Having worked at the Sydney Olympics, I might add that this same instructions applied then. Americans were told to avoid any political discussions, to travel in small groups, etc, etc. They were reminded that Australians were Socialists, and it was best to avoid any confrontation! I wonder if they tell the US Special Forces in Afganistan that the Australian SAS are a bunch of Socialists that might not be quite trustworthy…
The previous article about the sprinters pretty much said it all. Hubris.
Not all the world has the same attitude as displayed by these, and several other American athletes during the games. Not all of it made the papers in such a grandiose manner.
Also notable was the tight basketball game between “Dream Team” 3(?) and Cuba (?) when the local audience, mostly Australians was cheering for the “other” side. The Americans were shocked, outraged, we were supposed to be their friends! How could Australia be so vile as to actually barrack for a non-american team! HA! Hubris.
Just a clue to the psyche, when the American Rugby team comes to town, they are treated like kings! The toast of the town. And they can’t even get points on the board. Wait, they did beat Japan…
So, political and security issues aside, important that they are, good taste, sportsmanship and humility should not be discounted when performing on a world stage. Its not all about the USA.
For example, I wrote you off as some hate monger, yet I was wrong, and you appear to be a quality bloke.
Nope, no monging here. I have strong opinions, sure. And I’m quite upset about the whole islamic thing- as well I should be.
Also, I come from an unpopular viewpoint. That’s ok, I accept that. I try to present what I find to be true, through research, etc. Not all of it is pretty, but that’s the nature of truth far too often.
I should note that half the time, I’m simply trying to get the goat of people. Humor & absurdity tends to awake.
International discussion, ha? Here we go again with the goode olde “US vs. the rest”…kind of reminds you of the “my school vs. your school”, dudn’t it?..
That topic is irrelevant and should not be discussed anymore among smart (or any) people like yourselves. I think T’ai Ji Monkey hit the target by pointing out that there really are no national boundaries anymore, not at least as clearly, when it comes to money. MONEEE is MUCH more important than nationalities in this world of ours…
By the way, the anti-American sentiment is not nearly as rampant as the media would have you think. Someone pointed out earlier in this thread that most people are not that hard-working when it comes to thinking (not in those words; I polished it a little ). I believe that to be true, but there are still plenty of people who actually laugh at 99% of all media. Media are run by people, and as you would know, some of them are not that hard-working when it comes to thinking, either. Them peoples is people everywhere..
Plus media have their own agendas which sometimes have very little to do with humanity, justice, fairness or especially “the truth”. When you don’t think too hard but love the money - no matter where it comes from - the results ain’t pretty.
I remeber that presentation ceremony…I was as surprised as the rest of the world to see those athletes being so derisive.
No one could offer defense or an excuse for that behavior.
Thanks Zim & Yum Cha for perspective. Also for mentioning Al Gore’s providence, I was going to throw that in but forgot, dang it.
CSN, I didn’t know about the flag protocol, that sucks.
Tai Ji Monkey, I’m sorry to be so defensive. It’s a hard time to be an American. I don’t feel like the rest of the world owes us anything. Other people’s perspective might not reveal that even though the American people are supposed to rule the government, the government does what it’s going to do sometimes regardless of what the people think is right.
“The time for unilateral actions and decisions is gone, future presoperity and peace needs to rely on cop-operation and working together to solve problems.”
Translation: Please make sure your actions are in our best interests. If they are not, then you’re not allowed to it because it’s just not fair. :rolleyes:
Any one else notice how ZIM’s avitar sort’a sums up the whole topic of poitics for most on this forum? We just keep kicking at each other, watching others fall, and get kicked in the butt ourselve 'cause we were to busy gloating over our own actions/comments, to realize we are showing our a$$ to someone else. And it is a visious circle which will never end untill we choose to stop kicking at each other.
Originally posted by Ford Prefect
Translation: Please make sure your actions are in our best interests. If they are not, then you’re not allowed to it because it’s just not fair. :rolleyes:
Another person with reading and thinking problems.
Let the US do it all alone and see how far she goes, economciall and cultural.
I hear they are already talking of sending the troops from South Korea to Iraq in order to sort the situation, thought those troops were needed badly there to prevent the North from attacking/invading the South??
Originally posted by Becca
[B]Any one else notice how ZIM’s avitar sort’a sums up the whole topic of poitics for most on this forum? We just keep kicking at each other, watching others fall, and get kicked in the butt ourselve 'cause we were to busy gloating over our own actions/comments, to realize we are showing our a$$ to someone else. And it is a visious circle which will never end untill we choose to stop kicking at each other.
Another person with reading and thinking problems.
Let the US do it all alone and see how far she goes, economciall and cultural.
I hear they are already talking of sending the troops from South Korea to Iraq in order to sort the situation, thought those troops were needed badly there to prevent the North from attacking/invading the South??
Why not the Troops in Japan?? [/B]
lol! So me, a civilian completely unconnected to the current US President’s Administration or the Pentagon, speculating about reasons behind troop movements is going to prove what exactly?
And I’m the one with thinking problems… :rolleyes:
And yes, the US has always needed aid from other countries econimcally, culturally, and militarily. Maybe around 1800… Again :rolleyes:
Originally posted by Ford Prefect
And I’m the one with thinking problems… :rolleyes:
South Korea = 37.000 US Troops used as a deterent to the North Koreans.
Japan = 45.000 US Troops, sitting around oggling japanese teens and getting drunk.
Which 3.600 US Troops would you send to Iraq??
For me the answer is obvious, but I guess I don’t think like an American.
And yes, the US has always needed aid from other countries econimcally, culturally, and militarily. Maybe around 1800… Again :rolleyes:
Right now it looks like the US could use quiet a bit of military help, stretch the US troops too thin and …
How much longer can the US economy support the increasing costs of the current military action, increased security, more US workers in the field and not at the workplace.
[b] South Korea = 37.000 US Troops used as a deterent to the North Koreans.
Japan = 45.000 US Troops, sitting around oggling japanese teens and getting drunk.
Which 3.600 US Troops would you send to Iraq??
For me the answer is obvious, but I guess I don’t think like an American.
[/b]
See? Why bother paying the JCOS and other high-ranking, experienced military personnel when we have t’ai ji monkey here to give the US government military advice? It has to be as simple as you’re making it out to be. :rolleyes:
[b] Right now it looks like the US could use quiet a bit of military help, stretch the US troops too thin and …
How much longer can the US economy support the increasing costs of the current military action, increased security, more US workers in the field and not at the workplace.
[/b]
Sharing the burden militarily would most certainly make it easier. Some time’s the easy way isn’t always the best way though.
The economy seems to be doing fine to me. The markets are rebounding and jobs are being created. I work for a small software company, one of the hardest areas hit by the recession, and even we have been profitable the last few quarters and are hiring again. The US GDP can handle a few hundred billion for a few years. No problem at all.
The ridiculous thing about all this is, is that the Americans can’t seem to see that it is always, the rest vs. the us. This seems odd to me, sort of like, ‘I’m not crazy, the world is crazy’ or “we’re not the bad guys, everybody else is” mentality.
Not really, Winter Palm. When American goals are in the best interests of a nation, then they support the US. If they aren’t in line, like the recent iraq war, then they will oppose the US. The same can be said about America and other nation’s actions.
It doesn’t take a bright person to realize that a country generally acts in what’s in its own best interests and not what benefits humanity. I’m surprised you’d even bring something that silly up. It kind of speaks for itself.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2004
Statement From United States Olympic Committee
Chief Executive Jim Scherr Regarding U.S. Athletes
Celebrating with the American Flag at the Athens Olympic And Paralympic Games
"The United States Olympic Committee wants to make it absolutely clear that we have not – and will not – instruct our athletes to refrain from waving the United States flag during the upcoming Athens Olympic and Paralympic Games. Any suggestions or statements to the contrary do not reflect the official position of our organization.
Athletes will be free, as always, to celebrate their performances in an exuberant, respectful way during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We will remind our athletes that they are guests of the Olympic movement, Greece, and the city of Athens and to be good ambassadors of our country, their communities, families and sports. We want our athletes to be champions who conduct themselves with class and, if it is the case, to lose with grace and dignity. Additionally, we are reminding them to treat the United States flag with the respect it deserves.
One of the proudest moments of my life was to put on my USA warm-up and represent my country at the 1988 Olympic Games. I know our athletes feel the same way today and we will not in any way infringe upon that honor.
Accomplishments of athletes and teams such as the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team, the great Billy Mills, swimming legend Janet Evans and countless others have inspired our nation. We are certain that the athletes who represent the United States at the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games will do the same."
The ridiculous thing about all this is, is that the Americans can’t seem to see that it is always, the rest vs. the us. This seems odd to me, sort of like, ‘I’m not crazy, the world is crazy’ or “we’re not the bad guys, everybody else is” mentality.
Thats a hasty genrelization. I think we need help because or pres. has dug a hole too deep to get out of so he’s trying to dig to the other side. Quotes like the one you spoutted is wrong and unjustified. I, an American, know that bush has fuct us over and now it is us vs. everyone else. He took us to war against UNs wishes and know he’s singing the “Help Me” song.
I could be an assh@le and spout relatively the same unjustified crap you spouted about canadians. I’m above that. Just rethink your theory and relize Americans aren’t Lemmings. We do have minds of our own.
Originally posted by WinterPalm The ridiculous thing about all this is, is that the Americans can’t seem to see that it is always, the rest vs. the us. This seems odd to me, sort of like, ‘I’m not crazy, the world is crazy’ or “we’re not the bad guys, everybody else is” mentality.
Irony is were someone who takes no action to suport thier point-of-veiw feels free to lamblst those who do. There is an interesting quote I read along time ago:
Wisdome comes from experience.
Experience comes from success and occasional failure.
Success and failure come from doing.
Become wise… Go Do Something!
Humor & absurdity tends to awake.
