Tonopah wrote:Last year? A lifetime of reflection, for a fruit fly. Europeans feign ignorance of the roiling political and racial strife within their own countries whilst condemning American imperfection at every turn - seems slightly self-serving and wholly disingenuous.
Czechs and Norwegians and French booting Romy from squatter camps, Putin and his increasing influence over European petroleum supplies and a shaky central banking system teetering on the brink. California is billions in debt, we have 100's of millions of dollars in unsecured pension obligations, the highest welfare rate in the nation and are running perilously low on energy production.
Movie quote: If we've been telling lies, you've been telling half-lies. A man who tells lies, like me, merely hides the truth. But a man who tells half-lies has forgotten where he put it.
You're a bit mistaken with your underlying statement that europeans are arrogant towards americans in general. I also didn't like Burgingham's remark on "the bestest democracy". Myself and the people I know are actually very open towards americans and feel that they're closer to us than for example a person from france with whom we have hardly any cultural exchange despite being neighbouring countries. Unfavorable cliches do exist though - often fostered by cultural differences.
Also, when it comes to the government you shouldn't equal it with statements about americans in general. You can dislike an organisation of a country but at the same time sympathize with the average person there.
As for your impressions on europe... I suggest you look up more information yourself. The case of a bunch of torched cars in Berlin is hardly sensational (just good enough to fill newspaper headlines) and even less a sign of a coming european apocalypse (especially since it happened before the whole crisis talk already). Things here are really rather calm despite what you may want to believe. Even the situation in spain and greece seems to be unexpectedly silent. And they have more than 50 % youth unemployment now (people up to 30 years). I don't really doubt tough that europe will slowly go down the shitter when looking at the current economical situation. And not to forget the political buffoons who rule all over here and who first and foremost consider the interest of themselves, their party and friends over the wellbeing of the general population. If they come to an agreement at all it's usually the smallest possible denominator (= the most foul compromise you can get) that is furthermore bought with priviledges or monetary gifts for some of the involved parties and soon enough shows that it's completely unsuited to solve the crisis (and the agreement later weakened or broken anyway). And just look at the pitiful greek government. They are the most obvious example of how political parties defend their territory to the maximum against what would be best for their society in the long term. They fear the financial crash but delaying the inevitable and creating ever more deteriorating living conditions for their populace are not a problem for them obviously as long as they can continue business as usual. The ESM - the unholy union of banks and governments and yet another short term "rescue measure" - may actually really turn the tide for the crisis for the next couple of years. But then it will be on the backs of the population of the financially more stable countries. If you don't have a lobby then you have no voice. You're mistaken if you think that people here are not aware of all the issues we have. At least those who care about politics at all. Sadly we have a shitton of people who just traditionally vote for a party instead of trying to make a choice based on arguments. After voting they can feel as good citizens again because they did their duty despite giving a fuck about whom they just put on the throne. He looked so nice on the picture, he can't possibly be an asshole, right? :O
Apart from that I share the notion that leftwing extremists are often considered harmless here. At the same time a critical attitude against more unchecked european integration is at once branded nationalist and equalled with national socialist to scandalize it. It's hardly possible to argue against the inefficieny or corruption of the european union without being branded a heretic by the established political parties (except the "communists" and those probably just because of strategical reasons). The "european idea" is not to be publically discussed or questioned. The national state is dubbed a backward idea that has no space in the bright future of the great and highly successful european union (as conformist politicians like to say here: "Die Europäische Union ist eine einzige Erfolgsgeschichte!") or as some already like to call it lately "the United States of Europe"... Even obvious mistakes that were produced in Brussels (like giving greece the euro) become a reason to give more power into the hands of the EU instead of digging up how it was even possible and punishing the responsible people.
To quote some random american investment guy I saw in a video a while back: "You know that I don't have a high opinion of the american authorities but compared to the bureaucrats in Brussels they look like geniuses."
I'm still ashamed and embarrassed about my last post. There are many small reasons but no real excuse for what I said in the end. All that remains is regret because I won't be able to make up for it again.
See you in a different game maybe. Hopefully without retardation from my side.
by borka » Sun Aug 12, 2012 3:09 pm 
