Tsk, tsk, tsk, Jim. Perhaps mostly due to your "zealousness" to defend your libertarian views you really "pisou feio no tomate" this time, my dear friend!!! I'll explain below.
On Sun, 16 Dec 2001 13:19:51 Jim Elwell wrote: >Kilopascal writes: >... >>The US is nothing more than a spoiled, rotten, arrogant child. Instead of >>the attacks on 2001-09-11 humbling this nation it made the US even more >>arrogant and full of itself. > Right or wrong, John's statement above is how most people around the globe have grown to perceive Americans, Jim. It's just undeniable fact, unfortunately... I'm not saying I condone with that perception or agree with it, but that if you talk to many "on the streets" around the world frankly and blatantly, this is the kind of reaction one would get indeed. >I'm starting to think some of you guys don't have a clue about the concept >of individual freedom versus nationalism. The above is just as much >stereotypical hogwash as what Wizard writes. > I'm afraid it isn't. And actually if you could read many editorials of important media individuals outside of the US, this is definitely not "stereotypical hogwash" at all, but a reflection of other people's perception of America. What happens, Jim, and what seems to be your failure to realize is that (right or wrong) the "nationalistic" component of America's society is speaking a lot more loudly than the "freedom" aspect that perhaps you think is the kind of image that America would allegedly be wanting to project abroad. What people actually hear more loudly, sir, is the "terrorists will taste the justice of the USA" (Idiot Bush's own words), the singing and showing of US' national anthem every and anyhow they can, "how the US is such the defender of freedom for all and bla-bla-bla-bla-bla (e tome hino nacional americano! :-( )!!... How can one deny that, my friend??? I, for one, am sick and tired of this rhetoric, sir! Yes, the events of 11 Sep 2001 were terrible and all, but, by Golly, let's move on, shall we??? Enough is enough is enough! Why should my country, Canada, for instance, spend 7 G$ to increase security here? We don't need such waste of money at all! We have never suffered any kind of similar attack here and (good grief, hopefully!) never will! This war, sir, is yours, and ONLY YOURS!!! Don't try to make it mine! (Not that I do not want to be perceived as not having solidarity to your problem, cause and grief, but that we have our problems, too, you know?!). >I am an American, and I know plenty of them, and not ONE of them considers >themselves any better or worse than any other people in the world. What we >consider ourselves is sovereign individuals who, as long as we do not harm >others, should be left alone, by our own government, let alone foreigners. > Perhaps so, Jim, but, please understand, that that's not what your "propaganda machine" has been trumpeting everywhere and anyhow it can! As for "being left alone", that comes as a huge surprise to me (honestly!). Eh, how so??? You are the ones who interfere in everybody else's affair!!! So, let me get this straight, you "want to be left alone", and yet, you want to poke and meddle in everyone else's affairs?!!! HHHHmmmmm... >And being "left alone" does not mean having others (whether Americans or >foreigners) forcing us to use some particular ruler. > The use of a "particular ruler", Jim, for your info, is a matter that "global leaders" around the world have come to accept and agree on as being something that *everyone* would benefit. Except that the US does not want to do its part in that program and ultimate goal! How sad and depressing!... :-S >Now, if some of you would help educate Americans as to why metric is >better, then you will find some converts. But just climbing to the top of >the mountain and screaming "Metric is better and if you don't use it you >are an idiotic, arrogant American" is counter-productive. > Here I agree, but only in part. Truth must be told, Jim, and this to *whoever* is on the "other side" (which unfortunately includes most Americans and some folks of anglo-saxon nature, British and Canadians, usually (with rare exceptions), for instance, included)! It *IS* idiotic to continue using ifp units, *p-e-r-i-o-d*! However, the message should never be a personal attack on any country or particular people though. So, I guess we sort of agree on this one, mostly... So, also, yes, let's get the message out (education), but let's also be very forthright with it and not hide the truth about the issue, either. With tact, prudence and wisdom, but truthfully, nonetheless! > >In fact, if we ever have a serious effort to force metrication in this >country, you can bet your last dollar that this guy will be paraded all >over the country as an example of what will happen if such laws go into >effect. It will DESTROY any chance of having forced metrication in the USA >(and thank God for that!). > A system of measurements has *always* been imposed on peoples, Jim. The burden of proof is on you, my friend, to show otherwise. Even on your case, the ifp *has been dictated on you*! Only that since it's now so rampant, widespread and accepted there that, given people's natural unwillingness to change, also (among other things and misperceptions), it's anathema to *change* that in favor of the SI system!!! ;-) Finally: (below) >>The only way for the US to be put in its place and become a team player and >>not the neighbourhood bully is for someone bigger and stronger to come along >>and put the bully in its place. > >Yea, and the only way THAT will ever happen is if some of your respective >countries actually give their citizens enough freedom from over-regulation >and brain-dead central planning that they can become as economically as >America is. I'd be delighted to see it happen, but I'm not holding my breath. >... Sigh... Here you're (understandably) letting your "libertarian voice" within you speak louder than reason. Just as a reminder that your assertion above is not entirely accurate I'd offer the example of Germany, a country that has one of the most stringent and 'over-regulated' environments known to us, and yet, it's arguably one of the most advanced societies in our planet (No?... ;-) )! I'm for the German "model" anyday, anytime! (Now this is probably my German blood speaking louder, I know, but... what the heck! :-) ) Warm regards, Jim. Marcus Get 250 color business cards for FREE! http://businesscards.lycos.com/vp/fastpath/
