Flag waving

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Maybe we need clever forrurrrener to help us, preferably Canadian or British

I think that quote was Samuel Johnson, not Tolstoy

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

but Americans in general are not told the truth.

I was there last for 3 weeks. I saw no news reports about Iraqi, I got back to England and the first news broadcast I saw was; explosion in Iraq, soldiers killed civilians killed. It happens every day. The truth is out there yes, but does every American go searching the web for truth. No!! They watch the news broadcasts and believe they are told the truth. they are told insubstantial snippets so as not to spoil the good feelings of the nation.

America help other countries... yes true but if you look at the stats the percentage help is mimimal. Sorry but you'll have to find the evidence ones self... the Truth really is out there.

I would agree with you that corporate mass media over here is sub-par at best, but making generalisations about the sorts of people who watch it is rather racist IMO. Sorry.

[Anyta Holland 1]

but Americans in general are not told the truth.

I was there last for 3 weeks. I saw no news reports about Iraqi, I got back to England and the first news broadcast I saw was; explosion in Iraq, soldiers killed civilians killed. It happens every day. The truth is out there yes, but does every American go searching the web for truth. No!! They watch the news broadcasts and believe they are told the truth. they are told insubstantial snippets so as not to spoil the good feelings of the nation.

America help other countries... yes true but if you look at the stats the percentage help is mimimal. Sorry but you'll have to find the evidence ones self... the Truth really is out there.

Sorry but not everyone is told the truth on TV... When you watch the news on UK tv channels all you see is healines of the UK, US and Iraq... Never do you see any other headlines of the world UNLESS it has been a major disaster... I think that enters your category as well?

[yabasta 0]

godsavethequeen said:

It seems after some discussion elsewhere in this forum, that it is the considered opinion of others that to immigrate to the US I should become a Stars and Stripes Waving, Republican Voting, Gun Toting, Free Will Denying, Bend over and take it up the ### Immigrant from the UK.

If this is offensive to you then i suggest you develop a thicker skin or move to a country where you will be treated with kid gloves. This is not "death to America" or anything like that. Even if he had said "death to America" it would not necessarily mean death to Americans. Being American does not make you America. America refers to the state. The state which invades countries etc. The state is that which suppresses the American people aswell so criticism of the state is actually speaking in defense of American rights. It seems clear to me but sadly some of the people on here are either ultra sensitive and think all things are directed at them personally or they blindly support the state and refuse to hear criticism of the state`s actions.

I think it is important to speak out against that which you do nto agree with. No matter what country you are from. Moving to Russia, or whatever you might be suggesting, is not going to stop a person beign critical. Criticism stems from being aware of the state`s negative actions. As has been stated by many on this and other forums/places, Dislike or hatred of the American state is not hating American people. People all over the world have their humanity in common(or lack of it sometimes sadly). We as human beings should be allowed to live and travel freely but the world is not free in that way because of such an attitude.

Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists is a great example of how criticism of state is suddenly turned into a big "anti American" "can`t stand freedom" type of trigger attack in retaliation. If i criticise the English state(which i do) i do not expect to be called anti English but then again the same atttitude is probably there for some it just isn`t as effectively turned into a negative thing here.

p.s. gstq if you ever go to America and accidentally shoot an American be sure to shout friendly fire afterwards.

[Fandango 1,440]

None of us is told the truth....we're all just little pissants to any govt...and the quicker one realises that, the better

[Lewis 0]

but Americans in general are not told the truth.

I was there last for 3 weeks. I saw no news reports about Iraqi, I got back to England and the first news broadcast I saw was; explosion in Iraq, soldiers killed civilians killed. It happens every day. The truth is out there yes, but does every American go searching the web for truth. No!! They watch the news broadcasts and believe they are told the truth. they are told insubstantial snippets so as not to spoil the good feelings of the nation.

America help other countries... yes true but if you look at the stats the percentage help is mimimal. Sorry but you'll have to find the evidence ones self... the Truth really is out there.

Hey, I'm glad you started this debate, it's pretty wild. As for "truth" first it has to be defined as truth. The media always spins according to the slant of the ownership of the company responsible for the broadcast.

Your original statement "Americans in general are not told the truth" is very broad. Can you point me in the right direction to find the truth? What news do you watch, BBC? I'm sure they also have a political slant. Which news show is the most truthful, can you give me a list, I'm serious here, I'd like to see a ranking.

My point is to find the truth you first have to have the urge to dig for it in addition to having the sense of judgement and intelligence to balance information from multiple sources. You may be right that many people on our planet or in America don't know the "truth" but being motivated to find it and question it is a whole other issue. Complacency is not just an American issue, I'm sure Britain and many other nations have populations that don't know the "truth" and don't actively search for it. Personally, I love to digest info from many different sources on world, national and local news. But I still can't picture the "general" American in my mind because in my opinion there is no "general" American.

[yabasta 0]

As far as news goes you should take in as many sources as possible and then learn about media. Read between the lines as it were. There is a difference however between news that has a bias and news that has an agenda. Bias is more subtle and perhaps harder to notice but it is also less intrusive i think. News like all information should be viewed critically.

[godsavethequeen 0]

but Americans in general are not told the truth.

I was there last for 3 weeks. I saw no news reports about Iraqi, I got back to England and the first news broadcast I saw was; explosion in Iraq, soldiers killed, civilians killed. It happens every day. The truth is out there yes, but does every American go searching the web for truth. No!! They watch the news broadcasts and believe they are told the truth. they are told insubstantial snippets so as not to spoil the good feelings of the nation.

America help other countries... yes true but if you look at the stats the percentage help is mimimal. Sorry but you'll have to find the evidence ones self... the Truth really is out there.

I would agree with you that corporate mass media over here is sub-par at best, but making generalisations about the sorts of people who watch it is rather racist IMO. Sorry.

whoops,

........not trying to be racist, I meant that not everyone watching the news will go and find out what is really happening. It is impractable!! People do believe that the news is telling them the facts. When in fact it is a sanitised version of truth or half truths and sometimes downright lies.

I watch the box, too much sometimes. I just found it strange. No insult intended to the viewers. It was the programmers and news editors I was criticising.

Just a note why did you think I was being rascist / making generalisations this time?? I still can't see it I'm trying to be careful

[Lewis 0]

As far as news goes you should take in as many sources as possible and then learn about media. Read between the lines as it were. There is a difference however between news that has a bias and news that has an agenda. Bias is more subtle and perhaps harder to notice but it is also less intrusive i think. News like all information should be viewed critically.

You got it!

[rebeccajo 14]

As far as politics and government go in this country, it's so off base from the original intended framework that it's not funny. I honestly think that a good working knowledge of the constitution is helpful.

And like I tell my UK hubby, we ARE a baby country after all. We get a lot of stuff wrong and hopefully we will figure it out....

[........not trying to be racist........

Another politically correct word that is pointless....

[luvaLimey 0]

Personally, I don't watch the news. the evening news, especially here is just insanely boring. Someone dies here and it's on the freaking news for a MONTH. Becuase they can't come up with any other news stories.

"Coming up after the break: a new scrpbooking store opens in Layton, and we'll show you all the new goodies you can use to create family memories!"

UGH! kill me now...

I get most of my news from the internet and radio. But you're right that Average Joe American gets most of his news at 6pm.

When I lived outside the US, I watched the news. BBCworld and CNN were my window on everything, even though sometimes it was censored by the government in the country I was living, if the news reports seemed biased against Islam. But it's easy enough to look up what was censored online.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

With regards to passive reliance on the mass media - I think you would be hardpressed to make the claim that its only Americans who do this.

[Fuzzness 2]

damn that liberal communist media!

[luvaLimey 0]

With regards to passive reliance on the mass media - I think you would be hardpressed to make the claim that its only Americans who do this.

I agree. It's a common trait in most countries. It's a lot easier to just sit there and be spoon-fed information.

[Fandango 1,440]

but Americans in general are not told the truth.

I was there last for 3 weeks. I saw no news reports about Iraqi, I got back to England and the first news broadcast I saw was; explosion in Iraq, soldiers killed civilians killed. It happens every day. The truth is out there yes, but does every American go searching the web for truth. No!! They watch the news broadcasts and believe they are told the truth. they are told insubstantial snippets so as not to spoil the good feelings of the nation.

America help other countries... yes true but if you look at the stats the percentage help is mimimal. Sorry but you'll have to find the evidence ones self... the Truth really is out there.

Hey, I'm glad you started this debate, it's pretty wild. As for "truth" first it has to be defined as truth. The media always spins according to the slant of the ownership of the company responsible for the broadcast.

Your original statement "Americans in general are not told the truth" is very broad. Can you point me in the right direction to find the truth? What news do you watch, BBC? I'm sure they also have a political slant. Which news show is the most truthful, can you give me a list, I'm serious here, I'd like to see a ranking.

My point is to find the truth you first have to have the urge to dig for it in addition to having the sense of judgement and intelligence to balance information from multiple sources. You may be right that many people on our planet or in America don't know the "truth" but being motivated to find it and question it is a whole other issue. Complacency is not just an American issue, I'm sure Britain and many other nations have populations that don't know the "truth" and don't actively search for it. Personally, I love to digest info from many different sources on world, national and local news. But I still can't picture the "general" American in my mind because in my opinion there is no "general" American.

I'd like to note that this has gone unanswered.....I'm interested in seeing the reply!