Like the illusion of Wall Street, with its vast and powerful investment banks, now shuttered, China too is an illusion perpetuated by the Globalists that gave us the 15,000 mile Caesar salad, poisoned cat food and lead based paint on babies' pacifiers. Like the illusion that money would come from thin air to always push housing prices higher, China has spent a generation pursuing its illusion. Pursuing an unattainable dream to be like the West, while 6000 years of its carefully shepherded top soil blows into the sea.
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 12:51 am Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
KingDavid wrote:
Don't be too proud of the european intellect. Look at our television programs, how stupid they have become, we're just catching up. (...)
you mean like shows where girls show off their sexuality and boys look at them like red assed baboons (or w-e red assed ape there is)? Or the discussion shows where entitled (euro)communitarians talk fascist xenophobic bullshit? Both on italian television. Or maybe "Ricordate di me" (remember me) and my italian professor comment that it reflect the actual (crappier, empty) common italian life and family... which crapness (as shown in the movie) I concur.
Oh, hail okami for anime! ...downloading Code Geass (lol, the Britania empire vrs a 1 man army... sweet) and Lain. _________________ @deviantART @wordpress @hi5
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
Micki wrote:
Quote:
Germans and Scandinavians are realizing that American democracy is a sham
What do you base that on? And what differnance does it make?
People in Sweden for instance have for a couple of centuries now been conditioned to bitch about the situaiton but not to seriously do anything.
More recently we had coverups from the Tsunami when tapes of telephone calls during the disaster were ordered to be destroyed and ministers lied to media and public about their actions (or reasons for lack there of).
(Was there any protests? NO, punishment? NO)
Web sites being taken off line because individual politicians ordered the ISP. (flashback)
Webhosts (piratebay) being raided and have their datacentres raided and equipment confiscated becasue foreign (US) government hinted it was what it wanted (no legal ground.)
Now there is a proposition that police should have the right to judge in "smaller" cases, and totally bypass the court.
Historically there is also disturbing tendencies (since I am whining I might as well continue).
For instance the socialist democratic party's close cooperation with USA and especially CIA although this party is officially critical about US. (Critized US in Vietnam, Supports Palestine etc.)
Later has been revealed the part leader Palme had close ties with US, supported NATO and later allowed secret CIA flights with so called terrorists land in Sweden on the way to secret prisons in East Europe.
Sweden also has a history of making certain topics taboo to even discuss. Back in the 80's for instance no media would ever divulge if a crime had been committed by an immigrant as this was considered racist. You couldn't even discuss statistics about the ethnical background of criminals. There was an absolute outroar when one of the more popular journalists (Jan Guillio) dared to have a an episode in his show that discussed crime rate among gypsies.
Don't know what is happening in the other Scandinavian countries, but I am glad I moved away from that place. I think once the NWO is implemented Swedish government will be first in line to adopt and people will do nothing but grumble quitly. (Just look at how they brown nosed to what ever side was winning in WW2 and refused to help their own neighbours.)
And for those a little bit more conspiratorially minded, in the 60's they introduced gargling with fluoride for all kids in the schools.
From what I know it stopped for a while (if it is all good as they claim, why stop?) but now it is making a comeback again (how timely).
Interesting Miki. My background is Swedish on father's side and my brother visited for the first time, a couple of years ago. He had glowing reports of the country, but something about his descriptions of it, turned me off a bit. It was really odd. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm really glad my grandfather emigrated to Canada, when he did, because I don't think I could live there. I honestly think the people would get on my nerves
Joined: Dec 07, 2005 Posts: 2019 Location: Australia
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
Quote:
Interesting Miki. My background is Swedish on father's side and my brother visited for the first time, a couple of years ago. He had glowing reports of the country, but something about his descriptions of it, turned me off a bit. It was really odd. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm really glad my grandfather emigrated to Canada, when he did, because I don't think I could live there. I honestly think the people would get on my nerves
My ethnic background is actually Finnish, but I grew up in Sweden.
I think it used to be a great country and the Swedes are a great people, generally much more upbeat than for instance us Finns.
But the country has been slowly been dismantling its old cultures and manners and benefits.
A big issue I had was how government and media very blatantly told people what they should think. They have also for a long time worked on ruining the swedes self esteem and pride in them selves.
Examples are the Jante-law that dictates that noone should believe they are any better than anyone else. (Very old mind control).
Later ideas like it is racist to wear a swedish flag (i.e. on your jacket etc. Kids get sent home from schools for this), to sing the naitonal anthem (used to be tradition at end of term now many schools actually prohibit this) and so on.
Then they apply double standards when they encourage immigrants etc to hold on to their old cultures and be proud of them + encourage nationalism in places like Estonia (after breaking off from Sovjet.)
So in my view Sweden is a paradise lost. _________________ It's not a bailout, it's a buy-in" - Nancy Pelosi
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
Micki wrote:
Quote:
Interesting Miki. My background is Swedish on father's side and my brother visited for the first time, a couple of years ago. He had glowing reports of the country, but something about his descriptions of it, turned me off a bit. It was really odd. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm really glad my grandfather emigrated to Canada, when he did, because I don't think I could live there. I honestly think the people would get on my nerves
My ethnic background is actually Finnish, but I grew up in Sweden.
I think it used to be a great country and the Swedes are a great people, generally much more upbeat than for instance us Finns.
But the country has been slowly been dismantling its old cultures and manners and benefits.
A big issue I had was how government and media very blatantly told people what they should think. They have also for a long time worked on ruining the swedes self esteem and pride in them selves.
Examples are the Jante-law that dictates that noone should believe they are any better than anyone else. (Very old mind control).
Later ideas like it is racist to wear a swedish flag (i.e. on your jacket etc. Kids get sent home from schools for this), to sing the naitonal anthem (used to be tradition at end of term now many schools actually prohibit this) and so on.
Then they apply double standards when they encourage immigrants etc to hold on to their old cultures and be proud of them + encourage nationalism in places like Estonia (after breaking off from Sovjet.)
So in my view Sweden is a paradise lost.
Very messed up. I agree. We have a certain amount of that in Canada too. The "cultural mosaic" has been remarkably effective in melding together every different race, and every different character type. It's become a haven for international crime syndicates, in the last few years. Really pathetic. We have gangland slayings in Vancouver, quite frequently now, too. Our immigration department was actively courted at it's offshore offices (Hong Kong) by gangsters with a lot of cash. Lovely isn't it?
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 11:29 am Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
I am sick and tired of America bashing. Here is some good for the USA...it took me all of 5 minutes and a google search to return hundreds of web pages and articles that support this one article I will post as an example of the generosity and compassion of America.
Q. Are Americans more or less charitable than citizens of other countries?
A. No developed country approaches American giving. For example, in 1995 (the most recent year for which data are available), Americans gave, per capita, three and a half times as much to causes and charities as the French, seven times as much as the Germans, and 14 times as much as the Italians. Similarly, in 1998, Americans were 15 percent more likely to volunteer their time than the Dutch, 21 percent more likely than the Swiss, and 32 percent more likely than the Germans. These differences are not attributable to demographic characteristics such as education, income, age, sex, or marital status. On the contrary, if we look at two people who are identical in all these ways except that one is European and the other American, the probability is still far lower that the European will volunteer than the American.
America may have its faults and shortcomings, but it has furthered the cause of freedom and liberty more than any other country in human history.
The United Nations charter on Human Rights was based on and inspired by the US constitution and Bill of Rights.
I am damn proud to be an American and damn proud of this country and all the good deeds it and its citizens have done and ARE doing. Do I think it is perfect...hell no. Are there times when I completely disagree with what we are doing....yep. That is not cause to trash the country.
The American experiment in a free society is to date the most ambitious attempt in human history to allow people to be free and follow their dreams.
Joined: Jun 26, 2007 Posts: 1615 Location: The Canada of America
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
chumley wrote:
I am sick and tired of America bashing.
Nobody's bashing America, just the United States. There's a difference, you know, like it or not. I'm every bit as much an "American" as you are. But I'm not from the United States.
chumley wrote:
Q. Are Americans more or less charitable than citizens of other countries?
A. No developed country approaches American giving.
Well, first of all, 1995 was a lonnnnng time ago. Secondly, what exactly counts for "charity" in this example? Billions for keeping 'em flying in the Israeli air force? Contributions to the Gen. Pinochet Swiss Bank Account Retirement Fund? Money to help African countries control insurgents by planting land mines that kids will step on twenty years from now? I mean, did they categorize this stuff so we know how much more of it Washington doles out than the French, the Germans, etc., etc., etc.?
chumley wrote:
America may have its faults and shortcomings
Like referring to itself as "America", in pigheaded disregard to the birthright of the people of thirty-some other countries in the hemisphere...
chumley wrote:
but it has furthered the cause of freedom and liberty more than any other country in human history.
It's done a fair piece... but it's undone most of that good work by overthrowing inconvenient governments elsewhere, installing, aiding and abetting brutal dictatorships for generations on end, supporting torture, resisting liberation movements the world over that ought to have been its natural allies... No, you don't get to throw that old rubric in our faces. It's murky at best. _________________ I can has cheezburger?
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
Nickel,
Excellent work, Thanks for making my point. Focus solely on the negatives and cast aside all the positive accomplishments of the United States of America( I usually put in America due to laziness, but I will now use USA even shorter and easier). No offense meant to my northern and southern neighbors.
I can list off all the negatives as well...hmmm...overthrowing Iraqs democratically elected leader in the 1960's or overthrowing Iran's democratically elected leader in the 1950's to name a couple. There is a very large pool to choose from. How about being cozy with a brutal dictatorship...Iraq in the 1980's Saudi Arabia today and for a long time, so on so forth.
Back on topic.....how often do all these negatives get beat around every second of every day all over the world.......countless air time, I mean it is all you ever hear about. Ad nauseum comes to mind.
Now how often do you hear about all the good we do as well???
There is no balance, it is just bash bash bash the USA.
This is what I am sick and tired about.
Stupidity, racism, greed, deceit, ignorance, hubris are all HUMAN traits and can be found in any country, in any population, in any government all over the world.
Challenge yourself to view the glass as half full and you will be amazed at all the good you will see.....soak yourself in negativity and you will get it back in spades.
Now since I have listed a few crappy aspects of the USA why don't you try to name a few positives?
Joined: Jun 26, 2007 Posts: 1615 Location: The Canada of America
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
chumley wrote:
Excellent work, Thanks for making my point.
No, you're MISSING the point. The problem with the US isn't that only does bad things, it's that people like you ignore the bad things or excuse them by demanding we focus only on its moments of benevolence whenever a criticism is made. What I would prefer, what we all would like, is a United States capable of looking at the evil is has wrought, as well as polishing its laurels as it does so well, so endlessly, to the point of mythologizing itself, and find the courage to be self-critical enough to step back from the brink and stop doing those things. To really become a force for good and real champion of democracy, not just DEMOCRACY!!(reg.d trade mark, patent pend.). The US of Ben Franklin, not Ronald Reagan... and certainly not of GWB.
chumley wrote:
Now since I have listed a few crappy aspects of the USA why don't you try to name a few positives?
Well, you know, we all sat through ten years of Schoolhouse Rock already. Look what it got us. _________________ I can has cheezburger?
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 5:59 am Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
Nickel wrote:
Cashmere wrote:
Just like the 300 pound man laughing at the obesity of the 400 pound man doesn't make him fit.
It does make him fitter, however.
No, it makes him less unfit. _________________ Massive Human Dieoff must occur as a result of Peak Oil. Many more than half will die. It will occur everywhere, including where you live. If you fail to recognize this, then your odds of living move toward the "going to die" group.
Joined: Jun 26, 2007 Posts: 1615 Location: The Canada of America
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:10 am Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
Cashmere wrote:
Nickel wrote:
Cashmere wrote:
Just like the 300 pound man laughing at the obesity of the 400 pound man doesn't make him fit.
It does make him fitter, however.
No, it makes him less unfit.
Which, by definition, is fitter. All you're doing is moving the fulcrum of a verbal level in relative terms. The logical sequence runs:
X is less unfit than Y = X is more fit ("fitter") than Y.
Subtracting a negative number is logically equal to adding a positive number. The same holds true rhetorically. _________________ I can has cheezburger?
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Americanism: The good, the bad and the ugly
Nickel wrote:
What I would prefer, what we all would like, is a United States capable of looking at the evil is has wrought, as well as polishing its laurels as it does so well, so endlessly, to the point of mythologizing itself, and find the courage to be self-critical enough to step back from the brink and stop doing those things. To really become a force for good and real champion of democracy, not just DEMOCRACY!!(reg.d trade mark, patent pend.). The US of Ben Franklin, not Ronald Reagan... and certainly not of GWB.
I think there are a growing number of us that feel the same way, unfortunately there is a good majority here in the US that are brain washed.....
I gotta hand it to those guys in iraq that blow themselves up, I dont even have the balls to be the one that says enough is enough. When someone with the balls steps up and starts to protest I will be there...
I dont think that will happen before the fall of this once great nation.... Peak oil is going to rip it in half
But what goes up must come down I guess... _________________ Tired of high gas prices? Then stop driving to work, duh..... Learn to Work from home
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now USA has Wisdom 
There's a difference, you know, like it or not. I'm every bit as much an "American" as you are. But I'm not from the United States.
Then stop driving to work, duh..... 
