Mailinglist Archive: opensuse (3605 mails)
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[SLE] [OT] Re: And another 10.1 showstopper -- American bashing
- From: "Bryan J. Smith" <b.j.smith@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 03 Jun 2006 12:44:52 -0400
- Message-id: <1149353093.2958.184.camel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
On Sat, 2006-06-03 at 18:06 +0200, M. Fioretti wrote:
> really made me laugh. Of course there are several things I'd like
> Italy (or Europe) to copy from USA, but certainly not their "wealth
> and prosperity".
I don't think people realize what I meant. People would much rather
have their country with the US' wealth and power than the US. That's
all. It's what drives _most_ of the anti-US rhetoric I see -- and in
many cases -- from a standpoint of hypocrisy.
> The sooner USA citizens get rid of *this* specific illusion, the
> better. For their own stress levels, that is, not that we really care.
You care enough to continually comment on how we have too much wealth,
too much power, too much control, etc... Every international list I'm
on regularly does this. I ignore most of it, but at some point, people
should realize that it's a *ONE-WAY* criticism!
Despite what our TV media does and may suggest, the other 80% of us
Americans don't go around talking about what's "wrong" with various
countries. We actually respect and appreciate many cultures -- largely
because their immigrants are among us. In fact, *WE*HATE* our ignorant
TV media, which is catering to the unintelligent masses!
If anything, it's those same immigrants that are the ones who tell us
why they left their respective countries. Although some would never
give up their foreign citizenship, the overwhelming majority I've had
the honor of working with and knowing very much do want to become
Americans.
Again, I don't go around even thinking "what is wrong" with various
countries in the world. That's what our TV media and 20% of our TV
audience (much of which are people who don't work) do. So why do we see
so much animosity towards Americans -- as if all we do is tell everyone
else what to do?
The fact is that no country is continually scrutinized to a higher
standard -- especially when I see so much scrutiny made from a complete
hypocritical standpoint -- than the US is by various people from various
nations. The US is what it is, a collection of immigrants from the
world -- past, present and future.
Again, I think the tsunami that hit less than 2 years ago sums up why
the US is to blame for everything -- because it happened, because people
used it as a PR game, because no one noted what the US actually did do
then _and_ now. It's a prime example of why everything the US does that
is good is not only completely ignored, but in many cases, "no good dead
goes unpunished."
And God forbid we _embrace_ capitalism and the _individual_ -- including
the right to failure and repeat failure and the right to pick yourself
back up -- even years later, you're not screwed for life like in many
cultures. The US doesn't guarantee "fair," it _only_ guarantees "free."
It's far more of a depth and complex discussion than people realize.
And it's why people are free to succeed or be taken advantage of in the
US. But it doesn't mean we are without ethics -- in fact, the US
survives on the ethics of the _individual_ who makes up its greater
whole.
Many of us believe in "public goods" -- including Linux. But we believe
it must be of _individual_ choice -- not collective mandate. We do
believe -- strongly -- in charity, but we do not see government as an
efficient means for it. We believe in _individually_ taking care of our
family, friends and the random stranger -- and some of us choose to do
that with our own time and money and not other people's money and a paid
social worker's time (even though I heavily fund that as well).
So, again, to quote ...
"If you follow US news at all (many foreigners do, to their credit)"
If you want to "know" the United States and its citizens -- including a
great majority of immigrants -- do *NOT* watch our media. God please
don't! ;->
I'd hate us if I did. Seriously! The US media is the greatest
concentration of bigoted, sexist, opinionated and "we are right"
attitudes you'll _ever_ find.
Heck, when it comes to Hollywood, it doesn't surprise me that most
actors and actresses are so anti-"establishment" in the US -- because
they work in an industry that is heavily white/male and
advertising-focused. I would be too! The problem is ...
That's not America! That's not the average American!
We make this country! Just like all immigrants have!
--
Bryan J. Smith Professional, technical annoyance
mailto:b.j.smith@xxxxxxxx http://thebs413.blogspot.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Illegal Immigration = "Representation Without Taxation"
--
Check the headers for your unsubscription address
For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@xxxxxxxx
Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com
Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@xxxxxxxx
> really made me laugh. Of course there are several things I'd like
> Italy (or Europe) to copy from USA, but certainly not their "wealth
> and prosperity".
I don't think people realize what I meant. People would much rather
have their country with the US' wealth and power than the US. That's
all. It's what drives _most_ of the anti-US rhetoric I see -- and in
many cases -- from a standpoint of hypocrisy.
> The sooner USA citizens get rid of *this* specific illusion, the
> better. For their own stress levels, that is, not that we really care.
You care enough to continually comment on how we have too much wealth,
too much power, too much control, etc... Every international list I'm
on regularly does this. I ignore most of it, but at some point, people
should realize that it's a *ONE-WAY* criticism!
Despite what our TV media does and may suggest, the other 80% of us
Americans don't go around talking about what's "wrong" with various
countries. We actually respect and appreciate many cultures -- largely
because their immigrants are among us. In fact, *WE*HATE* our ignorant
TV media, which is catering to the unintelligent masses!
If anything, it's those same immigrants that are the ones who tell us
why they left their respective countries. Although some would never
give up their foreign citizenship, the overwhelming majority I've had
the honor of working with and knowing very much do want to become
Americans.
Again, I don't go around even thinking "what is wrong" with various
countries in the world. That's what our TV media and 20% of our TV
audience (much of which are people who don't work) do. So why do we see
so much animosity towards Americans -- as if all we do is tell everyone
else what to do?
The fact is that no country is continually scrutinized to a higher
standard -- especially when I see so much scrutiny made from a complete
hypocritical standpoint -- than the US is by various people from various
nations. The US is what it is, a collection of immigrants from the
world -- past, present and future.
Again, I think the tsunami that hit less than 2 years ago sums up why
the US is to blame for everything -- because it happened, because people
used it as a PR game, because no one noted what the US actually did do
then _and_ now. It's a prime example of why everything the US does that
is good is not only completely ignored, but in many cases, "no good dead
goes unpunished."
And God forbid we _embrace_ capitalism and the _individual_ -- including
the right to failure and repeat failure and the right to pick yourself
back up -- even years later, you're not screwed for life like in many
cultures. The US doesn't guarantee "fair," it _only_ guarantees "free."
It's far more of a depth and complex discussion than people realize.
And it's why people are free to succeed or be taken advantage of in the
US. But it doesn't mean we are without ethics -- in fact, the US
survives on the ethics of the _individual_ who makes up its greater
whole.
Many of us believe in "public goods" -- including Linux. But we believe
it must be of _individual_ choice -- not collective mandate. We do
believe -- strongly -- in charity, but we do not see government as an
efficient means for it. We believe in _individually_ taking care of our
family, friends and the random stranger -- and some of us choose to do
that with our own time and money and not other people's money and a paid
social worker's time (even though I heavily fund that as well).
So, again, to quote ...
"If you follow US news at all (many foreigners do, to their credit)"
If you want to "know" the United States and its citizens -- including a
great majority of immigrants -- do *NOT* watch our media. God please
don't! ;->
I'd hate us if I did. Seriously! The US media is the greatest
concentration of bigoted, sexist, opinionated and "we are right"
attitudes you'll _ever_ find.
Heck, when it comes to Hollywood, it doesn't surprise me that most
actors and actresses are so anti-"establishment" in the US -- because
they work in an industry that is heavily white/male and
advertising-focused. I would be too! The problem is ...
That's not America! That's not the average American!
We make this country! Just like all immigrants have!
--
Bryan J. Smith Professional, technical annoyance
mailto:b.j.smith@xxxxxxxx http://thebs413.blogspot.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Illegal Immigration = "Representation Without Taxation"
--
Check the headers for your unsubscription address
For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@xxxxxxxx
Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com
Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@xxxxxxxx
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