Thread: An alternative view of the USA & some other countries

Originally Posted by Ramil

Have they stopped taking bribes in the Senate and the Congress? They're all right, aren't they?

Hey, lobbyism is legal in USA, didn't you know?

Originally Posted by it-ogo

Hey, lobbyism is legal in USA, didn't you know?

Well that too. ))) Official bribes are the best. Still I wasn't talking about these.

chaika, you may find this interesting:
Congressional Culture of Bribes

There's but one thing about the American society that I can't bring myself to admire: their ignorance of their own greatness. Most Americans wholeheartedly believe that they are great, without knowing exactly why. Ask average Americans if they've ever heard of William Faulkner, or Richard Feynman, or Bobby Fischer. Few people might have a vague idea, while those guys were absolutely the best ones in their area of expertise.

Russians, on the other hand, are much more conscious of their pluses and minuses. Their contribution to science, art, sports, etc is no less than Americans'; the difference is, Russians are aware of it. Their criticism of their own setbacks is harsh and severe (especially in matters dealing with politics), but they're also truly proud of their national identity.

In America, it looks like following the orders: you believe that you're great, just because that's what you are told to do. Or rather, that's what everybody does without knowing why.

National Consciousness. I suppose this is ultimately what makes a nation a Nation.

Plus, the normal view seems to be that anyone who doesn't love and adore the USA is "brainwashed" and must explain themselves.

While it's perfectly ok to throw around the most outrageous, exaggerated and hateful comments about other countries (interestingly the ones that the USA don't like is suspicious against...)

If you ask me, that's a perfect example of very successful brainwashing!

Ramil, yes, much better than yours. Let me know when you find a link to a bribe scandal in Congress.

2 secs of googling revealed this link:
Congressman Admits Taking Bribes, Resigns - washingtonpost.com

I could dig up more, still I'm sure you can do it yourself, just type 'bribes in congress' in the search field.
And I should probably point out that this scandal hapenned because somebody got actually caught. They don't take bribes and announce the fact from the highest balcony in Washington, so I'm practically sure that the practice exists.

Originally Posted by Misha Tal

National Consciousness. I suppose this is ultimately what makes a nation a Nation.

What nation?

Originally Posted by Misha Tal

There's but one thing about the American society that I can't bring myself to admire: their ignorance

Put a period here.

Don't be silly Croc! And any brainwashing you recieved in the USSR seems to have been reversed, to the exact opposite, so it can't have been very good!

Why should I be brainwashed? There was some mildly socialist stuff going on when I was a kid, but nothing compared to the USSR for example.
If they didn't get to you, then they surely didn't get to me! Some of that socialist stuff was pretty darn irritating, come to think about it.
It puts you OFF, if anything.

And note: I have no issue with Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan etc... They don't do any of the aggressive things that the USA do!

Plus, like I said, I really like American people (just a shame they are so brainwashed!!)

Originally Posted by Hanna

Don't be silly Croc! And any brainwashing you recieved in the USSR seems to have been reversed, to the exact opposite, so it can't have been very good!

Ok, so re-phrasing what Ramil likes to say about the democracy and freedom, at least I realize I am brainwashed too. And since you don't, that makes you much more severely brainwashed.

Originally Posted by Hanna

Why should I be brainwashed?

Because, the only way you can't be brainwashed is when you start judging using your own experience. Then you would be subjective, but not brainwashed. As of now, you just repeat what other people say with the logical stresses that other people make. Sometimes, you have admitted a couple of times, you can't even repeat the logic of the other people, only remembering they were convincing.

Originally Posted by Hanna

There was some mildly socialist stuff going on when I was a kid, but nothing compared to the USSR for example.

Ok, so let's go back to our example with the USA. You mentioned [with heat] a couple of times you hate the US's military bases all across Europe. What have those bases ever done to you [as a kid]? Were the military personnel used to destroy your sand box with their military boots?

Originally Posted by Hanna

And note: I have no issue with Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan etc... They don't do any of the aggressive things that the USA do!

That's just because you were brainwashed differently. For example, N. Korea & China perceive Japan as an aggressor. Also, do you know that Russia is still formally at war with Japan over the islands? The military actions could technically resume at any moment.

Originally Posted by Hanna

Plus, like I said, I really like American people (just a shame they are so brainwashed!!)

I'm pretty sure American people would gladly accept your highly intellectual and unbiased pity.

I could easily write another ten great things about the USA.
But it sounds like you are determined to believe that I am brainwashed instead of considering the possibility that I siimply have some valid objections about US foreign policy based on undisputable facts...

So, I challenge you Crocodile!

Write ten good things about Russia or the USSR (pick either!)

Originally Posted by Hanna

Write ten good things about Russia or the USSR (pick either!)

Top 10 great things about the USSR:
Baikal
Rockets
Yenisei dam
Ballet
Vodka
Balalaika
Bears
Matroska
Cultural melting pot
Lots of great literature

Originally Posted by it-ogo

Top 10 great things about the USSR:

+1

...

...

Pioneer Camps? Chess? Boris Grebenschikov?

Croc don't cheat! You should come up with your own...
Давай!!

Originally Posted by Hanna

Croc don't cheat! You should come up with your own...
Давай!!

Oh my ... Ok ...

Amazing nature
Sincere people
Classic music
Cool art
Pop music
Great WWII movies
The best weapons
Cultural melting pot
Science
Lots of great literature.

PS. So, what was the challenge all about?

Hmmm ok! Well if everyone is a bit brainwashed then I guess I am a bit too.

And you are right that I really can't stand those bases in Europe. There are some very good personal/national reasons for that but I don't want to bang on about Sweden when this is a forum about Russia. But yo summarise: the US did a couple of sneaky and rather underhand things.

Plus, you see these American military transports in Germany and other places -- it's extremely offputting. Now they want it in Eastern Europe too. Turn on the radio and you get American airbase radio station... like.. whose country is this!!?? Here in the UK I worked on a military IT project a few years ago (had to undergo security clearance for that) The work was partly at a British defense facility and my movements were pretty restricted - the limited access made it hard to work efficiently. Meanwhile, American officers, including techies were in and out like the owned the place!



Why do Americans want their country to do this?
Or is it done against their will?

Originally Posted by Hanna

Why do Americans want their country to do this?
Or is it done against their will?

Because:

Originally Posted by Ramil

Nearly all other countries hate USA for being the most prosperous country probably because their inhabitants secretly envy their well-being and of course get frustrated about how unfair things are at the moment.

...