Post: #26

(07-09-2011 06:05 PM)Gringo Wrote:  

Quote:I'm not a violent guy and won't start a fight easily but i really wanted to punch that guy in the face.

You wanted to punch someone because they happened to dislike your country, that is childish and there's really no need for it. Let him hate on Holland, what difference will it make to you.

Its all about respect. There is a difference between speaking out ur ass spouting ridiculous ignorant nonsense than to respectfully state your opinion in a tasteful intelligent manner.

Post: #27

(07-09-2011 12:12 PM)Tony Snow25 Wrote:  Dash-
"when i was in costa rica riding the bus, some european tourists saw US military on the side of the road and started cussing them and talking mad shit."

This is something I don't like about America how our military is posted all over the world and that gives us a bad look. We think its chill because we were taught all of our lives from the media and other people that America is the best and most powerful country and there is nothing wrong with this. But when people from other countries see this they see it in a different way. For example I was talking to my ex girlfriend who is from Sao Paulo and I asked her if they had discussions in college classes about how America is somewhat of an imperialist country and she said for sure.

I dont think It gives us a bad look. We are in Latin America fighting the drug trade / cartels. We are in the Middle East fighting the radical islamic terrorists. We where in Africa helping out the victims of epic genocide. We had troops in Haiti and Japan after the natural disasters. Everything isnt gonna be perfect and thats with any country.

But I dont want to start a country war lol thats just my opinion, not that im right and ur wrong. ha

Post: #28

I agree this board isn't the place to talk about global politics.

Post: #29

Yes we are fighting drug cartels that are there because of U.S foreign policy and our military industrial complex, as well as the benefits and provisions that come from it, to our government. Like we can't take down and take away the power of the cartels without legalizing drugs to cut their commercial power. Yes of course, we are in the middle east fighting Islamic terrorists, and its totally not a imperialist resource control conflict. Like what happened to something like our government pouring more funds into alternative energy and fixing our declining infrastructure. What happened to getting rid of our corrupt morally bankrupt politicians, providing health care for our own citizens. Of course the CIA wiith its cloak & dagger tactics, ruthless assasinatons, dictatorship propping can't be blamed for terrorist activities worldwide. Of course a lot of countries aren't knee deep in poverty and extinction because of under the table money laundering, a lucrative and prospering arms trade provided by yours truly, and clever and careful fraudulent loans through sham institutions such as the IMF and the World bank. Like the U.S military didn't destroy lives, commit war crimes, destroy entire generations of cultures, environments, and history. Oh and of course a lot of people must love our corporations that are destroying the planet, corrupting and decimating entire countries and their people, running our congress and financing corrupt governments worldwide. Our government and our military even support foreign corporations that also do the exact same thing as our corporations with reasons involving aligning our interests or giving mutual benefits and monetary packages to US!!!!! All carefully managed by Uncle Sam and his gun buddies in the U.S military. Lets ignore the fact that we have the largest military spending in the entire fucking planet, which we don't even need in the first place. Lets not forget that the military funding primarily involves defense research, weapons dealing and contractors that aren't even geared towards the betterment of the American public!! As if the global arms traders, finance and corporate heads, based from principally our country, (profiting from this huge defense package and using our military for their means) care about the American public or any average citizen on this fucking planet. Of course the U.S military doesn't use wars and disasters as a source of profit for its operations and firms while making a killing off of human misery and suffering.

Oh and of course lets not forget Hollywood, the biggest media purveyor of global racism ever, always showing white people are the superior race. One reason why white people are accepted everywhere, and people of other races aren't accepted in countries across the globe. Never giving people of different races adequate roles in movies, partially owned by big businesses and defense contractors; sometimes utilized as a tool for those same institutions using our military to carry out their agendas. Always implying that different races can only do certain things or fill certain niches and are always inferior when in the face of the Nordic people. Like Hollywood doesn't advertise what affluence and what a "proper" life should be to everyone out there, and doesn't have a role helping those same corporations carry out their work, destroy countries, and damage entire populations all for the sake of giving nice cars, giving posh apartments, making nice shiny things so people on this planet can have a way of feeling superior, while impressing and having a false sense of power over others. Oh and of course to help them get "laid".

There is so much to love about America, I mean people have to absolutely love us for what we do.

Post: #30

(07-09-2011 10:45 AM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(07-09-2011 04:13 AM)Entropy4 Wrote:  "You're not one of them, you're different,"

News flash, Entropy4...they don't just say this to Americans or Brits. They routinely say this to people of other backgrounds - Africans, Muslims and others. It's ignorance to the highest degree. As if you are ok, now that you have conformed to their values or culture. Insidious ethnocentrism, arrogance, and intolerance. It's inherent at so many levels.

For the record, I'm not trying to bash Europeans. I just don't believe they are any classier.

Dude, really man. Give it a rest. Expecting the whole world to view life through the same rose tinted, idealistic, liberal glasses you do is asking a bit too much.

Its this sort of arrogance that pisses so many of them off, and its why they have no time for your bullshit.

Who are you to tell them that they should not be angry about mass migration? Who are you to tell them that they should not be proud of their culture, which in most cases has evolved over hundreds of years? Who are you to say that the ethnic pride they feel is wrong? Just because you have different view on things does not automatically make their views ignorant, and just because you come from a culturally diverse place does not mean they do. People are a product of their environment too.

As a system of belief, yours seems to be grounded strongly in the civil rights movement which is only a whopping 60-70 years old in your own back yard

Compared to their own values and culture, you are a blip on on the radar. Show some damned respect for that or stay the fuck at home.

Americans have developed a reputation for being loud, obnoxious, OPINIONATED and ignorant. Its not fair to paint every person from the USA this way, but they are a fairly large majority who are. Just the way it is. Every nationality carries a generalisation or stigma of some sort and its generally because its true.

Despite the position you are trying to take, I suggest you develop a little more tolerance. Or you could just continue doing things the way you are and wondering why the hell no one has any time for an American tourist shouting their mouth off again.

1 - dont provide opinions on politics or social norms unless ASKED, and even then be delicate. Culture differences need to be respected and you need to keep a frikken open mind too.

2 - if someone is critical of your country or countrymen, put it down to ignorance on their part. Laugh it off and tease them a little, and if they become aggressive, then its time to lay it down.

3 - your shit stinks too, and the world is not going to respect you more because you come from a certain place. Dont mistake interest and politeness for adoration

4 - contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of the world does not want to move to America. As it turns out, the USA ranks lower than Canada, Australia, all the Scandinavian countries and few countries in western Europe when it comes to standard of living these days. Also, just because a country may seem third world, it does not mean that the quality of life is worse either. Middle class people in many 3rd world countries have the sort of lifestyles we in the west cant achieve until we are almost upper class. All first world countries have people queuing up to move there either legally or illegally, its not phenomenon unique to the USA.

Post: #31

Quote:Its all about respect. There is a difference between speaking out ur ass spouting ridiculous ignorant nonsense than to respectfully state your opinion in a tasteful intelligent manner.

Why should they respect the American military though? I can't think of much they've done in recent years that deserves respect. Most of their actions have been shameful, whether being involved in conflicts / invading countries they have no right or legal reason to be in or commiting autrocities (torture etc) on prisoners of war. No wonder people aren't pleased to see them. The American does not need to be stationed all over the world.

Quote:We are in Latin America fighting the drug trade / cartels. We are in the Middle East fighting the radical islamic terrorists. We where in Africa helping out the victims of epic genocide. We had troops in Haiti and Japan after the natural disasters. Everything isnt gonna be perfect and thats with any country.

You are so misguided that it's hilarious. Wake up to what's really going on dash.

Post: #32

(07-09-2011 10:45 AM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(07-09-2011 04:13 AM)Entropy4 Wrote:  "You're not one of them, you're different,"

News flash, Entropy4...they don't just say this to Americans or Brits. They routinely say this to people of other backgrounds - Africans, Muslims and others. It's ignorance to the highest degree. As if you are ok, now that you have conformed to their values or culture. Insidious ethnocentrism, arrogance, and intolerance. It's inherent at so many levels.

For the record, I'm not trying to bash Europeans. I just don't believe they are any classier.

Wrong. Dead wrong.

They were not saying, "Oh, you're like us now," they were saying, "you're not ignorant of foreign cultures and customs," like most Americans are. And we are. This is demonstrable from our educational system and the fact that 85% of our population doesn't even own a passport. I mean, surveys have found that something like 40% of Americans don't even know where New Jersey is on a map, much less Budapest. My friend who I'm traveling with genuinely thought Ukraine was a city in Russia before we decided to go there. And he's a smart and educated guy. Just never been abroad before.

Our isolated geography in the world allows us to be insulated and oblivious to much of what happens in the rest of the planet. It is what it is.

It has nothing to do with "America is better than you," or "Europe is better than you." It's simply about being humble and gracious when you're in someone else's homeland and culture, having a open-mind, not being judgmental of differences, and not expecting everything to be the way it is back in the US and getting childishly pissed off when it isn't. This is what they recognize when they say this to me.

That's all.

Post: #33

(07-10-2011 05:03 AM)Gringo Wrote:  

Quote:Its all about respect. There is a difference between speaking out ur ass spouting ridiculous ignorant nonsense than to respectfully state your opinion in a tasteful intelligent manner.

Why should they respect the American military though? I can't think of much they've done in recent years that deserves respect. Most of their actions have been shameful, whether being involved in conflicts / invading countries they have no right or legal reason to be in or commiting autrocities (torture etc) on prisoners of war. No wonder people aren't pleased to see them. The American does not need to be stationed all over the world.

Quote:We are in Latin America fighting the drug trade / cartels. We are in the Middle East fighting the radical islamic terrorists. We where in Africa helping out the victims of epic genocide. We had troops in Haiti and Japan after the natural disasters. Everything isnt gonna be perfect and thats with any country.

You are so misguided that it's hilarious. Wake up to what's really going on dash.

Cussing someone they dont know for doing their job trying to make ends meet is beyond disrespectful and ignorant. I prob should have threw down on the bus for such disrespect come to think of it.

I have friends in the military in Latin America and the Middle East and I speak to them regularly about what is going on. Maybe you should wake up to whats really going on.

I find it funny when Europeans bash America for getting involved in stuff, when If it hadnt been for the US all of Europe would be under a German dictatorship lol

There is many things I dont like or agree with when it comes to European countries and even some policies of America. But you dont see me going around being disrespectful talking out of my ass. There is nothing wrong with discussing politics or religion, so long as its done in a respectful and tasteful manner. Thats is the difference and where a line should be drawn.

Post: #34

Dash - stick to what you know best, touring Colombia. Politics, foreign policy and the military is not your forte.

The US Military is in Latin America and the Middle East for there "own" interests, which usually means protecting some natural resource that they have no right too! It is far too easy to bash Americans, so I will not go there. As we speak there are "conflicts" in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya and Egypt which have been provoked by the western powers (Anglo/American establishment).

Post: #35

(07-10-2011 09:51 AM)rudebwoy Wrote:  Dash - stick to what you know best, touring Colombia. Politics, foreign policy and the military is not your forte.

The US Military is in Latin America and the Middle East for there "own" interests, which usually means protecting some natural resource that they have no right too! It is far too easy to bash Americans, so I will not go there. As we speak there are "conflicts" in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya and Egypt which have been provoked by the western powers (Anglo/American establishment).

Rudeboy, what country is anywhere for reasons OTHER than their own interests in some shape or form? As far as I see it no country is perfect and doesnt have any room to talk smack. There are negatives and positives with America and Europe. Debating these topics are fun, but you cant take anything to serious as there is no country with perfect foreign, military, and political policies. Everyone can dig up dirt on pretty much every country.

Post: #36

Stop putting europeans on a pedastal.

Post: #37

Dash - humor me what other interests are there? Let me guess they are instilling Democracy in these "poor" countries. The word is called Imperialism, I suggest you google that. Middle east is about Oil and protecting Israel (who by the way is the largest recipient of US foreign aid). South American drug trade is financed by the USA, Noreiga was a former business partner who was about to spill the racket until he got jailed.

Let me state that I like America and I love the way they do business, not sure if I could live there though.

Post: #38

Rudeboy,

Did you not read my post? I said every country do things because of their OWN interests in some shape or another. Thats why it is pointless and comical when other ppl try to put down x country and elevate theirs. Their is no perfect saint country out there. We all have our flaws present and throughout history.

I believe even with some of the US agendas that there is some good being done. But that is simply my opinion.

This isnt the thread for politics. Lets try to get it back on topic lol

Post: #39

(07-09-2011 06:05 PM)Gringo Wrote:  

Quote:I'm not a violent guy and won't start a fight easily but i really wanted to punch that guy in the face.

You wanted to punch someone because they happened to dislike your country, that is childish and there's really no need for it. Let him hate on Holland, what difference will it make to you.

Yeah i know i should know better. But at that moment i got real nationalistic, i mean this guy was really badmouthing my country. According to him nothing good ever came out of Holland and are we still walking on wooden shoes en only eat cheese. He also clowned my friend.

I can easily make a list of things we are (world) leader or good at.

i kinda surprised myself by how angry i got with this guy. i wanted to kickbox his ass - Holland won 15 times out of 18 years in the K1 tournament.

Post: #40

(07-10-2011 05:03 AM)Gringo Wrote:  

Quote:Its all about respect. There is a difference between speaking out ur ass spouting ridiculous ignorant nonsense than to respectfully state your opinion in a tasteful intelligent manner.

Why should they respect the American military though? I can't think of much they've done in recent years that deserves respect. Most of their actions have been shameful, whether being involved in conflicts / invading countries they have no right or legal reason to be in or commiting autrocities (torture etc) on prisoners of war. No wonder people aren't pleased to see them. The American does not need to be stationed all over the world.

Quote:We are in Latin America fighting the drug trade / cartels. We are in the Middle East fighting the radical islamic terrorists. We where in Africa helping out the victims of epic genocide. We had troops in Haiti and Japan after the natural disasters. Everything isnt gonna be perfect and thats with any country.

You are so misguided that it's hilarious. Wake up to what's really going on dash.

Agre to that, he sounds like that guy i met in Japan.

In Vietnam i met two sisters from Boston who thaught the USA had 13 million inhabitants. They were shocked when i said its around 300 million. They were university students

Post: #41

(07-10-2011 09:24 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  

(07-10-2011 05:03 AM)Gringo Wrote:  

Quote:Its all about respect. There is a difference between speaking out ur ass spouting ridiculous ignorant nonsense than to respectfully state your opinion in a tasteful intelligent manner.

Why should they respect the American military though? I can't think of much they've done in recent years that deserves respect. Most of their actions have been shameful, whether being involved in conflicts / invading countries they have no right or legal reason to be in or commiting autrocities (torture etc) on prisoners of war. No wonder people aren't pleased to see them. The American does not need to be stationed all over the world.

Quote:We are in Latin America fighting the drug trade / cartels. We are in the Middle East fighting the radical islamic terrorists. We where in Africa helping out the victims of epic genocide. We had troops in Haiti and Japan after the natural disasters. Everything isnt gonna be perfect and thats with any country.

You are so misguided that it's hilarious. Wake up to what's really going on dash.

Cussing someone they dont know for doing their job trying to make ends meet is beyond disrespectful and ignorant. I prob should have threw down on the bus for such disrespect come to think of it.

I have friends in the military in Latin America and the Middle East and I speak to them regularly about what is going on. Maybe you should wake up to whats really going on.

I find it funny when Europeans bash America for getting involved in stuff, when If it hadnt been for the US all of Europe would be under a German dictatorship lol

There is many things I dont like or agree with when it comes to European countries and even some policies of America. But you dont see me going around being disrespectful talking out of my ass. There is nothing wrong with discussing politics or religion, so long as its done in a respectful and tasteful manner. Thats is the difference and where a line should be drawn.

If it hadn't been for the US all of Europe would be under German dictatorsship.

Hahaha, another typical american statement - I think we have to thank the Russians for that.

Post: #42

Lived abroad for about 7 years. Usually the loud obnoxious ones are either American, Aussie, or Brit.

Plenty of Europeans complain that things aren't like this at home. I personally see them complain more than the Americans.

Everyone hates America until an R&B song comes on and they copy every move they have ever seen on MTV.

Bad mouthing one's own country vs someone else bad mouthing your country. Every country acts the EXACT same way. A Peruvian can say Peru sucks, an Ecuadorian can't say Peru sucks.

It's like you can bad mouth your wife or kids but if another man does...it's time to fight.

Every country has their stereotype and you fall into until you prove them otherwise.

Post: #43

(07-07-2011 08:13 AM)Sparrior Wrote:  Where being white and American is not an advantage or a possible disadvantage? People are saying that in Western & Eastern Europe, parts of Asia and other parts of the world, being white and American can be a potential disadvantage. There is mixed opinions about Eastern Europe not being automatic pussy haven if you are white and American while there are opinions stating the opposite. How much and what is true about places around the world concerning this question?

Advantage in what way? You might get better service bc Americans tip, or are perceived to all be rich, but you might be hated at the same time.

Years ago they did a poll in Europe in the hotel industry and maybe restaurants too about who were the worst tourists. 3 worst were French, Indian, and Chinese. They didn't rank who was best but Americans scored very well and were towards the top. Biggest positive Americans tipping, biggest negative they dressed sloppily.

The criteria was: dress, tipping, willing to attempt local languange, willingness to try local food, public behavior.

Post: #44

(07-10-2011 05:03 AM)Gringo Wrote:  Why should they respect the American military though? I can't think of much they've done in recent years that deserves respect.

You can't think of anything?

The US Military deserves a tremendous amount of respect. It's the most powerful force in human history. It has been for quite some time, and will be for a long time in the future. The whole damn world knows it. Park a Wasp class outside any country, and watch them fall in line.

You can disagree with US politics, that's cool. It's native people, Hawaiians for example, have just about the most reason out there.

Soldiers doing their jobs have nothing to do with politics.

And I'm so sick of people complaining about those Abu Ghraib pictures and Guantanamo Bay. Fight in a war, you'll understand.

Aloha!

Post: #45

ROFL!!!!

Newsflash: Russia beat Germany. The US cashed in on the end of it. (Edit: we did beat Japan though)

If we did anything for Europe, it was the Marshall Plan. Read your history books.

Post: #46

(07-10-2011 06:15 PM)Kona Wrote:  

(07-10-2011 05:03 AM)Gringo Wrote:  Why should they respect the American military though? I can't think of much they've done in recent years that deserves respect.

You can't think of anything?

The US Military deserves a tremendous amount of respect. It's the most powerful force in human history. It has been for quite some time, and will be for a long time in the future. The whole damn world knows it. Park a Wasp class outside any country, and watch them fall in line.

WTF. The most powerful force in human history? This is yet another example or reason why people consider some of you guys obnoxious, ignorant loud mouths. You have had 15 years of dominance. Before that, you had the USSR breathing down our necks. After they lost millions winning the second world war I might add. Why would you even say such a thing?

The British empire conquered half the planet and held it as colonies for hundreds of years. The Spanish colonised the whole of South America and parts of Asia. The Portuguese ruled Africa and parts of Asia.

What about the Ottomans? 400 years where they dominated the middle east and eastern Europe?

What about Genghis Khans hordes? Alexander the Great with his Greeks?

The ROMANS. Jesus, Rome!!!

Egypt????

Dude, seriously.

Post: #47

We're barely beating the Taliban. We lost in Vietnam.

We have the most technologically advanced, best trained, and expensive military in world history, but it hasn't exactly gotten a whole lot done in the last 50 years because it's been used for pointless and frivolous political means. In fact, I would say it's BECAUSE we've over-estimated our military power ("most powerful military in world history") that we keep getting into these retarded messes. Iraq was supposed to last "6 to 8 weeks," remember? Libya was supposed to be over within a week. Afghanistan is going to end after 13 years, and the Taliban is still there. Well done.

Post: #48

By the way, if you want to learn more about the inefficiencies of the American military and it's continuous political over-extension, I highly recommend reading the book, "The Limits of Power" by Andrew Bacevich. He's a former US Colonel, Vietnam vet and old school conservative. The book is fantastic -- probably the best political/foreign policy book I've ever read.

Post: #49

if i want to debate the ins and outs of imperialism i'll go elsewhere. Let's talk about chicks and travel or kill this thread

Post: #50

(07-10-2011 02:24 AM)Hooligan Harry Wrote:  

(07-09-2011 10:45 AM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(07-09-2011 04:13 AM)Entropy4 Wrote:  "You're not one of them, you're different,"

News flash, Entropy4...they don't just say this to Americans or Brits. They routinely say this to people of other backgrounds - Africans, Muslims and others. It's ignorance to the highest degree. As if you are ok, now that you have conformed to their values or culture. Insidious ethnocentrism, arrogance, and intolerance. It's inherent at so many levels.

For the record, I'm not trying to bash Europeans. I just don't believe they are any classier.

Dude, really man. Give it a rest. Expecting the whole world to view life through the same rose tinted, idealistic, liberal glasses you do is asking a bit too much.

Its this sort of arrogance that pisses so many of them off, and its why they have no time for your bullshit.

Who are you to tell them that they should not be angry about mass migration? Who are you to tell them that they should not be proud of their culture, which in most cases has evolved over hundreds of years? Who are you to say that the ethnic pride they feel is wrong? Just because you have different view on things does not automatically make their views ignorant, and just because you come from a culturally diverse place does not mean they do. People are a product of their environment too.

As a system of belief, yours seems to be grounded strongly in the civil rights movement which is only a whopping 60-70 years old in your own back yard

Compared to their own values and culture, you are a blip on on the radar. Show some damned respect for that or stay the fuck at home.

Americans have developed a reputation for being loud, obnoxious, OPINIONATED and ignorant. Its not fair to paint every person from the USA this way, but they are a fairly large majority who are. Just the way it is. Every nationality carries a generalisation or stigma of some sort and its generally because its true.

Despite the position you are trying to take, I suggest you develop a little more tolerance. Or you could just continue doing things the way you are and wondering why the hell no one has any time for an American tourist shouting their mouth off again.

1 - dont provide opinions on politics or social norms unless ASKED, and even then be delicate. Culture differences need to be respected and you need to keep a frikken open mind too.

2 - if someone is critical of your country or countrymen, put it down to ignorance on their part. Laugh it off and tease them a little, and if they become aggressive, then its time to lay it down.

3 - your shit stinks too, and the world is not going to respect you more because you come from a certain place. Dont mistake interest and politeness for adoration

4 - contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of the world does not want to move to America. As it turns out, the USA ranks lower than Canada, Australia, all the Scandinavian countries and few countries in western Europe when it comes to standard of living these days. Also, just because a country may seem third world, it does not mean that the quality of life is worse either. Middle class people in many 3rd world countries have the sort of lifestyles we in the west cant achieve until we are almost upper class. All first world countries have people queuing up to move there either legally or illegally, its not phenomenon unique to the USA.

HH, are you telling me that Europe isn't rife with racial, religious and cultural issues? All I am saying is that they are not pristine, open minded, liberal angels as they and you think they are. They have just as many of these issues as we do (I would argue clearly more). Mass amounts of evidence to suggest it. Why is this so hard for people to accept? And, I am certainly not disputing the behavior and attitudes of Americans, Brits, etc. I agree with you.

Who am I to have this opinion? I work as business immigration lawyer. I've also done policy advisory work for committees to facilitate global immigration. I have to understand the social and economic context of these matters. It's my job to have an opinion on this matters. You might not like it, but my view is a growing view within my field.

From my estimation, immigration is the best measure of racial, religious, and cultural tolerance we have. The European mentality is to consistently blame and marginalize other groups. I also get the 'you're not like the others, you're different', I respond with the exact same comment. Funny but not surprising, how they find that offensive...