Why is America so awesome?

[Nevins]

"Always count on America to do the right thing, after they've exhausted every other option."

-Sir Winston Churchill.

I find that quote really true. We fuck up alot, but we set shit straight in the end.

 

[Evil Dr. Kirby]

I signed up to the Escapist to join this debate. Just throwing that out there.

Being a Canadian that has lived in America, I'll give the same answer that I always give about the ol'yanks.

It depends on where you are in America. New Englanders, for the most part, are not so brash about their identity. Vermont, New Hampsire, Massachusetts, and Maine harbor Americans of a much more moderated, self-conscious stock. Again, I'm speaking generally here.

I wish the same could be said for the south central states, such as Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana. The incredibly negative stereotype associated with Americans was birthed in deep republican territory. That's not to say that all people from these states are arrogant boobs, but a lot of them are.

Standing in the middle of it all is Ohio. Having gained a reputation for being America's 'biggest swing state', it houses everything from the hard core right to the hard core left.

California is...well...California. I don't know how to put it any other way than that.

Living in New England, I wholeheartedly agree with NDBurke's assessment of us. On the whole, we pretty much shake our heads at what the country is, but we don't get our panties in a twist over anything.

Contrast with the South (SE, in particular), who are statistically the most Republican people you will find here. On the whole, Republicans are very patriotic people. More often than not, they are also deeply rooted in some form of Christianity.

I'm a libertarian Atheist. Now, it may be the whole 'teenage rebellion' thing (I'm 17), but I don't see how anyone can resurrect us from:

1) Approximately a $10.5 trillion national debt;
2) Such (apparently) piss-poor standings with the rest of the world;
3) Corporate and religious holds on the government (lobbyists and reps' personal beliefs, respectively);
4) The media-saturated culture;
5) Falling education standards (the actual education isn't up to snuff either, but I'm trying to go with stuff I could prove).

All this without hitting 'reset' and doing it all over from the beginning. I don't even necessarily mean that literally. I think that, yes, America has its ups and downs, but I guess I have to suck it up and admit that anything with even a touch of human influence ever is going to be flawed.

(And on a side note about California, I've heard horror stories. If they can be believed, then there are 20-something blondes there that cannot figure out what 1 + 1 equals.)

 

[SilentHunter7]

Here's a tip for at least half of the posters on this thread: Blind nationality bashing grates Americans just as much as it does you. Dont decry Americans as a whole for a few thinking some other nationalities are inferior, and then say we all suck. Because all that does is expose you as the hypocrite you are. The same goes for American posters who go into a stereotypical rant bashing other countries when they get called chauvinistic.


This thread should be closed. It has long since devolved from vaguely rational discussion into generalizations, quick conclusions, and chauvinism that would make Bill O'Reilly jealous.

 

[Dr_Baron_von_Evilsatan]

Yeah, America is awesome. That being said, I'm not comparing it to any other state. I've got plenty of reasons why, but no one's going to listen to me because I'm a Christian Republican.

Oh, and thumbs up to all the other English speaking nations because Rugby isn't as obscure.

 

[Jamash]

It's a good source of amusement.

It makes some good films, music and games (also some absolute shit, but lets not let that detract from the positive ones).

What would Yahtzee say? [http://www.fullyramblomatic.com/essays/tribute.htm]

 

[TerraMGP]

Here's a tip for at least half of the posters on this thread: Blind nationality bashing grates Americans just as much as it does you. Dont decry Americans as a whole for a few thinking some other nationalities are inferior, and then say we all suck. Because all that does is expose you as the hypocrite you are. The same goes for American posters who go into a stereotypical rant bashing other countries when they get called chauvinistic.


This thread should be closed. It has long since devolved from vaguely rational discussion into generalizations, quick conclusions, and chauvinism that would make Bill O'Reilly jealous.

Nobody is going to listen to you sadly. You know its kind of scary because I always used to tell people that those in other nations didn't just hate us unfounded that it was OUR stereotype about other people outside of the US simply viewing us as backwards bigots. People in this thread have sadly proven me wrong, and that is rather frightening.

 

[Lukeydoodly]

Beef Jerky.

 

[clericalerror]

Hmm, what free speech have we lost? I can't think of any lost freedoms, either. Sure, it takes longer to get on a plane, and people can theoretically listen to my communications, but I am stopped from doing neither. Please clarify...

All kinds of things. Your radio stations aren't allowed to swear, all kinds of restrictions on what TV channels can say at what times, your universities have speech codes, etc. All kinds of violations of "Freedom of Speech" have been going on for years. It sucks.

I find it rather funny to see so many "Pro-Communism" arguements on this thread, seeing as under communism you're not allowed to have "Anti-Communism" arguements, just ask anyone in China that feels like being a criminal by answering your question. Personally I'm a Libertarian and thinks any kind of loss of freedom a human rights violation, but hey. Some people think taking away freedom is a good thing unless it's theirs. Problem is, if you take one person freedom's you can take anyones.

 

[L33tsauce_Marty]

ok now bear in mind I am about to simply argue for the sake of argument now. As I said I like America, but still...here we go. (put's asshole hat on)





No one is shooting said nutjobs, it's not like their lives are in danger, plus this is hardly a valid comment, there are people who would say that they would leave their country for various reasons, and are still there, part of the reason being because they aren't keen on drastic change.

I belive I was refering to that.

 

[Nevins]

Hmm, what free speech have we lost? I can't think of any lost freedoms, either. Sure, it takes longer to get on a plane, and people can theoretically listen to my communications, but I am stopped from doing neither. Please clarify...

All kinds of things. Your radio stations aren't allowed to swear, all kinds of restrictions on what TV channels can say at what times, your universities have speech codes, etc. All kinds of violations of "Freedom of Speech" have been going on for years. It sucks.

I find it rather funny to see so many "Pro-Communism" arguements on this thread, seeing as under communism you're not allowed to have "Anti-Communism" arguements, just ask anyone in China that feels like being a criminal by answering your question. Personally I'm a Libertarian and thinks any kind of loss of freedom a human rights violation, but hey. Some people think taking away freedom is a good thing unless it's theirs. Problem is, if you take one person freedom's you can take anyones.

Yes it does suck, and the funny part is that the people who push their worldview (and how we should talk/think) on us come from such wide backgrounds. The morality (christians) push the no swearing stuff, and the left push the PC garbage on us.

 

[NDBurke]

I signed up to the Escapist to join this debate. Just throwing that out there.

Being a Canadian that has lived in America, I'll give the same answer that I always give about the ol'yanks.

It depends on where you are in America. New Englanders, for the most part, are not so brash about their identity. Vermont, New Hampsire, Massachusetts, and Maine harbor Americans of a much more moderated, self-conscious stock. Again, I'm speaking generally here.

I wish the same could be said for the south central states, such as Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana. The incredibly negative stereotype associated with Americans was birthed in deep republican territory. That's not to say that all people from these states are arrogant boobs, but a lot of them are.

Standing in the middle of it all is Ohio. Having gained a reputation for being America's 'biggest swing state', it houses everything from the hard core right to the hard core left.

California is...well...California. I don't know how to put it any other way than that.

Living in New England, I wholeheartedly agree with NDBurke's assessment of us. On the whole, we pretty much shake our heads at what the country is, but we don't get our panties in a twist over anything.

Contrast with the South (SE, in particular), who are statistically the most Republican people you will find here. On the whole, Republicans are very patriotic people. More often than not, they are also deeply rooted in some form of Christianity.

I'm a libertarian Atheist. Now, it may be the whole 'teenage rebellion' thing (I'm 17), but I don't see how anyone can resurrect us from:

1) Approximately a $10.5 trillion national debt;
2) Such (apparently) piss-poor standings with the rest of the world;
3) Corporate and religious holds on the government (lobbyists and reps' personal beliefs, respectively);
4) The media-saturated culture;
5) Falling education standards (the actual education isn't up to snuff either, but I'm trying to go with stuff I could prove).

It's simple. Just get New England to join Canada! We'll celebrate over a big joint, some cuban cigars, and a nice cold beer.

Heck, while we're at it, how about some abortions, some health care, and some gay marriage. Oh and how about a no less than four political parties with seats. THAT'S proved to be fun as of late. Good old votes of no confidence.

Come on, you know you waaaaaana

 

[darkless]

It's a good source of amusement.

It makes some good films, music and games (also some absolute shit, but lets not let that detract from the positive ones).

What would Yahtzee say? [http://www.fullyramblomatic.com/essays/tribute.htm]

Couldn't stop laughing so completely true.

Also add to the last bit that they America got caught completely by surprise 4 years into a world wide war.

 

[Joeshie]

What are the crowds like at American football games? I mean is it common for there to be trouble?

American sports crowds never seem to be nearly as crazy and wild as Europeans when it comes to soccer. I mean, we don't sit there and watch the game quietly, but physical violence at sports events is pretty rare. The worst it usually gets is some name calling.

College sports tend to be a bit wilder though, since the college students get into the game much, much more. If you go into a Duke basketball game...the sound is just deafening.

 

[axia777]

I don't think America is awesome,but I would love to visit because it seems to harbour such err interesting people, oh and crazy Christians must meet them and then argue with them. Shine on you crazy Americans

Hate to say this, but you can find crazy Christians just about anywhere.

No shit.

I like America because we can do and say just about anything as long as it does not harm another human being. Business and people getting rich/successful on an individual basis had never really been seen in the world before like it is in America. A poor man living homeless on he street can come up on his own to become a millionaire, like the true life story of Chris Gardner. That is why America kicks ass so much. Sure it has it's issues. But I dare anyone here to point to one Nation that does not have issues on some level.

 

[Nevins]

ameriaca
can not speak
say aluminium...

can not speall (lol)
mum, colour

are religious extreamists, and are stupid.
more than 60% of americans believe the earth is less than 5000 years old

have WAY too many guns, WHY?!? why do you need to all be armed?

have ridiculus cars. why a 4x4 in the city?!? and why a "Muscle" car? is it to make up for your small "muscle"?

and all thote giant Nukes, definately phalic. and compansating.

Homophobic. if you like being with a guy, why should it matter to you what de does in bed with other guys?

yeah, i totally believe that the twin towers was NOT an inside job and that the "Patriot" act just happened to be lying around.

Guantunamo bay. an illegal military base, doing illegal things to people, who you arrested illegally. leave Cuba alone, just because they made comunisum work you didn't have to screw up the country.

you are too big. not just fat people, but your contry should be split into 3-4 differnt nations. so should china and russia, australias OK because most of the land is uninhabbitable, and aussies are too lazy to take over the world.

stop bashing the "scientific minority". creationists are stupid. NO ARGUMENT. EVULUTION HAPPENED THE BIBLE IS BULL. and athiests are 25% of americas population, so the nex time someones wants them to lose all rights as a citizen (like Bush Sr), go die.

you are a horrible nation that needs to look at what it is doing to the world. you are not the world police.

and you KNEW about Pearl harbour before it happened, stop your lies and brain washing. making little kids pleadge alliegence is EVIL. it is something Hitler would have done.

no do what you people always do. dont address the issues, just bomb me with flame and make fun of my spelling like you always do. why dont you accuse me of being unreasonable, nothing like americas war with Vietnam, or the war of terror, or your whole Frickin sex obsessed society.

what is with you people and sex? its always about getting "down and dirty" or "Hot and sweaty". rarely is it about closeness and love. or affection, trust, careing. personally, i like the adds for "i want to be an engineer, sex can wait", but people need more sexual education other than "dont do it" and "how to do it". how about "when to do it" and "why to do it"?

but why do you hake such disgusting sex scenes, and SO MUCH porn?

Obvious troll is obvious. Could the troll please cite some of his stats for my amusement?

Edit: a little side note, Aluminum (American spelling) was originally named Aluminium (UK spelling), but the scientific community changed their minds a couple of years later, and so they name it Aluminum. America, for the first and last time in its existence, changed the name of a term, so Americans are using the technically correct term. I do so love the weird facts that Bill Bryson digs up.

What are the crowds like at American football games? I mean is it common for there to be trouble?

American sports crowds never seem to be nearly as crazy and wild as Europeans when it comes to soccer. I mean, we don't sit there and watch the game quietly, but physical violence at sports events is pretty rare. The worst it usually gets is some name calling.

College sports tend to be a bit wilder though, since the college students get into the game much, much more. If you go into a Duke basketball game...the sound is just deafening.

Thats because all those people are way drunk . I don't know about how it works in Europe, but over here college sports are HUGE. They make far more money than most of the professional teams in the US (Mostly because they dont have to pay multimillion dollar salaries to their players)

 

[TwistedEllipses]

Edit: a little side note, Aluminum (American spelling) was originally named Aluminium (UK spelling), but the scientific community changed their minds a couple of years later, and so they name it Aluminum. America, for the first and last time in its existence, changed the name of a term, so Americans are using the technically correct term. I do so love the weird facts that Bill Bryson digs up.

A short history of nearly everything, right? good book!

 

[Nevins]

Edit: a little side note, Aluminum (American spelling) was originally named Aluminium (UK spelling), but the scientific community changed their minds a couple of years later, and so they name it Aluminum. America, for the first and last time in its existence, changed the name of a term, so Americans are using the technically correct term. I do so love the weird facts that Bill Bryson digs up.

A short history of nearly everything, right? good book!

Correction: Fantastic book. I think I learned more about science reading that than I ever had at school.