Originally posted by soultorent
No sir, I can say I am about 50% culture blind. I'm now making a conscious effort to understand other nations toils. I believe only once you
understand can you be understood. On that principle so to should you try to understand the American struggle going on. There are countless Americans
who are bent on proving we are the same good people who rose to Europe's defense. Who rose to America's defense countless times. I think that it is
a reachable goal if we stop wiggling around in other countries affairs.
I take my hat off to you for making the effort. My earlier point about our own newspapers stands, British newspapers regularly have some criticism or
other about the government on the front cover, when that place isn't taken-up with some woman-child or other in her underwear of course.
As for 'we' or me personally understanding the 'American struggle', with all due respect, we probably have better coverage of world and American
stories in our
mainstream news than America does regarding the rest of the world. We're quite familiar which of what goes on in America. I can
guarantee that our coverage of American elections and so on is more extensive than, say, the American mainstream coverage of a British election.
That shouldn't be interpreted by anyone as being solely some kind of indicator or American importance either just that, generally, we're more
outward looking.
Rest assured, we do know the difference between the American public and the American government, despite some Americans appearing to do their best by
blurring the lines with blind patriotism towards the government and/or military.*
I'll hold my hands up and admit I probably come across as one of the most outspoken American 'bashers' on this board. However, the majority of any
genuine criticisms I make tend to stem from one thing and that's what myself and many others perceive as 'arrogance'. America and its people have
great things to offer the rest of the world but even the most appreciated help or gift becomes tainted when we're constantly reminded of that
'generosity'* moreso when often that gift comes with conditions and strings attached.
I'm seriously tired of hearing how "jealous" I am or how I just don't realise how unfortunate I am not being American because America has
everything bigger and better. It's
this arrogance above everything else that makes me and others I know want to 'abandon America'.
Seriously America, shut the # up about this and I'm 100% sure you'll got on better with the rest of the world.
*We also know the difference between the guy on the ground and the guy in a uniform sat in an air-conditioned office several thousand miles away from
the sound of gunfire deciding where the guys on the ground go as well.
**If I hear about America's 'altruism' regarding WWII one more time, I will develop my own nuclear arsenal myself to point at Washington.
[edit on 2-12-2008 by Merriman Weir]
