Comments on: Your links for the past week or so… http://thorg.com/archives/6494 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:10:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Keera http://thorg.com/archives/6494/comment-page-1#comment-6741 Keera Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:07:14 +0000 http://thorg.com/?p=6494#comment-6741 I have never met "the ugly American" in Europe. I grew up with ugly Europeans, the sort that delighted in telling me what was wrong with my country (either I've changed or Europeans have learned to moderate because I didn't get that crap during Dubya's reign.) Ultimately, nobody's right - and nobody's wrong. We're just different, is all. I have never met “the ugly American” in Europe. I grew up with ugly Europeans, the sort that delighted in telling me what was wrong with my country (either I’ve changed or Europeans have learned to moderate because I didn’t get that crap during Dubya’s reign.)

Ultimately, nobody’s right – and nobody’s wrong. We’re just different, is all.

]]> By: alice http://thorg.com/archives/6494/comment-page-1#comment-6738 alice Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:36:59 +0000 http://thorg.com/?p=6494#comment-6738 Lucy, I didn't get to see any of the TV coverage (we're between cable providers at the moment), but like Keera, I was moved by the coverage I shared above. Keera and Free Man, perhaps we are all more sensitive to this issue because we've been (are living!) abroad, but it's one of the things that I find most frustrating about my own country's people. There have been times when I've been far afield and prepared to claim Canadian citizenship if anyone asked, because I've been so embarrassed by my fellow citizens' tone deafness (and sometimes willful ignorance) when it comes to exceptionalism. Smijer, glad to oblige! :-) Lucy, I didn’t get to see any of the TV coverage (we’re between cable providers at the moment), but like Keera, I was moved by the coverage I shared above.

Keera and Free Man, perhaps we are all more sensitive to this issue because we’ve been (are living!) abroad, but it’s one of the things that I find most frustrating about my own country’s people. There have been times when I’ve been far afield and prepared to claim Canadian citizenship if anyone asked, because I’ve been so embarrassed by my fellow citizens’ tone deafness (and sometimes willful ignorance) when it comes to exceptionalism.

Smijer, glad to oblige! :-)

]]> By: A Free Man http://thorg.com/archives/6494/comment-page-1#comment-6710 A Free Man Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:22:32 +0000 http://thorg.com/?p=6494#comment-6710 American exceptionalism is one of the things that bothers me about my homeland. Well, not American exceptionalism per se, but the idea that everyone else wishes they were American. I've been to a couple dozen different countries and lived in four and in every single one of them they were as patriotic and nationalistic as the USA. And if you were stupid enough to ask them if they were jealous of our freedom or wished they were like America, the best reaction you could hope for would be a guffaw. American exceptionalism is one of the things that bothers me about my homeland. Well, not American exceptionalism per se, but the idea that everyone else wishes they were American. I’ve been to a couple dozen different countries and lived in four and in every single one of them they were as patriotic and nationalistic as the USA. And if you were stupid enough to ask them if they were jealous of our freedom or wished they were like America, the best reaction you could hope for would be a guffaw.

]]> By: smijer http://thorg.com/archives/6494/comment-page-1#comment-6709 smijer Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:45:45 +0000 http://thorg.com/?p=6494#comment-6709 I definitely like the new feed. Thanks! I definitely like the new feed. Thanks!

]]> By: Keera http://thorg.com/archives/6494/comment-page-1#comment-6708 Keera Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:32:43 +0000 http://thorg.com/?p=6494#comment-6708 Ted jr's speech moved me as did the photos from Ted sr's life. Re Maine: My grandma, a Maine native herself, worked with gays in the art world of 1930's NYC and was against the discrimination against gays. I think she would have been so happy that her home state is supporting gay rights. Johnny Walker ad was cool! I love the Scottish accent! And Bill Maher rocked. I've been on the other side: Trying to explain to Norwegians that Americans' love for their nation isn't insanity; it's just plain ol' patriotism. Finally: The video you've embedded. Privatized fire protection? (An excellent example, BTW.) Taking that idea to its absurd conclusion: <a href="http://www.angrytownhall.com/" rel="nofollow">angrytownhall.com/</a> Ted jr’s speech moved me as did the photos from Ted sr’s life.

Re Maine: My grandma, a Maine native herself, worked with gays in the art world of 1930’s NYC and was against the discrimination against gays. I think she would have been so happy that her home state is supporting gay rights.

Johnny Walker ad was cool! I love the Scottish accent!

And Bill Maher rocked. I’ve been on the other side: Trying to explain to Norwegians that Americans’ love for their nation isn’t insanity; it’s just plain ol’ patriotism.

Finally: The video you’ve embedded. Privatized fire protection? (An excellent example, BTW.) Taking that idea to its absurd conclusion: angrytownhall.com/

]]> By: Lucy http://thorg.com/archives/6494/comment-page-1#comment-6706 Lucy Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:13:31 +0000 http://thorg.com/?p=6494#comment-6706 I am liking Bill Maher more and more these days. I watched the service for Ted Kennedy last Saturday AM; I originally just wanted to hear Pres Obama's eulogy, but as I watched,I got more drawn in emotionally than expected, and Ted Jr's speech had me tearing up...it was sniffling and water works from there on. It surprised me but I found myself looking at the various Kennedy kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, etc. and thinking how this looks like Bobby, that one looks like Eunice, etc. just like you do at your own family reunion. I realize how we have grown up looking at this family on TV and reading about them in the papers, and for all their flaws, they really still are America's first family. I am liking Bill Maher more and more these days.

I watched the service for Ted Kennedy last Saturday AM; I originally just wanted to hear Pres Obama’s eulogy, but as I watched,I got more drawn in emotionally than expected, and Ted Jr’s speech had me tearing up…it was sniffling and water works from there on. It surprised me but I found myself looking at the various Kennedy kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, etc. and thinking how this looks like Bobby, that one looks like Eunice, etc. just like you do at your own family reunion. I realize how we have grown up looking at this family on TV and reading about them in the papers, and for all their flaws, they really still are America’s first family.

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