It's just so terrible when we do things like this:

And this:

Can't someone stop this evil?

We now return you to 10,000 "America is terrible" threads, already in progress.

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

unbelievable that we the USA are allowed to do such terrible things to the world

I made myself promise that I wouldn't post in this thread, but I will say that every country does good and bad things. BTW, I don't see too many threads praising positive medical actions of Iran (as an example) either.

While I see many threads that are critical of America (which are usually critical of American policy and government rather than the land itself) that is to be expected on a political site. Otherwise it would be just a bunch of Americans in one big circle jerk and anybody not American cheering them on. That would make things pretty boring. That being said the vast majority of threads about America in general are usually not simply directed to America as a society and culture and just say it sucks on every level. If we all stop being critical of each other then we wouldn't have all that much room for discussion really. That being said I will point out that I do love my home country before people start sending me the typical "know you apparently hate it" bullshit which obviously is not what I have said at all.

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"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

what's the name of this website?

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Anyone ask Hillary what kind of underwear she wears, yet?

Lt. Gov Diane Denish on Bill Richardson "The governor, she said, "pinches my neck. He touches my hip, my thigh, sort of the side of my leg."

The point was that Matt (and understandably so) was getting (and apologies Matt if I'm putting words into your mouth) sick and tired of having his much-loved country bagged repeatedly, and so sought to post a couple of articles about positive things for the benefit of the people on the Forum who are critical of the US, in order to demonstrate that the US does many truly wonderful and good things in the world also. I was merely facetiously pointing out that many other people who are just as critical of other nations also fail to be consciously aware of the good things those countries do as well. Generalisations on both sides is never good.

I think you miss the point as usuall

the posters on this site, foreign and liberal spend most of their days IMO searching the net for any kind of tidbit news article to show that america sucks

I think MR larson just showed there are positives but there seems to be little room for that on this board for invariatably (SP) someone comes and down plays everything to beat the drum of USA SUCKS

its not about circle jerking for america , its about circle jerking against america

I do see many threads that are critical of aspects of the U.S. I guess that has something to do with it being a U.S. political discussion board. There are positive things but if they are what we all agree on being positive then it leads little room for discussion.

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"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The problem with threads about good things America has done is that there is usually little room for debate. A large majority of people will agree that helping this Iraqi kid is great...and that's about it. Stories like these are like the crunchberries of debate, they're tasty, but don't have much value in terms of discussion.

Personally, I'd rather debate a subject where there are a wide variety of positions and people that I strongly disagree with. It helps my debating skills, helps me see things from a different perspective and hopefully adds to my collective knowledge of this crazy world.

I mean, you don't see 4 page threads on the positive things America has done, because you can't go 4 pages with people simply saying "Yea, that's swell!"

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“Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.” -Dr. Carl Sagan

Good point Speakeasy.

And just for comparison, both of the 'Canadian politics' forums that I know of are exactly the same - filled entirely with negative threads bashing Canada, Canadians, Canadian Government or regional parts or places in Canada.

Not one thread dedicated to how wonderful a country Canada is.

thank god USA is doing good things

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I agree that it's not much fun discussing good things that most every human being would agree are positive. It is also boring discussing the bad things on which the most rational human beings would agree. In either situation, it would be brutally boring.

But, when the discussions get to spicy, it's nice to have the bland, too. It clears the palate so that the next course can be appreciated. (Is it lunchtime, yet?)

Thanks for the thread, Matt.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Oh, I agree, but I see all the good things about America day in and day out. I love my American job, my American townhouse, my American girlfriend, my American sunsets, my American cats & dog, my American friends & family, American entertainment, a beautiful American evening with my American steaks on my American grill (made in China ) while listening to my American music, etc.

I come here to discuss and experience things that I don't often discuss or experience during the majority of my time off the board.

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“Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.” -Dr. Carl Sagan

Bullshit.

If you spent just 1/10 the energy that you spend saying remarkably stupid things like this actually trying to learn about the other side you'd be amazed what you'd find.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Oh so make everything bad so you can have something to discuss?????

if that theory held any water, then the postive threads that are started(oh take this one for example) wouldnt take on a pissing contest atmosphere with the usuall suspect you and pram talking shit to others for having a opinion that is not based on america is a fucking stink hole till next november when we will all be saved by your ilk