come from the midwest (mid-worst) .i.e; kentucky, minnesota, west viginia, tennessee, ohio, illinois. Plumb dumb, whiteville, with no depth other than talking work or pick-up trucking.
@Sergio: Again, you, like most others, missed the point completely. It’s easy to lump everyone together, and label them collectively, but is that fair? To address your points:
I speak English and German, and am learning Russian. Although somewhat biased, I would not classify myself as dumb. However, you are welcome to have your own opinion of me.
I have visited 23 countries and lived in three, so I have experienced multiple cultures. In fact, I’m using some of my hard-earned money to adopt an orphaned teenager from Ukraine and I’m using five weeks of my precious vacation during the frigid Ukraine winter to make it possible. There will be no drunken, loud-mouthed frolicking on the beaches along the coast of the Sea of Azov, I assure you! Three of the six states you mentioned are not actually in the Midwest, but I get your repeated (if somewhat flawed) point about monoculturalism. I’m kind of surprised you didn’t bash the South at the same time.
I do wear T-shirts a lot (although I just ordered seven button-down shirts online), but I don’t wear baseball caps unless I have to go to the supermarket early in the morning and my hair looks messy. I do know a lot about barbecuing and grilling, and have developed several restaurant-quality rubs and sauces which I someday plan to market. Barbecuing is popular in Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, and many other countries. Are citizens from those countries dumb, too? I don’t watch or follow sports at all, and I think baseball is incredibly boring. Many folks outside the US watch imbeciles swing their legs to kick balls into nets. Are they dumb?
Greed is universal, although I would agree that there are more people able to take advantage of greed in the US. And, like anywhere, excessive greed by a few immoral and unethical people has hurt millions. However, I am not in that category. You live in a country with no greedy people? I am lucky to get about 30 days of vacation each year, although most people get only two weeks of vacation per year. How is that their fault?
There are many Americans who can be labeled “white trash”. They usually live in trailers, sport mullets, hang a shotgun in their pickup truck, watch Fox News, and are usually regulars on The Jerry Springer Show, Cops, or America’s Most Wanted. They are annoying, loud, and obnoxious — and I am embarrassed by them, too. I would like to live in your country where everyone is so obviously perfect!
ya, your right, iam going to be putting my own blog about thoses stuped Amrcans
here is just one reason. Americans get so mad and bohooing about all the fighting in other countrys, killing our young men & women but what they might not know is we are surporting those killers by buying products made in China & Japan and other countrys that also buy and sell products from our ememys, they laugh at us because we are helping them kill our own, corperations like walmart, Target, ect. have there products make in countrys that sell our products in our emtys countrys. even if these countrys like China & Japan are our so called friends they are friends to our ememy, so why complane when our kids are being killed we are killing our own.
Americans are crazy/apathetic/and indeed somewhat moronic; they are work addicted. they ARE loud. I am a kiwi and can attest to the moronic USA mentalities–baseball cap wearing, pop culture nonsense.
USA is financially and economically bankrupt (hence their waning dollar and the country a cess-pool of illegal immigration) b/c of the PC mates, the excessive greed. and YES it IS the USA’s fault for only having a pittance of a 10 day “holiday.” that is NOTHING. the people in the states should stand-up and do something proactive to promote a much more healthy less work addicted life style that sheeply accept the status sorry quo. good day.
Oh yeah…Amerikans. Vapid non-culture. NASCAR. (love it when them cars turn left and their drivers demonstrate their skills running into each other at 200mph.
Insular society…those fat báštárdš, they ‘don know šhìt from Shine-Ola. Average Amerikan cannot tell you “what’s happnin” in the next county over, but knows all about Britney Spears and the colour of her pubic hair.
Jingoistic nationalistic çráp…wavin the good old Stars and Bars in everybody’s face. Praise the lors and pass the ammo, God is on OUR SIDE.
Harbingers of truth, justice, and the Amerikan way, fer sure. Just like Superman his bad self. Imperialistic, war mongering liars. Excessive, pushy, culture destroying cruise ships filled with Whopper lovin morons.
Arriving at Fort Erie in July, inquiring about “how good the snowboarding is”.
Stupid Amerikanos…the šhìt goes on and on, never to cease.
CHINA is gonna eat their lunch, and soon.
God bless Amerika, land of the free, home of the brave. Land of the DUPED, home of the LAME.
Americans are pathetic and ignorant. I use to live in the worse nation (USA) and I was dying to get the hick out off that nation. The American women had balloons or water bags inserted into their breast or áššëš. Also when I was residing in the cheap USA, I saw lots of anorexia, obese and fat bìtçhëš (American Women).
Old people consider themselves to be your average Joe American. When it comes to ignorance, America makes ignorance look ignorant. Who even cares about tiger woods’, let me guest oh I know, your average stupid American. American people are plain flat stupid, American people were the once who screwed their own economy and screwed their own nation. FU AMERICANS AND FU AMERICA!
Y’know, Blair, when you complain about people being stupid and ignorant it really doesn’t help your case much when you can’t spell, use grammar or capitalize correctly, or even write much of a lucid sentence.
Yes, America contains stupid and ignorant people. So does every country on the planet. You want to make a case that America contains a higher percentage of the ignorant than other countries, then do so. All you’ve done so far is demonstrate how crude and ignorant you are.