Are you anti American and why ????

[Mr Peabody]

Lot of press about Australians being anti american, so are you anti american and why ??

[johnny]

Define "Anti-Americanism" first.

['Ross]

No, why should I be?

[Mr Peabody]

Define "Anti-Americanism" first.

Judging by the reports in the media, yes i know i shouldnt be taking any notice of that crap, but claims Australians are harbouring this anti american sentiment, blaming the average yank for the big failings of george bush, i was just interested if anyone really held the average american on the street responsible for the actions on one idiot.

[StormFire]

Lot of press about Australians being anti american, so are you anti american and why ??

I'm all for americans :D

have gotten to know a few lately, ended up being in a relationship with one for a while, and another one down the track was a good friend, and both were cool, and for the record they both thought that bush was a tool as well. Anyone that holds anything against a certain nationality just because of it's leaders and it's international policies is not only being stereotypical, but needs to pull their head out of the sand, because we're not all that different to them when you think about it.

[Dozer]

I'm not anti-American. I have a lot of respect for America because it is a great example of patriotism and unity. I follow a lot and I mean a lot of sport in America and they do things properly in that regard. The athletes in America treat their team mates, opposition and fans with utter respect and that is a great example of people acting as one.
The actions of some politicians have put a sour taste in some peoples mouths over the years and not everyone condones what they do but all in all, they are just like us flamin' Aussies.

I think Osama Bin Laden might be anti-American (if he isn't on the American governments payroll........:eek: )

[FR Drew]

When you get up in the morning, climb out of bed and stub your toe walking to the bathroom, you curse and swear and when you get to school/work you're pissed off. "Hey dude, why you pissed off?" people ask and you say:
"Stubbed my friggen toe this morning, man it hurts!"

Somehow, the mornings when you don't stub your toe and you're alright aren't that noteworthy.

(bear with me, this is going somewhere...)

No-one ever walks around in a good mood and when asked why says: "Well, I got this morning and I didn't stub my big toe."

Same thing with Americans.

The ones who are loud, obnoxious, stupid, arrogant, self righteous etc are the ones you notice, never mind the millions who are fine and you'd be happy to have as mates, neighbours, co-workers.

Of course, at the moment they seem to have a few of the stupid and arrogant ones in positions of power such as the presidency and they give lots of publicity to ones like Paris Hilton. I mean, it's hardly going to reflect the country in a good light is it?

[MUNGUS]

the accent shits me enough

[Cave Dweller]

I don't dislike Americans, i just don't like America as a whole.

[Chin Nuts]

No, why should I be?

mac donalds, jerry springer, iraq, creed, days of our lives, jeffrey dahmer, katie couric, waco, lynch mobs, rodney king, creed, the bush family, burger king, microsoft and lockheed martin etc etc....

[spartan_s]

i dont dislike americans any more than i like them. their political stance and involvement in foreign affairs is somewhat puzzling at the best of times.
i have many american friends.
i have the opportunity to view american students in an interesting light, a i run a tavern and a nightclub which has hundreds of them visit every week.and let me say. the majority dont have much common sense.
im not going to repeat the weird stuff i hear, which seems they believe through ignorance. the list goes on forever.

[Gekigengar]

Well theres a book out there called..

" 100 ways America is screwing up the world" by john tirman

i think...

try giving that book a ago..

['Ross]

mac donalds, jerry springer, iraq, creed, days of our lives, jeffrey dahmer, katie couric, waco, lynch mobs, rodney king, creed, the bush family, burger king, microsoft and lockheed martin etc etc....

WHY THE FUCK would I hate America because Mcdonalds is American? I also think Jerry Springer is entertaining:o The point is yes a lot of American governments have made many stupid errors that have cliamed heaps of lives and yes there are a lot of idiots in America that give it a bad name, but why should we be encouraged to hate an entire race or civilisation due to the actions of a select few. My neighbour is American and hes a friendly guy, should I hate him because of his nationality? I think stop promoting racism and hate against a whole country or its people on the basis of a few pathetic examples you thought off the top of your head.

[nizai]

The athletes in America treat their team mates, opposition and fans with utter respect and that is a great example of people acting as one.


Whaaat? You do know many NFL fans are possibly some of the worst behaved fans on the planet, and that includes english soccer hooligans. Theres reports of Philly fans pushing disabled opposition supporters down flights of stairs for wearing an opposing team jersey. Ridiculous.

As for the topic, Im not anti american. Just anti-republican, anti-new american century, anti-bush, anti-american foreign policy, anti-american corporate greed and influence, anti-american evangelical, anti-american christian right, anti-american right to lifers, need I go on?

Maybe im listening to too much Anti-flag :D

N

PS: you cant hate America for Jerry Springer, he's a very intelligent left winger :)

[johnny]

WHY THE FUCK would I hate America because Mcdonalds is American? I also think Jerry Springer is entertaining:o The point is yes a lot of American governments have made many stupid errors that have cliamed heaps of lives and yes there are a lot of idiots in America that give it a bad name, but why should we be encouraged to hate an entire race or civilisation due to the actions of a select few. My neighbour is American and hes a friendly guy, should I hate him because of his nationality? I think stop promoting racism and hate against a whole country or its people on the basis of a few pathetic examples you thought off the top of your head.Do you really think he meant that seriously?

No, I'm not anit-American and I don't see myself as discriminatory towards any race or ethnicity. I'm no great fan of the basic American (well united states of America really as I enjoy South American and Canadian culture and they're all Americans.....) culture as a whole. I've been there a number of times, the third time only through obligation....and that was kicking and screaming ....I just "had" to go to Europe and China for a few weeks after to "wash" the US culture from my system too :cool:

[PINT of Stella, mate!]

mac donalds, jerry springer, iraq, creed, days of our lives, jeffrey dahmer, katie couric, waco, lynch mobs1, rodney king2, creed, the bush family, burger king3, microsoft4 and lockheed martin etc etc....

1: Hmm, Yeah especially those stars and stripes wearing thugs at Cronulla Be - Oh wait, hang on, does the US Flag have the southern cross on it?

2: Damn right! You WILL respect the authorit-eye!

3: Yeah, I hate the fact I can't walk anywhere in Australia without bumbing into a Burger King sign.

4: And you typed out this post on a what?

rolleyes:

Oh and I'm pretty sure Iraq is mostly comprised of Iraqi's

[gravelclimber]

Define "Anti-Americanism" first.

In short, anti-Americanism is a disposition or sensibility rather than a substantive set of beliefs or arguments. It should also be noted that one person’s reasonable criticism is another persons anti-Americanism. It is rightly used to describe hatred of America and often misused by critics to dismiss genuine criticism of the United States...Genuine anti-Americanism implies an across-the-board abhorrence of American politics, culture and people...a tall order given the diversity of American society.

http://blogs.news.com.au/news/blogocracy/index.php/news/comments/not_anti_american_pro_australia/

[Dozer]

Whaaat? You do know many NFL fans are possibly some of the worst behaved fans on the planet, and that includes english soccer hooligans. Theres reports of Philly fans pushing disabled opposition supporters down flights of stairs for wearing an opposing team jersey. Ridiculous.

As for the topic, Im not anti american. Just anti-republican, anti-new american century, anti-bush, anti-american foreign policy, anti-american corporate greed and influence, anti-american evangelical, anti-american christian right, anti-american right to lifers, need I go on?

Maybe im listening to too much Anti-flag :D

N

PS: you cant hate America for Jerry Springer, he's a very intelligent left winger :)

I didn't say that every single person involved was a wanker. There are people on farkin who misbehave but they don't give the site a bad name or ask people if they are "Anti-farkin".
As a whole, I think America is great, there is obviously some people in AMerica who aren't great............just like Australia.

[Mr Peabody]

mac donalds, jerry springer, iraq, creed, days of our lives, jeffrey dahmer, katie couric, waco, lynch mobs, rodney king, creed, the bush family, burger king, microsoft and lockheed martin etc etc....

You forget Coke !!

[Chin Nuts]

every single american is individually responsible for the holocaust, global warming, present day terrorism and obesity.

[Chin Nuts]

You forget Coke !!


thank you......

and also bad christian t.v shows at 5 in the morning.

[cellardoor]

I dont agree with the politics of the current American government. Neither to my American friends (Neither do my Asia-Pacific, European and UK friends) In fact I've never meet anyone who did.
For the record all the Americans I know are wonderfull people (And they have all left America if that sez anything)

[Hamsta]

Definately not, I hope John Howard gets to serve another term in the Whitehouse

[Mattydv]

This is a perfect example of the average American's ignorance and knowledge of world affairs.

http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=68764&highlight=Americans+Ignorant

Yes you may say that these are a select few out of many that may have known what they were on about, but when I was in Hawaii last month, I can tell you, The average American is very close to this.

But personally I have nothing against Americans. We are good friends with a mix of them.

[FR Drew]

But personally I have nothing against Americans. We are good friends with a mix of them.

Sand, water, cement, gravel, Americans... There's a mix I could be friends with!

(in jest, please see my comments further up the thread.)

[toodles]

Ah they're just like us really... People who cling to a far-fetched ideal Australian stereotype need a wake up call...

I'm not anti-american, I'm anti-human race.

[Regan of Gong]

Like someone said, I don't hate the American people, but America as whole, reflected especially in their culture. The general ignorance, consumerism and disregard for others we see in the media i.e. Ford Super Cheif, The Hummer, Supersize Me, various blonde celebrities, The Biggest Loser etc. disgusts me.

I've met Americans and I really don't mind them, but I think the world would be a better place with them down the world-power scale a bit.

Finally, I draw your attention to these tourist questions asked by Americans. (and others...but I like the American ones the best). They were posted about 14 months before this, but they're still funny.

1. Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen
it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK) A: We import all
plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

2. Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking

3. Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the
railroad tracks? (Sweden) A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles,
take lots of water...

4. Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia?
(Sweden) A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.

5. Q: It is imperative that I find the names and addresses of
places to contact for a stuffed porpoise. (Italy) A: Let's not
touch this one.

6. Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can
you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and
Hervey Bay? (UK) A: What did your last slave die of?

7. Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in
Australia?(USA) A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent
south of Europe. Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of
the pacific which does not ... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo
racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

8. Q: Which direction is north in Australia? (USA) A: Face
south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and
we'll send the rest of the directions.

9. Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK) A: Why? Just
use your fingers like we do.

10.Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y,
which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every
Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races.
Come naked

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop outof Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)
A: No, WE don't stink.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.

Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes! But you will have to learn to speak it first!

Stolen from http://www.humordatabase.com/ and http://www.thealders.net/

[FR Drew]

I love this question on the US Visa application form:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you seek to enter the United States to engage in export control violations, subversive or terrorist activities, or any other unlawful purpose? Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization as currently designated by the U.S. Secretary of State? Have you ever participated in persecutions directed by the Nazi government of Germany; or have you ever participated in genocide?
[]Yes
[]No

(While a YES answer does not automatically signify ineligibility for a visa, if you answered YES you may be required to personally appear before a consular officer.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmm, think about your answer carefully kiddies... Your 15 seconds of thinking time starts...Now!
I mean, seriously?? They might as well have: "Is your name John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald or Osama Bin Laden?"

[chriscross]

i don't believe that the American public are all bad. its just there government that is a mess.
we have stereotyped them as a bunch of inbred hillbilly's
were they have stereotyped us as mullet growing Steve Irwinn's.

[muzza167]

mac donalds, jerry springer, iraq, creed, days of our lives, jeffrey dahmer, katie couric, waco, lynch mobs, rodney king, creed, the bush family, burger king, microsoft and lockheed martin etc etc....

Is there a reason you said 'creed' twice?

And no, i dont have anything against Americans. Just the annoying ones that dramatise things to be just like the movies. The media over there are the main ones for that.

[NCR600]

I'm not anti American. I have American friends and even had an American girlfriend once.

I am anti American cultural imperialism though. When I asked my ex what she thought of the difference between America and Australia, she said Sydney was just like going to another suburb of Los Angeles. At the time they at least bothered to overdub Australian accents on the tv adds for american toys. Now they don't even bother.

I've also noticed that teenage girls, particularly on the North Shore and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney speak English with a very slight American inflection, and my cousin's 6 year old daughter speaks English like a little rench girl who has been living in America long enough to pick up an accent. That's kind of weird seing as she's lived in the blue mountains all her life.

[skwiz05]

Dont mind most of em, just dont like the american cultural infliction we suffer here (in the united states of australia) Like, yo man , hows ya homie?

So what ever happened to our unique cultural identity? (think paul hogan and putting a prawn on the barbie)

But having worked with them (in defence) , they (as a collective) dont show themselves to be a very smart bunch at times..

I mean, come on , they actually plan to have a quota of deaths each month (should see the logistics data on that one) in Iraq........like its normal...
The only ones we have seen in the ADF are really the "kovko' incidences....

But some good stuff does come from the U S of A. And dont get me started on the american style trend of petty lawsuits........

Nice people (individually) .....culturally I think they are self destructive...

[blt2ride]

As an American I feel compelled to jump in and share my opinion with everyone. First off, I value everyone’s opinion and it seems like a lot of your opinions are shared with a lot of Americans.

I was glad to see that most of the posts were not anti-American, and that most people feel that they wouldn’t pre-judge an American, because of our president or the way certain people live. The truth is, most Americans don’t agree with President Bush; his approval rating has been in the 30% range for quite some time now, which means that a majority of Americans don’t agree with Bush’s foreign policies and don’t agree with most of the decisions he has made over the past 5 years.

Secondly, I agree with we have become a “supersized” nation when it comes to food consumption. However, we’re not all Big Mac eating, 40oz Coke drinking, Jerry Springer watching people.

Personally, I am very patriotic and I feel that we have a great system that has proven itself for more than 200 years. Are there certain things that I would like to see changed? You bet! I’m not satisfied with our leader and I would like to see changes.

However, I live in a country where I have the freedom to make changes if I wanted; I can voice an opinion without fear of persecution.

[PINT of Stella, mate!]

You forget Coke !!

But what, pray tell, would the average dinky-di aussie battler mix with his bourbon - oh, hold on a sec, what's that? Bourbon's from where?!

:rolleyes:

[PINT of Stella, mate!]

"And what have the americans ever done for us?"
;)

[Chin Nuts]

[QUOTE=muzza167;799763]Is there a reason you said 'creed' twice?

QUOTE]

yes....they're perticularly bad.....nickleback should have been listed to.

[johnny]

As an American I feel compelled to jump in and share my opinion with everyone. First off, I value everyone’s opinion and it seems like a lot of your opinions are shared with a lot of Americans.

I was glad to see that most of the posts were not anti-American, and that most people feel that they wouldn’t pre-judge an American, because of our president or the way certain people live. The truth is, most Americans don’t agree with President Bush; his approval rating has been in the 30% range for quite some time now, which means that a majority of Americans don’t agree with Bush’s foreign policies and don’t agree with most of the decisions he has made over the past 5 years.

Secondly, I agree with we have become a “supersized” nation when it comes to food consumption. However, we’re not all Big Mac eating, 40oz Coke drinking, Jerry Springer watching people.

Personally, I am very patriotic and I feel that we have a great system that has proven itself for more than 200 years. Are there certain things that I would like to see changed? You bet! I’m not satisfied with our leader and I would like to see changes.

However, I live in a country where I have the freedom to make changes if I wanted; I can voice an opinion without fear of persecution.

Excellent post.

[Oddjob]

So what ever happened to our unique cultural identity? (think paul hogan and putting a prawn on the barbie)



My fingers twitch at the though of wrapping themselves around Paul Hogan's throat.

As an American I feel compelled to jump in and share my opinion with everyone. First off, I value everyone’s opinion and it seems like a lot of your opinions are shared with a lot of Americans.

I was glad to see that most of the posts were not anti-American, and that most people feel that they wouldn’t pre-judge an American, because of our president or the way certain people live. The truth is, most Americans don’t agree with President Bush; his approval rating has been in the 30% range for quite some time now, which means that a majority of Americans don’t agree with Bush’s foreign policies and don’t agree with most of the decisions he has made over the past 5 years.

Secondly, I agree with we have become a “supersized” nation when it comes to food consumption. However, we’re not all Big Mac eating, 40oz Coke drinking, Jerry Springer watching people.

Personally, I am very patriotic and I feel that we have a great system that has proven itself for more than 200 years. Are there certain things that I would like to see changed? You bet! I’m not satisfied with our leader and I would like to see changes.

However, I live in a country where I have the freedom to make changes if I wanted; I can voice an opinion without fear of persecution.

I was wondering when you were going to pipe up.

I'll admit I'm as guilty as anyone of using phrases like: 'Only in America', accusing Americans of being loud, brash and tactless and heaping scorn on American pop culture. The reality though is that dismissing a whole country as varied as America is supremely narrow minded, which ironically is what many people accuse Americans of being.

[jock180]

im not anti-american im anti bush
i recon that guy has no real idea about the rest of the wordl. he stuck in his cave. but then again the impression i get of the bloke is filtered by the media. so its basicly the midea that doesnt like they guy and i end up following them.

[Cave Dweller]

I've also noticed that teenage girls, particularly on the North Shore and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney speak English with a very slight American inflection, and my cousin's 6 year old daughter speaks English like a little rench girl who has been living in America long enough to pick up an accent. That's kind of weird seing as she's lived in the blue mountains all her life.

That gives me the shits as well.

"So, like, how was your day. Did you, like, you know, like, pash the guy, like OMG!!111"

Its the culture, or the complete lack off, and bully boy tactics of the nation as a whole that is the problem. Yanks are generally ok.

Although in my travels i did meet a few tools, like the texan girls in paris that argued till they were blue in the face that Bush was great and Housten was the best city in the world (Houston is better then Paris?? Hahahah!!! Where’s nico :D ).

Or in Germany the US Christian dudes on the subway that tried to convert us, complained that no one spoke English in Poland and told us how they couldn't wait to get back to the US so they could go hunting, and how they where pissed off they couldn't carry knives in Germany for protection, and talking about how to stop there sister from being promiscuous. Its all true, im not lying!

Then again, we had a real cool mountain bike DH dude from California come and stay with us a while, nicest American i have ever meet, infact up there with the nicest people i have meet full stop.

[Sethius]

Dont mind most of em, just dont like the american cultural infliction we suffer here (in the united states of australia) Like, yo man , hows ya homie?


this is what SHITS me off big league, the ghetto bullshit and the american music industry turning us into wannabe homie g's, why the F*ck would you want to be like that? do people even realise whats really behind those songs? and im sick of the american influence to a degree. i dont normally post about this politcal stuff but this is pissing me really bad! i know teens who are forgetting the normal english and using full sik ghetto speak.

IVE HAD ENOUGH GHETTO CRAP!

[projectsplat]

But what, pray tell, would the average dinky-di aussie battler mix with his bourbon - oh, hold on a sec, what's that? Bourbon's from where?!

:rolleyes:

nah bullshit. if he was a dinky di aussie battler, he would be drinking Bundy rum, and mixing it with ginger beer (again, bundy of course) :-)

ah the old dark and stormy....

[lopes]

It's not just Bush & the neo cons that are the problem - it goes deeper than that.

The following comments were in a smh blog which was discussing the 2008 presidential election (before the US mid term elections):


It won't matter who wins.
I'm an Australian citizen who's a permanent resident of the USA. I've lived in the US off and on for most of the last 35 years. I have an American wife and a son who's a dual citizen.
Americans are decent people for the most part but have a fatal flaw when it comes to their view of the rest of the world which is: they can't imagine that anyone can be happy living under a system/government that doesn't directly mimic their own. It's inconceivable to them that people can be content or even thrive absent a USA-type of lifestyle. Whether Democrat or Republican--it makes no difference. Hillary or Barak Obama or Rudy Gulliani or John McCain--no matter who's in, they will share this bias, because they're taught this nonsense from their first breath.
Combine this with an overly self-centred education system (most Americans can't find Hawaii on a map, let alone other countries) and a breast-beating self-congratulatory media, and you have a well-meaning but totally internationally naive population.
Look, there's a lot to like about the USA and as I said, most people here are nice folks. But there's a lot I don't like about this place, and whenever I chance a conversation with someone here on this topic, they react in shocked horror that I would even harbour such thoughts.
Posted by: Lasho at November 3, 2006 04:43 AM


I'm an American who has lived in Australia for the past 17 years. I'm married to an Aussie and my children are dual citizens. My entire family is still in the US, and I frequent travel back there.
I agree 100% with what Lasho said a few postings above this one. I cannot talk politics when I go back because my family is horrified at my observations. They truly believe that what they are doing internationally is for the betterment of the world. They don't see how Big Business has the controlling interest in US foreign policy.
Americans are generally well meaning, generous people who would do anything for you on a personal level, but they are incredibly naive about the impact their government's policies are having on rest of the world.
That's why someone of GW Bush's (low) intelligence has been able to pull the wool over their eyes.
• Posted by: MJ at November 3, 2006 08:11 AM


The USA is a one party state, the Business Party. It has 2 factions, the Democrats and the Republicans. US international policy has been remarkably consistent on major issues during the course of the 20th Century. It is logical to conclude that the influence of the party in power, except on minor domestic issues, is irelevant. Therefore we should turn our attention to issues of consequence. What is the US doing in the world, and why, and for whom? Shall we start?

* Posted by: Sven at November 3, 2006 03:54 AM

[Macr]

American perceived ignorance has a lot to do with the schooling system. Not to say it is bad, it just is very U.S. American centric (They seem to know America better than we know Australia, but we are also taught a lot more about the rest of the world). This may be changing.
I have no issues with Americans in general, but most of their politics is over the top. I feel it should be compulsory to vote. It irks me that so many Americans do not like bush and his politics, but they won't go out and vote him out of the house (it is time to go Bush). It should be compulsory to vote. I also don't like Howard being Bush's lap dog. I'm sure if Howard doesn't stop licking Bushes arse soon, his arse will be red raw.
On a side note we should thank the U.S. for all the sports they invented like mountain biking and allowing us to beat them at it! :D

[blt2ride]

My fingers twitch at the though of wrapping themselves around Paul Hogan's throat.



I was wondering when you were going to pipe up.

I'll admit I'm as guilty as anyone of using phrases like: 'Only in America', accusing Americans of being loud, brash and tactless and heaping scorn on American pop culture. The reality though is that dismissing a whole country as varied as America is supremely narrow minded, which ironically is what many people accuse Americans of being.

Haha...I'm guilty of saying "Only in America," too!

[Ham]

im not anti-american im anti stupid

hmmm on second thought..........i guess i am

[tassiehardtail]

one of my best mates his american, his dad is american his brother is american and his mum (or mom) is american and i havent got a problem with them

its the same with all countries

there are the idiots who get the publicity

the good people who get the publicity but are the minority of the two

george bush isnt worth all this guys

grow up

[Jezza1006]

I dont hate America as in the country and the citizens.
What I hate is what is what the American people are doing. However, I do belive that this is because of a government and what it will do to get them to do what they want. I know in another thread abour websites such as prisonplanet and infowars being "conspiracy theories," but look at the evidence and make up your own mind. Watch Teror Storm or Martial Law on google videos or search "Alex Jones" in Google.

So I dont hate Americans and the country, or rather, the government!

[blt2ride]

im not anti-american im anti stupid

hmmm on second thought..........i guess i am


Oh…the irony of your post!

Do you really feel that you have the right to prejudge an entire country?

[Ham]

yeah kinda the point

no i dont mind americans some of them are dickheads just like most country
but most are fine .

i just hope the next president isnt so war hungry and actually has a good foreign policy but we will see .

also the us comercialism is a little anoying but people gotta get paid

[Hamsta]

Hillary RodHam Clinton?

[Bodin]

I get frustrated by the influence the USA has with regards to many social and political issues, but I'm a consumer of many American products and services so, at the end of the day, to say that I was "anti-American" would be hypocritical of me. And I think a lot of so-called "anti-American" people should reflect on that. Most will probably find that their attitude is not reflected in their behaviour.

*The spell check wants me to drop the "u" out of the word "behaviour". That's an Americanism I'm not prepared to consume. Bloody Americans... LOL*

My main problem with anything American is that voting isn't compulsory. If the country's so bloody anti-Bush, then why the f*** is he still president? On more than one occasion over the last couple of years, I've confronted an "anti-Bush" American with the simple "Did you vote?" question and the answer has been a sheepish "No..."

I reckon if you were able to vote, but chose not to, then you don't have the right to complain. Expressing a valid opinion goes much further than what you've thought or said - it's all about what you've done.

[Atomizer]

... but people gotta get paid

And with a Federal minimum wage of US$5.15/hr ($A6.71), that has not increased since 1997, it can be hardly enough to live on.

This would explain why "More than 30 million Americans--one in four workers--are stuck in low-wage jobs that do not provide the basics for a decent life." From: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20040209/shulman

Lucky we have 'Work Choices' to prevent this happening to us. :rolleyes:

[PINT of Stella, mate!]

I get frustrated by the influence the USA has with regards to many social and political issues, but I'm a consumer of many American products and services so, at the end of the day, to say that I was "anti-American" would be hypocritical of me. And I think a lot of so-called "anti-American" people should reflect on that. Most will probably find that their attitude is not reflected in their behaviour.

*The spell check wants me to drop the "u" out of the word "behaviour". That's an Americanism I'm not prepared to consume. Bloody Americans... LOL*

My main problem with anything American is that voting isn't compulsory. If the country's so bloody anti-Bush, then why the f*** is he still president? On more than one occasion over the last couple of years, I've confronted an "anti-Bush" American with the simple "Did you vote?" question and the answer has been a sheepish "No..."

I reckon if you were able to vote, but chose not to, then you don't have the right to complain. Expressing a valid opinion goes much further than what you've thought or said - it's all about what you've done.

It's a different kettle of fish altogether. A great deal of Americans find that they are not allowedto vote. People can be struck off the electoral register for having a criminal record or in the case of the 2000 election, sharing the name of somebody with a criminal record. In the majority of cases this tends to happen to the black, underpriveliged sections of the community - traditional democrat voters. Michael Moore discusses it all in Dude, Wheres my country? (pretty good book written before he 'jumped the shark' with fahrenheit 9/11)

Personally I'm against compulsory voting as 1: You still have to show support even if you loathe both/all candidates. amd 2: The last election was on a Saturday. fucks up your weekend that! At least in the UK we make them during the week so you can get a skive off work!

[Bodin]

Personally I'm against compulsory voting as 1: You still have to show support even if you loathe both/all candidates.

Rubbish. You don't have to write numbers in the little boxes. Just chuck it in with a bunch of rubbish written on it, it counts as a null vote and if there are enough null voters who've made the effort to express their point of view, then the community takes notice and does something about it.

It's a different kettle of fish altogether. A great deal of Americans find that they are not allowedto vote.

What kind of percentage are we talking about? I doubt the number of people barred from voting would even make up a single percentage point of all eligible voters. America could hardly call itself the Great Democracy if it picks and chooses who votes. :rolleyes:

[Povi]

i was born there................ but i wouldnt like to live there
as a student, apparently their education system is half as good as ours. i travelled over there last year and took a look at my cousins yr12 maths textbook and some of that stuff i had done already in yr9!
also, george bush is an idiot and makes some really stupid decisions all the time
and i if i did go over there id be poorer then i am now because of the exchange rate:D
im only anti-american because they seem to have so much control over the rest of the world and especially over here in the land down under. they influence everything we do and i reckon that its their fault for over-commercialism..................
but dont take my word for some of it because im just a little kid;)

thats my 2 cents (about 0.8 cents in US:p)

[Ryan]

What kind of percentage are we talking about? I doubt the number of people barred from voting would even make up a single percentage point of all eligible voters. America could hardly call itself the Great Democracy if it picks and chooses who votes. :rolleyes:

I don't know if POSM is right when he claims it's 'heaps' but you can definitely be stripped of your right to vote. The most common way for it to happen that I know of is to be convicted for certain felony offences in a state that applies the policy, it's called "Felony disenfranchisement" and the reasoning is basically that you have violated the 'social contract' so grossly that you no longer deserve a say in how society is run.

Ninja edit: As usual, wikipedia can explain it better than I can;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony_disenfranchisement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex-offender_voting_rights_by_state

[Humfreyoncrak]

Personally I'm against compulsory voting as 1: You still have to show support even if you loathe both/all candidates. amd 2: The last election was on a Saturday. fucks up your weekend that! At least in the UK we make them during the week so you can get a skive off work!

Voting in Australia, whilst compulsory, is still optional......According to the Australian Electoral Commission, I don't exist. I have't voted in the past 4 Federal and State elections and no fines yet.

[NCR600]

I don't know if POSM is right when he claims it's 'heaps' but you can definitely be stripped of your right to vote. The most common way for it to happen that I know of is to be convicted for certain felony offences in a state that applies the policy, it's called "Felony disenfranchisement" and the reasoning is basically that you have violated the 'social contract' so grossly that you no longer deserve a say in how society is run.

Ninja edit: As usual, wikipedia can explain it better than I can;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony_disenfranchisement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex-offender_voting_rights_by_state

2 of my dozen or so American aquintances are banned from voting under that little scheme.

I'm not so sure that the American education system is all that bad. My American ex was pretty well educated in most things, and even surprised the hell out of me when she knew the song "Kookaburra sitting in an old gum tree" (she dug the more popular schoolyard version I taught her though)

The one thing she didn't know much about was world history, particularly from 1939 to now. I took her along to the War Memorial Museum and changed that though.

One of the biggest gripes I have with America (note I didn't say Americans) is their habit of ignoring and covering up actual events to make themselves look better (for instance America 'saved' Australia from Japan in WWII)

After McArthur called Australian Soldiers in New Guinea second rate they then went on to defeat the Japanese in a land battle for the first time at Milne Bay. Later in the War MacArthur relegated Australian forces from the Philipines campaign to prevent anyone stealing 'his' glory. (He was a madman, and had to be relieved of command in Korea after he advocated nuking China)

Also that America saved Britain from Germany. Just not true. They shortened the war, but Germany lost WWII the day they started on the Eastern Front. So really it was Russia that saved Britain.

But that's not the fault of the education system, that's propaganda.

I suspect Australian kids would fail just as badly if asked the same sort of questions that Americans are asked as 'evidence' of their stupidity.

[Povi]

depends......
what questions would they be?
also, stuff like that targets like the failing students of the worst school to prove their point, im sure that both here and there if you went to a decent school and asked those questions you could get them answered correctly
also im just saying that truly what i had done this year for maths by cousing had done for yr12 maths

[shirtz]

as a traveler i can say i dislike american travelers. the majority dont know anything about other countries and when they do decide to venture outside there door they tend to carry those stupid fucking ski pole walking sticks and comment loudly about everything untill they get back on their nice bus and go home. rant off.

also their stance on gun ownership etc really shits me off. it might be there right to bare arms, but its my right not to get shot in the face cause some young kid decided to look tough to his mates.

[Regan of Gong]

Ugly American Syndrome.

They reckon if you go up to people in European countries and declare yourself not American, they'll be much more helpful.

And the G-Uniting, Hip-hopping, gang-banging, "fools"- grow up. You live in Australia. Go cap asses elsewhere.

[zen_rider]

Anti-American? Nah, I'm just Anti-Stupidity.

[roxy12]

[INDENT]
And the G-Uniting, Hip-hopping, gang-banging, "fools"- grow up. You live in Australia. Go cap asses elsewhere.

yehr this is what i hate the most, the 12 yo kid gangs walkin aroundactin "hardcore' yet still run home to there mummys.

were not american theress no need to act like a moron (bit of a generalisaton there not ALL stupid), oh and hallowean here that pisses me off the most!

Lets get our kids to nock on strangers doors for candy! soudns familiar.........

[Hamsta]

Whilst working in a school in India, a large group of American Baptist College students arranged a visit to help provide tuition and materials for the kids.
They arrived at midday, stayed for 2 hours and some agreed to return to help out for the next three days. Kids loved it (which is what matters).

However, at the end of the visit, the spokeperson for the group presented each of the kids and the staff with a shitload of paper and pens and a small American flag, then proceeded to arrange everyone for a group photo, asking everyone to display their donated items wave the flags. None of the group, who agreed to return, showed up again.

I'm sure that their are many stories like this of patriotic mindlessness.

[PINT of Stella, mate!]

yehr this is what i hate the most, the 12 yo kid gangs walkin aroundactin "hardcore' yet still run home to there mummys.

were not american theress no need to act like a moron (bit of a generalisaton there not ALL stupid), oh and hallowean here that pisses me off the most!

Lets get our kids to nock on strangers doors for candy! soudns familiar.........

Halloween has been celebrated for hundreds of years. I'm not entirely sure when trick or treating first started, but I used to do it when I was a little nipper back in Scotland. I'm 28 now so that's been a fair few years!