Quote from TheShawn

Well, The Steed, I just ask that you remember that nearly all of our recent "world policing" has been done with the aid of numerous western powers. In fact, it's very rare that the US does something that England, Canada, and parts of the EU aren't also a part of. So, it isn't just America. All major powers are guilty of it.

Now, to address your problems with the US culture.

About languages, your point is fair. I myself know American English, passable Spanish, and am working on learning German, but I'm a minority.

Our geography skills... again fair point. I would simply like to add that it isn't just other countries that most Americans can't find. This rule extends even to our own States for many Americans. Apparently, we just don't care much for locations on a map.

Nationalism and "shoot first attitude": Many, maybe even most, Americans hate our government and its decision to involve itself in other countries... to the point that a large number of them don't even support sending foreign aid to starving nations. Now, our nationalism is stronger than in most countries, but, depending on where you are, it can be considered either good or bad. Considering Europe's experiences with nationalism, such as WW2, I can see why you'd dislike it.

As for a lack of interest in other people's and cultures, I fail to see what you mean. Of course, I'm a manga fan and a history major, and socialize with similar people. so I guess that my experience and views towards other societies is somewhat outside the norm. Especially concerning the Hittite Empire. I love the Hittite Empire. However, even among other sub-cultures I don't see much disdain for other cultures. The only place you'll find that to be a terribly prevalent attitude would be in hillbilly parts of the south. Please, PLEASE, don't judge our whole country based on them.

Lastly, American "sentiment." America is a massive collection of sub- and counter-cultures. There is a small "main-stream" culture shared by many, but this is for the most part simply the largest minority culture. Not everyone here likes the drivel spouted on Oprah and Dr. Phil. I myself can't stand it.

In short, judging America based on the common conception is unfair, especially if you haven't spent a significant amount of time here.

Good Arguments and fair points from all comments everything noted.
It's true that I haven't spent significant time in America in general and that I might be a little short sighted.
Remember that I said all the above is from my own experiences and isn't completely based on facts.

Yours Faithfully,
The steed.

P S. send from my samsung galaxy.

He who hides the truth with lies,
Will only be left with his inner cries.

Sincerely Yours,
The Steed

It's difficult to truly understand any culture you haven't had significant personal contact with, and everyone's guilty of a certain degree of bias. You wouldn't believe the misconceptions I used to hold about France, for instance.

[img]http://img.userbars.pl/69/13603.gif[/img]

Quote from TheShawn

It's difficult to truly understand any culture you haven't had significant personal contact with, and everyone's guilty of a certain degree of bias. You wouldn't believe the misconceptions I used to hold about France, for instance. Oh trust me I have significant personal contact with the US/America. For instance a part of my family lives in Canada and for work related matters I get to deal with alot of Americans.
Trust me when I say I can also open a book about the french, but that is also possible the other way around. But I can relate to everything you are saying.

Yours Truly,
The Steed.

P.S. send from my samsung galaxy.

He who hides the truth with lies,
Will only be left with his inner cries.

Sincerely Yours,
The Steed

Yup... America is the world police... (at least we think we are...)
America is a bullshit nation and has been for at least 40~50 years now
Hopefully things will turn around within the next decade though =l

not proud to be an american

Is this me in a nutshell?
Pretty much.
[img]http://www.dragonflycave.com/wpay/ninetales.gif[/img]

I'm an American. I come from New Jersey. I'm 17 years old and live in a culturally diverse city. Personally, as an American, I agree with what America is suppose to stand for. Freedom of Speech, of Religion, & etc. However, I disagree with my modern government. I protested against the recent S.O.P.A. & P.I.P.A. bills that where planned to be passed by the government. I feel like my government doesn't have its citizens best interest at heart. I don't feel like the government has has any interest for education, healthcare, and other social services. As, a minor I have to stay with my guardians until I'm 18. If I were given the chance to live outside of America I would. Malta is first on my list of countries to go to. I want to be an American... I just don't want my government. They leave their citizens in the dark.

http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/4ed3a3436bb3f7a00d00003c-650/time-magazine-covers.jpg

Never blame a nationality for the stupidity of it officials.

Quote from zheldramoomoo

Never blame a nationality for the stupidity of it officials.

Unless said officials are elected by the nationality, in which case it makes total logical sense to do just that.

[img]http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt122/Wthuh/CrenshiSig.jpg[/img]
Reviews of my Work:
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NightSwan also said that she wanted to peg me, once, but I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or a threat...

Quote from Crenshinibon

Quote from zheldramoomoo

Never blame a nationality for the stupidity of it officials.

Unless said officials are elected by the nationality, in which case it makes total logical sense to do just that.

It's a funny thing in America. Most of us hate our current officials, yet most of us also continue to vote for them time and time again. That's the problem with a two party system; you get to replace one brand of career politician poo with another one.

[img]http://img.userbars.pl/69/13603.gif[/img]

1st) I'm not old enough to vote.
2nd) If I was I would register as a Socialist. However, Our socialist party is practically non-existent. Most people vote for one of the two main parties. The Democratic and Republican. So, If I had to make a vote instead of voting for a party that won't win either way, I'd vote for the better of two evil.
This is one of the reasons I wish we had a voting system like the U.k. Who gets to kinda "spread their vote" for lack of a better term.

Quote from Crenshinibon

Quote from zheldramoomoo

Never blame a nationality for the stupidity of it officials.

Unless said officials are elected by the nationality, in which case it makes total logical sense to do just that.

Bush was voted in by 25% of the American population.

"I'll shut your mouth~~~~~ with mine~~~"

二息歩行

Quote from FormX

Quote from Crenshinibon

Quote from zheldramoomoo

Never blame a nationality for the stupidity of it officials.

Unless said officials are elected by the nationality, in which case it makes total logical sense to do just that.

Bush was voted in by 25% of the American population.

Slightly less than to be technical. He actually lost the popular election to Al Gore but, you know, Electoral College and all that.

[img]http://img.userbars.pl/69/13603.gif[/img]

Okay so when I clicked on this topic I was expecting something totally different. You guys are complaining about America basically sticking its nose into others countries' business and being able to influence them. There are plenty of examples of America doing just that, but this specific example http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2087574/Richard-ODwyer-extradition-A-naive-British-student-facing-10-years-chains.html isn't one of them in my opinion. If you want to blame someone, blame the UK for not standing up for its citizen who hadn't broken one of their laws and decided to extradite him to the country where he broke laws.

Now as for the general attack on what America stands for (although I don't know if this should really be discussed in this topic)

Extreme "Propaganda" and nationalism: what's wrong with being proud of your own country? Yes, showing the American flag every 20 minutes in a film seems to being going overboard, but I really don't think superhero movies, Oprah, and Dr. Phil are hurting anyone.

Language: There are plenty of countries that only have one language that is spoken. Why hate on Americans because most can only speak English? Although I would like to speak another language, its more of a personal interest and not a necessity for getting by in my society.

Not knowing where other countries are: Yeah, our geography education sucks. Geography isn't a part of most people's curriculum in the States. I think it should be, but blame it on our shitty education system, not on the people themselves.

Not caring about other countries: Well, when you're constantly told that you're in the best country on earth, and your president is leader of the free world, and you know that other countries often defer to your country for various matters, you kinda stop really caring or seeing the point of caring about other countries. I don't agree with this, but most countries don't have much of an influence on American daily life, so why care about them?

Lastly, let's get rid of generalizations. The US is a very diverse place, with lots of different cultures and viewpoints. I personally don't want people to judge me based on what my government has done or what the general stereotype of what an American is.

Is the whole continent the one called AMERICA... the stuff about south and north is the semantic standpoint. Lets say i call my chirld Eric of moon, does that make the moon his?... those that change the fact that the moon was there before him?, The continent got its name before The USA even existed... "In 1507, Martin Waldseemüller produced a world map on which he named the new continent America after Vespucci's first name, Amerigo." so believe what you want... thats the "American" way 😀 .

btw... didnt new the "of" gives ownership it seems i will never get to learn the language...

Quote from Crenshinibon

Quote from aagcnet

Remember... America's not the UNITED STATES... thats where the wrong starts...

While in principle I agree with you (the USA shouldn't be treated as the sole proprietor of the far west), the country isn't "the United States" it's "The United States of America." There's no reason that there couldn't, and I'm speaking purely hypothetically, but a "United States of China" from a semantic standpoint. "America" isn't anywhere, we have a place called North America and a place called South America (and Central America if you want to be technical) but you rarely talk about the entirety as a single unit, while using a shorthand for a powerful country with an annoyingly long name seems to be commonplace.

If you're going to argue semantics, think a little bit about what you're saying first. It's a technical complaint that conveniently ignores a few other technicalities. Ultimately meaningless.

Quote from aagcnet

Is the whole continent the one called AMERICA... the stuff about south and north is the semantic standpoint.

Quote from Crenshinibon

Quote from aagcnet

Remember... America's not the UNITED STATES... thats where the wrong starts...

While in principle I agree with you (the USA shouldn't be treated as the sole proprietor of the far west), the country isn't "the United States" it's "The United States of America." There's no reason that there couldn't, and I'm speaking purely hypothetically, but a "United States of China" from a semantic standpoint. "America" isn't anywhere, we have a place called North America and a place called South America (and Central America if you want to be technical) but you rarely talk about the entirety as a single unit, while using a shorthand for a powerful country with an annoyingly long name seems to be commonplace.

If you're going to argue semantics, think a little bit about what you're saying first. It's a technical complaint that conveniently ignores a few other technicalities. Ultimately meaningless.

I'm gonna be snide for a moment; by that logic, we may as well consider Europe, Africa, and Asia as one continent. The semantics are important.

[img]http://img.userbars.pl/69/13603.gif[/img]

Ill give a brief description of what happens to our country.
Gov't officials and company executives have lots of money and want to make more
media likes money
Polititicians like money
Money that is supposed to be spent on education fills pockets, and is used as bribes
A crappy education system makes stupid people
Stupid people believe almost anything in the media(cough fox new cough)
Media shows corrupt propoganda to make the ignorant masses vote
Corrupted system allows executives and officials to make more money

Then the gov't just sets that snowballing crap on repeat and watch their marionette's dance.

Few favs
Comedy:
Kyou kara ore wa!!, Mx0, Angel Densetsu, Skip Beat, Ai Kora, The Devil King is Bored

Romance:
Hana to Akuma, No bra, Shinigami Trilogy, kindan no koi de ikou, Usagi Drop, Threads of Time, Girl Friends

Most under rated:
Kindan no koi de ikou, kyou kara ore wa!.
m0r l83r... maybe >_>

Quote from TheShawn

Quote from FormX

Quote from TheShawn

Well, The Steed, I just ask that you remember that nearly all of our recent "world policing" has been done with the aid of numerous western powers. In fact, it's very rare that the US does something that England, Canada, and parts of the EU aren't also a part of. So, it isn't just America. All major powers are guilty of it.

Do you think the other "major powers" can disagree with, forget about stop, the USA even if they wanted to?

Considering many do OFTEN choose not to help us with our pursuits, yes, they can disagree. However, many also don't refuse to help, soooo, they're guilty too. Notice I'm not defending US actions, simply pointing out that the blame doesn't rest in one place.

In fact, they can, but only in small matters or when their support isn't needed politically or militarily, for example, they happily aided when their political support(more than the militar) was needed to further destroy Lybia, while making everyone think they were the good guys fighting for freedom, so an economical and political "takeover" would be easier after Kadhafi's demise, like they have done before in other countries.
They also help in trying to find reasons to invade Iran and take it's oil.

Currently, the only country with enough economical independency/interest and political importance/interest to oppose the US and consequently, the EU(their dogs) is Brazil. And it surely does whenever it is possible.