Is America the greatest country in the world?
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"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"0 -
Do you guys end the season earlier than the nfl because of the weather?Meltdown99 said:The CFL had there and championship yesterday.I'll ride the wave where it takes me......0 -
CM189191 said:Soccer is better than bothPJ_Soul said:
Soccer might be even more boring than basketball.CM189191 said:Soccer is better than bothMeltdown99 said:Soccer is boring, no doubt about...
"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"0 -
That's weak. The most impressive hockey team the US has ever assembled (talent wise no, but they were a great team, they had guts, character and a fantastic coach that knew how to beat the Soviets) was the miracle on ice.mcgruff10 said:Give Peas A Chance…0 -
yes. and it actually should be pushed back a month, since most of our stadiums are open air, which means if you are playing in Canada outside at the end of November, it can be cold AF. Up until the mid to late 80's or so, all Grey Cups were held in Vancouver or Toronto (both indoor stadiums).mcgruff10 said:
Do you guys end the season earlier than the nfl because of the weather?Meltdown99 said:The CFL had there and championship yesterday.
I went to the Grey Cup in 1991 in Winnipeg. HOLY SHITBALLS was it cold. it was -16 C (that's 3 degrees F), add in the wind, and jesus mother it was cold.By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.0 -
I suppose so. I never even thought about it, but that does make sense.mcgruff10 said:
Do you guys end the season earlier than the nfl because of the weather?Meltdown99 said:The CFL had there and championship yesterday.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata0 -
Nice. I am American I just can't get upset about any of this (including the bold, which I could argue as "bashing")...but saying thins counter to America is #1, is sort of where America's aversion to political correctness ends.Spiritual_Chaos said:
The start of that interview with Stephen Colbert (didn't watch the whole video) is the problem I have with americans speaking about the US. You can clearly see how american patriotisic indoctrination have removed people in the US from a factual reality - even liberal and for all accounts "intelligent" people like Colbert.PJNB said:It is way too hard to pick a best country in the world. Too many factors come into play when doing so. Bias, personal taste, ethnicity, the list goes on. The US has parts that make it the best country in the world. You can say that about a lot of countries though imo.
It's like all the times singing the national anthem, and all the flag waving and bullshit have caused a Pavlovs dogs situation with this stupid knee-jerk response about how "unique the US" is. You can slaughter the viatnemese and remove yourself from tax-funded healthcare and other things because... the US is still the greatest. "We have made mistakes as a country, but whatever - WE ARE SUCH A UNIQUE GOD GIVEN NATION".
Even if it's someone as bright as Stephen Colbert - and I've also been surprised by american "journalists" falling into that dictatorship-group-think - still fall in line and is stuck with the "The US is a unique exeperiment, with its unique foundation of everyone being uniquely equal with something called freedom of speech which no other nation has".
I've even seen it posted in this thread from people taking it for granted the US having some magic freedoms that makes it the greatest country ever. What is this magic freedom of speech or what is this foundation that the US has that e.g. Sweden lacks? This "magic" and uniqueness that make you take all things that OBJECTIVELY is worse and be like "but we're still the best"
To see what a sick state the US is in - just look at the video that prompted this thread and how it caused a stir and publicity for the pilot of that show. Someone saying "The US isn't the greatest" shakes the core to such a degree that it even becomes viral? That is something out of Russia or some banana-republic. Not a healthy democracy.
We've all seen the masterpiece The Rock from 1996 -- Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious. And the US is a great example of that.
I understand many from the US think this post is garbage, because like one of Pavlovs dogs you immdiiality go into the "...but we are the greatest country, with our freedom of speech and all these freedoms people in the 1800s thought out for us that is so unique to other countries. Now hand me my AR". You don't know better.
You are a country founded on mass slaughtering of the native population and colonialism, I understand you can't hang your head forever in shame - but roll with the reality instead of this nationalsitic/patriotistic/fatalistic bullshit that's been beaten into you from your first baseball game.
America is in no way the greatest country in the world - for it's population or for the rest of the globe surrounding it.
Much of this summarizes where I am at with it. If I MUST pick a greatest country in the world (GCITW), maybe I'd say the US. But there is no MUST there. Nobody needs to pick a GCITW. Not only is there no value to it, but I believe, at least in the US (i.e., the only country I am familiar enough with) it does a disservice.
The Constitution is flawed, but generally brilliant. We founded jazz. We have the best rock-and-roll. We have outstanding arts, culture, and pro sports. Great cities, great small towns, great rural areas with unbelievable geologic features. Generally solid higher education. Our freedoms are derivative of the right ideals and without a doubt, there are countries that do not enjoy the same freedoms. We established ourselves to be free of tyranny (though I truly believe that is being put to the test).
So, in this "America Bashing" thread, I am generally curious to see whether I am truly "America Bashing" below...
We tend to think we're the only ones with freedom. Our desire to proclaim ourselves the GCITW makes us ultra-sensitive to criticism, blind to our flaws, and complacent in our "greatness." We don't want to hear about past wrongdoings or even current ones. After all, why be better when you're already the "best?" We don't want to discuss what it must be like to be black in America, where you can now have the cops called on you for just about anything because, hey, they could have it so much worse somewhere else (not everywhere else, but close enough). Sure, we have too much gun violence, but we're still the greatest, so what are you going to do.
We get more upset over people kneeling for our national song, than for cops shooting blacks or for students doing a nazi salute. The social pressure to show how patriotic you are boarders on the disturbing, at times. And in my opinion it smacks of insecurity. We are the GCITW and we have to keep saying it and keep shutting down others that challenge it, lest we be forced to consider the alternative.
GCITW? There probably isn't one. But thinking it does not serve us, or the world, well.
Did I bash America? In my opinion I pointed to flaws. And if we're unwilling to do that, we're unwilling to be better.1995 Milwaukee 1998 Alpine, Alpine 2003 Albany, Boston, Boston, Boston 2004 Boston, Boston 2006 Hartford, St. Paul (Petty), St. Paul (Petty) 2011 Alpine, Alpine
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2024 Napa, Wrigley, Wrigley0 -
Who cares about hockey in 1994 - when Sweden fucking won the motherfucking bronze that year at the World Cup in Soccer in U-S-Amcgruff10 said:
"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"0 -
PJNB said:It is way too hard to pick a best country in the world. Too many factors come into play when doing so. Bias, personal taste, ethnicity, the list goes on. The US has parts that make it the best country in the world. You can say that about a lot of countries though imo.
https://youtu.be/-qthm4yAeo0
Well said, both. Good video, too!Spiritual_Chaos said:
The start of that interview with Stephen Colbert (didn't watch the whole video) is the problem I have with americans speaking about the US. You can clearly see how american patriotisic indoctrination have removed people in the US from a factual reality - even liberal and for all accounts "intelligent" people like Colbert.PJNB said:It is way too hard to pick a best country in the world. Too many factors come into play when doing so. Bias, personal taste, ethnicity, the list goes on. The US has parts that make it the best country in the world. You can say that about a lot of countries though imo.https://youtu.be/-qthm4yAeo0
It's like all the times singing the national anthem, and all the flag waving and bullshit have caused a Pavlovs dogs situation with this stupid knee-jerk response about how "unique the US" is. You can slaughter the viatnemese and remove yourself from tax-funded healthcare and other things because... the US is still the greatest. "We have made mistakes as a country, but whatever - WE ARE SUCH A UNIQUE GOD GIVEN NATION".
Even if it's someone as bright as Stephen Colbert - and I've also been surprised by american "journalists" falling into that dictatorship-group-think - still fall in line and is stuck with the "The US is a unique exeperiment, with its unique foundation of everyone being uniquely equal with something called freedom of speech which no other nation has".
I've even seen it posted in this thread from people taking it for granted the US having some magic freedoms that makes it the greatest country ever. What is this magic freedom of speech or what is this foundation that the US has that e.g. Sweden lacks? This "magic" and uniqueness that make you take all things that OBJECTIVELY is worse and be like "but we're still the best"
To see what a sick state the US is in - just look at the video that prompted this thread and how it caused a stir and publicity for the pilot of that show. Someone saying "The US isn't the greatest" shakes the core to such a degree that it even becomes viral? That is something out of Russia or some banana-republic. Not a healthy democracy.
We've all seen the masterpiece The Rock from 1996 -- Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious. And the US is a great example of that.
I understand many from the US think this post is garbage, because like one of Pavlovs dogs you immdiiality go into the "...but we are the greatest country, with our freedom of speech and all these freedoms people in the 1800s thought out for us that is so unique to other countries. Now hand me my AR". You don't know better.
You are a country founded on mass slaughtering of the native population and colonialism, I understand you can't hang your head forever in shame - but roll with the reality instead of this nationalsitic/patriotistic/fatalistic bullshit that's been beaten into you from your first baseball game.
America is in no way the greatest country in the world - for it's population or for the rest of the globe surrounding it.
"It's a sad and beautiful world"-Roberto Benigni0 -
The season starts much earlier. I really do not know if the weather is the reason why. But in Manitoba, Sask and Alberta the weather can be pretty cold as early as October. I believe parts of Alberta received upwards 40CM of snow in early October.mcgruff10 said:
Do you guys end the season earlier than the nfl because of the weather?Meltdown99 said:The CFL had there and championship yesterday.Give Peas A Chance…0 -
watching the Grey Cup (Canada's football championship) last night at my parents', and my daughter says "why are their fighter jets flying over the stadium to start the game?". I said "because, don'tcha know, honey, that the military and sports go hand in hand". My dad looked at me and smiled.
if it makes no sense to a child, there's often a reason for that. I find the CFL's intense embrace of the canadian military to be very american, and it's discomforting.By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.0 -
I agree. Realize I was just poking fun at soul.Meltdown99 said:
That's weak. The most impressive hockey team the US has ever assembled (talent wise no, but they were a great team, they had guts, character and a fantastic coach that knew how to beat the Soviets) was the miracle on ice.mcgruff10 said:I'll ride the wave where it takes me......0 -
I absolutely enjoyed our 3 Olympic Gold Medals in hockey in the last few Olympics. But that team the US sent lake placid. Just impressive. I have watched the movie at least a dozen times...mcgruff10 said:
I agree. Realize I was just poking fun at soul.Meltdown99 said:
That's weak. The most impressive hockey team the US has ever assembled (talent wise no, but they were a great team, they had guts, character and a fantastic coach that knew how to beat the Soviets) was the miracle on ice.mcgruff10 said:Give Peas A Chance…0 -
Amazing movie!! I show it to my classes when I teach the Cold War. Again! Again!Meltdown99 said:
I absolutely enjoyed our 3 Olympic Gold Medals in hockey in the last few Olympics. But that team the US sent lake placid. Just impressive. I have watched the movie at least a dozen times...mcgruff10 said:
I agree. Realize I was just poking fun at soul.Meltdown99 said:
That's weak. The most impressive hockey team the US has ever assembled (talent wise no, but they were a great team, they had guts, character and a fantastic coach that knew how to beat the Soviets) was the miracle on ice.mcgruff10 said:I'll ride the wave where it takes me......0 -
Do you show any non-Hollywood movies?mcgruff10 said:
Amazing movie!! I show it to my classes when I teach the Cold War. Again! Again!Meltdown99 said:
I absolutely enjoyed our 3 Olympic Gold Medals in hockey in the last few Olympics. But that team the US sent lake placid. Just impressive. I have watched the movie at least a dozen times...mcgruff10 said:
I agree. Realize I was just poking fun at soul.Meltdown99 said:
That's weak. The most impressive hockey team the US has ever assembled (talent wise no, but they were a great team, they had guts, character and a fantastic coach that knew how to beat the Soviets) was the miracle on ice.mcgruff10 said:
(Are you talking about Miracle?)"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"0 -
Yes, that is the movie he is talking about.Spiritual_Chaos said:
Do you show any non-Hollywood movies?mcgruff10 said:
Amazing movie!! I show it to my classes when I teach the Cold War. Again! Again!Meltdown99 said:
I absolutely enjoyed our 3 Olympic Gold Medals in hockey in the last few Olympics. But that team the US sent lake placid. Just impressive. I have watched the movie at least a dozen times...mcgruff10 said:
I agree. Realize I was just poking fun at soul.Meltdown99 said:
That's weak. The most impressive hockey team the US has ever assembled (talent wise no, but they were a great team, they had guts, character and a fantastic coach that knew how to beat the Soviets) was the miracle on ice.mcgruff10 said:
(Are you talking about Miracle?)Give Peas A Chance…0 -
a hockey movie for cold war teachings?mcgruff10 said:
Amazing movie!! I show it to my classes when I teach the Cold War. Again! Again!Meltdown99 said:
I absolutely enjoyed our 3 Olympic Gold Medals in hockey in the last few Olympics. But that team the US sent lake placid. Just impressive. I have watched the movie at least a dozen times...mcgruff10 said:
I agree. Realize I was just poking fun at soul.Meltdown99 said:
That's weak. The most impressive hockey team the US has ever assembled (talent wise no, but they were a great team, they had guts, character and a fantastic coach that knew how to beat the Soviets) was the miracle on ice.mcgruff10 said:By The Time They Figure Out What Went Wrong, We'll Be Sitting On A Beach, Earning Twenty Percent.0 -
Yes, I hate that. It is pure, shameless brainwashing propaganda.HughFreakingDillon said:watching the Grey Cup (Canada's football championship) last night at my parents', and my daughter says "why are their fighter jets flying over the stadium to start the game?". I said "because, don'tcha know, honey, that the military and sports go hand in hand". My dad looked at me and smiled.
if it makes no sense to a child, there's often a reason for that. I find the CFL's intense embrace of the canadian military to be very american, and it's discomforting.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata0 -
Haha. This made me laugh.HughFreakingDillon said:
a hockey movie for cold war teachings?mcgruff10 said:
Amazing movie!! I show it to my classes when I teach the Cold War. Again! Again!Meltdown99 said:
I absolutely enjoyed our 3 Olympic Gold Medals in hockey in the last few Olympics. But that team the US sent lake placid. Just impressive. I have watched the movie at least a dozen times...mcgruff10 said:
I agree. Realize I was just poking fun at soul.Meltdown99 said:
That's weak. The most impressive hockey team the US has ever assembled (talent wise no, but they were a great team, they had guts, character and a fantastic coach that knew how to beat the Soviets) was the miracle on ice.mcgruff10 said:
(also interesting choice to show a heavily hollywood patriotic THE-AMERICAN-SPIRIT movie, with what I said on the last page. Fitting)
Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"0 -
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