From: ljb@parkcity.dr.att.com (BLO54620-BonhamLJ(DR2194)240)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.celtic
Subject: Re: My Ugly American post for the year....
Date: 30 Sep 92 22:46:04 GMT

In article <23000@optima.cs.arizona.edu>, gln@cs.arizona.edu (Gary L. Newell) writes:
|> In article <1992Sep29.131551.8083@dcs.qmw.ac.uk>, mmh@cs.qmw.ac.uk (Matthew Huntbach) writes:
|> > "starbuck" appears to be one of those who is unable even to
|> > consider the possibility that people in other countries may not
|> > be so blindly nationalistic as some Americans are in theirs.
|> 
|> Frankly - who gives a damn? I couldn't care less what Europeans think of
|> the US or Americans. In fact, I doubt if most americans would give
|> two-cents for the views on the US from Europeans. We are still the leader 
|> of the free world and we are still the most powerful nation on earth.
|> If that bothers you - well too bad - get used to it. Self-righteous, American
|> bashing posts have long been a part of s.c.c, and Matthew's presence in these
|> critical attacks is also to be expected, but this time I get the impression
|> that some of you really expect us to care - I wouldn't hold my breath.
|> Although it seems that Britain has never quite gotten over the fact that
|> it is no longer the super-power it once was, it seems to me that criticism
|> which implies that Europe has somehow reached a higher level of humanity and
|> being while we poor dumb yanks just trod along one step beyond the 
|> Neanderthal is laughable at best. Need we look at the current state of
|> affairs in Europe? Do we need to actually watch the neo-nazis march through
|> the streets of Germany beating and killing immigrants to see that the
|> high and mighty position that many Europeans take is simply a modern
|> myth intended to ease the pain of has-been nations? So my suggestion would
|> be that some of you should simply be happy with your country's moral
|> superiority, your absolutely superior television, your new found joy
|> in a united Europe (ha ha ha ha - I'm sorry, I *still* can't help but
|> laugh when I think or hear about the "European Community"...) and be
|> satisfied that your US-bashing has been effective. As we speak, hundreds
|> of thousands of Americans are hanging their heads in shame and praying
|> that they can overcome their short-sighted view of the world....
|> 
|> 
|> 
|> 				gln
|> 
|>   


I've been watching this Anti-American exchange for several days and refrained
from entering the fray (typical issolationist American I guess) until now.  I
must agree with the above post despite its lack of rhetorical polish.  To our
friends across the pond who don't like the U.S. for whatever reason, need we
dredge up the sordid past of the British EMPIRE?  If ever there was a politically
incorrect institution it is the EMPIRE!  You self-righteous snobs got so out of
hand that 200 years ago your own countrymen were forced to throw you out of
the Americas.

WE Americans do not as a general rule go about verbally manhandling the UK or
most other European countries, why must you insist on slamming the U.S. at every
turn?  If you don't like our system of Government or our culture then don`t come
over here.  Americans have every right to be proud of their country, it has
acomplished great things (rebuilt Europe after WW II for instance) and I believe
that pride of ownership only fuels the desire to improve upon what one has.  I
also feel that you have confused love of one's land and way of life with
chauvanism.  Most Americans recognize their shortcomings while all the while
looking to an improved future.  In fact, I believe that it is this very optimism
and vitality which many Europeans find uncomfortable because their own cultures
have stagnated and strangle true inovation and freedom.

In closing, I wonder why we are so busy dicussing America per se on a celtic
network?  I began tuning in because I wanted to further explore my Celtic
heritage and instead I find that some blokes from the UK still haven't gotten
over the Revolution.  Please don't come back to this net until you have something
cogent to contribute to the exploration of CELTIC culture.



May the road rise to meet you...