Police State USA

I'm sorry, it doesn't always work like that I do know. We have very good and informative media. Unfortunately most spend a bit too much time on America but in this regard I am of course pleased to say it at least gave me good insight in your culture. Besides that I see enough americans proclaiming it IS in the first place the country where if you can smell a way to get money you are allowed to go get it and so has become the 'sueing nation'. In fact, I don't know why you would deny that?

 

Yeah, I know. If it's true, then it's fucking tragic, and I don't know who would dislike that post. What I said was very reasonable.
Like someone disliking your post haha.

 

Sweeping generalizations are rarely accurate, especially in a huge country.

I could easily write twenty pages on the subject of differences between different US regions, states, and cities, based on my own experience, not second-hand information.

 

yeah, but you guys still have way more lawsuits than most countries.

 

I don't have any international statistics, but I've never known anyone who was involved in a lawsuit.

If the ACLU brings one in this situation, and wins, the primary effect will be to put more pressure on law enforcement agencies to back off on aggressive behavior.

 

Some fools (Matt included) don't realize arming citizens is a slippery slope. If you can avoid it, and your state police state respond like this, I would feel safer.

Look to less hostile unarmed countries like Japan. Very safe.

 

I think the problem is that reason does not abound here.

 

Do they spend equal time in all 50 states? I would find that hard to believe. Have they been in all 100 counties of North Carolina? Not a chance. How much time do they spend covering American black communities? Hispanic communities? Gay communities? Communities where Voodoo is regularly practiced?

Unfortunately, most Europeans have been exposed to a shitload of New York City, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, and very little else. I know people who have never been to any of those cities. The old South is often treated as a minor footnote in the story of America, though it is so big that it requires two days to drive across it. Even within the South, there is absolutely no similarity between its largest cities; Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans.

Do you know what common values and cultural heritage is shared between the average resident of Las Vegas and Nashville? The correct answer is nothing.

I find it disappointing that people online from different countries very seldom ask anyone what they have seen and heard with their own eyes and ears. If you are content with standard international media stereotypes, you don't need internet access for that.

 

My perception of Americans was much different before I moved here and the differences between people from small towns in Maine to Chicago, to Philadelphia to rural Pennsylvania to NYC to New Jersey to Miami to South Carolina is huge.

Now, some stereotypes are very true. As a person that works with consumer relations from people of all states, Americans love to throw the word "lawyer" and "I'll sue you" whenever they can. The Canadian customers never do that.

 

We've watched Dallas too jk Yes, we get a lot of american tv and lots of dutch reporters from different kind of media that seem to love to show all sides of your country. On our public broadcasting channel (non commercial, seems similar to england's BBC) we get a fair share of documentaries often showing different kinds of perspectives as well. And that's besides what you can see on internet and hear from other people. It seems you might be pleasantly suprised about (most of) western and north europe in that regard. I can't speak for the rest of the world I'm afraid And of course we have our fair share of ignorant people too.

 

Amen,Karen. This country is SO diverse,if one really wanted to travel it and learn about differant sub cultures,regional habits,language differances,differing pronunciations,the varied and fantastical geographical features,how helpfull people really are when chips are down--and in a thorough manner--it could not be done in a lifetime.

I guess we're losing some rights. People have a reason to be concerned,but I have lost none of mine personally and I can get in a car and drive any place I want in the entire country without showing my "papers." Military bases --maybe not,but who wants to see those anyway. I bitch about this country also,but there are SO many places that are much worse. That is not an excuse to let this country go to shit any more than it has. The worst thing about it right now are the god damned lifers in office that care not a whit about the citizens.

 

To add: the well known maxin for the media here is-"if it bleeds,it leads". I imagine there are heart warming,good,decent situations taking place in countless locations across the land. Not important. Lowest common denominator sells.

Plus what those in power have done in our names over the decades has brought much hate our way.

We,the regular citizens are not so bad,in the main.

 

Texas is a little bit Old South, a little bit of the Old West, and a whole lot of just plain Texas. I can't compare it to anywhere else. Nobody who has been to Texas seems to be neutral on it. Either they love it or hate it. It's not my thing.

That's good! Public broadcasting here is also the best way to see coverage of America's great diversity.

I would expect to find as much or more diversity in Europe as in the US.

Of course! There are annoying idiots everywhere, of every race, nationality, ethnic background, etc.

And don't forget the natural areas! :sunny: So many kinds of pristine natural beauty. I once got into an argument with a jerk from out west who wanted to tell me that North Carolina has no 'real' mountains, by his definition, even though he hadn't seem them. I've been all over them, many times, and I've also been to Yosemite, and to the Grand Canyon. Yeah, I know what a 'real' mountain is, and you will find plenty in western NC, eastern Tennessee, and eastern West Virginia.

I still have several destinations left on my list of natural areas to visit in the US, mostly out west.

I can barely imagine how depressing it would have been if we had learned last week that the surviving bomber has slipped away to destination unknown. I think the police knew how important it was for them to get on with it and finish the job.

 

I read On The Road and it inspired me to actually hitch hike in 2010 from New York to San Francisco.

I hate to have to say it but

The book was better than the real life experience.

Obviously a lot has changed since the book was written.
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Sounds like some stories for another thread. Good ones I hope.

Friend of mine from Sweden wanted to send a letter with a Muskogee postmark back when the song OKie from Muskogee was popular. Got raped in Muskogee. Sorry for the off post-------------carry on.

 

This is an action that when taken is a lose lose for all who make the decision and those who respond to the mandate.

The public will be critical no matter which way it goes. If they bring in outside agencies in a case such as this there is an out cry of freedoms being trampled. If they did not respond there would be equal criticism that not enough was done and why was there not more presence to safe guard innocent people.

In the event of further developments or escalation by those who are being sought the public will not be satisfied by any scenario. It will then be that there were not enough agencies or personnel.

We are a difficult lot to protect and to satisfy, especially as we sit in comfort and without threat. Those whose jobs it is to respond do not have that luxury.

 

If they wanted me to walk downstairs without holding on because my hands are in the air they'd have to assist me. My knees don't work correctly due to arthritis.

The same thing with my husband who has no feeling in his legs from mid-thigh down due to diabetic neuropathy.

One, of both of us, would likely fall down the stairs with our hands in the air as opposed to on the handrail or holding a walking cane.

I do see that the man in the bathrobe and bare feet is holding on to the handrail.

What is this with dead principal from Sandy Hook being seen at the Boston Marathon bombing???

That's crazy Fox News!!!

 

One of my friends that lives there, I forget the neighborhood, was telling me a few months ago about how someone shot at a cop there were cops and helicopters everywhere and residents were told to stay inside their homes. She was like OMG high speed chase! I hope none of my friends are outside!

I was joking with her that down here that would be grab a beer and a shotgun and go out front.

If you read my post I stated not to this most recent degree. But the 'save me, government' mentality is nothing new there.