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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Knight Templar on November 22, 2004, 07:48:30 pm

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Knight Templar on November 22, 2004, 07:48:30 pm

For those of you who remember, a few weeks or so ago, I made a thread asking for quotes from any non-U.S. citizens for their opinion on U.S. Government and Foreign Policy, the country in general, or Bush. I was to write an article for my school newspaper on the subject, and as expected, the quotes were mostly against the U.S. (ended up narrowing it down to Rictor and Singh, btw). Probablem is, my teacher/Journalism Advisor and my Copy-Editor both think that the article is too sour and not balanced towards American views. My feelings aside, here's what I need from you guys (preferably pretty fast, like within 12 hours.)

I need the voices of people who are NOT U.S. citizens and who SUPPORT[/b] the U.S. in any form or fashion, be it the war on terror, Iraq, Foreign Policy in general, or domestic policies back home, anything. Maybe even if you have to fake it a little. I only need opinions from people who support the U.S., and by support I mean currently support, like in the last 3 years.

Please don't turn this into a *****-fest. All I need is a few voices from people, and that's it.

Thanks. :yes:

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: .::Tin Can::. on November 22, 2004, 07:57:04 pm

Gonna be hard to get anyone to admit they like the US who doesnt already LIVE here...

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Rictor on November 22, 2004, 08:07:09 pm

Does that exclude me? Because I honestly to admire and respect certain aspects of US policy, though I must be honest, im my view they are eclipsed by the bad.

Basically, America is among the freest nations on Earth (I believe I mentioned this before, but it was understandably overlooked). Aside from certain (well, in truth most, but better use "certain") Western European nations, American citizens have unparraleled (sp?) freedoms, and though this has decreased in the past few years, the standard is still quite high. Also, the overall standard of living is AFAIK among the world's best.

Essentially, if you're a citizen, you have it good. If you're not, well, you may have it bad, depending on where you live. Thats why so many people choose to live in the US, even when they vehemently oppose it's foreign policy. All those Mexians, Chinese, Koreans, Indians, Russians etc immigrants, they are definitely making a step up in their quality of life when they move to the States, despite whatever objections then may have to how the US conducts itself abroad.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Knight Templar on November 22, 2004, 08:10:21 pm

See, do what Rictor has done.

Thanks Rictor. Only problem is, I've already used you (both in name and nationality) as someone who strongly opposes the U.S. :doubt:

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Rictor on November 22, 2004, 08:17:37 pm

well, and this is just my opinion, it would be cool to show that someone can both oppose certain US policies, and support others. Most people tend to groups foreigners into "love us or hate us" categories, but the interesting thing is that many people who absolutely despise what the US is doing overseas, really admire other aspects of the US. I would say that this is more prevalent that you may think.

Just an anecdote: If you've seen the movie Control Room, its essentially about the goings on within Al Jazeera and their coverage of the Iraq war. One of the senior editors throughtout the movie who is most critical of the US says that he would like to send his kids to study in the US and would accept a job at Fox is they offered it to him. He really respects the US political system (Constitution and all that) and believes that it provides a strong groundwork for a free nation/.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Knight Templar on November 22, 2004, 11:47:49 pm

Bumpz0r.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Sandwich on November 23, 2004, 01:28:51 am

Coming right up. ;)

EDIT: Hmm... I'm trying not to get overly Israel-centric here, but it's kind hard for someone with my POV. :-/

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Knight Templar on November 23, 2004, 02:12:47 am

Meh.

It doesn't really make a difference for the intent of the article. It'd be nice for the average student to have a good idea of why Israelis (or at least you in particular) support the U.S. in anyway, even if it's a little blunt to us.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Gank on November 23, 2004, 12:13:41 pm

Well, US companys like MBNA, Masonite are among some of the few offering stable jobs in the west of Ireland and they employ a good few of my friends, so I guess you could put me down as supporting the outsourcing of jobs over here, although I dont think its an official policy. Dont really know anyone over here who supports US government policy on anything at the minute,

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Sandwich on November 23, 2004, 03:13:27 pm

I appreciate the steadfastness of President Bush and the US Armed Forces in their world-wide fight against the growing scourge of terrorism. In a time when many nations around the world seem to have forgotten the horrific ways in which innocent civilians have been deliberately targeted, attacked, and murdered, the unchanging drive of the United States to eradicate terrorists and those who support terrorism is greatly appreciated by those of us who are daily under terrorist assault.

Kinda became a run-on sentence, feel free to add periods and whatnot where needed.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Fergus on November 23, 2004, 03:13:39 pm

The U.S.A. although I may disagree with it very strongly in places, has been instrumental in peace negotiations for N. Ireland, been the most vocal among the major nations about the situation in Sudan (Colin Powell was the first major diplomat to call it "genocide", UK doesn't even admit it) and still is, flaws aside for all systems have flaws,  the most democratic country in the world.
  I have a great mate who is an American, a staunche Republican too, so if anything thanks for giving me someone to argue with (thats not really relevent sorry).
-----------------------
However I actually don't support it hugely, but then I don't like any government that has been in place for a while.  Feel free to edit.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Flipside on November 23, 2004, 06:45:39 pm

I would post something, but I already did on SG, if your not using that, however, I'd be happy to write something else :)

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: vyper on November 23, 2004, 07:02:56 pm

I don't outright support US foreign policy but I do admire the way in which it's carried out. Not since the British Empire has such global dominance been achieved so openly and with such viciousness. America's background leadership has had the guts to risk world war to put their nation at the top of the nationality food-chain, and to give it's citizens a way of life that is paradise compared to many cultures.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Deepblue on November 23, 2004, 07:14:05 pm

Um... Was that positive?

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Flipside on November 23, 2004, 07:17:33 pm

Depends of the opinion of the listener on the British Empire, wouldn't go down well in the US, partly because it's true ;)

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Sandwich on November 24, 2004, 12:18:34 am

How come the British Empire didn't have an Emperor?

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: GoulMeister on November 24, 2004, 06:16:25 am

i dont like all aspects of the us forign policy( mainly trade), but i think taking out iraq and other nations is better for the world, though the reasons for the war are far from good, no wmd and really gooing in for the oil. Now if only bush would crush saudi arabia the source of the terrorists and their money.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Rictor on November 24, 2004, 06:24:02 am

The day Bush lays a finger on Saudi is the day I sprout wings and fly to  the moon. Where do you think the Bushes got all their oil money from?

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: GoulMeister on November 24, 2004, 06:28:55 am

i know that, but perhaps one day my dream will come true:devil:

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: aldo_14 on November 24, 2004, 07:02:57 am

Quote

Originally posted by Sandwich
How come the British Empire didn't have an Emperor?

It did.  Just not by name.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Fergus on November 24, 2004, 11:09:43 am

Technically was ruled by the aristocratic landowning, but all depends in what period of time.  Also having an empire doesnt mean you have an empire, Athens had an empire and it was the largest democracy back then (500-400BC)

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Clave on November 25, 2004, 01:14:38 am

I think Victoria was Queen of England, Head of the Commonwealth, and Empress of India...

As for the USA, I see it as Nelson Muntz from the Simpsons, on a global scale.

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Knight Templar on November 25, 2004, 12:01:05 pm

Hawhaw!

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Fergus on November 25, 2004, 02:47:13 pm

Oh Knight Templar was any of this actually helpfull?

Title: Global Perspective of the U.S.: Odd Request
Post by: Sandwich on November 25, 2004, 04:49:21 pm

Quote

Originally posted by Fergus
...having an empire doesnt mean you have an empire...

Is that Ferguson's Paradox?

Quote

Originally posted by Fergus
Oh Knight Templar was any of this actually helpfull?

FYI, the faster you start calling him "KT", the faster your veneer of.... hmm, shall we say, freshness.... will disappear. ;)