Heh, am reeling 'em in.
Think this one is big enough for a Texas BBQ, ripsnort? Oh; I forgot. Texans only eat red meat. Dead red meat, unless they're very hungry.
Well first of all it is so transparent what you think of us, no big deal.
Naw, I like Americans in general. They're straightforward, easy to talk to and pretty direct. In the USA, I see this rare combination of extreme raw power, naeivity(sp?), cynicism and innocence.
I'm having a good time here. Maybe it isn't so clear when I'm joking and when I'm not, something I was recently told by a close friend of mine, and it puts people off. For this I must apologize, but I don't think I will change. When I am not joking and poking/being poked at, I am most likely either depressed, angry, bored or engaged in a pointless discussion about how many atheists you can put on top of a very large beer can. I prefer the first and last, so I do what I can to stay happy
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But, since I am drawn into discussions like an American Opportunist to a low target, here I go.
Most of your European countries are smaller than out states. It blew my mind when I found out that Paris to Berlin was only 500 miles (800 km). I've taken my kids to skating competition that far on a weekend, and didn't think much of it (the distance). I mean that would be like me being raised in North Dakota (I was), speaking a different language than those in South Dakota, and going to war with them every 30 or 40 years. It's mind boggling, it really is. A little speck on the map, but Northern Ireland, they slaughter people on the streets. (don't give me all that kee rap about all their money coming from the US, very few Americans support the IRA) The Basques go nutso every now and then, the Serbs and Croats are at each others throats. Chechnya is a blood bath, Albania is a powder keg waiting for a spark… this list goes on
Well, it is important to recognize that what matters is not physical distance, but cultural differences. Here in Europe, we've happily slaughtered each other in the name of power for literally thousands of years. While the USA is a very heterogenous place, I believe Europe is even more so, especially if you include places like Chechnya into "Europe". And only 90 miles away from the US, you have Cuba. Huge cultural differences. Sort of illuminates what is important.
The American people have spent untold fortunes, and over a half a million American lives, trying to keep you Europeans from each others throats. We still have troops in Europe, some in Bosnia, some in Kosovo, Spain, Italy, Germany… Costs us a lot of bucks.
And if you think that this is because the Americans are great altruists, you are either a patriot or very gullible. The US have interests, and it will do what is necessary to expand or keep up its influence. As will Denmark, except it doesn't have much military influence, so it does less.
I mean why aren't there Danish troops in Kosovo??? I'll tell you why, because you won't spend the money, let the Americans do it.
There are Danish troops in Kosovo. There were Danish troops during the Balkan wars. Some came home in body bags. All were volunteers. I believe the US do not have conscription, so one could argue that US soldiers knowingly accept the risks and rewards of their jobs.
We even sent a tenth of our air force to do some bombing (a whooping eight or ten F-16's, woohoo, power to the Vikings!)
What are you doing about Nazis being elected in Austria? Nothing, that's what. I really wonder if you guys really do hate Jews and would like to burn some more. Your actions speak louder than your putrid words.
Uhm, you haven't been following the European political scene. The EU have taken some pretty drastic measures, even interfering with the internal affairs of a sovregein nation. And, despicable as those idiots are, they were democratically elected, and they are a legal party. And if you knew what the German government has been doing since WWII, I don't think you'd say that. It and Scandinavia has taken more refugees/immigrants than other nations in Europe.
You don't have to spend a big chunk of your tax dollars keeping America peaceful. Yet you think you have the right to get on a BBS and tell us how to run things. You can't clean your own backyard up, but you can sure get on a BBS and call us Ugly Americans. Tell us how to run our country. So we can be like Europe?
I would if I could. But then I would be meddling in your internal affairs, and you'd be upset about that, too. And I do have the right to tell you how I think the US should be run. However, in this thread I haven't. Others have pointed to things they think are screwed up, and you've pointed to things you think suck. This is the very freedom you value as highly as I do.
I'll defend with my life your right to disagree with me. Judging from the content of your post, it seems you're not willing to do so for me, since I in your eyes do not have the right to critizise matters that take place within a certain geographical area.
Have standing Armies at our borders??? Let me tell you that not one rational Canadian or Mexican will go to sleep tonight worried about a military invasion of their country from the US.
Well, we've feared the East Block more than each other, and have had peace (developed countries) since WWII. With a few disputes, such as the Falklands Islands being the exception. Why do we have armies? To handle threats that might arise in a very quickly developing society. Now I wonder why NATO (the US) were opposed to a standing European army that were to deal with internal security? They key word is influence; the US has it, and wants to keep it. But, influence costs. Lives, and money. Then again, ya can't both have the cake and eat it. And this is true for every nation, not just the US.
Now cultural Empiricism, and trade dominance are another story.
I like Coca Cola. Hollywood generally sucks, and most American mainstream bands are bad. On the other hand, European dogma films are exceedingly boring in most cases.
You guys better clean up your act before you pontificate…
My country is clean.
You may have noticed that not once have I told you how to run Denmark. You wanna confiscate guns?. Go for it. You want to elect Nazis? Go for it? You wanna burn books,give you freedoms to the government, go for it. You want to make heros out of guys who bomb children, go for it. You want to turn your rapists and murders back on the streets, have at it. You run it your way we'll run things ours.
Heh, and if you notice, I've several times stated in other threads that you do what you want; you guys live with the consequences. This does not hinder me from having and expressing an opinion on the matter, one you can either address, ignore or discard as trash.
I just concerns me that we Americans have to spend a fortune to keep the lid on Europe.
You don't have to. Stop doing it, and you'll lose some influence. All your call; Europe cannot force you. Maybe it is a good idea to ask yourself why you're doing it. And have the same cynical attitude towards your government in this matter as you have in the question of gun control.
Ugly American and proud of it.
Great looking Dane and thinks little about it
So, did I manage to push some buttons?
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StSanta
JG54 "Grünherz"
"If you died a stones throw from your wingie; you did no wrong". - Hangtime
