Fear of America.

[Nerf Ninja]

Before I start I just want it known I don't hate America at all, I absolutely loved it when I visited New Orleans the year before Katrina.

Unfortunately I've started to become somewhat fearful of the way America is going (as portrayed in the media) I'm not frightened of America attacking my country (England) but I do worry that if I ever went back again I would be in danger of being hurt, arrested or killed by Americas "security procedures" I admit it's completely irrational and I sincerely hope I'm the only one that feels this way.

It seems to me that America has become so scared of terrorists and anything "anti-American" that they've become like a cornered animal.

Do others fear America? not because they are dangerous in a premeditated way but because America will lash out in a sense of fear?

For all I know the real America isn't even vaguely like this but this seems to be the most predominant facet I personally see in the media.

I truly hope Americans can see I'm not attacking them, more that I want to know that the place is still cool.

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[delet]

It seems to me like you view us like savage cannibals...

We're not that bad, honestly! Just stay away from the south...

Edit: Tsk tsk on you, believing the media. Tsk Tsk...

 

[Cherry Cola]

Not at all.

They won't even be the superior country in the world soon anyway.

China is taking over.

 

[JohnnySex]

America is paranoid and retarded. I would know, I'm an American... sadly

 

[Indecizion]

Meh i agree, id be afraid that if they didnt get me for security shit, then their general population, you know the religious ones who actualy believe that all the bad stuff in the world can be atributed to Satanists, that theyd get me and arrest me for some ridiculous shit simply coz im an atheist (please see the west memphis 3)

 

[Frankydee]

It's a bit nutty over here. My grandma had to get frisked at the airport and she was in a wheelchair :\

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Nah. You guys are ok. Two of my best buddies are yankees and I love em to bits.

One's from Alaska, the other's from Michigan.

 

[Wadders]

Sorry. Could not resist.

But no, I'm not afraid of the yanks or the USA. Why should I be, they're not gonna "lash out in fear" at us, were their ally...

I wont be visiting the US anytime soon, so their security procedures cause me no fear.

EDIT:

David Bowie made a song about this.

And people are a bit more paranoid after 9/11 and we've always been a sensationalistic culture

EDIT: NINJA'D

*evil chuckle*

 

[Acier]

David Bowie made a song about this.

And people are a bit more paranoid after 9/11 and we've always been a sensationalistic culture

EDIT: NINJA'D

 

[fix-the-spade]

No, not really.

On the other hand I dislike their idea of 'security' intensly, US border and airline security doesn't seem to amount to much more than arbitrary abuse most of the time, plus it seems to be no more effective than random chance and luck, plus border guards don't seem to be answerable to anyone but themselves.

So other than psychotic border guards I don't lose sleep over America/ns.

 

[Nerf Ninja]

It seems to me like you view us like savage cannibals...

We're not that bad, honestly! Just stay away from the south...

Edit: Tsk tsk on you, believing the media. Tsk Tsk...

I don't view Americans themselves as dangerous so much as the mechanics put in place "for your safety and comfort" (One of the most threatening sentences anyone could ever come up with)

The only problem with trying not to believe the negative media is that when it's all you get it's a lot more pervasive than anything I could find out on my own.

 

[clankwise]

Depends where you go but nothing really happens. All media exagaration like always

 

[The_Graff]

the "cornered animal" analogy is nice OP, they (America/Americans) are a bunch of children thrown into the world with a nuclear stockpile.

 

[cthulhu257]

I live in New England, and I love it here! Most of America is pretty good, even a good part of the South, really. Stay the hell away from Alabama, though...

 

[dalek sec]

Just stay away from the south and Texas and you should be good to go.

 

[blindthrall]

I'm nervous around Americans from the Mississippi to the Rockies, and south of the Mason Dixon line, and I'm a white American. When this country goes down, and we will, our death throes are going to fuck a lot of shit up, and the world will by lucky if it stays contained in North America. Don't be afraid of us now. Be afraid of us when the oil runs out.

 

[FretfulGnome]

If you get a chance, pick up the book "The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things" by Barry Glassner

It's an okay book, but it really gives you an idea just how paranoid Americans are.

 

[Jedoro]

the "cornered animal" analogy is nice OP, they (America/Americans) are a bunch of children thrown into the world with a nuclear stockpile.

Because, you know, none of us are in any way intelligent or mature whatsoever. Definitely not the case.

OT: The paranoia from the government is getting on my nerves, and I live here. I'm almost tempted to get on the No-Fly List for shits and giggles, but I'd like to go visit England sometime, which requires a plane to do in a timely manner...

 

[delet]

It seems to me like you view us like savage cannibals...

We're not that bad, honestly! Just stay away from the south...

Edit: Tsk tsk on you, believing the media. Tsk Tsk...

I don't view Americans themselves as dangerous so much as the mechanics put in place "for your safety and comfort" (One of the most threatening sentences anyone could ever come up with)

The only problem with trying not to believe the negative media is that when it's all you get it's a lot more pervasive than anything I could find out on my own.

Damn computer/escapist killing my post and keeping me off the site for 12 minutes...

OT: So you fear the government, then? I can kind of see that, as we've got a bit too much corruption and idiotic laws. Far too much idiocy, but it's still a good place to live. I guess the majority of us here are Xenophobic and the majority, unfortunately, has a very influential voice.

I'm nervous around Americans from the Mississippi to the Rockies, and south of the Mason Dixon line, and I'm a white American. When this country goes down, and we will, our death throes are going to fuck a lot of shit up, and the world will by lucky if it stays contained in North America. Don't be afraid of us now. Be afraid of us when the oil runs out.

There's something about that quote that makes me think that America is the 4chan of the real world...