America... what do you think?

[dw8038r2]

What I like about America: the geography and the constitution, the variety of foods from every culture.

What I don't like: the crass culture, putting so much importance (and money) on things that are just not all that important. And whatever the tabloid "news" of the day is. And I'm not terribly fond of the American sense of entitlement--the rest of the world learned that shit happens at home too, but we haven't even learned that from 9/11. We blithely go on assuming that if we want something, we deserve it, from abundent gas to gay marriage.

 

[ryanmatt]

"Evil Danger", you can't hold that against an entire nation. As most American's banned together in order to help London on that terrible day, in which your country was attacked.

I know, as I gave, and my partner gave, as well as many at work . We all wanted to share in your time of sorrow & trouble. We American's wanted to help you.

"Evil", we American's were sick & shocked that England was attacked & people were killed. We felt your anguish, and your shock.

You can't judge an entire nation, or it's people, over "one thoughtless person". You will find such people every where you go.

How do you Brits think we American's feel, when we read your newspaper threads, like the "Sun" chat room, or the "Guardian". And we see ourselves called every nasty, horrid name.

You Brits can hate Bush, as much as we Americans do. BUT...."WHY" hate & despise we everyday, "Yanks", as you call us? ( I've have even seen you Brits call us "Septics" as in Septic Tank. The sewer!)

What are we, oh yea; fat, vulgar, stupid, selfish, loud, destable, and a few other choice names. Don't try & deny it. As I read your papers "On Line" everyday. ( London Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Daily Mail, and for laughs, the Sun".

Sorry mate, but the doors swings both ways.

You may be surprised when America closes her doors one of these days.

I love America, and I thank God that I live here, and not where my people hail from....Germany!

 

[kevbo]

Is that video supposed to be sarcastic? If not, then it shows pretty much why I am not overly fond of the U.S. at this time. It's too militaristic, too self-centered, too self-glorifying. There are great places all over the world and I'd definitely not say that the U.S. is "the best".

The creators of the song meant it as satire, unfortunately some Americans do use it as a song of pride.

I was being sarcastic with it, really.

 

[ryanmatt]

Andross, If you don't like this country, the USA, than just stay away. Why even bother fellowshipping with we nasty, greedy American's? I don't think that anyone is pleading, or pulling your arm, to do so. Much less to come here.

Just remember this, it was you German's which threw the world into two major World wars. I lost family members, who were helping in the fighting to liberate Europe from your people, unfortunately also my people. (my ancestory is 100% German).

It was also we American's, along with the British, which stayed in Germany in order to keep the Soviets at bay, as they wanted to gobbled all of Germany, along with all of free Europe.

Yet, just wait until something big once again happens, and it will be the same cry; "Where are the Yank's"? As far as I'm concerned, Europe can take care of itself. For all we ameircan's ever hear from Europe is how nasty & horrid we are.

I love this country, and all that it stands for. I for one am proud to be American! She is the land of opportunity.

 

[metta]

Andross, If you don't like this country, the USA, than just stay away. Why even bother fellowshipping with we nasty, greedy American's? I don't think that anyone is pleading, or pulling your arm, to do so. Much less to come here.

Just remember this, it was you German's which threw the world into two major World wars. I lost family members, who were helping in the fighting to liberate Europe from your people, unfortunately also my people. (my ancestory is 100% German).

It was also we American's, along with the British, which stayed in Germany in order to keep the Soviets at bay, as they wanted to gobbled all of Germany, along with all of free Europe.

Yet, just wait until something big once again happens, and it will be the same cry; "Where are the Yank's"? As far as I'm concerned, Europe can take care of itself. For all we ameircan's ever hear from Europe is how nasty & horrid we are.

I love this country, and all that it stands for. I for one am proud to be American! She is the land of opportunity.

Oh gesh...I'm sorry, but you have taken what he said way too far. He never said that he did not like Americans. Are we really unable to listen to any criticism? No country is perfect. We should be able to hear what other people think without getting overly defensive.

 

[Shepherd 2]

Yes, I am an American, and yes by my own definition I consider myself patriotic. I will live my days here and try to make this the country I want it to be through the citizen process.

Would I be willing to live in other countries? Yes, for there are a few I am very fond of and those include Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Nothing about them keeps me from moving there, but I want to stay here in American.

Shep+

 

[_AJ_]

Americans are very precious about what other people think about america

if you don't think america's awesome then fuck off i don't want to hear what you have to say is the opinion i have seen on here seems pretty apt and sad

 

[evil_danger]

"Evil Danger", you can't hold that against an entire nation. As most American's banned together in order to help London on that terrible day, in which your country was attacked.

I know, as I gave, and my partner gave, as well as many at work . We all wanted to share in your time of sorrow & trouble. We American's wanted to help you.

"Evil", we American's were sick & shocked that England was attacked & people were killed. We felt your anguish, and your shock.

You can't judge an entire nation, or it's people, over "one thoughtless person". You will find such people every where you go.

How do you Brits think we American's feel, when we read your newspaper threads, like the "Sun" chat room, or the "Guardian". And we see ourselves called every nasty, horrid name.

You Brits can hate Bush, as much as we Americans do. BUT...."WHY" hate & despise we everyday, "Yanks", as you call us? ( I've have even seen you Brits call us "Septics" as in Septic Tank. The sewer!)

What are we, oh yea; fat, vulgar, stupid, selfish, loud, destable, and a few other choice names. Don't try & deny it. As I read your papers "On Line" everyday. ( London Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Daily Mail, and for laughs, the Sun".

Sorry mate, but the doors swings both ways.

You may be surprised when America closes her doors one of these days.

I love America, and I thank God that I live here, and not where my people hail from....Germany!

I answered the question at hand with the answer that first came to mind, yes there was one stupid American and about half a dozen who agreed with him and yes that has spoilt my view.

Here in "lil old England" (A comment many American tourists make that grinds my teeth) we are far from perfect much the opposite in fact, every day I look at the news and feel that we are falling apart when we have 7 month old babies raped and killed, and kids not even living to their teens through knife crimes.

I know we are not perfect, but the question wasn't "what do you think of America in comparison with your own country". I'm sorry that my view has been tainted by one American and I'm sorry I've not really seen another who makes me second guess this view, but I never said I hated America or Americans, just my view has been soured so jump off your band wagon.

As for names... Yanks? you call yourself that much more than we do, and where have you got that nickname from, septics? I've never in my life heard that, although thats only coming from a "Limey" "Brit" like me.

I'm not going to deny what the newspapers say About America, to be honest I don't really read those articles, I dont see the point as papers like the sun hype things up and cause all sorts of trouble, but what do I have to look forward to hearing about an Americans view of England, if its not our "bad teeth" its that we as a group of people are ugly, our women are fat, some ramblings about a class system that I personally don't see.

As you say its a two way street, if your gonna jump down my throat at answering a question get back to your side please!

 

[ryanmatt]

Your God damn right, that many of us care about this country!

Our families worked hard to make it what it is. It didn't happen over night.

The Europeans look down their nose at us, and call our loved one's everything under the sun. I know, as I read their newspapers, and see it first hand, for myself.

 

[ryanmatt]

Sorry, but I'll get overly defensive all that I want. As I'm sick & tired of the Europeans bashing this country & our people to pieces. They have little to any use for us.

Go read their "on line" newspapers, and see for yourself. See how much that they despise & hate us.

 

[_AJ_]

septic tank is rhyming slang for yank i am not sure it is British though possibly one of ours but its usually shortened to seppo here

 

[ryanmatt]

I got "Septic" from the British chat sites. It is Cockney slang from London, and it is offensive to American's. As we know what a Setic tank is, (the sewer, where crap lies). There are other words which ryhme with "Yank", like "tank" Yet, "Septic Tank"????

I do feel that it is time for our two countries to seperate, and not be friends, any longer. Sorry, but I do.

Another American which desire "Isolationism"!

 

[Andross]

Andross, If you don't like this country, the USA, than just stay away. Why even bother fellowshipping with we nasty, greedy American's? I don't think that anyone is pleading, or pulling your arm, to do so. Much less to come here.

Just remember this, it was you German's which threw the world into two major World wars. I lost family members, who were helping in the fighting to liberate Europe from your people, unfortunately also my people. (my ancestory is 100% German).

It was also we American's, along with the British, which stayed in Germany in order to keep the Soviets at bay, as they wanted to gobbled all of Germany, along with all of free Europe.

Yet, just wait until something big once again happens, and it will be the same cry; "Where are the Yank's"? As far as I'm concerned, Europe can take care of itself. For all we ameircan's ever hear from Europe is how nasty & horrid we are.

I love this country, and all that it stands for. I for one am proud to be American! She is the land of opportunity.

Oh I was really waiting for a self-righteous post like this... We are living today, not 60+ years ago. Look at what your country does in the world today - good things, but also a lot of bad things. It's fine that you like your country, but come on, WW2 is history and the Germany today is so not what it was back then.

 

[Andross]

Euporeans who are complaining about America, I hoped they have lived or visited here long enough to know, we are not Bush Country, and good change is about to happen.

We can only hope that a better president will be the next man in charge of your country... But the elections of 2004 have made me a bit disillusioned with the American voters

 

[Andross]

America and essential ONLY America because America is the "land of opportunity". In your home country do you have the same propaganda? Do people come to your country looking for a better life because something tells me America is not the ONLY country where people go to.

America is not the only country where you have the opportunity to become wealthy. People come to Germany all the time aswell to live better lives and make money - especially from East Europe. I think globalization has changed things to the degree that everywhere capitalism "reigns" you have the same opportunity to become as rich or poor as anywhere else.

 

[_AJ_]

I got "Septic" from the British chat sites. It is Cockney slang from London, and it is offensive to American's. As we know what a Setic tank is, (the sewer, where crap lies). There are other words which ryhme with "Yank", like "tank" Yet, "Septic Tank"????

I do feel that it is time for our two countries to seperate, and not be friends, any longer. Sorry, but I do.

Another American which desire "Isolationism"!

The use of the nickname "seppo" in Australia is also derived from the preconception that all Americans are full of shit (like a septic tank).

rhyming slang always has 2 words or a significantly longer word than the starting word

the fact that you use patriotism to dismiss others opinions is foolish and helps you learn nothing and makes you look arrogant which alot of the time is what they are saying

 

[metta]

America is not the only country where you have the opportunity to become wealthy. People come to Germany all the time aswell to live better lives and make money - especially from East Europe. I think globalization has changed things to the degree that everywhere capitalism "reigns" you have the same opportunity to become as rich or poor as anywhere else.

One of my neighbors was telling me that Warren Buffet has been in Germany to look for small companies to invest in.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/78248-warren-buffett-likes-germany-and-so-do-we

http://www.stockhouse.com/Columnists/2008/May/21/Warren-Buffett-looks-to-invest-in-Germany

 

[_AJ_]

RACISM: What America gets accused of on a daily basis.

FACT: the Anti-Semitism you'll hear from Eastern Europeans is the vilest you'll ever hear anywhere; they don't even seem to be ashamed of it, like Americans are ashamed of racism. Another fact: racism is alive and well in the UK; ask a Brit what the word "wog" means.

CONCLUSION: America is being singled out for its racism while the rest of the world gets away with it Scot-free.

<shrugs shoulders>

how many posts here single america out as racist?

 

[Apollo]

how many posts here single america out as racist?

A lot. They are scattered all throughout this board. People seem to have the idea America is the biggest perpetrator of racism and inequality in the world. Which is complete bullshit. If you bother to visit the country, and no not just New York and California, you will see we are probably less racist or inequal than your country, but who are they to listen to people who actually live in the country?

 

[Chalchalero]

Andross, If you don't like this country, the USA, than just stay away. Why even bother fellowshipping with we nasty, greedy American's? I don't think that anyone is pleading, or pulling your arm, to do so. Much less to come here.

Just remember this, it was you German's which threw the world into two major World wars. I lost family members, who were helping in the fighting to liberate Europe from your people, unfortunately also my people. (my ancestory is 100% German).

It was also we American's, along with the British, which stayed in Germany in order to keep the Soviets at bay, as they wanted to gobbled all of Germany, along with all of free Europe.

Yet, just wait until something big once again happens, and it will be the same cry; "Where are the Yank's"? As far as I'm concerned, Europe can take care of itself. For all we ameircan's ever hear from Europe is how nasty & horrid we are.

I love this country, and all that it stands for. I for one am proud to be American! She is the land of opportunity.

This is the annoying chest thumping rhetoric which tends to anger non-Americans.

No one doubts that America did great things once upon a time. No one doubts that America can still do great things when it is in their interest to do so.

The point however, is that whatever great things America has done does not hand them a blank check to trample over the rights and sovereignties of others and then attempt to stifle criticism of their deeds.

My partner used to say "there is nothing worse than a good friend" because a good friend is going to tell you what you do not want to hear. I believe that Europe is America's good friend and that as a good friend it is their duty and obligation to call America out on some of its bad deeds. There can be no hegemonic unilateralism without consequences as we have seen throughout the lead up to the war in Iraq. That is as it should be.

America is not the greatest country in the world, no matter what their propaganda tells you. It is also not the only country in the world no matter what their recent actions may tell you. Many Americans need to be reminded of this sometimes and if it happens to come expressed through the frustration of one individual European, then so be it.

Americans are not good at self reflection as a society. They need the occasional mirror held up to their faces. Such is life.

As for Europe taking care of itself, that is my firm wish as well. I would be delighted if one day Europe were no longer dependent upon the US or anyone else for that matter. I still believe that I may one day see this dream come to fruition. I hope so.

I look forward to the day when America can pack up all of its bases in Europe and go home. I doubt that I will see that in my lifetime however.