posted on November 14, 2002 09:45:55 PM new
If they do, then should our neighbors be allowed to post their political opinions about the USA here in the RT?
posted on November 14, 2002 10:47:36 PM new
Of course, but the question needn't be asked since ANYONE can post whatever they like in the forum within the forum guidelines.
posted on November 15, 2002 05:57:27 AM new
Absolutely, they should post! Both our neighbors in Canada, for example, just as our neighbors in the house next door. Voting in the US should not be a prerequisite for posting a political opinion about the United States government.
I think that someone was joking in a thread recently - with the suggestion that a Canadian should not post opinions about US politics simply because they were not US voters.
Or maybe it was intended as a very elementary exercise in pot stirring. LOL!
posted on November 15, 2002 08:45:39 AM new
Look who's "stirring the pot". Actually a certain poster opined that those claiming to be U.S. citizens should put their vote where their complaining mouth is. Sure non-citizens can opine about US politics. Just doesn't mean anything.
And if U.S. citizens don't agree with U.S. political policies, they need to work to change it. They do that by voting.
posted on November 15, 2002 08:47:54 AM new
I certainly respect our world neighbors and welcome their perspectives on our culture. Of those who have posted on OAI-related boards, mostly Australians and Canadians, I've found them without exception to be articulate and interesting people, regardless of their political views.
posted on November 15, 2002 09:01:05 AM new
Opinions affect actions (or decisions not to act). If those actions or non-actions are of no concern to Americans, then of course opinions don't matter.
posted on November 15, 2002 09:46:13 AM new
As a Canuck that crosses the border 2-3 times per week I have seen no major difference.
However the more time I spend in the US the more it does feel a bit different.
I find that people are more tense and sensitive and I think it's from the changes that are taking place.
It's really starting to feel a bit like 1984. Big Brother watches everywhere.
Is it over-reaction? I don't know. I understand that the stakes are high and that anything can happen at any time in any place, but I think calmer heads have to prevail.
Like I've always said, if you end up in a fight (or war) you've already lost.
Imagine if the government had simply supported and accelerated the development of alternative fuel sources instead of making the Republican's Oil and Armament buddies richer?
Would there be all this trouble in the middle east if certain Oil rich countries lost their leverage?
posted on November 15, 2002 11:02:35 AM new
Borillar I post about Bush because he's scaring me with the direction he wants to go, which could affect everyone. The U.S. economy affects global economies, so what the U.S. does should be of importance to everyone no matter where they were born or raised. If you are ignorant, like me, about aspects of U.S. politics, this is the place to learn imo. Usually, you can ask stupid questions and the people here are more than willing to help you out without judging you. Ten times better than a newspaper!
posted on November 15, 2002 12:07:28 PM new
The opinion of many non-US citizens is exceedingly impressive to me. It's informative to talk to non-US citizens because, unlike so many American citizens, they are not overwhelmed with US patriotism and Bush propaganda to the point that they are unable to think. Furthermore, if I could not read a newspaper from a country other than the United States, I would feel uninformed.
posted on November 15, 2002 12:47:17 PM new
On the other side of it though, I can see why a person would be offended by an ignorant, non-citizen if they continuously belittled another country only because they were a hot-head. There's even a good side of that though - the hilarity. Ignorance is funny sometimes and when the ignorant person strikes out with such conviction based on their ignorance, it can be even funnier.
posted on November 15, 2002 01:19:16 PM new
I suppose some slapstick humour is based on the kind of ignorance you are talking about. I've never been able to find ignorance funny...even though I usually have a good sense of humour.
"Scientists have located where people's sense of humour lies - at the front of their brain.
People who have suffered injuries to the front of their brain do not get sophisticated jokes and prefer slapstick humour, according to research."
The scientists from the University of Toronto and the Baycrest Centre in Toronto say that, for the first time, they have pinpointed the main centre of humour - in the right frontal lobe of the brain.
"We've always thought of humour as a defining human attribute, but an intangible part of our personality," said Dr Prathiba Shammi of the university's Department of Psychology.
posted on November 15, 2002 01:23:56 PM newunlike so many American citizens, they are not overwhelmed with US patriotism and Bush propaganda to the point that they are unable to think.
So, Helen. Are you saying that Americans who don't agree with you politically (all or in part) diverge in their opinions because they are overwhelmed with patriotism and Bush propaganda and thus, unable to think for themselves? If so, that's a rather narrow view of our open government and political system, don't you think? How would this differ, say, from someone who disagrees with you and tells you that you are unable to think for yourself because of your contempt for capitalism and are overcome with self-loathing as an American citizen?
posted on November 15, 2002 01:25:14 PM new
I was referring to myself Helen. I get the best laughs from when I stick my foot in my mouth... more if I do it with gusto.
That would be terrible to have no sense of humour! Especially if you had one once and lost it through an accident. I'd rather lose an arm (my left one).
I did not say that (All) Americans are overwhelmed with US patriotism and Bush propaganda to the point that they are unable to think. I do find it refreshing to read viewpoints from Americans who do not blindly support Bush and from people all over the world who do not find the Bush agenda acceptable.
Katy, how can you criticize my statement as being narrow minded and intolerant when you said ,"Sure non-citizens can opine about US politics. Just doesn't mean anything.".
I don't understand the remark referring to contempt for capitalism and self-loathing as an American citizen. Is the fact that I would consider non-American and non-capitalist opinions seriously an indication to you that I am overcome with self loathing?
What a crock.
posted on November 15, 2002 03:09:45 PM newIs the fact that I would consider non-American and non-capitalist opinions seriously an indication to you that I am overcome with self loathing?
Not at all, Helen. And I wasn't criticizing "you" when I asked the question. However, you clarified that you find it "refreshing to read viewpoints from Americans who do not blindly support Bush and from people all over the world who do not find the Bush agenda acceptable," which leads to the hypothesis that you are "not interested" in viewpoints divergent from your own. Rather self-limiting, don't you think?
Now, that said, perception is everything. You perceive that I think you are "filled with self-loathing as an American" when in fact, I was asking a very non-specific hypothetical question in response to your wide brushing of those whom you say are "unable to think" due to (so you say) overwhelming "US patriotism and Bush propaganda". For example, would you discard out of hand my political views because we differ on the palestine/Israel issue, yet we certainly agree on gun control, dangerous dog ownership, etc. the proposed Homeland Security Act, HMO regulation and oversight, Social Security privatization, etc. etc? I am not overwhelmed by "Bush propaganda"..didn't vote for him (or his father) and 99.9% sure I won't vote for him next election (probably won't vote Democratic either if Nancy Pelosi is the direction the party is heading). Yet, despite all of that, you seem to prefer to focus on our differences rather than similarities. From your comments, I get that it's the whole enchilada or nothing. That just isn't how it works.
KatyD
(clarity)
[ edited by KatyD on Nov 15, 2002 03:12 PM ]
posted on November 15, 2002 03:22:00 PM new"Yet, despite all of that, you seem to prefer to focus on our differences rather than similarities. From your comments, I get that it's the whole enchilada or nothing. That just isn't how it works."
That's how you made me feel in choco's thread Katy.
I think that most people have an interest in the other side of every issue, Katy. Otherwise we would be rather ignorant. Actually, I appreciate your viewpoints on the few issues in which I may have a differing opinion. I always read your opinions very carefully because I respect your opinion.
So your perception that it's the whole enchilada or nothing is really not my way of thinking. You're right...That isn't how it works.
Helen
ed.to clarify
[ edited by Helenjw on Nov 15, 2002 03:56 PM ]
posted on November 15, 2002 08:37:52 PM new
Since we are the last "super power" we have to expect to get criticism from all over the world, as well as praise when we deserve it. I believe it is healthy for us to hear it. The political things we as a country do as well as the movies we put out and the music we make all affect what goes on in other countries. They have every right to comment on it.
We each can place weight on the comments based on the value we place on the person who states them.To me, whether a person votes in the US or not is not the criteria I use to validate what a person says. It's a good thing I don't use that as a criteria because I have no way of knowing for certain if any one of us votes...except myself ~ of course.
posted on November 15, 2002 09:11:25 PM new
I was just referring to my own ignorance as being funny to me Helen, nobody else, in case you misunderstood.
Ooops! Hi rawbunzel - it's nice to see you!
[ edited by kraftdinner on Nov 15, 2002 09:13 PM ]
[ edited by kraftdinner on Nov 15, 2002 09:45 PM ]
posted on November 16, 2002 09:33:01 AM new
>Since we are the last "super power" we have to expect to get criticism from all over the world, as well as praise when we deserve it.
I'd be happier if we got more praise all of the time for things that we deserve. I'm tired of being the Bad Guy, the Bully, having the world community protest us. It would be nice to be able to go to a foreign country and not have to worry about being a hate target.
