Americans,,,,Hate 'em or Love 'em

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:31 pm

Diuretic;571282 wrote: Lon - bingo! Just as an example a number of conservative organisations are now dropping Ann Coulter as a contributor due to their disdain for her remarks about Edwards.

In America you'll find some socially radical types, you'll find social liberals, you'll find conservatives of all types (see Lon's post) and you'll see and hear the lunar right but the lunar right - Hannity, Limbaugh, Coulter, O'Reilly all attached to the 101st Screaming Heads - are the ones that make the most noise. So people from outside the US think that the Fox News lunatics are representative of mainstream America. They're not.

:wah::wah: Screaming Heads is about right, Diuretic. That was funny.

I'm curious as to why the people who slag Americans put so much belief into what their media tells them about us? Why is this? Are they not used to thinking for themselves? Even in America, we don't believe everything we hear. So why do these odd perceptions of America exist?

And I'd really like a non-American to answer my earlier question of why it's okay to make these assumptive posts about Americans but it's wrong and non PC to make them about any other country or people. Why should the US be worthy of any less respect?

almurray · Post by **almurray** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:51 am

Thanks for that,

Very interesting comments from around the world. Just loved the misty eyed view of the Emerald Isle, that was hilarious.

I think what moderates this forum is the fact that there are numerous nationalities posting and this stops the pack mentality of the forum I mentioned. It is in effect self moderating to some degree.

The Forum I was banned from had instances of death threats, extreme Mysogeny, Racism, Paedohilia references, and any 'ism you care to mention. When challenged they could only reply with exteme abuse. True it colours ones views about the cohort. As they were exclusively American, this leads your EQ into believing that all US Cityzens behave similarly.

This forum has illustrated that is definately NOT the case

Have a Nice Day, Cousins

Al

:guitarist

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:17 am

To address RG's point that it seems to be ok to have an American bashing mentality - sadly it seems to be a drawback of being the biggest democracy in the world. You produce huge amounts of tv, films etc and people develop a distorted view of America and Americans.

In my book it's not ok. Unless it's in a friendly mickey taking way and it's returned back to us Brits!!

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:34 am

almurray;571387 wrote: The Forum I was banned from

Yes, but which? PM? It would be nice, perhaps, to subscribe and put across a

more moderate viewpoint (sunny smile!)!

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:29 am

We all love our birth country no matter how imperfect it may seem at times. That being said, the diversity of language and culture makes this Earth a very interesting and challenging place to live. I am glad that in a small way we can connect on this Forum.

Adam Zapple · Post by **Adam Zapple** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:42 am

As a conservative American, I can say with certainty that most conservative Americans would engage you with respect if that respect is reciprocated and the same goes with most American liberals. I think it is telling that you described the board as "extreme" right wing which lends me to believe you have issues with people on the right. Then you say you deliberately trolled the board and was banned 4 times. Apparently, they gave you several opportunities to discuss matters with them in a respectful manner and you declined. Galbally summed it up perfectly in the third post of this thread.

As for me, I am very fond of the United Kingdom and the wonderful people that live there. The Brits here at FG represent their country with dignity and grace. I hope you will do the same.

almurray · Post by **almurray** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:14 am

Adam Zapple;571549 wrote: As a conservative American, I can say with certainty that most conservative Americans would engage you with respect if that respect is reciprocated and the same goes with most American liberals. I think it is telling that you described the board as "extreme" right wing which lends me to believe you have issues with people on the right. Then you say you deliberately trolled the board and was banned 4 times. Apparently, they gave you several opportunities to discuss matters with them in a respectful manner and you declined. Galbally summed it up perfectly in the third post of this thread.

As for me, I am very fond of the United Kingdom and the wonderful people that live there. The Brits here at FG represent their country with dignity and grace. I hope you will do the same.

I believe that I do act with respect and dignity. You're right I did troll them somewhat, however it was always with good humour and a lack of vitriol. I am a "left winger" / Liberal and some of their views, I believeed, needed challenging, but please, believe me the rantings that ensued would have made you ashamed I'm sure.

Al

:guitarist

almurray · Post by **almurray** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:16 am

Bill Sikes;571454 wrote: Yes, but which? PM? It would be nice, perhaps, to subscribe and put across a

more moderate viewpoint (sunny smile!)!

I would be throwing you to sharks, believe me.

You're welcome to try tho'

Al

:guitarist

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:22 am

almurray;571387 wrote: Thanks for that,

Very interesting comments from around the world. Just loved the misty eyed view of the Emerald Isle, that was hilarious.

I think what moderates this forum is the fact that there are numerous nationalities posting and this stops the pack mentality of the forum I mentioned. It is in effect self moderating to some degree.

The Forum I was banned from had instances of death threats, extreme Mysogeny, Racism, Paedohilia references, and any 'ism you care to mention. When challenged they could only reply with exteme abuse. True it colours ones views about the cohort. As they were exclusively American, this leads your EQ into believing that all US Cityzens behave similarly.

This forum has illustrated that is definately NOT the case

Have a Nice Day, Cousins

Al

:guitarist

It's nice to see you took the time to find that out. And it's nice to see you werent generalizing and being a pot stirrer... we appreciate that...

almurray · Post by **almurray** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:30 am

minks;571633 wrote: It's nice to see you took the time to find that out. And it's nice to see you werent generalizing and being a pot stirrer... we appreciate that...

You're Welcome,

It's nice to see on this Forum some people who can reciprocate without being totally off the wall with insults about your nationaliy and culture.

Al

:guitarist

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:12 am

almurray;571643 wrote: You're Welcome,

It's nice to see on this Forum some people who can reciprocate without being totally off the wall with insults about your nationaliy and culture.

Al

:guitarist

We try to work towards a respectful Forum. Of couse you can't guarantee it all the time.

Musiclover89 · Post by **Musiclover89** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:15 am

I love Americans but i just hate Bush and the American Tabloids

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:16 am

Musiclover89;571674 wrote: I love Americans but i just hate Bush and the American Tabloids

Ditto

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:17 am

minks;571668 wrote: We try to work towards a respectful Forum. Of couse you can't guarantee it all the time.

good point but just like a canadian to say something like that geezz :rolleyes:

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:35 am

jimbo;571677 wrote: good point but just like a canadian to say something like that geezz :rolleyes:

are you of the belief too that I live in my own little lala land hmmmm??? :wah:

Jenny · Post by **Jenny** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:40 am

Don't really care. But I HATE being called American. It's CANADIAN.

Parker_scramble · Post by **Parker_scramble** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:47 am

i love everybody.. without diversity on this planet, the world would be boring :guitarist :guitarist :guitarist

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:10 pm

Jenny;571808 wrote: Don't really care. But I HATE being called American. It's CANADIAN.

Why would anyone call you an American??

Jenny · Post by **Jenny** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:15 pm

RedGlitter;571850 wrote: Why would anyone call you an American??

Couldn't tell yah! But I've been called American a few times.:-2

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:55 pm

RedGlitter;571850 wrote: Why would anyone call you an American??

We get it a lot Red. When we travel most people ask us if we are American... then are surprised to find out we are canucks.

Hi Jenny nice to see a fellow Canuck here.

almurray · Post by **almurray** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:58 pm

minks;571896 wrote: We get it a lot Red. When we travel most people ask us if we are American... then are surprised to find out we are canucks.

Hi Jenny nice to see a fellow Canuck here.

I can always spot Canadians by their pronunciation of house, mouse or spouse

Al

:guitarist

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 pm

almurray;571898 wrote: I can always spot Canadians by their pronunciation of house, mouse or spouse

Al

:guitarist

get out, how do we doo that different than anyone else?? huuse, muuse and spuuse? is that how?

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:12 pm

Re: Americans,,,,Hate 'em or Love 'em.

.. or like them, dislike them, have neutral feelings about them.....

There's something like 300 million Americans, in a very large diverse country. You gotta see them on an individual basis, not as a job lot.

I occasionally get mistaken for a New Zealander. Kinda weird - but I guess to some durned ignerunt furners our totally different accents have a few things in common. :sneaky:

dubs · Post by **dubs** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:16 pm

New Zealanders......! Bloody hell! I call em Vowel Manglers....:wah:

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:07 pm

almurray;571898 wrote: I can always spot Canadians by their pronunciation of house, mouse or spouse

Al

:guitarist

I just can't imagine it. What kind of conversation do you have with people that has house mouse and spouse in it as a matter of course.

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:50 am

Diuretic;572210 wrote: That's because many of us don't hone in on the accent. And there's another issue as well, having travelled in Canada a bit it seems to me there's no "Canadian" accent. I have a friend who is originally from Newfoundland and he sounds Irish half the time.

Anyway I still like the "I Am Canadian" Molson ad

here it is

I am Canadian

Hey,

I am not a lumber jack or a fur trader,

and I don't live in an igloo or eat blubber or own a dog sled,

and I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzie from Canada although I am certain

they're really really nice, uh

I have a Prime Minster not a president.

I speak English and French, not American, and I pronounce it about, not a

boot.

I can proudly sew my countries flag on my back pack,

I believe in peace keeping not policing, diversity not assimilation,

and that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal.

A toque is a hat, a chesterfield is a couch.

And it is pronounced zed, not zee, zed.

Canada is the second largest landmass,

the first nation of hockey,

and the best part of North America, my name is Joe, and I am Canadian.

Thank You.

Here’s to you Canada

Here’s to your hockey hair,

your long underwear,

and multicoloured money

Here’s to saying please

Your ducks and geese

and always being funny

Here’s to open spaces

away from rat races

and a beer that quenches the thirst

here’s to being proud

and saying it loud

even when you don’t come first

to your pretty girls

your black coloured squirrels

and a flag that stands so free

Here’s to different faces

from different places

who love this country just like me

But most of all

here’s to standing tall

and saying it like a true Acadian

I love this land

I love this country

And I AM CANADIAN

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:58 pm

Great, minks!! And I was completely bowled over the first time I saw a BLACK squirrel !!! (Stanley Park, Vancouver)

almurray · Post by **almurray** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:03 pm

AussiePam;572691 wrote: Great, minks!! And I was completely bowled over the first time I saw a BLACK squirrel !!! (Stanley Park, Vancouver)

eVER SEEN A rED sQUIRREL??

oOOPs cAPs LoCk

aL

:guitarist

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:08 pm

G'day Almurrray! Yes, I love red pommy squirrels too, and the wispy almost invisible little grey ones my girlfriend in Poughkeepsie, NY has running around her garden. Australia doesn't have squirrels. I'm squirrel deprived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:16 pm

aw yes our blacks are gorgeous aren't they, did you get to see other great North American animals?

Moose? Big Horn Sheep? Grizzley or Black Bear? Beaver? Canada Goose? hehehehe

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:17 pm

AussiePam;572702 wrote: G'day Almurrray! Yes, I love red pommy squirrels too, and the wispy almost invisible little grey ones my girlfriend in Poughkeepsie, NY has running around her garden. Australia doesn't have squirrels. I'm squirrel deprived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not if you hang around in FG AP.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:18 pm

minks;572709 wrote: aw yes our blacks are gorgeous aren't they, did you get to see other great North American animals?

Moose? Big Horn Sheep? Grizzley or Black Bear? Beaver? Canada Goose? hehehehe

I've seen all of those, Minks, and more... with the exception of the grizzley, which I'm not too eager to view close up ... my encounter with a black bear - while camping out in the Ozarks in Missouri, required a change of underwear....

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:20 pm

YZGI;572711 wrote: Not if you hang around in FG AP.

you calling us rodents *hands on hips tapping foot giving you the "look"*

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:22 pm

YZGI;572711 wrote: Not if you hang around in FG AP.

You mean I could get to see the little critters skittering around in here, chattering at the bluejays and vice versa???? Gosh that's very tempting (I like blue jays too and cardinals).. but it's Saturday and the sun is shining, soft autumny sunshine... and it's coffee time, and I get to read the newspaper in peace this morning, as I'm temporarily batching - then I think I'm lined up to play football in the park. Goodbye cyberspace!!!

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:23 pm

minks;572713 wrote: you calling us rodents *hands on hips tapping foot giving you the "look"*

Oh, were them words fighting words? If I leave I might miss a good stoush.. Grin. Go get him, minks!!! Clobber him with yer hockey stick. :sneaky:

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:23 pm

minks;572713 wrote: you calling us rodents *hands on hips tapping foot giving you the "look"*
Nah, Just fun furry frolicking types.

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:45 pm

YZGI;572720 wrote: Nah, Just fun furry frolicking types.

least you did not say anything about carrying nuts around in our cheeks :wah:

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:49 pm

Jenny;571808 wrote: Don't really care. But I HATE being called American. It's CANADIAN.

You think you've got problems - half the time we're abroad we're mistaken for Dutch!

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:31 pm

I'm amused because so many times the basis for this "Bah! Americans!" stuff is supposedly caused from foreign media. They say that's what we project. Yet these are the same people who complain that American media is biased and hides things from us and doesn't present a full truth. Yet it would seem their media is really not all so different.