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

I'm with Apparition. What the USA does within its own borders is its own affair and nothing to do with me. Most of the time I don't even think about the fact that guns are freely available in the States, unless I'm watching a programme about the American differing attitudes to guns in their country.

My attitude to America and its policies and behaviour towards the rest of the world is coloured by what I've seen. That can be summed up as, "What we say is right because we're saying it and we're more powerful than you. If you don't like it, tough. Oh, and if you don't like it we'll regard you as a potential enemy, or maybe harbouring terrorists."

"If you don't like it, tough. Oh, and if you don't like it we'll regard you as a potential enemy, or maybe harbouring terrorists.""

next after syria, perhaps

>>Yes I know about the global shifts in capital and human resources. Nothing to worry about here. Wealth is like water in the free market,it finds it's own level.<<
Excuse me, exactly what does this mean? Do you really believe it?

The impression I had of America here in NZ goes back to when I was 10 years old, and we got television. I d westerns, I remember Perry Mason, from which both of which I got the impression that the presence of heaps of guns and heaps of alcohol were major parts of American life.
Now I am older, I still see the guns everywhere, though not the alcohol everywhere. I don't have any figures, but the impression I get (not from TV or folm, Oetzi) is that many if not most Americans keep a gun for security, not necessarily because there *is* a lot of crime, but because they think there is... maybe because of TV and film!
PS - Favourite westerns: The Virginian, Rawhide, Bonanza but not Gunsmoke, cos everyone in it seemed to be geriatric...

Yes I am a fan of Adam Smith, Della. I was a commercial manager so I had to be. The latest theory is that capitalism only works WITH RULES. Bit like reinventing the wheel eh?....what?

Yes it does work without "certain men in a certain condition" as Smith so diplomatically put. If any thing guarantees a response in me these types do. Get rid of these folks..impossible.. and bingo you have an egalitarian world!

Well, when The Revolution arrives...on second thoughts, I think we all realise that those "certain men" will be financing it, so let's not go there.

Guns: just plain dangerous. I also find it amusing that the provision in the US constitution that allows ownership of weapons says something like "in order for there to be a militia". In other words, the original intent of the constitution was probably that there be a citizen army and no standing armed forces at all.

Of course, the other (apparent) constitutional use for guns is to overthrow any government that has become tyrannical. This means that if Americans don't like their government's actions and consider them tyrannical they are encouraged to take up arms and overthrow the regime. Constitutionally enshrined revolution! Wonderful! In the Real World, however...never happen.

Yes, "Have a nice day!" Who can question the sincerity of that greeting if you know the recipient could be carrying a hand gun.

I personally don't have an issue with personal weapons but I know plenty of people who do.

I like police members to visibly carry them. Common on the Europen mainland but rare in the UK.

My tuppence worth....

What do you think of Bush and
a) the way he deals with the other nations of the world/

Scarily ignorant - not unlike many other leaders worldwide, but more concerning because of the power he wields.

the U.N.?
I'm not saying the UK in perfect, but considering the US still owe them billions, and in the absence of any other method of world leaders getting together to express their views, such wholesale dismissal of the majority of the planet appalls me.

b) the way he's dealing with Iraq?
Badly prepared, over-optimistic, delusional about the support of the man in the ground.

c) his haircut?
What's that got to do with the price of bread?

How has your perception of America changed since the events of Sept. 11? Has any sympathy evaporated in light of the U.S.'s actions?
I always thought America was a unique country for its size, power and religious nature. Some of it is wonderful - the scenery, the truly optimistic nature of the people; some of it is worrying, that the generosity of spirit of the people has been used as a way to brainwash them into thinking that their aggressive expansionist policies for capitalism are benign as opposed to re-named colonialism; and scary, in terms of the number of people who don't edicate themselves about what is going on - in their own country, never mind elsewhere.

Not sure what to do about Iraq now. Too late to pull out. Throw loads of money at it & don't just leave it to fester like all the outer places in Afganistan.

What do you believe the American public should do about it?

Demonstrate publicly, learn more than him about world affairs so that you can have intelligent debate, tell your friends, your neighbours and everyone who will listen what is really going on - and vote him out as soon as you get the chance.

My personal answers please note....
Bush is president..elected..respected.
His administration dispenses foreign affairs well enough.
The UN could not fuction without the US.
Iraq is in turmoil now. It was before.
Bush looks OK to me..his wife's a good looking woman..like her for sure!
Since 9/11 I regard myself at war with terrorism.
US cits are no different than most folks
Calling them stupid in my physical presence would predicate an unpleasant response toward the offender.
The public should address their political representative if they have concerns.
Your opinion is precious to you but not to me.
thanks for asking

"Your opinion is precious to you but not to me."

Great. Riding Shotgun, however, has asked for opinions. If you're not interested, you need not be here.

Here's a question which might help to focus some of the discussion: Do countries other than the U.S. maintain a large network of permanent or semi-permanent military bases on foreign (non-U. S.) soil? I'm not really sure of the answer. If the answer should be "no", could this unique world-wide military presence be part of what colours some people's negative opinion of the U.S.? (Okay. Two questions, but they're related.)

The UK has bases in Germany and Cyprus, and maybe some other places too but I'm not sure.

Trunt, you get some peculiar people sunshine and your one of 'em.

Huh?

Not you brother..Trunt. Are we galaxy banjaxed here or what?

Itsy:

What's peculiar? Was my question about U. S. bases somehow peculiar? Cyzaki felt it to be worthy of an answer. Or is it my comment on your comment that you felt peculiar? If that was the problem, then look at the title of the thread: it is a request for opinions. You stated an opinion of other people's opinions; I stated my opinion of yours. Seems fair, not peculiar.

You know precisely what's about, trunt. Just who are you trying to lead? Play a straight ball please.

"You know precisely what's about, trunt. Just who are you trying to lead?"

I really have no clue what you're on about.

Oh really? Eureka!

?

Can anyone explain this to me?