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Chelly
Good morning. I'll deal with you later.
posted by
Limey
on
May 9, 2005
at
3:27 AM
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lol...don't get your nicker's in a wad. Which I'm sure you were sooo
going to do. lol.... cause I'm worth all that fret...
posted by
Kiddo75
on
May 8, 2005
at
4:24 PM
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Chelly OMG
Just spotted it. You're right. Apologies. Now for the sack - but perhaps I won't be able to sleep because of the omission. Oh dear, oh dear.
posted by
Limey
on
May 8, 2005
at
4:19 PM
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Chelly
I can't take trouble at this time of night. But fear not, tomorrow all will be well - you'll see.
Now for tht bed.
posted by
Limey
on
May 8, 2005
at
4:15 PM
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limey limey limey, point it out? The whole post where I am not
mentioned? lol... I'm looking for trouble today dear. I have had a rather trying day.
posted by
Kiddo75
on
May 8, 2005
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4:09 PM
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CHELLY
I love the way you put things..lol
posted by
Offy
on
May 8, 2005
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3:55 PM
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Chelly
What have I missed?
Yes, of course you were among the first to pleasant to me. Please point out where I appear to have snubbed you: that's not my intention at all.
posted by
Limey
on
May 8, 2005
at
3:48 PM
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wait just a dead gum minute, I do believe I was one of the first
to be nice. Hum? That's ok...I'll forgive the snub.
posted by
Kiddo75
on
May 8, 2005
at
3:33 PM
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Dylan
Firstly, your remarks are both fascinting and heartening.
Secondly, please read my short note to iSiSeYeSs, written before I read your comment. As you will, it chimes in perfectly with your last four sentences.
I am also quite concerned about America's Christian right. Could I please have your views in a little more detail?
PS So it's soon be Gordon Brown, PM!
posted by
Limey
on
May 7, 2005
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2:23 AM
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iSiSeYeSs
Then, it seems to me, you need to change your form of democracy. Your model is not the only one.
posted by
Limey
on
May 7, 2005
at
2:01 AM
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You asked: "...just how many of you are scared to face-down damaging, corporate America and Big Bad Government? Is the atmosphere threatening? Do you believe everything is outside your control? How can things be improved?"
These questions warrant a book-length response, so I will just put down one or two big points. Yes, people are threatened by elites who would shut them up, but fortunately checks and balances have not completely disappeared. We have groups like the American Civil Liberties Union zealously defending unpopular speech and people. I do not feel afraid when I cast a vote for a progressive alternative (Kerry in '04) nor when I post critical blogs. I have come to appreciate in a warmly heartfelt way the freedom of speech we enjoy, and also I have learned not to take it for granted. There are those who would take that freedom away, and they are not just the terrorists on the Muslim-right but the fundamentalists on the Christian-right, the sort of people who 300 years ago would have been burning people on suspicion of witchcraft. It took incredible effort and a very long time to achieve the relative civility, democracy and freedom we have; I no longer consider them wholly safe.
As to your second question, I do not believe -- firmly do not believe -- that everything is outside my control. Case in point: the tobacco industry (full disclosure: I smoke). Tons of money and powerful lobbyists -- now they are forced to cease advertising and pay recompense to people who died from smoking. Why? People and their conscientious representatives decided to unite against the tobacco industry and they effectively defeated it -- the view that corporations are impervious to people-power is truly mistaken. There are plenty of other examples. What we need is people to unite fervently -- but not too fervently, lest we get carried away -- behind populist causes, not revolutionizing or overthrowing the whole system but being willing to challenge it, question it, change it. This is nothing new, but people are not doing it nearly enough. We are letting distant malignant elites make so many decisions; the good news is, we can take that permission away from them.
posted by
Dylan24
on
May 6, 2005
at
6:55 PM
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Grown adults, yes. Products of a government of, by, and for the people? Perhaps...
but I have my doubts.
posted by
.miriouma.
on
May 6, 2005
at
2:51 PM
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iSiSeYeSs
Thanks for your long and detailed explanation: most revealing and helpful.
One point - of course you're not children but grown adults.
posted by
Limey
on
May 6, 2005
at
1:31 PM
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Limey,
Exactly my point:
American government is supposedly of, by and for the people. Given this fact, and the fact that we elect citizens from our own neighborhoods to take public office, you would think that government officials would be able to take criticism for what it is worth.
Unfortunately, criticism of any of our government's decisions appears to fall on deaf ears. Even if W is listening to the voices of outrage, I have my doubts that he really cares. Why? Because he is not OF the people. He is OF 51% (supposedly) of the people.
This of course leads me to question the whole point of democracy in the first place. If 51% is the "majority", what happens to poor sucker 49% ? And what if he was elected by 75% of the people? That would smack more of socialism than democracy to me.
I'll be writing a post about this soon, because I think it needs to be addressed. In a perfect world, our leaders would truly reflect the ideals and needs of their citizens. I do not believe that this is the case in the US. So to blame Americans for their country's current ailments is akin to blaming children for their parents' impending divorce. The children have voices, but no real power.
Anyway, I enjoyed your post and I appreciate you sharing my comments from earlier.
Good day to you,
iSiS
posted by
.miriouma.
on
May 6, 2005
at
1:03 PM
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fwmystic
That attitude is also irritating.
Yes, I've heard the "don't confuse me with the facts" line quite a few times!
posted by
Limey
on
May 6, 2005
at
11:27 AM
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Taffy
The problem, as I see it, is this. Only Americans can choose their government, so it's really down to all of you to make the changes that are needed.
If I could, I would vote in your elections - but, of course, I can't. However, I am allowed to influence, and that's exactly what I'm trying to do with these posts.
Obviously, my views will please some people and not others.
PSBy the way, I've just voted in our elections - for the Conservatives.
posted by
Limey
on
May 6, 2005
at
11:23 AM
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Not All Americans Are Alike
For whatever reason I was born in American, thus I'm American. The American government does a lot of messed up crap to other countries. That doesn't mean all American citizens are responsible. It's not like our government listens to what we have to say. Take a look at the last election!
posted by
Taffy000
on
May 6, 2005
at
10:38 AM
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The "Love It or Leave It" attitude is difficult to explain ...
As one of my editors used to say, "Don't confuse me with the facts!"
posted by
fwmystic
on
May 6, 2005
at
7:21 AM
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Hammock
Who said 'all'?
posted by
Limey
on
May 6, 2005
at
4:05 AM
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Ignorant Limey?
I came in here with an open minde, and was going to read through your pages, and pages of personal chip on the shouler, and unrectifed rants, but all it took was this:
"THEY SIMPLY CAN'T TAKE ANY KIND OF CRITICISM.
I have enjoyed some lively discussions with Americans since starting this blog a few weeks back. But why are so many unable to take criticism?"
That fact lies indefinite, Ignorance lies in Sterotyping. Just because you heard 1, or 2, or 10, or 20, doesn't mean ALL.
Stereotyping is Ignorant.
posted by
Hammock_Noweilz
on
May 6, 2005
at
4:01 AM
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