America's thinking

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Yeah Aliantha, go for it. Even with the best technology, we can't send a bullet over the internet. Just don't tell LJ he;s not funny.

I'm sure if it were possible, an American would do it.

As to LJ, I'm almost certain he likes my user title. It just proves people think about him even when he's not being funny.

[Aliantha]

With regard to this thread, all I can say is that I can see the point that the original post was supposed to convey. I think it's a lot more complicated than that though, and that's why it's not a question easily answered.

I do think that in the eyes of many, the US is becoming far to pervasive and therefor inescapable in modern life. Good or bad? I personally don't like the fact that a lot of Australian culture has become 'homogenised' or 'Americanised' - depending on how you view it.

On the other hand, I admire the steadfast US nature in some ways, however, I don't always think the US influence on the rest of the world is as altruistic as some would like us to believe.

[tw]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

What subverts the American spirit? Government officals that can't take the risk of admiting a mistake so they try to cover up the evidence. Americans that just accept what they hear from the evening news and don't try to sort out what is real and what isn't. Media's inability to report decent news. I think that is what you are trying to get at but I can't be sure.

Lies. Deceit. Bribery. Attacking whistle blowers. Using the IRS, FBI, CIA and illegal wiretapping to subvert patriotic Americans and the US Constitution. Man on Mars for the glory of a president. Solutions by armor, 44 pounds of $100 bills, and big guns (rolling thunder). Illegal campaign contributions. Increase in street crime that always occurs years after a corrupt and lying administration takes power. Diversion of campaign money for criminal activity. Even a campaign fund raiser in CA as New Orleans was threatened by a category 5 hurricane. Characteristics from Nixon and George Jr administrations. But all these still don't address a fundamental problem. 85% of all problems are directly traceable to top management. And we the people still refuse to acknowledge or even learn these history lessons.

I cannot think of another time when the lessons of history - only 30 years ago - are so deja vue. Do we still teach history in school? Or is this also called Intelligent Design? Even facts that proved Saddam had WMDs only existed with propaganda spin. Spin as obvious as heard on Radio Moscow or Listerine ads. Now executives take home $210 million retirement bonuses for losing to the competition and subverting shareholder value. And again, the silence is deafening. Literally the State of OK had to file suite against Enron before the federal government would take action. How is that any different from the days of CReeP?

A Democratic Congressman said it best last night when confronted with a "Mission Accomplished" question. We elected that president. We got the war we wanted. Congress has no say in how troops are deployed. Congressman did not say that only large crowds - 1968 type demonstrations - will end this war. And yet Americans sit on their ass.

I cannot say how to avoid such problems when people blindly believe. I can only cite the symptoms. I can cite from history when one leader did something about as great as any. He was a poor Congressman. A do nothing Senator. Rather naive. And yet he stood up to some of this nation’s most powerful people and got them to think rather than resort to 'big dic' reactions. In his short time, a leader that no one would have believed great literally stopped ‘big dic’ rationalization by the majority. As a result, we exist. Who would have guessed that a lowly navy lieutenant would literally stop the legendary Gen Curtis Lemay from ending the world? There was nothing to say he even had the balls. And yet we exist.

People were literally walking the streets of Berlin, Tokyo and Santiago crying the day he died. Show me an American leader today who could earn so much love and respect. He did not lie. He had ethics. He stood for American principles. He consulted our allies – especially earning the respect of Charles de Gaulle – no small task. AND he did something that defines a good American. He also demanded answers to questions such as ‘why’ – in part because he was promoting reality rather than a political agenda. Well that leader just may exist. And that is the irony and a lesson of history. If he does exist, we do not have a clue.

Maybe that is why some so enjoy reading obituaries? At least that way you know. But we do know one thing. 85% of all problems are directly traceable to top management. And when that top man says there is plenty of blame to go around; 99% of all problems are directly traceable to him.

[bluecuracao]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I don't always think the US influence on the rest of the world is as altruistic as some would like us to believe.

I don't find myself ever thinking that these days. All I can see is corporate implantation--no altruism at all. Just money, money, money.

tw, you're right, we haven't had such an astounding leader in recent history the likes of JFK; he certainly had the mystique going on. But he died so young, and was not without his faults. I suspect lies, deceit and bribery just go with the territory. Not to say that we, the American public, should accept that. But it's a tough tradition to battle against.

[piercehawkeye45]

Well that leader just may exist. And that is the irony and a lesson of history. If he does exist, we do not have a clue.

Do you think Obama has a chance to be that? He is a great speaker and writer, but do you think he is all that he hypes himself up to be?

[yesman065]

No, and no.