Did you know that it was illegal to...

[neoeno]

No matter how strong Europe is economically, if the US economy dies, then we're all in a pretty bad position.

And... well... I've never really had a thing for the thin lines on the world map. This would be the perfect time to quote, or make some pun off of, the whole "No man is an island" thing.

Maybe it's a more socialist attitude we have in the European countries, but we rarely ignore what happens in other countries just because it goes on in another country.

As for anti-USA graffiti, the US has come to symbolise a lot of things people hate. Globalisation, capitalism, conservatism (I think that's the word), obnoxious foreign policy, etc etc.

And... following on from what Milkman said, there have been many examples in history when hating and intervening in the governmental actions of another state has perhaps been the best idea. I mean... there's something to be said for revolution, but sadly that doesn't always happen.

[PurpleHaze]

It occurs to me that my comments were made with no context whatsoever, and that is not fair to you Indykids.

This summer, I had the pleasure to travel to Europe, which was lovely. Despite this, one of the things that both angered and disturbed me were the people who gladly offered me their opinions of our president and country, as if I was Bush's personal aide, and could deliver their words to him directly.

This got old pretty quick, to say the least. These people felt like they could take shots at us simply because we're 'The Monster from Across the Sea'.

The people I spoke with benefitted greatly from (and in some cases survived off of) American tourism (I was, after all, a tourist). Their comments seemed overbold and out of place.

The situation would be much different if these people were Middle Easterners, who have seen our military intrude on their territory far too many times. These were people who saw the news and didn't like it. And expected me to agree with them.

So, Galantee, I have absolutely NOTHING against you, and we most definitely should make love, as opposed to war. I just saw this topic going in the direction of Europeans bashing Bush, and I'd had my fill of that.

Ya'll Indykids... well, ya'll are great. Yup.

[ironypills]

Heal the world... make it a better place...

[TheMilkman]

There are dumb people everywhere... Americans who hate Bush even though they have no clue what they are talking about, Europeans who hate Bush even though they have no clue what they are talking about, Americans who hate every middle eastern country (and the people who live in them) even though they definitely don't know what they're talking about. So, there are just dumb people everywhere. The problem is when the smart people begin to generalize (ex. All Europeans hating Bush do not have a good reason), so just assume the other way, that everyone is smart and knows what they're talking about. Because if you assume someone is smart, and you begin to talk to them, you'll be able to tell if that assumption was right or wrong pretty easily.

Bush haters and Bush lovers who have no clue what they are talking about are equal in my mind, for they are both ignorant and are, in many cases, conforming to their family or the area they live in.

POLITICAL TALKZ

[neoeno]

Heal the world... make it a better place...

Who asked you?! Fucking hippies...

Also, generalisation is the problem in general... the USA seems to have slightly more than it's fair share of religious right, xenophobes, and patriots, Which is why a lot of the wider world generalise (especially since US culture is so evident to everyone else). But not all! I have a feeling that the most discrimination you'd get in the UK is a bit of a cold shoulder, because the culture is very... standoffish. Which can be good and bad.

However, all of the above rules hold humour exempt, of course, even though you yanks always seem to be oblivious to that kind of thing...

Ripe for a re-colonisation, I'd say!

[galantee]

generalisation is the problem in general

Hehe.

[neoeno]

generalisation is the problem in general

Hehe.

...I didn't even notice that.

Damn mannerisms!

[galantee]

Reminds me of "moderation in everything - especially in moderation".

[sold]

Amero

[bobman12]

I didn't know that. I'm going to say it at school to see what they will do.

[galantee]

I didn't know that. I'm going to say it at school to see what they will do.

Send you to Guantanamo?

[bobman12]

or boot camp.

[TheMilkman]

or a wilderness therapy camp.

[sold]

I'm travelling through, flying high into paradise
And all I can see
Is Wilderness