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

My self I quite like America, my Name is Z Phantom and I am an ACE (assistante community editor) kind of the H2G2 welcome waggon.
anyways if there are people being offensive just tell me or another ACE or GURU and we'll do what we can to sort it.
in the meentime incase your ever bored you could go to one of these sites :
Welcome Page - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/Welcome
Smiley Page - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/Smiley
GuideML clinic - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A187229
lots abnd lots of really useful pages - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A616718
The h2g2 Post - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/U54963


Incase you need me click on my name above
ZP

I find it sad that after all America has suffered, people still find the need to be so harshly critical. I must admit, I'm rather discouraged to hear you had to defend America to other people. Certainly, we have our flaws as a nation (I am, in no way, denying that!), but taking an entire nation's flaws and then suggesting all the people who live in that nation expouse those flaws is simply ignorant. My boyfriend is English, and I'm very thankful he doesn't hold stereotypes about me and vice-versa. It's a blessing.

Slightly off-topic, I was just in England (August 2002) for a week and a half, and it was lovely! I had visited London in late 1998, and this time, when I went, it was sunny every day and hot! Very un-England like, from what I hear. I found the people to be pleasant and welcoming, and although they had some cultural differences from me (I am from the American South, as well), I think it made my interactions with them all the more interesting. Who wants to live in a world full of people exactly like oneself? I heartily look forward to returning to England (London, to be specific) for my internship for my graduate school as a librarian! It'll be wonderful to spend 16 weeks over there (I never got to study abroad as an undergrad) and seeing my boyfriend (he lives in England--go to my personal page to find out all about that!) will be fantastic.

So far, I've found people here to be pleasant, and just as we wouldn't want people to judge Americans by our poorest specimens, perhaps we shouldn't do the same with those sad people it sounds like you encountered. Don't get me wrong--I think it's terrible you had to be subjected to that, but the fact of the matter is, some people are just ignorant, ugly, and childish, and it has absolutely nothing to do with nationality . . . their voices just get heard more often. So, for all of you non-Americans out there, let's see some positive writing in regards to Americans, please, particularly so close to the anniversary of the September 11 tragedy.


Marian

Hi there Karen,

Sadly I think a lot of the criticism thrown at America is due to two things. Firstly the American Presidents and their executive Administrations have done a lot of harm to other nations for decades. It's a sad state of affairs that a political system which looks after it's own people so well (and did so much for Europe after the war) also has a track record of incredible abuses of position on the international stage. Just look at the recent Johannesburg meeting. The world is trying to combat poverty, health and environment problems and the USA is doing nothing but obstructing progress in these areas because it goes against it's own interests.

I't a big shame, because I like America and most of the Americans that I have had the pleasure of meeting. But the second reason for all the criticism is the large proportion of ignorance that the American people have in regard to world issues. A great number of Americans sadly have no real grasp of what is going on in the world and thus they do not realise all the things that your Administration is getting wrong.

Now my country (UK-England) is by no means perfect, but over here when our Cabinet makes mistakes on the international circuit they get all kinds of harrasment from the people.

But in the main the large degree of criticism against Americans is, I think, unwarranted. You're just the same as any other people on Earth and you should not be targeted for abuse. As I said above I like America and in fact I hope one day to be an American citizen as well as an Englishman and citizen of the European Union.

I have one last point in responce to Marian the Librarian, and that is in regard to her comment alluding to September 11th. As terrible an event as that was and as much as I feel for your people, Marian, it is no reason to drop justified criticism of the American Administration and it's actions. My country has suffered decades of terrorism from the IRA but that doesn't mean that we should forget that Britain took Ireland by force and would not allow it's people independance. Two wrongs don't make a right and neither evil should be forgotten.

However, on the whole America is in my opinion a country of well meaning people and for that it should be celebrated.

Marcus Aurelius

sorry its taken me so long to get back, there were computer problems, (among other things)

I personaly love America (although being a tourist I generally stay near to the coasts) but from what i've seen of America i was happy to go back again and again (i was last there just a month and 1/2 ago) yes id does have the occasional problem but no more than any other country (especially England where i live)so i also think that predudices against America (and all countries) should be laid aside (especially upon reaching the point we are now at.) As it is impossible to judge others while your mind is not open. (sorry but that is something i feel strongley about.)

Z Phantom

Hi, I've been away for a long time. I appreciate your support and opinions. The last time I posted anything was near a year ago, and I've updated my page, so if you wanna read it, please do!

I've read the new version and it soounds like your doing well, I too like the Harry potter books (who dosent) but as for wanting to go to London, well personally I can't stand it, but thats just me.

Z P