The Logic Off Topic list

--- In logic-ot@y..., Vincent Kenis <vincent.k@c...> wrote:
> Dear David
> 
> I'm sorry if any of my comments have affected you. Please 
undrstand 
> that disagreement with American politics (and European 
politics as 
> well) doesn't necessarily imply anger against  American 
people.
> 
> >     I've been standing back reading all these true feelings and
> >comments from all the european members here have, and I 
want to say
> >how it has affected me.

Hi. I just came in on the ass end of this thread, so forgive me if 
I've missed something. I'd just like to offer my perhaps 'unique' 
perspective.

I'm an American citizen who has been living in Germany for the 
past 10 years, and I'm not affiliated with the US military. I have 
two points to make, based on my knowledge of European 
(German, mostly) and American mentalities:

1. to David:
please don't take too much offense to the sentiments expressed 
here in these posts. The fact is that we Americans are quite 
ignorant to the rest of the world, simply because we, being a 
media-dominated society, do not get the information about world 
affairs that would give us the knowledge. The American media 
doesn't view world affairs as interesting to the average viewer, so 
we don't see it. Think about it: before September 11th, how often 
did you see news about the situation in Northern Ireland, the 
Middle East, Asia, or anywhere else in the world on ABC, NBC, 
CBS, or FOX news programs? Very seldom, because the news 
was saturated with Gary Condit , the size of Jennifer Lopez' ass, 
and other BS that really doesn't mean anything. The world is 
mad at us because our government makes stupid , contradictory 
foreign policy decisions, that we as US citizens should know 
about , but don't. that is a major factor as to why Osama bin 
Laden, and others like him, hate us.

2. To the Europeans on this list:
You all must learn that words hurt, so think about what you say, 
and how you say it. When you speak to an American about 
grievances with US government policies, you must distinguish 
that. Realize that the US is a very apolitical society; we distance 
ourselves from our politics and politicians, unfortunately, which 
is why we have such low voter turnouts at our elections. Also, 
Because of the fact that we are so distant from our politicians, 
you cannot with a straight face blame the American people for 
the idiocy of our government. Sure we are polluters, like the 
Europeans, but we also provide for help to other countries in the 
world than any other country in the world, so when you criticize 
us, take these FACTS into account.

Sorry if I've offended anyone here, just offering my thoughts.

Charles Simmons