question to Americans

[Insidious]

This is killin me.....

I really really really want to comment with regard to......



<< I am an American. I'm one of the elite in terms of education >>



but alas, I am too stupid and common to communicate with one of this stature


/me sighs

 

[veryape]

<< I'm just wondering this, why do most Americans have no idea what goes on outside their country?
It's like the average American thinks the world ends at the border to Canada, Mexico, Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.

any thoughts of reasons causes etc? >>

I know what goes on around the world and to be honest, I wish I could black out the majority of what I hear and see, because some countries are still in the dark ages.

As an American I can say that most Americans do know about world events, but don't put a lot of thought into them because they live in America, where you have rights an opportunity to make something of yourself.

I have a question for you. Why do people from outside America constantly berate Americans and try to make us sound stupid? I believe the answer to this question is jealousy, but of course Non-Americans deny that to the end. I love this country and i'd be jealous too.

What we need to do here in the USA is totally close the borders, and not let anyone obtain citizenship for a decade or two, until you asses from outside America stop bashing us and are once again begging to be allowed to live in our terrible, terrible country. You people make me laugh. You make America out to be the big bad wolf but turn around and move here or try to, and once here you certainly seem to enjoy all the niceties we have to offer you.

Opportunistic pieces of garbage. Stay where you are and let us enjoy being the best, and most rich country in the world, even in the midst of a recession. Now that is a statement. We are still the most rich country in the world, even in the middle of a recession. HAHAHA!!! Point stated.

I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA
I LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICAI LOVE AMERICA:Q

 

[burnedout]

I didn't bother reading the rest of the posts in this thread. Americans don't know what's going on because 80-90 percent of Americans are vapid morons. Before I receive any replies from irate Americans, I am an American. I'm one of the elite in terms of education, I actually know what's going on in the rest of the world.

Daovonnaex: Unless you have a Ph D from Harvard or some similar institution, along with a Nobel prize sitting next to you in your "humble" abode, you are far from elite.

It has a lot to do with education. Our education system is the poorest in the developed world, unless you count South Africa and Cyprus as developed. Regardless of our power, when 54% of Americans cannot find europe on an unmarked map, I say there's a serious problem. When 18% of Americans cannot find AMERICA on an unmarked map, I'd say there's a crisis.

You don't research very well, do you? . The US is ranked number 6 in the world regarding education and literacy by the United Nations.

If 54% of the population can't find Europe on an unmarked map then how is that such a serious problem? What, they didn't pay attention in geography class during elementary or secondary school? Big deal! 99.5% of the US population probably can't find root by su from a user account. Yet does this fact also label them with the illustrious title of "vapid morons" as well? Of course not.

As Dave Sohmer so thoughtfully points out, your benchmark is obviously biased. A nation cannot send vehicles into outer space, develop new technologies and maintain an economy if it is comprised of "vapid morons" as you so enthusiatically state.

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[PlatinumGold]

It has a lot to do with education. Our education system is the poorest in the developed world, unless you count South Africa and Cyprus as developed.


The CRISIS in American Education is the BIGGEST LIE going.

truth is the American system of education fails only when the Family Unit fails. The reason our stats for Education are sooo low is because we have SOOO many single parent families. A childs education and his desire to learn are directly correlated with the amount of time and effort his/her parents put into their education.

I chose to move back to the US 3 years ago BECAUSE the education system here was better than anywhere else. IF I DO MY JOB HERE, my children will receive BETTER EDUCATIONS than they could ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

SO ENOUGH WITH THE CRISIS IN AMERICAN EDUCATION.

 

[LAUST]

Delete

 

[Pepsi90919]

<< we are actually able to speak without an accent here because we have filtered out all the $h!t >>

you have to be kidding. americans have the ugliest accents i've ever heard. plus they raped the english language.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Your question about why Americans know very little about what goes on outside our country makes me wonder:

Why is it that the WHOLE WORLD knows all about America? I don't think Europeans or Africans know any more about Asia than we do. I am sure Asians (the ones actually in Asia) don't know more about Europe or Africa than we do. Or the Middle East, etc.

I'd say Americans know as much about the rest of the world as the rest of the world knows.

 

[Insidious]

<< plus they raped the english language >>



We raped the English in general.... get over it!

 

[LAUST]

Delete

 

[LAUST]

Delete

 

[IGBT]

Or baseball's world series is the end all...but then again if it wasen't for America being the most generous country in existence, bailing out all the dregs and looser countries including the enemies of America, where would all you wana be's get your foreign aid from? Who would forgive your loans? Who would buy your trashy exports? And where would you run when the going get's tuff and you dont have the back bone to fight in your own country?? When the people your running from show up in the place you've run to then what you do?

<< pick a better country...then take a hike to it. ADIOS >>

 

[Shantanu]

Having also lived in the UK and India, I can say that there are just as many people oblivious to what goes on outside the world in those countries as there are here in the U.S.



<< << One little factoid that I find not mentioned very often or at all which I think is very relevant is thaqt the US gives one of the lowest aid as a percentage of GDP compared to most other developed countries (0.3% IIRC sorry, no cites, seen in print media) and much of the aid given goes to isreal. >>



Coming from a 3rd world country myself, let me tell you that virtually all the cash that is sent to developing nations from developed nations as "aid" ends up being used to purchase arms for warlords and Mercedes-Benzs for bureacrats. Ultimatly, it causes more harm than good. Cheers.

 

[burnedout]

Actually the accents of New Englanders more closely resemble those of the original British immigrants than current British citizens. I recall a British radio documentary which once pointed out that the American accents in New England really didn't evolve much from the 1600s. The British accents were the ones which had evolved and changed.

 

[TheVrolok]

I've read all different parts of this thread, I'm sooooo amused. Half of these arguements are absolutely pathetic, I don't even have a clue as to where to start, and the fact of the matter is I'd probably just be restating what's been already said. Perhaps, though, if I must object to something, it's this reoccuring fact that so many Americans can't find the US on a map, or name a few non-American countries. Where are you getting this? Are you asking 3 year old children? Or perhaps senile old men? I know that at LEAST 95% of my high school(yes, yes I've done no study, taken no tests, but I can say with great confidence) can find the US on a map, and I have never spoken to anyone at my school who could not name a few non-American cities. That's so pathetic.

 

[busmaster11]

<< I didn't bother reading the rest of the posts in this thread. Americans don't know what's going on because 80-90 percent of Americans are vapid morons. Before I receive any replies from irate Americans, I am an American. I'm one of the elite in terms of education, I actually know what's going on in the rest of the world. >>



I completely agree. Before the flames start coming, lemme just say that I love America as well. Anyone who questions that hasn't a leg to stand on and doesn't know me. If this means you think I'm un-American... well, keep talking patriotism with your head in the sand and watch everyone pass us by. The only ones being arrogant are Americans. Thats why you think we're invincible. Thats why you think we can ignore and piss everyone else off - because we don't need them. That is the prevailing philosophy in the White house these days, and it is why we are alienating ourselves from the global community. That may even be a contributing factor to 9-11. This arrogance and the culture it encourages is also the reason why a good deal of Americans are clueless about whats beyond our borders. We don't feel the need to know... It's tunnel vision....

Whether people from other countries know whats going on globally is not the issue. Our students consistently score low when compared to international students in math, geography, etc... I assume everyone here knows this, if not I'll dig up some data for you... That's embarrassing.

Nevermind Jay Leno asking random people on the street... Look at our own prez... While he was campaigning, a member of the press asked him to name a major hotspot in the world and the name of a leader who was involved. He couldn't.

Yeah, people are jealous of AMericans because of our prosperity. But the smart ones are also jealous because we've been so blessed by God, and dealth such a rich and powerful hand... yet have reaped mostly a pompous attitude from it...

 

[TheVrolok]

Nicely said, busmaster11, I must agree. Although 80-90% vapid morons is somewhat harsh, I don't think that 8 or 9 out of every 10 people I see are vapid morons

 

[etech]

busmaster,


"That is the prevailing philosophy in the White house these days"

No that is not the prevailing philosophy in the White House and distorting what is happening does not lead any credance to your post or position.

"That may even be a contributing factor to 9-11. "

BS, that action was planned long before the current administatrion took office. Trying to bash the Republicans and blame them won't work. Trying to blame America and imply we deserved it is contemptable.

 

[busmaster11]

<< busmaster,


"That is the prevailing philosophy in the White house these days"

No that is not the prevailing philosophy in the White House and distorting what is happening does not lead any credance to your post or position. >>


Well, back it up...

My evidence? Backing out of the UN Human rights committee when we can't be in charge... Not taking an active role with Kyoto negotiations. Backing out of treaties unilaterally without the consultation and understanding of the global community with the intention to build missiles for defense, and alienation... You know, people have tried this before.... It was called the great wall...



<< "That may even be a contributing factor to 9-11. "

BS, that action was planned long before the current administatrion took office. Trying to bash the Republicans and blame them won't work. Trying to blame America and imply we deserved it is contemptable. >>


What action are you referring to?
That you put words in my mouth to augment your weak point testifies to exactly what I'm talking about. No American citizen deserves 9-11. You do nothing to address the point I make; and it seems you're incapable of it.

If you do not believe that American imperialism has anything to do with the attack, fine. But then you are forced to believe that the people who did it had no beef with the US, no agenda, and no reason to be mad at us. And therefore, they are all devils - purely evil. And that all Islamic people who support them explicitly and implicitly, also have no reason for doing so, and are also pure evil. Is that what you believe?

Oh yeah... forgot... They're jealous of America's prosperity... Jealous enough to have all these terrorist organizations spread throughout 80 countries just to destroy America because we're prosperous. Right...

 

[Scarpozzi]

<< I'm just wondering this, why do most Americans have no idea what goes on outside their country? >>


See what happens when you drink Molson Ultra kids?

 

[Lithium381]

i'm an american and i know what's going on, in fact, i know that russia just put something called a sputnik or whatever in space, isn't it exciting! haha

 

[Lithium381]

<<

<< busmaster,


"That is the prevailing philosophy in the White house these days"

No that is not the prevailing philosophy in the White House and distorting what is happening does not lead any credance to your post or position. >>


Well, back it up...

My evidence? Backing out of the UN Human rights committee when we can't be in charge... Not taking an active role with Kyoto negotiations. Backing out of treaties unilaterally without the consultation and understanding of the global community with the intention to build missiles for defense, and alienation... You know, people have tried this before.... It was called the great wall...



<< "That may even be a contributing factor to 9-11. "

BS, that action was planned long before the current administatrion took office. Trying to bash the Republicans and blame them won't work. Trying to blame America and imply we deserved it is contemptable. >>


What action are you referring to?
That you put words in my mouth to augment your weak point testifies to exactly what I'm talking about. No American citizen deserves 9-11. You do nothing to address the point I make; and it seems you're incapable of it.

If you do not believe that American imperialism has anything to do with the attack, fine. But then you are forced to believe that the people who did it had no beef with the US, no agenda, and no reason to be mad at us. And therefore, they are all devils - purely evil. And that all Islamic people who support them explicitly and implicitly, also have no reason for doing so, and are also pure evil. Is that what you believe?

Oh yeah... forgot... They're jealous of America's prosperity... Jealous enough to have all these terrorist organizations spread throughout 80 countries just to destroy America because we're prosperous. Right... >>




well said

 

[Nefrodite]

heh, me thinks it was a mistake to broadcast jerry springer around the world. oh well

 

[charrison]

>My evidence? Backing out of the UN Human rights committee when we can't be in charge...


When the UN elects counties to the human rights committee that are know to be some of the worst violaters of human rights in the world, what do you do?



>Not taking an active role with Kyoto negotiations.

This is not wanted by both parties in this country and would generally be bad for this country. Kyoto was not accepted by any country until it was heavily watered down.



>Backing out of treaties unilaterally without the consultation and understanding of the global community with the >intention to build missiles for defense,


ABM is outdated. Both the US and Russia have agreed to reduce weapons stockpiles. China is building nuclear capability and has already threatened to nuke LA..but yet we dont need an missle defence, get real.



>and alienation... You know, people have tried this before.... It was called the great wall...

And for a long time, the great wall worked.

 

[burnedout]

>Backing out of treaties unilaterally without the consultation and understanding of the global community with the >intention to build missiles for defense,

ABM is outdated. Both the US and Russia have agreed to reduce weapons stockpiles. China is building nuclear capability and has already threatened to nuke LA..but yet we dont need an missle defence, get real.

Additionally, the situation was explained in great detail to Russian President Putin while he was vacationing at President Bush's ranch. The resulting rhetoric from Moscow after the US announced withdrawal from the treaty? Very little. In fact, the US has even offered to work with the Russians on a mutual ABM defense. And when Chinese Generals threaten LA with nukes, there is a real threat which you fail to acknowledge.

 

[JupiterJones]

I'm just wondering this, why do most Americans have no idea what goes on outside their country?

NonTechGuy,
I have quit watching the news or reading papers because it is really just too depressing. I have dedicated my time to my studies and my family.

Don