My Ignorance
-
If you ever start such a website and need more people, you can count me in.
Regards,Rohit Sinha
Rohit Sinha wrote: you can count me in. :cool: BW "I'm coming with you! I got you fired, it's the least I can do. Well, the least I could do is absolutely nothing, but I'll go you one better and come along!" - Homer J. Simpson
-
Hey Folks, I have a bit of a thought on this and, hope it is not too far off. First let me preface this by saying that my first position upon graduating collage required me to travel about 300 days a year outside of the US. I did this for almost four and a half years. I have spent considerable time in the South Pacific, Western Europe, Israel, and SE Asia. And believe me, I loved it. To me, the possible root of the problems is that many of us here in the US don't see ourselves as a part of the world community. And, I believe that this may stem from the fact that many of us don't travel much outside the states. I know that many young military people are required to travel. But, these guys aren't often the best ambassadors of our country. Having seen many of these boys in action in South Korea and Japan I am reminded of the phrase "Young dumb and full of cum." And sure, many young, well to do collage kids "backpack" through Europe, but somehow I don't think living la'bohem for 3 months really does enough to gain a sense of community. And of course, we can't forget the occasional tourist. While not a bad thing, many of the folks do nothing to research local customs and lifestyles. And, are often guilty of eating at the god forsaken Hard Rock Café. Unfortunately, I don't have a solution to offer. :( But, somehow Americans need to get out and interact with the rest of the world. Not as customers/consumers but as someone who just wants to enjoy what the rest of the world has to offer. To me, this seems like the real long term solution. Personally, my family continues to vacation outside the US(just got back from Peru :)). Just my opinion Chris Austin
Unfortunately, international travel by its very nature favors those who have too much money and too much time, thus exposing to others a poor sampling of the place they are from. And this works both ways - i certainly had a much lower opinion of several European countries prior to running into slightly more representative citizens here on CP... Shog9 ------
Rather hammer futiley at the locked door than just sit and ignore it. Obviously finding a way to get through the locked door would be even better though. - Paul Watson, My Ignorance
-
Unfortunately, international travel by its very nature favors those who have too much money and too much time, thus exposing to others a poor sampling of the place they are from. And this works both ways - i certainly had a much lower opinion of several European countries prior to running into slightly more representative citizens here on CP... Shog9 ------
Rather hammer futiley at the locked door than just sit and ignore it. Obviously finding a way to get through the locked door would be even better though. - Paul Watson, My Ignorance
Shog9 wrote: Unfortunately, international travel by its very nature favors those who have too much money and too much time, thus exposing to others a poor sampling of the place they are from. True Enough.... But I must say that my wife and I actualy save year round for our trips...it is amazing how much money you can save if you have a wife like mine who counts every penny I spend:) As for time, we tend to save our vacation time as well. And nothing pisses me off more than a boss saying no after giving them 3+ months notice. Chris Austin Fill me with your knowledge, your wisdom, your coffe.
-
Unfortunately, international travel by its very nature favors those who have too much money and too much time, thus exposing to others a poor sampling of the place they are from. And this works both ways - i certainly had a much lower opinion of several European countries prior to running into slightly more representative citizens here on CP... Shog9 ------
Rather hammer futiley at the locked door than just sit and ignore it. Obviously finding a way to get through the locked door would be even better though. - Paul Watson, My Ignorance
Shog9 wrote: Unfortunately, international travel by its very nature favors those who have too much money and too much time, A small disagreement. For example if an America flies to notheren and Western Europe, it's likely to cost more. But if he/she goes to most of Latin America / Asia / Africa it could be less inexpensive. Getting to the destinations might be expensive but when you are their it can be very inexpensive. Also the common US 2 week Holiday isn't conductive to decent International excursions I guess. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
-
Brian, Nice thread, I wish you luck and I caution you as well. I agree that the US press is slanted. They really know how to push our buttons and ignore big issues in other countries. I doubt anybody will deny that. The thing you need to remember is that the non-US press is equally slanted. There are as many different angles as there are news sources. The SA press is skewed to SA interests, the Australian press is skewed to Australian interests, the French press... ad infinitum. IMO your best bet is to read as much of it as possible, consider the sources and assume the truth is somewhere in the middle. Another thing to remember is that many of the "voices" here on CP are equally slanted. There have been many "ignorant American" voices making ludicrous comments about the world outside of the US. They become the poster children for the worst stereo-types. Likewise, there have been an equal number of non-American voices who make ignorant comments about US culture based entirely on Hollywood movies and television. Many of these folks have never been here, but act like they know us intimately. I've been accused (several times) here at CP of being the "Ugly American". Of scanning the forums for any anti-American comments and jumping into the fray. Although this is not true, I can understand why it might appear so. On serious topics, I try to comment only on those issues where I have direct knowledge or real experience. You'll find some CPians that feel like they are experts on everything based on nothing. They read one article from one source and feel like they know "the truth" and need to spout off about it. In most cases other perspectives or "alternate truths" are exposed. All in all, the CP "Lounge" and "Soapbox" forums are an excellent source for getting a very diverse group of intelligent perspectives about world issues.
Mike Mullikin :beer: Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. David St. Hubbins - Spinal Tap
Mike Mullikin wrote: ...the Australian press is skewed to Australian interests... Interests? I thought we sold them all to the US. :) Mike Mullikin wrote: Likewise, there have been an equal number of non-American voices who make ignorant comments about US culture based entirely on Hollywood movies and television. What? You mean Rambo and Friends aren't documenteries. ;) Mike Mullikin wrote: You'll find some CPians that feel like they are experts on everything based on nothing. They read one article from one source and feel like they know "the truth" and need to spout off about it. You give me too much credit, I don't even read the first article I just make it up as I go along. ;P Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
-
Shog9 wrote: Unfortunately, international travel by its very nature favors those who have too much money and too much time, A small disagreement. For example if an America flies to notheren and Western Europe, it's likely to cost more. But if he/she goes to most of Latin America / Asia / Africa it could be less inexpensive. Getting to the destinations might be expensive but when you are their it can be very inexpensive. Also the common US 2 week Holiday isn't conductive to decent International excursions I guess. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
Colin Davies wrote: But if he/she goes to most of Latin America / Asia / Africa it could be less inexpensive. Getting to the destinations might be expensive but when you are their it can be very inexpensive. I defer to the voice of experience. :) Colin Davies wrote: Also the common US 2 week Holiday isn't conductive to decent International excursions I guess. True, that. Heh, it caused quite a stir here a bit ago, when we learned that one of our collegues in France was to be gone for most of the summer. Even with an understanding manager, you still need a pretty good excuse for taking more than a few weeks here... Shog9 ------
Rather hammer futiley at the locked door than just sit and ignore it. Obviously finding a way to get through the locked door would be even better though. - Paul Watson, My Ignorance
-
Colin Davies wrote: But if he/she goes to most of Latin America / Asia / Africa it could be less inexpensive. Getting to the destinations might be expensive but when you are their it can be very inexpensive. I defer to the voice of experience. :) Colin Davies wrote: Also the common US 2 week Holiday isn't conductive to decent International excursions I guess. True, that. Heh, it caused quite a stir here a bit ago, when we learned that one of our collegues in France was to be gone for most of the summer. Even with an understanding manager, you still need a pretty good excuse for taking more than a few weeks here... Shog9 ------
Rather hammer futiley at the locked door than just sit and ignore it. Obviously finding a way to get through the locked door would be even better though. - Paul Watson, My Ignorance
Shog9 wrote: Even with an understanding manager, you still need a pretty good excuse for taking more than a few weeks here... Here in France we have legally 5 weeks of vacation per year. :) Nice to travel :cool:
Who gives a f*ck If my life sucks ? I just know one day I won't give up Beg For Me/KoЯn
-
Shog9 wrote: Even with an understanding manager, you still need a pretty good excuse for taking more than a few weeks here... Here in France we have legally 5 weeks of vacation per year. :) Nice to travel :cool:
Who gives a f*ck If my life sucks ? I just know one day I won't give up Beg For Me/KoЯn
Kaßl wrote: 5 weeks of vacation per year. Man, that would just rock!!:cool: My uncle from Germany, once compared European to Americans this way. Europeans work-to-live, Americans live-to-work pros/cons to both of course, both man 5 weeks would be sweet. BW "I'm coming with you! I got you fired, it's the least I can do. Well, the least I could do is absolutely nothing, but I'll go you one better and come along!" - Homer J. Simpson
-
I must admit to my general ignorance in US foreign policy. Visiting CP over the past few months has indeed opened my eyes to many things which I'm desperately trying to learn about and digest. It has become very apparent that nearly everyone has an opinion of the US, and watches our moves with a suspicious eye. In trying to understand this situation better, and develop my own more educated views, I'd like to ask some help. Not only would it take forever for me to Google about looking for tidbits, but I'd like some real feedback from people. So I would be extremely grateful if CPians could relate information to me regarding US policy in their own country. Anything is fair game, good or bad. Replying here is fine, or you can send it personally to brian.welsch@greenvillearea.net[^] Thanks for your help. BW "I'm coming with you! I got you fired, it's the least I can do. Well, the least I could do is absolutely nothing, but I'll go you one better and come along!" - Homer J. Simpson
Its not so much the SS, as any power that has been dominant for a long time (like the British were). The old saying "Power breeds corruption" - maybe not so much corrcuption as complacency and, I'm sorry to say, arrogance. This isn't putting the US down and saying 'Well of course the British are better', just we wnt through that period of our history a while back. Examples ? The British in India with taxes designed to prevent a middle class rising. The US putting massive duties on goods which compete too much with domestic goods (Canadian timber is a current example). As the EU and Chinese blocks continue to grow things will hopefully level out which I hope will benefit everyone by providing a more distributed balance of power. And finally, what about your impression of other countries/blocks policies toward the US ? Elaine (fluffy tigress emoticon) Would you like to meet my teddy bear ?
-
Its not so much the SS, as any power that has been dominant for a long time (like the British were). The old saying "Power breeds corruption" - maybe not so much corrcuption as complacency and, I'm sorry to say, arrogance. This isn't putting the US down and saying 'Well of course the British are better', just we wnt through that period of our history a while back. Examples ? The British in India with taxes designed to prevent a middle class rising. The US putting massive duties on goods which compete too much with domestic goods (Canadian timber is a current example). As the EU and Chinese blocks continue to grow things will hopefully level out which I hope will benefit everyone by providing a more distributed balance of power. And finally, what about your impression of other countries/blocks policies toward the US ? Elaine (fluffy tigress emoticon) Would you like to meet my teddy bear ?
Trollslayer wrote: As the EU and Chinese blocks continue to grow things will hopefully level out which I hope will benefit everyone by providing a more distributed balance of power. It will take a bit of time, but I think this will happen. I'd also like to see a strong African contingent. Perhaps when there is more variety in who holds power we can work on a more realistic global society. Trollslayer wrote: And finally, what about your impression of other countries/blocks policies toward the US ? I'm still making these decisions. I know of very little in this regard that has a great effect on me personally. My guess is that policies are generally favorable towards the US, because there is a feeling that countries need to "keep in our favor". Can I defer a real answer for a later date?:-D BW "I'm coming with you! I got you fired, it's the least I can do. Well, the least I could do is absolutely nothing, but I'll go you one better and come along!" - Homer J. Simpson