Is everyone laughing at the US?

Well i think even France are the good guys. Although it is a bit sneaky of them to use dissatisfaction with the US to try to forge a strong EU block to challenge the US on issues. They challenge you at every turn because they want the rest of the world to think, hey wow they can stand up to the US and we can turn to them if we dissagree with US policies. This has had mixed results but i can't say i'm entirely opposed to the EU providing some sort of economic and military counter-balance at some point in the future (experts believe a bi-polar world is safer i think). Of course no matter how much we agreed with them on social issues a country like ours wouldn't back them because we know there is no way in hell France could be counted on as a military ally unless they had a direct threat to them and even then... As one Australian comedian said they are "frog eating surrender monkyes" although this was meant as a playful nickname for them during the olympics and not a serious insult when you keep in mind the said comedians insult everyone.

[edit on 4-11-2004 by Sabre262]

Why are you guys so defensive - I know for sure that you haven't done all the research required to be so confident in your positions defending the US in your "screw the rest of the world" attitude. Could it be, as presumed by the rest of the world, you're just desperate to cling on to an identity that makes you feel powerful and safe - when are you gonna realise you're wrong - don't you get it? you're in a lot of trouble just now and instead of bitching at the rest of us you could use a little help! There's more money flowing from China to America than the other way round (though you'll never be told that on you news networks) and what are you talking about loaning money to yourself to earn the interest...?!

What the rest of the world is doing:

Educated people are sad and worried

People watching flash animation and videos of your president's inability to speak properly are laughing... then feel sick when they remember all those nukes you guys are so proud of.

Kind people are not reacting to your aggression and arogance.

Im just one person, but the US comes up alot in conversation over here in the UK, and you wanna know how at least this part of the world percieves you? Like an over hormonal teenager, arrogant and blinkered to larger issues, and ignoring critiscism becuase no one else could POSSIBLY know as much as them, after all you're the best right?

We're just waiting for you to grow up, patience is gonna wear thin one of these days though...

(I of course realise this is not how all American's are - most of the people on this thread come across as objective reasoned folk - its just an image created by the US leadership)

Lauging at You?

Definitely not. Having experienced a recent election in Australia you have the same problem we do - Vote for Idiot No 1 or Idiot No 2!

What a choice!

Gidj...When you hit home, you hit home....your entirely right. Of course many Americans scoff at this and think those of us that believe this are "traders" no, I'm not a trader...as I have stated before, my roots here run deeper than most, but we are a nation in deep trouble and it is proven by those that have blinders on and can't see it, or just don't want to see it. That's part of the problem...

Originally posted by rc
Are all the other countries laughing at us? Do they think our elections are a joke. With everything that has gone on with them in the past and now... I wouldnt doubt it. What do you think.

[edit on 3-11-2004 by rc]

Why should I care if they are? I see them doing better? Nope. It says a lot that the rest of the world takes time out to watch our politics and criticize. That in itself blows my mind, that they stop to watch us. I didn't think we were that entertaining.

Originally posted by cargo
Your view of porn is what I found extremist fundamentalist.

The facts are that porn is addictive and that it
promotes violence against women. Being a psychologist
I feel compelled to warn people to be careful with porn
because sex addictions are VERY real. (ask Bill Clinton)

This isn't 'extremist fundamentalist', it's science and
social statistics. However, I DO personally believe that
porn reduces people to objects, instead of raising them
up to loving human beings with souls. My thoughts on
porn are based on science, sociology, and religion
combined.

Porn Addiction -

Excellent Porn Addiction site -
www.sexualcontrol.com...

Porn & Violence Against Women Connection -
www.mediascope.org...
www.un.org...

216.239.41.104...:OSjPF75wA-AJ:www.mincava.umn.edu/documents/bibs/pbib/pbib.pdf+%27pornography+violence+against+women%27&hl=en



** I should say that I WAS a psychologist - I'm now a
stay at home mom. Have been for 9 years.


[edit on 11/7/2004 by FlyersFan]

Originally posted by dparrish
Never apologize for being American!

Screw the other countries - they only envy us. We are the greatest country in the world even with our faults.

If everyone hates us we must be doing something right!

There you have it. Bush people have spoken. These are the words of someone who backs Bush.
This is why this country is in the shape its in today.

Originally posted by dgtempe

Originally posted by dparrish
Never apologize for being American!

Screw the other countries - they only envy us. We are the greatest country in the world even with our faults.

If everyone hates us we must be doing something right!

There you have it. Bush people have spoken. These are the words of someone who backs Bush.
This is why this country is in the shape its in today.

This is why exit polls are inaccurate. Your sample size is too small for an accurate projection.

[edit on 11/5/2004 by Majic]

All I have to say is that every country thinks they are the best. So, if they are laughing at us I'm sure we've laughed at them a couple of times also.

dparrish - No, nobody should apologize for being an American.

But no one should apologize for NOT being one either. I don't envy anyone, I am quite satisfied with being a Canadian and living in Canada. You have your pride in your country, we have ours.

No, nobody should apologize for being an American.

I agree with that, but some Americans feel the need to apologize to the World for what the out come of the elections has come to.

I found this link on the web and I thought it was very..sad. I know it comes off as comical but the underlying meaning is well disturbing to me, but maybe I am just too sensitive lol.

www.sorryeverybody.com...

*edit* fixing link

[edit on 5-11-2004 by Gala-Kemen]

Originally posted by edsinger
I know quite a few UK folks who like working in the states because they actually get to keep some of the wages instead of just giving to the Government.

- What a crock.

This is just the typical self-serving whine of those who don't like paying their taxes whatever they are, period. Boo hoo hoo.

Get over it and wise up.

Whatever you guys do in the US (all on the basis of 51%.....wow that 1% huh, how impressive, not) in Europe most of us understand we live in a 'society' and there is much more to that and to the freedoms that generates than just idioticly narrow selfish concerns over ones' personal disposable income.

No doubt the fact that taxation, except for the very highest earners, in the UK is still below the level it was under Maggie Thatcher overall has completely passed them by.....or was she running a marxist economy in her day?

It's the same crap as when the idea that Kerry might put taxes back to the level they were under Reagan and all the little Bush-worshippers claimed that was 'socialist'.....like Reagan was a 'socialist'. Yeah right.

Pathetic.

Not laughing at the US just utterly aghast that a mere and rather unimpressive 51% is deemed sufficient to justify the massive bellows of F.U. I'm seeing here.

[edit on 5-11-2004 by sminkeypinkey]

Originally posted by dparrish

Other countries do understand that we have more freedoms than they do and they don't like it.

Wow, where do you learn things like that? Fox news? Has Mr Bush told you that?

Originally posted by FlyersFan
The facts are that porn is addictive and that it
promotes violence against women.

- Woah there, now hang on.

These are not facts.

These are merely claims some people have made using some of the available research.

To be balanced about this one has to acknowledge there is contrary reseach and contrary opinion.

Being a psychologist
I feel compelled to warn people to be careful with porn
because sex addictions are VERY real. (ask Bill Clinton)

- "Being a psychologist" has nothing to do with this.

Some people are prone to addiction, including sex addiction. .....and what?

Are you really saying it is reasonable to start interferring with people's lives on such a level because some unfortunates and some idiots can't handle themselves......over sex?

My God.....can't wait to hear your views on guns! ....or borrowing. ....or gambling. ....or etc etc.

This isn't 'extremist fundamentalist'

- That makes a change, because it usually is.

it's science and
social statistics.

- But they're hardly unamimous in these claims and you just picked the ones you believe back your case.

No doubt you are just about to post the studies that showed porn to be beneficial, huh?

However, I DO personally believe that
porn reduces people to objects, instead of raising them
up to loving human beings with souls. My thoughts on
porn are based on science, sociology, and religion
combined.

- Oh look, some personal moral religious opinion, how interesting....for you.

But good for you. I disagree.

Tell you what, why not leave it at that. You prefer to not have anything to do with it and I prefer not to get so bothered about it.

As for 'reducing people to objects' I suggest you worry about an economic system that does that far more effectively and damagingly every second of every day.

So don't use porn if you don't like it. Just don't try forcing everyone else into your moral viewpoint.

I could care less myself but I believe sexual repression is always a defining step towards a genuinely fascist state.

By the way I love the hilarious ding-bat idea that the Islamic world specifically hated and attacked the USA for the porn output of Holywood, very funny.

I imagine Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stockholm are in a state of very high alert thanks to their "filth" ouput.

Interesting that most of Europe can be pretty free in terms of personal sexual morality not intruding into law without the sky falling in, huh?

In places like Holland, Denmark and Sweden (the free-est in this area....and highly 'secular' too!

) sex-crime is amongst the lowest in the developed world

.....and all this despite decades of (what you would describe as) nasty horrid and evil soul-sapping 'socialist' economics.....

....which has reduced the economic forces reducing people to mere 'economic objects'.

Wow, how does that work, huh.......go figure, eh?





[edit on 5-11-2004 by sminkeypinkey]

OK I am so tired of the crying and whining going on about other countries not liking us (USA). They never have liked us and they never will!! Who cares? All of the other countries are jealous of what Americans have: Freedom, Money, Houses, Jobs, Religon, ect..... If America was heaven on earth, people would still hate us, that's how it has always been and always will be!!

Why do people from European nations think America wants your input?? We have been the country everyone wants to live in for the past 100 + years! Worry about your own countries, we will be just fine! People bashing us for voting Bush are just upset they did'nt have it their way, having Kerry the coward voted in so other countries could walk all over the U.S. Kerry conceded (quited) before the election was even over!!! Is that the type of man America should have? A quitter!! You would like that would'nt you?

Spain, France, Germany ect... would have loved that! Face it , America is the best Nation in the world, we clean up the trash around the world when other candy a$$ countries are to scared and weak to do so! France would be speaking German today if we did'nt save your a$$es from Hitler, now you want to call our president Hitler-like?? It amazes me how ignorant other countries and Americans alike can support people like Saddam and Bin laden and make America look like the bad guys who just went in and killed innocent people for the fun of it. It's the price of war, some innocent people die, but justice prevails!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

[edit on 5-11-2004 by moneymaker]

[edit on 5-11-2004 by moneymaker]

Originally posted by moneymaker
OK I am so tired of the crying and whining going on about other countries not liking us (USA). They never have liked us and they never will!! Who cares? All of the other countries are jealous of what Americans have: Freedom, Money, Houses, Jobs, Religon, ect..... If America was heaven on earth, people would still hate us, that's how it has always been and always will be!!

Why do people from European nations think America wants your input?? We have been the country everyone wants to live in for the past 100 + years! Worry about your own countries, we will be just fine! People bashing us for voting Bush are just upset they did'nt have it their way, having Kerry the coward voted in so other countries could walk all over the U.S. Kerry conceded (quited) before the election was even over!!! Is that the type of man America should have? A quitter!! You would like that would'nt you?

Spain, France, Germany ect... would have loved that! Face it , America is the best Nation in the world, we clean up the trash around the world when other candy a$$ countries are to scared and weak to do so! France would be speaking German today if we did'nt save your a$$es from Hitler, now you want to call our president Hitler-like?? It amazes me how ignorant other countries and Americans alike can support people like Saddam and Bin laden and make America look like the bad guys who just went in and killed innocent people for the fun of it. It's the price of war, some innocent people die, but justice prevails!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOL LOL LOL LOL

Funny, very very funny

I AM CANADIAN and I have 100X more freedome than u dude and really really You need to see doctor so he can check up the NAIVE button in your brain

SHOULD have been born in germany in 1930!!!!!!!!!

amelia

Originally posted by moneymaker
OK I am so tired of the crying and whining going on about other countries not liking us (USA). They never have liked us and they never will!! Who cares? All of the other countries are jealous of what Americans have: Freedom, Money, Houses, Jobs, Religon, ect..... If America was heaven on earth, people would still hate us, that's how it has always been and always will be!!

Why do people from European nations think America wants your input?? We have been the country everyone wants to live in for the past 100 + years! Worry about your own countries, we will be just fine! People bashing us for voting Bush are just upset they did'nt have it their way, having Kerry the coward voted in so other countries could walk all over the U.S. Kerry conceded (quited) before the election was even over!!! Is that the type of man America should have? A quitter!! You would like that would'nt you?

Spain, France, Germany ect... would have loved that! Face it , America is the best Nation in the world, we clean up the trash around the world when other candy a$$ countries are to scared and weak to do so! France would be speaking German today if we did'nt save your a$$es from Hitler, now you want to call our president Hitler-like?? It amazes me how ignorant other countries and Americans alike can support people like Saddam and Bin laden and make America look like the bad guys who just went in and killed innocent people for the fun of it. It's the price of war, some innocent people die, but justice prevails!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Let me start off by saying i like Bush and what he is doing in the world and support him 100%. What i don't like is people who think that America single-handedly won WW2. We were fighting in WW2 years before the US with the UK as our only major ally left standing for quite a while. Not only did my grandfather fight against Germany but he also fought against Japan. Before the US was in the war we were fighting on two fronts and many died. When the US did eventually join the war we continued fighting until the "allies" won and i stress the word "allies" because Russia the UK and many other countries were very much involved in winning the war. Also there isn't one war in the last 100 years where the US has been involved and Australia was not. We have also recently lead operations in East Timor at the risk of angering the largest muslim nation on earth so the people there could have independence and of course have been involved in Iraq and Afganistan from the begining. So don't bundle the entire world under one big banner and show some respect for those that died fighting for freedom, even if they weren't from your country.



[edit on 5-11-2004 by Trent]

Amelia, correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Canadian Head of State a British monarch?



Don't get me wrong, I know Canadians are as free as anybody else, but you must understand one thing: Americans have a deep-rooted distrust of anything having to do with a monarchy, and we will never consider any world citizen who bows down before a monarch to be "as free" as we are. It is our own, distinct American paradigm.

Until Europeans discard the vestiges of kings and queens, we will always gaze at your politcal systems with the "hairy eyeball".