OT- Political, sort of.

[Becca]

Sheesh... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE)

No wonder the world thinks we are morons... I have to wonder how hard they had to look to find enough dumb answers to make a clip that long. Now, I bet if we were to go asking those exact same questions to that reporter's home population enough times, and spent alot of time cutting out the correct answers we could make a very similar clip... Does that make his country morons too?:rolleyes:

[Black Jack II]

Yeah, its bs, these takes are often very edited to come to the specific outlook of what is needed.

Plus, people often get jealous of the big dog. It will always be that way.

[Becca]

I personally found the clip amusing until I started reading the comments. That people who consider themselves educated would use something so obviously contrived to label all Americans ticked me off. It's not that people don't know it isn't accurate. They just don't seem to care when it means an easy way to justify their point-of-veiw.

My mother always said, "There is no shame in not knowing something. The shame is huge when you wilfully refuse to learn."

[SPJ]

1. literacy or reading.

2. access to education.

3. research funding at the universities.

if compare these 3 factors among nations, America is still number 1.

the opportunity to learn to read not just in the regular schooling but also adult education is very good in this country.

there are more high schools and colleges relative to population in this country.

there are more faculty and research money in the universities in this country again.

dun believe me.

just look at the number of scientists winning Nobel's prize.

which country has the most?

--

now who said Americans are not smart.

;)

[David Jamieson]

It is amusing.
It's obviously satirical and apparently some people take issue with self deprecating humour.

meh. :p

[FuXnDajenariht]

lol are people in general really all that bright?

but no, alot of Americans generally dont know anything about the outside world.

"we're number 1" being the usual reply to any questions about the outside world is pretty telling.

[Becca]

I do have to say, the number of people that got wrong the number of sides a triangle has had me rolling. 'Specially the woman who said "none". Somebody needs to take remedial kindergarden! :o

And what about many, many people mistaking Australia for just about every single counry they we asked to find on that map?:D

But be honest, everyone says something dumb from time to time.

[The Willow Sword]

Look, it just goes to show you that a good majority of the american populous are morons and have no idea what is going on in our world, they take what they see in the mainstream media(run by the right wing) and the newspapers(most run by the right wing) and it keeps americans apathetic and YES QUITE MORONIC. we are distracted with entertainment and we give our consent to everything that this corrupt government does. I have BEEN to England and have talked and hung out with just about every class of citizen there(except for royalty) and the Britts are pretty well educated and KNOW EXACTLY what is going on in the world today.
I think the clip was funny as hell and saddening all at the same time.
We as a country can be offended by this and say that those people who made that little snippet are only posting the clips with the wrong answers to very easy questions, but you have to think,though, that they are going out and talking to the average citizen on the street. Maybe some got the answers correct, but as you saw most got them wrong. Of course we need to get our news source somewhere that is fair and balanced, mine is Public radio but even that is starting to be taken over by the right wing.
Peace,TWS

[SPJ]

http://www.slac.stanford.edu/library/nobel/

I used to know a lot of the stories of the winners.

--

Madame Currie was my favorite. She was a woman that exceled in science at a time that education for woman was limited.

even today, I heard that there is a bias against women scientists in terms of funding etc etc.

--

I read the biography of Nobel so many times when I was a kid.

triglyceride, TNT, or dynamite that is used for contruction or peace.

It is also used a weapon for war.

-

Man's fancy with bomb culminated in the "Manhatan project"

A-bomb, H-bomb, neutron bomb---

--

Nuclear power may be harnessed to generate power for household and industry.

Nuclear bombs may destroy the planet earth etc etc.

--

In my young mind of a 8 years old, I knew that people may do things for peaceful or destructive purpose.

--

:D

[Toby]

Calm down Becca. As Kung Lek said, it's satire. Look at the logo on the screen - CNNN. It's from a bunch of guys called "The Chaser (http://www.chaser.com.au/)". Satirists that like to take the piss out of all sides, as evidenced by their current TV show "The Chaser's War On Everything" (referencing the "War on Terror" obviously). It's actually a very funny show at times. They're currently some of the shining lights of Australian comedy. Not necessarily consistently the funniest, but definitely some of the more subversive and cleverest.

[Eddie]

only reason why the rest of the world are so hung up on America is only because we've spend our whole lives watching america and trying to follow in what ever they do. Suppose we all feel slightly inferior to the big cheese, hence our constant american bashing.

I practically grew up in america.... grewing up on american tv programs and all :cool:

[Becca]

Maybe some got the answers correct, but as you saw most got them wrong. Of course we need to get our news source somewhere that is fair and balanced, mine is Public radio but even that is starting to be taken over by the right wing.
Peace,TWS

Beg to differ. You have no way of knowing if most got the answers wrong, only that at least a few got it wrong. Do you like being labeled unobjective for being Liberal?

If I act like a moron, then call me one. Don't call me a moron because some un-named fellow American answered a question wrong.:rolleyes:

[Becca]

Calm down Becca. As Kung Lek said, it's satire. Look at the logo on the screen - CNNN. It's from a bunch of guys called "The Chaser (http://www.chaser.com.au/)". Satirists that like to take the **** out of all sides, as evidenced by their current TV show "The Chaser's War On Everything" (referencing the "War on Terror" obviously). It's actually a very funny show at times. They're currently some of the shining lights of Australian comedy. Not necessarily consistently the funniest, but definitely some of the more subversive and cleverest.
I've said from the first I thought the clip was funny, but not the additude of the comments following it. :rolleyes:

[WinterPalm]

only reason why the rest of the world are so hung up on America is only because we've spend our whole lives watching america and trying to follow in what ever they do. Suppose we all feel slightly inferior to the big cheese, hence our constant american bashing.

I practically grew up in america.... grewing up on american tv programs and all :cool:

That's a good point. I would add that the fact that they try and claim to be the best is the point that irks me. They are way down the list of ideal places in the world to live...certainly they have the strongest economic clout and military, but many other countries with way less in both departments have higher standard of living.

They may the best, but at what cost? And are they really the best? Their claim to fame globally is their military and they can't even use it effectively against a small nation like Iraq.

[SifuAbel]

Did anyone notice that the majority of stupid answers came from street people?

Are there stupid people in America? LOL! Oh yes, no shortage.

Is it fair to use this as a serious generalization? No.

Does it belong on a news network? No.

It is funny? Yes, Jay Leno does this all the time.

[Black Jack II]

Easy with the reflexive anti-Americanism, it comes across like mindless food for the so called intelligentsia who are anything but the elite they wish themselves to be. Your not obligated to like us, but people should stop using emotional factors and at least get there facts straight when posting bs.

America can stand on its own merits easy.

The U.S. takes in more immigration than most other nations would dare dream, they understand what we have to offer those who want to work to get that standard of living and shall we even touch the VAST amount of technology the U.S. has created and spread throughout the world.:cool:

Everything from inventing the telephone, curing tuberculosis, putting a man on the moon, the televison, the cat scan and MRI, breaking the sound barrier, the airplane, the computer, **** peeps....almost name it. This Republic has brought significant human achievement for the whole world to take part in.

If any country is going to cure aids I would be placing my bets with the U.S.

Plus shall we even bring up how much WEALTH America creates for the world economy and the VAST foreign aid it spreads.:cool:

I am not discrediting any other culture's achievements but pointing out the farce some of these posts hinted at, lets be real here, this country is as close to the pinnacle of being free as you can get.

[FuXnDajenariht]

inventing stuff is all fine and well but its more like "what have you done for me lately?" inventing useful things is still not qualification enough for being labeled the greatest nation in the world

the rest of the world is doing pretty fine in the wealth department by the way. can we even say we have the strongest economy anymore? is that even possible with a service industry based economy?

it could also be argued that not only do we have a not so great standard of living ourselves, but actively had a role in lowering that in other countries.

i think the Dutch have the freedom thing locked down pretty well to name just one.

[bakxierboxer]

Look, it just goes to show you that a good majority of the american populous are morons and have no idea what is going on in our world, they take what they see in the mainstream media(run by the right wing) and the newspapers(most run by the right wing) and it keeps americans apathetic and YES QUITE MORONIC.

Sorry dude, but the "mainstream media" is 90+% Democratic (and/or Socialist) by their own
statements/admissions.

[Toby]

Does it belong on a news network? No.FFS people, it's a comedy show. Not a news network. This particular clip targets America. Being it's an Australian show I guess it's an expensive proposition to send a camera crew to America compared to "interviewing" regular Australians on the street. I've seen umpteen similar ones targeting Australians.

[The Willow Sword]

If any country is going to cure aids I would be placing my bets with the U.S.


If any Country actually CREATED the VIRUS in the first place and spread it in 3rd world countries i would be placing MY bets on the United states.


The U.S. takes in more immigration than most other nations would dare dream, they understand what we have to offer those who want to work to get that standard of living and shall we even touch the VAST amount of technology the U.S. has created and spread throughout the world.

And yet the vast majority of the conservative american populous wants to build a fukin WALL and keep out the Mexicans who "Immigrate" to this country all the time to do the work that we as Americans wont do because we have this high and mighty standard for ourselves that we wouldnt dream of going out in a feild to pick strawberries and apples. We have a Homeless population in this country that would most likely want to do those jobs if they werent being given 20 dollar bills on the street by "concerned and generous citizens":rolleyes: the hypocracy and BS is at its best here.

Everything from inventing the telephone,

You know fuk Edison and what he and his cronies did to Nikola Tesla.

This Republic has brought significant human achievement for the whole world to take part in.
Oh yeah like the Korean War and Vietnam and Bombing the Japanese citizens in ww2 and 3mile island along with the highest rated violent crimes involving guns MORE so than ANY OTHER country in the world. Oh and let's not forget This President and his little vendetta with Iraq:rolleyes:

Oh and lets ALSO not forget the healthcare system in this country, what a monumental achievment that is:rolleyes:

Easy with the reflexive anti-Americanism

Easy with the "lets call everyone who disagrees with the current state of affairs in this country" Anti-American.

Its MORE American to disagree with and point out the failings of the government and system than it is to be a fukin sheep and blindly follow and eat what is spoon fed to us and have this Rosey high and mighty we are the greatest attitude, like the Nazis did along with the British royalty back in the days when they had control over EVERYTHING.

Peace,TWS

[Black Jack II]

If any Country actually CREATED the VIRUS in the first place and spread it in 3rd world countries i would be placing MY bets on the United states.

This statement above is like so many others why people think your a few cards shy of a deck.

Where do you get this bizzare nonsense....don't you have any commonsense that is not crapped out by a paranoid based webzine??

You have some serious issues dude with reality.

[FuXnDajenariht]

i never buy that Mexicans inherently want to do jobs that Americans refuse to or that Americans even refuse to do these jobs in the first place. most Americans just dont want to work for the slave wages that are forced on the Mexican immigrants.

i think alot of the blame can be placed on the employers who actively seek out immigrants and overlook American citizens so that they dont have to pay decent wages. thats just my opinion though, but i, like most people i know would shovel sh!t if i could make a living out of it. too bad the pay scale for the middle class is increasingly lowered even for careered professionals. why should someone go find a job picking fruit for 4 dollars an hour after being fed the "American dream" that if you only educate yourself "you too can own a home in the burbs with a white picket fence and a 2 car garage". so they put themselves in debt to get a degree and 10 years later their still struggling to pay rent for a 1 bedroom apartment and to pay medical bills to the point that easily curable ailments transform into debilitating diseases. i wouldn't blame them for not settling. why should a born and bred citizen do so in the so called land of opportunity.

my aunt died when her acid reflux degenerated into esophageal cancer for the same reasons i stated above. so i have personal experience as im sure most people unfortunately do in that matter..... but socialized anything is the ultimate crime against democracy right? :rolleyes:

im running off on a tangent though....

[Eddie]

That's a good point. I would add that the fact that they try and claim to be the best is the point that irks me. They are way down the list of ideal places in the world to live...certainly they have the strongest economic clout and military, but many other countries with way less in both departments have higher standard of living.

They may the best, but at what cost? And are they really the best? Their claim to fame globally is their military and they can't even use it effectively against a small nation like Iraq.

America / Canada, same difference ;). For us in the rest of the world, we dont see much difference between you two ;)

[sanjuro_ronin]

America / Canada, same difference ;). For us in the rest of the world, we dont see much difference between you two ;)

Actually, the rest of the world sees a HUGE difference between US, ask any tourist.

[Eddie]

not down here. these days you cant even distinguish between which movies or tv programs are Canadian and which are American. So, to simplify it all, we just refer to both as American ;)

sorry if that offends you ;)

[sanjuro_ronin]

not down here. these days you cant even distinguish between which movies or tv programs are Canadian and which are American. So, to simplify it all, we just refer to both as American ;)

sorry if that offends you ;)

Movies...:rolleyes:

[Eddie]

but thats where all of our american knowledge comes from. :)

if you'd know how many people down here speaks with american accents, or rather... try to speak with american accents, its just so funny. I once met a guy from Malawi, but he spoke with a heavy American accent. Typical gansta style and had the clothes, bling and attitude to match. I asked him where in America he was from, and it was only then when I found out he was Malawian :cool:

Canadians play Ice Hockey and Americans play Basket ball, right? Do Canadians play American Footbal too? Do you guys also have soccer, Cricket and rugby?

[sanjuro_ronin]

but thats where all of our american knowledge comes from. :)

if you'd know how many people down here speaks with american accents, or rather... try to speak with american accents, its just so funny. I once met a guy from Malawi, but he spoke with a heavy American accent. Typical gansta style and had the clothes, bling and attitude to match. I asked him where in America he was from, and it was only then when I found out he was Malawian :cool:

Canadians play Ice Hockey and Americans play Basket ball, right? Do Canadians play American Footbal too? Do you guys also have soccer, Cricket and rugby?

We even had indoor bathrooms !!
:D

[Becca]

Its MORE American to disagree with and point out the failings of the government and system than it is to be a fukin sheep and blindly follow and eat what is spoon fed to us and have this Rosey high and mighty we are the greatest attitude, like the Nazis did along with the British royalty back in the days when they had control over EVERYTHING.

Wow, all that in one sentence.:p

You are quite right, though. The idea of independence became full fledged rebellion because of Taxation Without Representation. The majority rules in this country, but we don't prevent those who disagree with the majority from expressing thier own veiws so long as they don't trample another person's rights.

That's not to say sertain people don't still trample other's rights- no country or person is perfect. But we do make changes when we see the need and we punish offenders to the best of our ability. Do some slip through the cracks? Yes. Do we, as a country make mistakes? Yes.

Is there any country in the world that doesn't? Nope.

Let them talk sh!t about my country; I don't care. Make that smak-talk personal to me for no good reason I will object.

[Eddie]

Let them talk sh!t about my country; I don't care. Make that smak-talk personal to me for no good reason I will object.

but thats my point. Impose television sanctions on the rest of the world and dont allow american films, music (ok that would actually be a blessing), and tv shows in any other country. That way we'd be stuck with BBC (actually i like bbc) and those funny Auzi programs (i still get nightmares from 'neighbours' and ' Pacific drive' or something like that). See how the world react to that.

We bash america. Just ignore us. We mean no harm ;)

[Becca]

We bash america. Just ignore us. We mean no harm ;)
Hate to tell you, but we bash others, too. I don't have any more tolerance for Americans who believe that kind of tripe than I do for citezens of other countries believing it of us. Make the jokes, my skin is thick, but be aware it is a joke...

I bash Boulerites regularly. I am also aware that 99% of people who live in Boulder, Colorado are not clueless, nut-case yuppies. You bash the U.S. Do you honestly believe your jokes to be true?

[Eddie]

perhaps you didnt get the tone behind my whole post ;)

[Lamassu]

Everything from inventing the telephone,

You know fuk Edison and what he and his cronies did to Nikola Tesla.


LOL, Easy tiger, I didn't know Tesla was your boy, man you guys must have been tight back in the day. :D Regardless of who jackknifed who, both Edison and Tesla were Americans and thus the telephone is an American invention.

Anyway like all countries, we have our plus and minuses, the reason the world looks in our direction is because we're the only superpower remaining after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and so we get the most attention. Of course, we're also on the receiving end of a lot of envy, and are judged more harshly than other countries. But don't worry though, I predict we'll lose our superpower status within our lifetimes and China will assume the mantle, just look at the current trends occuring in the political and economical aspects of the world.

[sanjuro_ronin]

the reason the world looks in our direction is because we're the only superpower remaining...

LOL !
Who looks in your direction ???

[Lamassu]

LOL !
Who looks in your direction ???

See what I mean about the envy? :p

[sanjuro_ronin]

See what I mean about the envy? :p

:D
I think that, when the US stood up for "whatever" during the Bosnian crisis, perhaps at that time, you would be correct.
The US image was quite excellent at that time, considering how most of europe sad on their asses in a pathetic display of "impotence".
Your current president has manged to RNC all the good that was done then.

[Lamassu]

:D
I think that, when the US stood up for "whatever" during the Bosnian crisis, perhaps at that time, you would be correct.
The US image was quite excellent at that time, considering how most of europe sad on their asses in a pathetic display of "impotence".
Your current president has manged to RNC all the good that was done then.

I don't dispute that, I'm very upset at our current president and his administration, but I'm even more upset at the American people for growing lazy, complacent and apathetic. We've grown too comfortable and soft in our plush lifestyle and our civil liberties are being raped because of it. Thomas Jefferson once said that the price of freedom, is eternal vigilance. He wasn't just referring to enemies outside our nation but to those inside that would and have corrupted our government.

BTW, when I said the world looks in our direction, I wasn't referring to everybody looking UP to us, but looking AT us.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Eternal VIGILANCE does not equate to loss of personal freedom, paranoia, or pre-emptive military action based on heresay and questionable intelligence.

But, what is done is done...looking forward and LEARNING from the past is always better than dwelling on it.

[Lamassu]

Eternal VIGILANCE does not equate to loss of personal freedom, paranoia, or pre-emptive military action based on heresay and questionable intelligence.

But it does. Our system of government is run with checks and balances, and when these checks and balances aren't implemented or circumvented through the martial art of "Legaleeze" then our nation suffers and bad things happen. Technically, we can't go to war unless our Congress, who represent the American people, declares war. There's nothing in the Constitution, however, that says the president can't simply send troops overseas and start a ruckus. Not to mention stripping us of our civil liberties in order to "protect" us from a spectral enemy who, in actuality, we've been fighting since the late 70's. These should be warning bells to the American people to be TRUE patriots and hold our elected representatives accountable, but it's easier to merely go with the flow and sing the National Anthem a little harder to prove we're god fearing Americans.

But, what is done is done...looking forward and LEARNING from the past is always better than dwelling on it.

You're preaching to the choir here, my friend.

[sanjuro_ronin]

To quote the Clintonator, " I feel your pain".
:D

[FuXnDajenariht]

We bash america. Just ignore us. We mean no harm ;)

you make it seem like peolpe bash America for no good reason. some criticism is legitimate and those are seriously problems that we only address when it starts affecting us personally as in the present.

it also sumtimes isn't simple mistakes but active manipulation. other countries do this all the time yes but we have the capacity to do it on a huge scale which brings much greater responsibility. basically if we want the moral highground we have to earn which we've been failing miserably to do.

[FuXnDajenariht]

:D
I think that, when the US stood up for "whatever" during the Bosnian crisis, perhaps at that time, you would be correct.
The US image was quite excellent at that time, considering how most of europe sad on their asses in a pathetic display of "impotence".
Your current president has manged to RNC all the good that was done then.


lol stood up...riiiight.

so who else here has heard that the bombings caused the genocide in Bosnia instead of the other way around.....?

[FuXnDajenariht]

But it does. Our system of government is run with checks and balances, and when these checks and balances aren't implemented or circumvented through the martial art of "Legaleeze" then our nation suffers and bad things happen. Technically, we can't go to war unless our Congress, who represent the American people, declares war. There's nothing in the Constitution, however, that says the president can't simply send troops overseas and start a ruckus. Not to mention stripping us of our civil liberties in order to "protect" us from a spectral enemy who, in actuality, we've been fighting since the late 70's. These should be warning bells to the American people to be TRUE patriots and hold our elected representatives accountable, but it's easier to merely go with the flow and sing the National Anthem a little harder to prove we're god fearing Americans.



You're preaching to the choir here, my friend.


There are dozens of things in International law preventing this. the very laws we helped establish and were to be answerable to.

but it seems things like that dont apply to the US.....

[Eddie]

in school, when the good kids did something wrong, we were always making a big thing about it, because its not something you'd expect from them. We approach politics in the same immature way.

but i mean, we're all american. :cool: arent we?

I bet if your president goes to all those 'bashers', even some of the most hardcore and most outspoken people and offered them US citizenship in exchange for his vote, Im sure they'll all jump for the oppertunity. I think I will. I mean who cares about people dying for diamonds in africa, oil in afganistan, and other things in some countries we dont even know about, if you get a shot at living the 'american dream' :eek:

[sanjuro_ronin]

lol stood up...riiiight.

so who else here has heard that the bombings caused the genocide in Bosnia instead of the other way around.....?

I was there, as a peackeeper from 97-98.
No.

[The Willow Sword]

LOL, Easy tiger, I didn't know Tesla was your boy, man you guys must have been tight back in the day. Regardless of who jackknifed who, both Edison and Tesla were Americans and thus the telephone is an American invention.

Yo Man you got it right ON!! The "T-Dawg" IS my Home boy Biiiaatchhh!! Tha Coil is tha sh!t!! If brotha hadnt been jacked up by edison and his capitolizin @ss we would have FREE, yes FREE electricity for ALL. you needs to check yoself Lammasu and give respec where its due, Mahthah Fuggah!!

:DTWS

[Lamassu]

LOL, that's hilarious TWS! :D