Well, the rest of the world has known this for a while, but now the Americans have figured it out too!
Task force calls for more study abroad
Don't blame me, I didn't write it.
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Well, the rest of the world has known this for a while, but now the Americans have figured it out too!
Task force calls for more study abroad
Don't blame me, I didn't write it.
I think the same could be said to some extent to most English speaking countries... we know what we hear on the news but little else about a lot of countries... and ignorance is no longer a viable excuse if it ever was..
http://hist.academic.claremontmckenn...armstretch.jpg
this guy hated americans too.......
nice company you keep.
The one thing I don't get is Annie being Governor you only have to go back 70 years ago and his name associates back with the Nazis
Like I said, don't blame me: The US Federal Government comissioned the study and it found that most Americans don't really know whats going on in the rest of the world. So they reckon it would be a good idea to help Americans study overseas so they can get a better understanding of the world and why so many countries and terrorist factions seem to hate you guys.Quote:
Originally posted by HeavyMetalParkingLot@24 November 2003 - 05:12
http://hist.academic.claremontmckenn...armstretch.jpg
this guy hated americans too.......
nice company you keep.
And pulling out photos of Hitler and saying people who disagree with you are Nazis only proves the point.
i never once said that anyone who disagreed with me was a nazi in the least. i stated a fact, hitler hated americans. and i have noticed your anti-american crap on this board, hence the shared hatred between the two of you.
http://members.cox.net/dodger1954/pics/sct-hitler.jpg
kinda works on many levels :P
just because someone exhibits anti-american feelings doesn't mean you can call their thoughts crapQuote:
Originally posted by HeavyMetalParkingLot@24 November 2003 - 05:10
i never once said that anyone who disagreed with me was a nazi in the least. i stated a fact, hitler hated americans. and i have noticed your anti-american crap on this board, hence the shared hatred between the two of you.
Well Al Quada hates America too, but I don't want to go around bombing your country like they do.
My only issue with the USA is stated quite clearly in that report: America's economy affects the entire world and America has a huge influence. But Americans GENERALY don't realise the consequences of their country's actions and it has and will continu to create huge problems for you guys unless you wake up and realise that there are another 6.3 billion people sharing the plannet with you who are affected by what you do.
the problem here is that you fail to see the difference between americans and american foriegn policy. i really doubt that there are 6.3 million people in the world that are affected if i go to the bar on a friday night with my friends.Quote:
Originally posted by Alex H@24 November 2003 - 06:23
Well Al Quada hates America too, but I don't want to go around bombing your country like they do.
My only issue with the USA is stated quite clearly in that report: America's economy affects the entire world and America has a huge influence. But Americans GENERALY don't realise the consequences of their country's actions and it has and will continu to create huge problems for you guys unless you wake up and realise that there are another 6.3 billion people sharing the plannet with you who are affected by what you do.
That is actually 6.3 BILLION, and no, the rest of the world probably doesn't care if you go out drinking with your mates.
BUT I have to say that a country's foriegn policy come directly from it's general society, and while it is very easy for a government to a create a big scare and push legislation through that will affect people in other parts of the world, it is VERY hard to change the policy once people have stopped to think about what is going on.
A great example is Australia's policy on Illegal Immigrants. For years they have been slipping in on boats from Indonesia in lots of 10 or 15 or 40. No-one really cared about it until afer 9/11. America had a big panic about how they hijackers got into the country and because Australia is friends with the US, the paranoia filtered down to us. Then a BIG boat of refugees sunk and a nice freighter ship picked them up and tried to take them to Australia. Our Prime Minister had promised George Bush he would make sure that no terrorist came to the US from Australia, so WE started to look at OUR border security. The Prime Minister pretty much said: "Look at that big boat full of people, that's my point, we don't know who is getting through our borders!" So many people panicked and said they wanted tougher border protection that the Australian government created laws saying that you can be deported if you don't apply for refugee status in your OWN country before coming here. The the problem now is that if you try apply to Australia for refugee status in your own country, they kill you. Which is why you are trying to get out of there in the first place.
We have had so many public inquiries about it, and there have only been TWO guys who may have had terrorist links. And they both came by plane. 97% of the people we kick out on technicalities are REAL refugees. So thousands of legitimate refugees, fleeing from murderous regiems and persecution are punnished because we let a stupid bit of legislation get through while we were scared.
The only reason we passed the legislation was because we thought we migt be a target.
The only reason Australia could be a target is because we backed the US.
The only reason we backd the US is because we want beter trade deals, so you see even your foriegn TRADE policy can affect an Afganian refugee.
And US trade policy comes from the people you vote for, so please choose carefully, and don't just vote for someone cause thy say they will cut your tax bill (like Bush did).
wow americans keep throwing money like that i am gonna be rich!!! :lol:
more money for me ;)
and that's precisely what people like Alex H seem to forget. I'm not saying Americans aren't uninformed about the rest of the world in general. They are. However, Alex would do good to look at his own country's "uninformedness" rather than attacking America's. It goes both ways. Also, your attack on hmpl was childish in my opinion. I read the thread, it look to me like you were looking for an American target, and you found one.Quote:
Originally posted by ang3968@24 November 2003 - 04:30
I think the same could be said to some extent to most English speaking countries... we know what we hear on the news but little else about a lot of countries... and ignorance is no longer a viable excuse if it ever was..
Agreed.Quote:
Originally posted by ang3968@24 November 2003 - 04:30
I think the same could be said to some extent to most English speaking countries... we know what we hear on the news but little else about a lot of countries... and ignorance is no longer a viable excuse if it ever was..
Well, the Bush family was building concentration camps for him in the 30's.Quote:
Originally posted by HeavyMetalParkingLot@24 November 2003 - 05:12
http://hist.academic.claremontmckenn...armstretch.jpg
this guy hated americans too.......
nice company you keep.
This isnt anti-American, at the same time 100's, if not 1000's of US citizens were coming to the UK to fight against nazism....
What one set of citizens do, does not define a country.
Now for "Devils Advocate".....
America, The 4th Reich
Again; i dont hold with his views, but as Voltair said "I will fight to the Death for his Right to state them".
You keep shouting "Anti-American"......please define this, as i think its something that is not possible.
The USA is a collection of 50 States, each with different Laws, Cultures and Traditions. The only thing they have in common is Federal Taxes and Foreign Policy.
If you say I am anti-american foreign policy....I agree. I have news for you, most of the world are, and quite a number of Americans.
If you say Im against Federal Taxes....tell me about them and i'll give you an opinion. I have no opinion, as I dont know what they are, and dont impact on me (well they do, but in an abstract way that i cant predict, and so reserve judgement on)
If you say im "Anti-American", your talking crap...
Am i anti:
The States where you marry your cousin @ 15, or the ones you cant sneeze without permission until 21?
The ones where Brothels and Hookers are a way of life, or the ones where its frowned upon to kiss a girl until your married?
The ones where you will be lynched for not being being a White heterosexual Christian if you so much as J-walk, or the ones where there is a different Religion on each Street Corner?
I dont know why im bothering to write this, as all you will come back with is "Anti-American"...its a null word. It means nothing.
Now that you have decided im anti-american.... There are a lot of good stuff come out of the USA. I cant stress how much i admire the Peace Corps, for example... I doubt you will find one member on here with anything bad to say about them.
However, you call us "Anti-American" to criticise something that has a direct impact on every other country in the world.
How can you expect us to listen when you spout the same crap about every subject?
If you look up, on this topic I agree that this is a flaw of every English Speaking Nation....if anything, I'd say that parts of the USA are well ahead of the UK in basics such as speaking a 2nd language. I cant, yet there are parts of the USA that speak Spanish as easily as English. Others that speak German as easily, and yet others that speak French as easily.
However, instead of taking advantage of these facts and shooting the poster down in flames, you fall into the trap of attacking him and changing the subject to something as distasteful as Hitler?
Think.....why do you think Americans are so misunderstood?
than if you feel i spout nothing but crap, i will make everybody happy and leave.
You misunderstood the meaning of my post.
I meant about the "Anti-American" stuff...
You had a perfect opportunity to totally discredit the poster on this one...
You wasted it.....why? :'(
bravo, rat faced, well said
The Peace Corps! Are you kidding? This organisation is so infiltrated by the CIA that it may as well share offices. They are also responsible for huge amounts of drug smuggling into the USA and Canada. I know this from PERSONAL experience.Quote:
Originally posted by Rat Faced@25 November 2003 - 03:30
There are a lot of good stuff come out of the USA. I cant stress how much i admire the Peace Corps, for example... I doubt you will find one member on here with anything bad to say about them.
:)
Sorry, I'm not trying to get up anyone's nose. I just know that after 9/11 there were a lot of people asking "whodunnit and why?" and that report shows that America needs to know a lot more about the rest of the world, and the the more understanding there is, the less likely it is for international "situations" to become inflamed.
And Australia would do well to follow the report's recomendations too!
The Peace Corps! Are you kidding? This organisation is so infiltrated by the CIA that it may as well share offices. They are also responsible for huge amounts of drug smuggling into the USA and Canada. I know this from PERSONAL experience.Quote:
Originally posted by Billy_Dean+25 November 2003 - 04:41--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Billy_Dean @ 25 November 2003 - 04:41)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Rat Faced@25 November 2003 - 03:30
There are a lot of good stuff come out of the USA. I cant stress how much i admire the Peace Corps, for example... I doubt you will find one member on here with anything bad to say about them.
:) [/b][/quote]
I stand by what i said..
The idea behind the organisation, and the 1000's of legitimate americans that join this organisation have my greatest admiration.
The CIA are a bunch of wankers that get there grubby little hands into anything and everything and corrupt what they touch... just like most of the Worlds "Intelligence Organisations"
It wouldnt surprise me in the slightest re: The CIA etc, if your allegations are true. It would not detract from my admiration of those that are in the Peace Corps......just increase my contempt for those that control the CIA.
<_< Americans are dumb motherfuckers I agree. I am also 15 years old and an American. :D
Many studies indicate Americans (especially those in their mid-teens-specifically 15 year-olds) are developmentally challenged with regard to their ability to interact gracefully in cyberspace. ;)Quote:
Originally posted by Arm@25 November 2003 - 10:08
<_< Americans are dumb motherfuckers I agree. I am also 15 years old and an American. :D
Although I would certainly be in favor of Americans broadening their knowlege/experience of the rest of the world, I find this frequently expressed ( and apparently, lovingly held) belief that we are somehow deficient when compared to Europeans to be pure malarkey.
I have traveled widely in Europe, not as much as some, but more than most I would guess, and found the people there to be strikingly similar to myself. Outside of the obvious differences of language and local culture, Europeans didn't impress me as being glaringly more intelligent or involved in the world than my neighbors at home.
How many of these foreign students came here because we offered a standard of education/living far superior to that available in their home country? Maybe they preferred not having goats grazing in the classroom.Quote:
Currently, about 130,000 of the nation's 13 million full-time and part-time undergraduate students participate in university-sponsored study abroad programs each year, the report said.
By contrast, Simon said, 584,000 students from other countries studied at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2002-2003 academic year.
Well no shit, Sherlock.Quote:
More than half of all students who do study overseas go to Britain, Italy, Spain or France, the report said. To combat that, the program wants to encourage students to consider countries outside Western Europe, such as China and those in Africa.
Africa? Half the continent is either a warzone or racked with disease. Yessir, sign me right up.
China? An ex-girlfriend attended school in Beijing. Had a nervous breakdown.
My brother has business interests there ( just returned 3 weeks ago, in fact) and is always completely stressed out after returning. Just the setting for a productive educational experience.
As I said before, we are far from perfect.
I just don't think that we are all that different from ya'll, either.
If you'll listen, I'll create an echo. :)Quote:
Originally posted by clocker@25 November 2003 - 14:26
Although I would certainly be in favor of Americans broadening their knowlege/experience of the rest of the world, I find this commonly expressed ( and apparently widely held) belief that we are somehow deficient when compared to Europeans to be pure malarkey.
I have traveled widely in Europe, not as much as some, but more than most I would guess, and found the people there to be strikingly similar to myself. Outside of the obvious differences of language and local culture, Europeans didn't impress me as being glaringly more intelligent or involved in the world than my neighbors at home.
How many of these foreign students came here because we offered a standard of education/living far superior to that available in their home country? Maybe they preferred not having goats grazing in the classroom.Quote:
Currently, about 130,000 of the nation's 13 million full-time and part-time undergraduate students participate in university-sponsored study abroad programs each year, the report said.
By contrast, Simon said, 584,000 students from other countries studied at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2002-2003 academic year.
Well no shit, Sherlock.Quote:
More than half of all students who do study overseas go to Britain, Italy, Spain or France, the report said. To combat that, the program wants to encourage students to consider countries outside Western Europe, such as China and those in Africa.
Africa? Half the continent is either a warzone or racked with disease. Yessir, sign me right up.
China? An ex-girlfriend attended school in Beijing. Had a nervous breakdown.
My brother has business interests there ( just returned 3 weeks ago, in fact) and is always completely stressed out after returning. Just the setting for a productive educational experience.
As I said before, we are far from perfect.
I just don't think that we are all that different from ya'll, either.
Well stated, sir. ;)
Quote:
Originally posted by Rat Faced@24 November 2003 - 19:30
The USA is a collection of 50 States, each with different Laws, Cultures and Traditions. The only thing they have in common is Federal Taxes and Foreign Policy.
Think.....why do you think Americans are so misunderstood?
A bit off topic, but I cannot understand this perception. You know that Clocker, J2, and myself lives 1000s of miles from one another, but seem to have many common touchstones. Statehood is a political construct, not a way of distinquishing one "culture" from another. We use statehood only as a means to "create" sports rivalries. Missouri hates Kansas in college sports, but in real life this has no "teeth" to it. Simple fun. Differences in laws between the states are mostly trivial, execpting perhaps the death penalty here in Texas, but there is really no difference in cultural identity. I have lived in Texas, California, and Missouri, there are local quirks but nothing major.
National stability takes precedence over local interests, that is why Clocker is not allowed to dam the Colorado River and steal all the water from the people down south in Arizona.
As posted before, in response to MyFiles when he stated that we have no culture:
Original ThreadQuote:
Myfiles, this is very narrow minded of you. There are plenty of things that bind Americans. I could tour the country asking people what it means to be American. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and justice would be the common thread, the ideal we are pursuing. Not to mention our unity through professional sports, rock and roll, the spirit of invention, the spirit of adventure, mass production, automobiles, etc. I would say America does have a culture (with good and bad elements), but beneath this there are many sub-cultures.
To say we are strangers with a common passport is not supported by what I see everyday.
A great example is the Macys 4th of July Celebration. In the audience I saw black people, white people, asian people, hispanic people all standing shoulder to shoulder with little flags in their hands. Unified under passports, hardly, they were celebrating what this country provides them: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
That is what is so great about America, potentially. When people of different cultures mix freely, they find that although they may look different, people are basically people.
Obviously, this is not a flame, just wondering how you came to this conclusion.
So Californians think the same way as New Yorkers? (as an example)
I better call my Stock Broker..... :o
Seriously, I havent met many Americans "In the Flesh" as it were, maybe 450 or so..not a lot....especially since 400 of them was via an exchange visit with a Kansas National Guard Reg't :P
I have to say here, that i got on with the vast majority...and maybe 4 or 5 were the "Steriotyped American" that appears to be getting drawn on this forum more and more recently <_<
I do talk online to loads of you though. I find that in a chatroom, you get to know people quite well, and i find the people from different parts of the USA have distinct differences on their outlook and beliefs. I dont find this on a message board.
As an example... myself and SuperJude on the boards would argue black was blue, and to anyone looking at these message boards, it would appear that we had no common ground. In the chatroom, you get to know the person however; we actually get on very well, and agree on a lot more issues than we disagree.
The culture in the North will, by its very nature be different than the culture in the South, if only due to climatic differences and its History. By "Culture", i am not refering to "Opera", "Ballet" and McDonalds, as i'm sure you realise... :P
In the North East States, there is left over influence from British Colonialism, in the South East by French Colonialism, the South by Spanish and the North West probably has none of these influences....
Parts of the USA had large influx's of German Settlers, yet others Irish.... the list goes on. All of these influxes will have effected the culture of an area; as will current hespanic influx.
Basic Laws are the same the world over, they wont change from State to State...Murder, Theft, Kidnapping, Fraud, etc etc etc
The Laws/Traditions that are affected by "culture" are different though...
A couple of examples:
In some States Brothels and Prostitution are 2nd nature, in others they virtually still have chaperones for the under 21's (j/k).
In a few States they are the Christian movement is so strong as to affect the teaching of the Theory of Evolution in Schools.
I hear that in NYC they are seriously considering not acknowledging the Nativity at Christmas, can you imagine that in the Bible Belt?
Age of Consent varies from State to State, and the Laws as regard to Marriage (Basic stuff, not how much each gets on Divorce....although that varies horrifically as well ;) )
These types of things can only happen due to the different Culture and current makeup of the individual areas.
I hope that explains what i mean to your satisfaction sir ;)
Rat, Do all Belgians think alike?
Some Californians think just like some New Yorkers.
And probably just like some Brits, French, Germans, etcetera, as well.
@ hobbes, I may not be able to dam the Colorado, but I piss in it every chance I get. Those fuckwits in Arizona and Nevada who insist on maintaining golf courses in the desert deserve nothing less.
You posted while i was editing my reply, to try and explain what i meant ;)
Jeez, you call that an "edit"?
It did take a while :lol:
well i hate when people outsie of america agrees with what are government does its jut not true
Yes RF, all those things you mention may be factually correct, but you overstate their influence, I think.
Regional differences exist, but we are a very fluid people and it is increasingly rare to find someone who has been rooted in one spot their entire life.
I myself have lived everywhere from the Deep South all the way up into Canada. From one coast to the other.
All of the influences you make note of certainly exist, but in my experience only add a distinctive flavor to a relatively uniform whole.
Of course I could be wrong.
My experience also teaches me that we tend to seek out our peers, no matter where we may be. I think that certainly holds true in this forum and in this section in particular. World Events has a fairly rigorous self-selection mechanism at work, those who can't/won't cut it drop away quickly. I don't mean that we all agree, just that there is a common level of intelligence, logical coherence and sheer bull headedness displayed.
I am always amused by the perceptions of some of the lounge habitues that this is a fearsome place, to be avoided at all costs.
If they only knew. :P
Well, as I explained, we have a lot more in common than Federal Taxes. You are correct that there are regional variances, with distinctive populations and unique cuisine, but no group will have any trouble telling you what America is about (freedom of the individual to live as he sees fit).
I prefer to think of us a a stew, with beef as the common stock. The regional contributions are simply spices which add to the overall complexity of the flavor, but not changing the fact that it is still a "beef" stew.
Remember that most American families, particularly those with college graduates, are living all over the country, rather than living near to and doing as what their fathers are fore-fathers had done. This country-wide cross-pollination is very evident to me and homogenizing us.
It is like during football or baseball season, you could go anywhere in the country and ask, who do you think is going to win it all this year. People everywhere would voice strong but differing opinions, but none would say, "what is this game you speak of?"
Anyway, we are a unique amalgam of souls, and there are regional differences, but we are not just people sharing a common passport. That was my point.
Edit: Clocker's post was not present when I was typing mine, kind of an eerie similarity.
You're not hungry are you hobbes?
I still shake my head and wonder at the game ya'll call football down there :PQuote:
Originally posted by hobbes@25 November 2003 - 20:28
It is like during football or baseball season, you could go anywhere in the country and ask, who do you think is going to win it all this year. People everywhere would voice strong but differing opinions, but none would say, "what is this game you speak of?"
Fields are too short and sissified for our players :D
Can't wait for the commercials so's I can see some live action movement on the screen.
But you got some damn fine women and corn liquor that make up for all that ;)
Just do something to stop those damn tampon commercials and you might be able to sell it to the rest of the world. :angry:
You know I'm kidding, right?
:P
Are you hiding in here somewhere clocker? I see your name but not your post.
Hiding?
Oh no.
I just don't think I can top hobbes's "acquired taste" post.
That is a classic.
I was very tempted by the tampon setup, but, nope, I got nothin'.
Clocker-
I was struck just now by this thought:
"WILD TURKEY"
Impressions?
I think that would solve that small dilemma I spoke of earlier. ;)
Works for me.
Soda on the side?