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What I Think Is Right With America.

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Wildkow, Aug 22, 2006.

  1. Wildkow

    Wildkow New Member

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    I could make a few other points in addition to this but I don't think I could have said it any better. . .


    Dinesh D'Souza


    America is under attack as never before -- not only from terrorists but also from people who provide a justification for terrorism. Islamic fundamentalists declare America the Great Satan. Europeans rail against American capitalism and American culture. South American activists denounce the United States for "neocolonialism" and oppression.

    Anti-Americanism from abroad would not be such a problem if Americans were united in standing up for their own country. But in this country itself, there are those who blame America for most of the evils in the world. On the political left, many fault the United States for a history of slavery, and for continuing inequality and racism. Even on the right, traditionally the home of patriotism, we hear influential figures say that America has become so decadent that we are "slouching towards Gomorrah."

    If these critics are right, then America should be destroyed. And who can dispute some of their particulars? This country did have a history of slavery and racism continues to exist. There is much in our culture that is vulgar and decadent. But the critics are wrong about America, because they are missing the big picture. In their indignation over the sins of America, they ignore what is unique and good about American civilization.

    As an immigrant who has chosen to become an American citizen, I feel especially qualified to say what is special about America. Having grown up in a different society -- in my case, Bombay, India -- I am not only able to identify aspects of America that are invisible to the natives, but I am acutely conscious of the daily blessings that I enjoy in America. Here, then, is my list of the 10 great things about America.

    -- America provides an amazingly good life for the ordinary guy. . . .

    Read More. . .http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/06/29/IN290713.DTL
     
    #1 Wildkow, Aug 22, 2006
  2. daronspicher

    daronspicher Active Member

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    Did you write this Wildkow? I'm kinda dense and can't figure it out one way or the other.... :p :lol: :lol:
     
    #2 daronspicher, Aug 22, 2006
  3. Proco

    Proco Senior Member

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    Wildkow -

    A great find. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Personally, I think the best thing about America is that we have the freedom to disagree with the people in power & not be jailed for years because of it.

    Mike
     
    #3 Proco, Aug 22, 2006
  4. kwick7

    kwick7 New Member

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    An extremely well written article. As much as this country is falling apart lately, the writer makes some very fine points.
     
    #4 kwick7, Aug 22, 2006
  5. Ichabod

    Ichabod Artist In Residence

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    Yes, it's fairly unique in the world that we have the freedom and the luxury of being pessimists. Our comfortable lives afford us the time and means with which to question our leaders without being punished for it.

    It is one of the great things about this country that we can speak out, be heard and make a difference when we think the country is going wrong. I extend the meaning of "speech" to include how we spend our money to help influence this largely capitalist-oriented government.

    Dissent is in-bred to American culture, so just remember that all of us are sometimes on the opposite side of the loudest dissenters, and sometimes on the same side. I think it's one of the most useful "checks-and-balances" we have to stabilize our government.
     
    #5 Ichabod, Aug 22, 2006
  6. molgrips

    molgrips Member

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    I don't see the logic behind this statement... Surely disagreement, discourse and debate are part of the benefits Proco cites, and are essential for any country to progress and better itself?

    Freedom of speech is a great thing indeed, but since very many other countries also enjoy this liberty, I think more is required to qualify a country as great. That's like saying a person is in the best of health just because they're not dead.
     
    #6 molgrips, Aug 22, 2006
  7. Wildkow

    Wildkow New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kwick7 @ Aug 22 2006, 07:54 AM) [snapback]307499[/snapback]</div>
    In the words of Yakov Smirnoff [attachmentid=4576]


    America "What A Country!"
     
    #7 Wildkow, Aug 22, 2006
  8. Proco

    Proco Senior Member

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    I used to LOVE Yakov!!! :lol:
     
    #8 Proco, Aug 22, 2006
  9. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    will echo the comment that this article is truly a gift and should be read by all of us who simply dont realize how lucky we are to be an American, even a naturalized one like me
     
    #9 DaveinOlyWA, Aug 22, 2006
  10. burritos

    burritos Senior Member

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    ""Here's a $100 bill. I'll give it to you if you kiss my feet." Most likely, the person would tell Gates to go to hell! The American view is that the rich guy may have more money, but he isn't in any fundamental sense better than anyone else."

    What if Bill Gates said, kill your dog for 10 billion dollars?
     
    #10 burritos, Aug 22, 2006
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