how...how..how have I not heard of this before? I'm American but I usually go to sites like BBC and the Guardian .Jinx_Dragon said:
What does the world have against America?
- Thread starter Pierce Graham
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I make a point to myself of not automatically hating an American I may see. In fact, a lot of them are perfectly fine, and some even think. Many of the staff at the Escapist are actually examples of this. But in America's case, the stereotypical ignorant, arrogant and insular American is an alarmingly large portion of Americans. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't that America had so much cultural influence on other countries. I wouldn't care that most of the people in the country were idiots if it weren't that it translates across to most other largely sane countries.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that every country does have idiots, as the OP said, but in most cases, they are neither running the country nor the voting majority, and much more rarely both. And America has perhaps the unique ability to put forth any views it may have on a subject almost without fear of reprimand on any kind of international scale.
Also, it was halfway responsible for the Cold War, and still maintains its status as saviour of the world after its one moment of glory in WWII. Not to mention the war in Iraq, which I believe is now the longest war ever, and during which there have been numerous systematic failures that have, at worst, installed tribal warlords and bolstered their power with the pretence of driving out terrorists.
Keep in mind that this is late at night, so if any of you see a problem with what I've posted, please refute.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that every country does have idiots, as the OP said, but in most cases, they are neither running the country nor the voting majority, and much more rarely both. And America has perhaps the unique ability to put forth any views it may have on a subject almost without fear of reprimand on any kind of international scale.
Also, it was halfway responsible for the Cold War, and still maintains its status as saviour of the world after its one moment of glory in WWII. Not to mention the war in Iraq, which I believe is now the longest war ever, and during which there have been numerous systematic failures that have, at worst, installed tribal warlords and bolstered their power with the pretence of driving out terrorists.
Keep in mind that this is late at night, so if any of you see a problem with what I've posted, please refute.
Creator of Black slavery? Are you trying to start a flame war with that post, or was that just an ignorant post?idarkphoenixi said:
Wow, there are so many things here I would like to respond to but I fear the size of the post. Also congratulations after a half of a year of coming to the Escapist for zero-punctuation I have finally created an account just to post a reply here.
Mostly I feel a lot of hate comes from personal feelings and skewed view points. People do not all think alike when it comes to many issues and some problems come from this. I feel its a little hard to really judge a country or its people unless you live there. It is fairly difficult to know a group of people from news reports, television shows and especially movies.
Sorry if there are any horrendous errors in my writing, pretty tired and I have been living in a non-English speaking country for a year and a half now
Mostly I feel a lot of hate comes from personal feelings and skewed view points. People do not all think alike when it comes to many issues and some problems come from this. I feel its a little hard to really judge a country or its people unless you live there. It is fairly difficult to know a group of people from news reports, television shows and especially movies.
Sorry if there are any horrendous errors in my writing, pretty tired and I have been living in a non-English speaking country for a year and a half now
Well I can't pass judgement on all Americans (so I wont) but the world sees things like FOX News, the Black Friday Sales, Bush, Palin. Not exactly shining examples of humanity. There's also the impression that there is a lot of corruption which is ruining the world for the rest of us. Yeah, there is a lot of bad things to say about America. About Americans how ever, well that'd be wrong to pass judgement on.
I was raised with my father constantly saying how Americans were assholes and stuff. I wasn't given any logical explanation or reason as to why he thought so (and I still haven't to this day). At that time I was pretty impressionable, and I almost worshipped my parents.
It wasn't until I was older when I actually wondered as to whether or not it was true or 'right'.
I can honestly say that when I started playing games online and joined a US clan that it swiftly changed my opinion for the better, and I learned and realised that at least in one sense my father was talking a load of complete bollocks.
I've since known many people who lived/live in America, and I think they're just fine - no better or worse than those I'd find in my own country, the UK.
Having said that, I absolutely fucking hate the US government and the fact that the UK government kisses it's ass and let's itself get sucker punched time and time again and comes back for more.
It's not much of an example, but http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8304654/WikiLeaks-cables-US-agrees-to-tell-Russia-Britains-nuclear-secrets.html
Such things really bite my ass.
It wasn't until I was older when I actually wondered as to whether or not it was true or 'right'.
I can honestly say that when I started playing games online and joined a US clan that it swiftly changed my opinion for the better, and I learned and realised that at least in one sense my father was talking a load of complete bollocks.
I've since known many people who lived/live in America, and I think they're just fine - no better or worse than those I'd find in my own country, the UK.
Having said that, I absolutely fucking hate the US government and the fact that the UK government kisses it's ass and let's itself get sucker punched time and time again and comes back for more.
It's not much of an example, but http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8304654/WikiLeaks-cables-US-agrees-to-tell-Russia-Britains-nuclear-secrets.html
Such things really bite my ass.
I'll you 2 reasons...
1. Most of them hate foreigners, so from the start why should the foreigners love someone who hates them and thinks they're filthy and stupid just because they aren't US citizens? I know, not all americans think this way, but still, would you honestly deny that those kinds of intolerant pricks are the majority of the Americans? So it's easier to just "hate" Americans in general than making an effort to dig through the crap to find the few good ones.
Bottom line, it's a two way street, the world don't like America because America doesn't like the world. Although I hope you understand that this only goes for the US, Canade as an example isn't hated, on the contrary atleast around these parts we like Canada.
2. They try to play world police, more often than not only to benefit themselves. You live in a country full of oil and brown people? Watch out, Americans might already be coming for you! Also, that stuff about copyright and censorship going on right now has also brought heat upon America. Why are you letting a small group of ignorant old people take away our freedom? Starts to look more and more like a fascist country, doesn't the military have the right now to imprison anyone they like? Awesome. And that law they're going on about right now affects the world which is pretty crappy too.
1. Most of them hate foreigners, so from the start why should the foreigners love someone who hates them and thinks they're filthy and stupid just because they aren't US citizens? I know, not all americans think this way, but still, would you honestly deny that those kinds of intolerant pricks are the majority of the Americans? So it's easier to just "hate" Americans in general than making an effort to dig through the crap to find the few good ones.
Bottom line, it's a two way street, the world don't like America because America doesn't like the world. Although I hope you understand that this only goes for the US, Canade as an example isn't hated, on the contrary atleast around these parts we like Canada.
2. They try to play world police, more often than not only to benefit themselves. You live in a country full of oil and brown people? Watch out, Americans might already be coming for you! Also, that stuff about copyright and censorship going on right now has also brought heat upon America. Why are you letting a small group of ignorant old people take away our freedom? Starts to look more and more like a fascist country, doesn't the military have the right now to imprison anyone they like? Awesome. And that law they're going on about right now affects the world which is pretty crappy too.
I'm sorry, but when someone starts mocking me because I'm not American, starts saying that "America is great because it's great" I'm going to get a little irritated.
I think one of the factors could be the lack of any real culture. America hosts so many different backgrounds, and ethnic group, that the citizens are forced (or at least encouraged) to keep their believes private. So essentially, cultural diffusion is ruining the country. America has little to offer besides slightly higher employment rates, and an advanced social media structure. Yet, it is praised as the top country.
And as always, no offense.
And as always, no offense.
Um... I think he is. I feel a bit in need to enlighten. You know, being a fat, racist, slave owning, gun tooting, nuke building, strong arming, poorly lead, strong arming, money eating, bar of soap... (Wait. What on that last one?)Volf99 said:
Sorry, just trying to get a laugh in with that. Don't take it as me offended. But shall we?
Obesity: The obesity issue is brought up frequently as a result of the lack of common exercise for the common American. Food in take is a large issue with the mid-west. Most of them are potato shaped people. Needless to say, they are in a harsh cold area of the country. Fat builds more easily to keep them warm. As for the subject in general, unless your country has no fat people in it, (And I have seen some REALLY fat englishmen) then no one has room to talk there. Unless you want people to start picking at Englands alcohol issues?
Racism: Point me to a location on the map where there is not racism. People hate people who are different. That's natural. We do not understand something, our first instinct is to dislike it or smash it. It's human nature. It's caused by a lack of being around whatever that person hates. No one can honestly say that they are 100% non-racist at some point in their life. And honestly, the less you stop poking at the issue, the less reason you give the other side to BE racist so let it lie. Hell, I was watch the English version of Top Gear. Know what I saw?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upmi95_p-y4
Oh look. That sure is not an American show, nor an American crowd that is laughing. Racism you say?
Creator of black slavery: African's taught -Americans- how to enslave their own people and then traded their own tribesmen or prisoners that they have taken from other villages to them. Oh, and need I say this? DIAMOND MINES IN AFRICA!!!
Highest amount of gun crimes: Highest of RECORDED gun crimes? Okay, I'll give you that. Want to know how many children are shot dead in Africa? Or families for that matter?
Creator of nuclear weapons: Yes. The Manhattan project turned out to be a shadow on our country. But you know what? We didn't even know those would be that powerful. The bombs that is. Oh, and if you wanna talk about weapons? Why not talk about who first made the gun, which lead to the first cannon, which lead to the first nuke. Weapons keep updating to keep one side from being wiped out by the other. Not unheard of.
Global domination military: Okay, this kinda offends me seeing as how I enlisted, but I'll try to keep it off me. For last generation there has been NO DRAFT. You know what that means? It means that the majority of our arm forced VOLUNTEERED.... of their own will. That large number are people who were willing to put on a uniform knowing they could die an early death in that uniform. Be it for money, just to get a job, or just to survive. Whatever the reason, they are willing to accept this.
Many people have little room to talk since they have not volunteered to be -shot at-. What the leaders do with those people is the government's issue. Not the ones who dress down for it.
Bad leaders: Annnnd the UK had how many actual tyrants? I mean guys who would order soldiers to grab a family they did not care for and take their heads off? King John was a tyrant. George the III was a super ultra mega tyrant. Henry the VIII...need I continue? These men make George Bush Jr. look like a god send. Not that I am defending the man, he was a puppet to Dick Chaney.
Base in everywhere they had a war: You know, by technical means... if we defeat a country in war or have them submit or give up...we own that land. That goes for rules of war throughout the entire -world- not just the US. You fight a war, you win, that land is yours. That is how war works, however we do not do that. We allow for the people to have their land and build their own government that is accepting towards the -ideology- of democracy. (Which said ideology has been dragged through the mud by our own retarded government.) If we took the land for ourselves then maybe you have a point on the world domination but no. We mainly become security for where we are based.
As the actual rules of war go, Japan and Germany are lucky that a foothold is all that's there.
Global economic meltdown: That...okay. I know this may not be very believable but here it is anyways. Booms and busts happen in the economy. There is no economy, global or private that does not crash and burn. It was bound to happen one way or another.
SOPA: That was created by a group of companies with self interests. Willing to trade their own freedoms for gain. Let me tell you this right now. Anyone who is willing to see freedom as a cheat commodity deserves what terrible rulers they get. Yes, I am saying anyone who fell into the 911 scares deserved to get their privacy taken away because they were willing to give it away to -feel- safe rather than BE safe. SOPA is no different (Minus crazy blow myself up people.) than that. It's a group of idiots who'd give away freedom in the promise of security and money. That does not reflect on the US as a whole as the majority of the US are AGAINST IT.
There you go.
And yes, I am an American. Overall, I think people in general who just feel proud to be in a country and ride off past victories are delusional and spoiled. I love my home itself because I have the opportunity to strive to be a better person, build a family and life that I'd love. In other places, I do not have that opportunity. Although I may have better chances elsewhere. But to be fair I will say what ticks me off about my country. In fact, it drives me nuts.Not rebuilding the Towers.
Thank you. This is why we love our country. Its not some misguided, uninformed nationalism. Its the fact that we can do whatever the hell we want and be assured that ourselves and our families are safe.Ramzal said:
The resentment towards the US just blows my mind.
Most people will always hate an overwhelmingly powerful force, and the people associated with that power. You could call it outrage at cultural and military dominance, or jealousy.
Furthermore, the fact that the populations of overwhelmingly powerful countries don't need to learn as much about other cultures as people from other countries doesn't help. The U.S. is quite isolated geographically, and U.S. citizens don't feel the need to travel and learn about other cultures and learn foreign languages. The U.S. isn't like the Roman Empire, where Rome and Italy was hemmed in on all sides by diverse cultures. This is similar to British people, who are disliked in many European countries because they only Brits they see are drunk monoglots.
Furthermore, the fact that the populations of overwhelmingly powerful countries don't need to learn as much about other cultures as people from other countries doesn't help. The U.S. is quite isolated geographically, and U.S. citizens don't feel the need to travel and learn about other cultures and learn foreign languages. The U.S. isn't like the Roman Empire, where Rome and Italy was hemmed in on all sides by diverse cultures. This is similar to British people, who are disliked in many European countries because they only Brits they see are drunk monoglots.
Native Americans are almost all sovereign states under treaty. The BIA and FBI have authority to enter Tribal land in pursuit of a suspect, and the FBI has the authority to intervene in a criminal investigation on tribal land under certain rare circumstances (The Patriot Act may have changed this, but I somewhat doubt it), but otherwise they are autonomous. They have their own constitutions, their own laws, and governments. Their authority generally stops at the edge of their land, and I'd be disingenuous if I said the situation wasn't frequently horrible, both from within and the outside, but they are still recognized as nations, although ones with very limited political influence.Tax_Document said:
It gets slightly crazier in that some Tribes have actually taken to exiling their own tribal members (usually under the claim that they do not meet a level of genetic purity, if you can believe that), in order to further concentrate their Casino income (if a Tribe has legalized the operation of Casinos on their land, the state that the tribe resides in has no say over it's operation or existence) into smaller groups of individuals. And under treaty, the US cannot intervene in this matter, regardless how egregious the expulsion is. Something that has been tested in the courts.
