The thing about "promoting democracy", which the USA has indeed done in droves is manifold. Main issues though, have to be :-
1. It's kind of "do it our way or else" which is hardly democratic by any measure.
2. Were/are those countries ready and/or really willing to embrace democracy?
3. How often can one country interfere and screw up before learning to mind it's own business?
Btw, I'm aware that Ireland is growing fatter.......ever since certain fast food chains sprung up, but that's just market forces
If you've never seen this clip from "The Newsroom," give it a view. (There are a couple of naughty words, so if you're too young or offended by the f-bomb, don't click...)
Why is it that you get so upset about the dialogue on the 4th. I don't get it. It's a JOKE. I mean, it's not like America is really is the greatest nation in the world. It would be hypocritical to even say that.
Homer said that Sweden is the greatest nation in the world. Then Lisa said that it isn't. I'm half-Swedish and I am not crying around like a little baby.
USA is a nation that does all the best and all the worse, and that has a price...
I'm from a little country next to Spain called Portugal and a thing people notice is: USA thinks they are the only ones in the world...their news are not even about the country but the state they live in...b*tch pls...
USA is a nation that does all the best and all the worse, and that has a price...
I'm from a little country next to Spain called Portugal and a thing people notice is: USA thinks they are the only ones in the world...their news are not even about the country but the state they live in...b*tch pls...
That seems like kind of a strange thing to criticize. I do prefer to hear about the news happening here in Seattle. Unless it's something big I could really care less about what happens in Vermont.
USA is a nation that does all the best and all the worse, and that has a price...
I'm from a little country next to Spain called Portugal and a thing people notice is: USA thinks they are the only ones in the world...their news are not even about the country but the state they live in...b*tch pls...
This thread seriously got me thinking today. Not a bad thing on a quiet, sunny Sunday afternoon really.
It kinda all boils down to this, at least in my opinion :-
There are pros/cons aplenty to call EVERY nation in the world the best / worst. We shouldn't get all heated up about it.
Perhaps we can take a look at the population that plays this game.....likely people from all walks of life from potentially every nation on earth. We have millionaires and paupers, intellectuals and not-so-much-so, open and closed minded etc etc.
Imagine for a moment that someone posted on here that something truly awful had happened them (heaven forbid, of course). I'd bet we'd get 2 types of response - those being helpful and those being not. I'd also bet the helpful would outnumber the not by quite a margin.
That helpful section would come from all sections of the social spectrum, from all over the world. This is how it should be.....and if we can collectively applaud and nurture that in our society, then it will spread and the world will be a better place for everyone!
USA is a nation that does all the best and all the worse, and that has a price...
I'm from a little country next to Spain called Portugal and a thing people notice is: USA thinks they are the only ones in the world...their news are not even about the country but the state they live in...b*tch pls...
You actually don't know what you're talking about here. In the US, on the networks we have local news programs, which are designed and intended to cover news related about our local town/city/state with occasional mentions of country or world news. This is also where most get their local weather forecast.
Then we have a network nightly news show which airs usually afterward, which focuses on country and worldwide events.
So your point is **** and ridiculous. Of course there are local news programs. Those aren't the only news programs we have in the US. In fact, given the rise in Cable news channels which focus on country and world news, local news is in the minority, and country and worldwide news coverage is in the majority.
So please, pull up those pants that are falling down due to all the heavy self-righteousness and moral superiority in your pockets, your ignorance is showing.
The thing about "promoting democracy", which the USA has indeed done in droves is manifold. Main issues though, have to be :-
1. It's kind of "do it our way or else" which is hardly democratic by any measure.
2. Were/are those countries ready and/or really willing to embrace democracy?
3. How often can one country interfere and screw up before learning to mind it's own business?
Well I did say you can take issue with any (or all!) of the myriad mistakes the US has made in the effort of promoting democracy-- and most thinking Americans do, quite vocally and unashamedly)-- but the overall record is pretty impressive, by anyone's tally.
Btw, I'm aware that Ireland is growing fatter.......ever since certain fast food chains sprung up, but that's just market forces
That's America trying to even the score: "Feeling pretty smug about fitness, are you? We'll put a Burger King on every corner!"
As an American, I'm of the opinion that far too many ignorant American citizens confuse jingoism for patriotism. I'm also of the opinion that many people from other countries incorrectly think the majority of Americans think that way.
Most aren't like the gun-toting, Obama-hating folks regularly displayed on Fox News. Even most Republicans are moderate Comservatives, and not apparently insane like those loony toon Tea Party extremists.
Just like anywhere else in the world, the US has a vast variety of people of all different races, religions, political beliefs, sexuality, etc.
To assume everyone in a country is the same, or even similar, is pretty ignorant. And while that hasn't outright been said, it's certainly been implied in a few posts.
That said, the US absolutely has it's problems: high unemployment, stagnant job growth, an insane over dependence on foreign oil with no plans in place to switch to alternative energy, a ridiculous degree of wealth inequality that's only grown bigger in the past 40 years, massive foreign policy problems, career politicians who only care about their own bank accounts and campaign donations from big business as opposed to what's best for their constituents, etc. The list can go on for awhile.
But as has been said, every country has it's problems. I'm sure all countries in the world have at least a few of those downsides. And some have far worse, especially when it comes to human rights violations (North Korea, China, etc).
My point is no country's hands are clean. All have done questionable or downright evil things in their time. Hell, even the Vatican...actually especially the Vatican, when you think about it.
It's all shades of gray, folks.
Very well said, my husband and I were just discussing jingoism last night after he was telling me about our city's parade he had taken our daughter to yesterday afternoon. You basically summed up everything I wanted to post, but you did it much more elegantly than I could have.
I am a liberal, pro-choice, pro marriage equality feminist, not Tea Party extremist, I promise.
I don't have a problem with being an American. It's kinda jacked up here in myriad ways, but it could be worse. It's the rah rah patriotism crap I don't like. Frankly, it creeps me out.
Being "proud" about something that wasn't a choice (i.e. living in America for most Americans) strikes me as bizarre.
I don't have a problem with being an American. It's kinda jacked up here in myriad ways, but it could be worse. It's the rah rah patriotism crap I don't like. Frankly, it creeps me out.
Being "proud" about something that wasn't a choice (i.e. living in America for most Americans) strikes me as bizarre.
Yeah it's kind of along the same lines as white power....
I think this is the biggest reason for the show's declining audience. In its halcyon days, The Simpsons were less inclined to didacticism... or at least did so with more tempered hand. The show spoke to issues of morality and the political philosophies of its writers and creators were apparent, but I didn't come away feeling as if I had my ears boxed for not being in lock step with them. Lisa Simpson was the sweet, innocent muse who offered her ethos for consideration, she wasn't the haughty prig berating everyone with them. As went Lisa, so went the writers... or vice versa.
I started playing TSTO with a nostalgic reverie for the way it was. To build a living menagerie of the quirky characters who had enlivened my life as a kid. I take the politicking of the writers with a grain of salt. I can easily dismiss them as the typically under-informed, or, as in the case of suggesting that it is actually legal to carry guns into public schools, misinformed beliefs as worthy of consideration as any other dilettante's.
I can't find issue with their assessment of the US. I would argue that a popular mentality not dissimilar to the writer's is more than partially responsible for its modern state.
Well, I live in Finland. And we are known for having the best education system in the world and the US doesn't even come to the top 10. Now what's that all about? Shouldn't the GREATEST nation in the world have the best education? :shock: :?:
The United States has the best secondary education system in the world, which is the one that matters. The United States isn't the top 10 in terms of primary education; but, the secondary education system is actually the one that powers the economy, promotes innovation, brings in the dollars, etc. etc. Harvard, Stanford, MIT, etc. are all really big names. These are the places which inspire startups like Facebook, Snapchat, etc. etc.
Secondary is not all that matters. Primary is where you get the foundation for your education. If secondary is so important compared to primary, let's just throw primary away completely and just go to secondary! Sounds great, ain't it?
P.S. I do not consider Finland as a socalist state
I think this is the biggest reason for the show's declining audience. In its halcyon days, The Simpsons were less inclined to didacticism... or at least did so with more tempered hand. The show spoke to issues of morality and the political philosophies of its writers and creators were apparent, but I didn't come away feeling as if I had my ears boxed for not being in lock step with them. Lisa Simpson was the sweet, innocent muse who offered her ethos for consideration, she wasn't the haughty prig berating everyone with them. As went Lisa, so went the writers... or vice versa.
I started playing TSTO with a nostalgic reverie for the way it was. To build a living menagerie of the quirky characters who had enlivened my life as a kid. I take the politicking of the writers with a grain of salt. I can easily dismiss them as the typically under-informed, or, as in the case of suggesting that it is actually legal to carry guns into public schools, misinformed beliefs as worthy of consideration as any other dilettante's.
The truly sad thing is that the game's writers are the ones who don't make the cut for the show. :-o
Yeah, USA might've been the greatest at one point. But at that point most countries were still colonies of others!
This is my opinion: USA is not the greatest. It is a corrupted country who praises freedom and puts their nose into other countries politics, acting like some god. The whole freedom-thingy going on is just a big fat lie. USA might've invented some pretty neat stuff, but c'mon. It's not like someone else wouldn't have figured it out sooner or later. It's not like some hilly billy from the suburbs of Finland wouldn't have been hit with lightning and invented electricity.
And what is it with most united states citizens first defense is: "IF WE WOULDN'T HAVE SAVED YOUR * IN BOTH WORLD WARS YOU'D STILL BE PART OF GERMANY". . . . B*TCH please. Grab a history book and read it. Most nations were neutral and only a couple were ever a part of Germany. Only like Poland, Luxembourg and some other states around Germany.
I could keep listing reasons why USA isn't the greatest nation in the world.
In the end all you are good for is hamburgers and music.
Yeah, USA might've been the greatest at one point. But at that point most countries were still colonies of others!
This is my opinion: USA is not the greatest. It is a corrupted country who praises freedom and puts their nose into other countries politics, acting like some god. The whole freedom-thingy going on is just a big fat lie. USA might've invented some pretty neat stuff, but c'mon. It's not like someone else wouldn't have figured it out sooner or later. It's not like some hilly billy from the suburbs of Finland wouldn't have been hit with lightning and invented electricity.
And what is it with most united states citizens first defense is: "IF WE WOULDN'T HAVE SAVED YOUR * IN BOTH WORLD WARS YOU'D STILL BE PART OF GERMANY". . . . B*TCH please. Grab a history book and read it. Most nations were neutral and only a couple were ever a part of Germany. Only like Poland, Luxembourg and some other states around Germany.
I could keep listing reasons why USA isn't the greatest nation in the world.
In the end all you are good for is hamburgers and music.
I'm sorry I have to disagree. The UK produces the best music.
Replies
1. It's kind of "do it our way or else" which is hardly democratic by any measure.
2. Were/are those countries ready and/or really willing to embrace democracy?
3. How often can one country interfere and screw up before learning to mind it's own business?
Btw, I'm aware that Ireland is growing fatter.......ever since certain fast food chains sprung up, but that's just market forces
The second paragraph is perfect! Well said! :-D
I'm from a little country next to Spain called Portugal and a thing people notice is: USA thinks they are the only ones in the world...their news are not even about the country but the state they live in...b*tch pls...
That seems like kind of a strange thing to criticize. I do prefer to hear about the news happening here in Seattle. Unless it's something big I could really care less about what happens in Vermont.
We care about Portugal! Thank you Pastor.
It kinda all boils down to this, at least in my opinion :-
There are pros/cons aplenty to call EVERY nation in the world the best / worst. We shouldn't get all heated up about it.
Perhaps we can take a look at the population that plays this game.....likely people from all walks of life from potentially every nation on earth. We have millionaires and paupers, intellectuals and not-so-much-so, open and closed minded etc etc.
Imagine for a moment that someone posted on here that something truly awful had happened them (heaven forbid, of course). I'd bet we'd get 2 types of response - those being helpful and those being not. I'd also bet the helpful would outnumber the not by quite a margin.
That helpful section would come from all sections of the social spectrum, from all over the world. This is how it should be.....and if we can collectively applaud and nurture that in our society, then it will spread and the world will be a better place for everyone!
Peace out!!
You actually don't know what you're talking about here. In the US, on the networks we have local news programs, which are designed and intended to cover news related about our local town/city/state with occasional mentions of country or world news. This is also where most get their local weather forecast.
Then we have a network nightly news show which airs usually afterward, which focuses on country and worldwide events.
So your point is **** and ridiculous. Of course there are local news programs. Those aren't the only news programs we have in the US. In fact, given the rise in Cable news channels which focus on country and world news, local news is in the minority, and country and worldwide news coverage is in the majority.
So please, pull up those pants that are falling down due to all the heavy self-righteousness and moral superiority in your pockets, your ignorance is showing.
Well I did say you can take issue with any (or all!) of the myriad mistakes the US has made in the effort of promoting democracy-- and most thinking Americans do, quite vocally and unashamedly)-- but the overall record is pretty impressive, by anyone's tally.
That's America trying to even the score: "Feeling pretty smug about fitness, are you? We'll put a Burger King on every corner!"
And no..."Raul's Hora de Divertido" does not count!
Very well said, my husband and I were just discussing jingoism last night after he was telling me about our city's parade he had taken our daughter to yesterday afternoon. You basically summed up everything I wanted to post, but you did it much more elegantly than I could have.
I am a liberal, pro-choice, pro marriage equality feminist, not Tea Party extremist, I promise.
Being "proud" about something that wasn't a choice (i.e. living in America for most Americans) strikes me as bizarre.
Yeah it's kind of along the same lines as white power....
I started playing TSTO with a nostalgic reverie for the way it was. To build a living menagerie of the quirky characters who had enlivened my life as a kid. I take the politicking of the writers with a grain of salt. I can easily dismiss them as the typically under-informed, or, as in the case of suggesting that it is actually legal to carry guns into public schools, misinformed beliefs as worthy of consideration as any other dilettante's.
I can't find issue with their assessment of the US. I would argue that a popular mentality not dissimilar to the writer's is more than partially responsible for its modern state.
that newsroom youtube clip someone posted above has good points as to why it's not the greatest.
Secondary is not all that matters. Primary is where you get the foundation for your education. If secondary is so important compared to primary, let's just throw primary away completely and just go to secondary! Sounds great, ain't it?
P.S. I do not consider Finland as a socalist state
You know which country is NOT the greatest, so you must know which country IS the greatest. Don't be coy, I'm dying to know which it is....
The truly sad thing is that the game's writers are the ones who don't make the cut for the show. :-o
Yeah, USA might've been the greatest at one point. But at that point most countries were still colonies of others!
This is my opinion: USA is not the greatest. It is a corrupted country who praises freedom and puts their nose into other countries politics, acting like some god. The whole freedom-thingy going on is just a big fat lie. USA might've invented some pretty neat stuff, but c'mon. It's not like someone else wouldn't have figured it out sooner or later. It's not like some hilly billy from the suburbs of Finland wouldn't have been hit with lightning and invented electricity.
And what is it with most united states citizens first defense is: "IF WE WOULDN'T HAVE SAVED YOUR * IN BOTH WORLD WARS YOU'D STILL BE PART OF GERMANY". . . . B*TCH please. Grab a history book and read it. Most nations were neutral and only a couple were ever a part of Germany. Only like Poland, Luxembourg and some other states around Germany.
I could keep listing reasons why USA isn't the greatest nation in the world.
In the end all you are good for is hamburgers and music.
I'm sorry I have to disagree. The UK produces the best music.