European Union Forums

[GlennWane]

US ( gfk . com /group/press_information/press_releases/004207/index.en.html ) political image is said to have improved since Barack Obama has been elected President of the USA. I don’t know who was polled but I’m sure it wasn’t me! I keep regarding the Americans as being absolutely disrespectful to other people. Just take a look at what their former ( foxnews . com /politics/2009/08/30/raw-data-transcript-cheney-fox-news-sunday/ ) Vice-President, Richard Cheney, says .
He justifies tortures and he says that the US security will be under threat without them! Unfortunately (pov-mentarch1. blogspot . com /2008/06/44-of-americans-aprove-torture-descent.html) there’re many others who support him ! Yeah, really when you’ve been water-boarded or electrocuted you’re sure as hell to point, for example, WMD location in Iraq, even if there are no WMD there at all!
However, here in Europe we somehow manage to go without it!
Is this actually what they call ‘advancing democracy and human rights across the world’?

[Riser]

Of what you say and show on web pages ..result so ... Since this country appeared in history is regarded by the entire world ... always had a different logic in the actions and deeds. No one fully understood it ... I'm not respected them never as a nation because they are not a nation but are people united from all over the world without a past and a tradition specify other peoples ... lately in general I'm shocked by the fact how they solve political problems ... all through the army...

[Terry]

I have nothing with them, I'm neither pro or against ... but believe they have much to work on the mental possibility and behavior .... are, of course, good people and bad people ... But worst of them are political interests ... mean for their country is nothing bad ... but is bad for the rest of the world...

[tricker]

NO COMMENTS

[55° N - 13° E]

"My opinion about the USA"?

If you take all the dogs of the world, put them into one room, don´t give them any food for 2 weeks, and then throw into the room one chicken - the dogs will react more civilized than the people of the United Snakes. Americans are the shit of the world. There are many reasons for this. Some reasons are their own fault, some are not their fault.

[Faw_Peter]

"My opinion about the USA"?
Americans are the shit of the world.

Are a very clever "shit" that controls all most the hole world. and the biggest shit is that we allowed them to do it

[55° N - 13° E]

"My opinion about the USA"?
Americans are the shit of the world.

Are a very clever "shit" that controls all most the hole world. and the biggest shit is that we allowed them to do it

Hmmmmm. I don´t know what part of your post I should attack and what part of your post I should agree with.

I should say that we didn´t "allow them to do it". For example, what is the worst thing they have done RECENTLY? They invaded and occupy Irak. Most of Europe was against the U.S. and the UN told them not to do it but the Amercans said "Fuck you" and invaded Irak anyway. But maybe you are right because we should have implimented sanctions against the U.S. while they are still in Irak. We are doing nothing.

You say that they, "Are a very clever shit" but I say they "are very primitive and uncivilized shit."

Here is a quote (that I´m sure Kusnetsov will appreciate):
"The chief weapon ..... was their capacity to astonish. Nobody else could believe, until it was too late, how heartless and greedy they were." Kurt Vonnegut

[Nathan]

A lot of people that live and worship to a flag, naive, but live a life quite good; they can afford to live, to travel, do nothing; believe blindly in the policy and the man governing the country.

[55° N - 13° E]

A lot of people that live and worship to a flag, naive, but live a life quite good; they can afford to live, to travel, do nothing; believe blindly in the policy and the man governing the country.

My friend, Nathan. Do you not know it that the majority of the American people do NOT have "life quite good; they cannot afford to live, cannot travel".

In all the western developed countries in the world the Americans have less democracy, less chance to travel, less freedom, less chance "to live". The U.S. is low on the list of democracy, they are not guaranteed holiday time, (because of always in war) less chance "to live". BUT in all the western world the U.S. has the most censorship, most corruption, and most racism.

[Peach]

in all the western developed countries in the world the Americans have less democracy, less chance to travel, less freedom, less chance "to live". The U.S. is low on the list of democracy, they are not guaranteed holiday time, (because of always in war) less chance "to live". BUT in all the western world the U.S. has the most censorship, most corruption, and most racism.

I have now idea about this... so why they make such perfects movies? why not show's the problems of their people, their real life? fear of criticism or of shame?

[55° N - 13° E]

... so why they make such perfects movies? why not show's the problems of their people, their real life? fear of criticism or of shame?

They cannot make movies about the problems because of dangerous censorship in the U.S. Look at the films about he truth about the U.S. For example: the Vietnam film "Platon". This film was produced in Australia.

[Steven]

They cannot make movies about the problems because of dangerous censorship in the U.S.

this is just an excuse, a protective shell, a makeup to look better in the eyes of all. (as stars,on the screen are beautiful and happy, in real life like all people with good and bad days)

[Terry]

for me America is a country I want to visit anyway, I want to see the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, the famous Hollywood. Not much I care about the people, not have do soup with them to be tasty.

[tricker]

What can I say to be understood... Is a big country, powerful in the world, developed technological and economical, a dream place for a lot of people from around of the world, due to perspectives, good life and freedom (for their point of view). I was in USA last summer, I liked the atmosphere but are a lot of black people that are dangerous and aggressive.

[Benn]

You say that they, "Are a very clever shit" but I say they "are very primitive and uncivilized shit."

A primitive and uncivilized man can not do what they done,do and will do. Are not the appropriate synonyms I think, cause reverse, they use a modern thinking and a civilized way, which ,maybe, have their roots in the past, that's why you tend to think so.
What are they doing is a strategy planned by a bunch of smart people, and they are not all Americans...

[Lidiana]

I've nothing against them. I'm doing it great, they're (or where) doing it great. Some of you are maybe jealous.

[Kusnetsov]

Some of you are maybe jealous.

Yes, especially those whose friends or relatives died while a part of Americans where doing it greatly.
Or you may be right. Let's just ask. Is anyone here jealous of Americans? Answer truthfuly.

[Benn]

Some of you are maybe jealous.

Maybe ....(or maybe not)...
i'm not jealous cause i feel and do good were i live know...

[G44r4]

Uhmz, I would like to see America too!

I always think for myself: that Obama, they say he is the most powerful man in the world as president.
And he has to make a lot of difficult decisions, so he can't always make the right one. Oke, the US might
have done stupid things, and they're not only in Iraq for their war against terrorism (OIL!). But they've also
done great things in the world. think about the progression @ science and stuff.. the marshalplan!

We might have to think it all over

G44r4

[55° N - 13° E]

The Americans have been villains since the end of WWII and after that they have done nothing good in the world. They have only killed and robbed people and countries. Do you think Castro, Chavez, Ayatollah, Osama bin Laden (and many other people) have NO REASON to hate the American government? Do you really think these people are only "jealous"?

[Lear]

A know several native Americans and for me they seem to be quite intelligent, lettered etc. Even wise.
But their culture overhelms me - all this pop rubbish (amusing but completly empty)...
En mass they seem to be "vogue".
And they have been trying to export it (I mean culture) to Europe. With success, unfortunately. Bergmann is forgotten - "Sex and the City", bless You!
It is also said that freedom in US is only a propaganda. And looking at their movies, it seems to be true.
You can not behave, live in your own, original way, becouse you would meet a public lynch. You must always keep in line...
And the thing about their foreign policy is probably true. They know how to make money and take advantages... And when they do this, we - hoary Europe - argue as always.

But I - like Terry - would like to visit it anyway. Experience is experience.

[55° N - 13° E]

..
It is also said that freedom in US is only a propaganda. And looking at their movies, it seems to be true.
You can not behave, live in your own, original way, becouse you would meet a public lynch. You must always keep in line...

Absolutely correct.

[stef]

I am by no means sure if I want to live in the US as I am too much used to my home countries in Europe, but actually admire the USA for several reasons.

- They have a very powerful and realistic foreign policy, based on ideals. Usually Europeans pose to have strong ideals, but I did not see them put into practice when China was ready to invade Taiwan for example. The USA just placed some war ships there and told the nice Chinese guys the Europeans do not even dare to criticize that they must not have to make it any step further. THAT is peacekeeping.

- When there was the big Tsunami e.g. Europeans agreed within two or three days to help the people over there with some money via the UN (the UN has any resources for that? No. It needs what Bush called "alliance of the willing") and "World power" France even sent a ship for helping there. Well, that ridiculous boat needed some 2 weeks to get to its destination. What the Europeans did not mention was that the USA sent their ships from the very first day and that they were able to arrive in less than 24 hours. THAT is intervention for humanitarian reasons.

- When there was the ethnic cleansing in Sudan Europeans were very eager to not call it so but found strange descriptions such as "civil war with genocidal elements" just for one reason: not intervening as the oil there was needed. Not by the Americans by the way. The USA does well concerning oil by relying by some 75% on own resources. Europeans and China are responsible for the main surge of oil. So who lets happen a war for oil? Yes, Europe.

- When European embassies were damaged all in the Arab world due to the cartoon controversy in 2006, who made the Arab states prevent these attacks? YES, America.

There are bunch of examples like this, never thought of by anti-american Europeans. Typically because THEY miss the necessary education. What brings me to science:

- Modern science has found its paradise in the USA. Even if you happen to make European studies, the best resources come from American universities Europe bombed itself intellectually out during WW II and never recovered from that. Neither is the European university system suitable to prevent good scientist from Europe to migrate to the USA.

There are plenty of other things to be mentioned. And of course, not everything in the USA is perfect. But they work on it as we do. Often they seem to have more success, though.

My 50 cents

[Troll]

We have countries in Europe which have less freedom Than USA.
In Sweden the "FRA" law is controversial (surveillance of peoples phones.mails,internet access) and we have the dataretentian directive (imposed by UK which is very US' oriented).

Don't throw stones when sitting in a glasshouse.

[1980raerae]

I'm an American and I'm quite sadden to read these comments. Have any of you been to the States? I would say (this is my opinion) that many of us feel like our Government doesn't represent us anymore. Majority of us want a public option in our healthcare bill. Insurance companies spent millions of dollars to prevent this and, guess what, they got their way. Many Americans are broke, strapped with debt, while the banks and CEO's walk away with more money that any of us will EVER see. Europeans get paid time off and holidays AND vacation time. We don't. We have to work ALL THE TIME. No wonder majority of us don't travel = we can't afford to OR we don't have the opportunity to do so. Also, Europeans have in place legislation that prevents them from being fired in case of a family emergency. We do not. If I want to have children, I can expect maybe 6 weeks paid (this is at the discretion of my employer and depends on what State I am in). If not, I could lose my job OR have to take the time off without pay. Many American women have to choose between having families or having a steady income.
My feeling is Europeans are only getting half the story. The media almost never mentions how the middle-class here is dying out. I am starting my 30's strapped with over $120K in student loan debt, all in the name of pursuing an education. Many, many of us were against the Bush policies and were vocal about the atrosities occuring in the Middle East. Yet, as usual, we were ignored by our politicians. It's not rosy here, and I really feel like Americans are not progressing but are digressing. Just look at how the christian right conservatives here behaved when the public option for health insurance came up. The hypocrisy is disgusting. I have small hopes that Pres. Obama will instill some common sense into our policies, but I'm not holding my breath.

BTW, I would move to Europe in a heartbeat if I could afford to. Someone adopt me.
/poor graduate student.