|
| Thread: Americans, Embrace Your Superiority |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 · NEXT» |
|
Khayman
Promising
Famous Hero
Underachiever
|
posted October 26, 2004 08:03 AM |
|
|
Americans, Embrace Your Superiority
Nothing like firing-up the International Heroes Community, along with all those guilt-ridden, shameful Americans who claim to be so embarrassed of their country's actions.
Here is my advice to my fellow Americans who are reading this:
Stop feeling sorry for other less fortunate countries and stop apologizing for the actions of the United States. Do you think that any of those countries or its citizens would come to the aid of the United States in a time of need? Do you believe that if the United States was to fall from power and its borders became undefended, that other countries would not be lining-up to take over our land and resources? Right now, you Americans are at the top of the food chain. Embrace it, revel in it, and enjoy it while it lasts, because as history has shown us, no civilization or world power can stay on top forever. It is the vicious cycle of the rise and fall of nations, and just like the moon, that reign waxes and it wanes.
I want you all to ask yourselves these questions...
1. Before you lay your head down to sleep at night, what are your final thoughts (or prayers, if you pray)? Do you think of your loved ones? Do you think about those overdue bills you somehow have to pay? Do you think about world peace?
2. How many people do you know in your neighborhood? Are you concerned for their well-being? Are you more concerned for the well-being of people outside of your country that you are for your next door neighbor?
3. Would you be willing to trade all of your rights and luxuries to fight for a cause in which you so desperately believed? Would you quit your job to join the Peace Corps or a humanitarian effort to help those innocent casualties of war? Better yet, would you use a week of your vacation to travel to a foreign country to aid their disaster victims?
4. Does peer pressure still rule your lives? Do you really care that much about how someone 3,000 miles away feels about you? Is your concern for others' feelings so great that it affects your every action? Are you your own person?
Americans, please stop kidding yourselves with your bleeding-heart, holier-than-thou, 'my government is evil and I am so sorry for it' attitudes. As you are reading this right now, you probaby have between 40 to 60 years of your life remaining. That may seem like a long time, but trust me, the older you get, then faster time passes. You will be at the end of your lifetime before you know it, with more regrets than not about all those things you wanted to do and experience in your lifetime. Stop spending your precious time feeling guilty about issues that hold virtually no meaning in your everyday life. There is a difference between being sympathetic and just plain pathetic.
Right now, you live in the greatest and most powerful country in the world. Everyone already despises you as a result of this. Embrace your economic and military superiority while it lasts. Enjoy your high standards of living while you can. Somebody has got to be on top of this unpredictable world. Of course it's not fair, but nothing in life is fair, so if you are feeling guilty about what you have, then may the shame be on you.
____________
"You must gather your party before venturing forth."
|
|
tyler
Known Hero
|
posted October 26, 2004 11:45 AM |
|
|
Dont even go there !
____________
Sir, we are surrounded! Excellent, now we can attack in any direction!
|
|
TitaniumAlloy
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Professional
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 12:01 PM |
|
|
Quote:
Dont even go there !
^^
but no really, *sigh*... patriots...
____________
John says to live above hell.
|
|
Vlaad
Admirable
Legendary Hero
ghost of the past
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 12:07 PM |
|
|
|
terje_the_ma...
Responsible
Supreme Hero
Disciple of Herodotus
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 02:19 PM |
|
|
Quote:
2. How many people do you know in your neighborhood? Are you concerned for their well-being? Are you more concerned for the well-being of people outside of your country that you are for your next door neighbor?
I just felt I had to comment on this...
If you have good enough living conditions that you can afford to care about other human beings who suffer a long way from your home, you probably live in a neighbourhood were the living conditions are equally high... And the psychological concerns of suburban Americans are nothing compared to the life people in some other parts of the world are forced to live.
Sympathy is a human feeling (unless you are a great fan of Friedrich Nietzsche, of course...), so suppressing it will cause as much damage as suppressing any other feelings you may have.
____________
"Sometimes I think everyone's just pretending to be brave, and none of us really are. Maybe pretending to be brave is how you get brave, I don't know."
- Grenn, A Storm of Swords.
|
|
pitsu
Adventuring Hero
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 02:44 PM |
|
|
In Brief: Khayman the modern hippy says: "enjoy todays rights and luxuries and do not care about the rest" To highlight the differences from classical hippies, the modern motto is "yes, war! yes, love!"
Almost got an heart attack. seriously.
____________
|
|
Khayman
Promising
Famous Hero
Underachiever
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 03:11 PM |
|
|
Tyler boldly wrote:Quote:
Dont even go there !
Thank you for the advice. Now, here is some advice for you...
If you are reading this then this warning is for you.
Every word you read of this is useless fine print is another second off your life.
Don't you have other things to do?
Is your life so empty that you honestly can't think of a better way to spend these moments?
Or are you so impressed with authority that you give respect and credence to all who claim it?
Do you read everything you're supposed to read?
Do you think everything you're supposed to think?
Buy what you're told you should want?
Get out of your apartment.
Meet a member of the opposite sex.
Stop the excessive shopping and masturbation.
Quit your job.
Start a fight.
Prove you're alive.
If you don't claim your humanity you will become a statistic.
You have been warned.......Khayman
Titanium Alloy responded:Quote:
but no really, *sigh*... patriots...
Check out this quote...
"I believe the world is round and down under is on top" -Fosters
Spoken like a true patriot. Too bad Howard does not subscribe to Fosters slogan, otherwise American culture and its political influence would cease to infiltrate your land down under.
Vlaad wrote:Quote:
LOL
I would have expected a much more insightful response, especially from an English teacher in Serbia.
Terje wrote:Quote:
Quote:
2. How many people do you know in your neighborhood? Are you concerned for their well-being? Are you more concerned for the well-being of people outside of your country that you are for your next door neighbor?
I just felt I had to comment on this...
If you have good enough living conditions that you can afford to care about other human beings who suffer a long way from your home, you probably live in a neighbourhood were the living conditions are equally high... And the psychological concerns of suburban Americans are nothing compared to the life people in some other parts of the world are forced to live.
Sympathy is a human feeling (unless you are a great fan of Friedrich Nietzsche, of course...), so suppressing it will cause as much damage as suppressing any other feelings you may have.
Finally, I have elicited an educated response. Your comments ring with truth more than you imagine.
Americans have this innate desire to fabricate guilt in order to make themselves feel better about their own pathetic lives. For example, "I have so much, and other people have so little; therefore, I feel so bad for others." Well, if you really feel so bad for others and this feeling of guilt is so important to your well being, then why don't you take the necessary actions to relieve your guilty conscience? The reason that no action is taken is because Americans want to feel guilty about something in order to give their lives meaning. If Americans were truly serious about their sympathetic beliefs and proclamations, then you would see more Americans foregoing the luxuries in their lives (whether those luxuries be time, materials, or money) in order to make a difference.
My urge is for Americans to stop creating this false sympathy. Unless they are willing to take action upon these guilty feelings, they are only fooling themselves into thinking that they actually care about the plight of others.
____________
"You must gather your party before venturing forth."
|
|
TitaniumAlloy
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Professional
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 03:16 PM |
|
|
Quote:
Spoken like a true patriot. Too bad Howard does not subscribe to Fosters slogan, otherwise American culture and its political influence would cease to infiltrate your land down under.
but the patriot who said that wasnt me  i think that the quote is funny. i dont even live in australia!
youre right about what youd said about howard... can you say george bush's puppet?
leaving with another line from the wise crack we call fosters:
"I fight wars, but I don't start wars."
____________
John says to live above hell.
|
|
Consis
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Of Ruby
|
posted October 26, 2004 03:28 PM |
|
|
Hmm,
I really do enjoy all the things america has done for the world. That's really how I see things. I like some countries more than others based on a purely personal level but I don't let those personal feelings distract me from man/woman kind itself. You can quite literally look to every country in the world and find a historical account of a man or woman who has become a leader of peace and progress. Whether this country(america) is above the others, I'd really more closely say it has made a more successful economy than most. No one could ever create a more successful economy than Germany-WWII, but it was very flawed with their civil indignations.
The way I see it, the way a Nobel Peace prize comittee might see it, people are all in this world together. Advances in different areas come from different people from all around the world. No one can predict the birth of a Gandhi, Einstein, Disney, Lincoln, Churchill, Mandela, Marx, Edison, and many others. Human beings can come together across great distances, bridge the cultural gap, and open themselves up to a new understanding of life on this planet. No single country could ever claim authority over all others, and no single country could ever claim to be the only 'right' place to live. It's really a great wide world and we are all only quite a little a fellow.
____________
Roses Are Red And So Am I
|
|
terje_the_ma...
Responsible
Supreme Hero
Disciple of Herodotus
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 03:43 PM |
|
|
Imo, the only thing that's "superior" about the US today is its military forces.
But hey, look who's talking! Norway doesn't even have that! 
____________
"Sometimes I think everyone's just pretending to be brave, and none of us really are. Maybe pretending to be brave is how you get brave, I don't know."
- Grenn, A Storm of Swords.
|
|
rychenroller
Promising
Supreme Hero
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 03:47 PM |
|
|
Quote:
Spoken like a true patriot. Too bad Howard does not subscribe to Fosters slogan, otherwise American culture and its political influence would cease to infiltrate your land down under.
Sad but true, we are becoming (have become) one of the most Americanised nations in the world. Australia is, or was one of the most unique identities, especially for a country only just over 200 years old.
Just get to need to get that damned yes man out of office, nothing wrong with forming alliances, preferential trade agreements but to see Howard follow Bush like a ***** in heat is pretty embarrassing. Its also sad to see that he represents the majority of Australians, having won the recent election comfortably.
I've nothing against America/most Americans but I'd rather us be us, not you.
EDIT: Self-censor next time.
- Wolfman
____________
Myctteakyshd
|
|
csarmi
Supreme Hero
gets back
|
|
posted October 26, 2004 04:12 PM |
|
|
In reply to #1
Now that's honest and straightforward. I enjoyed it.
Sorry I can't follow your advice. I don't even have to. I am not an american :-)
You know what? I enjoy it.
|
|
Svarog
Honorable
Supreme Hero
statue-loving necrophiliac
|
|
posted October 27, 2004 02:48 PM |
|
|
You know Khayman, I can argue with you about each and every action Bush takes, criticize his every solution, manipulate with economic and political terms, but the reason why I cant prove you anything (or vice versa) is precisely extracted in your post. The raw philosophy behind all your reasoning, which is symmetrically opposite to mine. This conviction can hardly be changed with any kind of arguments since philosophical viewpoints are essentially subjective. However, I wont spare you from that, even though I know in advance it’s a no win situation.
Why cant the “vicious cycle of rise and fall” be turned into a fair and competitive coexistence? There was a XIX Macedonian revolutionary, Goce Delchev, who at one occasion said: “I understand the world as a field for cultural competition among the peoples.” This is far from the gladiator arena you seem to imagine. It is not just about USA. You’re right that historically powerful nations have always struggled to get more out of their superior position, stepping over the bones and blood of their victims. However, you mustnt forget the willingness of almost all people for a peaceful coexistence. Then the absurdity is evident. But don’t forget one thing – the world is always what we make out of it. There always have been individuals or groups manipulating the masses into wars and rivalries for the sake of pursuing their own interests, but there have also been cooperative initiatives, which have brought uncomparibly more good than the advocated antagonisms.
Therefore, we must struggle, I mean struggle as hard as possible, to establish a framework of rights and responsibilities for the nations of the world and by the nations of the world. I didn’t accidentally put it the way it sounds. Remember how hard it was for early republics to create the sense of obligation towards democratic conscience. But still, they made it. Today, the animal spirits (beastly more correctly) don’t rule our society on microlevel. There are laws, and theres protection for the weaker, punishment for the aggressors. Don’t tell me that you reject this order too and prefer a slave system, cause that’s exactly what your philosophy tends to.
It’s easy when you’re on top of the food chain, as you say, to revel in the superiority it secures. But I would ask you, would you have this philosophy if you lived in Ethiopia for example? Hell no! The oppressed are always the most interested for a revolution, but there are also reasonable number of individuals with enough empathy and sense of righteousness on the oppressing side; that proving, it is possible otherwise. Not easy, but possible. Only if the people had the collective consciousness for it. But still, they assume the impossibility of such a feat, without even having the willingness for that.
Sure, caring for your close ones is more important than caring for world peace, but the catch is they are not mutually exclusive as you want to present them. The well-being of other people, even on the other side of the globe, directly affects all of us, and sooner or later you will have to face the consequences of your irresponsible and despotic behavior, be it a social revolution or an all out world war.
Otherwise, you’re somewhat right about the hypocrisy of many who assume they care about world peace. But still, preventing the generation of the problem is better than hopelessly trying to heal the wounds that constantly bleed. Humanitarian efforts cant solve anything and require a lot of sacrifices. Why, when all it takes is just having the right values (or should I say the left values ) and casting the right vote in the ballot. (i don’t even slightly consider the US election to be in this context for the record) I do believe in the honest intention of all people that what they want is peace, but they often fail to pick the way that gives desired results and instead act counterproductively. I blame the oppressive regimes everywhere for this (ideological oppression, that is), their false ideologies we’re hostage to, and also those people who understand how the system works and still serve it, just because they have personal interests vested in its injustices.
Oh, did I mention I also blame USA? 
____________
The meek shall inherit the earth, but NOT its mineral rights.
|
|
bjorn190
Responsible
Supreme Hero
Jebus maker
|
|
posted October 27, 2004 03:25 PM |
|
|
Quote:
I really do enjoy all the things america has done for the world. That's really how I see things.
Hmm.. all of them? weird. I guess I would be more selective.
I don't enjoy the genocide of native americans during the colonisation of the US, or the rasism of the early 20th century with all the hangings and stuff, or the earlier slavery. Don't really like the ace of spades left by US special forces on murdered vietnamese civilians during the vietnam war, or that the US still hasn't signed the Kyoto protocol.
I think there are alot of great things about america, but how can someone enjoy all the things america has done for the world? Must be some sort of sadist to enjoy that shiat. :/
Oh yea, and don't forget selling weapons to Iraq and Iran at the same time during the Iran-Iraq war, and CIA training the taliban to be good terrorists, installing and supporting various dictators around the world, like Pinochet.
Do you really enjoy all these things or are you:
a. not educated enough to know about them.
b. chosing to ignore history for blind patriotism.
c. a person who really enjoys stuff like that.
I'm hoping for a mix between a and b.
People who are blind to the atrocities of regimes are the source of their power. The more people that claim historical atrocities to be untrue, or simply ignore them, the worse the world will be. I know that it's natural to like ones country, but there's no excuse for standing silent or cheering on when the strong hurt the weak just because they can.
I do like the original intent in the constitution, the democratic attemt, the ability to better itself as a nation, signing the emancipation act, allowing M.L.King to live until he got shot, having an outspoken intent to promote freedom and human rights for everyone, the good echonomy, and the internet, TV, Hollywood movies and other forms of entertainment.
But the US is still a very flawed country. Some parts are amazing, some parts are bad, and some parts are diabolical and should really be tended to rather than ignored.
In summary: Great country, great intentions, but you can't honestly like ALL the things it's done for the world, because its done really good things and really horrible things.
|
|
Consis
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Of Ruby
|
posted October 27, 2004 03:26 PM |
|
Edited By: Consis on 27 Oct 2004
|
Uh....
No not really. I simply enjoy many of the contributions this country has made to the world. Many other countries have made equally important contributions. No country is perfect. What's important is that the people deal with the problems as they present themselves. That's all anyone can humanly do. I think perspectives should maintain objectivity and determination. Perhaps I should have been more specific. Oh well, can't please everyone.
____________
Roses Are RedAnd So Am I
|
|
bjorn190
Responsible
Supreme Hero
Jebus maker
|
|
posted October 27, 2004 03:37 PM |
|
|
lol ok 
I guess I was reading it to litterally. Still, can find plenty of stuff in my post that I think few americans know about. Dang, otherwise I'd delete it
|
|
bjorn190
Responsible
Supreme Hero
Jebus maker
|
|
posted October 27, 2004 03:47 PM |
|
|
Btw, if you wanna find out more about september 11 and chile, would be cool to read this: http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8i.htm
a quote from it: "Revelations that President Richard Nixon had ordered the CIA to "make the economy scream" in Chile to "prevent Allende from coming to power or to unseat him," prompted a major scandal in the mid-1970s, and a major investigation by the U.S. Senate. Since the coup, however, few U.S. documents relating to Chile have been actually declassified- -until recently. Through Freedom of Information Act requests, and other avenues of declassification, the National Security Archive has been able to compile a collection of declassified records that shed light on events in Chile between 1970 and 1976."
-------------------------------------------------------
Was it really a weird coincidence that the jets where hijacked and crashed on the exact date of september 11, which is like a 1/365 chance, or was it some sort of correlation between the horrible terrorist act and the CIA supported coup 28 years earlier in Chile? Who knows. Sept. 11 is still a pretty bad day and usually makes people sad.
|
|
Sir_Stiven
Honorable
Legendary Hero
banned
|
|
posted October 27, 2004 05:45 PM |
|
|
Hi, im khayman..just done my patriotic post for the month. Now im waiting for pacemaker to give me another lollipop.
|
|
Khayman
Promising
Famous Hero
Underachiever
|
|
posted October 27, 2004 06:03 PM |
|
|
Sir_Stiven wrote:Quote:
Hi, im khayman..just done my patriotic post for the month. Now im waiting for pacemaker to give me another lollipop.
...and she does have some mighty fine lollipops!
Svarog, I am looking forward to responding to your post. I have to run a few errands, then I have class later, but I have some things for you to think about as well.
By the way...Free Tibet!
____________
"You must gather your party before venturing forth."
|
|
doomfreak
Famous Hero
The Crispinator
|
|
posted October 28, 2004 05:56 AM |
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Spoken like a true patriot. Too bad Howard does not subscribe to Fosters slogan, otherwise American culture and its political influence would cease to infiltrate your land down under.
Sad but true, we are becoming (have become) one of the most Americanised nations in the world. Australia is, or was one of the most unique identities, especially for a country only just over 200 years old.
Just get to need to get that damned yes man out of office, nothing wrong with forming alliances, preferential trade agreements but to see Howard follow Bush like a ***** in heat is pretty embarrassing. Its also sad to see that he represents the majority of Australians, having won the recent election comfortably.
I've nothing against America/most Americans but I'd rather us be us, not you.
EDIT: Self-censor next time.
- Wolfman
If we keep becoming more americanised at the current rate, we might as well call ourselves America Down Under....
____________
Holden means a great deal to Australia...
|
| |
|
|
