News Do other countries look at us and laugh?

[cristo]

I was, but I'm surprised you learned about the electoral college in school. I keep forgetting where you are from...France?

I'm from England. I think we were taught about the electoral college when comparing systems of government around the western world. Then again, it could just have been that there was an election coming, and our teacher felt we should know about such things-- it was a while ago now!

 

[Danger]

To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In light of your failure to decide who will be President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy)... ...God Save the Queen!

That is one of the funniest things that I have ever read in my life.

 

[kldickson]

Yes. Most do. Some don't. Unfortunately, half of our country is made up of unscientific, fundamentalist troglodytes, which are mostly concentrated in the south, which, south of Northern Virginia and excluding Charlottesville and east of New Mexico and excluding Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Galveston and excluding Chapel Hill and Atlanta, I'd like to sink into the ocean.

We're not all stupid in the United States, of course; many of us know about the rest of the world and have even been all over the world in general. Many of us know, for example, the Arabic name of the capital of Libya (Tarabulus), the contribution of Zimbabwe to global GDP (0.002%), and a, if not the , major technological center in India (Bengaluru). Many of us are scientifically literate. Many of us facepalm when we hear about the latest American influence across the world and think it's rather ridiculous. Many of us think it's a ridiculous idea to put military bases in other countries. Many of us have actually managed to at least get out of our home state and even get out of the country.

There are also a great many idiots in other countries, too, who do the same crud that a lot of idiot Americans do, but don't get called out on it so vocally because they're not American.

I think the lesson best learned from this is that you can't generalize about an entire country.

 

[kldickson]

I do, however, have a problem with whichever credulous moron in Ireland decided it was even REMOTELY sane, and not indicative of some sort of inability to think , to pass a blasphemy law.

I mean, seriously. Theocracy = stupid.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

a blasphemy law.

Forcing or preventing?

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Unfortunately, half of our country is made up of unscientific, fundamentalist troglodytes, which are mostly concentrated in the south, which, south of Northern Virginia and excluding Charlottesville and east of New Mexico and excluding Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Galveston and excluding Chapel Hill and Atlanta, I'd like to sink into the ocean.

The line runs right through my den.

 

[kldickson]

Forcing or preventing?

Preventing. Ireland is held fast in the grip of credulity.

 

[mgb_phys]

Preventing. Ireland is held fast in the grip of credulity.

Not wishing to imply that Ireland is slightly behind the curve of western Europe, but when they announce a witch hunt - it's not a metaphor!

On the one hand it's fairly pointless, as a member of the Eu Ireland has to obey the Human Rights Act so this will just involve the prosecution of a few minor comic artists who will appeal to Europe and become minor celebrities for a while - as the lawyers pocket some fees. But the fact that this is the country's response to an economic crisis is a little worrying - still it's probably better than them invading somewhere to distract people.

 

[rootX]

Many of us think it's a ridiculous idea to put military bases in other countries. Many of us have actually managed to at least get out of our home state and even get out of the country..

Are you putting them into insane or sane group?

 

[mheslep]

Yes. Most do. Some don't. Unfortunately, half of our country is made up of unscientific, fundamentalist troglodytes, ...

I think the phrase you want there is 'fools, idiots, bumblers, hicks':
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008076

George Bush's appeal, for Mr. Wolfe, was owing to his "great decisiveness and willingness to fight." But as to "this business of my having done the unthinkable and voted for George Bush, I would say, now look, I voted for George Bush but so did 62,040,609 other Americans. Now what does that make them? Of course, they want to say--'Fools like you!' . . . But then they catch themselves, 'Wait a minute, I can't go around saying that the majority of the American people are fools, idiots, bumblers, hicks.' So they just kind of dodge that question. And so many of them are so caught up in this kind of metropolitan intellectual atmosphere that they simply don't go across the Hudson River. They literally do not set foot in the United States. We live in New York in one of the two parenthesis states. They're usually called blue states--they're not blue states, the states on the coast. They're parenthesis states--the entire country lies in between."

I also recommend Wolfe's novel Bonfire of the Vanities. No the movie doesn't count.

 

[WhoWee]

I have long believed we should charge countries for protection - wouldn't that be "funny"?

 

[mgb_phys]

I have long believed we should charge countries for protection - wouldn't that be "funny"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNj1dXi-z0M

(need to start 1:30 in )

 

[Topher925]

I don't really want to bring up this thread but it seems that part of the US population is getting nuttier every day.

Shooting ranges, gun dealers and bullet manufacturers say they have never seen such shortages. Bullets, especially for handguns, have been scarce for months because gun enthusiasts are stocking up on ammo, in part because they fear President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress will pass antigun legislation — even though nothing specific has been proposed and the president last month signed a law allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_re_us/us_ammo_shortage

 

[drankin]

I don't really want to bring up this thread but it seems that part of the US population is getting nuttier every day.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_re_us/us_ammo_shortage

Yep, I haven't been able to find ammo for months. Gone from the shelves as soon as they get them in stock. At least there aren't any layoffs in that industry!

 

[Quincy]

I have to say, I haven't been feeling very proud to be an American lately.

You should never feel proud to be an American, you should be proud of something you accomplish, not something that you were born into; being an American isn't an accomplishment.

 

[drankin]

You should never feel proud to be an American, you should be proud of something you accomplish, not something that you were born into; being an American isn't an accomplishment.

Hogwash, who are you to tell someone what they can be proud of? This is a free country, you can be proud of anything you damn well want to.

"You should never feel proud to be an American...", damn pride police! LOL

 

[Quincy]

Hogwash, who are you to tell someone what they can be proud of? This is a free country, you can be proud of anything you damn well want to.

"You should never feel proud to be an American...", damn pride police! LOL

I'm just saying that people should be proud of their accomplishments, not something they were just born into by chance. National pride (not just American pride) is irrational. You can say you're happy to be American/Irish/Chinese/Indian/etc, but proud is the wrong word to choose.

 

[russ_watters]

If you can be proud of your kids or your friends, you can be proud of your ancestors. Also, living in a free country means the freedom to leave and immigrants had the freedom to come here. These are personal choices that can be a source of pride. In addition, anyone who takes part in the electroral process or even just pays taxes has a direct hand in what the country as a whole is doing. We're members of a team and there is nothing wrong with having pride in your team.

 

[WhoWee]

The opposite of national pride is national shame. Unlike the Left Wing (and apparently Obama), most Americans are proud of their country.

 

[OmCheeto]

The opposite of national pride is national shame. Unlike the Left Wing (and apparently Obama), most Americans are proud of their country.

I suppose if one can only see things as either black or white, then this might be true. But some of us are capable of comprehending the various shades of grey in between.

http://www.bartleby.com/73/1641.html"

I confidently trust that the American people will prove themselves … too wise not to detect the false pride or the dangerous ambitions or the selfish schemes which so often hide themselves under that deceptive cry of mock patriotism: ‘Our country, right or wrong!’ They will not fail to recognize that our dignity, our free institutions and the peace and welfare of this and coming generations of Americans will be secure only as we cling to the watchword of true patriotism: ‘Our country—when right to be kept right; when wrong to be put right.’

I think it is the unqualified "I'm proud to be an American" which irks some of us. It's like saying "I'm proud to have 5 fingers on my left hand". It's totally meaningless, and reeks of shallowness.

 

[WhoWee]

I suppose if one can only see things as either black or white, then this might be true. But some of us are capable of comprehending the various shades of grey in between.

http://www.bartleby.com/73/1641.html"


I think it is the unqualified "I'm proud to be an American" which irks some of us. It's like saying "I'm proud to have 5 fingers on my left hand". It's totally meaningless, and reeks of shallowness.

My claim of "I'm proud to be an American" is not unqualified.

I am proud of my country for many things. I believe the United States has advanced civilization and improved the living standards for millions of people. The US is often the first responder to disasters and the leader in the fight to prevent hunger and disease.

I've posted this many times, we can't help anyone unless we are viable and strong - leaders lead, children dream, and babies cry.

 

[OmCheeto]

and babies cry.

Thank you for confirming my suspicion:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/2009/06/custom_1245249209375_becksmaller_03.jpg

 

[WhoWee]

Thank you for confirming my suspicion:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/2009/06/custom_1245249209375_becksmaller_03.jpg

[/URL]

It might be more productive for you to explain why you are ashamed (excuse me, not proud ) of your country.

 

[GeorginaS]

The opposite of national pride is national shame. Unlike the Left Wing (and apparently Obama), most Americans are proud of their country.

No. The opposite of "pride" is "humility", not shame. (Notwithstanding what some radio and teevee personalities will try to tell you.)

National pride/nationalism/patriotism are all forms of bigotry and unfounded self promotion. There's nothing wrong with admiring the accomplishments of your forerunners (who lived, by chance, within the parametres of an area of land delineated on paper by arbitrarily drawn non-existent lines) and believing in like-values as set out by them and continuing them.

So yeah, I have to agree with other people here: taking "pride" in a accident of birth is irrational.

 

[OmCheeto]

It might be more productive for you to explain why you are ashamed (excuse me, not proud ) of your country.

This thread is about laughing, not pride or shame. We've really gotten off topic.

BTW, you forgot http://www.colbertnation.com/the-co...451/may-13-2008/bill-o-reilly-inside-edition"...

If there is anything we are better at than most every other nation, it is laughing at ourselves.

With the exception of the British I suppose. The Python troop has no peers.

Perhaps the G20 conference should include that as a topic: "Freedom of comedians to point out the idiosyncrasies of ones own country without fear of repercussion from ones own government".

But that kind of implies a certain pride in my concept of our freedom of pointing out the truth. My bad.

 

[WhoWee]

Actually, this was in the first post "Is it possible for president Obama to impeach us? I wonder how high our approval rating is with the government. "

To this I ask, what has Obama DONE to make us proud of him?

Gitmo - still open.
Iraq - still fighting.
Afghanistan - the "good war" is now maybe not a good idea.
Global Warming - taxing us, raising utility rates, and leaving nuclear, coal and petroleum to others is the only option.
ACORN - not really a concern.
Stimulus - no time to read, yet only 13% of funds dispersed 6 months later.
Health care reform - insurance companies are the problem, not unfunded obligations of $100 trillion in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Economy - Saved (and created - Government?) jobs counts (?), he saved us?
Iran - 2nd nuclear enrichment site identified.
CIA - re-opened investigation during a war.
Czars - Was Van Jones REALLY a Communist? Have the others been vetted?
Apology Tour - Now that Obama is President, we can be a good country.

 

[Integral]

Actually, this was in the first post "Is it possible for president Obama to impeach us? I wonder how high our approval rating is with the government. "

To this I ask, what has Obama DONE to make us proud of him?

Gitmo - still open.
Iraq - still fighting.
Afghanistan - the "good war" is now maybe not a good idea.
Global Warming - taxing us, raising utility rates, and leaving nuclear, coal and petroleum to others is the only option.
ACORN - not really a concern.
Stimulus - no time to read, yet only 13% of funds dispersed 6 months later.
Health care reform - insurance companies are the problem, not unfunded obligations of $100 trillion in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Economy - Saved (and created - Government?) jobs counts (?), he saved us?
Iran - 2nd nuclear enrichment site identified.
CIA - re-opened investigation during a war.
Czars - Was Van Jones REALLY a Communist? Have the others been vetted?
Apology Tour - Now that Obama is President, we can be a good country.

Anybody who thought that Obama was going to fix all of our problems in a few weeks is delusional. It took Bush & Co. 8yrs to get us in the pile of Sh@t we are currently in. Obama, or anybody else for that matter, is going to have a hard time sitting things right, if it is even possible. So grow up and learn the meaning of patience.

 

[WhoWee]

Anybody who thought that Obama was going to fix all of our problems in a few weeks is delusional. It took Bush & Co. 8yrs to get us in the pile of Sh@t we are currently in. Obama, or anybody else for that matter, is going to have a hard time sitting things right, if it is even possible. So grow up and learn the meaning of patience.

Well I'm glad we can agree that it's too early for Obama to lay claim for any of his so-called "achievements" - aside from being elected and breaking campaign promises (Earmarks, Lobbying, line by line Bill negotiation, transparency).

 

[mheslep]

Actually, this was in the first post "Is it possible for president Obama to impeach us? I wonder how high our approval rating is with the government. "

To this I ask, what has Obama DONE to make us proud of him?

...

Plenty. I didn't support the guy in the campaign, disagree with most of all his policies now, but as an American I still can find much about the US President to be proud of. Obama calling Kanye West a 'http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6196938/Kanye-West-Barack-Obama-jackass-tape-posted-by-TMZ.html" ' jumps out at the moment (not that the Pres should do that everyday but it seemed to slip out and I am happy to see he feels that way and has the gumption to say so).

 

[WhoWee]

Plenty. I didn't support the guy in the campaign, disagree with most of all his policies now, but as an American I still can find much about the US President to be proud of. Obama calling Kanye West a 'http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6196938/Kanye-West-Barack-Obama-jackass-tape-posted-by-TMZ.html" ' jumps out at the moment (not that the Pres should do that everyday but it seemed to slip out and I am happy to see he feels that way and has the gumption to say so).

Well, you've got me there - and there WAS the beer summit.
http://www.google.com/search?q=beer...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a