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From: london@oddjob.UChicago.UUCP (David London)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Americans
Message-ID: <371@oddjob.UChicago.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 9-Aug-84 16:43:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: oddjob.371
Posted: Thu Aug 9 16:43:16 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 10-Aug-84 02:45:52 EDT
Organization: U. Chicago: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lines: 62
<>
I didn't realize that there were so many pedants on the net. I'm
not sure if you are being obtuse on purpose or what. Ok, here goes:
I did not say that *all* Americans were . I did not
*mean* that all Americans were . It is obvious that there
is no characteristic which is held by every member of a large group of people.
However, it *is* possible to characterize a large group of people (especially
when that large group of people makes up a country) by attitudes, traits and
tendencies held by a majority of them. I *can* say that the U.S. is (or
Americans are) and not imply that everyone holds this view.
For example: (in the following, when a comparison is made or implied, I am
only referring to first world countries)
1. Americans are right-of-centre.
2. Americans hate communism. (Hate may be too strong a word, but the U.S. is
the only place I know where the word "communist" is meant as derogatory. I
heard an American politician (Patrick Moynihan, I think) described as "Oh,
he hates communism as much as the rest of us, but...". It is death to any
politician to appear soft on communism. It is counter to the "American
way".)
3. Americans put far more emphasis on "the right of the individual" than the
"societal good". c.f. net.abortion, net.gun_control, net.dirty_cities, etc.
(I can't believe how many people have said something like,"Well, at least
*here* you have the right to say what you are saying. Hey, wake up! I have
this same right in dozens of countries, not just yours.)
4. Americans are far more "nationalistic or patriotic" (I say jingoistic) than
any other country. (I have never heard anyone in another country being
attacked as "un-". It is an American concept.)
5. Americans believe that they live in the best country in the world; the most
free, the most democratic, the fairest.
6. Americans know less about other countries than any other people. (I know
that this is a bit strange, in view of (5), that is, how can someone
believe their country to be the best, without knowing about other
countries? see (7).)
7. Americans are very anti-intellectual; Americans read less than anyone else.
(Well, that explains (6): (5) is based on faith and propaganda,
not knowledge.)
For the record, I have lived in Canada, Europe and the U.S. I have travelled
extensively throughout Europe, Canada, the States and Mexico.
If you want to flame me, let's have some intelligent arguments. (Actually, I
welcome flames saying "If you don't like it, leave". They just support (4),
(5), (6) and (7).)
My second point is: why do people on the net believe that they are at all
representative of the "average American"? Most people on the net are fairly
liberal (I know it's a dirty word, but...); most people in the States are
fairly conservative (Reagan was elected and will probably be re-elected).
Most people on the net are middle class; most people in the States are
working class. Some (I don't know what percentage) people on the net are
fairly intellectual; most people in the States are not. Just take a look at
the most popular TV shows (W.r.t. TV, I repeat my assertion: the networks
give the people what they want to see. [see (7) above]).
David London
..!ihnp4!oddjob!london
P.S. To !ihnp4!ihuxb!crouch, thanx for your comments. I'll file them under
(7) above.
P.P.S. To DW @ ..!ihnp4!tellab1!heahd, no apology wanted, intelligent
counter-arguments requested.