[Landos Mustache]

They really don't like the US do they.

http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/26/news...ex.htm?cnn=yes

[ManOfSteal]

[CD Hanks]

The fact that "bling bling" was used in a non-facetious manner makes me sad.

[Landos Mustache]

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
The fact that "bling bling" was used in a non-facetious manner makes me sad.

Fine:

[Mafia]

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
The fact that "bling bling" was used in a non-facetious manner makes me sad.

heh same

[CD Hanks]

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
Fine:

A red x. How...fitting.

[Kilbey]

I wonder if they'll take that new Canadian coin that the red rubs off of?

Now that I think about it, I bet they don't take any Canadian cash in Cuba.

I wonder what gets exchanged more in the world; US dollars or Canadian dollars.

[Zimphire]

Oh no.. what shall we do....

America will collapse!

[Kilbey]

I like this little gem from the article:

A 10 percent commission will be charged for changing dollars into the local currency, according to the decree read on a special television broadcast attended by Castro.

Maybe the Cuban government is looking to rack in a leetle cashola?

[The Godfather]

"The commission will not affect credit card payments. Cards issued by U.S.-based banks are not valid in Cuba."

Hmmm... it's like the iTunes store last year, only the other way around. :/

[spacefreak]

Unfortunately for the thousands of Cubans who defect annually, people smugglers don't deal in Euros.

[Eug Wanker]

Bling bling added to Oxford English Dictionary.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by Kilbey:


Now that I think about it, I bet they don't take any Canadian cash in Cuba.

Actually they ADORE Canadians and hate americans. Good for us as it is an awesome place to vacation. Plus all the cigars that Americans want so badly can pay for the trip

[MilkmanDan]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Actually they ADORE Canadians and hate americans. Good for us as it is an awesome place to vacation. Plus all the cigars that Americans want so badly can pay for the trip

Who doesn't hate us these days?

[BoomStick]

Yeah, they love canandinansna sooooo much that they settle in Miami.

[badidea]

Originally posted by BoomStick:
Yeah, they love canandinansna sooooo much that they settle in Miami.

Well, swimming all the way up to CDN would be a tiny little bit more difficult, don't you think?

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Plus all the cigars that Americans who smoke cigars (Which is getting rare) want so badly can pay for the trip

Fixed.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by MilkmanDan:
Who doesn't hate us these days?

Those that aren't petty, and aren't full of sour grapes.

I've met tons of people from all over this planet that loves America.

It's just that the ones that don't, are more obnoxious and speak out more.

Not a surprise is it?

It comes off as looking like jealousy. Doesn't matter if that is the root of it or not. And I don't think they realize that.

[Visnaut]

That's being rather simplistic. It's my perception that anti-American sentiment is due to the actions of the American government, not its citizens. Of course there are those who can't separate the two, that's unavoidable and unfortunate.

I see where you're going with the whole vocal minority thing, Zimph, but I'm sure you also realize that to insinuate mere pettiness or jealousy as the cause of it, isn't entirely the case, either.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by Visnaut:
That's being rather simplistic. It's my perception that anti-American sentiment is due to the actions of the American government, not its citizens. Of course there are those who can't separate the two, that's unavoidable and unfortunate.

I see where you're going with the whole vocal minority thing, Zimph, but I'm sure you also realize that to insinuate mere pettiness or jealousy as the cause of it, isn't entirely the case, either.

That is also being simplistic. Many countries hate american tourists because of their attitude (of course not all Americans have a poor attitude). And if the American people support Natzi's like Bush it is just as much the fault of the people.

[Mafia]

honestly i don't really understand all the anti-americanism these days. i realize that it is the minority that dis-likes america, but still. i disagree with quite a lot of America's actions but that doesn't mean i dis-like them for it. meh....

[turtle777]

Wow, Fidel found a way to make Cuba suck even more

-t

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by Visnaut:
That's being rather simplistic. It's my perception that anti-American sentiment is due to the actions of the American government, not its citizens. Of course there are those who can't separate the two, that's unavoidable and unfortunate.

I am not saying that is WHY they don't. I am saying it comes off looking that way. And believe it or admit it or not, some of the resentment is jealousy.

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
That is also being simplistic. Many countries hate american tourists because of their attitude

Just like a lot of people from Florida hate Canadians. They think they have tudes as well.

I don't think it's an American thing. Or a Canada thing. I think it's a human thing. Some people expect other people to cater to them when they are on vacation. TO give them special treatment.

And if the American people support Natzi's like Bush it is just as much the fault of the people.

When people call Bush a Nazi, it's actually a good bit more ignorant than hating someone because they support him. Not much though. In the end, it's all petty.

I never judge anyone because of their political affiliation.

[turtle777]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Natzi's

This calls for the forum's Spell Czech Natzi to intervene...

-t

[Landos Mustache]

Originally posted by Mafia:
honestly i don't really understand all the anti-americanism these days. i realize that it is the minority that dis-likes america, but still. i disagree with quite a lot of America's actions but that doesn't mean i dis-like them for it. meh....

These days? people haven't liked American tourists much ever.

You want to travel easy, sew a Canadian flag on your bag and go to to europe, they will treat you like gold. Go with an American flag and get ready for the worst trip of your life.

I know many Americans that travel totally decked out in Canadian flags.

[TheBadgerHunter]

Originally posted by Zimphire:

I am not saying that is WHY they don't. I am saying it comes off looking that way. And believe it or admit it or not, some of the resentment is jealousy.
[/b]
Just like a lot of people from Florida hate Canadians. They think they have tudes as well.

I don't think it's an American thing. Or a Canada thing. I think it's a human thing. Some people expect other people to cater to them when they are on vacation. TO give them special treatment.

When people call Bush a Nazi, it's actually a good bit more ignorant than hating someone because they support him. Not much though. In the end, it's all petty.

I never judge anyone because of their political affiliation. [/B]

Yes I can see that many people begrudge the US their political/military influence. Lots of other people despise them because they come in contact with a lot of stupid americans. Believe it or not up here many people consider the entire US to be slightly slow upstairs.

I think America has offended pretty much all of Canada. Largest trading partner and we get treated like crap.

Who really calls him a Nazi? A moron, missing link, imperialist, but certainly not nazi.

You never judge people on their political affiliation?

[cold_reality]

Originally posted by MilkmanDan:
Who doesn't hate us these days?

So very true...
This thing Castro is doing isn't designed to hurt the U.S its to help Cuba get mo money. 10% on all currency exchanges of the dollar can equal quite a chunk of change that foreign investors will have to cough up.

I wonder how or if this affects troops at Guantanimo Bay

[Brass]

Originally posted by Visnaut:
That's being rather simplistic. It's my perception that anti-American sentiment is due to the actions of the American government, not its citizens. Of course there are those who can't separate the two, that's unavoidable and unfortunate.

I see where you're going with the whole vocal minority thing, Zimph, but I'm sure you also realize that to insinuate mere pettiness or jealousy as the cause of it, isn't entirely the case, either.

Yes, jealousy has nothing to do with it. And yes, most countries hate America.

However, that doesn't mean that they all hate American people. The petty/thoughtless ones do, but most are sensible enough to realise that it is the country (or the government?) not the people that is the problem. What is the problem, you ask? Nobody likes a bully, and America is THE international bully.

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but many Americans do not realise the bad reputation their country has for international affairs. NB: Again, this is the country/government, NOT the people. American people are much the same as people anywhere.

And it's NOT just the Bush adminsitration. It's all recent American governments.

[Landos Mustache]

Originally posted by Brass:
Yes, jealousy has nothing to do with it. And yes, most countries hate America.

It is not jealousy not matter how badly Zimph would like to think it is. There is not one reason I would want to go to the US to live there. I have had 2 job offers down there that would have paid me more then I make up her but I still don't want to go.

The only thing I am "jealous" about the US is that you have Apple Stores. We don't. That is about it. Not one other thing I can think of that the US offers that I don't have better as a Canadian.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
These days? people haven't liked American tourists much ever.

You want to travel easy, sew a Canadian flag on your bag and go to to europe, they will treat you like gold. Go with an American flag and get ready for the worst trip of your life.

I know many Americans that travel totally decked out in Canadian flags.

And they get zero respect.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
It is not jealousy not matter how badly Zimph would like to think it is.

Not all of it is silly. Some of it is though. Sorry, you cannot deny it.

Well you can, but you'd be wrong. To say that no one hates America because of jealousy is far fetched.

You've heard of penis envy. There is a lot of America envy.

Lots of people feeling the need to make sure people know their country is just as cool or cooler than America. When you see a trend of that going on with someone, esp when comparing constantly making threads about it.. one can only suspect.

[Brass]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Not all of it is silly. Some of it is though. Sorry, you cannot deny it.

Well you can, but you'd be wrong. To say that no one hates America because of jealousy is far fetched.

You've heard of penis envy. There is a lot of America envy.

Lots of people feeling the need to make sure people know their country is just as cool or cooler than America. When you see a trend of that going on with someone, esp when comparing constantly making threads about it.. one can only suspect. [/B]

A lot? Not really. I've been to a lot of countries, and spent almost all of my time outside of America, and have not found any yet. What's to be jealous of?

Power? How is that good for the individual, or the lifestyle? I can't see how it's made America any better.

Wealth? May be good for the lifestyle, but not any more so that many other "western" countries.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by Brass:
A lot? Not really. I've been to a lot of countries, and spent almost all of my time outside of America, and have not found any yet. What's to be jealous of?

The trailer parks and sexy cousins. Not to mention all the new security measures to prevent terrorism in "the land of the free". The rest of us all all in cages

[Zimphire]

I have no idea what they are jealous of. But it's apparent.

I don't know about you, but I look and see a lot of other people in other countries copying America. Our lifestyle and culture and music. There are places that will pay tons of money for something just because it came from here. Levis? Forget it. That is like gold.

I don't know what it is that causes it. But no other country is looked at or followed as much.

You never see them copying Canada.

There is no other place on this planet that more people want to be at.

That is saying something.

I know the haters in NN would never admit it. But you guys are far from the status quo.

Most people I have spoken with speak about America with high respect.

Heck, I know a guy that lives In Mexico that has a WV channel on IRC. He has never been there, but his brother lives there. The way he talks about it you'd think it was paradise.

[anti-sleep]

Originally posted by MilkmanDan:
Who doesn't hate us these days?

In my experience, most people don't hate America the country, they hate America's government. When I went to Lebanon last year people knew that the American people didn't technically 'elect' our present government, and they didn't hold me responsible for the government's actions.

[TheBadgerHunter]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
I have no idea what they are jealous of. But it's apparent.

I don't know about you, but I look and see a lot of other people in other countries copying America. Our lifestyle and culture and music. There are places that will pay tons of money for something just because it came from here. Levis? Forget it. That is like gold.

I don't know what it is that causes it. But no other country is looked at or followed as much.

You never see them copying Canada.

There is no other place on this planet that more people want to be at.

That is saying something.

I know the haters in NN would never admit it. But you guys are far from the status quo.

Most people I have spoken with speak about America with high respect.

Heck, I know a guy that lives In Mexico that has a WV channel on IRC. He has never been there, but his brother lives there. The way he talks about it you'd think it was paradise.

Um, I hate to break this to you... but America is not special... or different... or even original in any fundamental way. No one copies the US because there is hardly anything to copy.

Some countries do copy America's worst traits. Its forced views of perfectionism on young women, dogged work ethic, and appalling diet. In fact the only countries that copy America are ones that are bleak enough to make the US seem a haven, perhaps the largest most visible one. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Yes, I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this post. I could really care less so at least keep it short.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Castro, ever the idiot.
The funniest thing about that article, is that he has to try and force the use of pesos as the currency. Ever the dipshit communist.

Anyone who knows the slightest thing about Cuba already knows that the local economy thrives on dollars, and the peso is shunned. The dollar will just go underground as it has for years and years, even before it was ‘legalized’ in 1993. Cuban exiles in Miami actually run Cuba’s economy, not doofus Castro, and they will continue to fuel the country’s real economy with dollars.

By one estimate in 1994 a third of the food destined for Havana from state farms disappeared into the black market. The Cuban peso began to sink like a stone, bottoming out at 160 pesos to the dollar in mid-1993 as more and more business took place outside the ‘official’ economy.

A dipshit commie like Castro is so far out in leftist la-la land he can’t begin to fathom that he can’t single-handedly control Cuba’s economy merely by passing laws against everything he hates. All that will happen, is the people will once more run dual economies- a black market (real) economy and an above ground ******** one where everyone has a good chuckle over the pretense that anyone wants to trade in worthless pesos.

Commies never learn- they can’t have it both ways. Capitalism has already made inroads into Cuba, and the bearded dumbass can’t stop it. The people will always collectively outsmart a single failing dictator, and his crumbling socialist fantasyland as well.

[Visnaut]

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Lots of people feeling the need to make sure people know their country is just as cool or cooler than America.
...
There is no other place on this planet that more people want to be at.

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but unless someone was born in a veritable shithole, (and even in a lot of cases thereof) they're rightly proud of their roots, just as you are. And because of which, regardless of how green the grass may seem on the other side, will always prefer the place in which they were raised. Just because someone genuinely believes their country is a better home for them, doesn't automatically make it a jab at America.

To conclude otherwise is as simplistic as concluding that all terrorists are just jealous of your freedoms. It's not all black & white, good & evil, America vs. The World, you know?

That said, there's no denying the cultural exports from your country. And of course we don't see countries copying Canada, largely because our culture grew largely alongside yours and influenced by your media. But on the same note, I don't see a lot of anti-Canadian sentiment overseas. And if you truly believe it's a case of global penis envy, then I only wish the world was as simple as you view it.

[Landos Mustache]

Originally posted by Visnaut:
That said, there's no denying the cultural exports from your country. And of course we don't see countries copying Canada, largely because our culture grew largely alongside yours and influenced by your media. But on the same note, I don't see a lot of anti-Canadian sentiment overseas. And if you truly believe it's a case of global penis envy, then I only wish the world was as simple as you view it.

I love the "terrorists are jealous bit". News for ya, they are not jealous, they don't want the US playing world police in their country anymore. They did not attack you because they like Hollywood movies or anything like that. Why have they left everyone else alone?

I would just love to hear ONE good reason why Europe or Canada should be jealous of the US. I can give you reasons as to why my country is better then the US but I am sure you will not agree anyway.

[Landos Mustache]

Oh no! Is the US going to smash planes into Canada now?

http://metronews.ca/tech_news.asp?id=4174

"Choosing to move software work to a friendly face north of the border while gaining many of the advantages that come with outsourcing may for some be the best compromise. Canada offers slightly cheaper labour, an English-speaking workforce, attractive tax benefits and a similar culture to the United States that foreign firms can use to strengthen bonds with U.S. clients."

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by TheBadgerHunter:
Um, I hate to break this to you... but America is not special... or different... or even original in any fundamental way. No one copies the US because there is hardly anything to copy.

For one, I don't think it's special in that way either. For two, yes, our culture does get copied. I don't know how many people I have heard complaining about other countries Americanizing themselves because of say MTV for example.

Some countries do copy America's worst traits. Its forced views of perfectionism on young women, dogged work ethic, and appalling diet. In fact the only countries that copy America are ones that are bleak enough to make the US seem a haven, perhaps the largest most visible one. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Yes, I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this post. I could really care less so at least keep it short.

I think those traits are human traits. Not American ones.
You see it anywhere you go. And not all Americans have those traits.

[Zimphire]

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
I love the "terrorists are jealous bit". News for ya, they are not jealous, they don't want the US playing world police in their country anymore. They did not attack you because they like Hollywood movies or anything like that. Why have they left everyone else alone?

Naw, it's not jealousy. The terrorist did what they did to prove to themselves that Allah was on their side. TO give them strength. Listen to the conversation Osama himself had when he heard about the collapse of the WTC. This wasn't about them attacking us to get something from us, or to get us to stop doing something. It was an attack of strength.

I would just love to hear ONE good reason why Europe or Canada should be jealous of the US. I can give you reasons as to why my country is better then the US but I am sure you will not agree anyway.

Hey, I don't see why anyone would be jealous of anything. Jealousy is bad. People should be happy wherever they are.

But there is a reason that this place is the one most people go to when leaving their home land. For some reason, people see it as a sign of freedom and hope.

These aren't my own words. But words from people that have moved here from another place. They say they actually have a chance here. Where before they did not.

Saying that, I am sure their chance would be the same living in Canada. The cultures and ways of life aren't much different between the two. A lot less than you'd like to admit.

[TheBadgerHunter]

Originally posted by Zimphire:

For one, I don't think it's special in that way either. For two, yes, our culture does get copied. I don't know how many people I have heard complaining about other countries Americanizing themselves because of say MTV for example.

I think those traits are human traits. Not American ones.
You see it anywhere you go. And not all Americans have those traits. [/B]

As you said things like MTV and diet are not unique so that isn't americanization, they're just the largest exporter of it. Like I said there is very little you can say is unique american.

They are human traits magnified by culture. Fast food for instance isn't uniquely American and it thrives in many other countries and cultures but it is most dominant in America even compared to Canada.

One thing that immediately jumps out as American is your extreme sense of patriotism. Very few countries have that so I see it as uniquely American.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:

The only thing I am "jealous" about the US is that you have Apple Stores. We don't. That is about it. Not one other thing I can think of that the US offers that I don't have better as a Canadian.

I take it back, turns out Canada is getting Apple stores and not too far from my house either.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=722

[CD Hanks]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
I take it back, turns out Canada is getting Apple stores and not too far from my house either.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=722

WELL THEN IT'S ALL OKAY THEN!

MODS, CLOSE THIS THREAD.

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by CD Hanks:


MODS, CLOSE THIS THREAD.

Why would they? (other then this isn't a USA A.O.K thread)

[MilkmanDan]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Why would they? (other then this isn't a USA A.O.K thread)

Sigh..... gotta love these thread?

[CD Hanks]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Why would they? (other then this isn't a USA A.O.K thread)

NO YOU DON'T GET IT THE THREAD SHOULD BE CLOSED BECAUSE APPLE IS BUILDING STORES NEAR YOUR HOUSE KO?

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
NO YOU DON'T GET IT THE THREAD SHOULD BE CLOSED BECAUSE APPLE IS BUILDING STORES NEAR YOUR HOUSE KO?

Knock out.

[CD Hanks]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Knock out.

LOL WHAT LOL I SAID OK