Llamas and Pirates - Message Board

I just read what RJ posted, and before I read anything else, let me say this:

Miss Manners dictates that there are three things one must never, ever discuss in a social setting: Sex, Religion, or Politics.

That being said, now, let me say this:

I'm an American, too, and I think I did say that it gets VERY old to hear "We don't like you," and "The world doesn't like you," and "So, what have you done for us lately?" and to be the country the World runs to and turns to whenever anything goes wrong, only to blame us for all of it later. I was stunned to learn we are responsible for hurricanes, typhoons, and earthquakes not only in our country, but in other parts of the world. Who knew we had such power? If you have not lived this, you cannot fully grasp how truly old and tiring and exhausting, and ultimately ridiculous it gets.

I do believe we can have a conversation about this without it turning into a brawl, but please understand that as Americans, we aren't going to want to hear how everything in the world is All Our Fault. I did not personally create anything godawful in the world, and I am not personally responsible for racing out there and fixing it, like the Big Brother the US has become. This does not mean I do not do what I can do, but the US is not an isolationist country, which means we ARE on the front line for everything that happens, doing our part to help. Being blamed later for not doing enough, or for causing the problem(s) in the first place is beyond old. We know better. If the world does not, I supposed we could put a big dome over the US, ask everyone else to leave, and just leave the world entirely alone for a year to see how that works out. People would be screaming for us to help, help, help, toss money, let us back in, and by they way, "What have you done for us lately?"

I am not writing this to enrage or rile up anyone. This is my opinion from following The World and The U.S. and politics very closely for years. And please note, I did not result to calling names, and I never would. Everyone has an opinion; this is mine.

~Elle

Reply #2523. Jan 21 09, 5:41 PM

P.S. Being bright and eloquent, and an exceptional writer and communicator, doesn't mean I agree with what was written or expressed. I just think she did it beautifully.

I never sit there and let anyone bash my country, R.J. So far, I haven't seen any bashing in here. But I do believe The World has a very warped image and idea of us, and I do wonder where they get it. One of my Brit friends said to me recently, "Oh, I would never even want to visit the U.S. because everyone has guns and all you do is shoot each other." Huh??? I have yet to shoot a single person.

The U.S. cannot be the world's problem and also its savior and solution. At some point, The World is going to have to make up its mind. And I do agree, it's really time for The World to rise up and accept responsibility for itself, and fix its own problems. There is really only so much we can do to help.

I don't believe we are taught some sort of skewed history here in our schools. I also don't believe our news, coming in from various sources, is skewed. I do wonder what the rest of the world is hearing, though, just based on some of the things that filter back to us. We have unlimited sources from which to garner world news. I think the rest of the world may have most of it filtered, strained and fit to suit. That doesn't make it right, though.

The U.S. is not the bad guy, nor the bully of the world. The world is a very big place. And being the Big Brother is very, very difficult. I think someone else should try it, just for a change, just to pass the wealth and the job around a little bit. Trust me, it's not for the faint of heart.

Again, this is not meant to enrage or incite. It is my opinion.

Reply #2524. Jan 21 09, 5:57 PM

Jabberwok

Elle, we're just going to have to agree to differ.
I don't think a discussion from such very different world views as yours and mine would be useful, beneficial or enlightening.

Scubascott, I'm delighted to think that my elevation was a temporary aberration, I can't cope with such radical change in my world. Please go back to scoring 10/10 in 17 seconds.

Reply #2525. Jan 21 09, 6:03 PM

Uh-oh...

>>>So why have some of us had our views formed in the way we have by the ways that issues have been presented to us by the media? Five reasons - probably more but these were the first five that I could think of.

>>>1. George Bush was never given a fair chance in terms of intellect. From day one he has been portrayed as a buffoon who only opens his mouth to let out a gaffe. I'm sure that isn't correct but I'm also sure that it does colour our views.
2. Iraq - The misguided reasons for going in and the (in my view) definite suspicions that the presence of oil had a lot to do with it.
3. Guantanamo Bay and the seeming approval of torture
4. Kyoto
5. New Orleans

>>>I'm sure that there is a lot of good that we have never been allowed to see - Elle's reference to Africa was news to me - but the above have done his reputation irreperable damage in the UK and there's no getting away from that. And I don't absolve our leaders either for their part in some of the above.

I have a feeling I could tell you dozens of things that would be news to you simply because you aren't being told about them, but yes, that is absolutely true about Africa. It is also absolutely true that he kept us safe for 7 years after terrorists flew OUR planes into OUR buildings.

I don't agree with even one of your five reasons as far as being based in anything factual, and this is a perfect example of why I think The World is getting its news filtered through a glass darkly.

And R.J. is also right. It's very hard to sit on your hands and listen to anyone bash an entire country for the misdeeds of a few. Have you ever noticed we don't do that? Do you honestly have any idea how the U.S. feels about Tony Blair? My guess is, we love him much more than you do or did. Just a guess, but that is based on what I have heard, so my news coming from your direction may be skewed, too.

I am not angry, in the slightest. I'm not even breathing hard. But I am sitting on my hands right now, just a little bit.

We can certainly put this topic down, but information is power and while ignorance may be bliss, it's never looked that blissful to me.

~Elle

Reply #2526. Jan 21 09, 6:12 PM

I've never even held a real gun Elle. I've been in the room with only 2. One was my friend's dad's shotgun and the other was an air rifle gun. lol

Reply #2527. Jan 21 09, 6:15 PM

Elle sometimes I think perspective is related Only to information received and how receptive someone is.

**Non- specific topics covered here*** - if 'someone' is interested enough to look for information, they can have an 'informed' opinion.
If 'someone' has information 'thrust' upon them viz a viz - news broadcasts, newspapers, magazines etc. and accepts that, they will still have an opinion but not necessarily a 'balanced one'.
(Before a grizzle - I Am Not alluding 'Someone' is unbalanced!)

As for shooting anyone Elle - were you being restrained in adding 'Yet'?
I know I have maniacal tendencies at times - and a Lead Aspro would be just the ticket! :D

Reply #2528. Jan 21 09, 6:19 PM

Haha! No, I've just never shot anyone, and do hope I never feel the need. So far, so good. I would have added that "yet" if I thought it may be on the list of possibilities. Just don't ever break into my house in the dead or night. Or, the light of day, for that matter!

Anton, in Colorado, the rivalry between CSU and CU is so fierce, leaping in with a Huskers shirt will get you killed by both teams' fans! I maintain a lowwww profile being a Huskers fan, but I am also a Rams fan, of course, and I like the Buffs, too. It's a big old sports mess down here in the Banana Belt of CO.

It is so insane here, and with both schools less than an hour apart geographically, they are going to play their next hockey game in our HUGE new arena, and are calling it "The Faceoff." Any CSU/CU game always ends with everyone setting their couches on fire in the streets. It's Guy Fawkes Day here all year long!

So come on over to visit, and don't worry! No one will shoot you, but you CAN have your very own couch!

Reply #2529. Jan 21 09, 6:25 PM

"As for shooting anyone Elle - were you being restrained in adding 'Yet'?"

I hope this isn't a troll Stew. I think you knew what she meant by saying yet.

Reply #2530. Jan 21 09, 6:26 PM

LOL Elle! sounds like a Plan!
You have sports mania that we only reproduce in small attacks!

It's on my list to see some Games in the States!

Reply #2531. Jan 21 09, 6:27 PM

Does that mean I will be alone in a corner when Nebraska plays Colorado Elle? lol

Reply #2532. Jan 21 09, 6:27 PM

"As for shooting anyone Elle - were you being restrained in adding 'Yet'?" ;)

That little sign was missing, Anton! :(
Something I need to remember - not Everyone can understand my sense of humour if we're not meeting regularly.

Reply #2533. Jan 21 09, 6:31 PM

Jabberwok? If you haven't yet 'stolen' my avatar - it will be Retired Soon! :)

Reply #2534. Jan 21 09, 6:32 PM

Ok Stew.:) I know expressing emotion online is hard. lol

Reply #2535. Jan 21 09, 6:41 PM

Can be Anton....can be! :)

Reply #2536. Jan 21 09, 6:45 PM

Oh dear, I did say "yet"! Oops! Okay, that made me laugh!

Anton, yes, in a corner alone, drooling if you come for a Huskers game. It's really, really not pretty, but very exciting! Avalanche/Red Wings games are even crazier.

Also, just to add fuel to the rumor fire, half of the free world believes that I am "dating" Keanu Reeves, Mr. Cool Breeze himself. I'm not, but once the rumor started, and *I* didn't start it, it spread like wildfire. Not one day goes by, or has for the last several years, that I haven't had someone write or ask me if it's true, in those hushed, revered tones. It also shows up in Keanu Fan MBs. It would be easier to just say, "Why yes, yes, I am!" but I just keep trying to put this one out. So far, fangirls just think I'm saying no to "protect him." They also honestly refer to him as "The One." I should write to Keanu to see if he would like to take on at least half this burden, although honestly, I'm sure he's also probably heard it and been asked. If I ever run into him, I'm introducing myself and asking him to dinner. If you can't put the fire out, you may as well fan the flames.

Fans are kooky, but remember! Fan is short for "fanatic"!

Reply #2537. Jan 21 09, 6:45 PM

Bunny? Isn't there some sort of Brit team called The No Blacks? And aren't they some phenomenal team? (Don't hate me for calling them "some sort of team" or "Brit" if they are not. I just keep hearing about them, but I can never find games or matches or whatever they play on TV. I may even have the name wrong, but don't they cause huge cheering in the streets?)

American fans can get pretty fired up, but I would love to see a real, live soccer game, played by adults and not tiny kids on the schoolground. And isn't soccer what you call football? And isn't your hockey played on the grass?

Reply #2538. Jan 21 09, 6:51 PM

Thinking of the NZ 'All Blacks' by any chance Elle?

You need to check with Jabbewok for Her Side of The Pond! :)

Reply #2539. Jan 21 09, 7:05 PM