Posted on 02/24/2005 6:26:04 AM PST by quidnunc
What's wrong with Americans today? Practically everything, according to Justin Webb, the debonair Washington correspondent for Bush Bash Central — whoops, I mean, the BBC — who shared his views of us last Saturday on Radio 4 on the eve of the President Bush's arrival in Europe.
For starters, we are "strait-laced and earnest." Our "heads are in the clouds." And, worst of all, we tend "to hold firm to a principle even when practicalities get in the way." So that, one might assume, is not the virtue that an Englishman named Churchill once so nobly displayed, but nowadays is a very naïve, very American flaw.
He tells us he made his observations of American attitudes "in a skiing gondola" "suspended high above the Colorado Rockies" where he and a group made polite conversation about the British royal family. Now, one could say that four or five Americans on their way up a mountain at a posh ski resort are not exactly representative of our countrymen at large. But, hey, for decades British journalists have produced features purportedly reflecting the attitudes of a foreign nation when they did no more on an overseas assignment than chat up their taxi drivers on their way from the airport to their hotel. (My husband was a British foreign correspondent for years and, trust me, using a taxicab driver as a primary source is typical.)
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
"The fact is that Americans have long regarded Europeans as weak-willed, lily livered, morally degenerate moaners, incapable of clear thinking or resolute action."
with bad teeth.
<< .... an Englishman named Churchill .... >>
Not a real one actually -- rather more of an American, having an English parent.
[How else to explain his occasional competence?]
<< "The fact is that Americans have long regarded Europeans [Off-shore satellite staters, included] as weak-willed, lily-livered, morally-degenerate moaners, incapable of clear thinking or resolute action."
[And having] bad teeth. >>
The fact is that A Europeans [Off-shore satellite staters, included] have long been weak-willed, lily-livered, morally-degenerate moaners, incapable of clear thinking or resolute action.
[And having] bad teeth!
#3 ping
And what, pray tell, were Pearl Harbor and 9/11, chopped liver?
And I must tell you, on a trip to NZ last year, people came up to us and said (with gentleness--would they get that from you, by the way?)how concerned they were about USA's attitude and direction. We need to respoect other countrys' attitudes and alternative voices within our own (as I, a flag-flying liberal, respect your positions.)But do think for yourself; there's way too much mean jargon flying around in the name of thought.
We need to respect anti-Americanism… why?
Every negative, knee-jerk phrase you coin widens the gap in this country.
But I can't help myself, I'm bound to tell the truth.
"But do think for yourself; there's way too much mean jargon flying around in the name of thought."
I see you are new in these parts. I hope you've been lurking for a while before you posted.
I for one, welcome an alternative voice, but... your tone is somewhat condescending. I believe you're in for some interesting replies.
I hope you have what it takes to hang in. Stand your ground, debate, get educated. Unlike DU, a dissenting voice isn't banned here.
Welcome to FR.
The Brits are among the most resolute people om that side of the pond. Best not to contaminate that country with aspersions of the EuroTrash
Remember they and Europe have had war in their lands; we have not.
Get thee to a history book. My great-great-grandfather died at Fort Donaldson when Union forces attacked
And I must tell you, on a trip to NZ last year, people came up to us and said (with gentleness--would they get that from you, by the way?)how concerned they were about USA's attitude and direction.
with all due respect, the people of NZ live in a vacuum. They're a tiny powerless nation with the luxury of isolation. No one cares to come after them because they're inconsequential. Perhaps if NZ were on the verge of invasion by a muslim force ...
We need to respoect other countrys' attitudes and alternative voices within our own (as I, a flag-flying liberal, respect your positions.)
If by "other countries" you mean France, Germany and Russia of oil-for-food fame, I'll decline. If you mean GB, Australia, Poland, Japan and the great majority of other countries, we already do.
But do think for yourself; there's way too much mean jargon flying around in the name of thought. Every negative, knee-jerk phrase you coin widens the gap in this country.
I hate to sound like a kid in a school yard, but who do you think stated all the vile name-calling? Chrisy, go to DU, Bartcop, SmirkingChimp or the 10,000,000 other leftist hate sites.
Sorry ma'am, 9/11 changed it all. Everything else; and I mean EVERYthing else, takes a back seat to hunting down and killing terrorists. Now, you are either filled with that resolve, or you aren't. Right now, "sensibilities" need to take a back seat. That's hard reality. It really doesn't matter how many platitudes you articulate. We will do what we have to do as long as the resolve is there to continue doing it.....and those who don't see the necessity to set everything else aside to combat an evil more threatening to your life and mine than Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan ever was are very short-sighted and extremely self-centered. That's reality. Period.
Despite my reply above to you, I too hope you stay.
<< You forget [And quickly] how "intrepid" Britain was in going it alone when "attacked by Germany" in WWII.
Remember they and Europe have had war in their lands; we have not. >>
Having disarmed itself and its every subject after WW-I [Also won by US] and having appeased and thus effectively enabled and facilitated Hitler for years, Britain then declared war on Germany which was forced to defend itself against that declaration and -- but for the socialist traitor, Roosevelt's, unconstitutional, unlawful and illegal sacrifice of Trillions of equivilent 2005 Dollars of America's Treasure and blood to delivering the Brits' [And the Soviets'] arming, feeding, supplying and equipping -- would have been totally defeated by 1941.
And I suggest you check up on America's History and its wars -- including the one in which we are presently engaged -- before you say too much more about wars in Peoples' Lands!
Kia Ora -- B A
What do you call that unpleasantness in the south from 1861-1865 then?
And are we not equally intrepid in going it alone against Islamic fascism today?
"You forget (and quickly) how intrepid Britain was in going it alone when attacked by Germany in WWII."
And you forget that Americans were already fighting WITH BRITAIN before the United States even declared war.
"Remember they and Europe have had war in their lands; we have not."
Read your friggen history books....Civil War wasn't fought over in Europe. Let's not forget about 9/11 and the constant threat we live under now.
"on a trip to NZ last year, people came up to us and said how concerned they were about USA's attitude and direction."
Really? Well, I'm concerned about France's attitude and direction. These days, I find myself wondering if they are friend or foe. Turning our back on them or even attempting to trust them is dangerous. I'm waiting for the opportunity to pay those SOB's back!
"We need to respect other country's attitudes and alternative voices within our own."
If anyone is in dire need of learning respect....I'd say alot of Europe could use the lesson. Any European who try's to interfere with a U.S. election is disrespectful and down right rude. Any European who calls Americans stupid and prints it on the newspaper simply because Bush was relected is disrespectful and rude. Any European who places a sticker with Bush's image on in inside of a unrinal is disrespectful and rude. For far too long, Americans have put up with the bashing. We are fat, we are lazy, we are full of ourselves....and yet, the first country anyone calls when in trouble is the United States. So, you are going to have to learn as well as Europe to be a little more tolerant of Americans who have had enough of the BS. Stop allowing yourself to be the punching bag for the world. Stand up and be proud and support other Americans. There is no shame in that....no matter how loudly Europeans claim there is!
"They and Europe" started those wars, and all the idiot ideologies that drove them. As for what ehy think of us, to quote the Pied Piper of Hamlin (also a European), "Who gives a rat's a*s".
"The subversion and perversion of American social mores didn't occur either naturally or honestly. It was slyly contrived at by morally insane intellectuals and their acolytes!"
Unfortunately, I've noticed a lack of aggressiveness against the real enemy....why did it take so long to get rid of the radical clerics in London?
I believe it was fear....Yes, I believe Americans balance natural fears with a kick-a$$ aggressiveness. Perhaps Europe can learn a few lessons.
My Euro friends tell me America always over-reacts....I tell them that they under-react......
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