Interested in hearing about other countries, for some reason I feel hearing peoples hates will be most revealing. (Perhaps I'm a dick ). You can talk about your state if you'd rather, or a country you lived in or visited.
After having been to Dubai, London looks really shabby and old to me. I know old buildings can be beautiful, but less so when they are also so crowded.
Also the crime, and threat of it.
Rent.
Though in our defense we are not the brutal imperialists to the comparative degree we are accused of being.
Chavs, townies, hipsters, emos, scene kids. All are just... failures of the human race.
Of course I am generalising, but on the whole the vast majority of people who seem to abide in England, and their attitude towards other people/cultures/countries simply disgusts me.
If you want deprevation, crime, threat of being mugged, dirty buildings etc there are a LOT more dangerous places than London or any UK city. Try Split and Zagreb, in Croatia or Salalah in Oman, Lukavac and Banja Luka in Bosnia or Basrah in Iraq.
Whilst we are only giving an opinion and your own viewpoint on what you think is a craphole is no less worthy than mine it is worth considering that there are a million different places which overshadow anything that the UK can offer as a place of crappiness.
It would be unfair to hold it just to my country however, as i hate almost everyone in every country on earth.
I guess i just hate the human race as a whole, ive nothing against my own country.
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Mr Mystery wrote:The fething Tories.
Scum scum scum the lot of them.
I hate Mr Mystery too. Cant forget him, and all the other greedy money/class obsessed self righteous communists that make up the hand wringing ranks of the Labour party.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Oh, and I also hate the Daily Mail with it's quasi-racist comments. It exists purely to keep middle england dumb, ill informed and paranoid.
Belgiums dumb Justice laws. not long ago, Police caught two terrorists who were planning a bomb. But oh hey, Justice made a mistake in procedures, so the terrorists just HAD to be released. Hey it's not that bad, we only have Terorists on the loose in Belgium.
The Gun Grabbing platforms of the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP gak all over not only the Canadian tradition of sports shooting and hunting, and the sacrifices our grandfathers made to preserve a free society, but also the common law right to self defense. (this point makes me wonder why you brits, with your nanny-statism and CCTV everywhere and draconian gun laws aren't standing up for yourselves a little more)
I don't like how the CPC ignores the needs of future Canadians by spitting in the eye of environmental legislation. I don't like how the only pro-Labor/Union party, the NDP, are complete and utter gaks.
I don't like how Canadians are mostly passive sheep and are unwilling to stand up for anything. I don't like the tradition of elitism in this country.
Physically, I live in one of the rainiest places in the world. Rain can get a man down. The weather is temperate, but not hot enough.
The rubbish littering the streets, the misery, the filth, the steadily quickening pace of the nation becoming a place where intellect is a dirty word and the massed majority chew the cud, watch jeremy kyle and have nothing better to do with their time than update their facebook status with X Factor results. The property prices, the unemployment lines, the lack of financial support for public services and the endless ranks of middle management that now infests and slows them like too many barnacles on the hull of a ship. I hate the lad and ladette culture, the fake tanned fat slags throwing up every Saturday night from too much booze whilst their scrawny bastard boyfriends pick fights and the inability of any fether in my office to communicate with each other about anything other than soccer. There is no pride left in this nation except misguidedly by those who fly her flags in support of fascist ideas that we actually fought against.
The Gun Grabbing platforms of the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP gak all over not only the Canadian tradition of sports shooting and hunting, and the sacrifices our grandfathers made to preserve a free society, but also the common law right to self defense. (this point makes me wonder why you brits, with your nanny-statism and CCTV everywhere and draconian gun laws aren't standing up for yourselves a little more)
Because we realise that owning a gun doesn't mean anything, as you're never going to overthrow your Government? And indeed the only reason to have a gun for home defence is if the laws on guns means anyone you'd need to defend your home from is likely to be packing?
Simply put, we're just not that paranoid. And a frying pan upside the head does the job just as well.
I love Kamloops and most of Canada, was born in New West Minister but moved out when I was 5, never was a big fan of Vancouver prefer Victoria more. Anyways what I dislike about Canada is the large amount of pretty girls who are unwilling to
The Gun Grabbing platforms of the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP gak all over not only the Canadian tradition of sports shooting and hunting, and the sacrifices our grandfathers made to preserve a free society, but also the common law right to self defense. (this point makes me wonder why you brits, with your nanny-statism and CCTV everywhere and draconian gun laws aren't standing up for yourselves a little more)
Because we realise that owning a gun doesn't mean anything, as you're never going to overthrow your Government? And indeed the only reason to have a gun for home defence is if the laws on guns means anyone you'd need to defend your home from is likely to be packing?
Simply put, we're just not that paranoid. And a frying pan upside the head does the job just as well.
Your Government has zero reason to fear you, that's a problem.
I hate a great deal of the tabloids you get in Britain. It sometimes disgusts me to think that such shoddy pieces of ill-informed codswallop can legitimately be sold.
Oh, and though I wouldn't go as far as saying I hate them, I certainly don't see eye-to-eye with the Conservative party. Perhaps it's the traditional response to the Tories in my family, the deep personal dislike I have of David Cameron or even the fact that I don't agree with the way they are trying to lower the deficit.
Oh, but I do hate the BNP, especially their lies of standing for the beliefs of the majority of British citizens.
Other than that, I'm rather satisfied with my Homeland.
And you think having a couple of guns changes that?
You really are quite deluded aren't you? Why do I need my Government to fear me? Is that a secret ingredient of democracy? Because I cannot help but notice that the greatest hoarders of guns in the US tend to be right wing nutjobs. Yeah, I'd rather not run the risk of a well armed minority overthrowing a Government, just because 'it din't go the way we goldarn voted goldarn it!'
Keep your guns and political paranoia to yourself thank you.
Mr Mystery wrote:And you think having a couple of guns changes that?
You really are quite deluded aren't you? Why do I need my Government to fear me? Is that a secret ingredient of democracy? Because I cannot help but notice that the greatest hoarders of guns in the US tend to be right wing nutjobs. Yeah, I'd rather not run the risk of a well armed minority overthrowing a Government, just because 'it din't go the way we goldarn voted goldarn it!'
Keep your guns and political paranoia to yourself thank you.
Besides, what exactly would we use the guns to defend ourselves from? Squirrels? Jehovah's Witnesses? Next door's collie?
I think not.
Oooo things I hate about Ireland...
The corruption at every level, from School Principal all the way up to Taoiseach.
The "ah sher, it'll be grand" mentality.
The anti-intellectuallism.
The brainless nationalism.
The belief in exceptionalism.
The dearth of any administrative talent.
The fact that nobody ever does anything until it hits them in the pocket.
Fianna Fáil.
Fianna Fáil voters.
Anyone who ever voted PD.
The Unions.
The oppositon parties for being so devoid of charisma and ideas they can't gain support even when FF's is through the floor.
The high prices.
The health service.
The antiquitated and overhyped education system (best educated in Europe me arse)
The idea that ireland is important outside of it's liability to larger nations.
Hmmm. I think I'll stop there. I hated it so much I left. I like the UK a lot more- it's got it's problems, but the ratio of sensible people to gobshites over here is higher, and the gobshites tend to be easier to spot. Plus, you've got the right idea regarding education (apart from the stupid ranking system).
The Gun Grabbing platforms of the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP gak all over not only the Canadian tradition of sports shooting and hunting, and the sacrifices our grandfathers made to preserve a free society, but also the common law right to self defense. (this point makes me wonder why you brits, with your nanny-statism and CCTV everywhere and draconian gun laws aren't standing up for yourselves a little more)
Because we realise that owning a gun doesn't mean anything, as you're never going to overthrow your Government? And indeed the only reason to have a gun for home defence is if the laws on guns means anyone you'd need to defend your home from is likely to be packing?
Simply put, we're just not that paranoid. And a frying pan upside the head does the job just as well.
Canadians paranoid?!? You've got to be kidding me! It's common Canadian policy to keep your front door unlocked in this country believing that you're "imprisoning" yourself from the rest of the world by not doing so.
MeanGreenStompa wrote:...the massed majority chew the cud, watch jeremy kyle and have nothing better to do with their time than update their facebook status with X Factor results....
I pretty much hate all the politicians that run this country. The crap they pull, and get away with is sickening. Thats the major thing. Other then it it would be the crime. Most places are pretty good, but if/when your in the wrong places, youd better have your eyes open, and your balls twisted on right.
The hypocrisy that occurs when any party is elected. Whatever made the public vote for them is instantly thrown out of the window and becomes the exact opposite.
I'm not going to point to finger at any specific party either, because they all do it.
Warboss Imbad Ironskull wrote:Dude get off your high horse. The OP asks what we don't like, we put what we don't like. It is not your place to decide what's petty
...Are you talking to me, or did you just not notice the second page?
What would have to happen to get you guys to emigrate, could I ask? And where might you emigrate to?
I was "lucky" in that the UK was crying out for people with my qualifications and I enjoy my work here. But emigrating still sucks.
My government are planning to bring in a new program whereby unemployed teachers are forced to work in schools for the dole money or they do not recieve benefit. I'm alright with people working for their benefit, but that is bloody scandalous. The reason is that they've put a hiring freeze on but are encouraging retirement, but don't want to confront the unions over the wages so that they can hire more teachers. The solution? Indentured servitude for young teachers! Jackpot. (Next time you think the UK government has a dumb policy, I want you to think about that, look west, and thank whoever that you live here.)
Avatar 720 wrote:The hypocrisy that occurs when any party is elected. Whatever made the public vote for them is instantly thrown out of the window and becomes the exact opposite.
I'm not going to point to finger at any specific party either, because they all do it.
I shall now quote a passage from Viz, allegedly a message from Gordon Brown in the run up to this years election!
Gordon Brown in Viz, Issue 194 wrote:I try my best for your people, and what do I get in return? Nothing but whining and moaning nit-picking. Whatever I do it's never good enough. I've tried to a good job in Government, and do I get any thanks from you witches? NO! Of course not! I've had it up to here, you bollock-brained, money-orientated, drink and drug-addled, paedo-obsessed hypocrties. I'm fed up to the back teeth with your antics, your ridiculous not-in-my-back-yard, something-for-nothing, nothing-is-ever-good-enough-for-me attitude. Well let me tell you something, you people make me SICK. You are NEVER satisfied, and your attitude it typical of the permanent malcontent that has RUINED this country. And you just won't cheer up - why don't you all just feth OFF AND DIE?
Yeah in fairness, to those complaining about politicians, if the electorate didn't fall for it, the politicians wouldn't do it. We get the government we deserve, sadly.
Don't you mean "Bloody Lib-Dem Tory Coalition"?
Strange quirk that people are more apt to blame the small partner in the coalition for stuff like this.
Warboss Imbad Ironskull wrote:@Notprop: Dude get off your high horse. The OP asks what we don't like, we put what we don't like. It is not your place to decide what's petty
Yes, sorry old chum. Who am I to temper your heartfelt angst over important gak like rugby. [did I really type that?]
Junkies arguing in front of the store, the police no longer bothering because they hear it too often, the constant threats of violence from Moroccan youth, who then play the race card and the worst of all, our cheese. Oh the humanity, that cheese..
The Dreadnote wrote:I think that's mostly because they promised they wouldn't raise them.
Yeah, but then is it not easy to see that raising them is a Tory policy the Lib Dems have been forced to stomach as part of the coalition process? I'm not saying some annoyance at the Lib Dems isn't warranted, but I think it should be equally (at least, probably more) pointed at the Tories.
(This sort of thing happens at home all the time, and allows the larger party to use the smaller party as a dumping ground for unpopular sentiment. The smaller party is usually obliterated by the electorate at the next election and the larger party goes on to pick another sacrificial lamb to slaughter. Unlikely that that would happen in the UK because the political scene is less diverse.)
Da Boss wrote:What would have to happen to get you guys to emigrate, could I ask? And where might you emigrate to?
I was "lucky" in that the UK was crying out for people with my qualifications and I enjoy my work here. But emigrating still sucks.
My government are planning to bring in a new program whereby unemployed teachers are forced to work in schools for the dole money or they do not recieve benefit. I'm alright with people working for their benefit, but that is bloody scandalous. The reason is that they've put a hiring freeze on but are encouraging retirement, but don't want to confront the unions over the wages so that they can hire more teachers. The solution? Indentured servitude for young teachers! Jackpot. (Next time you think the UK government has a dumb policy, I want you to think about that, look west, and thank whoever that you live here.)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but then why would schools ever hire a teacher on a regular salary, when they can get a dole teacher? Surely the result would be teachers never being employed on a regular salary, every teacher being a dole teacher, and because none of the teachers can get a salaried job, the dole becoming the new base salary for all teachers? Meaning no-one ever wants to be a teacher, and the profession becoming terribly understaffed?
You're not wrong. The teachers with current contracts will be the only ones being properly paid for their work until the hiring freeze is over. It's not even that they would CHOOSE the dole teachers, they're not actually ALLOWED to hire any new teachers at the old rate. They have to accept the dole teachers. The policy hasn't kicked in yet but it will be starting soon.
It's ridiculous, isn't it?
The fees are not set to charge £9K, they might rise by that much, depending on what your uni decides to charge. They have been told that £6K is the max with £9K under exceptional circumstances only. It's a shame the media and the students have decided to gloss over that bit.
And it has nothing to do with Lib-Dems; it was Labour who fragged us with their iresponsible spending. I am not pro gevernmnt though although no matter who came in had a difficult choice to make to reign in the spending.
I am faced with possible redundancy from the RAF in April becuse Labour signed many ridiculous contracts which costs more to end and scrap than it does to keep the contract and pay for something we don't need!!
This was not just consigned to the military but was also in other areas such as extended quango's, many different spending foul ups in local council contracts and ridiculous NHS contracts which were not needed and too costly; as soon as Government and Contract were put to any company they doubled or trebled their quotes which arsehole politicians, who are so removed from real ife it's embarrasing, just signed away.
Lord Young, for example, said that most peope who had mortgages were better off. He's obviously never had a mortgage and was so far removed from the reality he really thought that. His career didn't last much longer after taht.
Then there were the hundreds of review bodies that the Government set up to investigate these contracts and complaints!
Avatar 720 wrote:The hypocrisy that occurs when any party is elected. Whatever made the public vote for them is instantly thrown out of the window and becomes the exact opposite.
I'm not going to point to finger at any specific party either, because they all do it.
I shall now quote a passage from Viz, allegedly a message from Gordon Brown in the run up to this years election!
Gordon Brown in Viz, Issue 194 wrote:I try my best for your people, and what do I get in return? Nothing but whining and moaning nit-picking. Whatever I do it's never good enough. I've tried to a good job in Government, and do I get any thanks from you witches? NO! Of course not! I've had it up to here, you bollock-brained, money-orientated, drink and drug-addled, paedo-obsessed hypocrties. I'm fed up to the back teeth with your antics, your ridiculous not-in-my-back-yard, something-for-nothing, nothing-is-ever-good-enough-for-me attitude. Well let me tell you something, you people make me SICK. You are NEVER satisfied, and your attitude it typical of the permanent malcontent that has RUINED this country. And you just won't cheer up - why don't you all just feth OFF AND DIE?
Thank you for reading this,
Gordon Brown
Sums Britain up quite nicely really.
I don't get it? Why did you link a joke article?
Yeah in fairness, to those complaining about politicians, if the electorate didn't fall for it, the politicians wouldn't do it. We get the government we deserve, sadly.
I'm not allowed to vote, i'm underage, so I can't be blamed for putting the government into power (i'm planning on just not voting when i'm older, it's always the same old crap no matter the party that gets in).
However, we're human. Given a list of 3 evils, we will always strive to choose the lesser of them. The electorate cannot be blamed for putting a bad party into power and being told to deal with it when no party keeps their promises, we can only choose the lesser of a list of evils.
The electorate doesn't 'fall for' anything, what simply happens is that people strive (or I hope they do) to choose the party that instead of doing the most amount of good for the country, will do the least amount of harm. The electorate is given the illusion of choice, but no matter what happens, each available government will turn around and kick you in the teeth; it's just a matter of who has the lightest kick.
Perhaps so, Elmodiddly, but the fact remains that the reason people are annoyed with the Lib Dems is because they effectively betrayed their voters by U-turning on the fees.
Admittedly, politicians pull this sort of nonsense all the time, but this really got on the nerves of the voters, especially when the Lib Dems then seemingly laid down and died, and seem to have failed to even try and oppose this.
It is hard for the junior partner to fight anything though, without threatening the "nuclear option" of bringing down the government. At this stage, I think it's easy to see why a responsible party wouldn't do that.
The lib dems may have "betrayed" their base, but if they did it was only by going into power with the Conservatives. The base have to accept that as a small party they are going to have some issues that don't get through, and some that do. It's fair to be annoyed at them, but consider the alternative if they hadn't gone into coalition- would any of their policies (such as electoral reform) get through? I'd be annoyed in your situation too, but I'd mostly be annoyed at the Tories, not the lib dems.
MeanGreenStompa wrote:The rubbish littering the streets, the misery, the filth, the steadily quickening pace of the nation becoming a place where intellect is a dirty word and the massed majority chew the cud, watch jeremy kyle and have nothing better to do with their time than update their facebook status with X Factor results. The property prices, the unemployment lines, the lack of financial support for public services and the endless ranks of middle management that now infests and slows them like too many barnacles on the hull of a ship. I hate the lad and ladette culture, the fake tanned fat slags throwing up every Saturday night from too much booze whilst their scrawny bastard boyfriends pick fights and the inability of any fether in my office to communicate with each other about anything other than soccer. There is no pride left in this nation except misguidedly by those who fly her flags in support of fascist ideas that we actually fought against.
To
To
To
So...Should I give up on moving to the UK after school?
Hate a strong word, but the repeated scares on 'Boat People' and a call for harsher immigration laws by both parties does make me sick to my stomach. It doesn't help that I know this is backed up by a larger-than-comfortable portion of the population that reckon the White Australia Policy was the best bit about the Good Ol' Days. There is an undercurrent of racism, not only from poloticians like Pauline Hanson, but a lot of my peers that is just disturbing. Other than that I think Australia is a fantastic country, and that our unique mix of cultures will turn out to be a strength in the end.
Cheesecat wrote:
Monster Rain wrote:
Cheesecat wrote:I hate people who complain about there country.
I hate people who don't know the difference between there and their.
I hate grammar Nazis. Also the rent is too damn high!
I hate how people will side with whatever their own party is on everything. This seems like a poor way to decide your position on an issue. Basically, I hate the polarization of politics here.
I also hate some of the ridiculous fears people have (ie. Conspiracy Theories) Most of them seem to be right wing, but it can go both ways.
Emperors Faithful wrote:Hate a strong word, but the repeated scares on 'Boat People' and a call for harsher immigration laws by both parties does make me sick to my stomach. It doesn't help that I know this is backed up by a larger-than-comfortable portion of the population that reckon the White Australia Policy was the best bit about the Good Ol' Days. There is an undercurrent of racism, not only from poloticians like Pauline Hanson, but a lot of my peers that is just disturbing. Other than that I think Australia is a fantastic country, and that our unique mix of cultures will turn out to be a strength in the end.
Cheesecat wrote:
Monster Rain wrote:
Cheesecat wrote:I hate people who complain about there country.
I hate people who don't know the difference between there and their.
I hate grammar Nazis. Also the rent is too damn high!
Is that a real party? Please, tell me so!
It's a real party on the municipal and state level as far as I'm aware.
Emperors Faithful wrote:Hate a strong word, but the repeated scares on 'Boat People' and a call for harsher immigration laws by both parties does make me sick to my stomach. It doesn't help that I know this is backed up by a larger-than-comfortable portion of the population that reckon the White Australia Policy was the best bit about the Good Ol' Days. There is an undercurrent of racism, not only from poloticians like Pauline Hanson, but a lot of my peers that is just disturbing. Other than that I think Australia is a fantastic country, and that our unique mix of cultures will turn out to be a strength in the end.
Cheesecat wrote:
Monster Rain wrote:
Cheesecat wrote:I hate people who complain about there country.
I hate people who don't know the difference between there and their.
I hate grammar Nazis. Also the rent is too damn high!
Mr Mystery wrote:
Because we realise that owning a gun doesn't mean anything, as you're never going to overthrow your Government?
You'll be the victim of tyranny, instead. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot have weighed in, and the experts agree: Gun Control works!
Mr Mystery wrote:And indeed the only reason to have a gun for home defence is if the laws on guns means anyone you'd need to defend your home from is likely to be packing?
What?
MrMystery wrote:Simply put, we're just not that paranoid. And a frying pan upside the head does the job just as well.
You should be. There was 1.7 million burglaries in England + Wales in 1997. That number is do not make pitiful attempts to bypass the swear filter ta. astronomical and says that burglars have nothing to fear from citizens, and they well should. You bring your frying pan to confront one of those burglars with his throwaway .32, and let me know how it turns out.
hemingway wrote:You should be. There was 1.7 million burglaries in England + Wales in 1997. That number is astronomical and says that burglars have nothing to fear from citizens, and they well should. You bring your frying pan to confront one of those burglars with his throwaway .32, and let me know how it turns out.
There's so much wrong with the data and conclusions here I don't even know where to start.
agroszkiewicz wrote:The complete and total focus on violence, materialism, and self serving in order to get ahead monetarily. It makes me want to wretch at times.
Oh, and I'm totally sick of "press 1 for english".
This sign also annoys me.
I have no problem with people being immigrants, or keeping their own traditions, but my entire family learned English when they moved here and I think its sad that people don't feel the need to at least become a nominal member of the culture that defines who and what America becomes.
I don't really hate anything outright (unless I'm sauced), so things about America that annoy me:
Self-Importance
Exceptionalism
Anti-intellectualism
A public that accepts very little responsibility for its politicians
Evangelism
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agroszkiewicz wrote:
I have no problem with people being immigrants, or keeping their own traditions, but my entire family learned English when they moved here and I think its sad that people don't feel the need to at least become a nominal member of the culture that defines who and what America becomes.
Why are you mad at the immigrants? Shouldn't you be mad at the people that provide alternative language services in order to make money?
Stephen Harper. The saddest part about it is that his competition isn't much better either. You know you should be ashamed when the only decent looking party leader is Jack Layton.
dogma wrote:
Why are you mad at the immigrants? Shouldn't you be mad at the people that provide alternative language services in order to make money?
I'm actually frustrated with the ridiculous level of political correctness in our society that dictates it is "wrong" that we demand people speak English. We have no national language, and as such we have a pretty damn weak national identity outside of middle America.
I'm not mad at people for speaking spanish, I'm deeply offended that as a culture we no longer require that people adopt our language or even an americanized name as my own people did when they came through Ellis Island. Oh wait, thats not illegal immigration.
Another key component that I hate is the draconian citizenship application service and the billions of dollars we waste "fighting" immigration instead of integrating them into society so that we can collect tax revenue and more voters.
1. Having to go to work in order to have some of my hard earned $$$$$ taken off me to pay for all the people who don't work. Stuggling with a Mortgage whilst single teenage Mums get a house for free with every Mod-Con avaialble for doing absolutly nothing.
2. Political Corectness Brigade. "ooo the state of our prisions is appalling for inmates" It's supposed to be appalling.... Its a Prison for Feth's sake.
3. Chav's, and anyone participating / watching the Jeremy Kyle show. Its basically a Holding Pen for council estate Chav's.
I'm going to cheat and comment on other countries now...
Japan; working hours too long, deeply personal relationships were you still don't know the other person. But v safe, seems v equal.
America; people happy to insult the English people to your face as if you'll laugh along with them. Everyone is a tough guy. But v cheap, good access to the best of everything, the tough guy thing can be a plus as well.
Dubai; guido's with money. Too hot. No gambling. The plus is the money.
In regards to people's comments on England, although some other countries are more violent, it sucks for England because things are getting worse. Honestly my flat was broken into and used for parties when I went on holiday, the police just don't care, they even told me they knew who did it, but couldn't do anything. It is a council house area but still. You just get tired of adjusting your life to avoid being threatened.
I'm honestly asking, because it doesn't even make me blink.
As a 3rd generation American I grew up around grandparents who were proud to have come to this country, learned English, and become naturalized citizens. The current (what I see as) pandering to Latino votes and fear of being politically incorrect has led to a society where there is no common tongue. As such we have lost the strongest possible factor in establishing commonality between the various culture's in America. No national language means no national identity.
Again, middle America is the exception to this, but they are still a relatively homogeneous culture.
Current immigration policy, and the complete lack of public understanding about what immigration has and still does mean to keeping our culture from stagnation is a total roadblock into really starting to assimilate the Asian and Latin subcultures into the fabric of American society. Without immigration reform and establishment of a national language we will always be fractured and easily polarized.
agroszkiewicz wrote:
Again, middle America is the exception to this, but they are still a relatively homogeneous culture.
I'm from Middle America, and I don't think that's true at all.
Maybe its just me being weird, but there isn't a ton of predictable homogeneity in any of the various Middle American places that I've lived; and they've all been very different from one another where cross-comparison is concerned.
For example, Chicago isn't very much like St. Paul, and St. Paul isn't very much like St. Louis.
I live in Sweden, and there's really nothing wrong with it except for the climate, the growing racism and the current political situation...actually, that's a lot of wrongs :S
agroszkiewicz wrote:
Again, middle America is the exception to this, but they are still a relatively homogeneous culture.
I'm from Middle America, and I don't think that's true at all.
In comparison to the number of separate cultures represented in the west and eastern seaboard, yes middle America is very homogeneous. Out here not being bilingual in English and Spanish/Cantonese/Filipino/whatever makes it inordinately harder to find a job due to the incredible amount of folks that flat out cannot speak a lick of English, and utterly refuse to even attempt to learn.
Its the same in any major metropolitan area, which is where the vast vast majority of citizens make their home.
I'm not talking about one city being like another, I'm talking about the fact that the overall culture is the same. Make sense?
agroszkiewicz wrote:
In comparison to the number of separate cultures represented in the west and eastern seaboard, yes middle America is very homogeneous. Out here not being bilingual in English and Spanish/Cantonese/Filipino/whatever makes it inordinately harder to find a job due to the incredible amount of folks that flat out cannot speak a lick of English, and utterly refuse to even attempt to learn.
Have you ever lived in Middle America? Its the same way here.
agroszkiewicz wrote:
I'm not talking about one city being like another, I'm talking about the fact that the overall culture is the same. Make sense?
No, not really. That's why my examples were, undetailed, cities.
In all seriousness, one thing that really irks me is how overall American culture/society scorns actual thinking. Engaging in thought provoking activity is generally something most people avoid at all cost, at least in my experience.
I have met maybe one or two people my own age that I can have a genuinely intellectually stimulaing conversation with. While this may be in large part due to my only having been around for 17 and half or so years, it is still a bit disheartening that the vast majority of my peers' conversations involve the latest episode of Jersey Shore, or their plans for getting wasted over the weekend.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for partying and having a good time, but everything in moderation.
Sometimes I would prefer to talk about more stimulating topics than reality TV, sports, or Lil Wayne.
Unfortunately, most of the people I have encountered in my lifetime have viewed thinking as one of those things that you do when you absolutely have to, but try to avoid as much as possible.
TheSecretSquig wrote:Things I hate in the UK....................
1. Having to go to work in order to have some of my hard earned $$$$$ taken off me to pay for all the people who don't work. Stuggling with a Mortgage whilst single teenage Mums get a house for free with every Mod-Con avaialble for doing absolutly nothing.
My mam was a teenage mother. She worked hard, and now we live in a decent house in a nice neighbourhood.
Perhaps you should check your facts before slinging stereotypes around.
TheSecretSquig wrote:Things I hate in the UK....................
1. Having to go to work in order to have some of my hard earned $$$$$ taken off me to pay for all the people who don't work. Stuggling with a Mortgage whilst single teenage Mums get a house for free with every Mod-Con avaialble for doing absolutly nothing.
My mam was a teenage mother. She worked hard, and now we live in a decent house in a nice neighbourhood.
Perhaps you should check your facts before slinging stereotypes around.
Da Boss wrote:It is hard for the junior partner to fight anything though, without threatening the "nuclear option" of bringing down the government. At this stage, I think it's easy to see why a responsible party wouldn't do that.
The lib dems may have "betrayed" their base, but if they did it was only by going into power with the Conservatives. The base have to accept that as a small party they are going to have some issues that don't get through, and some that do. It's fair to be annoyed at them, but consider the alternative if they hadn't gone into coalition- would any of their policies (such as electoral reform) get through? I'd be annoyed in your situation too, but I'd mostly be annoyed at the Tories, not the lib dems.
Oh, I just don't like any of the major parties. Not the Tories, not the "oh, but we're left-wing, HONEST" Labour lot, nor the Lib Dems.
Still, given that the minor parties will never get a say in power with the current system (and I disagree with many of them anyway), and therefore my choice of an effective vote is somewhat limited to the three, this leaves me in a pickle.
rubiksnoob wrote:In all seriousness, one thing that really irks me is how overall American culture/society scorns actual thinking. Engaging in thought provoking activity is generally something most people avoid at all cost, at least in my experience.
I have met maybe one or two people my own age that I can have a genuinely intellectually stimulaing conversation with. While this may be in large part due to my only having been around for 17 and half or so years, it is still a bit disheartening that the vast majority of my peers' conversations involve the latest episode of Jersey Shore, or their plans for getting wasted over the weekend.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for partying and having a good time, but everything in moderation.
Sometimes I would prefer to talk about more stimulating topics than reality TV, sports, or Lil Wayne.
Unfortunately, most of the people I have encountered in my lifetime have viewed thinking as one of those things that you do when you absolutely have to, but try to avoid as much as possible.
Lemme, guess, you live in the Raleigh-Durham area?
rubiksnoob wrote:In all seriousness, one thing that really irks me is how overall American culture/society scorns actual thinking. Engaging in thought provoking activity is generally something most people avoid at all cost, at least in my experience.
I have met maybe one or two people my own age that I can have a genuinely intellectually stimulaing conversation with. While this may be in large part due to my only having been around for 17 and half or so years, it is still a bit disheartening that the vast majority of my peers' conversations involve the latest episode of Jersey Shore, or their plans for getting wasted over the weekend.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for partying and having a good time, but everything in moderation.
Sometimes I would prefer to talk about more stimulating topics than reality TV, sports, or Lil Wayne.
Unfortunately, most of the people I have encountered in my lifetime have viewed thinking as one of those things that you do when you absolutely have to, but try to avoid as much as possible.
Lemme, guess, you live in the Raleigh-Durham area?
rubiksnoob wrote:In all seriousness, one thing that really irks me is how overall American culture/society scorns actual thinking. Engaging in thought provoking activity is generally something most people avoid at all cost, at least in my experience.
I have met maybe one or two people my own age that I can have a genuinely intellectually stimulaing conversation with. While this may be in large part due to my only having been around for 17 and half or so years, it is still a bit disheartening that the vast majority of my peers' conversations involve the latest episode of Jersey Shore, or their plans for getting wasted over the weekend.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for partying and having a good time, but everything in moderation.
Sometimes I would prefer to talk about more stimulating topics than reality TV, sports, or Lil Wayne.
Unfortunately, most of the people I have encountered in my lifetime have viewed thinking as one of those things that you do when you absolutely have to, but try to avoid as much as possible.
Lemme, guess, you live in the Raleigh-Durham area?
Nope, Charlotte.
I'm sorry
One of my closest friends has lots of family in NC, and most of them aren't the brightest bulbs on the tree.
TheSecretSquig wrote:Things I hate in the UK....................
1. Having to go to work in order to have some of my hard earned $$$$$ taken off me to pay for all the people who don't work. Stuggling with a Mortgage whilst single teenage Mums get a house for free with every Mod-Con avaialble for doing absolutly nothing.
My mam was a teenage mother. She worked hard, and now we live in a decent house in a nice neighbourhood.
Perhaps you should check your facts before slinging stereotypes around.
If she just worked hard then Kudos to her. What a marvellous woman, send me her address and ill mail her a Christmas card.
If she didnt just work hard and also got hefty subsidies (child support, income support, housing benefit) from the state then his stereotype is entirely justified. I dont think we should give a single penny in child support to anybody under 21, and frankly i think we should forcibly sterilise half of the toothless one eyed simpletons that inhabit this stinking island.
TheSecretSquig wrote:Things I hate in the UK....................
1. Having to go to work in order to have some of my hard earned $$$$$ taken off me to pay for all the people who don't work. Stuggling with a Mortgage whilst single teenage Mums get a house for free with every Mod-Con avaialble for doing absolutly nothing.
My mam was a teenage mother. She worked hard, and now we live in a decent house in a nice neighbourhood.
Perhaps you should check your facts before slinging stereotypes around.
If she just worked hard then Kudos to her. What a marvellous woman, send me her address and ill mail her a Christmas card.
If she didnt just work hard and also got hefty subsidies (child support, income support, housing benefit) from the state then his stereotype is entirely justified. I dont think we should give a single penny in child support to anybody under 21, and frankly i think we should forcibly sterilise half of the toothless one eyed simpletons that inhabit this stinking island.
Albatross wrote:You know what I hate about my country? Whiny fething pussies who don't know how good they have it.
It's rare that I come across posts that I love this much, but one after the other?
TheSecretSquig wrote:Things I hate in the UK....................
1. Having to go to work in order to have some of my hard earned $$$$$ taken off me to pay for all the people who don't work. Stuggling with a Mortgage whilst single teenage Mums get a house for free with every Mod-Con avaialble for doing absolutly nothing.
My mam was a teenage mother. She worked hard, and now we live in a decent house in a nice neighbourhood.
Perhaps you should check your facts before slinging stereotypes around.
If she just worked hard then Kudos to her. What a marvellous woman, send me her address and ill mail her a Christmas card.
If she didnt just work hard and also got hefty subsidies (child support, income support, housing benefit) from the state then his stereotype is entirely justified. I dont think we should give a single penny in child support to anybody under 21, and frankly i think we should forcibly sterilise half of the toothless one eyed simpletons that inhabit this stinking island.
I would send that address right on, except this is the internet. Know what I mean?
rubiksnoob wrote:In all seriousness, one thing that really irks me is how overall American culture/society scorns actual thinking. Engaging in thought provoking activity is generally something most people avoid at all cost, at least in my experience.
I have met maybe one or two people my own age that I can have a genuinely intellectually stimulaing conversation with. While this may be in large part due to my only having been around for 17 and half or so years, it is still a bit disheartening that the vast majority of my peers' conversations involve the latest episode of Jersey Shore, or their plans for getting wasted over the weekend.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for partying and having a good time, but everything in moderation.
Sometimes I would prefer to talk about more stimulating topics than reality TV, sports, or Lil Wayne.
Unfortunately, most of the people I have encountered in my lifetime have viewed thinking as one of those things that you do when you absolutely have to, but try to avoid as much as possible.
Lemme, guess, you live in the Raleigh-Durham area?
Nope, Charlotte.
I'm sorry
One of my closest friends has lots of family in NC, and most of them aren't the brightest bulbs on the tree.
Ehhh. It's not too bad. It gets too cold in the winter, but that's about my only complaint about living here. Oh, and it's not by the beach. That's two complaints.
And the distribution of ignorant mouth-breather types here is just about the same as most anywhere else I've been. In fact, there are more interesting people here than Chicago, where I used to live.
It's hard to generalize about the overall intelligence of people in such a large area like a state. The fact that your friend's relatives aren't too bright probably has more to do with genetics than geography.
I was more referring to how American popular culture cultivates the attitude that thinking is dumb. That's actually a direct quote from a peer of mine.
Me: "I really liked x movie." Mouth-breather: "Naw, that movie was lame" Me: "Really? I liked it. It really made you think." Mouth-breather: "Thinking is dumb. I don't want to have to think when I see a movie."
Later in the conversation I inquired as to whether he had read the book, or something along those lines. I was asked in reply, "Who reads?"
Gorskar.da.Lost wrote:I can see this having... interesting consequences.
Yes...such as employment for street crap cleaning that could number in the hundreds of thousands of jobs, and the revitalization of the local feather mattress market right here in America.
TheSecretSquig wrote:Things I hate in the UK....................
1. Having to go to work in order to have some of my hard earned $$$$$ taken off me to pay for all the people who don't work. Stuggling with a Mortgage whilst single teenage Mums get a house for free with every Mod-Con avaialble for doing absolutly nothing.
My mam was a teenage mother. She worked hard, and now we live in a decent house in a nice neighbourhood.
Perhaps you should check your facts before slinging stereotypes around.
My mate worked with a guy I used to go to school with, a year after school he and his 16 year old girlfriend had a child. They now have 3 and the guy and his misus now live in a house thaty they get for free and live very comfortably. I on the other hand work full time for the NHS and cant afford to move out from my parents house. Is that a fact you'll except?
I can't say I hate any bit of the UK. Sure our politicians are double dealing but that's the way politics works, through compromise and argument. Its annoying when they go back on election promises such as a pledge to oppose tuition fees being raised but what can you do. Our country is in a pretty decent shape at the moment. We are a vibrant multi-cultural society and while integration remains a problem and there are racial tensions all over the show I do feel that we are living in an age when someone can be who he/she is without fear of repercussions.
To
Not being odd or anything but I would prefer to live in the society depicted in the second picture where people are allowed to present their views without fear of reprisals or being mistreated by the establishment as opposed to the society of blind nationalism and Jingoism.
'I do not agree with what you are saying but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.' Voltaire
The Gun Grabbing platforms of the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP gak all over not only the Canadian tradition of sports shooting and hunting, and the sacrifices our grandfathers made to preserve a free society, but also the common law right to self defense. (this point makes me wonder why you brits, with your nanny-statism and CCTV everywhere and draconian gun laws aren't standing up for yourselves a little more)
Because we realise that owning a gun doesn't mean anything, as you're never going to overthrow your Government? And indeed the only reason to have a gun for home defence is if the laws on guns means anyone you'd need to defend your home from is likely to be packing?
Simply put, we're just not that paranoid. And a frying pan upside the head does the job just as well.
The Gun Grabbing platforms of the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP gak all over not only the Canadian tradition of sports shooting and hunting, and the sacrifices our grandfathers made to preserve a free society, but also the common law right to self defense. (this point makes me wonder why you brits, with your nanny-statism and CCTV everywhere and draconian gun laws aren't standing up for yourselves a little more)
Because we realise that owning a gun doesn't mean anything, as you're never going to overthrow your Government? And indeed the only reason to have a gun for home defence is if the laws on guns means anyone you'd need to defend your home from is likely to be packing?
Simply put, we're just not that paranoid. And a frying pan upside the head does the job just as well.
btw, most Canadians feel that way too.
Thats only because you're all buried under hundreds of feet of snow...and thats during the summer.
Cheesecat wrote:I hate people who complain about there country.
You may be right. Especially since the majority of us live in rich 1st world countries.
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Frazzled wrote:
KamikazeCanuck wrote:
Mr Mystery wrote:
hemingway wrote:Hm. Politically?
The Gun Grabbing platforms of the Liberal Party of Canada and the NDP gak all over not only the Canadian tradition of sports shooting and hunting, and the sacrifices our grandfathers made to preserve a free society, but also the common law right to self defense. (this point makes me wonder why you brits, with your nanny-statism and CCTV everywhere and draconian gun laws aren't standing up for yourselves a little more)
Because we realise that owning a gun doesn't mean anything, as you're never going to overthrow your Government? And indeed the only reason to have a gun for home defence is if the laws on guns means anyone you'd need to defend your home from is likely to be packing?
Simply put, we're just not that paranoid. And a frying pan upside the head does the job just as well.
btw, most Canadians feel that way too.
Thats only because you're all buried under hundreds of feet of snow...and thats during the summer.
I'm from Pacific North West we're buried under hundreds of feet of rain....year round.
1. Corporate 'personhood'. Corporations are wonderful liability tools, but don't deserve protected speech or other qualities.
2. Use of imperial measurements. Seriously, metric measurements aren't that hard to learn.
dogma wrote:
Anti-intellectualism
rubiksnoob wrote:
In all seriousness, one thing that really irks me is how overall American culture/society scorns actual thinking. Engaging in thought provoking activity is generally something most people avoid at all cost, at least in my experience.
For me more specifically, it's that there's a prevailing trend of deliberately not engaging in debate or discussion and simply embracing a position based upon sound bites. It seems that nuance is actively avoided anymore, which makes it impossible to reach consensus on a great variety of topics.
For a country so paranoid about paedophilia, we're pretty horrendous on the old double standards. Do we really need to ban this stuff, or can we not just slap parents about for allowing this particular market to thrive?
In the great scheme of things we have it pretty good, whenever I get a downer on the UK I try to think of where else I would rather live, without being a millionaire. It ends up that I can't think of another place I would rather be.
Things which I do hate are the glorification of ignorance. Walk into any educational establishment or workplace, gather the workforce/class together and ask a question. Nine times out of ten one of two things will happen. If the question is asked of the group nobody will volunteer an answer for fear of being branded a swot or a smart ass. If the question is asked directly and the person gets it wrong people will laugh and think it's funny. It isn't. It is ignorance and should be despised and make the person feel ashamed and determined to better themselves.
I can't help feel that this stems from the "there are no loosers" school of thought. Competition is healthy it enables people to understand what they are good at and where they need to improve. The celebration of mediocrity and stupidity which sees the likes of Jade Goody and Jordan become a national heros makes me sick.
IceRaptor wrote:1. Corporate 'personhood'. Corporations are wonderful liability tools, but don't deserve protected speech or other qualities.
2. Use of imperial measurements. Seriously, metric measurements aren't that hard to learn.
dogma wrote:
Anti-intellectualism
rubiksnoob wrote:
In all seriousness, one thing that really irks me is how overall American culture/society scorns actual thinking. Engaging in thought provoking activity is generally something most people avoid at all cost, at least in my experience.
For me more specifically, it's that there's a prevailing trend of deliberately not engaging in debate or discussion and simply embracing a position based upon sound bites. It seems that nuance is actively avoided anymore, which makes it impossible to reach consensus on a great variety of topics.
I agree with everything you just said IceRaptor. You seem to be a dying breed of American.
Something which I cannot stand, which is not particularly narrowed down into one country, is the whole culture where you can only become successful and/or famous in life if you either play sport or appear on tv on some sort of singing reality show, obviously there are more examples, to name a few. The thing that really pisses me off most of all about this is that intellictualism is frowned upon in this society.
I've no problems with corporations, but don't think they deserve free speech protections either. They're mechanisms to dilute risk in investment, nothing more. But some lines of thought seem to make them out to be benevolent actors for society instead of financial instruments, which is a dangerous precedent - in my opinion. Granted I'm no economist or social scientist, but corporate objectives rarely seem to align with societal ones, except in the short term.
Corporations could make their own lives so much easier by spreading a little of that cash around on their own volition. Though the argument can be made that they already do and we're a bunch of "playa hatas."
It's ridiculus that they have all the same rights as a person yet I believe they are also legally required to do everything possible to gain as much money as possible.
It's like the goverment is making immoral people!
Anyways, Metric system is good! Why America Why? Even the brits don't use Imperial and its named after them!!
Monster Rain wrote:Corporations could make their own lives so much easier by spreading a little of that cash around on their own volition. Though the argument can be made that they already do and we're a bunch of "playa hatas."
Eh, I'm fine with them being greedy pigs - they are at least honest about their motives that way. But it's society's imperative to brake their desire to consume with rational decisions about stewardship of both personal rights and common property. In my opinion.
Of course, my family are all in the coal business, so maybe my viewpoint is just a backlash against their politics, too
KamikazeCanuck wrote:Anyways, Metric system is good! Why America Why? Even the brits don't use Imperial and its named after them!!
The British still use miles instead of kilometers on many of their roadways, I believe. I remember seeing those markings driving into London from Gatwick (I believe?).
American engineering firms often use metric measurements, especially as we continue to globalize. But by and large there's little interest in making the wholesale conversion, mostly out of apathy, I think. I suspect it will happen if our economy continues to stay soft for a long period of time - as the global market increases in scope we'll need to accommodate the more proper thinking countries out there.
Albatross wrote:You know what I hate about my country? Whiny fething pussies who don't know how good they have it.
Agreed, I know several girls (Although I've seen it in guys as well) who have plenty of good friends, have a boyfriend, are great-looking, got nice cleavage and have an exciting life yet they still complain about how horrible there existence is. Feth
even I'm happy with my life, I may not have a lot of friends but the ones I do have are really good. The only thing I really feel I'm missing in life is an awesome sexual and romantic life (that and my own place but that's more for Independence,
privacy and getting away from my parents ). Then again maybe I deal with life differently than they do, I can find happiness in even the littlest things and when a problem occurs I'll try to change things to make the situation better for me, if I
can't then I just accept that's the way things are and embrace the negativity until it goes away (probably wont' remember what I was mad/sad about, after a week anyways). If my head is still wrapped around a problem for more than a week then
The utter laziness of the UK media when investigating a story. They always have an angle they want to cover and will do feth all investigation to see if they have a valid point.
I'm a transport planner for Southampton City Council and I happened across a story in the Daily Mail today which decided to label one of our roundabouts as the most confusing junction in the UK. To back up their story they relied solely on anecdotal evidence from pissed off drivers without allowing the Council to make any kind of response.
They utterly ignored (or didn't bother to find out) the fact that this was previously an accident blackspot with long queues in peak periods. Or that cyclists and pedestrians can now cross the approach roads without having to make a run for it. Or that HGVs leaving the Port no longer have to force their way into the traffic.
Monster Rain wrote:Corporations could make their own lives so much easier by spreading a little of that cash around on their own volition. Though the argument can be made that they already do and we're a bunch of "playa hatas."
Eh, I'm fine with them being greedy pigs - they are at least honest about their motives that way. But it's society's imperative to brake their desire to consume with rational decisions about stewardship of both personal rights and common property. In my opinion.
Of course, my family are all in the coal business, so maybe my viewpoint is just a backlash against their politics, too
KamikazeCanuck wrote:Anyways, Metric system is good! Why America Why? Even the brits don't use Imperial and its named after them!!
The British still use miles instead of kilometers on many of their roadways, I believe. I remember seeing those markings driving into London from Gatwick (I believe?).
American engineering firms often use metric measurements, especially as we continue to globalize. But by and large there's little interest in making the wholesale conversion, mostly out of apathy, I think. I suspect it will happen if our economy continues to stay soft for a long period of time - as the global market increases in scope we'll need to accommodate the more proper thinking countries out there.
So do Canadians. You'll never hear a Canadians refering to any weight in Kilograms. It's just a cultural thing. In fact much of our hanging on to Imperial is from our proximity to America. It takes generations to make the change. You can literally tell the difference from an old Canadian and a young one by whether or not they use Farenheiht or Celsius. It's just we'll never make that full shift IMO unless America switches too.
As a note, Britain still uses a lot of Imperial measurements even after "having made the switch." I can't tell you what my height is in metres/centimetres, but I do know it in feet and inches, for example.
I actually quite like my country and tend to view things like corrupt politicians and greedy corporations as par for the course.
If I have any real gripe it would be the seemingly willful stupidity of many people I encounter.
I'm aware that "higher education" is costly,and many people don't have the opportunity to attend universities...but FFS,a library card cost little to nothing and most homes have computers and Internet,yet for some reason there are those who seem to honestly enjoy not being aware of what goes on around them,past events and accomplishments,social problems and progress or indeed anything other then the most trivial and ridiculous information ingested from sitting in front of the T.V watching reality programs.
It's saddening that with such opportunities,such an ocean of information,they're are those that for whatever reason refuse to educate themselves.
dogma wrote:
Have you ever lived in Middle America? Its the same way here.
Yep, I grew up in middle American and in the southern US. My statements are based on personal observation from living in 12 states over my lifetime, 5 of which have been in the last 10 years.
Trust me, its not the same.
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Ahtman wrote:The Midwest is only homogeneous in the same sense that the south is mostly populated by racists.
Having grown up (for the large part) in Alabama, I think that the racism in the south is no more prevalent than racism anywhere else. Its just that its "white vs color" there, where as in area's such as the San Fransisco bay racism takes the form of things like "black pride" "Asian pride" "gay pride", but being proud of being a middle class guy from European stock literally causes you to get screamed at on BART and other public places. Also, there are A LOT of racist ass black people and Asian people out here. I get really sick of being called a "howlie", "cracker", and my personal favorite "hey whiteboy". Bet folks wouldn't react nicely if I said "Hey, whats up zipperhead!"
Death of national pride and national identity is a really really bad thing.
Please let me be clear, I love America. I love the traditional American way of life. I love the sense of community that things like parades, town street parties, and local business gives to towns like the one I live in. My gripes about America are pretty much limited to our seeming need to stick our noses in EVERY other country, our astronomical military budget, and the death of our national identity.
I'd say that I hate our politicians, but those feths are the same no matter what country you live in.
agroszkiewicz wrote:
Yep, I grew up in middle American and in the southern US. My statements are based on personal observation from living in 12 states over my lifetime, 5 of which have been in the last 10 years.
Trust me, its not the same.
We're probably going have to agree to disagree.
I've lived in the Midwest for a long time, but I'm also pretty well traveled, and have done stints on both coasts. Obviously every location is different, but I would be hard pressed to describe any region as homogeneous.
The years of ineffectual right-wing governments and the abominable way they treated the indigenous population.
Those shanty towns are unacceptable. More effort should be made to eliminate the drug/alcohol problem and integrate them into the rest of society.
Furthermore, gay marriage needs to be fully legalised, police need to be armed with tasers 24/7 and media classification (especially video games) needs to be overhauled. Some of the games which were denied a rating have been censored to the point of being completely fethed (see: Left 4 Dead 2). Pornography should be legal to purchase in all states. Proper education on foreign religion and culture needs to be carried out, especially regarding Islam.
What i hate from my country? a looot of things
Our pityful politicians... after the 70's when Adolfo Suarez and the chamber approved our actual Constitution, we never had another politician worthy of respect, each legislature, worst and worst, just look past 7 years, we were one of the most whealthy countries in the EU and now we have 4 million without job (me included)... actual Politicians are dumb as hell, and even worst, because the oposition are no way better....
Separatism can be seen everywhere without being prosecuted and punished, especially in "Vasque country" (i'm sure you know something about ETA), Cataluña (annoying flag-burners, non-dangerous by now), if its not the previous mentioned problems, we had a total, absolute, lack of Culture...pfff if i don't write more is because i don't know how to write it.... the educational sistem is an epic fail, i remember wher i was in the army few years ago in the dressing room, a young soldier came to put his uniform on... the problem was, he came with a sleveless red shirt with a criss-crossed hammer and sicke with a great CCCP... i laughed at the moment and then asked him. "Hey Rugama, you know what you shirt means?" and he told me "no, what means?" just imagine my face...
another problems is the ilegal immigration, and legal too, for some reason i don't know how explain to yourselves, they are contracted nearly at the moment, in fact, in some aspects they have more right than a natural born Spanish!! just for example, last year one of my sisters lived with my with his son, just on front of my house ther is an awesome and brand new school, when my sister came to find place for his son in this school they told her. "The remaining places are only for immigrants".... take your conclusions....
there's even more to tell... but i think its enough
rubiksnoob wrote: I don't know why anyone would want to live in, for example, New Jersey.
yeah, when they're not incessantly soliciting you to come to their church.
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dogma wrote:There is truth in this.
Of the places I've been or lived, the ones I disliked the most were New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Texas.
I largely agree with your sentiments here; however, Washington, more specifically Seattle is a great place to live, especially if your a gamer of any sort. The city is great, the tapography is wonderful, excellent food and plenty to do, not to mention the comic shops and gaming stores you will find everywhere. I think most people get hung up on the weather factor....in all honesty though, having lived there for 19 years, its not as bad as people think. In fact more cities on the east coast have a higher annual rainfall as opposed to Wa.
rubiksnoob wrote: I don't know why anyone would want to live in, for example, New Jersey.
yeah, when they're not incessantly soliciting you to come to their church.
That's really just a myth about the south. While it is true that there are some religious crazies down here, they aren't as pushy as eveyone seems to think. I've been asked to youthgroups or church functions a few times, but after telling them, "No thanks, I'm not Christian." they don't bother you about it again. Worst case scenario is, upon learning that you are not a "believer", they never talk to you again, and that's not exactly unbearable.
rubiksnoob wrote:That's really just a myth about the south. While it is true that there are some religious crazies down here, they aren't as pushy as eveyone seems to think. I've been asked to youthgroups or church functions a few times, but after telling them, "No thanks, I'm not Christian." they don't bother you about it again. Worst case scenario is, upon learning that you are not a "believer", they never talk to you again, and that's not exactly unbearable.
well I have experienced it first hand so I dont consider it a myth. Obviously while not everyone beats the bible here, a significant amount do and come off a bit enthnocentric about it (only in some cases). Your right, there not that pushy, never said they were, the only thing im claiming is that they are abundant and they love to infuse religion in conversation more often than is comfortable. Seriously, in the smaller towns it seems like the ratio of chruches to residential homes is like 1:4!
agroszkiewicz wrote:
Yep, I grew up in middle American and in the southern US. My statements are based on personal observation from living in 12 states over my lifetime, 5 of which have been in the last 10 years.
Trust me, its not the same.
We're probably going have to agree to disagree.
I've lived in the Midwest for a long time, but I'm also pretty well traveled, and have done stints on both coasts. Obviously every location is different, but I would be hard pressed to describe any region as homogeneous.
Compare voter demographics and census information on cultural/immigrant populations in the larger metropolitan area's of the US compared to the more rural small town areas. I'm not trying to say that a city like Houston is demographically homogeneous, simply that the overall culture is that way in comparison to the western and eastern seaboards. This is pretty easy to grasp since those are also the two gateway's for immigrants coming here....well and the Mexico border I suppose but undocumented immigrants are a whole nother issue.
Ahtman wrote:So you would categorize, for example, Indiana as a homogeneous group, yes?
Depends on the part. The more dense a population center, the more heterogeneous the area will be. Plus you have to factor in initial bases of an immigrant population such as the VERY high number of Hmong and other displaced minorities. Using Hmong as an example in this case simply because they are a well known cultural group that has had extreme difficulty in assimilating into American culture.
There are also factors such as whether or not the industry in the area actively employs immigrant populations similar to every major grocery chain in California. <shrug>
KamikazeCanuck wrote:Hmong are a well known cultural group now?
Around here they are. Its an example of dense immigrant population centers in restricted geographical locations. Similar to large business (like ummm, chicken farms in the south) that attract disproportionally large numbers of immigrant persons to employ them for substandard wages in unsafe working conditions. Happens alot, and the more dense the urban center the more frequent it is to receive displaced populations.
I hate career politicians. I hate laws that make no sense to me. I hate people who think that in between California and New York there is just a sea of slack jawed yokels. I hate Republicans for ruining the term Conservative, and I hate Democrats for ruining the term Liberal. I hate people who are racist and can't admit it. I hate people that blame racism for all their problems. I hate PETA and the Green movement. I hate the fact that we consider scientology a real religion. I Really hate the fact that scientology is highlighted as being misspelled because I didn't capitalize the S. Mostly though, I hate the fact that I still love this stupid, incoherent excuse for a nation. Bastards.
KamikazeCanuck wrote:Hmong are a well known cultural group now?
Around here they are. Its an example of dense immigrant population centers in restricted geographical locations. Similar to large business (like ummm, chicken farms in the south) that attract disproportionally large numbers of immigrant persons to employ them for substandard wages in unsafe working conditions. Happens alot, and the more dense the urban center the more frequent it is to receive displaced populations.
Ahtman wrote:So you would categorize, for example, Indiana as a homogeneous group, yes?
Depends on the part. The more dense a population center, the more heterogeneous the area will be. Plus you have to factor in initial bases of an immigrant population such as the VERY high number of Hmong and other displaced minorities. Using Hmong as an example in this case simply because they are a well known cultural group that has had extreme difficulty in assimilating into American culture.
There are also factors such as whether or not the industry in the area actively employs immigrant populations similar to every major grocery chain in California. <shrug>
That's nice and all, about the Hmong and California, but you didn't answer the question.
Ahtman wrote:So you would categorize, for example, Indiana as a homogeneous group, yes?
Depends on the part. The more dense a population center, the more heterogeneous the area will be. Plus you have to factor in initial bases of an immigrant population such as the VERY high number of Hmong and other displaced minorities. Using Hmong as an example in this case simply because they are a well known cultural group that has had extreme difficulty in assimilating into American culture.
There are also factors such as whether or not the industry in the area actively employs immigrant populations similar to every major grocery chain in California. <shrug>
That's nice and all, about the Hmong and California, but you didn't answer the question.
Bolded for you. I did answer.
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Monster Rain wrote:I thought everyone knew about the Hmong after Grand Torino.
You can't seem to settle on an answer. First you say the Midwest is homogeneous and then when asked a direct question as whether it is you say maybe. Either it is or it isn't, but it isn't both at once. You can't say it is homogeneous and then turn around and say that only parts are. If it is split up into parts it isn't homogeneous. Lots of different communities that are different would be the opposite of the claim you made.
agroszkiewicz wrote:
Compare voter demographics and census information on cultural/immigrant populations in the larger metropolitan area's of the US compared to the more rural small town areas. I'm not trying to say that a city like Houston is demographically homogeneous, simply that the overall culture is that way in comparison to the western and eastern seaboards. This is pretty easy to grasp since those are also the two gateway's for immigrants coming here....well and the Mexico border I suppose but undocumented immigrants are a whole nother issue.
What voter demographics? Party registration? Ethnicity? Religion?
If that's what you limit your understanding of cultural diversity to its no wonder that you see so much homogeneity.
I think you may have a claim regarding the broad familiarity that many people have with most of the cultural groups in the Midwest, or at least the stereotypes of those cultural groups, but they certainly aren't a homogeneous mix same.
I mean, if I can drive an hour outside of Chicago and immediately feel out of place, there isn't a whole lot of homogeneity going on. The same can be said of my friends who grew up in Coles County driving into Champaign..
Ahtman wrote: Either it is or it isn't, but it isn't both at once.
Area's with greater proportions of rural and/or small towns are vastly more homogeneous than area's with major population centers. That being said, the majority of middle america is comparatively far more homogeneous than the sea boards. Tis not the same things as "yeah, well is Indiana homogeneous".
Does that make more sense? You're asking me to answer a question on specifics with a question about generalities. Thats not possible and it borders on a fallacy.
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dogma wrote:
agroszkiewicz wrote:
Compare voter demographics and census information on cultural/immigrant populations in the larger metropolitan area's of the US compared to the more rural small town areas. I'm not trying to say that a city like Houston is demographically homogeneous, simply that the overall culture is that way in comparison to the western and eastern seaboards. This is pretty easy to grasp since those are also the two gateway's for immigrants coming here....well and the Mexico border I suppose but undocumented immigrants are a whole nother issue.
What voter demographics? Party registration? Ethnicity? Religion?
If that's what you limit your understanding of cultural diversity to its no wonder that you see so much homogeneity.
Ethnicity, country of origin, and length of time spent stateside.
Ahtman wrote: Either it is or it isn't, but it isn't both at once.
Area's with greater proportions of rural and/or small towns are vastly more homogeneous than area's with major population centers. That being said, the majority of middle america is comparatively far more homogeneous than the sea boards. Tis not the same things as "yeah, well is Indiana homogeneous".
Does that make more sense? You're asking me to answer a question on specifics with a question about generalities. Thats not possible and it borders on a fallacy.
Actually what I'm asking for you to do is to stand by your original statement or admit you were wrong. What I am getting though is a lot of this:
Ahtman wrote: Either it is or it isn't, but it isn't both at once.
Area's with greater proportions of rural and/or small towns are vastly more homogeneous than area's with major population centers. That being said, the majority of middle america is comparatively far more homogeneous than the sea boards. Tis not the same things as "yeah, well is Indiana homogeneous".
Does that make more sense? You're asking me to answer a question on specifics with a question about generalities. Thats not possible and it borders on a fallacy.
Actually what I'm asking for you to do is to stand by your original statement or admit you were wrong. What I am getting though is a lot of this:
<shrug> If thats what yah think then its what yah think.
Ahtman wrote: Either it is or it isn't, but it isn't both at once.
Area's with greater proportions of rural and/or small towns are vastly more homogeneous than area's with major population centers. That being said, the majority of middle america is comparatively far more homogeneous than the sea boards. Tis not the same things as "yeah, well is Indiana homogeneous".
Does that make more sense? You're asking me to answer a question on specifics with a question about generalities. Thats not possible and it borders on a fallacy.
Actually what I'm asking for you to do is to stand by your original statement or admit you were wrong. What I am getting though is a lot of this:
<shrug> If thats what yah think then its what yah think.
This isn't some nebulous thing like defining justice. It isn't a subjective issue where someone can agree to disagree. You make a clear cut statement that the Midwest was homogeneous. We all saw it and it is there on the page, you can't deny it. When pressed to on the subject you then changed your tune all the while trying to pretend that you were still right. You were wrong when you said it, you were wrong when you tried to pretend like saying something was homogeneous and not homogeneous at the same time, and you are still wrong while you are now trying to play it off. Just accept it. There is no shame in admitting that you said something without thinking it through, but continually pretending not to see the truth when it stares you in the face is just silly.
Ahtman wrote: You make a clear cut statement that the Midwest was homogeneous. We all saw it and it is there on the page, you can't deny it. When pressed to on the subject you then changed your tune all the while trying to pretend that you were still right. You were wrong when you said it, you were wrong when you tried to pretend like saying something was homogeneous and not homogeneous at the same time, and you are still wrong while you are now trying to play it off. Just accept it. There is no shame in admitting that you said something without thinking it through, but continually pretending not to see the truth when it stares you in the face is just silly.
I'm not denying what I said, neither am I contradicting it. I made a broad generalization about the cultural state of middle America as opposed to the eastern and western seaboards. Apparently you don't like the answers I gave you, but this isn't a cut and dry question when you start demanding specifics of smaller and smaller geographic areas. Unless you are implying that states like Kansas have the same degree of ethnic and cultural heterogeneity that major population centers do?
I believe your question was "Do you think Indiana is homogeneous"....which is impossible to answer without taking a look at demographic information and other data. On the WHOLE Indiana is far more homogeneous than a state like Arizona, California, New York, etc. Perhaps there may be a city or cities that have exceedingly high numbers of immigrant population, but that doesn't apply to the entire state.
There are less people living in many STATES than there are in either the Los Angeles, New York, San Fransisco, or Atlanta greater metro areas. Of course that kind of density leads to more ethnic groups represented in a disproportionally small geographic area. Stating that is not in any way contradictory to the statement that the vast majority of middle America is far more homogeneous in comparison to major metro areas, specifically taking into account the western and eastern seaboards.
IE having a black guy that lives in your neighborhood =/= you living in a predominantly African American community.
Again, your attempts to create a logical fallacy are based on what would appear to be a lack of understanding of the question you are approaching.
I hate that the PM of my country abandons a citizen as soon as it is politically expedient.
I also hate that the PM of my country doesnt condemn commentators from another country that are calling for the assassination of an australian citizen.
ChaosGalvatron wrote:I hate that the PM of my country abandons a citizen as soon as it is politically expedient.
I also hate that the PM of my country doesnt condemn commentators from another country that are calling for the assassination of an australian citizen.
Ahtman wrote: You make a clear cut statement that the Midwest was homogeneous. We all saw it and it is there on the page, you can't deny it. When pressed to on the subject you then changed your tune all the while trying to pretend that you were still right. You were wrong when you said it, you were wrong when you tried to pretend like saying something was homogeneous and not homogeneous at the same time, and you are still wrong while you are now trying to play it off. Just accept it. There is no shame in admitting that you said something without thinking it through, but continually pretending not to see the truth when it stares you in the face is just silly.
I'm not denying what I said, neither am I contradicting it. I made a broad generalization about the cultural state of middle America as opposed to the eastern and western seaboards. Apparently you don't like the answers I gave you, but this isn't a cut and dry question when you start demanding specifics of smaller and smaller geographic areas. Unless you are implying that states like Kansas have the same degree of ethnic and cultural heterogeneity that major population centers do?
I believe your question was "Do you think Indiana is homogeneous"....which is impossible to answer without taking a look at demographic information and other data. On the WHOLE Indiana is far more homogeneous than a state like Arizona, California, New York, etc. Perhaps there may be a city or cities that have exceedingly high numbers of immigrant population, but that doesn't apply to the entire state.
There are less people living in many STATES than there are in either the Los Angeles, New York, San Fransisco, or Atlanta greater metro areas. Of course that kind of density leads to more ethnic groups represented in a disproportionally small geographic area. Stating that is not in any way contradictory to the statement that the vast majority of middle America is far more homogeneous in comparison to major metro areas, specifically taking into account the western and eastern seaboards.
IE having a black guy that lives in your neighborhood =/= you living in a predominantly African American community.
Again, your attempts to create a logical fallacy are based on what would appear to be a lack of understanding of the question you are approaching.
Again, that is all a nice deflection but you keep moving further from your original statement without seemingly realizing that you are or are purposely being obstinate in accepting you were talking out your exhaust pipe. Your chronic inability to realize/accept that you were in error is becoming a bit sad in how you are trying to distance yourself from your original statement. You claimed all women are pregnant and then when I asked you if Julie was pregnant you started hemming and hawing becuase you could not say yes, in essence. Your "broad generalization about the cultural state of middle America" was a crappy, superficial observation than and it still is now. There is a difference between a fallacy and being wrong, and you are on the wrong side of that. The more you talk about this the more obvious it is that you really don't have a clue about the realities of the places you are trying to talk about.
agroszkiewicz wrote:
Ethnicity, country of origin, and length of time spent stateside.
Even by those criteria the Midwest is not homogeneous.
Maybe the part of the Midwest that you were from was less diverse than the part that I'm from, and currently live in, but that doesn't mean that all places in the Midwest are equally non-diverse. Or, for that matter, that the entirety of the Midwest is less diverse than either coast.
Things I hate about the USA:
Its refusal to permit the annexation of Canada, Mexico, and Australia. 50 states is so passe. 100 states is the new black!
Frazzled wrote:Things I hate about the USA:
Its refusal to permit the annexation of Canada, Mexico, and Australia. 50 states is so passe. 100 states is the new black!
We will fight you back with our hockey sticks! Damn Texan.
Frazzled wrote:Things I hate about the USA:
Its refusal to permit the annexation of Canada, Mexico, and Australia. 50 states is so passe. 100 states is the new black!
We will fight you back with our hockey sticks! Damn Texan.
We have analyzed your technological and defensive capabilities. Resistance is futile. You will be adapted to serve..us.
Besides then we really can call ourselves Americans or the BAUSA (Big Assed United States of America) our new motto "we're bigger than your continent."
You underestimate the power of the Hockey stick sir. Prepare for 200 years of guerilla warfare that mostly involves you getting hit in the head with sticks.
KamikazeCanuck wrote:You underestimate the power of the Hockey stick sir. Prepare for 200 years of guerilla warfare that mostly involves you getting hit in the head with sticks.
Sounds like the last Frat party I was at...
I hate all the politically correct bs. I mean, I wish we were all born ethnically and racialy colorblind. It's the other crap, which is at it's core a repression of human instinct, that I'm against.
KamikazeCanuck wrote:You underestimate the power of the Hockey stick sir. Prepare for 200 years of guerilla warfare that mostly involves you getting hit in the head with sticks.
Careful. Wendy's owns Tim Hortons. Don't make us cut you off!!!
). You can talk about your state if you'd rather, or a country you lived in or visited.
ing city. Seriously.
with me. 
