Subject:
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Re: Ok, why such anti-American sentiment? (Was Re: the metric system)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Wed, 2 May 2001 06:00:49 GMT
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Viewed:
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273 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, James Simpson writes:
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Timothy Culberson writes:
> > Christopher Tracey wrote:
> > >
> > > yay or nay?
> > >
> > > -chris
> >
> > Abosolutely yay. The US should get out of their redneck rut and realize
> > that they are decades behind the rest of the world when it comes to this
> > issue. The US is simply stinking up everybody else with their stupid
> > old system (especially here in Canada where we rely on so many of their
> > products and such).
>
> First, regarding the metric system, use whatever pleases you. Personally, I
> don't care. I like the old system, simply because i grew up with it, and i
> therefore find it more (personally) natural to think in terms of feet and
> inches than meters and centimeters, and i frankly always will Big deal.
On the personal level it's not so important. In Australia (metric for thirty
years or so) people's height and (less often) weight is still usually
described in imperial units. On the organisational level using the wrong
units can waste over $125 million.[1]
> Anyway, to the meat of my issue:
>
> I really tire of all the anti-American comments thrown around in debate.
> Frankly, i'm offended by it, although i hate to let down my guard and admit
> that. I am an American citizen, and have done absolutely no wrong whatsoever
> to Canadians, Germans, British, Dutch, Swazilanders, Mauretanians, Yemenese,
> Sudanese, Bhutanese, etc., etc. I have never personally trampled on any of
> said nations' national senses of identity, and, to the best of my knowledge,
> i have never sent a truckload of cultural detritus/propaganda/rhetoric either
> north, south, east, west of my border. I do not, in a nutshell, consider
> myself the "Ugly American."
Collective vs individual responsibility is always a difficult question. It's
almost impossible to attribute _any_ responsibility except in the most
general sense when coca-colonisation is
a. in the national interest
b. de facto government policy
c. implemented by a myriad of private individuals and corporations
d. a mixed blessing that is on balance accepted, if not welcomed.
> Now, I am, however, really trying not to become the "Resentful American," but
> i admit that its sometimes hard. I've been to Europe. My father is from
> Europe-- an expatriate of Scotland who still retains his British
> citizenship. At some important level, i consider myself to be "European"
> because the bones of my ancestors (whom i honor) lie in European soil. But
> the bones of my American kindred also lie in European soil. Shall we go
> there?
I'd rather not, since my knowledge of history is fairly weak. I would say
that American war-time intervention in Europe was more in the US national
interest than because of any moral sensibility.
> I have become something of an isolationist, though. I'm not sure that I'll
> ever return to Europe. I don't particularly care to go to a place in which i
> am (vicariously, at least) scoffed at and villified for being an American.
I think it's tragic when a thoughtful and well-educated person abandons an
interest in experiencing other cultures first-hand -- possibly the only way
to achieve real mutual understanding between people and nations.
> Heck, even my English relatives do that. They can't stand America, but they
> still vacation at Disney World.
Hypocrisy has always been an endearing characteristic of the English.[2]
> American citizens make enormous contributions to foreign aid.
Most people in the world make enormous contributions to the profits of
American corporations.
> But most countries shake a fist at America, while keeping the other hand open
> in case they need something. Maybe that's wrong, but it feels that way.
The angry gesture of the disempowered perhaps?
> I relish a civilized clash-of-arms; let's debate foreign policy, let's debate
> history and economics, but leave your whining "redneck" crap on your side of
> the border.
Just when I thought I had escaped o-t.debate forever...
--DaveL
[1] http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/launches/orbiter_errorupd_093099.htm
[2] National stereotypes are only funny if we know how inaccurate they are.
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Ok, why such anti-American sentiment? (Was Re: the metric system)
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| (...) Ok, this is an honest question, although somewhat rhetorical, but I mean no affront: Why, then, did Australia fight in the World Wars and in Vietnam with America? I understand the historical relationship between the UK and Australia, and yes, (...) (23 years ago, 2-May-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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