I do find the idea that some politicians like to bring up their/country's actions as "God's Will" disturbing. "God's Will" has been used to justify a lot of terrible things in history. If a politician is all rah rah US, that's fine, but leave God out of it.

Failure is not an option.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io58AQeUUUA

Hey - I love me some Eminem, and I hear he's come out as a BPer...

HOLY $H*T!

This was, by far, not intended to be any sort of political thread.

PW, I admire your nationalism and how secure you are in your beliefs. However, it is your beliefs (or that belief in general) that may give our country it's reputation as a bully... and you've proven that in quite a few of your replies (ie: I have the gun...)

Well, I've gotten a whole new perspective. I've honestly never encountered an American with a view like that and didn't realize that it was how we are judged.

I apologize for bringing it up and if anyone feels like they have been dragged through the mud. American or not. I certainly feel like an ignorant American moron now.

US people = fine (apart from the KKK and rednecks lol)

US government = shite, and full of warmongerers that cause most of the world's problems

unfortunately the people get tarred with the same brush


In Scotland the general view is one of hostility towards the US

However, it is underlying (which is probably worse) as the media always talk about the US in positive ways

PS all that some countries see when they se 'Americe' is its' policies abroad

So i'd say politics has a lot to do with shaping the image of the US, if not being the very thing that defines the country

If it wasn't for its' politics, or Hollywood, the US would just be another country on the world map, as it wouldn't offer anything different from anywhere else

Hanna - you're not an ignorant American. It's the ones that drank the koolaid that "might is right" etc that can give others a bad name.

'America'

sorry

lol

Americans? I am a citizen of the United States of America,I am proud to be an American and if anyone has anything negative to say about us Americans.I really don't care what they say or do because I feel for my countrymen and women deep in my heart and it's there in my center that nobody can touch my beliefs.

I am an American. I speak the English language as our country was founded by English people who sought a new life here. I do not care what any other person from any other country says about America. I am proud to be an American and I enjoy many more freedoms than most people have. Sure I am taxed, sure not all my so called representitives do NOT represent me BUT I have the right to voice my displeasure with them either by vote or my voice in any forum. My real complaint is that not only am I an American I am also a Californian. I am tired of being lumped in the so called "loony koolaid drinking Californians". There is a big difference in the thinking of us here. I happen to live way north of L.A. and a good distance north-east of S.F. We are just a tad bit more "normal" than the rest, or at least I would like to think we are. So not only do I get angry when I hear about bad Americans are, I also get mad when I hear about us nutty Californians.

I'm from Canada and depending on how you present yourself I'll definitely display some amount of prejudice. The idea that many of you have no concept of what lays outside your state, nevermind your country is appauling. I've had a few negative encounters with Americans that make me thank my lucky stars I'm Canadian.

Well your going to find ignorant people wherever you go. I just try and be friendly and ask questions about their culture. I had a great time in Canada when I was young. Backpacked from around Lake Louise to Victoria.
It was great!

I'm late coming into this... and I haven't even read all the posts to avoid getting caught up in any on-going battles so here is my honest opinion:

I have spent a very great amount of time in the good ol' US of A. Even before I began trucking... I vacationed there every year (by choice, not as a snow bird..lol).... I have had family residing in the US for many, many years. I'm in love with an American male, my best and most supportive friends are Americans.

I have probably visited more of the continental US and met more people from different parts of the country then the vast majority of Americans themselves.

Geographically it is absolutely spectacular... from the deserts of the Southwest..(my personal favorite), to the Rockies, to the Smokies, to the smallest fishing village in Maine.

The average American person... if there is such a thing... is just great. The same are regular people here in Canada. They care about the same things, worry about others, and will give a stranger a cup of coffee on their way thru....

With over 250 million people you are bound to run into assholes... and there are no shortage of those... but that's what makes the human race what it is. Everyone is different.

About the only thing I really hate is THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT!!! And I won't even begin to list the reasons why.
But hopefully that will change next Tuesday :)

PS: For those of you who don't know me... I'm a Canadian... and proud of it!!!