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Taffy
Why?
For good or ill - whether you voted for it or not, and whether you like it or not - this admistration represents all of you.
You elected it to office - or through your defeat at the polls allowed it to slide into power.
No-one else was involved, only you Americans. Therefore, you alone - all of you - are entirely responsible for the decisions your country takes through your own govenment.
I, and the billions like me, can only point out what we consider are your mistakes and encourage you to correct them.
When those mistakes have the potential to do enormous harm throughout the rest of the world, of course we will sometimes loathe you.
As I've said before, in the final analysis it's down to you to make the right choices. We can only attempt to influence - by putting our case as strongly as we can.
Rest assured, when you have make the right decisions - and we want to hear about them - we will praise you.
And remember, America is Americans - the two are inseparable.
posted by
Limey
on
May 6, 2005
at
12:12 PM
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Why?
Why are you unable to differentiatebetween the American people/citizens and the American government system?
posted by
Taffy000
on
May 6, 2005
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10:42 AM
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Kyoto's a bad idea, poorly planned,
and not the right concept for America. It may be appropriate for the smaller European countries, but would be difficult to implement in this country. Regarding conservation, energy, etc, I am very much in favor of nuclear power. I believe it can be safely done with all the newer technology now available. (If you have a problem with that, keep in mind that your Frenchy friends use a lot of nuclear power.) I have also written (not on this web site) in support of wind technology such as has been very effectively harnassed in Tehachapi, CA.
I am frequently irked by Europeans' comparisons of their energy requirements vs Americans. You people seem to have no recollection of the fact that this is a massive country. It takes a lot longer to go from point A to point B in the USA than it does in your little island country, or the relatively small countries of the EU. Sure, if I lived in London, you bet I'd take the underground to work. Or New York, for that matter. But no, I live in Michigan, and drive almost 40 miles one way to work. The bus system of most municipalities cannot meet all the needs of commuters, unless one lives within city limits. And yet Europeans take endless delight in harping on our use of cars and energy. Hello. Duh. Think people! Consider the size of this awesome, massive country. Drive from end to end (as I did last year) and be reminded that the energy requirements of one country cannot always be compared with the energy requirements of another. Can we make improvements? You betcha. But we don't need some clueless and cocky European telling us how to do it.
Organic farming is becoming more and more utilized in this country and definitely something I support, along with grass fed/organic beef and pork. I pay more for these products (including organically grown eggs), and hope that some day organic will be the norm.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on
May 5, 2005
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5:29 PM
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Jane
OK Jane, let's hear your counter argument.
Tell me what your friends are planning to do to improve the environment, give me a date when America will sign up to Kyoto, explain how organic farming is to be promoted and wildlife habitats safeguarded ... and the rest.
So far I've heard not a single positive word from you. However, you've blown out plenty of hot air, and venomous hot air at that.
But no doubt you're right: it's probably best you just shut up.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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3:12 PM
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Limey, you are so wrong --
You obviously are pulling information from sources that agree with your particular ideology, forgetting the importance of objective, rational research. You have forgotten that there are multiple sides to every story, and you have chosen that which fits into your radical hateful liberal ideology. You have twisted many supposed "facts," and are so antagonistically opposed to one particular party and President (Republican) that you are completely unbalanced in your assessment of the situation.
You have spent so much time fixating on the negatives of this country, why not spend some time researching the positives. There are many; however, I'm guessing you never will because you have such hate and jealousy for the last remaining world power.
I think I will choose to ignore this ridiculous blog for awhile and focus on ways that I, an AMERICAN (and proud of it), can work to have a positive impact on my fellow man and, in my own small way, make this a better country.
"Everything you spout is just so much hot air.
But the facts speak for themselves.
If you choose to ignore them, be it on your own head - and those of your children and grand-children.
As I've said many times before, this blog is about America and Americans - nowhere else."
posted by
JanesOpinion
on
May 5, 2005
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2:38 PM
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Limey, a correct credit is what's appropriate and will draw a line under the matter.
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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6:30 AM
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MayB
I'll do what I think appropriate. Full-stop - or period, as you would say.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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6:17 AM
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OK Limey. So does that mean you'll include the details of the speaker and his speech?
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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6:13 AM
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MayB
Exactly - yes.
On this occasion it was indeed appropriate to acknowleged the source. In other words, I agree with you. I have no argument with you.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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5:52 AM
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Limey, exactly? On this occasion you quote the source
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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5:46 AM
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Ms N Dependence
Welcome aboard!
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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5:31 AM
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MayB
Exactly.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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5:07 AM
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Journalists quote some sources and protect others depending on the circumstances.
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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5:05 AM
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Limey
I understand what you are saying. But you see - Americans are too self-centered to even realize that we could expereince an ecological break-down - My God! We are paying over $2 a gallon for gasoline and are willing to spend obscene amounts of money on useless devices that become obsolete within 6 months... then are tossed into landfills. We make ourselves the target for terroist acts due to our complacent attitude and our mistaken impression that we are world leaders. We are not leaders - we are merely pawns in a vast game of chess.
posted by
Transcendental_Child
on
May 5, 2005
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5:04 AM
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Then you should acknowledge who it is by instead of letting people think it is your own work.
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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5:03 AM
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MayB
Journos don't normally list their sources; they protect them. But that speech was in the public domain and is worthy of acknowledgement.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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5:00 AM
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My job? No, it is your job to list your source on your post.
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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4:51 AM
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BUTTERFLYGAL FLYING THROUGH!
America is the way it is simply because people blame others for their choices. Wake up. the powers that be are a magnification of apathy blame self righteousness all the flaws that inside us all. when you can put aside your magnifying glass and stop pointing the finger and highlighting who is wrong - maybe just maybe there will be a better world. The power to change is in your minds in your spending power and the way you choose to spread information. THINK. BE PROACTIVE NOT INACTIVE. BE THE ONE TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR THE POSITIVE.
posted by
butterflygal
on
May 5, 2005
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4:36 AM
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You did your work, as I suggessted. And, yes, of course, much of it was based on that speech. I make no bones about that.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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3:56 AM
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Ms N Dependence
My point is this: you will begin hating each other for food and water shortages, failing crops, and climate change (resulting in melting ice, rising sea levels and highly-damaging storms). Ecological probalems will cause you problems before anything else.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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3:53 AM
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Limey, you need to list the source otherwise you leave people with the mistaken impression that you wrote this from scratch when it is based on text from the latter part of Bill Moyers'(PBS) speech when he was awarded the fourth annual Global Environment Citizen Award at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School.
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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3:21 AM
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MayB
You don't see them? EPA, your government ... and, no, I'm not doing your work for you! If you want more - look them up, as I did.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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3:18 AM
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Limey, you said,
..."they are on course to begin hating each other." Sir, Americans feel more disdain for their own countrymen than any other nation. As advanced as we are - we fall prey to our baser instincts and strike out - intent to destroy those Americans who do not look, think, or feel the way we do. We have set our own path... it will not be an ecological break-down that brings us to our knees - or moreover - spreads destruction to the world at large. Power can be a dangerous thing in the hands of those who hate.
posted by
Transcendental_Child
on
May 5, 2005
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3:14 AM
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Limey, I don't see it?
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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2:58 AM
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MayB
Read the piece again and you'll find all the sources.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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2:35 AM
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Limey, an impressive array of info gathered here. Who did you read or speak to?
posted by
Azur
on
May 5, 2005
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2:05 AM
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Carolyn
From your response it's obvious you don't understand a thing I've written. Go back to school.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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1:56 AM
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WriterofLight
How come America is the only superpower? Because it's at the expense of everyone else. Now read my note to Jane.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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1:52 AM
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CORRECTION Jane - not Justsouno
Jane.
Everything you spout is just so much hot air.
But the facts speak for themselves.
If you choose to ignore them, be it on your own head - and those of your children and grand-children.
As I've said many times before, this blog is about America and Americans - nowhere else.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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1:50 AM
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CORRECTION Jane - not Justsouno
Jane.
Everything you spout is just so much hot air.
But the facts speak for themselves.
If you choose to ignore them, be it on your own head - and those of your children and grand-children.
As I've said many times before, this blog is about America and Americans - nowhere else.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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1:48 AM
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Justsouno
Everything you spout is just so much hot air.
But the facts speak for themselves.
If you choose to ignore them, be it on your own head - and those of your children and grand-children.
As I've said many times before, this blog is about America and Americans - nowhere else.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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1:44 AM
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Dylan
Spot on. And I concur especially with your Tom Friedman remark.
posted by
Limey
on
May 5, 2005
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1:36 AM
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Blimey, Limey. . .
If you have all the answers over on your side of the pond, how come America is the sole superpower and the world's top economy?
posted by
WriterofLight
on
May 4, 2005
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9:08 PM
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sLimey, it must be so danged nice being perfect --
pointing the finger at everyone else, noting other peoples' perceived imperfections. I'm in such a foul mood at the moment that your assinine, obnoxious and arrogant observations against Americans just make me choke in derision and contempt for snobbish, hateful people such as yourself.
Perhaps in real life you're a decent person, but I certainly do not get the impression of any sort of decency from your ongoing vitriole against anything American. It really must be such a nice feeling to have reached perfection, and to be able to castigate everyone else.
Enjoy.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on
May 4, 2005
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7:38 PM
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Our environmental policy is a joke. We should look at Tom Friedman's "geo-green" approach that proposes higher taxes on fuel; conservation; and renewable energy sources and simultaneously makes us less dependent on terrorist financiers in Saudi Arabia to produce our energy. The Bush administration's conspicuous connections to Big Oil were just one of many reasons, but surely among the strongest, why he did not deserve re-election; I am still not over it.
posted by
Dylan24
on
May 4, 2005
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7:16 PM
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My, my... the sky is falling.
Chicken Little... bwak, bwak. 
posted by
cmoe
on
May 4, 2005
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7:06 PM
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posted by
TARZANA
on
May 4, 2005
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1:44 PM
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Wonder
It is to me. But don't you think it's the way of the world?
Tomorrow's our General Election and I don't have faith in any of the deceiving bastards - Conservative, Labour or Liberal Democrats.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
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12:56 PM
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Limey, it's very sad to me that it takes major disasters to get politicians
attention.
posted by
Ariala
on
May 4, 2005
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12:08 PM
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Wonder
My belief is that it will take a major disaster - like the spread of mad cow disease, the extinction of wild salmon or trout, GM-crop poisoning, fresh water supplies running out - to concentrate minds. Then you will see change.
(Don't you just hate those typos?).
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
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12:06 PM
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Butterfly
Thanks. This is a thoughtful response: I only hope your optimism is rewarded.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
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11:54 AM
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Butterflygal passing thru
Wonderful post. i can see your point of view. My hope my wish is that through proactivity and non blame people will wake up and change the way the world is and not rely on the government to change things. the future lies in our hands the future lies in your children's hands and with compassion and the correct education we can teach our children to be responsible adults. It doesn't take much to cahnge things . It's just as people we spend so much time and anger looking to others to solve our problems. We've got our maths wrong and the solutionis easy. Consume less share conserve and get proactive. good luck with your post. We have all the answers inside ourselves to take care of our planet - don't leave it up to the politicians to decide what we all know we could and should be doing.
posted by
butterflygal
on
May 4, 2005
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11:31 AM
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Wonder
My believe is that it will take a major disaster - like the spread of mad cow disease, the extinction of wild salmon or trout, GM-crop poisoning, fresh water supplies running out - to concentrate minds. Then you will see change.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
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10:30 AM
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iSiSeYeSs
Thank you.
There is obviously something terribly wrong with America's much-vaunted style of democracy if it denies its citizens a voice. (Which, of course, begs the question: why foist this flawed system on the rest of the world?).
As I've said elsewhere, all we over here can do is to encourage you over there to bring about change. Quite how that should be achieved, I'm not sure. However, no doubt it's something we could and should debate.
First, though, I'm pleased there are some Americans who recognise the problem and the need to do something about it.
The problem is the world's running out of time.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
at
10:19 AM
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Limey, there are a lot of "grass root" movements that try to protect the
environment, but they seem to come out short in comparison to the big bad boys of Corporate America and big business. Still, these organizations fight the battles, but until people see it as a nonpartison movement that needs to work collectively to bring positive change, the ones with the most money and political interest seem to win. It's very sad, but that doesn't mean they've won.
posted by
Ariala
on
May 4, 2005
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10:08 AM
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Fab
Thank you.
What a sensible, practical suggestion: I will take you up on it.
(It won't be the first time GWB and/or his staff will have heard from me on this very subject).
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
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10:05 AM
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Fab
Thanks. Please see my last note.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
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10:03 AM
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Fab
Thank you.
What, a sensible, practical suggestion: I will take you up on it.
(It won't be the first time GWB and/or his staff will have heard from me on this very subject).
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
at
10:01 AM
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Limey,
This is not my area of expertise. You're going to have to contact the people in charge to effect a change. Try that link below.
posted by
TARZANA
on
May 4, 2005
at
9:59 AM
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Wonder
Many thanks.
This is really my main beef with America and Americans. And, not being able to vote over there, all I - and people like me - can do is express to press you as hard as possible to bring about change.
Quite how you'll achieve it I'm not really certain: but, as they say, where there's a will there's a way.
First, of course, you need the will - and before it's too late.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
at
9:50 AM
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reply
Are you asking me to submit this list of grievances to the President? Here's the address. Just go ahead and tell them yourself. You are so much more eloquent and informed on the topic.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/query.html?col=colpics&qt=environment&submit.x=20&submit.y=18
posted by
TARZANA
on
May 4, 2005
at
9:48 AM
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Frustrated
I can see why you're Frustrated! However, change there has to be: the alternative is just too awful to contemplate.
However, I do understand your predicament to some extent - it often takes the building of a ten-lane motorway for most people to say: "Oh, where's that wonderful forest gone, and the deer and the elk, and that beautiful, meandering trout stream?" And that's just on one, simple level.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
at
9:36 AM
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Fab
This has very little to do with your oil crisis. (Why is it so many Americans see things purely from their narrow, local perspective?).
This is about not using fossil fuels, not creating climate change, not destroying the Amazon rainforest (big US companies are involved there), not interfering/changing other people's way of life (eg those who live in the rainforests), not over-fishing the world's oceans and rivers, not foisting GM crops and on farmers and consumers who don't want them, not destroying organic farming, not causing birds, animals and insects to become extinct, not building on precious crop land... and so much more.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
at
9:15 AM
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LIMEY, THE PROBLEM IS THIS............
MANY AMERICANS WANT CHANGE, INCLUDING ME.
I HAVE SUGGESTED TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS. I HAVE CALLED MY CONGRESSMAN AND SENATOR ABOUT SUCH ISSUE. WELL YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW FAR THAT GOT ME LOL. THE ONLY WAY TO CYCLE IN CITIZENS WITH DIFFERENT OPIONIONS IS TO GET THE CAREER POLITICIANS OUT.
THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE HERE IS THIS. THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD MAKE OR SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE LOSING THEIR JOB IF SUCH LEGISLATION WERE PASSED. THEY WOULD BASICALLY BE VOTING TO END THEIR JOB IN THE NEAR FUTURE. MANY AMERICANS BELIEVE THEY CANT DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE THE CURRENT SITUATION OF GOVERNMENT. I'M NOT SPEAKING OF GEORGE BUSH SPECIFICALLY. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL LEVELS OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. WITH TERM LIMITS IN PLACE FOR THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS IT WOULD GET RID OF THE LOBBYISTS THAT KEEP THROWING MONEY AT THEM, WHICH THEY NEED TO KEEP GETTING RE-ELECTED. ITS A BIG SNOWBALL EFFECT. THERE IS A WAY TO STOP IT, BUT ITS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE, NOT JUST MONEY.
posted by
Frustrated
on
May 4, 2005
at
8:08 AM
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fwmystic
Thanks.
The majority of these huge international corporations - like, for example, ExxonMobil - have their roots in the US.
So, surely, it must be up to Americans to take the lead in restraining their activities? (Yes, before you ask, of course we'll give you help and support).
However, what maddens me - and so many Britons like me - is that you all seem unaware of the enormity of this problem and are quite unwilling to make a stand.
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
at
7:45 AM
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Limey,
It's understandable that so much of "the rest of the world" hates "us". After all we are "all" just a bunch of greedy, power-hungry, selfish, ignorant, fat, un-fashion-conscious, right-wing, religiously intolerant bigots.
Unfortunately, what "the rest of the world" i.e. "they" fail to understand is the "we", meaning every single one of "us", have no real voice in our government. The information "we" receive is often either twisted unrecognizable or is just plain insufficient. It's kind of hard to make an educated choice regarding who to place in public office when you don't have the real story about the candidates to begin with.
I for "one" did NOT vote for George W., or the other George for that matter. But I guess that doesn't make me a part of "they" - the mass mentality American that follows the herd to whatever tiny patch of so-called green pasture we have left.
I once criticized this column for its vast generalization of Americans. But then, you have as much right in the UK to shout your outrage as we do here in the US.
Roofpig made an excellent point. It's quite ironic really. You think you get flack for stating your opinion on our govenment's abhorrent public, foreign, and domestic policies? You should try doing it here - the backlash is swift and punitive.
posted by
.miriouma.
on
May 4, 2005
at
7:43 AM
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reply
Limey, this was an excellent piece here. This is my main contention with
Corporate America and big business...I'm embarassed about it and just as concerned.
posted by
Ariala
on
May 4, 2005
at
7:42 AM
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reply
So, do you think we should outlaw alcohol and cigarettes then? I could do without. What about clean fuel cars? That would solve the oil crisis. Don't we have plenty of oil up in Alaska anyway? Hardly anybody lives up there -- it's too cold. I think our guys at the top know the answers. It's just a matter of accepting change in the direction of a healthier US.
Now, your country needs to work on sincerely and responsibly marrying and honoring someone they love in the first place. What an embarrassment for us all!
posted by
TARZANA
on
May 4, 2005
at
7:39 AM
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reply
I think most Americans are ignorant of their government's conduct ...
I have read most, if not all, of your posts and you certainly have painted a vivid picture of the ugly American. In our defense, however, I'd just like to say that most of the mis-deeds you've chronicled are the actions of the nation-less, border-less multi-national corporate state that is exerting its power without allegiance or regard to any particular country.
Their genius in the U.S. has been in public relations, convincing the electorate to vote time and time again against the people's best interest in the name of patriotism or the American way of life.
At the moment, these powerful special interests have the upper hand here. I hope Europe can fight them off better than we have. If not, I wonder if we'll be saying the same things about you that you've been saying about us.
posted by
fwmystic
on
May 4, 2005
at
7:20 AM
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Roofpig
Thanks. What you have to say is terrifying. Destroy the world and what have we got left?
posted by
Limey
on
May 4, 2005
at
6:39 AM
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reply
I'm not happy about it, that's for sure. But if you even so much as breathe a word of this when a conservative is around, you're instantly branded a tree-hugging liberal hippy (as opposed to just someone who cares).
posted by
roofpig
on
May 4, 2005
at
6:31 AM
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reply
Copy (or write down) this comment's web address (URL), which is:
Next, go to the email or web page where you want to link to this comment, and paste
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