Fear of America.

[paragon1]

Really? That's interesting. Is this a BBC thing or what? Oh, and I just thought of something else that might help you out. If you see our politicians saying something that seems batshit insane, just remember that most of us don't think like that. Most of us won't even be aware they even said, much as it saddens me to say that. Rule of thumb, politicians are usually more extreme in their stances than their constituents.

To be honest I couldn't say it's one particular news output but more the general feeling you get from watching any item about "America and American security" it always makes it look (to me) that you're all so frightened of the big nasty man that you're going to get him first and not worry if someone else gets hurt in the crossfire.

we're not exactly blameless on that front ourselves though:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Charles_de_Menezes

This man was falsely identified as a terrorist on the london underground and was shot seven times in the head. I guess that's kind of what I'm worried could happen if I went to America as I don't particularly look like a wholesome individual. last time I went I got searched a lot, I think because I had long hair and a beard.

Honestly, that sounds like a variation on the typical "trigger-happy Americans" stereotype that we seem to be stuck with. The beard and hair probably were the reason you were searched so much. Which is stupid, because a bomber would be doing their best to AVIOD attention. Of course, airport security personnel aren't exactly known for their brilliance. Just keep in mind that your hearing about the most extreme cases out there. Thousands (tens of thousands, hundreds maybe? I'm not to sure on the numbers.) fly to and from here daily without incident.

 

[asteroth21nox]

Well, america is posed to fall as a society much like the roman empire fell from greatness thanks to a corrupt society. Trust me, it happens when a society is too materialisticly inclined.

 

[72Chevy]

America: We are 300m different people living our lives like anyone else.

 

[wizzerd229]

No, not really.

The population of America is more scary though.

But really, no.
Not unless they put skulls on poles and surround all of America with them

you have no idea how close we are to making that the border wall

 

[punkrocker27]

I think this just goes to show that the fear and misunderstanding goes both ways.

 

[ChaoticLegion]

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.

It may not be as bad as this...yet. But America is well known for being a paranoid country scared of many things... take the cold war for example, or the "WMDs", or the whole communist vibe even after the cold war was over, or the current climate of fear over terrorism.

 

[Canid117]

It is kinda what france was like a while back. You probably aren't actually gonna get hurt but there are uniformed twenty year olds with automatic rifles nearby to make sure you don't try anything.

(Should be noted only in airports and some parts of Detroit)

 

[firedfns13]

Well we're a pretty stupid bunch of people, yet i think the entire globe is full of stupid people.

So no, you're probably more in danger in Leeds (which I heard is a ghetto with stabbings and stuff)

 

[mr.aravaro]

I sorta fear America and I live there.

 

[enzilewulf]

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...

WHAT HE SAID! lol seriously!!

 

[TheStickman]

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...

WELL, Louisiana is good, just stay away from Alabama 'cause there be dragons there.

 

[Kayyyleb]

I'm American, and I have a little mantra I use:

I love my country, but I fear my government

I'm in a similar situation. I'm in the USAF and my Congress and President scare me.

"Patriotism is supporting your country always, your government when it deserves it."

 

[TheStickman]

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

Like I said to Aby, Louisiana is OK, just stay the f*** away from Alabama

 

[blindthrall]

In reference to the airports, American security procedures are alomst offensively lax. We (the British) had to step up our security for American bound flights. They have not afforded us the same courtesy. It seems that they believe we are a danger to them, but obviously there are no dangerous people in America.

Not lax. Just really stupid. I laughed when they took my girlfriend's opened shampoo and nail clippers but let me keep my lighter and 12inch chain wallet. I swear it's a deal they have going just to make you buy all the overpriced crap in the airport stores. Chances are if the stores don't sell it, you can carry it onboard. Pre-911, I flew back from Alaska with an ulu, which is a half-moon shaped fist blade about 8 inches long. I didn't even have to put it in my carry-on luggage, I just stuck in my pocket unsheathed. I could have killed someone by accident. To paraphrase George Carlin, we've had a War on Drugs since the '70s, but drug mules don't have any problem getting their little packages onboard.

 

[Mr. pixel]

As an American I'd like to point out that there are good people, and bad people in the world.
The media often takes things out of focus to create interesting stories, that is how they make money.
Unless you're a serial killer planning to hang corpses upside-down on our bridges, you have nothing to worry about. =)

 

[blindthrall]

It is kinda what france was like a while back. You probably aren't actually gonna get hurt but there are uniformed twenty year olds with automatic rifles nearby to make sure you don't try anything.

(Should be noted only in airports and some parts of Detroit)

Not true. I was in Monterey Bay, which is a very rich beach town south of San Francisco, and I saw a cop with body armor and an M-4 just standing on the corner. Why a civilian officer would need an automatic weapon in such a bourgeois setting is beyond me.

 

[The Warden]

OM NOM NOM,
MMM!
Wait, what?
Oh, THAT'S RIGHT.
FEAR US YOU FOREIGN BASTERDS, OR WE WILL GOBBLE YOU UP LIKE A BIG MAC!
Sarcastic jokes aside, I have to agree.
Everyone's so god damn scared of terrorists it's making me start to question our supposed 'Freedom' when I have to go through all the checks at an airport to make sure I'm not gonna gun the fucker down.
We certainly aren't the old patriots anymore, them good ol' boys who weren't scared of shit and fucked everyone who opposed them up!

 

[Srkkl]

Understandable, the 2008(?) kill rate in Chicago was higher than the kill rate over in Afghanistan. But my school has an international teachers program and we have 2 Jamaican teachers, an Austrailian, and an Indian(from India) math teacher and I think new cultures are pretty cool. Media does dramatize things a lot but I do understand a fear of the natural nativism we have. Granted we aren't going to stone you on the docks like we did to the Irish so many years ago.

 

[CoziestPigeon]

It's pretty accurate that American 'security' sucks donkey ass, but they won't kill you. If you are white you will probably just be forced to miss a flight or day from your trip due to security, if you are a person of color you can at least expect something going up your ass, at most look forward to prison.