Carl Sorenson wrote:
>>We are the ones who invented airplanes, TV's......<<
Whooaahh!!! Just a cotton', pickin' minute there, Carl!!
YOU are the ones who invented TV's?????
I think a certain Scottish gentlemen, were he alive today, might have something to say
about that, namely, one John Logie Baird!!
And, as you are clearly taking exception to Mike Joy's tone about the US, what about
your comments about the US having lower taxes than the welfare states of Europe??
Though this is undoubtedly true, couldn't critics point to the record deficits the US
economy is experiencing at the moment?? Something you conveniently forgot to
mention??
The USA is a great country, but I do wish a certain number of its residents could
learn to take criticism without immediately going on the defensive, especially as some
seem only too willing to dish it out to others!!
Regards,
Steve.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Sorenson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 7:06 PM
Subject: [USMA:24420] RE: the U.S., etc.
> Mike Joy said:
> I suppose I've been guilty of writing some apparently anti-US statements in
> some of my letters to papers and postings here, but they are only designed
> to try and jerk free this crazy John Wayne mentality that is hurting the US
> so much.
>
> Yes, I think I understand. I haven't had too much of a problem with what
> you have written. However, I'm not sure that "outsiders" are likely to be
> swayed by some of your comments. For example, in your letter to the Wausau
> Daily Herald you said:
> "You're supposed to be the 'greatest' nation on Earth aren't you, so where's
> the proof? "
>
> To most people, who don't see metrication as their all-consuming life
> ambition, this statement wouldn't make a whole lot of sense. They would
> say, "Well, we are the sole surviving superpower. Immigrants are breaking
> down the doors to get in. We are the ones who invented airplanes, TV's,
> microwaves, transistors, integrated circuits, PC's, and nuclear bombs and
> reactors. We have little corruption, an open press, and a healthy, modern
> economy with honest financial markets, a stable currency, low unemployment
> and inflation, and lower taxes than the welfare states of Europe. I'd say
> we're doing pretty darn well."
>
> In other words, using metrication as a measure of a country's 'greatness' is
> leaving out a lot of other things, most of which have a lot more to do with
> a people's quality of life. Now, I'm sure you already understand all this,
> but if you make statements like the one above, people will call you on it.
> Even your statement, which isn't very offensive, will make people try to
> defend their country rather than think about your position. They won't be
> convinced, and persuasion is the whole point of writing these letters, I
> think.
>
> It looks to me like the basic reasoning in your statement is "America
> doesn't use metric so they aren't as good as they think they are." I think
> my style of reasoning would be more along the lines of "I have an idea for a
> way to make America better. I think it will work, too. Let's see how we
> can get this to happen." Do you see the difference?
>
> If your goal is to make Americans be more humble and less snooty, that is
> certainly worthwhile, but I'm not sure that your sentence is worded in a way
> that would accomplish that. "Where's the proof?" is almost a personal
> challenge, like "I dare you to prove that your country is so great." They
> will take you up on that challenge, at least mentally. To get a person to
> think like you do, you want show that you are on the same side or use humor
> or something. For example, even something like, "Get with the program!" is
> basically saying, "Hey, Americans, we have a consensus here. Come join our
> club." In my mind, it is inclusive, not confrontational.
>
> Well, those are my thoughts. I wouldn't say that the things you have
> written are offensive (not like some people's comments), but they aren't the
> way I would say things.
>
> Carl
>
>
>
