Cultural discussion

[svp]

I love learning about cultural views on people from difforent countries. I thought it would be interesting to ask a question based on other peoples views of America. I have noticed that a majority of people here are from Canada or another country, so my question is. what do you guys think of Americans? do you like the ones that you have met? are the stereotypes true? and do they live up to their great country? Not to sound weird but I like this kind of discussion. I am American and I just want to know your opinions. thanks also if you want to talk about your country you can too.

 

[L]

I'm American and I hate this country. The government seems to think that most of the internet is either porn or The Pirate Bay.

 

[Mr Sunshine]

I have a strong feeling that that there has been a lot of misinformation to your people by your government regarding its foreign policy. I find the "war of terror" and utter joke. Naming terrorists the people that were fighting with you against the Soviet Union just some decades ago. I don't think that people can have their personality changed that quickly, especially whole countries..

Maybe if the US government was minding its own business instead of bothering with middle east's affairs since the ending of World War II, those people might have not turned against you. In the end you get what you seed.

But at the same time, all people are gullible to their government lies. *rolleyes*

 

[svp]

I'm American and I hate this country. The government seems to think that most of the internet is either porn or The Pirate Bay.

I do not dislike America seemingly for what the Gov is involved in, that is a far different perspective. America has a lot of achievements and success with its cultural, freedom fighting background also America is always the first one to jump in and protect an impoverished nation. I am talking about the cultural differences between Americans and people from other countries. I am asking what other people think of America based on the Americans themselves. I do understand that there are many Americans that hate their country. I personally am upset about that but who am I to tell them to like America? If they don't like it they should move to another country, preferably Saudi Arabia. and see how that suits them. as for the Gov. controlling the internet. I'm sure Anonymous and all those digital hackers can keep sneaking in the systems, so don't worry about that. If not allowing porn is your main reason why you don't like America, then why complain about the Gov? sorry that this turned into a political argument everyone. I didn't mean any harm.

 

[JMG29]

Maybe if the US government was minding its own business instead of bothering with middle east's affairs since the ending of World War II, those people might have not turned against you. In the end you get what you seed.

lol but dats ISOLATIONISM we gotta halp peepl in need even if we gotta bomb dem its for ther own good dawg!

Peace is too mainstream.
Borrowing money from China in order to give it to other countries is totally in though!

 

[L]

lol but dats ISOLATIONISM we gotta halp peepl in need even if we gotta bomb dem its for ther own good dawg!

Peace is too mainstream.
Borrowing money from China in order to give it to other countries is totally in though!

Nuking Japan and complaining about 9/11.

 

[JMG29]

BUT THEY BOMBED US FIRST
You know, after FDR put that embargo on Japan for invading Indochina (putting innocent American lives in the crossfire of a war that had nothing to do with them.)
Which was later claimed by Communist China when the war ended.
...So the Roosevelt administration essentially got involved in WWII for Indochina's sake even though it later got taken over by something far worse...

WHATEVER AMERICAN IMPERIALISM FTW

This was all done by a man who won the Nobel Peace Prize for being black. Martin Luther King would be proud of the fact that his message of peace and non-violence was completely ignored.

I do understand that there are many Americans that hate their country. I personally am upset about that but who am I to tell them to like America? If they don't like it they should move to another country, preferably Saudi Arabia. and see how that suits them

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This is the Land of the Free. We have a natural, inalienable right to bitch about anything and everything to do with the government. I will continue to bitch about how much America currently sucks until it becomes awesome again. If I don't, and if no one else does, there might not be much of a difference between us and Saudi Arabia.

 

[Romero]

I love learning about cultural views on people from difforent countries. I thought it would be interesting to ask a question based on other peoples views of America. I have noticed that a majority of people here are from Canada or another country, so my question is. what do you guys think of Americans? do you like the ones that you have met? are the stereotypes true? and do they live up to their great country? Not to sound weird but I like this kind of discussion. I am American and I just want to know your opinions. thanks also if you want to talk about your country you can too.

Which stereotypes? I think there are many stereotypes in America. You have so many types of people there that I think you'll find any imaginable stereotype there.

I like Americans very much, but I think they can be very loud, especially if they are excited about something.

I also hear from people who's been to the states that Americans are very polite. I've met many Americans in Europe and this is my impression as well.

Americans are very honest - if they think they are the best about something they say it. I like that quality. We Norwegians are very different, we typically point out our own flaws rather than admitting we are good. I think we are so scared of bragging. If I am going to say out loud that I'm good at something, I better be world champion and famous already or people will think I'm a bigheaded bragger. *pinch emoticon here*

Individual Americans are normal like the rest of us in the "Western" world, but when grouped together like a nation they are a bunch of prudes. Any hint of sexual content and racy language is censored, and if something slips through there is a public outcry.
- For example the "Hot Coffee" incident in Grand Theft Auto. Hidden on the game disc was an unused scene where the protagonist simulated sex with a woman (both fully clothed!), and it become huge trouble because someone cracked the game and found it. I think the company behind the game suffered some legal repercussions.
It is absurd how senseless violence is okay, but a hint of sex or a naughty word on national TV is not? Europeans don't understand this, we think it's very very weird. I'm not sure if I speak on behalf of the Brits now, but I know that Brits are at least a bit more relaxed. TV programs produced in England are never bleeped to death.
^ This is the only thing I can think of that I would want to change if I could. I have a problem with double standards.

As for politics, I happen to like most of the things you do abroad. USA is capable and willing to do the dirty work Europeans don't want to touch.

I love America and Americans. About as much as I love Norway and Norwegians. Hmmm. The perfect mix would be Norway populated with Americans. Can we arrange that?

 

[svp]

Nuking Japan and complaining about 9/11.

first of all, Blaming us for Japan's inhuman morals in sneak attacking Pearl Harbor where our brothers and sisters died for our freedom is wrong! They had no right to sneak attack us like a bunch of weak minded p****** you all need to show more respect for your country. unlike them, we gave them several warnings and tried to reason with them many times before we dropped the bombs. It was their Govs' job to make an active strategical decision in surrendering but they never budged. If they surrendered the war would of been well over and we wouldn't of acted in creating more casualties. And you should be ashamed for comparing 911 with WW2. the Japan attacks were an act against a nuclear threat, 911 was narrow minded homicidal idiots trying to prove their point over an act of a made up religion that causes their own people to kill their women and children. everyone is threatened by those terrorist groups because they are not afraid to kill themselves over 10000 virgins for a made up afterlife. I am not trying to argue about this crap, its not worth my time. I hope you all will eventually come around in supporting your country. If it wasn't for my pilot grandfather and all of our troops in WW2, we would all be speaking German.

 

[svp]

Which stereotypes? I think there are many stereotypes in America. You have so many types of people there that I think you'll find any imaginable stereotype there.

I like Americans very much, but I think they can be very loud, especially if they are excited about something.

I also hear from people who's been to the states that Americans are very polite. I've met many Americans in Europe and this is my impression as well.

Americans are very honest - if they think they are the best about something they say it. I like that quality. We Norwegians are very different, we typically point out our own flaws rather than admitting we are good. I think we are so scared of bragging. If I am going to say out loud that I'm good at something, I better be world champion and famous already or people will think I'm a bigheaded bragger. *pinch emoticon here*

Individual Americans are normal like the rest of us in the "Western" world, but when grouped together like a nation they are a bunch of prudes. Any hint of sexual content and racy language is censored, and if something slips through there is a public outcry.
- For example the "Hot Coffee" incident in Grand Theft Auto. Hidden on the game disc was an unused scene where the protagonist simulated sex with a woman (both fully clothed!), and it become huge trouble because someone cracked the game and found it. I think the company behind the game suffered some legal repercussions.
It is absurd how senseless violence is okay, but a hint of sex or a naughty word on national TV is not? Europeans don't understand this, we think it's very very weird. I'm not sure if I speak on behalf of the Brits now, but I know that Brits are at least a bit more relaxed. TV programs produced in England are never bleeped to death.
^ This is the only thing I can think of that I would want to change if I could. I have a problem with double standards.

As for politics, I happen to like most of the things you do abroad. USA is capable and willing to do the dirty work Europeans don't want to touch.

I love America and Americans. About as much as I love Norway and Norwegians. Hmmm. The perfect mix would be Norway populated with Americans. Can we arrange that?

yes we do have many stereotypes that have developed over the years. we have always been known as a melting pot at the same time, we are also known as fat, stupid and egocentric. we will always have the arguing republicans and liberals and all those in between, that is sadly how the media all over the world portrays us when in fact not all of us are bad and selfish people. and a lot of us are like normal Western people trying to get by and maintaining a normal diet lol. I as an American have lived in several states and got too meet lots of different people and I can tell you, not one state is the same as the other. even if I am comparing people from Mass with people from Connecticut. because we were all immigrants at some point in our lives, our perspective mainly comes from our different backgrounds growing up. I have a grandfather that was a Cpt in WW2 for the US Air Force. he served our country well completing 22 successful bombings and saving many lives, especially in Europe. France recently honored him a legend of honor. that award was the same one napoleon received, he taught me to be a Republican because he said our society needs a strong Military if it wants to last. As for the gov's control of the media causing American prudery, I am very aware of that. I myself find it uncomfortable at a resort in Spain seeing nude men walking around. but that is just something Americans are brought up with. we adopted our prudery mainly from the English since they colonized America the earliest. I find it kinda funny how prude we all are, and kinda cute. and now, I don't think America is doing a good job at filtering its shows and media. we are not that Innocent, look at shows like jersey shore and series like Spartacus. thank you for your respectable input, I enjoy hearing from kind European people on topics like culture. I have never been to Norway but I hear it is a very peaceful and beautiful country. I have always wanted to travel there.

 

[Hoady]

I haven't met many but the ones i did meet weren't stereotypical. I know that not all americans are fat, ignorant, yanks.Just like people think all australians ride kangaroos and that we have no electricity.

Negatives: Now in terms of the most capitalistic country on the planet, that brings with it the most corruption which i won't get into. They pump alot garbage into the world.. MTV, TMZ, Sitcoms, constant continuations of dead series..90% of the stuff on tv is crap and people are accepting it. And i am not a fan of the whole nationalism.. you know, god bless america, red/white/blue only and forever!!We are the land of the free! But really..that is every country on the planet, politcians and media just seem much more willing to pump that over there.And i agree with romero on the sex thing.. that is pretty much the same in australia too.

Positives: The Americans i have met were all cool and nice.It hasn't been many but i don't ever remember one unpleasant experience as of yet. Also hearing an American accent in real life is like "ARE YOU FAMOUS?". Its so weird hearing it but i like it because there are so many accents. America is also a very big country.. i could imagine just road tripping around, go one direction and end up anywhere. I imagine there could be a lot to do and interesting people to meet with so many different states. I do believe that alot of americans really do mean very well to what they believe in too, maybe not always the best reasons but there is a motivation complex to get things done.

 

[VP-70]

My thoughts on America and Americans.

When i think of America, i think,

Great idea, woefully executed.

As for the people, no better or worse than people who live next to me.

1 thing i detest....Is how many Americans i know seem to think they invented everything

1 thing i love... Detroit muscle cars.

As for Scotland, well i'm not going to even start on that one, but i'm sure when the day is done and the race is run, Scotland can rest its head on the pillow knowing it did it's part for the world.

 

[KennedyKiller]

I'm an American...And I have mixed feelings...

I feel that as Americans, we are great people, but not better or worse than any others because people are people...

I feel that we are too uneducated...I don't mean that we are dumb, but that we don't have the drive to learn as much as we can...That we just fall in line, shut up, punch in, punch out, and buy our way through everything...Honest work isn't appreciated anymore, but that may not necessarily be just in America...

I also feel we are too reliant on other countries...America has become nothing but office jobs, but a country can only thrive if it has a healthy balance of both financial AND industrial jobs...America is SERIOUSLY lacking in this department...

However, as I've pointed out the faults, we are not without our great qualities as well...We believe in our rights...We believe in our freedom of speech..Our freedom of the press...Our right to bear arms...Our right to vote...We don't let those get messed with, and we f**k up those who TRY to mess with them...Granted, our government makes EVERYTHING seem like a threat, and that DOES cost innocent lives sometimes...But it's the thought that counts I guess!!

Also, despite what others believe, we are very family oriented society...I think family if VERY important, and as someone who's had a bit of a rough family life, I know both sides of the family spectrum work in the US...And the good side is one of America's greatest treasures...

I pride America in its music as well...Music is VERY important, and can cure any problem in life...America has produced some of the most influential music genre's and bands...More important than anything...The Blues...Nearly ALL popular genres of music today were only made possible because of the blues...

Well, I could go on a LOT more about our flaws and gold qualities...But, feel free to ask, rather than me typing much more at 4:30 in the morning lol...

I like Americans very much, but I think they can be very loud, especially if they are excited about something.

Romeo DID hit the nail on the head here though...And I'm actually LOVE this about us...

 

[L]

first of all, Blaming us for Japan's inhuman morals in sneak attacking Pearl Harbor where our brothers and sisters died for our freedom is wrong! They had no right to sneak attack us like a bunch of weak minded p****** you all need to show more respect for your country. unlike them, we gave them several warnings and tried to reason with them many times before we dropped the bombs. It was their Govs' job to make an active strategical decision in surrendering but they never budged. If they surrendered the war would of been well over and we wouldn't of acted in creating more casualties. And you should be ashamed for comparing 911 with WW2. the Japan attacks were an act against a nuclear threat, 911 was narrow minded homicidal idiots trying to prove their point over an act of a made up religion that causes their own people to kill their women and children. everyone is threatened by those terrorist groups because they are not afraid to kill themselves over 10000 virgins for a made up afterlife. I am not trying to argue about this crap, its not worth my time. I hope you all will eventually come around in supporting your country. If it wasn't for my pilot grandfather and all of our troops in WW2, we would all be speaking German.

I have no respect for my country besides the fact that I live in it. It's not like you're given a choice of where you're born. I understand the people fighting and willing to die for this country, and I respect that, but not the idiot masses complaining any time a single thing happens here. I'll support the country when regular citizens start realizing America isn't the only thing that matters. If they can realize that if they stood up and acted they could save more than just themself.

 

[svp]

I have no respect for my country besides the fact that I live in it. It's not like you're given a choice of where you're born. I understand the people fighting and willing to die for this country, and I respect that, but not the idiot masses complaining any time a single thing happens here. I'll support the country when regular citizens start realizing America isn't the only thing that matters. If they can realize that if they stood up and acted they could save more than just themself.

I understand what you are saying, the Gov uses too much propaganda, government organizations hide cretin important information and the masses debate to the death about republicans and democrats ideas in a never ending cycle. not to mention we don't have the same equal health care as other countries and our gov still chooses to use the Bible as a source to pass laws. those are all the things that people (American citizens/ non Americans) dislike about America. If people realize those things ex. confusion on foreign affairs and sharing trade with China are just typical problems that every gov has to face, then foreigners and its citizens wont pick on America so much. because lets face it, every country has its problems. they just aren't shunned by the lying and sinful media every day. America has a lot in its hands. If Another country had to fill its shoes with all its' undeserved debt then they would be overwhelmed. Some of those things stated above our country needs. we need to not tell citizens about our foreign affairs sometimes because we need to fight. If the terrorist groups knew about our soldiers going to wars and battles they would find ways to attack us. We need to defend our country by all means. people don't notice the good things. now our country is taking great steps, we are now becoming more open minded in passing laws like Prop 8 and banning don't ask don't tell. we have not had another terrorist attack in 12 years and we are still helping Japan and impoverished countries. the only thing that is bringing us down is our economy, I'm guessing if we have a new pres next year that will change. god bless America

 

[svp]

I haven't met many but the ones i did meet weren't stereotypical. I know that not all americans are fat, ignorant, yanks.Just like people think all australians ride kangaroos and that we have no electricity.

Negatives: Now in terms of the most capitalistic country on the planet, that brings with it the most corruption which i won't get into. They pump alot garbage into the world.. MTV, TMZ, Sitcoms, constant continuations of dead series..90% of the stuff on tv is crap and people are accepting it. And i am not a fan of the whole nationalism.. you know, god bless america, red/white/blue only and forever!!We are the land of the free! But really..that is every country on the planet, politcians and media just seem much more willing to pump that over there.And i agree with romero on the sex thing.. that is pretty much the same in australia too.

Positives: The Americans i have met were all cool and nice.It hasn't been many but i don't ever remember one unpleasant experience as of yet. Also hearing an American accent in real life is like "ARE YOU FAMOUS?". Its so weird hearing it but i like it because there are so many accents. America is also a very big country.. i could imagine just road tripping around, go one direction and end up anywhere. I imagine there could be a lot to do and interesting people to meet with so many different states. I do believe that alot of americans really do mean very well to what they believe in too, maybe not always the best reasons but there is a motivation complex to get things done.

yes I am American and I do agree completely with the nasty crap on TV. we have a lot of shows that make us look like total idiots to people from other countries. In my opinion they should all be banned, (not gonna happen) but at least there are still educational shows to watch like the History channel and discovery. I do not mess with MTV anymore, I grew up. there is nothing more unsatisfying then completing an episode of the Kardashions because my sister made me watch. and the patriotic thing, well I guess you have to be American to understand lol. there is nothin better then launching off some roman candles on the beach on the 4th of July and rockin the red white and blue. And yes both our countries are prude because we adapt culture from the English. and thanks for being nice about America, we are a big and beautiful country. its a great feeling to cruse past the forests and winding roads in New England. haha our accents can be annoying but I am glad you guys like em. I hear you Aussies like making fun of us in your media lol. its ok I can understand that, we do have a lot of crazy people form all different states, but hey that's what makes us American. I thank you for taking time to comment on my thread, I respect Australia and its people and I think It would be a beautiful place to visit. thanks

 

[JMG29]

Is anyone annoyed by my tl;dr rants?

first of all, Blaming us for Japan's inhuman morals in sneak attacking Pearl Harbor where our brothers and sisters died for our freedom is wrong!

I'm not blaming "us." None of "us" were born when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
I chose my words carefully in my original post. I was blaming the Roosevelt administration for getting involved in foreign affairs (which is exactly what George Washington advised the heirs of this country NOT to do) by placing an embargo on Japan when we weren't yet at war with them. And because of that, the blowback caused the deaths of innocent Americans.
http://www.threeworldwars.com/world-war-2/ww2.htm
Even if you don't believe Roosevelt intentionally planned the US' involvement, or anything else on that site, it's still a good read.

you all need to show more respect for your country.

I'll respect the parts of my country that I like, and criticize the parts of my country that I don't like. Being critical is the American way, after all.

For example, if I could bash FDR one more time (I won't even get into his economic policies), how about the fact that he denied Japanese-American citizens their basic right to a fair and speedy trial, dragged them out of their homes, and locked them up in internment camps?
When they were released, many of them lost their homes. Does criticizing a blatant disregard for human rights (rights that The Constitution of the United States is supposed to protect) mean I'm disrespecting my country?

It was their Govs' job to make an active strategical decision in surrendering but they never budged.

They did.

And you should be ashamed for comparing 911 with WW2. the Japan attacks were an act against a nuclear threat, 911 was narrow minded homicidal idiots trying to prove their point over an act of a made up religion that causes their own people to kill their women and children. everyone is threatened by those terrorist groups because they are not afraid to kill themselves over 10000 virgins for a made up afterlife.

So the 60+ years of American imperialism had nothing to do with why some people hate our country so much?

I hope you all will eventually come around in supporting your country.

I'm supporting it by defending its true ideals from Neo-Conservatives who act like "WE'RE NUMBER ONE", or that we're doing other countries a favor by bombing them and subsidizing their ****ty governments.

http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201004150070
...is Glenn Beck actually cool now? Holy f*ck. When did this happen?

If it wasn't for my pilot grandfather and all of our troops in WW2, we would all be speaking German.

As much as I respect veterans, and as much as I dislike Communism, it was Russia who invaded Germany and ended the Third Reich. Not the US.

the only thing that is bringing us down is our economy, I'm guessing if we have a new pres next year that will change.

I agree. We need a new President. One that isn't Bush with darker skin or nicer hair.

Negatives: Now in terms of the most capitalistic country on the planet, that brings with it the most corruption which i won't get into.

I'm not a big fan of our economic system either but it certainly has nothing to do with too much capitalism. With the bailouts, we're actually more Communist than China.
The real problem is that we don't have enough Capitalism (particularly, of the Austrian-style laissez-faire brand.) There are thousands of pages of regulations and tax-burdens that small businesses can't possibly keep up with (big corporations and their armies of lawyers can.) The financial crisis was caused by the Federal Reserve (a government institution with a monopoly on printing money) artificially expanding credit and lending it to banks, causing a false boom in the housing market.

They pump alot garbage into the world.. MTV, TMZ, Sitcoms, constant continuations of dead series..90% of the stuff on tv is crap and people are accepting it.

Don't forget The Disney Channel.

Romeo DID hit the nail on the head here though...And I'm actually LOVE this about us...

It's not enough to be loud. You must also be educated, or at least did some critical thinking before giving support to a cause or idea.
This was one of my biggest problems in the past. Deep down I always knew there was something wrong with what I was being told but was never able to fully understand it until the last couple of years. Before, I lacked the proper context to build my own opinions off from. I only knew what I learned from TV or public education.

My thoughts on America and Americans.

When i think of America, i think,

Great idea, woefully executed.

Exactly

Edit: Also

However, as I've pointed out the faults, we are not without our great qualities as well...We believe in our rights...We believe in our freedom of speech..Our freedom of the press...Our right to bear arms...Our right to vote...We don't let those get messed with

I linked to examples of those rights getting messed with.

I don't think there's any reason to believe that our right to vote is under attack, but who gives a sh*t? "Oh joy! We get to elect our dictators every two or four years!"

and we f**k up those who TRY to mess with them...Granted, our government makes EVERYTHING seem like a threat, and that DOES cost innocent lives sometimes...But it's the thought that counts I guess!!

Tell that to those dead kids in the video I posted earlier.
See how they react.

 

[svp]

Is anyone annoyed by my tl;dr rants?
I'm not blaming "us." None of "us" were born when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
I chose my words carefully in my original post. I was blaming the Roosevelt administration for getting involved in foreign affairs (which is exactly what George Washington advised the heirs of this country NOT to do) by placing an embargo on Japan when we weren't yet at war with them. And because of that, the blowback caused the deaths of innocent Americans.
http://www.threeworldwars.com/world-war-2/ww2.htm
Even if you don't believe Roosevelt intentionally planned the US' involvement, or anything else on that site, it's still a good read.

I'll respect the parts of my country that I like, and criticize the parts of my country that I don't like. Being critical is the American way, after all.

For example, if I could bash FDR one more time (I won't even get into his economic policies), how about the fact that he denied Japanese-American citizens their basic right to a fair and speedy trial, dragged them out of their homes, and locked them up in internment camps?
When they were released, many of them lost their homes. Does criticizing a blatant disregard for human rights (rights that The Constitution of the United States is supposed to protect) mean I'm disrespecting my country?

They did.

So the 60+ years of American imperialism had nothing to do with why some people hate our country so much?

I'm supporting it by defending its true ideals from Neo-Conservatives who act like "WE'RE NUMBER ONE", or that we're doing other countries a favor by bombing them and subsidizing their ****ty governments.

http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201004150070
...is Glenn Beck actually cool now? Holy f*ck. When did this happen?

As much as I respect veterans, and as much as I dislike Communism, it was Russia who invaded Germany and ended the Third Reich. Not the US.


I agree. We need a new President. One that isn't Bush with darker skin or nicer hair.

I'm not a big fan of our economic system either but it certainly has nothing to do with too much capitalism. With the bailouts, we're actually more Communist than China.
The real problem is that we don't have enough Capitalism (particularly, of the Austrian-style laissez-faire brand.) There are thousands of pages of regulations and tax-burdens that small businesses can't possibly keep up with (big corporations and their armies of lawyers can.) The financial crisis was caused by the Federal Reserve (a government institution with a monopoly on printing money) artificially expanding credit and lending it to banks, causing a false boom in the housing market.
Don't forget The Disney Channel.

It's not enough to be loud. You must also be educated, or at least did some critical thinking before giving support to a cause or idea.
This was one of my biggest problems in the past. Deep down I always knew there was something wrong with what I was being told but was never able to fully understand it until the last couple of years. Before, I lacked the proper context to build my own opinions off from. I only knew what I learned from TV or public education.

Exactly

Edit: Also
I linked to examples of those rights getting messed with.

I don't think there's any reason to believe that our right to vote is under attack, but who gives a sh*t? "Oh joy! We get to elect our dictators every two or four years!"

Tell that to those dead kids in the video I posted earlier.

Yes capturing Japanese citizens was wrong and yes losing their rights was in fact wrong, but if you think about the threats we were receiving and the mass nuclear weapons Japan and communist countries obtained... how would you protect a mass society from what could be terrorist/Gorilla units forming within our soil. Yes capturing Japanese old women and children was wrong by many levels, but if you look at our country today, there are mass terrorist/gang units that agree with Osama and the subordinates in the middle east. There are still Muslim terrorist groups throughout the US today that may be practicing Terrorist acts that could soon harm the US if we are not careful. I am not bashing the religion, I am talking about the many terrorists who are apart of it. Are you saying that we are not able to take caution in protecting our country by ridding these strange men that go about their business everyday without being questioned? I am not saying we should make accusations. I am saying we should just take notice and be more cautious of who we let into our gates, whether Japanese or Middle Eastern. the constitution never said you cannot diminish the bad's ( illegal/suspicious) rights to protect your country. wrong you think? but think about it, would Japan let millions of Americans or Koreans into their land if they knew they were being threatened by them? no....I don't think so. as for the nifty video, The first move was not by our part, the video states that itself. It says that America sent supplies to Sadam H. because we thought he was going to help us against our enemies. The fact that he was a back stabbing rat and turned against us had nothing to do with us. He just dug a deeper whole for himself, asking for trouble. because he knew that once he betrayed America...WAR will break out. No one F***s with America without getting stepped on. I do agree with you, we try to do too many nice deeds for other nations to benefit us. that it ends up biting our ass. for now on, we should never help those rats in the Middle East and just keep sending troops until they cant fight, we need to spend money on Military, what else will we spend money on? healthcare for the many terrorist attacks that will damage American citizens if we do nothing? I do not believe they obtained nuclear weapons, unless Korea is involved. but, I do think we need troops over there to stop terrorism. they can only do cheep shots ex: 911. they are willing to risk themselves and their children to support Alah. that is pretty low in my opinion. If the US soldiers don't want to fight for their country, stop complaining and recruit someone that can! why did you guys sign up? As for your comment on Russia saving the day that led to ending WW2, It was Germany that risked their asses In Russia. the Russians were very lucky because Hitler was dumb enough, marching all the way to frozen land thinking he can beat them. The Russians cut off their supplies and those dummy's froze to death. But the Russians did not save the day because they stared a crazier war against America over nuclear weapons, The Cold War. In which America had no help in winning.

 

[JMG29]

Yes capturing Japanese citizens was wrong and yes losing their rights was in fact wrong, but if you think about the threats we were receiving and the mass nuclear weapons Japan and communist countries obtained... how would you protect a mass society from what could be terrorist/Gorilla units forming within our soil.

Find the individuals who has probable cause of being a spy, give him a trial, and then if the court finds him guilty, throw him in prison.

That was what The Constitution says should happen.

That was the "Social Contract" we all supposedly signed.

I feel ripped off.

Yes capturing Japanese old women and children was wrong by many levels, but if you look at our country today, there are mass terrorist/gang units that agree with Osama and the subordinates in the middle east. There are still Muslim terrorist groups throughout the US today that may be practicing Terrorist acts that could soon harm the US if we are not careful. I am not bashing the religion, I am talking about the many terrorists who are apart of it.

It's not just about religion.
The Clinton administration killed half a million Iraqi children... more than Truman did with Hiroshima. Is it so hard to consider that maybe THATS why they hate us so much?

Are you saying that we are not able to take caution in protecting our country by ridding these strange men that go about their business everyday without being questioned?

I think it should be through Constitutional means, ie not denying people their right to a trial by his/her peers or not getting groped by airport security (even the guy who founded the TSA says it should be privatized. I can't believe some people are acting like this is only an attack on unions.)

I am not saying we should make accusations. I am saying we should just take notice and be more cautious of who we let into our gates, whether Japanese or Middle Eastern. the constitution never said you cannot diminish the bad's ( illegal/suspicious) rights to protect your country.

But... that's not what they're doing... they're grouping people together based on race/religion and punishing all of them, even if the vast majority of them did nothing wrong.
This isn't about "the bads" vs "the country." This is about innocent people being punished because of their race.

but think about it, would Japan let millions of Americans or Koreans into their land if they knew they were being threatened by them? no....I don't think so.

It's their country. The US has no jurisdiction over there. They can do whatever they want. That doesn't mean the US should be like them.

I believe that, since there's now no way for Communism to ever make a serious comeback, the embargo on Cuba should be lifted. But if Castro wants to ban foreigners from entering his country, that's fine. I'd rather have a Communist country limit my freedom of movement than my own government.

as for the nifty video, The first move was not by our part, the video states that itself. It says that America sent supplies to Sadam H. because we thought he was going to help us against our enemies. The fact that he was a back stabbing rat and turned against us had nothing to do with us.

There's a kid at the school who keeps bullying a friend of mine. In response, I give this druggie a gun so he could scare off the bully.
That druggie then uses the gun on my mother.

It may be the druggie's fault for shooting my mother, but I was the one who was enough of a dumbass to give him the gun in the first place.

He just dug a deeper whole for himself, asking for trouble. because he knew that once he betrayed America...WAR will break out. No one F***s with America without getting stepped on.

Poe's Law?

I do agree with you, we try to do too many nice deeds for other nations to benefit us. that it ends up biting our ass. for now on, we should never help those rats in the Middle East and just keep sending troops until they cant fight, we need to spend money on Military, what else will we spend money on?

Oh, I dunno. Paying off our massive f*cking debt? The government borrows 40 cents for every dollar it gets through taxation. That's bullsh*t. No one else is allowed to get away with that kind of debt. Why should our government?

healthcare for the many terrorist attacks that will damage American citizens if we do nothing?

No. Government is the reason health care is so expensive in the first place.
It's also the reason why terrorists hate us, as I've explained.

If the US soldiers don't want to fight for their country, stop complaining and recruit someone that can! why did you guys sign up?

Say that to Adam Kokesh (an Iraq War vet), and he'll rip your face off.

They signed up because they thought they were doing was right but then realized that it was misguided. That's why Ron Paul (the only real anti-war veteran) gets over 50% of donations from veterans and active duty soldiers.

P.S. He's an air-force vet. None of those other a**holes ever went to war.

As for your comment on Russia saving the day that led to ending WW2, It was Germany that risked their asses In Russia. the Russians were very lucky because Hitler was dumb enough, marching all the way to frozen land thinking he can beat them. The Russians cut off their supplies and those dummy's froze to death.

I know this.
Germany had bad military policy. Russia took advantage of that. Russia won. What was wrong with my original post?

But the Russians did not save the day because they stared a crazier war against America over nuclear weapons, The Cold War. In which America had no help in winning.

America didn't really "win." They just didn't loose. The Soviet Union fell because Socialism is an inherently flawed economic system. Its downfall had nothing to do with the US, other than the fact that we supported the opposing economic system... a corrupted, barely recognizable version of it.

 

[Hoady]

Well in regards to the nationalism point it is a whole load of horse ****. Whether we are talking about America, Japan or Australia every country says the same thing "We are the best country in the world" and so people are manipulated for political need. Everyone's so ****ing special today. Best answer to that question i can think of is "I haven't been to alot of countries to know, but up to now i like la la land the most".I was asked once "Were you born in Australia" I Say "Nope I-" *turns his back and walks away*. Had he listened, he would've had no reason to turn his back. Be happy with who you are but bring pride in the picture and it is a dangerous ugly thing. In the words of Carl Sagan:

"The old appeals to racial, sexual and religious chauvinism and to rabid nationalism are beginning not to work. A new consciousness is developing which sees the earth as a single organism and recognizes that an organism at war with itself is doomed. We are one planet. "

Regarding Economic systems, Imo whether we are Capitalistic or Communist the 2 systems don't differ very much. The root of both system underlies Monetary Policy. The Monetary system is the use of credit/money to exhange goods and services. They both practically use all the same methods of operation but in a different way. Its comparing Breast Cancer to Lung Cancer, they differ a little but it is an outgrowth of the same disease.