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.
While I agree that we aren't necessarily the greatest country in the world I really do believe that the "greatest country" is subjective. With that said...hamburgers and music is all were good for? Don't be d!*.
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.
While I agree that we aren't necessarily the greatest country in the world I really do believe that the "greatest country" is subjective. With that said...hamburgers and music is all were good for? Don't be d!*.
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.
While I agree that we aren't necessarily the greatest country in the world I really do believe that the "greatest country" is subjective. With that said...hamburgers and music is all were good for? Don't be d!*.
I'm sorry, but in the end...
In the end it's the same mentality people are berating Americans for. Saying your country is better than another country or that a country is only good for "hamburgers and music" is ignorant, cocky, and immature.
Even though it came from a classic episode, the dialog is considered to be in bad taste in today's post 9/11 society. It doesn't help much that we are in the middle of a crisis in Iraq.
Personally, I think the phrase "post-9/11 society" is in bad taste. Do you work for CNN?
Even though it came from a classic episode, the dialog is considered to be in bad taste in today's post 9/11 society. It doesn't help much that we are in the middle of a crisis in Iraq.
Personally, I think the phrase "post-9/11 society" is in bad taste. Do you work for CNN?
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.
I did not throw out "socialist" as a put down to the Nordic countries. That you would think it is a put down highlights your ignorance regarding international affairs. I used the term "socialist" because many individuals in those countries actively identify as "socialist" and a bunch of their (relevant) political parties have "socialist" in their names. Yes, "socialism" is positively perceived in places around the world!
Some may disagree, and I expect the trolls to come out in droves on this, but here's an interesting one for you........the safest country around........ United Arab Emirates. Wouldn't jump to the top of most peoples lists, but there you have it, in my opinion at least.
The UAE is a great country and I would agree is relatively easy to justify as the "best". Certainly should show up near the top of any informed list. =]
There are plenty of colleges that meet 100% of financial need and I've never heard of a student that absolutely cannot afford some form of education; but, the system could be a little bit smoother and less dependent on the arbitrary goodwill of your desired institution. State schools are always super generous to its instate students and the ultimate backup for students who are a combination of poor and barely squeezed through high school.
The students that suffer most are usually from the middle or upper middle class below say ~2100 (old) SAT intelligence, which are not super rich; but, left to pay the full sticker cost of the college education. If you had >2100 on the old SAT there are some colleges that would begin offering you tons of merit aid if you were willing to compromise for a lower ranking institution.
I think ultimately a lot of the colleges will close down or become online in the future, though, so that might resolve some debt issues. I know one of the primary demands of "Occupy Wall Street" was to reduce student loan debt.
I still love the USA. Yes, we have our faults and we have our problems but, IMO, we're still one of the best countries in the world. I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
Agreed. Apparently, it's only acceptable to bash America here though. Oh well. In the immortal words of South Park, "If you don't want to root for your team, you should get the heck out of the stadium". Trust me, I despise most of our politicians and I understand that our country is a mess right now, but I am a proud American and nobody is going to change that. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War (and subsequent wars) and patriotism means a lot to me because it's honoring them. So, if that bothers some people, tough. If America is so awful, there are plenty of other countries out there.
One more thing...I would NEVER tell anyone from another country that they shouldn't be proud of their home country. I think EVERYONE should take pride in what their ancestors created. My grandfather is an immigrant from Portugal, my mother's family has been here since before the Revolution. So, I have recent and old Americans and both sides have instilled in me a great pride and love for this country. The truth is that America did raise the stakes of freedom worldwide. Yes, things have not been good recently and I do not support the war-mongering that the past few administrations have engaged in. America is a very generous country though, full of good people, like most countries. I think it's unfair to judge us all by the actions of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who do not act in our best interests. Take pride in your country and your heritage, wherever you're from and try not to stereotype other countries. It just makes you look bad. I really don't want to see this forum get into the habit of political or American bashing. This is a place where people from all over the world, from all walks of life can come together and share our love of the Simpsons without politics getting in the way. The mere fact that there's so much anti-American sentiment going on here is proof that the dialogue this event was divisive, not productive. I like my fellow forum members and I don't want to see us divided over political differences.
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.
No one invented electricity, just as no one invented heat or cold. It was only discovered how to contain, direct, and be used to power things humanity HAD invented.
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'd direct you to go back and read your history. Many of those neutral countries were invaded and taken over by Germany anyway. France, for example. And it wasn't until the US entered the war in early 1942 that the war largely turned in the Allies favor.
You've made quite a show of not knowing what you're talking about while ridiculing others for their ignorance.
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.
Replies
While I agree that we aren't necessarily the greatest country in the world I really do believe that the "greatest country" is subjective. With that said...hamburgers and music is all were good for? Don't be d!*.
I'm sorry, but in the end...
I reckon it's hard to find good help anymore.
In the end it's the same mentality people are berating Americans for. Saying your country is better than another country or that a country is only good for "hamburgers and music" is ignorant, cocky, and immature.
You don't mention what shangri-la you're from, but it doesn't matter. If you get invaded, give us a call. We'll send some hamburgers and music. :roll:
Or save your * again...
Kang & Kodos are laughing their tentacles off at you foolish Earthlings... And Number51 is just plain confused.
Actually, some solid interesting Sunday banter here.
& now... burgers & music for everyone
Personally, I think the phrase "post-9/11 society" is in bad taste. Do you work for CNN?
Never mind. It was a stupid post so I erased it.
Ya, if you can afford the education.
The students that suffer most are usually from the middle or upper middle class below say ~2100 (old) SAT intelligence, which are not super rich; but, left to pay the full sticker cost of the college education. If you had >2100 on the old SAT there are some colleges that would begin offering you tons of merit aid if you were willing to compromise for a lower ranking institution.
I think ultimately a lot of the colleges will close down or become online in the future, though, so that might resolve some debt issues. I know one of the primary demands of "Occupy Wall Street" was to reduce student loan debt.
Agreed. Apparently, it's only acceptable to bash America here though. Oh well. In the immortal words of South Park, "If you don't want to root for your team, you should get the heck out of the stadium". Trust me, I despise most of our politicians and I understand that our country is a mess right now, but I am a proud American and nobody is going to change that. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War (and subsequent wars) and patriotism means a lot to me because it's honoring them. So, if that bothers some people, tough. If America is so awful, there are plenty of other countries out there.
No one invented electricity, just as no one invented heat or cold. It was only discovered how to contain, direct, and be used to power things humanity HAD invented.
I'd direct you to go back and read your history. Many of those neutral countries were invaded and taken over by Germany anyway. France, for example. And it wasn't until the US entered the war in early 1942 that the war largely turned in the Allies favor.
You've made quite a show of not knowing what you're talking about while ridiculing others for their ignorance.
Pot. Kettle. Black... Checkmate.
Thanks!
No one is convincing anyone of anything here.