[subego]

Sarkozy concedes defeat in French election - CBS News

What say you, Canadians?

[besson3c]

Why are you interested in the opinions of Canadians? Do you think that France has an influence on Quebec?

[Big Mac]

I wondered the same thing besson.

[subego]

Isn't everyone interested in what Canadians think?

[Wiskedjak]

It certainly seems to me that some people are *threatened* by what Canadians think (for some reason that I don't understand).

[besson3c]

Only when it comes to American politics though, I guess...

[subego]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak 

It certainly seems to me that some people are *threatened* by what Canadians think (for some reason that I don't understand).

This is a Saskatchewan sized setup for a joke, but I won't make it because I like Canadians.

[besson3c]

That is racist against people from Saskatchewan. Start back-peddling.

[subego]

Soory. I meant Sasquatch.

[mduell]

Wow, 4 points, a French blow-out.

The Greek election is looking very close, unclear if the pro-bailout or anti-bailout parties will be able to form a majority coalition.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by subego 

Isn't everyone interested in what Canadians think?

-t

[besson3c]

turtle's internet fight senses are still working!

[lpkmckenna]

Was Sarkozy an American-style reactionary pseudo-libertarian like Ron Paul? Or a theocratic demagogue like Santorum?

No? Then who cares?

[mattyb]

And if he wasn't either?

[subego]

Canadians are uninterested.

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by subego 

Canadians are uninterested.

Do not touch the Canadians.

[besson3c]

I think there is a lot that Americans don't understand about themselves, as well as other countries.

For one, the fact that other countries follow American politics is a reflection on American influence throughout the world (both good and bad), as well as possibly a reflection of how generally insulated Americans are and unaware of what goes on outside their country. I think international media coverage in America is quite poor, and so much so that Americans don't seem to understand that it is pretty natural for countries to know at least a little bit about other countries. Yet, in this country, a surprising number of people could not pass the "name 3 Canadian provinces" test.

Saying stuff like this is often construed as an attack on American intelligence, making Americans feel defensive. Sure, there is a bit of that, but I lay more blame on a general lack of international media coverage, and a perpetuation of the often false notions that everything America = the best, and there is therefore no motivating reason to care about anything outside of America, because whatever it is, it is inferior anyway.

I've heard speakers like Lisa Ling (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Ling) lament the lack of international news coverage in this country. Name one or two sources, if you can? Ling, being interested in covering international news, had to find gigs at places like the View and Oprah, which is kind of pathetic. Where else would she or anybody you might prefer work though?

There are things about America that are superior, some inferior, some just based on your subjectivity and bias (such as right wing Americans generally thinking highly of American health care). However, the blinders are disturbing, and should be stopped. Regardless of how you feel about American exceptionalism, a little knowledge and awareness can't hurt. It should not be surprising that other countries are not as insulated as Americans in their awareness of what goes on outside of their borders, and therefore, it should not be a complete shock that many Canadians follow American news pretty closely.

[subego]

Originally Posted by ebuddy 

Do not touch the Canadians.

Or feed them...

[subego]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Yet, in this country, a surprising number of people could not pass the "name 3 Canadian provinces" test.

British Columbia
Nova Scotia
Saskatchewan
Yukon Territory
Quebec
Alberta

No, I didn't look it up. Can you name six Mexican states? I can name like, two.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

more Canuckistani whining about how unimportant they are in the eyes of the world

It never gets old. Please post more.

-t

[Uncle Skeleton]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

I've heard speakers like Lisa Ling (Lisa Ling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) lament the lack of international news coverage in this country. Name one or two sources, if you can?

It's a little silly of you to bring this up in a thread where the OP disproves your premise. Name two sources: CBS and AP, they're right there in the OP.

I think there is a lot that Americans don't understand about themselves, as well as other countries.

That's funny, I think there is a lot that you Canadians and Socialists don't understand about yourselves and about ausländers, but that doesn't mean I expect you to be any more receptive to the idea than America is.

Here's an example:

For one, the fact that other countries follow American politics is a reflection on American influence throughout the world (both good and bad), as well as possibly a reflection of how generally insulated Americans are and unaware of what goes on outside their country. I think international media coverage in America is quite poor, and so much so that Americans don't seem to understand that it is pretty natural for countries to know at least a little bit about other countries. Yet, in this country, a surprising number of people could not pass the "name 3 Canadian provinces" test.

Regardless of how you feel about American exceptionalism, a little knowledge and awareness can't hurt. It should not be surprising that other countries are not as insulated as Americans in their awareness of what goes on outside of their borders, and therefore, it should not be a complete shock that many Canadians follow American news pretty closely.

It's not "awareness" or "following," it's criticizing, ridiculing, and attempting to undermine. It's completely disingenuous to imply that these are equivalent. Yet you have no problems ignoring this fact, and believing you've made a good sound logical argument.

There are things about America that are superior, some inferior, some just based on your subjectivity and bias (such as right wing Americans generally thinking highly of American health care). However, the blinders are disturbing, and should be stopped.

Blinders indeed! If it's so essential that this be stopped, you probably shouldn't be perpetuating it

[Athens]

I just started watching some American TV again and man... I'm speechless. South Beach towing, the Hardcore Pawn show in Detroit, please please tell me this is not what Florida and Michigan are really like. I mean seriously I wouldn't allow these shows to be broadcasted outside of the country. I got annoyed when I learned Trailer Park Boys was international (though thankfully every one I know watching it in Europe think its American) lol

South Beach Tow A Very Tremont Christmas - YouTube

I like to see some defending of this portrait of Americano Society.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Athens 

I just started watching some American TV again and man... I'm speechless. South Beach towing, the Hardcore Pawn show in Detroit, please please tell me this is not what Florida and Michigan are really like. I mean seriously I wouldn't allow these shows to be broadcasted outside of the country. I got annoyed when I learned Trailer Park Boys was international (though thankfully every one I know watching it in Europe think its American) lol

South Beach Tow A Very Tremont Christmas - YouTube

I like to see some defending of this portrait of Americano Society.

Funny. I always thought only idiots would watch that crap. Am I right ?

-t

[Athens]

That's what I would assume. The shows are just horrible. Can't watch more then a few minutes of it. I bet the ratings and viewership numbers in the US is pretty high so I think your right.

[turtle777]

I never even had the urge to watch a single second of it. And guess what ? Many Americans don't.
And then there are Canadians that DO watch it, Go figure.

So again, what's the f*cking point ? I'm sure there is plenty of stupid things on Canadian TV.

-t

[subego]

Originally Posted by Athens 

I like to see some defending of this portrait of Americano Society.

As you may already be aware, I don't have cable, but without watching it I can tell you:

A) It was remarkably cheap to produce.
B) Due to this, it's making them a metric ****ton of money.

Is B not Americano enough for you?

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

It never gets old. Please post more.

-t

Thanks for proving my point about Americans being self-absorbed. If you care, my Canadian province thing was just an example, involving Canada was not central to my point.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton 

It's a little silly of you to bring this up in a thread where the OP disproves your premise. Name two sources: CBS and AP, they're right there in the OP.

My point was that there was zero coverage, just little of it, and CBS and AP certainly do not have dedicated resources I'm aware of for providing regular international coverage, they just provide us the odd nibble here and there like a number of other outlets.

It's not "awareness" or "following," it's criticizing, ridiculing, and attempting to undermine. It's completely disingenuous to imply that these are equivalent. Yet you have no problems ignoring this fact, and believing you've made a good sound logical argument.

Blinders indeed! If it's so essential that this be stopped, you probably shouldn't be perpetuating it

I didn't say that there is an equivalency, so whatever... Nothing I said related to anything in particular that has been said here.

[OAW]

Must every PWL thread be turned into a pointless pissing contest? Is focusing on debating real issues simply beyond our capabilities now?

OAW

[Wiskedjak]

Isn't there an election coming up? This is no time for discussing real issues.

[subego]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

My point was that there was zero coverage, just little of it, and CBS and AP certainly do not have dedicated resources I'm aware of for providing regular international coverage...

Are you serious?

You'd have to really work at isolating yourself not to be aware these organizations have international bureaus.

[subego]

Here's a list of CBS News international bureaus:

Amman, Jordan
Beijing, China
Hong Kong
Johannesburg, South Africa
London, UK
Rome, Italy
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tokyo, Japan

This means an actual office, with CBS employees.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by OAW 

Must every PWL thread be turned into a pointless pissing contest? Is focusing on debating real issues simply beyond our capabilities now?

OAW

This one was created for that sole purpose.... Mods and Admins dont give a **** either.

Really almost every one in this thread is pretty pathetic

[Athens]

Originally Posted by subego 

Here's a list of CBS News international bureaus:

Amman, Jordan
Beijing, China
Hong Kong
Johannesburg, South Africa
London, UK
Rome, Italy
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tokyo, Japan

This means an actual office, with CBS employees.

Im surprised that CBS has that kind of presence around the world. Larger then I would have thought.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by subego 

Here's a list of CBS News international bureaus:

Amman, Jordan
Beijing, China
Hong Kong
Johannesburg, South Africa
London, UK
Rome, Italy
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tokyo, Japan

This means an actual office, with CBS employees.

Why do we generally get so little international coverage then? What do these people actually do in South Africa when there isn't an election, war, or something really big to cover?

[subego]

Originally Posted by Athens 

This one was created for that sole purpose....

Actually it was created to be a fun and goofy pissing match.

Like... with Saskatchewan/Sasquatch jokes.

[subego]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Why do we generally get so little international coverage then?

Umm... where exactly do you get your news?

I'll be honest. You seem to be castigating something about which you have little to no direct experience.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by subego 

Actually it was created to be a fun and goofy pissing match.

Like... with Saskatchewan/Sasquatch jokes.

That's good, why im not taking much of anything in this one serious.

[subego]

Well, hauling out and calling everyone pathetic may not be taken as the jolly rib I'm sure it was intended to be.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by subego 

Umm... where exactly do you get your news?

I'll be honest. You seem to be castigating something about which you have little to no direct experience.

Perhaps so, I haven't followed mainstream broadcast news outlets for a very long time, but my sense is that even on websites and stuff that by and large international news is under-reported.

In fairness to the stuff I said about Lisa Ling, she was addressing special interest type stories such as poverty, health, social issues, cultural things, etc. Maybe that's what I'm trying to pinpoint here: if stuff isn't blowing up, people dying, or elections taking place there is a good chance that you won't know about it unless you really seek this out.

[besson3c]

Goofy pissing matches are the best types of pissing matches. Mind you, I have a pretty kick ass urine stream, I could probably out-piss all of you losers, but it isn't fun trying to convince people that they are losers.

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

I think there is a lot that Americans don't understand about themselves, as well as other countries.

Thank goodness you're here to break it down.

For one, the fact that other countries follow American politics is a reflection on American influence throughout the world (both good and bad), as well as possibly a reflection of how generally insulated Americans are and unaware of what goes on outside their country.

I'm not sure how you got from one thought to the other here. It's like someone who's trying so hard not to steer the bicycle off the edge of the sidewalk that he ends up steering himself off the edge of the sidewalk.

America is popular because it runs a lot of big numbers in everything, bad and good; essentially what you've said. It's really that simple. Times are tough. You're either working hard or playing hard. I'd be willing to bet that the overwhelming majority of occupations and distractions have nothing to do with where Australia is on a globe and I can assure you that if a large number of our employers were Canadian, we'd be more skilled at naming three Canadian provinces. Our collective level of education is the product of our socioeconomics and size under an educational system that caters to the lowest common denominator to appear healthy while not up to the task for a number of reasons we've beaten to death in this forum over the years. To say "it's an American phenomena" with no acknowledgement of what it is that makes America different in this regard is intellectually lame.

Saying stuff like this is often construed as an attack on American intelligence, making Americans feel defensive. Sure, there is a bit of that, but I lay more blame on a general lack of international media coverage, and a perpetuation of the often false notions that everything America = the best, and there is therefore no motivating reason to care about anything outside of America, because whatever it is, it is inferior anyway.

This is a caricature of Americans. Not that the above "attack" is offensive, it's just silly and the connections you're trying to make here are nonsensical. Isn't this constant need to "put Americans in their place" a sort of nationalism in itself? Worse, aren't statements like these simpleton, xenophobic generalizations? The Americans on this board express themselves in the exact manner I see the public at large expressing themselves. Why is our education inferior? Why are our cars inferior? Why are we not learning any lessons from other OECD countries? Why, if we're spending exponentially more than other OECD nations are we so far behind in math and science? I hear people lament the fact that we're not capable of manufacturing US flags in America or any number of things critical of the US. I hear Americans criticizing their government, their politicians, their political system, questioning their health care, output, etc... and yet, I see at least two Canadians go out of their way on a regular basis to put these Americans who are critical of their own governance "in their place" regardless of whether or not their point is relevant at all to the discussion. I don't get it.

I've heard speakers like Lisa Ling (Lisa Ling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) lament the lack of international news coverage in this country. Name one or two sources, if you can? Ling, being interested in covering international news, had to find gigs at places like the View and Oprah, which is kind of pathetic. Where else would she or anybody you might prefer work though?

Sounds to me like she wanted a career she felt would be a little more financially rewarding and/or exciting. After all, she's worked for CNN, National Geographic Explorer, as well as local news outlets. She didn't have to work on the View or Oprah. The US journalist named Lisa Ling is a reflection of the lack of international coverage in the US?

There are things about America that are superior, some inferior, some just based on your subjectivity and bias (such as right wing Americans generally thinking highly of American health care). However, the blinders are disturbing, and should be stopped. Regardless of how you feel about American exceptionalism, a little knowledge and awareness can't hurt. It should not be surprising that other countries are not as insulated as Americans in their awareness of what goes on outside of their borders, and therefore, it should not be a complete shock that many Canadians follow American news pretty closely.

So... it is the attitude of American exceptionalism and lack of knowledge of other countries that makes America so fascinating to those of other countries? It must stop? We must stop being followed by those of other countries? With a little more knowledge of Canada, they'll be less interested in the US? I don't understand at all what type of connection you're trying to make here. It seems like this whole tirade was another excuse to "put Americans in their place". Why is it so important that you "put Americans in their place"?

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by ebuddy 

... I can assure you that if a large number of our employers were Canadian, we'd be more skilled at naming three Canadian provinces.

So, you agree that some Canadians have valid reasons for being very interested in what happens in the US.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Thanks for proving my point about Americans being self-absorbed. If you care, my Canadian province thing was just an example, involving Canada was not central to my point.

Who the f*ck cares about Canadian provinces ?

How many German Bundesländer do you know ?
Less than 3, and you are an idiot. Or so your logic goes.

-t

[subego]

The irony is, he probably can.

One may be named after the city where they filmed Wings of Desire (fantastic movie, BTW).
One may be named after the city where the Beatles played before they got big.
One may be named after the town where all the animal musicians try to get to in that animal musician fairy tale.
One may be named after a bunch of concertos by Bach.

Okay... GO!

[Uncle Skeleton]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

I didn't say that there is an equivalency, so whatever... Nothing I said related to anything in particular that has been said here.

Ok then slick willy, nothing I said related to your post either, it's just a big coincidence that I happened to post it right after you did and make seemingly explicit references to your actions.

PS, If you're reading this, this post isn't about you, it's about a different besson3c. I would never make the mistake of saying anything that could possibly be verified or refuted using evidence, facts, or testimony.

[Uncle Skeleton]

Originally Posted by Wiskedjak 

So, you agree that some Canadians have valid reasons for being very interested in what happens in the US.

There is a difference between interest and vitriol.

[Uncle Skeleton]

Originally Posted by subego 

One may be named after the town where all the animal musicians try to get to in that animal musician fairy tale.

Muppets take Manhattan?

[subego]

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton 

Muppets take Manhattan?

Closer than you may think...

 

The Muppet Musicians of Bremen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[subego]

Originally Posted by subego 

One may be named after a bunch of concertos by Bach.

Now I feel like firing these up. There goes a couple hours.

Anyone have a fave recording they'd like to share, preferably arranged with baroque instruments?