12 November 2008, 11:15 pm
OK, I get it. I hate Bush too. I hate our stupid Republicans, our undereducated high school dropouts, our ignorant nationalists, our miserable healthcare, our violent and invasive foreign policy, our wasted tax dollars, and probably everything else you hate about America. The difference? I don't hate America. Just some things about it. Everywhere I go online I see someone starting a big "I hate America" party, talking about how dumb Americans are and how we're going to blow ourselves up "LOL LMAO OMG ROFL" and all those colorful internet chat emotive phrases. I am not amused by this. Let's lay down some facts about America: Fact: Americans are some of the greatest innovators in history; we invented the telephone, the TV, the internet, the satellite, the radio, the light bulb, the nuclear bomb, the telegraph, the sewing machine, the computer, the refrigerator, the automobile, the motorcycle, the vacuum cleaner, TOILET PAPER (you're welcome), the hearing aid, the skyscraper, the smoke detector, the assembly line, the air conditioner, the airplane, masking tape, scotch tape, duct tape, the photocopier, the defibrillator, the cell phone, the video game, the LASER, the artificial heart, the Hubble Space Telescope, etc. We also are the only country to reach the moon, the oldest thriving democracy on earth, and even in our worst recession ever we're still the most powerful economy in the world. Hell, our founding father (Benjamin Franklin) discovered electricity. We also set the standard for the modern free market, which many countries around the world still follow. The average IQ in America is sadly below average (98) according to most pollsters, but I'm proud to say in my home state, the average is 102. The average in London is 100, and the average in Canada overall is 97. Not that this proves anything; America is so large and diverse in comparison to these other nations that it is expected that there would be a huge discrepancy. What's interesting is that in China the average is also 100, which I find absolutely unbelievable considering the 300 million illiterate peasant farmers and factory workers that have yet to see a day in school. Another thing interesting is that a clear majority of Americans just elected a black president named Barack Hussein Obama, showing that we as a country have begun to move out of our irrational fear of Islam and Black influence.Obama, while not Muslim, has been accused of being Muslim. To that I say: so what? I have a problem with that way of thinking and I shun those who are so anti-Islam that they would attempt to defame someone by association with a non-christian religion. I am not alone in this either. America has committed some terrible atrocities throughout history. We've occupied countries and colonized in a manner much against the wishes of our founders, but that doesn't mean every American is evil and/or stupid, or has a drive for world domination. Some of us want peace, cooperation, and progress. Some of us want equal rights afforded to all citizens regardless of gender, race, sexuality, religion, etc. If you're one of the people out there who has posted something anti-American, especially with no real basis, I hope at some point you realize that what you're doing is not helping to solve the problem. I hope you realize that it isn't "cool" to be racist. I have traveled abroad in many countries and value my experiences and my friends from around the world, and I like to think I changed some of their stereotypes and perspectives about Americans, just as they did for my views of Russians, Germans, Chinese, English, Danish, Latin American, Japanese, Dutch, African etc. All of the people I have met from other great nations have touched me in some way and I have refused to judge you based on the failures of your government, economy, or even your people. I hope you can give me the same courtesy as I say this: God bless America. God bless the whole damn world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IQ_and_the_Wealth_of_Nations http://perdurabo10.tripod.com/id1048.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_inventions I feel compelled to clarify something: I meant no offense to Chinese people when I mentioned the 300 million people without formal education who live in rural areas and villages. I do wish, however, that they would be given education. What I meant to demonstrate in that statement was that it is pretty unlikely that, unless the average Chinese person in the city has an IQ of like 120, that the massive amount of underprivileged rural workers should be holding back the national average considerably. John M - I would like to invite you to edit your answer. At this time I am unable to find a way to respond to the tone you chose to use. I see that you harbor some hatred for America, but I would like to point out that this hatred should not be directed at myself, as it has been in your statement. By saying "you", you are equating myself and all Americans together, as if we have the same opinions. This is obviously not the case. Thank you for your post, and I look forward to your revision. Isn't it good? - I'm sorry you chose not to read further. As for the list of inventions, I can assure you I am not mistaken. Please see the following sources. http://www.150.si.edu/150trav/remember/amerinv.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_inventions http://jc-schools.net/write/ppt/inventors_files/v3_document.htm http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_was_the_first_tv_invented_in_america http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/auto.html (America invented the first successful gas-powered car but others invented related things... another similar example is the refrigerator. The US invented the first working refrigerator through Oliver Evans but others went on to perfect it) Obviously in the Manhattan Project the US invented the nuclear bomb. What else in question? By pointing out inventions I was not intending to claim ultimate supremacy for America in science and tech. I just think people should shut up about Americans being stupid. There is no need to be defensive. Everyone can name a boatload of contributions to science and technology that their countries have made, of course, and I don't want to cheapen that. You're right, Germans invented an electric 4 wheeled vehicle, but it wasn't effective or marketable. American's invented the first commercially available gas-powered car. I believe I have a website about that in my sources just above. I am fully aware of the atrocities my people have committed, but hatred based on the past doesn't get anyone anywhere. If you're bent on hating me or my country because of the choices of politicians decades, years, or even months ago, I'm sorry. I cannot help you. I just would love to see a world not despising me solely because of my race/nationality. Katerina P, much of that last post was addressed to you, however I also have to point out when you say "God bless America? Why not God bless..." If you actually read the whole body of my original text you would see I said "God bless America. God bless the whole world" or something that effect. I am proud to American despite the problems with my country. I believe we have the potential to change. I voted for Kerry in 2004 and, had I been old enough, I'd have voted for Gore in 2000. I actively protested in the streets the whole time Bush was in office, even in my early teens. Does this make me "responsible for the governments we elect"? Many of the points you make seem good, but I'm afraid much of them are based on misunderstandings of my intent and what I have been saying. I know the whole world has made countless contributions to every field before and after America. It is not fair to say that American invented everything, because it's not true. I merely tried to prove a point. luvwater... hahaha I DID study our invention of the toilet paper in grade school. And I think it may be more important than when Morse invented the first working telegraph, or when Scotsman Alexander Graham Bell gave us the research we needed to invent the telephone, or when our people invented the first TV. Toilet paper is the quintessential achievement of man.... Read More »
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