05-21-2004, 07:12 AM | #1 | |
Takhisis Follower
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: Mandurah, West Australia
Age: 60
Posts: 5,073
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This was a commentary piece in my local paper yesterday from journalist Steve Penells who is in America at the invitation of the US State Department.
It's a little lengthy, and you might wonder whether he is on all sides or none throughout the journey, but it seemed to me he had a few good things to say along the way. Quote:
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05-21-2004, 10:03 AM | #2 | |
40th Level Warrior
Join Date: July 11, 2002
Location: Chicago, IL
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Good article, Davros, though maybe it does Aussies a little too little credit. Anyway, nice to see that view from a foreigner. I've noted similar sentiments from visiting/transplanted foreigners (Yorick, for instance).
Anyway, to correct one thing that's not a flaw but leads one to a flawed conclusion: Quote:
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05-21-2004, 12:57 PM | #3 |
Takhisis Follower
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: Mandurah, West Australia
Age: 60
Posts: 5,073
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I might disagree with you now and then TL, and I might disagree with our absent freind MagiK a lot, but even in disagreement I don't aim to be myopic and I don't have an axe to grind with your country or it's people.
The US has a lot to love about it. Sure I disagree with many things, and several of those themes the writer touched on - unquestioning patriotism, gun laws, death penalty, the "Fair and Balanced One", and Freedom fries (funny how they all were there [img]smile.gif[/img] ). But the writer makes some good points that people who knock America need to take on board, and that also those who defend her with unquestioning patriotism should consider. The knockers need to make the effort to look past their grudge sometimes and see the positives. And the defenders - I don't downrate the importance of defending one's country, but it is important that it is done with an open mind.
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05-21-2004, 01:10 PM | #4 |
40th Level Warrior
Join Date: July 11, 2002
Location: Chicago, IL
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When I act in defense of my country, I do so with a closed mind. The last thing I want is reason or ration getting in my way.
I got the funniest image when you were talking about what the "knockers" should do. If you want a real thing to hate about America, hate our ability to package useless crap (be it food, trinkets, gadgets, widgets, happy meals, whatever) and sell it like wildfire. We can sell you crappy TV, and then use the crappy TV to convince you to buy other crappy things you don't need. It's the worldwide grasp of our consumer culture that probably makes us more hated than anything else. Next time you see a bunch of ululating fanatics on TV in some unidentifiable tan-colored town with tan-colored buildings burning a flag or hanging GWB in effagy, look for the "Pepsi" signs in the background and the labels on their tee-shirts. These people have had enough of our culture to hate us, but not enough to just give up fighting, plop down on the couch with a bag of Doritos, and grab a remote control to confort themselves. |
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