Is America the greatest country in the world?

HughFreakingDillon · May 2017

PJ_Soul said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I like this graphic. It's a bit self-absorbed that we, citizens of these United States, simply refer to our nation as "America" when America is actually the name of the totality of the land consisting of the continents of North and South America. We think we're so great that we just take the name and use it for ourselves exclusively, essentially excusing every other nation in the New World as if they're not Americans, too.

I don't like that graphic, just because it doesn't match reality. No North American other than those from the USA refer to themselves as American. In fact, most would be insulted if someone insisted on calling them American, just like an American wouldn't be cool with being called, say, Peruvian. I don't think of the term "American" as having been appropriated from the rest of us at all. I think it is just short for the United States of America". I totally don't think of it in terms of Americans thinking they're so great they can "steal" the term from everyone else in N and S America. I think we are all very happy having our own more unique national identities. I have absolutely no desire to be grouped into such a vague and undefined definition as American, in that context. It's a great name for those from the USA though. Very clean. Plus, if everyone in the Americas are American, wtf do we call Americans? United Statites? United States of Americans? Lol, it just don't role off the tongue.

I can't see the graphic at work (images are always blocked). But I still think it's odd that the US kind of appropriated it from everyone else, but at the same time, it makes no difference to me, as I don't want to be referred to as the Canadians of the Americas.

you have to admit it makes little sense.

you have North America.
you have South America.
you have America, which is one third of North America.
What? but teacher, that doesn't make sense!
Shut up Johhny, that's just how it is. don't question it.

rgambs · May 2017

rustneversleeps said:

rgambs said:

rustneversleeps said:

eddiec said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I like this graphic. It's a bit self-absorbed that we, citizens of these United States, simply refer to our nation as "America" when America is actually the name of the totality of the land consisting of the continents of North and South America. We think we're so great that we just take the name and use it for ourselves exclusively, essentially excusing every other nation in the New World as if they're not Americans, too.

In fairness, a lot of Europeans call it America as well.

as well as the Canadian hate that spews from here. its always directed at America.

Hahaha uh oh! Snowflake trigger alert!
Seriously, that's a bit overdramatic. For scale of reference, in this case a "bit" is given in a grand sense, as in "just a tiny bit of the universe is comprised of matter".

baaaaaaaa

I am all out of tissues, but this is a safe space, you are welcome to bah and cry all that you need to!
Namaste!

rustneversleeps · May 2017

lets get back on topic... of course The United States of America is the greatest country. thats a dumb fucking question.

tbergs · May 2017

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I like this graphic. It's a bit self-absorbed that we, citizens of these United States, simply refer to our nation as "America" when America is actually the name of the totality of the land consisting of the continents of North and South America. We think we're so great that we just take the name and use it for ourselves exclusively, essentially excusing every other nation in the New World as if they're not Americans, too.

I don't like that graphic, just because it doesn't match reality. No North American other than those from the USA refer to themselves as American. In fact, most would be insulted if someone insisted on calling them American, just like an American wouldn't be cool with being called, say, Peruvian. I don't think of the term "American" as having been appropriated from the rest of us at all. I think it is just short for the United States of America". I totally don't think of it in terms of Americans thinking they're so great they can "steal" the term from everyone else in N and S America. I think we are all very happy having our own more unique national identities. I have absolutely no desire to be grouped into such a vague and undefined definition as American, in that context. It's a great name for those from the USA though. Very clean. Plus, if everyone in the Americas are American, wtf do we call Americans? United Statites? United States of Americans? Lol, it just don't role off the tongue.

I can't see the graphic at work (images are always blocked). But I still think it's odd that the US kind of appropriated it from everyone else, but at the same time, it makes no difference to me, as I don't want to be referred to as the Canadians of the Americas.

you have to admit it makes little sense.

you have North America.
you have South America.
you have America, which is one third of North America.
What? but teacher, that doesn't make sense!
Shut up Johhny, that's just how it is. don't question it.

Well, by all means, you could have been the United Provinces of America.

A little history behind the naming, which at the time, made sense.

In the Congressional declaration dated September 9, 1776, the delegates wrote, “That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words ‘United Colonies’ have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the “United States.”

A resolution by Richard Henry Lee, which had been presented to Congress on June 7 and approved on July 2, 1776, issued the resolve, “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States….” As a result, John Adams thought July 2 would be celebrated as “the most memorable epoch in the history of America.” Instead, the day has been largely forgotten in favor of July 4, when Jefferson’s edited Declaration of Independence was adopted. That document also states, “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES.” However, Lee began with the line, while Jefferson saved it for the middle of his closing paragraph.

By September, the Declaration of Independence had been drafted, signed, printed and sent to Great Britain. What Congress had declared to be true on paper in July was clearly the case in practice, as Patriot blood was spilled against the British on the battlefields of Boston, Montreal, Quebec and New York. Congress had created a country from a cluster of colonies and the nation’s new name reflected that reality.

PJ_Soul · May 2017

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I like this graphic. It's a bit self-absorbed that we, citizens of these United States, simply refer to our nation as "America" when America is actually the name of the totality of the land consisting of the continents of North and South America. We think we're so great that we just take the name and use it for ourselves exclusively, essentially excusing every other nation in the New World as if they're not Americans, too.

I don't like that graphic, just because it doesn't match reality. No North American other than those from the USA refer to themselves as American. In fact, most would be insulted if someone insisted on calling them American, just like an American wouldn't be cool with being called, say, Peruvian. I don't think of the term "American" as having been appropriated from the rest of us at all. I think it is just short for the United States of America". I totally don't think of it in terms of Americans thinking they're so great they can "steal" the term from everyone else in N and S America. I think we are all very happy having our own more unique national identities. I have absolutely no desire to be grouped into such a vague and undefined definition as American, in that context. It's a great name for those from the USA though. Very clean. Plus, if everyone in the Americas are American, wtf do we call Americans? United Statites? United States of Americans? Lol, it just don't role off the tongue.

I can't see the graphic at work (images are always blocked). But I still think it's odd that the US kind of appropriated it from everyone else, but at the same time, it makes no difference to me, as I don't want to be referred to as the Canadians of the Americas.

you have to admit it makes little sense.

you have North America.
you have South America.
you have America, which is one third of North America.
What? but teacher, that doesn't make sense!
Shut up Johhny, that's just how it is. don't question it.

I makes sense because the United States of America is the only country in North or South America with the word America right in its name.

rgambs · May 2017

rustneversleeps said:

lets get back on topic... of course The United States of America is the greatest country. thats a dumb fucking question.

Hell yeah brosef!

Based on what criteria? What makes it the greatest, besides the hordes who say so.

eddiec · May 2017

rustneversleeps said:

lets get back on topic... of course The United States of America is the greatest country. thats a dumb fucking question.

Spain is.

rustneversleeps · May 2017

rgambs said:

rustneversleeps said:

lets get back on topic... of course The United States of America is the greatest country. thats a dumb fucking question.

Hell yeah brosef!

Based on what criteria? What makes it the greatest, besides the hordes who say so.

is it not the greatest becuase you say so? that sounds about right.

tbergs · May 2017

You know when countries were great, before humans. One day they'll be great again when the world swallows us up and rebirths the beauty of it's being.

HughFreakingDillon · May 2017

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I like this graphic. It's a bit self-absorbed that we, citizens of these United States, simply refer to our nation as "America" when America is actually the name of the totality of the land consisting of the continents of North and South America. We think we're so great that we just take the name and use it for ourselves exclusively, essentially excusing every other nation in the New World as if they're not Americans, too.

I don't like that graphic, just because it doesn't match reality. No North American other than those from the USA refer to themselves as American. In fact, most would be insulted if someone insisted on calling them American, just like an American wouldn't be cool with being called, say, Peruvian. I don't think of the term "American" as having been appropriated from the rest of us at all. I think it is just short for the United States of America". I totally don't think of it in terms of Americans thinking they're so great they can "steal" the term from everyone else in N and S America. I think we are all very happy having our own more unique national identities. I have absolutely no desire to be grouped into such a vague and undefined definition as American, in that context. It's a great name for those from the USA though. Very clean. Plus, if everyone in the Americas are American, wtf do we call Americans? United Statites? United States of Americans? Lol, it just don't role off the tongue.

I can't see the graphic at work (images are always blocked). But I still think it's odd that the US kind of appropriated it from everyone else, but at the same time, it makes no difference to me, as I don't want to be referred to as the Canadians of the Americas.

you have to admit it makes little sense.

you have North America.
you have South America.
you have America, which is one third of North America.
What? but teacher, that doesn't make sense!
Shut up Johhny, that's just how it is. don't question it.

I makes sense because the United States of America is the only country in North or South America with the word America right in its name.

yes, United States of America makes sense. or more, if it was called United States of the Americas, but either way, I'm saying calling it "America" outright is what doesn't make sense. Anyone from another planet learning about our geography would probably surmise that calling something "America" would be an area encompassing both North and South America, not being a part of one of them. The logical assumption, without seeing a map, but seeing the names on paper, would be "isn't North America where Minnesota is?".

HughFreakingDillon · May 2017

rustneversleeps said:

lets get back on topic... of course The United States of America is the greatest country. thats a dumb fucking question.

no, it's a dumb fucking answer.

tbergs · May 2017

HughFreakingDillon said:

rustneversleeps said:

lets get back on topic... of course The United States of America is the greatest country. thats a dumb fucking question.

no, it's a dumb fucking answer.

PJfanwillneverleave1 · May 2017

tbergs said:

You know when countries were great, before humans. One day they'll be great again when the world swallows us up and rebirths the beauty of it's being.

Also, one day, soon,
President Trump will make America great again.

PJfanwillneverleave1 · May 2017

I don't know if it's the greatest in the world but to some it is.

PJ_Soul · May 2017

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I like this graphic. It's a bit self-absorbed that we, citizens of these United States, simply refer to our nation as "America" when America is actually the name of the totality of the land consisting of the continents of North and South America. We think we're so great that we just take the name and use it for ourselves exclusively, essentially excusing every other nation in the New World as if they're not Americans, too.

I don't like that graphic, just because it doesn't match reality. No North American other than those from the USA refer to themselves as American. In fact, most would be insulted if someone insisted on calling them American, just like an American wouldn't be cool with being called, say, Peruvian. I don't think of the term "American" as having been appropriated from the rest of us at all. I think it is just short for the United States of America". I totally don't think of it in terms of Americans thinking they're so great they can "steal" the term from everyone else in N and S America. I think we are all very happy having our own more unique national identities. I have absolutely no desire to be grouped into such a vague and undefined definition as American, in that context. It's a great name for those from the USA though. Very clean. Plus, if everyone in the Americas are American, wtf do we call Americans? United Statites? United States of Americans? Lol, it just don't role off the tongue.

I can't see the graphic at work (images are always blocked). But I still think it's odd that the US kind of appropriated it from everyone else, but at the same time, it makes no difference to me, as I don't want to be referred to as the Canadians of the Americas.

you have to admit it makes little sense.

you have North America.
you have South America.
you have America, which is one third of North America.
What? but teacher, that doesn't make sense!
Shut up Johhny, that's just how it is. don't question it.

I makes sense because the United States of America is the only country in North or South America with the word America right in its name.

yes, United States of America makes sense. or more, if it was called United States of the Americas, but either way, I'm saying calling it "America" outright is what doesn't make sense. Anyone from another planet learning about our geography would probably surmise that calling something "America" would be an area encompassing both North and South America, not being a part of one of them. The logical assumption, without seeing a map, but seeing the names on paper, would be "isn't North America where Minnesota is?".

I understand your logic. I just don't agree. I think it makes sense in real life terms, which are really all that matter at the end of the day. I'm not too concerned about what aliens might think about it. The terms is now firmly rooted in the vernacular of North and South Americans, and I figure that is all that really counts.

rgambs · May 2017

rustneversleeps said:

rgambs said:

rustneversleeps said:

lets get back on topic... of course The United States of America is the greatest country. thats a dumb fucking question.

Hell yeah brosef!

Based on what criteria? What makes it the greatest, besides the hordes who say so.

is it not the greatest becuase you say so? that sounds about right.

I am certainly willing to provide credible, factual evidence to back my opinion.
Are you willing to do the same, or are you just here to hit and run with some sweet ass cusswords for emphasis?

HughFreakingDillon · May 2017

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I like this graphic. It's a bit self-absorbed that we, citizens of these United States, simply refer to our nation as "America" when America is actually the name of the totality of the land consisting of the continents of North and South America. We think we're so great that we just take the name and use it for ourselves exclusively, essentially excusing every other nation in the New World as if they're not Americans, too.

I don't like that graphic, just because it doesn't match reality. No North American other than those from the USA refer to themselves as American. In fact, most would be insulted if someone insisted on calling them American, just like an American wouldn't be cool with being called, say, Peruvian. I don't think of the term "American" as having been appropriated from the rest of us at all. I think it is just short for the United States of America". I totally don't think of it in terms of Americans thinking they're so great they can "steal" the term from everyone else in N and S America. I think we are all very happy having our own more unique national identities. I have absolutely no desire to be grouped into such a vague and undefined definition as American, in that context. It's a great name for those from the USA though. Very clean. Plus, if everyone in the Americas are American, wtf do we call Americans? United Statites? United States of Americans? Lol, it just don't role off the tongue.

I can't see the graphic at work (images are always blocked). But I still think it's odd that the US kind of appropriated it from everyone else, but at the same time, it makes no difference to me, as I don't want to be referred to as the Canadians of the Americas.

you have to admit it makes little sense.

you have North America.
you have South America.
you have America, which is one third of North America.
What? but teacher, that doesn't make sense!
Shut up Johhny, that's just how it is. don't question it.

I makes sense because the United States of America is the only country in North or South America with the word America right in its name.

yes, United States of America makes sense. or more, if it was called United States of the Americas, but either way, I'm saying calling it "America" outright is what doesn't make sense. Anyone from another planet learning about our geography would probably surmise that calling something "America" would be an area encompassing both North and South America, not being a part of one of them. The logical assumption, without seeing a map, but seeing the names on paper, would be "isn't North America where Minnesota is?".

I understand your logic. I just don't agree. I think it makes sense in real life terms, which are really all that matter at the end of the day. I'm not too concerned about what aliens might think about it. The terms is now firmly rooted in the vernacular of North and South Americans, and I figure that is all that really counts.

well of course it is. it's just a hypothetical discussion. it doesn't bother me on a day to day basis.

no, I'm not concerned about what aliens might think about it. I was speaking in terms of a person who had no previous knowledge of our geography, but someone (not a child) who would have the aptitude to think critically about it.

from now on I'm going to refer to Canada as the United Provinces of America.

HughFreakingDillon · May 2017

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

tbergs said:

You know when countries were great, before humans. One day they'll be great again when the world swallows us up and rebirths the beauty of it's being.

Also, one day, soon,
President Trump will make America great again.

hmmmm....and here I thought he already did that.

HughFreakingDillon · May 2017

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

I don't know if it's the greatest in the world but to some it is.

yeah, and all of them live there. that's not biased at all.

"this is easily the best movie ever made"
"but you've never watched another movie"
"I know, but all the old men in suits in front of podiums say so, so it must be true"

brianlux · May 2017

"America is the greatest." This is so yay team! Cracks me up. It's like being in high school again. Rah rah sis boom bah!

Is America the greatest country in the world?

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