Forums > Social Chat > Americans, your impressions.

Posted: 19th Jun 2003
Hey dont forget the UK is also looked down apon for being involved. What I found simply annoying was the amount of protests that went on over here... a lot... and we were blatantly ignored... I still wanna vivts the US and I'm sure theres a fair share of nice people and arseholes tht you get in every country.

Posted: 18th Jun 2003
My first night in Darwin we went out to a Cafe called Hogsbreath Cafe. Damn good steak... anyhow

I know I am an American and this is mainly for other people to reply in, but my first encounter with an Aussie who came up to speek with me was an elderly chap, a Vietnam vet. who told me that when I got back to the states and saw some of the "old guys" to tell them thanks for what they did in '42 and '43.

I have almost 3 years in the Corps and have been to atleast half a dozen countries, in only two of those countries have I seen any form of protest. Japan, and Korea. Needless to say that there is a vast difference between those two contries and their style of protest.

Personally I feel that the US and its Allies are looked down upon because they have what others dont. But the catch is that if the US and allies want to spread the wealth, so to speek, it is seen as an insult.

True some companies have had really bad effects on people and forgine economies. Some spread poloution, threaten endangerd species, root people up from their homes, and unfortunatly only the negitive seems to make the headlines.

When was the last time you saw (and I am speeking to non-US type people) an article when it praised a company (especially a US company) for their donations to say... an orphanage in Ethiopia?

I mean people see what the media tells them and not much more. Good is done, but the fact of the matter is that bad news sells better and travels a hell of alot faster than the speed of thought.


There is so much more out there than you see on BBC, CNN, Fox News and whatever else is your source of info. Not all Americans are bad not everything Americans do is bad, I just wish the whole world can see my post and understand what I am saying.

Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"

Posted: 19th Jun 2003
I get what you're saying Raymund P. And you are right there is a lot more than what is portrayed in the media (and what is portrayed is usualy biased one way or the other) and yes the bad news is far more publicised than the good but at the same time your governments have done some terrible things. As have most governments i'm sure. I mean i hold dual citicenship of switzerland and australia and both have a lot of things to be ashamed of. And because america is a superpower they are by far more scrutinised than most countries but that is also because it generally affects more countries.

So i can see why there is some degree of anti - americanism out there. But at the same time it is racist and simply unfair to direct that anger at anyone but the government (or the particular companies or organisations - whatever the case may be). And you're right there are plenty of wonderful things that has come out of amercia.

I've not always agreed with what america has done but that doesn't mean i'd not like to meet and get to know more americans. One of my most wonderful friends lives in NC and every american i've met on here has been lovely. Besides if that were the case there's a lot i don't like about the australian government either so i'd have to hermit myself.

So Raymond P how have the rest of the aussies you've met reacted to you being american?

I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it – As you like it

Posted: 19th Jun 2003
Sorry for getting a bit off topic Katoz, I just have answer a bit of Ray's post first. I mean no offense to anyone by what I say.

Ray I doubt the US and it allies are looked down on because of jealousy. It's not because they have power, it's because they throw their weight around in order to try and preserve that dominance, such as the case of international intellectual property law. What you refer to as bringing prosperity to other countries I would see as bringing profit to America, nothing is done unless something is gotton out of it.

It's not companies that have negative affects on foreign countries and pollution. It's the governments fault for letting them do so. The Irish government can't make a US company comply. (Kyoto agreement was direct action by your govt)

I think the American people are noble and well principled and I am hard pushed to think of any American's I have met that I didn't like (though I suspect I only know good people). The proplem is that I don't think it's the every day American's we're dealing with all the time. It's the businesses with the money that have the weight and the sad thing is that this filter's down into what news American people read and see and I worry if propaganda is being practiced on your own people. I do fear a nameless faceless stereotype American who doesn't think for himself and believes everything they're told. Please don't take this the wrong way but I do feel that this would be more likely to happen America than anywhere else right now.

So in summary American's good. Forces acting on American peoples minds bad.

[ 19. June 2003, 22:02: Message edited by: DeepSoulSheep ]

I live in a world of infinite possibilities.

Posted: 19th Jun 2003
Snowy_Lisle- I guess your goverment pays about as much attention to as ours does to us. But dont worry Im more then sure that there are more then enough cool people in every country to make changes... . . .slow changes but changes none the less.

Raymund P.- I have just gotten back from my second tour in japan. One with the corps and one with the navy. Camp Hanson and Camp Shields resectively. Now I have not been to Korea but, the major protest in Okinowa, sense Im sure those are the one you are speaking of for I have not heard of to many main land japan protest, I also spent three month there as an exchange student, started after the 1994 rape conviction of a 14 year old girl. I could name about half a dozen major incedents from grand theif and stalking to over two dozen minor incedent like beat locals needlessly and starting fight in clubs. These are incedent that never made international news but have helped in the veiw Okinowans have of us. As Ive said I have not been to Korea but Im sure there have been incedent that have helped fuel there protests. How would you feel if someone had there way with your little sister. American's military has done more then just sit back and wait for people to hate us. If our conduct in Okinowa is any indecation of our behavior in other country then it is little wonder we are not like.

And as for the Bad news makes good news I have two examples for you to ponder. Now I did happen to go out and do some community service while I was in Okinowa. I helped do some repairs to a shool and play with some of the kids who went there. Now that would be good news that never made it to the paper. So Ill ask you this if I raped your little sister... . . .how many reapers to your house would it take or how much time would I have to spend playing with you little brother before you forgave me? The bad is not just better news because its entertaining but because it has a bigger impact on each individual person. One whoops can destroy the work of a hundred That-a-boys.

It is not the mistakes that matter, only what is learned.

Posted: 19th Jun 2003
Having been stationed at MCAS Iwakuni (yes I'm a nasty air winger ) I have seen many protests, though I have to admit it was nothing like the ones in Korea. I have never seen an angry (well emotional for that matter) Japanese protest. Korean on the other hand.... thats another animal all together. You have to wonder though, I know us being guests in a country and then having someone do a terrible atrocity really makes for bad blood, but how many locals rape and murder their own. Yet there is very little anti-self emotions.

I'll finish this latter gotta run

Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"

Posted: 19th Jun 2003
Oh, I heard also that a couple US troops killed a couple of young korean girls.
Then quickly got taken back to the US by the military, so that there was no fair trial,
no justice. that wouldn't heave helped (ref: BBC)
hmmm.

A recent poll of south korean's showed that they felt that the US military, posed more of a threat than north "axis of evil" Korea.
No wonder you were such popular guests.
(ref:bbc)

Posted: 19th Jun 2003
Raymund- It is true that there is little anti-japanese protest in okinowa. And I am quite sure that they like any other country have crime and donot blame every japanese for it. But also like every other country they do blame a group, thye call this group criminals and pusicute them to the utmost exstent of the japanese law. And having been on japan yourself you know that the japanese do not kidd when it comes to punishment but on most of the cases I mentioned above except for the rape and the stalking, they were before and after my time on Island, I know that stings were pulled to get the offenders off on light sentences, umm... . . .well for japanese standereds. I have also bore witness to people being shipped of island to avoid punishments but theses I must admit were not for major crimes but simple things like large fights that endend up involving the japanese police, who fight ever bit as well as everyone says they do. If you want an example of americas having crimes but not hating america all you need to do is open up a news paper, and if you want to see an example of americans blaming people for things they had nothing to do with talk to the familys of the middle eastern men who were killed in the states after 9/11. One of the men lived in Arizona, my home state Im sad to say, I dont know if he had a family but Im sure he had friend... . . .Who now understand America is not as equil as it claims to be.

Glass- As I have said I have not been to Korea and do not receave BBC. I also do not have T.V. so if you would be able to find me a link to a couple of site make refrence to the incedent, I would like to read about it and maybe comment on it later. I can not say I would be surprized about it except that I can not beleave that they would try to undercut the importance of so gross a crime. As Ive said I have seen something simialer use after a bar fight (american-on-american) but never heard of it being use after such a crime against a national. On the other hand I have seen criminals left to the japanese justest system to serve there terms (this was the grandtheft I spoke of earlier),ad pay there fines.

Please everyone feel free to joinin and enter your comments I have no intention of getting offended and I would like to, as much as possable clear up some missconseptions that there are on both sides of the fence. I in no way speak for all americans or even most. I simply speak from what I have seen and what I think.

It is not the mistakes that matter, only what is learned.

Posted: 20th Jun 2003
Sorry, I havn't read all the response's here, but I just wanna say-

I think we just have to much access through the media of all the bad points of other countries, and I mean all countries. We have more coverage of America obviously, so it's alot easier to point the finger. I'm not gonna get political here, in my opinion, bar the standard amount of arseholes you find in every country, Americans rock. So do the English, and so does everyone else. Far too much time is wasted on this subject as far as I'm concerned...

Love you all, (even if you ARE a Goddamn YANK!!)

Az abouve, So below...

Posted: 20th Jun 2003
And, my sweet DFQ, just WHO is moving to California in a few short weeks?

Harumph.

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura

Posted: 22nd Jun 2003
Okay... here is the deal about Korea, something BBC and every other news group failed to report.

In the brief I got for my Korea SOFA status driveres licence (One of several countries I am licenced to drive in) we were told of how little rural Koreans know of vehicles. They dont always stop and look both ways, so when your driving keep the foot ready to break at a split seconds notice.

With that in mind... take a 5 ton tank, driving at about 20 mph, a little faster than 40kmph (40kmph is like 19.5 mph) it will take about 20 feet, once the brakes are applied, to stop add a moment of destraction and there is just no stopping in time.

It was an accident, nothing more. If you saw how Koreans drive you would have to wonder how they could be angry. They are insaine, trafic laws are not enforced hell I have nearly been hit a few times trying to cross the road infront of the font gate there in Osan.

Accidents happen, justice was done because it was ruled as an accident.


If your driving down the road and a little kid runs out in front of you, and you do everything you can to stop but dont. You hit the kid and kill him... should you face the death penalty?

That is what the Koreans wanted. Where would the justice be there?


Kalroz, I consider myself a pretty damn good fighter... If a situation came up where I was to fight a Japanese cop, I would lie down and pray that he would loose interest in me before killing me!! Those guys are trained beyond my level to fight hand to hand.


People get blamed for things they didnt do all the time. People get treated differently because of their ethnic group all the time. It isnt fair it isnt right.

Here in OZ just seeing how the Aboriginies are treated as second class citizens, it turns my stomach. Well from what I see and that is just my opinion.

No country exists without some form of injustice, it just doesnt happen.


"And the beat goes one budum budum badda"

Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"

Posted: 22nd Jun 2003
"we were told of how little rural Koreans know of vehicles. They dont always stop and look both ways, so when your driving keep the foot ready to break at a split seconds notice.

It was an accident, nothing more. If you saw how Koreans drive you would have to wonder how they could be angry. They are insaine, trafic laws are not enforced hell I have nearly been hit a few times trying to cross the road infront of the font gate there in Osan. "

Er.... are you pulling the piss man?
Is this not generalization in it's purest form. Alot of people in alot of countries drive incredibly bad. I'm take a'dam - chaos, take paris - Utter refined chaos, Take rural ireland - maniacs, hell you'll get shitty drivers anywhere and there is a big chance of getting run over anywhere.

If you are driving a tank, or truck for that matter, you control it and therefore you are responsible for its actions. I'm not bullshitting either I've spent years at this point ridding shotgun and have driven trucks myself. First of all you are FULLY aware of your breaking distance and if you are diving on a busy road, with people around you should be fully aware of what you doing. I mean that is why the exam is so damned hard. You cant take it for granted that other people, (in this case classed as people who know very little about vehicles....er if of course the case was rural) know what it is like to drive heavey machinery or how they reacts to the road. You have to make the decision for other people, make it a smart one. If someone runs over a person or child by accident, it's a tricky one. I mean the driver is responsible end of story. Im any court in any country that will be the case. I guess if a finger has to be pointed it should be pointed at the driver. And should you not always be ready to press the breaks at a split second, in any vehicle on any road on this planet. Anyway straying from the point alittle. Will you not agree that chances are there are alot of decent drivers in korea too. And is there any chance of alittle more information on the subject in question, hm Glass? (Sorry no funny circle above the a. Heres a loose one "o")

Well 2 cents n stuff.
Mot.

[ 23. June 2003, 12:12: Message edited by: Motbag ]

Come forth and thou shalt win enternal happiness. but he came fifth so he won an electric toatser.

Posted: 23rd Jun 2003
it's not only in korea where americans have been able to pull strings so they wouldn't be convicted.

one of my friends went on a skiing trip to italy, a jet from the us army flew, for the fun of it, under the cable of a lift, ....he flew to close to the cable and cut it with his tail, the cabin crashed 20meters below, leaving nothing of my friend but some bloody marks on snow. the pilot flew back to his base. As you would know they have these camera's on their planes, the pilot had the tape of the flight erased, and was brought back to america the week after where he was convicted to 2 years (for killing 18 persons)

that left a whole deal of anger in both belgium (most of the group were belgian) and italians.


next to that you can add the refusal of the american government, and even boycot of the following things
*an international court of justice in den haag, where they want to convict milosovic, but where no american can be trailed, if they would be brought to court in den haag, the american government has plans to invade den haag.
*kyoto, under pressure of industry i suppose
*total bypass of vn in cases of iraq (still no wmd found, maybe we should go and help looking for them)
*colombia: total havoc in the name of anti-drugs war
*they blame cuba for executing dissidents (and rightly i should say), but execute several death sentences a year, of wich a great deal innocent
*and in texas they still believe in creationism
and teach it next to evolutionsm


Ok belgians are not innocent too (remember congo) but our government does not have the pretention yet to be the leader of the free world

ps: pm me if you want a further discussion about one of the topics, maybe this thread is not the place

-Pinky do you ponder what I ponder???-Yes Brain, if you start my name with an O it is spelled Oinky

Posted: 23rd Jun 2003
Heaven help me...new to the board and "this" is the first post I jump into hahahaha......

I have just returned from a 2 year stay in Tokyo (not military - was teaching dance). It was a great opportunity to see the US from a different point of view - both from the Japanese (westernized and not) and the expats and from the others I met during my Asian travels. It also made me realize just how isolated we Americans can be.

I've seen and heard embarassing stories from people the world over, so it's hard to say it's just Americans - there's always one in the bunch! I just can't get angry at a particular country as a whole based on a few people because I've met some amazing people at the same time as meeting these "bad eggs" too! "People" are the same the world over really, it's just how it's shown that makes us different sometimes.

So it always comes down to politics - and what I agree or disagree with that makes the most impact for me.

While in Egypt talking about these things with a westernized Egyptian man, he mentioned "it's not Americans we dislike, it's American politics"...

Anyway, looking forward to meeting all of you further and I'm going to go look for a tame thread to jump into now

~Kristin

the creative mind plays with the objects it loves

Posted: 25th Jun 2003
you wanna know my personal experience of americans huh? well i have nothing bad to say at all, i went to an american school in the middle east (although there were over 70 diferent nationalities studying there) most of my teachers were american and were the most supportive fun teachers ever (a hell of alot better than the british ones!) my first boyfriend was american and so was my best mate (who i might add is currently serving in korea) and i still keep in touch with both. while living out there we also got alot of the american marines visit, and they all seemed to be cool guys too, except for the ones who felt the need to get their leg over all the time!somewhat sleazy !! i think most peoples problem is not with the american people ness. but with the government. at the moment i have just started reading a book on why the world hates america, some interesting points so far and recommend it already, will update you when im finished with it

she who sees from up high smiles

Patrick badger king: *they better hope there's never a jihad on stupidity*

Posted: 25th Jun 2003
ugh, here's my two pence

ignorance is the greatest problem witht the mass of the american people

knowing i speak not only for myself - it seems that the vast majority of the american people (and not just the uneducated, ignorant ones) feel it's their God-given right to use up as many resources as vastly as they can

now, i grew up in this little 'perfect' place, virtually no crime, and when something did happen (like rapes, murders, sheepshaggings in the live christmas creche - i kidd u not) than it was the locally stationed U.S. soldiers.
Recently i learnt that the U. S. government used these military bases for catch-alls to rehabilitate seriously disturbed soldiers who've come backfrom Nam and other wars.

Seems to me the U.S. government is not taking the responsibility it signed up for

Why?

Posted: 25th Jun 2003
I was lucky enough to meet a gem of an american. Me and my mate were stuck across the Mexican border with nowhere to stay, no money and no transport. After a couple of hours kicking our heels we managed to beg a lift of an american bloke who'd just come across the border driving a camper van. We were all a bit cagey at first (my mum always said never to accept lifts off strangers... ) and so we just wanted to be let off at the nearest big town......

......long story so I'll cut the middle bit....

....anyway, blokey not only ended up giving us a 3000 mile lift (howzat for a hitchhiking record!), but also subbed me for the next week 'cos my credit card didn't work in Mexico, put us up at the family home when we got back to LA, showed us the sights and then took us to the airport to catch our flight home. He really should have had a halo and wings.

I can't help but wonder how many Brits would be so generous if the roles were reversed...

Duane, wherever you are now, HUGE hugz

Fish are just like trees except they move and they're invisible

Posted: 25th Jun 2003
Mr. Noodlehead, i've met loads of super nice and aware americans (and loads of scum of the earth too)
but when it comes to hospitality the brits rule in my book -

in scotland and wales and ireland (in england i was verbally assaulted) i could go anywhere, people would virtually trip over offering places to stay, rides, sandwiches, , stages, jobs, basins for washing feet and on and on

i'v never seen as much scum as on the highly overrated u.s. westcoast.

but then, we all make different experiences and luckily get to share them.

no offense.

Why?

Posted: 25th Jun 2003
Like Snowy_lisle said

I'm sure theres a fair share of nice people and arseholes that you get in every country.

Glad you enjoyed Wales and Scotland - luvverly places (and people )

Noods

By the way, I'm a girlie doctor

Fish are just like trees except they move and they're invisible

Posted: 25th Jun 2003
oops

Why?

Posted: 26th Jun 2003
I agree that ignorance is what hurts Americans most in as far as world opinions. Some Americans haven't a clue about world issue and yet the American government makes it thier business to be in all corners of the world. You can say that is largely the American government to blame but the lack of understanding the American people have about America's foreign policy does nothing to boost opinion. In the world's eye's if it truely is a democracy where the government is "by the people, for the people" then the American population is to blame for electing the government.
My personal experience have been bad and good. Most recently I went to Seattle and was harrased because of my canadian liscense plates. Apparently I am a ****ing bitch because Canada didn't support the war. Also I was harrased at the border and turn away because I only had my canadian citizenship and they needed my passport because I am not born in canada. The second time I had my passport they found out I was from Cuba I was searched. I thank god my picture and finger prints weren't taken, last thing I want is to be on some 'terror list'. This happen before canada immigration issued a warning for canadian travellors going to US. I won't travel to the US with the government being what it is and go out of my way to avoid any stops in the US if travelling somewhere else because of my place of birth (Cuba being one of the Axis of Evil).

Posted: 20th Feb 2006
Well this post is about a hundred years old and a thousand Miles off topic but it was close to what I was looking for.

This is Madd back form my second Deployment to Iraq/ Kuwait. I have been gone for a while but I am glad that my thread had so many comments.

I just wanted to put a personal story of mine in from these last two deployments. I know that the Iraq war is not popular with the world or with many people in the US, but I for one am glad I had the chance to go there. I'm not sure if the US invaded Iraq for the right reason, or if there are weapons of mass destruction hidden somewhere in the desert. All I know is I saw children so poor that their feet had grown calluses hard enough to walk on assfalt when if is 130 F outside. I watched joint task forces help rebuild and inprove schools, water pumps, and drainage facilities. I've seen Iraqis that loved the fact that we had come to free them, and Iraqis that hated or emperialization f there country.

I will never forget what it like to be in a country so different from my own. A country where the women rights movement has not yet happened. Where children beg for the water that we waste so freely. Where men are so poor they are will to risk death to work for with the westerners to help feed there families.

I was in country for both the elections of 2003 and 2005. Our efforts there, are not perfect. We are trying to make the best of the situation we have now put ourselves in. I believe that we will have improve the quality of life in Iraq for the vast majority when we finally reduce the military presence there.

I want to believe that in some small way I have help improve anothers life.

It is not the mistakes that matter, only what is learned.

Posted: 20th Feb 2006
Hey Madd. You really are trawling "way back when" in the threads. To get some proper conversation you maya even want to ask the mods if this can be moved into Social Discussion.

In answer to your post, I don't think anyone should detract from good acts or from bad acts. So we shouldn't talk down the good that can be done by community work in a country. There is an argument that says, "if the troops hadn't been there in the first place, then the would be no need". I actually agree with that, but I am also fully in favour of troops doing the community work needed to re-build. The only thing that worries me is the people at the top using it as a way of excusing their original decision.

The original thread had some broad and meandering turns. One of which was about the impression of Americans overseas. I have found that a good proportion of the Americans I have met aren't very good at discerning cultural difference. This may even be stronger in countries such as Australia, which on the surface is so similar to the U.S.A. I recently met an American who came on very strong, partly because I don't think he understood the subtlety of Australian flirtation, where it is not a good thing to "have tickets on yourself" or "talk yourself up". He saw a beach culture, with bars and clubs and drinking and (some) dancing, and thought it was exactly the same.

I don't think Americans are alone in this. Australians also have a strong tendency this way, which I suspect is getting worse. I can certainly think of a few gaffs I have made when travelling overseas. But I do believe there is a competitive nature in American culture that really does cloud the awareness.

It was a day for screaming at inanimate objects.

What this calls for is a special mix of psychology and extreme violence...

Posted: 20th Feb 2006
Americans..........................hmmmmmmmmm................. well history shows they have an out dated religious outlook. just look at when they made alcohol illegal, gambling in most states is still illegal and i hear that the government wants to stop U.S. citizens from using online gambling sites. (wtf is that about )

I'm not keen on the U.S. media, just cast your minds back to the wako(sp??) siege on that farm in Texas, those cult members didn't need security cameras with all the news channels having live feeds to the net works, the result..................a total balls up of an assault by the s.w.a.t.

As a people i don't mind you yanks, ok so there's always that 1% that taint most peoples views (like the chavs in the UK) but i suppose the same go's for every country in the world. it's this percentage of obnoxious yanks with the " I'm american we helped you brits out of the WW2" yes....................you did but you balls'd up in Vietnam, koria and blow up our tanks in Iraq and i'm supposed to instantly respect you.............. don't think so mate.

on the up side, America dose have some pretty cool stuff, like yellow stone park, Disney world, highway 666 and burning man festers so it's not all bad

Posted: 20th Feb 2006


I think it would be better for all concerned if I left now and didn't come back.

I do, however, agree with this chappie...

[Old link]

After much consideration, I find that the view is worth the asphyxiation.
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I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Posted: 20th Feb 2006
i couldn't agree more

Posted: 20th Feb 2006
home maddmouser.. and an interesting thread... reminds me of the extraordinary Fran Peavy who started Heart Politics by sitting in public spaces with a sign saying *An American willing to listen*

Well the last American I had contact with was the Tiger Balm baby himself, Burning_Dan so what can I say... waaAAaay coool dude! What impressed me about Dan was that while he had that Yankee brash thing in spades, he also had a real interest in the language, opinions, style of things that he encountered in Australia... other Americans I know come from Quaker, conservationist backgrounds... very different to the militaristic, wasteful stereotype, but also really struggling to maintain pride/joy in their country these days. Like me, really.
I'll leave out the politics cos you wanted personal experience...Americans seem naive to me. Not well informed about the world, think the USA are the norm/peak of human experience and jumpy, quick to react to any perceived slight. I feel sorry for them really, not jealous at all.

.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....

Posted: 20th Feb 2006
So should someone give me UK-flirting lessons then? I mean I came out well ok last time but I wasn't trying. So surely I'll balls it up proper if I try?

C'mon guys....

(And yes, burning_dan is very purely not just american but los angelino, .... but in a good way! Wow did I not know such a thing so existed....)

Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive

Shalom VeAhavah

New Hampshire has a point....

Posted: 20th Feb 2006
Kyri, you'll be coming to UNIVERSITY here... flirting is finding someone too drunk to object!

That's what I hear, anyway

And while you may have the "unsubtle" american stereotype, you don't have the "arrogant" american streotype, so you're bearable...

After much consideration, I find that the view is worth the asphyxiation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Posted: 20th Feb 2006
i would like to say that no matter what country you are from and where you are visiting chances are you will offend somebody and someone will offend you
we are getting educated about our resource use...and slowly there is change
the forces out there are doing a great job, there are soldiers not fit to wear the uniform and they create bad press for all the military...some of my friends are out there and they talk about every one they are helping and the thanks and gifts they try to give... a lot of the response does not get published in media
some have said that us is involved everywhere and we throw around our weight too much, but if we don't do something or our actions are great enough then we get harassed for not doing our duty as a "superpower"
i hate that word by the way-it implies that we have a duty, i think we need to come back after we finish where we are now and become the insular country we once were

Faith
Nay, whatever comes one hour was sunlit and the most high gods may not make boast of any better thing than to have watched that hour as it passed