Things that make you ashamed about the country you're from...

[Hi There, Am Pam]

There are a lot of things I love about America, mainly because even when


Here's one: Fox News already slanders Barack Obama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SMcKzMsUes). It's not just that they're going after him, but that they have guests on who say things like, ""(he is)considered such a big deal is simply because he's black." The icing on the cake is the graphic with Barack Obama "Would you elect a smoker for President?" It not just that I'm on one side or the other on the issue... of his cigarette smoking... it's just fucking retarded. Just listen to the last word, about how the guests is worried that people see him about his "being brown" which brings people together. Yeah.

Ok, that's actually all I got. I'm kind of more interested in seeing if anyone else has something along these lines.

[Fab]

The fucking BNP.

[Krisp]

US develops new nuclear warheads (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/285D8C24-12AF-4CFB-A769-731D8DAA2D3A.htm)

I suppose I should find something from Norway, eh, the vikings, not to proud of them. Basically Europe as a whole for not trying to curb the amount of immigration from the Middle East.

[Tago Mago]

I enjoy living in Sweden, but I have some peeves...

When our representatives in the EU push for more surveillance when they should be pushing for less, I cringe. And when I realize that it's going to be the same until we start voting for the smaller parties, I nearly puke.

When Norway arranges a conference to ban cluster bombs and 46 countries sign a treaty to do so, but Sweden argues against it, it disgusts me and almost makes me wish I were Norwegian instead. (I certainly have more respect for their current government than our newly elected.)

We still have a king, and he seems to remain popular. He has no decisive power at all, but there are still so many reasons not to have him there at all that I'm not even going to bother.

Swedish films of the 21st Century. Seriously. We've gone to shit since Bergman retired. Roy Andersson is still making wonderful films, but it takes several years between them and he's not going to be around forever. Lukas Moodysson and Björn Runge have admirable ambitions and some reasonable talent, but they cannot carry modern Swedish films alone. And it doesn't help that the Swedish Film Institute is making all the wrong decisions in a time when we need the best of them to provide alternatives to the insipid comedies or police dramas by the numbers that we're getting. And 230 million crowns are granted to the production of a bunch of shitty adaptations of books about Arn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arn_Magnusson), but all grants to individual directors and writers from the SFI have been cut! There are so many things rotten about that.

Every time a foreign celebrity is interviewed in Swedish television, he will ultimately be asked what he thinks about some semi-relevant Swedish export that the interviewer is obviously very proud of, i.e. a football player will at any given point be asked what he thinks of Henrik Larsson, an American astronaut will be asked what he thinks of Christer Fuglesang, and so on. I guess that because we ceased being a colonial power long ago, some people need to be reassured that we're still being recognized in the outside world in any way at all.

This country is also likely to have the world's highest number of Counter-Strike nerds, World of Warcraft nerds and metal nerds per capita.

[Kinbote]

Declining literacy. Toni Morrison in schools? Give me a break.

[Squirrel]

The fucking BNP.

Totally. Unless you are from France and you just hate the bank, in which case I am talking about something else entirely.

Let's see... what else for Britain?

- We are the only country that has ever succeeded in commiting genocide.

- ID cards/biometrics/general Orwellian dystopia vibe that is going on there right now.

- David Blunkett.

- The bureacracy that makes it impossible to get things done. I always knew it was bad, but I never realised how bad we were for that until I lived in another country. In Canada when I was looking for a job, I found out that I needed the equivalent of a National Insurance card before I could work. So I went down there and spoke to a guy (there was no queue) and he just gave me it. Two hours after I found out I needed the card, I had it. I couldn't imagine that happening in England in a million years.

For example, when me and Megan were in London a few years back, we decided one morning to go down to the Canadian Embassy to see about work permits and stuff. Six hours later, we found out that not only does the embassy have nothing on it to identify it, it is also seemingly on a street that does not exist, and even if we had found it there would have been no-one there anyway because it is open for three hours a week.

That was in 2004. It is now 2007, and I still haven't got my work permit. Although I was approved by the Canadian side of it in 2005, less than a month after I applied.

- Uhm... the whole colonialism thing too.

- Oh, and Baby Mind Reader. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK3cul71BQk) D:

[Hi There, Am Pam]

- Oh, and Baby Mind Reader. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK3cul71BQk) D:

WTF.... FORKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK... Man, that guy is bizarre. I guess he's no different than John Edward or any of those types. Except he likes to talk about how men touch mommy's privates on TV.


Anyway, these things all make me feel a little bit better about living in the US... well, except for the nuclear weapons thing. That's kind of a downer. It just makes me realize everyone is insane.

[Lothlorien]

For Canada, the complete denial that we once participated in slavery and the continued abuse of the aboriginal peoples.

And Bryan Adams. On behalf of all Canadians, we apologize to England, and the whole of the United Kingdom, for Bryan Adams.

[Kinbote]

Dude, Bryan Adams rules. Into the Fire is one of the finest albums of the eighties, and "Victim of Love" is one of the finest songs of any decade.

[Lothlorien]

Dude, Bryan Adams rules. Into the Fire is one of the finest albums of the eighties, and "Victim of Love" is one of the finest songs of any decade.

Well, I guess we all have our own tastes in music. To tell you the truth, I've not heard much of Bryan Adams' 80s material, so maybe I'm missing out on something.

[kendra]

apology accepted for Bryan Adams :D hahaha

& Mark, what the shit? 3 years? What's going on there? Are you going to have to be a Mexican and work "under the table"?

[Squirrel]

No, I did work for a while but then I had to stop again, because of... bureacracy. (They gave me a temporary work permit then realised they shouldn't have and then wouldn't renew it.)

P.S. I like Canada, but when you guys decide to put out a bad musical act, you really don't fuck about. Nickelback, Celine Dion etc.

[kendra]

What about Our Lady Peace though? I'd say half shitty, half acceptable.

[Fab]

Totally. Unless you are from France and you just hate the bank, in which case I am talking about something else entirely.
Non! Bof! Partir!

[Hi There, Am Pam]

apology accepted for Bryan Adams :D hahaha

Personally, I'd like to see the Canucks groveling a little bit more. I know Ted likes him, but that style didn't stop us from having to experience "All for Love". I still haven't talked to New Jersey ever since Bon Jovi.

[Kinbote]

LET THE ONE YOU HOLD BE THE ONE YOU WANT. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-igVi62y49s)

[Hi There, Am Pam]

OH GOD, NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AvaAdore]

The Project For a New American Century, a neoconservative think-tank, is what makes me ashamed to be in a country ruled by oligarchical tyrants.

[Lothlorien]

I forgot to mention for Canada the Heritage Front, a neo-nazi white surpremist organization, founded by a Canadian klansman.

And we also have a PNAC-like organization but I don't remember what it's called. Luckily, it doesn't hold as great an influence in Canadian politics as the PNAC does in the US.

[El Loto]

Like Frank said: BNP
Daily Mail
Daily Telegraph
SNP
People who believe in Scottish Independence (see above)
Thatcherites and Mrs Thatcher
The bias which is obviously against the Labour party on Question Time
The cult of celebrity
Greed
Royal Family

[Spaced]

I hate the fact that we can have huge race riots in the streets, and then all the pollies come out and say "don't worry, no racists here, please resume rampant consumerism".

[i]

^ yeah that.

[Static Split Screen]

The fact that people care more about who won american idol than who the next president will be.

Dependence on cars.

The pressure to overwork yourself in the bay area. Chill out, christ.

Fast food.

Bush.

Bible thumpers.

[Lothlorien]

http://www.emachines.com/img/icon/canada.gif


Our inability to stand up to hegemonic, militaristic "allies" for fear that it will hurt trade relations and other economic related partnerships.

Stephen Harper

Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, who was schooled in the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum, arrived at his first news conference on a Jet Ski in a wet suit, once remarked that human and dinosaurs co-existed, and stated that "Canadian jobs were flowing south like the Niagara River" which actually flows north, otherwise it would mean that Niagara Falls would have to flow upwards, defying gravity and any last shred of logic Stockwell Day had.

[Squidgee Board]

Conservative idiots.

People who are obsessed with having kids (so many now days, even teenage girls want babies)

religious nuts

People who are obsessed with celebrities.

[Tago Mago]

Our inability to stand up to hegemonic, militaristic "allies" for fear that it will hurt trade relations and other economic related partnerships.

This goes for us too. I somehow forgot to put it in my list.

[sleepy sinner]

- Our treatment of immigrants, asylum seekers, other cultures and aboriginal cultures.
- Not having the foresight to look beyond greed, consumerism and the next buck. It can't last forever - DUH. How come nobody gets that?
- Homophobic, sexist pricks who actually REALLY DO BELIEVE that hooning around in a car beeping at people or getting into bar fights or playing a contact sport in general makes them cool/big in the pants/manly. I'm estimating this portion is at least 20% of total male population.
- Obsession with sexist sporting cultures/figures that are a complete waste of space, money, and the public's time/brainpower
- Basically not caring about much at all except making money, usually at the expense of other countries
- Inhibited freedoms, usually a gift from religious conservatives

[Mary Alice]

I watched Half Nelson, great movie BTW, and it reminded me of a bit of history that happened shortly before I was born but still makes me sad.

The main girl is doing her little part of the video history project where the kids mention recent historical events ...and she says "September 11th..." you think, oh I know where this is going, and then she says "1973"

She mentions that's when Salvador Allende was assasinated and Pinochet came to power, and of course all of this was backed by the CIA. It mentions how many of Allende's former supporters were subsequently killed. It concludes with a quote from Henry Kissinger from 1970 when Allende was elected ..something like "these issues are too important for the Chilean people to decide for themselves"

Everytime I hear the Allende/Pinochet story I am ashamed of what my country did.

Recent stuff...Laura nailed three of mine. I hate the dependence on cars. Amen on the American Idol/American President comment. And the current president says something that makes me embarrased just about every time he speaks.

I am sick of those people that want to build a wall between us and Mexico. As the British would say - that's bollocks. Just look at Israel/Palestine...now the Palestinians can't travel to Israel for work, they're poorer, angrier and more fenced in, and the wall being built ruined ancient olive groves that some Palestinians still tendered and grew olives and used as their livelihood. And I think the Mexico wall thing is going to be just as bad. Who are the geniouses that support this shit?

I hate the state of health care in this country. We have so much wealth in the US that there is no reason why getting sick should put you in debt for the rest of your life. And people often put off just regular checkups and shit because it's so cost prohibitive and then when they do get sick it's major $$$$$. I am just sick of the whole goddamned medical system in this country because while I know we're lucky compared to most other countries it should still be a million times better and there shouldn't be so many people going without health care.

And I just wish there was something intelligent/intriguing/ ahead of it's time and unifying in popular culture right now. Paris Hilton does NOTHING for me. I mean there's something to be said about the time when Nirvana became big. I didn't even like them back then but now I appreciate what he was trying to do. I mean now I understand that he was so against racism, sexism, and homophobia and how strongly he tried to stand against those things. And even though there's awesome people out and about now, none of them are making the huge kind of cultural impact that Nirvana did, someone with some radical ideas needs to come out and be in the forefront to make different people feel normal again. But it seems American culture isn't ready for it, just watered down versions is all they want that aren't even that great or talented so you know...next week it will be someone new. But I think it goes in cycles...you know there was a time in the '60 when awesomeness was there, and then a time in the early '90's...it will come again

[Squirrel]

I think you're totally right about these things moving in cycles; things seem to get really uptight in government and really asinine in popular culture, and then you get a little five year break or so where everyone kind of wigs out. Like you had the 50's, which was all McCarthyism and "Reefer Madness" at the movies, and then a few years later the 60's hit. And then right before the early 90's you had Reaganomics and "Trees cause pollution" and all these polished synth-poppers in the charts, then a couple of years after that the album charts are full of junkies and acid-heads. So I dunno. 2012 might be a good year if the world doesn't end.

[OakenCipher]

We have no siesta! (U.S.)

[Herr Lipp]

And then right before the early 90's you had Reaganomics and "Trees cause pollution" and all these polished synth-poppers in the charts, then a couple of years after that the album charts are full of junkies and acid-heads. So I dunno. 2012 might be a good year if the world doesn't end.

I think Thatcher's Britain is a more apt example of the general crappery before the 90's!

[vordabois]

I think Thatcher's Britain is a more apt example of the general crappery before the 90's!

Thatcher and Reagan were pretty much the same thing.

Both of them were all about obliterating unions and generally raping the working class.

The only difference is that in the UK, there was backlash against Thatcher's reforms, while in America, to this day, most so-called conservatives view Reagan as a great president.

And if I would have to say something that makes me ashamed about America, it's this: there are loads of people here that gravitate towards simplistic answers and the politicians who preach them. I'm ashamed by the fact that intelligence and well-thought out ideas are not things our popular culture really appreciates.

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

Idiocy and xenophobia. Particularly when it comes to England in sporting events.

Most of the country living in a "wonderful" past that never existed failing to recognise the total lack of future.

Churchill being revered as the greatest ever Englishman.

Thinking anyone from another culture is coming over to sponge of the system.

Chavs.

Over-population and the problems it creates.

There are a million others that are also symptomatic of other nations.

Oh, and the fact that nations exist.

[Lothlorien]

Oh, and the fact that nations exist.

They don't. They're examples of those false realities we create for ourselves by accepting societal conventions and hierarchical power structures dominated by the entrenched elite and the interests of dominant institutions.

Yes! I DID pull that out of my ass :D

[Six Ways]

Despite pulling said comment out of your arse, it's very true. But also, it's kinda what Danny was saying, but bigger. I'm assuming what Danny meant was essentially that nations DO exist, but only because we accept that they do (like you said); and therefore as such they should NOT exist.

[Six Ways]

Most of the country living in a "wonderful" past that never existed failing to recognise the total lack of future.

Yeah. I hate it when people say things like 'The empire worked, after all', completely ignoring the fact that the only people it worked for is us. The blacks, indians and anyone else who got in our way got totally fucked over. All for the sake of the economy, when it comes down to it.

[Lothlorien]

that nations DO exist, but only because we accept that they do (like you said)

This sort of applies to your empire-building/screwing-the-colonized thing. In Canada, the naming of the native peoples is often of great debate. Generally, the trend has been to stay clear of the word "Indian". It's been replaced with "Native", "Native American", and "Aboriginals". "Native" is probably the least offensive, but is not without controversy. "Native American" is stupid because the concept of "America" is pre-Columbian and labelling oneself as "American" assumes that you accept the reality of an American nation (which many natives do not). "Aboriginal" is just stupid - Australian natives are called "Aboriginals" as are other pre-colonial peoples in other countries. Essentially, we're lumping all of these diverse cultures into one category.

To get back to focussing on the "nation", Another term we've been using in Canada is "First Nations" which is simply ludicrous. First of all, "First Nations" is a reference to one specific group of natives called the Iroquois and the different bands within this larger group. Somehow, "First Nations" became a blanket term for all natives in Canada. Second, the idea of them being "nations" is ludicrous. The concept of the nation is relatively recent - the Renaissance period at the earliest, the 18th-19th centuries at the latest. To apply the term "nation" to the natives is just stupid and another way Canada has tried to appropriate or assimilate natives into European culture and ideals.

I guess this brings me another one of things I'm ashamed of my country about: the native peoples of Canada have no voice unless they show a willingness to compromise their values for European ones - otherwise, they would be referred to by a name that they feel works for them and their needs.

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

At least you have native people.

[El Loto]

Churchill being revered as the greatest ever Englishman.

This is a particular sore point. It's fucking senseless. They have the cheek to insult Charlie Kennedy's drinking but this lumbering whale got away with it.

Fancy a rant about Maggie and the SNP?

[Herr Lipp]

we have the welsh!!!!!!

danny, how anyone can say that human migration is a bad thing is beyond me. even in the interests of starting up an argument it is ridiculous. no wonder youre despised by the majority, and the minority have to make excuses for you :rolleyes:

[Krisp]

The only difference is that in the UK, there was backlash against Thatcher's reforms, while in America, to this day, most so-called conservatives view Reagan as a great president.



Yeah. It's really odd how they stand up for him, even though so many of the problems we have these days evolved right out of his presidency. Aside from the obvious catering to higher classes, there's also the supporting of a variety of dictators like Saddam Hussein and the support of, hey hey, Islamic insurgents in Afghanistan. Not to mention all the mess in Nicaragua and El Salvador which did nothing but contribute to Latin America's disdain for the US.

I suppose there was his hand in bringing down the Soviet Union, but that was bound to happen anyway.

Overall, he was just one of those he-man leaders who create the illusion of progress being made to rally support and in turn actually fucks up the country further.

[Jackal]

I can see I should be ashamed of most things that exists in the U.S., simply because so many are starving, doing without, etc.

If the tables were turned, and the suffering people had become the wealthiest nation and we the ones drinking water from putrid streams and living in mud shacks with no belongings, no health care etc. It would be the same.

No matter what country or tribe or history they had, if great times and wealth, abundance trickled over them for a hundred years, they would be changed by it too. They would be fat, anestisized, self-important, capitalistic, celebrity-loving, shallow, ignorant fools also.

They are wrapped up in trying to get food, shelter, clothing, just living day to day. But if they got past all that, they would look for ways to make a buck to get better supplies, and then they might be driven to get even better stuff until they had so much luxury they spend their days having fun. Is that so awful?

[sleepy sinner]

We have no siesta! (U.S.)

Siesta would effing rock! Although, to be honest, I enjoy sleeping in better than going for a nap/whatever in the afternoon. I wish I could sell it to the world as a legitimate activity, and that everyone got an allocated sleep-in a week!

[Narcissistic Nihilist]

This is a particular sore point. It's fucking senseless. They have the cheek to insult Charlie Kennedy's drinking but this lumbering whale got away with it.

Fancy a rant about Maggie and the SNP?
Just look at all the metal lumps on the walls outside peoples houses. Taking all the iron of the poor to make weapons whilst leaving the houses of the rich intact. Churchill was only marginally better than Hitler. He was a total fascist.
we have the welsh!!!!!!

danny, how anyone can say that human migration is a bad thing is beyond me. even in the interests of starting up an argument it is ridiculous. no wonder youre despised by the majority, and the minority have to make excuses for you :rolleyes:
Shut the fuck up, stop talking bullshit and learn to read, baldy.

[Lothlorien]

From the "Time to break out the Kool-aid and purple robes guys" thread

Nickelback now one of world's biggest bands"

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/26/music.nickelback.ap/index.html

Ugh, what the fuck. There should've been a poll as well; I'd like to be a critic :D

Another thing Canada can be ashamed of: Nickelback.

[rogaine]

Siesta would effing rock! Although, to be honest, I enjoy sleeping in better than going for a nap/whatever in the afternoon. I wish I could sell it to the world as a legitimate activity, and that everyone got an allocated sleep-in a week!

you already have two. it's called a weekend. ;)

[Lothlorien]

you already have two. it's called a weekend. ;)

I think we should get Wednesday's off. But, that's why these decisions are left up to people who aren't me.

[lisa]

i may have missed it but i didnt see any americans mention the genocide in rwanda, i mean for all the fucked up shit bush has done, watching a genocide happen that clinton had the power to stop was pretty fucked up.

and im definitely ashamed of canada for the likes of nickelback, avril lavigne, sum 41, celine dion, the worst of the worst comes from here it seems, but we make up for it with neil young, sloan, arcade fire, stars, broken social scene, the band, the guess who, etc etc so yeah, its not all bad.

ill agree with lotharian on the way we treat aboriginals here. its still really really bad, which i didnt realize until i heard a story of BLATENT racism towards a native who had earned her way into college - a white kid telling her she just got in and got everything paid for because shes an indian.. OMG wtf is wrong with people?? this happened during her presentation in a social studies class that my sis was taking, she defended the girl from this idiot, she never speaks in class so that was cool.
and the Heritage Front is fucked too, man, people are insane.

and its no stretch that stephan harper is the devil. or bush's little canadian minion.

[Nak Nak]

neil young, broken social scene, the band

metric, great lake swimmers, new pornographers, leonard cohen, kd lang, sarah harmer, neko case (doesn't matter that she was born in the US) are all good musicians from canada.

[lisa]

metric, great lake swimmers, new pornographers, leonard cohen, kd lang, sarah harmer, neko case (doesn't matter that she was born in the US) are all good musicians from canada.
yes, thanks.. i knew i was forgetting many.. leonard cohen especially, one of the best from anywhere. kd lang i cant say i enjoy though.