Oh Wise and Worldy Ledgies

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by mikeschmike

If by spoiled and ungrateful you mean being denied basic human rights, then I guess you're right.

Like I said...I live close enough to the border to justifty calling myself Canadian. I just have to get the moves down to pass myself off as a Canuck. You know, like moving the entire top half of my head when I talk.

We're denied basic human rights? What do you mean? Like water, food, and shelter? That's bizarre. I wasnt aware of Americans being denied that.

I've met more than a handful of people from Malaysia, China, Ireland, Finland, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Everyone I met on my travels agreed the US was the greatest nation in the world. And I'm not saying that like...look at us and our big balls...I mean in terms of wealth, economic status, etc. And anyone I met along the way that had been to the US said they enjoyed it here.

There's a lot of self-deprecation from fellow Americans on here.

[danax6]

Originally Posted by Sarah

i don't think i've ever had the cup noodles. they're too expensive. i only like the 19 cent ramen packs.

Yeah, it's a testament to how lazy I am. I don't even want to measure the appropriate amount of water or reach into the cupboard to grab a bowl. Please.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

We're denied basic human rights? What do you mean? Like water, food, and shelter? That's bizarre. I wasnt aware of Americans being denied that.

hurricane katrina ring a bell?

also, there's the fact that there are no partner rights for homos ... and our hate crime laws don't cover hate crimes against homos. etc.

edit: it's not self-deprecation. i'm not putting myself down because i'm an american. in fact, i hate hearing anti-american jokes ... but i get that the anti-american sentiment is rooted in reality because of our ignorance in arrogance. rather than self-deprecation, it's a frustration with this administration that has failed us and and with an insular society.

[danax6]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

And anyone I met along the way that had been to the US said they enjoyed it here.

I've had many good times in the US as well, but that's really irrelevant to what we've been talking about here.

There's a lot of self-deprecation from fellow Americans on here.

It's called realism.

[skcin]

Well, everyone & their brother knows I've been to Bulgaria, I've talked about it enough. I know it's not Poland or Ukraine, but I would bet it's close. My impressions:

Most younger people speak at least some English, it's offered (if not mandated) in most schools as the second language. Also, people at touristy places usually do too - but be aware that once they find out you're American, you might be charged more. Th perception of many is that every American is rich.

Go to actual banks for money exchange, no small time shady operations. You'll def. need cash for the small businesses or craft market type places. Not sure about debit & such, we didn't use it.

Crime was no worse than here, IMO. There are actual gypsies (I thought my dad made that up) and they tend to be perceived as thieves & scam artists. The one crime I witnessed was a gypsy man tearing off some lady's necklace while she was walking down the street. The neighbors caught him & got it back.

Clothing & style? I was pretty surprised that there was little difference. I don't know what I expected, but people my age dressed the way I dressed.

The thing that struck me most was the way two worlds coexist so seamlessly. For example, many of my family members lived in apartments, but some lived in farm houses with no indoor plumbing. Most people drive cars or take the bus, but it's not uncommon to see people riding in carts pulled by donkeys. You'll hear native folk music one minute, American R&R the next, then European techno. Most everyone had TVs, stereos, DVD players, digital cameras, etc. You can buy boxedconvenience food (like cereal) but most people buy their bread baked fresh every morning or get eggs delivered by the local farmer. Fast food places are pretty much everywhere, but they're more of a novelty or a treat. I still get a kick out of the McD's sign written in the Russian alphabet.

Oh, you may want to get a Hepatitis A shot before you go. It's spread through contaminated food & water, or if someone prepares your food without washing their hands first. It's recommended by the CDC to get one before travel to many area of the world, including Eastern Europe (although I didn't know that when I went, so I didn't get one, and I'm fine.) Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by carrie721

hurricane katrina ring a bell?

In all fairness, though, thousands of individuals completely ignored evacuation orders. Also - and I am someone who loves NOLA and I consider Louisiana my second home - the situation there has been effed up for a long time. FEMA should have been more prepared, but it taught a valuable lesson. We are not prepared for any type of disaster, be it weather, terrorism, or military assault. Our resources are simply spread too thin.

also, there's the fact that there are no partner rights for homos ... and our hate crime laws don't cover hate crimes against homos. etc.

It's disgusting really. And my opinion has little to do with my orientation.

Honestly, there needs to be a universal system for everyone. Define a benefactor.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by carrie721

hurricane katrina ring a bell?

also, there's the fact that there are no partner rights for homos ... and our hate crime laws don't cover hate crimes against homos. etc.

edit: it's not self-deprecation. i'm not putting myself down because i'm an american. in fact, i hate hearing anti-american jokes ... but i get that the anti-american sentiment is rooted in reality because of our ignorance in arrogance. rather than self-deprecation, it's a frustration with this administration that has failed us and and with an insular society.

Yeah my first cousin Tony lived thru Katrina. He said he had 7 ft of water in his house. He also still lives in New Orleans. He told me once that the situation was so bad, there was no preparation for it. He to this day still feels the local government was at fault. I mean, his is just one voice out of many.

No partner rights for homos? Cant you get tax breaks and what not? I believe 9 or so states recognize civil unions at this point. Hate crimes are slowly being changed from what I've heard. And what makes hate crime laws for "homos" more important than hate crimes against blacks in particular? Or hate crimes against Jews? I dont believe there is any need to have separate hate crime laws that focus on sexual orientation. A hate crime is a hate crime, regardless of whether its for reasons of gender, sex, or race.

What do you mean by insular society? Like Puerto Rico?

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

No partner rights for homos? Cant you get tax breaks and what not? I believe 9 or so states recognize civil unions at this point. Hate crimes are slowly being changed from what I've heard. And what makes hate crime laws for "homos" more important than hate crimes against blacks in particular? Or hate crimes against Jews?

Please. It's only getting worse. And civil unions are a joke. Separate but equal mentality much? I'm not saying that to you.. but to ****wit presidential candidates who are "against gay marriage" but "in favor of civil unions".

IMO, all marriage should be scrapped. Go get your damn piece of paper and make it that. This church BS is for the birds. Separation of church and state plz.

The difference is that hate crimes against blacks or Jews are aggressively prosecuted, while hate crimes against homosexuals often times are not prosecuted as anything more than regular assault or aggravated assault.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

No partner rights for homos? Cant you get tax breaks and what not? I believe 9 or so states recognize civil unions at this point.

god. no. first of all. even if 9 states did recognize civil unions as being equal to heterosexual marriages, that's still less than 20% of the country. secondly, as sarah said, they're a ****ing joke.

Hate crimes are slowly being changed from what I've heard. And what makes hate crime laws for "homos" more important than hate crimes against blacks in particular? Or hate crimes against Jews? I dont believe there is any need to have separate hate crime laws that focus on sexual orientation. A hate crime is a hate crime, regardless of whether its for reasons of gender, sex, or race.

cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerist. that is exactly my point. a hate crime against a homo is not considered a hate crime under current laws. you illustrated my point perfectly but missed the boat - they are exactly the same thing, but not according to the law.

What do you mean by insular society? Like Puerto Rico?

lol what? no, i am not talking about puerto rico. i'm talking about a society that doesn't look outside itself.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by Sarah

IMO, all marriage should be scrapped. Go get your damn piece of paper and make it that. This church BS is for the birds. Separation of church and state plz.

right. if a couple wants to go to a church and have their union ~ordained by god~ that is one thing. but that shouldn't be recognized as a legal union.

[mikeschmike]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

No partner rights for homos? Cant you get tax breaks and what not?

No and no.

I believe 9 or so states recognize civil unions at this point.

9 out of 50 is pretty bad when you consider that entire countries are repealing their "homos are bad, mmkay?" laws.

Hate crimes are slowly being changed from what I've heard.

The key word there is slowly.

And what makes hate crime laws for "homos" more important than hate crimes against blacks in particular? Or hate crimes against Jews?

No one ever said that hate crimes committed against gays were more important, and I would never state that they should be. What I'm saying is that hate crimes against gays are OF NO LESS importance then what you listed above. A crime based on hatred should not be distinguished by the type of hatred. The issue is that since orientation really isn't part of the hate crime verbiage, slimy defense lawyers could get a lesser sentence for their client that killed a gay man, as opposed to if they had killed a black man.

I dont believe there is any need to have separate hate crime laws that focus on sexual orientation. A hate crime is a hate crime, regardless of whether its for reasons of gender, sex, or race.

See above.

ETA: The ladies have made my point, only in a much more eloquent way. I hope between the three of us you can see our logic.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by Sarah

IMO, all marriage should be scrapped. Go get your damn piece of paper and make it that. This church BS is for the birds. Separation of church and state plz.

Well then we should just have civil unions for everyone and marriage for no one.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by carrie721

right. if a couple wants to go to a church and have their union ~ordained by god~ that is one thing. but that shouldn't be recognized as a legal union.

Why should it not be recognized by a legal union? If the officiant is a minister or no, they are still recognized by the state as someone who can legally marry.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by carrie721

lol what? no, i am not talking about puerto rico. i'm talking about a society that doesn't look outside itself.

Well you said insular society. I was thinking you meant the US and its "insular" territories. Like Puerto Rico.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Why should it not be recognized by a legal union? If the officiant is a minister or no, they are still recognized by the state as someone who can legally marry.

it's a religious ceremony. it should not be recognized by the government.