I LOVE AMERICA! by Geezer

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

I LOVE AMERICA!

POSTED BY: GEEZER
UPDATED: Thursday, February 22, 2007 22:45
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 3883
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Sunday, January 28, 2007 5:15 PM

Keep the Shiny side up

Yes I do.

I love the America that kicks the bastards out when they go to far, in either direction.

I love the America that raises a stink about, and punishes its own citizens for, treatment of prisoners that's standard procedure in most of the world.

I love the America that allows peaceful protest against the government, in the nation's capitol, without any action against the protesters.

I love the America that may oppose the government of a country, but still feeds its people.

I love the America where I could work with people of all races, sexes, creeds, and backgrounds, and the only consideration was how well you did your job.

I love the America where my dentist is Chinese, my doctor is Scots, my barber is Iranian, my dry cleaner is Korean, my favorite restaurants are Greek, Thai, Mexican, a burger joint with a Central American staff, a Subway where everyone is Eastern European; where I can hear ten different languages a day and we're all Americans and we all get along.

Not perfect, by a long shot, but better than we were. With enough scrappy folk running around to make sure we get better still, and a system that allows us to do so.

I refuse to give up on us. We have the strength to make things better, if we have the will. My glass is half full, and the tap's still running.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Sunday, January 28, 2007 5:55 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Amen, brother.

No other gets its dirty laundry aired so often, is so quick to make ammends and still does so much good for so many around the world.

I'll take her, warts and all.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Sunday, January 28, 2007 7:17 PM

CREVANREAVER

Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Amen, brother.

I second that.

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Sunday, January 28, 2007 7:38 PM

KRYS33

Agreed.

I think we tend to forget about all the good things we have going for us.

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Sunday, January 28, 2007 7:58 PM

MAZAEN

I love America because it it has disneyland.

I love America because it has Canada next to it and Nathan Fillion came from there.

I love America because the Americans saved my country from being invaded by Japan in a war.

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Sunday, January 28, 2007 10:17 PM

KHYRON

Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:
I love America

Troll!

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.

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Monday, January 29, 2007 2:45 AM

THEKNIGHT

I don't really post on the RWED all that often. Hell I don't really post on any of the boards for that matter. But I do read them a whole hell of a lot. And this little cycle with the love/hate of America has really gotten me thinking. Now as you probably don't know, I am an American currently studying in Hong Kong with lots of people from lots of different places. I would be willing to say that Hong Kong is one of, if not the most international place I have ever heard of, much less been. So being here I get to hear a lot of different peoples view on America from a lot of different backgrounds. This has given me lots of time to think about my own country. Getting to view it from all kinds of interesting angles. Get to watch what is going in my homeland from the eyes of an outsider. I get to see why people do not like the things we do. Hell I can even sympathize with them on most things. But I also remember the country I love; hell I lived there for nigh on twenty years and I am going back to in a few months time.
America has her problems, that is without question. She has always had them, and most likely she always will. There are things about her I absolutely hate. I don't need to name them all, the hate side covers a good few of them fairly well. There are so many things about her that I love. Geezer, you did a great job with putting the good things into words.
Arguing over the nuts and bolts of the issues, well that is part of what makes America great. You can disagree with the administration if you want, or you can support it blindly if that is how you deign to live your life. But in the end, the part that makes me smile and be proud of my country is at the end of the day, you can protest and march, but as long as you keep it peaceful, well there ain't nothing anyone can do. You can disagree in public and the government can't hurt you. I have seen many places around here this year where that is not even close to the case. Where America has her faults, we still must remember that she is still the land of opportunity, and we must keep her that way. It is the job of us Americans to keep her great.
I know that was long and rambling and probably did not make a whole hell of a lot of sense, but the jist of what I am trying to say is that these two threads, the America you are describing is the same one. Hell, no place is perfect. Every place has there good parts and there bad parts. What we need to do is know the bad parts and work on fixin em, but we can't just look at them and be all negative like. You gotta remember there is good, and that good is why people came to America in the first place. Now I am going to step off my digital soap box, head back into the shadows, and hope I don't get stones chucked at me. I am just trying to help everyone get along without trying to kill one another, cause to me that is what America is all about.

Hong Kong- the verse of tomorrow here today.

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Monday, January 29, 2007 3:47 AM

YINYANG

You were busy trying to get yourself lit on fire. It happens.

America? Eh, it's okay.

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Monday, January 29, 2007 5:02 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by theknight:
Now I am going to step off my digital soap box, head back into the shadows, and hope I don't get stones chucked at me.

TheKnight, please don't stay in the shadows too long, your post was very positive and we need more of that around here. It made all manner of sense, and your view from HK was great. My thread 'I hate America' was intended to bring out just such a response as yours, I guess Geezer set it up better, without as much snark...

A balanced view is all I ask...thanks!

Say Hi to Jackie Chan for me if you see him Chrisisall

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Monday, January 29, 2007 5:39 AM

CARTOON

Quote:
Originally posted by CrevanReaver:
Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Amen, brother.

I second that.

How's about a third? Well said by all of you. Great thread.

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Monday, January 29, 2007 8:07 AM

CITIZEN

Nothing wrong with that.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Monday, January 29, 2007 8:15 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
Nothing wrong with that.

Hey Citizen, we're not gonna get anyone angry at us talkin' this way....

Peaceful co-existing-like Chrisisall

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Monday, January 29, 2007 8:19 AM

CITIZEN

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Hey Citizen, we're not gonna get anyone angry at us talkin' this way....

Gah, nothing for the Trolls to get uppity about.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Monday, January 29, 2007 11:14 AM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

I love the America that kicks the bastards out when they go to far, in either direction. Though it does rig elections like any petty dictatorship.

I love the America that raises a stink about, and punishes its own citizens for, treatment of prisoners that's standard procedure in most of the world. Except the people that made it policy. Well, shit always did run downhill.

I love the America that allows peaceful protest against the government, in the nation's capitol, without any action against the protesters. Discounting the files kept on said protestors who were merely exercising their constitutional rights.

I love the America that may oppose the government of a country, but still feeds its people. If in rather fickle manner.

I love the America where I could work with people of all races, sexes, creeds, and backgrounds, and the only consideration was how well you did your job. Must be a white male speaking.

I love the America where ... we're all Americans and we all get along. Just like Rodney King said.

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Monday, January 29, 2007 11:32 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
rue wrote:
Monday, January 29, 2007 11:14
I love the America that kicks the bastards out when they go to far, in either direction. Though it does rig elections like any petty dictatorship.

rue, you mean you're still upset over the Democrats stealing the 1960 election? The Chicago tactic of allowing dead people to vote early and often? Or where Democrats were caught giving away crack and cigs to the homeless if for signing up more voters ? Or Dems trying to change the rules AFTER the vote in the 2000 election in FL ?

Quote:
I love the America that allows peaceful protest against the government, in the nation's capitol, without any action against the protesters. Discounting the files kept on said protestors who were merely exercising their constitutional rights.

Files which Bill and Hillary Clinton kept, by the 100's , illegally, on their political rivals when Bill was President ? Or the audits that the IRS ran on those who spoke out against Clinton?

Quote:
I love the America where I could work with people of all races, sexes, creeds, and backgrounds, and the only consideration was how well you did your job. Must be a white male speaking.

Or it could just as easily been Martin Luther King Jr......I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Where Oprah Winfry is the wealthiest self made woman, where Condoleeza Rice serves as Secretary of State, where Nancy Pelosi serves as Speaker of the House of Rep.,into a house where the first Muslim has been elected, ....oh yeah. It could only have been said by a white male in that good ole boy network.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Monday, January 29, 2007 11:53 AM

FREMDFIRMA

Geeze, well said.

Love the idea, hate the piss-poor execution thereof.

One thing I always loved about Detroit was it's multicultural aspect, but these days the virulent americanzi attitudes have driven a lot of it away, and it saddens me.

Snark if you will, but I always thought Turbans were like, the coolest headgear EVER.

I look forward to the passing of what seems to be a national insanity and the return of our meltingpot culture.

-Frem

It cannot be said enough, those who do not learn from history, are doomed to endlessly repeat it

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Monday, January 29, 2007 11:54 AM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

Rap,

When you can show the Dems rigged 3 MILLION votes in any election cycle, I will concede the Dems are just as bad as the Rats.

That the Clintons kept files "by the 100's" is terrible, just terrible. This isn't a partisan thing, you know. But where is your outrage against Bush and the USPatriot Act? Where is your outrage against government spying on 1/10 of all phone numbers in the US (roughly 30 MILLION). Isn't keeping records on 'hundreds' small 'taters to keeping records on millions?

Despite MLK's dreams, the US is not there yet. This is NOT a country of equality. When has a woman been president? Even backwards Pakistan has a better record. Women - well over 50% of the population - hold a record 16% of seats in the Congress. Women work 16 months to equal the 12 month salary of men. And I haven't even touched on ethnicity.

http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/Facts.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/22/AR2006
042200134.html

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Monday, January 29, 2007 1:21 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:
Originally posted by rue:
Rap,

When you can show the Dems rigged 3 MILLION votes in any election cycle, I will concede the Dems are just as bad as the Rats.

When you an show that the GOP did ANYTHING near to what you claim, I'll listen. Until then, I'll treat those claims along w/ the long list of other Democrat lies and myths.

Quote:
That the Clintons kept files "by the 100's" is terrible, just terrible. This isn't a partisan thing, you know. But where is your outrage against Bush and the USPatriot Act? Where is your outrage against government spying on 1/10 of all phone numbers in the US (roughly 30 MILLION). Isn't keeping records on 'hundreds' small 'taters to keeping records on millions?

Yes, the Clintons took and kept 100's of FBI files they weren't suppose to have. And they knew it. Their justice Dept. looked the other way. Records of phone calls and numbers ( not personal files ) to known or suspected terrorist is a good thing. Where do you get your figures on 30 million being kept track of ? Again, more myths and lies. I think the Patriot Act was a needless expanse of US Gov't. True. But so far, it's not denied anyone their rights.

Quote:
Despite MLK's dreams, the US is not there yet. This is NOT a country of equality. When has a woman been president? Even backwards Pakistan has a better record. Women - well over 50% of the population - hold a record 16% of seats in the Congress. Women work 16 months to equal the 12 month salary of men. And I haven't even touched on ethnicity.

A woman need not be President for this country to be 'equal'. There need not be equal outcome , only equal OPPORTUNITY. They myth that women work more and achieve less omits many basic facts. When REAL , honest comparisons are made between the sexes w/ respect to training and experience, pay differences becomes a non issue. Women's rights to vote were protected in the 1920's, nearly 90 yrs ago. It's been 40+ yrs since the Civil Right's Act was passed. How's about we look at what progress HAS been made, instead of whining about how everything isn't exactly the same for everyone and 100% equal. There IS no such thing, but opportunity is open for all. Even ILLEGALS in our country have more rights here than most peoples in their own countries around the world.

America isn't perfect, but it's better than most places. Don't like it ? Get bent and leave.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Monday, January 29, 2007 2:43 PM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up

Quote:
Originally posted by rue:
"You can see anything, if you use the right filters ..."

True. Based on the way you react to any attempt to look on the bright side, I'd have to say your filters are fear and distrust. No doubt you'd call it "seeing the world as it really is."

I'm trying real hard to use the filters of hope and optimism, known to you as "rose-colored glasses."

Enjoy your despair.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Monday, January 29, 2007 2:43 PM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up

Double post, But let's not waste it.

I love an America where I can hop in my car and drive 3000 miles and never hit a border, just a squirrel or two if I and they aren't lucky.

I love an America where trailer trash hillbillies can fight about who's the dad on national TV, and I don't have to watch it.

I love an America where I can buy okra in January.

I love an America that has Las Vegas in it. And Yellowstone, and Key West, and New York City, and Royston Georgia.

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Tuesday, January 30, 2007 5:16 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

Slick,

To see problems and have hope of a better day is optimistic. To deny problems is unrealistic. You are in that category.

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Tuesday, January 30, 2007 5:54 PM

PIZMOBEACH

... fully loaded, safety off...

If I might add in the same vein:

I love an America where someone can make a tv show that gets canceled that inspires people from just about every nation to come together to complain about.

Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 9:12 AM

CRUITHNE3753

Terrible song, though...

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Thursday, February 1, 2007 7:17 AM

FREMDFIRMA

Quote:
Snark if you will, but I always thought Turbans were like, the coolest headgear EVER.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan apparently aggrees as well.

Tough turban saves Bachchan after camel kick
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070201/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_india_bollywood_
bachchan; _ylt=Atq1TsY8fp8C2W46BIPDcUrtiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA0cDJlYmhvBHNlYwM-

(link spaced to avoid screen stretch)

-F

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Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:14 PM

SKYWALKEN

Imagine a world without America:

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Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:45 PM

6IXSTRINGJACK

I love America where a bald Britney Spears going on a crazy rampage on K Fed's car with an umbrella gets 100 times the NEWS coverage as Bush signing in the Real ID Act in 2005.

http://www.realnightmare.org/

There are MANY MANY MANY things that I REALLY REALLY REALLY love about this country that I'm deathly afraid we're going to lose in wake of this war. We've already lost so very much.

Demoncrats are NOT the answer, they're just more of the same problem.

"A government is a body of people, usually notably ungoverned." http://www.myspace.com/6ixstringjack

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