h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A quick answer to that stupid canadian article: The Marshall plan and the Truman policy? Do you have any idea of what that was? I'll tell you two things about Greece. Loads of money came in from the US which ended to rebuild the greek army and police in their fight against the communist rebel army (there was a civil war between 1944-1949). The next loads of money came in to build compounds in desert islands to host the captured and exiled.Some money was given for the rebuilding of government buildings - not that useful, since the government was enforced by the british and americans.Oh, some help was sent to the villages in the rural areas as well... There came: canned food dating back years (which poor villagers devoured, having seen most of the village die from hunger), a great amount of...bras (no woman in rural areas had ever seen one) and also many shoes; only the right shoe of each pair though (connotation about right and left maybe).
I'm not left-wing to begin with. But I can't stand reading all this s**t about the financial help.Anybody not understanding that this is a way of controlling other places of the world and expanding the american influence is definitely an idiot.Note that in our country there are military bases of the US forces, where nuclear weapons are stationed.For that outcome, I couldn't care less for american help.

N'Spite, you voted for Dubya? You must be an interesting case of person after all...

Nobody's saying that other countries don't have any problems. The big difference is however that none of those countries claim to be a shining example the rest of the world must follow. America persist in doing this however, no matter how ugly the picture gets over there.

Pale Male and Vogan Z, as I pointed out earlier, that dated piece of Canadaian-sourced propaganda - check out the reference to obsolete airplanes - was written in 1973, presumably to help America get over it's defeat in Vietnam.

It has been posted here at least six times.

I'm sure some Canadian somewhere has said something nice about America in the ensuing 28 years

I agree.Also don't misunderstand my continuous reference to Greece, I just happen to know a lot of things (since I live here) that I think are worth sharing. Note that I'm not obsessed with my country, on the contrary I've never sang the national anthem, never saluted the flag, that's maybe the reason why I don't want to end up "pleading allegiance to the stars and stripes". By the way treefrog, what you said in the other thread about guilt and your life, I'm glad you weren't censored.. when I wrote something like that the first days, it was hidden in 2 minutes

And another thing, someone posted

"Please don't confuse the idiocy and arrogance of the US government and the major American corporations with the feelings of the population as a whole...

Since you claim to be a democracy it doesn't work that way. Everyone who voted for the current president is partially responsible for the actions of the government. Every American that didn't vote (the majority I gather) is even more responsible because they didn't do anything to change the current situation.

I know there is a truly progressive and democratric movement in the US, it's just very hard to see it amidst the tidal wave of religious fanatics and redneck yokels that seem to be in charge at the moment.

You may very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment

Wallow in it people. Honestly Americans are pretty ignorant of your resentment. And people like me who come looking for your opinions, once they get them would rather be ignorant of them. I can honeslty right now say I dont care what you think. Because I am not igmorant of it anymore. We voted for our president, and guess what, who we chose is none of your business, yes Americans do think that. We don't get all pissy when you guys elect someone we don't care for. Our system works for us, we are not like a third world nation that will rise up and start killing each other because an election didn't go perfect, we would like a better system but i'll be damned if someone can come up with a better one than we got.

I just want you to know that as a normal American, who does care about the rest of the world, injustices and all, after hearing your hate filled resentmen. I could care less. It does not effect me. Nor will it change me or my government. Everything that America is accused of, well every nation does it. We should feel bad about it? Nope. We feel bad about our mistakes and screwups sure, so does everyone.

I sing the National Anthem and pledge alliegence because I want to. Same with every red blooded american. If you don't get it is becuase you don't got it, it is not because we are brainwashed or less educated than you. Think about it. What makes almost 300 million average, normal citizens of the planet have such passion for their country? Maybe you will never understand, and for that I feel sorry for you. America is so much more than you guys are willing to ever understand. Is it jelousy? I hope not, and doubt it. BUt people could call it that. Resentment for sure. BUt as a parting word I would like to say that Americans holds no such resentment to any of your nations. Ignorance is Bliss i guess you could say. This kind of petty resentment will never amount to what happened 9/11. And we will handle that. Or not. But it will not change us. We will and should be ignorant of this kind of resentment. It borders on jelousy, but it has truths to it so I will not belittle it that much. As I said before this American is tired of being a punching bag for the worlds miseries and yours. I am not coming back so you shouldnt address a comment directly to me. As I can't say it was nice being here it sure was enlightening. later all.

Since N'Spite is not coming back, I would like to express to the other people that talk here, that
I don't care he's gone. Even better.. I think he already answered the question set.This is why people hate Americans.

No offense right? (no need for my help to get offended)

Vogon Z, I'm not picking on you, or at least I hope I'm not, but while everyone has their own opinions about other researchers, saying you don't care isn't necessarily one that should be shared right after the said researcher has posted.

Just my opinion. Feel free to ignore it.

¦M¦

Okay...

Let me make a statement: I LIKE AMERICANS.
Here's another: I do not confuse the inhabitants of the country with their Government or their Corporate structure.

and then someone says this:
"people like me who come looking for your opinions, once they get them would rather be ignorant of them"

N'Spite, I know you're reading this.
The reason that so many people dislike Americans is the one you have just given. Here are some more.

"We don't get all pissy when you guys elect someone we don't care for"
You do. Several prominent american businessmen engineered a run on certain european currencies the last time it looked like a federated Europe was a possibility. And if it's OK to elect who you want under any circumstances you want why did the CIA spend so much time trying to remove communist governments?

"Everything that America is accused of, well every nation does it"
Not every nation is big enough. Or powerful enough. You would have a hard time getting Luxembourg or Monaco to emulate the USA. You don't find most of the rest of the world refusing to ban landmines or refusing to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses they produce. The USA has done both.

Based on personal experience I can say this: that many Americans who display the entirely laudable patriotism that N'Spite has shown also have something else in common. They don't question. They aren't critical of their country and it's actions. They tend to be unwilling to believe that the USA could be capable of some of the worst actions of the last century.

I have seen the bad side of america and Americans...and I still like them. Hey, they're just people.

We have to remember that a nation is the sum of it's people; the good, the bad, the indifferent. Quite a few of my friends are American. I met them as individuals and I grew to like them as individuals. I couldn't care less what their country is or is not. I don't care how ANY media portrays that country. If I were that easily influenced I would expect my fellow countrymen to be Oxbridge educated villains at the heart of every foul plot in the world - isn't that how Hollywood resolutely stereotypes the English?

Get real people. And N'Spite? Some advice from a truely great American:

"Get off your horse and drink your milk".

N'Spite said:

"And people like me who come looking for your opinions, once they get them would rather be ignorant of them. I can honeslty right now say I dont care what you think."

But, N'Spite, it is obvious that you DO care. And I think it's great that you care. I hope you don't really belive that it is better to be ignorant of what people think about America. Ignorance is NOT bliss.

As I have said before, the fact that you are still here, the fact that we are all still here, ordinary people from many different countries and continents, this is what gives me hope. It's GOOD that we don't all agree with each other. It's GOOD that there is real debate here. Just try not to take it too personally. I know it's hard, I've sometimes felt 'ouch!' when someone has responded vehemently to something I've written, but then I've sat down and thought about it from their point of view (or tried to!) It's not easy. But honest and open communication is really the only way forward.

jude

Hi!

> You would have a hard time getting Luxembourg or Monaco to emulate the USA.

Come on, you're spending your time in vain. Know their attitude? The best you can get is: "Where the f**k is Monaco?" That's approximately how Coca-Cola boss of the time reacted to the news of food poisoning caused by that drink in Belgium.

Best regards.

Alexander

"We voted for our president, and guess what, who we chose is none of your business"

It IS! Because of the same reason I have already repeated more than once: because of America's dominance (a position you put yourself in), the decisions of the American leader(s) ARE of importance to the rest of the world! You think we don't care about major decisions being taken in America that could affect the world entirely or a big part of the world?

I wish I could say it was none of our business...

Gradient: You only seemed to miss one point(I may be wrong as I often am). They don't learn REAL history(ie.warts and all). Hollyweird says Rambo et al will save US honour every time , Might=Right is the only equation that the US seems to understand. I fear that the heavy handed approach may do more harm than good. Having said that, I must also say that I know who's side of the fence I must sit on. Terrorism must be fought, but humanity must be saved.
Rocket
still going nowhere in the great oz outback

,

I don't think anyone learns real history. My fiancee is a historian, has taught Americans and will argue the point about what Americans learn endlessly.

We all learn what our nation wants us to learn, right or wrong. The US is no more guilty of that than the UK. I can't speak for Australia, of course, but every nation has it's guilty little secrets and things it would rather it hadn't done.

I will happily stand up for individual Americans, especially those I know personally, because they are genuinely good people. What I have been trying to say is that we should not judge Americans by the actions of their media or their government. Instead, we should look at the reactions of Americans in places like this and make up our minds about them as people.

N'Spite, for example, is probably a very nice person when he/she isn't defending their nation. I'd like to meet N'Spite because from their posts here it is clear we could probably debate stuiff until the cows come home

Talking about cows.

New Zealand cows produce some of the world's best milk. It's creamy and it's cheap.

If globalisation is so great, then why don't more North Americans have access to NZ milk/milk products?

The short answer: Tariffs and subsidies. Apparently globilisation is only a good thing when it doesn't affect American farmers.

I have just had a glas of apple juice made in Norway. It tastes rather good people. But I come here and the exchanges are less than kind.
People, this is a debating forum, where IDEAS compete for space, not loudness of voices (and I would probably win there). Jude and N'Spite, lets get on with the debate and not attack each other. Goen001, it is a waste of space to post something so many times. It kills the flow and exposes you to a lot of ...(censored by author).

Let us not be angry. Lets thrash the thread "Why do people hate Americans". Do people hate Americans? Yes they do. So N'Spite should not get pissed off. Try and find out why they do. If you defend, do it with grace, not grinding of the teeth.

I may not hate American, but would someone tell me, if I hate just one, would that qualify me to "hate Americans"?? N'Spite, with GRACE!!

Peace to u all (Charlotte, where are u??)

I bet you can't buy Norwegian apples. If you can, then I guess the North American orchardist doesn't have much political muscle, unlike the cattle and sheep people.

hey LOOn,

The best milk doesnt come from New Zealand. Trouble is thats the only milk YOU have tasted.
As for me, the best milk comes (naaah, came) from me good old mother!
Yah!

"Ignorance is bliss" You are joking! Look at Dubya! Ignorance is bliss?? Ha!

Hey Loon
You know, these Norwegians have really kept others out. Kinda admire them for that. No American big companies to make noise here.
The apples ARE Norwegian, even the leaders are Norwegian!
Ask the North Americans, they will say "Where the f**k is Norwegian?" LOL! NOT Norway!