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@ieee.org 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@suse.com Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com