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Understanding Americans - 6/4/2007 10:11:42 AM

pahunkboy

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Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
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In an attempt to shed some light on this- pls all jump in.

The bush years have really done a number on what America is- what her people are.

So lets set bush aside- all of that neocon policy.

A statement "America is Great"; should not be meant to say all other countries are NOT great. So understand we all can be great.

One thing you will find- is that Americans dare to dream. Some get distracted by oddities; but there is a certian enthusiasm.

If that is changing - it is sad indeed.

More and more big powers- dont speak for the ordinary folks.

Yes- we have bad things here.

There seems to be a disconnect after the cold war.

Growing up in Chicago- heres an interesting example. YOU had the most kickazz christmas tree. It is far better then any other. Living here in rural USA, yes- YOU can have a kickazz christmas tree; but so can the neighbor- the guy down the steet etc.

Funny enuff my dads side of the family were S0 competetive. It left no room for how a person might feel. Growing up we had to hear how brilliant the yadda family is. well here we are 20 years later. My sister- had the yadda family over. How surreal=- that the looser made it to the good zip code!! All the snide remarks.

Seeing this- I always told myself I would be me.

Of course when I was growing up- gay was uncool. Well my cousin seen my biker bf take hold of a drunk on the city bus. I thanked the bus driver for keeping my bf out of jail.

Anyhow- you will find all walks of life in the USA.

TV doesnt really reflect well. Take a greyhound bus across country. There are millions of stories- life stories. Again- this isnt to say no where else is great-

Ild say- as a whole we dress more casual. We have no clue on geophraphy- outside the US.

Teachers tell us when we are kids that we are very blessed.

At times I feel like a freak on this planet. I have hefty phone bills to Canada and Ireland.

bush isnt America. its people are. we are no better, and no worse then our counterparts.

In terms of culture- how about the day the Beatles landed at JFK?!!!!

Awesome!

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RE: Understanding Americans - 6/4/2007 11:00:08 AM

LotusSong

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Joined: 7/2/2006
From: Domme Emeritus
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This is the best post I've seen you make to date! :)

Yes, the world no longer sees the real Americans, only George the lesser.
Do they realize our people have no say in what he does? He does what he wants, the people be damned.

Just some random thoughts:

Americans have a wonderful sense of humor.

Most will give you the shirt off their backs if they see a need.

They will stand shoulder to shoulder with their neighbors if there is a threat.

Just because we can't stand our president, it doesn't mean we don't love and will defend our country.

Most of us are color-blind, nationality blind and handicapped-blind. We could careless what you are until you make some sort of issue out it. (For me, I truly treat everyone equally. However, jerks come in all varieties and I'll treat you as such :)

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RE: Understanding Americans - 6/4/2007 11:11:29 AM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LotusSong

This is the best post I've seen you make to date! :)

Yes, the world no longer sees the real Americans, only George the lesser.
Do they realize our people have no say in what he does? He does what he wants, the people be damned.

Just some random thoughts:

Americans have a wonderful sense of humor.

Most will give you the shirt off their backs if they see a need.

They will stand shoulder to shoulder with their neighbors if there is a threat.

Just because we can't stand our president, it doesn't mean we don't love and will defend our country.

Most of us are color-blind, nationality blind and handicapped-blind. We could careless what you are until you make some sort of issue out it. (For me, I truly treat everyone equally. However, jerks come in all varieties and I'll treat you as such :)

I hope we can over come the damage bush has done. While we will always have curruption, somehow the public will has been by-passed.

A very nice reply. :-)

American media is onesided- and soundbites- it is shallow and biased.

How wonderfull the Internet allows us to talk- and say - hey this is what the real story is.

Many folks are so busy putting a roof and food- so it is on us net users to do what we can.

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RE: Understanding Americans - 6/4/2007 11:29:14 AM

toservez

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Joined: 9/7/2006
From: All over now in Minnesota
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I enjoy this post very much thank you pahunkboy for posting your thoughts on this.

Throughout American history there has been a belief of Americans to want something better for the country or individually and not accepting that is just the way it is type beliefs. Coming from a different culture and visiting many countries in my lifetime this has separated America from most countries and did indeed make it special. In eastern culture and religion we are taught to accept life as it is and stepping out and making changes is difficult.

Unfortunately this American spirit seems to be struggling for air. What once was this is wrong how can we fix this has become this is wrong but lets not do anything because it will probably make it worse and I think to compensate for this we more and more point at other countries and love to view their weaknesses filtered through our culture as a way to wrap ourselves in our own flag.

Generations of Americans all tried and wanted to leave the next generation with a better life. Now we have politicians who to keep elected want to always lower taxes and then have to borrow money at a staggering rate and justify it by telling everyone it is for the future anyway let them pay for it.

I would not want to live anywhere but here, I just wish we could look at ourselves more and try to improve ourselves instead of pointing at others and being happy because we are not them. We are not perfect and never will be but the day we stop trying to be better and to work on problems is the day America will not have much moral high ground left to stand in the world. Hopefully we are not close to that.

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RE: Understanding Americans - 6/4/2007 11:47:54 AM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
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Hi Toserves;

there is still variety here. If you don't like your life here- you can move to a whole different region.

I told my friend in Canada and Ireland they can crash here for a week-no problem.

It is interesting hearing your perspective. We come off sometimes as being greedy, shallow, and a whole host of unbecoming charactarizations.

Now more then ever we need to reach out to out International friends and compare notes.

The bush thing has been a slap in the face TO Americans as well.

One by one- we can reclaim the excellence that we strive for.

Make no mistake- the powers that be are scared shtttless of the collective folks.

it is supposed to be by-for and of the people.

well- many of us people want to make things right.

If you say it cant be done, picture the lone man that held the row of tanks in Tienimmen square.

Never underestimate the power of one lone person......

It is time to put our collective destiny in the hands of real people.

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