Europe's Anti-American Obsession
- Thread starter JoeSF
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I won't pretend to defend what the Euros do, Lord knows they've brought a lot on themselves. But, I'm here most of the year, and you aren't. You get the biggest part of your info from the news media. Hmmm. Wanna hear a little bit of everyday junk from the other side of the pond? Maybe some of this will help you to see things from a different perspective, maybe some is lost in translation.
To start with, you have to understand that until fairly recently a huge part of Europe was not free to exercise the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, etc that we Americans (mostly) take for granted. Now it's literally everywhere. Confusing, yet fun. (Remeber the Iraqis running in the streets on TV?) Maybe some over-compensation here, but they're just words. WE still have the barbed wire, tanks and nukes, guys. Not the Euros. That could be kinda scary, huh?
Speaking of barbed wire, I rode the train back from work with an ex-commie boder policeman recently. He was trying to feed his family, same as I was. We traded smokes and talked about kids. We might have had to shoot each other back in the 80s. We moved on. My best friend's GF grew up in East Germany. Her parents were genuine party members. Now, 20-some years after the wall came down, she's still struggling with the difference between Pravda and Rush Limbaugh. Anybody ever listen to Radio Free Europe? How about Radio Free Moscow? How do you think Baywatch and The A-Team reruns factor in to the equation? Confusion? Mis-information?
There's plenty of jealousy and resentment, too. If you think about it, it's pretty natural. They grew up believing that we were the big enemy, who then won the Cold War. Everything we stand for was evil until just a few years ago. Now they have Mighty Capitalism, for which I stand, and, despite what they were fed by the all-knowing, ever- wise politicians, not everybody is driving a Mercedes, much less a Trabant today. It's gonna take a generation or two.
You've probably seen some of the demonstrations on TV. Think they may be a fun place to drink a few beers, skip class, yell, and meet girls? Nah, college kids back home are much better behaved when their teams WIN the championship, aren't they? Burn, baby, burn.
My downstairs neighbors are in their 80s. Guys, they LIVED history. I read about it in a book. A lot of us grew up listening to Grandma telling stories about the Great Depression, WW2, etc. Horrible, wonderous stuff. These people have had it all at least twice in their lifetimes. I wouldn't even know where to start.
Let them blow off some steam, folks. Remember what happened last time they couldn't?
Cheers, Ya'll
To start with, you have to understand that until fairly recently a huge part of Europe was not free to exercise the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, etc that we Americans (mostly) take for granted. Now it's literally everywhere. Confusing, yet fun. (Remeber the Iraqis running in the streets on TV?) Maybe some over-compensation here, but they're just words. WE still have the barbed wire, tanks and nukes, guys. Not the Euros. That could be kinda scary, huh?
Speaking of barbed wire, I rode the train back from work with an ex-commie boder policeman recently. He was trying to feed his family, same as I was. We traded smokes and talked about kids. We might have had to shoot each other back in the 80s. We moved on. My best friend's GF grew up in East Germany. Her parents were genuine party members. Now, 20-some years after the wall came down, she's still struggling with the difference between Pravda and Rush Limbaugh. Anybody ever listen to Radio Free Europe? How about Radio Free Moscow? How do you think Baywatch and The A-Team reruns factor in to the equation? Confusion? Mis-information?
There's plenty of jealousy and resentment, too. If you think about it, it's pretty natural. They grew up believing that we were the big enemy, who then won the Cold War. Everything we stand for was evil until just a few years ago. Now they have Mighty Capitalism, for which I stand, and, despite what they were fed by the all-knowing, ever- wise politicians, not everybody is driving a Mercedes, much less a Trabant today. It's gonna take a generation or two.
You've probably seen some of the demonstrations on TV. Think they may be a fun place to drink a few beers, skip class, yell, and meet girls? Nah, college kids back home are much better behaved when their teams WIN the championship, aren't they? Burn, baby, burn.
My downstairs neighbors are in their 80s. Guys, they LIVED history. I read about it in a book. A lot of us grew up listening to Grandma telling stories about the Great Depression, WW2, etc. Horrible, wonderous stuff. These people have had it all at least twice in their lifetimes. I wouldn't even know where to start.
Let them blow off some steam, folks. Remember what happened last time they couldn't?
Cheers, Ya'll
cracked butt
Member
Way I see it, a majority of Americans are either immigrants or decendants of immigrants who were persecuted, marginalized, or kicked out of their home countries, especially European countries. We made our own way and owe the former home countries who spit on us and our ancestors nothing .
Ever notice how more recent immigrants from Asia, Russia, and Africa embrace our country and Capitalism? Its because its better here than anywhere else.
Ever notice how more recent immigrants from Asia, Russia, and Africa embrace our country and Capitalism? Its because its better here than anywhere else.
As mentioned, Europe and the US are just different countries.
My professor is from Denmark and I have 2 fellow students who call Germany and Sweden home. They seem to like the US just fine. Not agreeing with a countrys action or policy does not mean that they are anti American. Much like how we have European steotypes, so do they. But as much as they need our money, we need theirs. All of our trade is dependent on one another. Sure we may have disagreements or even trade wars, but by enlarge, each of our existance and future strength will be interlocked. As mentioned the EU will be adding 10 new members.... and if their economies improve, well perhaps in the future, we will see another power to rival the US... Maybe... Hopefully
Many of my friends who've gone to Europe have had very different experiences as "Americans" Think of it this way. If a person came and spent all their time out in say, Texas or Montanna versus the Coast of CA, their experiences will be very different. I tend to think that there are instead many shades of gray. With us or against us is just a stupid and simple minded concept.
My professor is from Denmark and I have 2 fellow students who call Germany and Sweden home. They seem to like the US just fine. Not agreeing with a countrys action or policy does not mean that they are anti American. Much like how we have European steotypes, so do they. But as much as they need our money, we need theirs. All of our trade is dependent on one another. Sure we may have disagreements or even trade wars, but by enlarge, each of our existance and future strength will be interlocked. As mentioned the EU will be adding 10 new members.... and if their economies improve, well perhaps in the future, we will see another power to rival the US... Maybe... Hopefully
Many of my friends who've gone to Europe have had very different experiences as "Americans" Think of it this way. If a person came and spent all their time out in say, Texas or Montanna versus the Coast of CA, their experiences will be very different. I tend to think that there are instead many shades of gray. With us or against us is just a stupid and simple minded concept.
If you make any friends that are Euros, one on one they are as good a friend as any. The media and politicians over there have a stranglehold on their minds far greater than the US is under - - yet. 
Because 80% of any group is willing to let the other 20% do the thinking, take responsibility, run things, etc. is the fact that they are misinformed surprising?
Even our own USA electorate is split 45 - 45% D&R. You tell me how enlightened people on the average are.
Because 80% of any group is willing to let the other 20% do the thinking, take responsibility, run things, etc. is the fact that they are misinformed surprising?
Even our own USA electorate is split 45 - 45% D&R. You tell me how enlightened people on the average are.
Waitone
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