Is it really hard to fathom why many people despise the US?

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 18 May 2015, 22:36

I wouldn't say that comment is entirely fair, LJ.

vtsnowedin · Post by **vtsnowedin** » 19 May 2015, 00:19

Little John wrote:The thing we all have to remember with VT, however, is that he has spent a lifetime being subjected to the context-removal narrative of MSM such as Fox "news" etc.. Consequently, he really is quite incapable of morally looking at the world with any degree of nuance, subtlety or context. He is furthermore incapable of actually understanding that this is a cognitive deficit.

Poor thing

My lifetime extends back quite a bit before the advent of Fox News. I actually have a bit of memory of Eisenhower and remember Kennedy's funeral well. During that I was subjected to the propaganda of the big three networks and the major newspapers which I read quite a bit of. In spite of that I can still think for myself and laugh at your insult.

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 19 May 2015, 04:08

It is an insult VT, yes. But largely of a significant part your culture (of which your views are an exemplary expression) That is to say, I was holding you up as a symbolic representation of it.

Also, whilst Fox News may be relatively new, your infantile culture, which its need to simply everything into shades of black and white, provides the fertile ground on which organizations like them can flourish.

vtsnowedin · Post by **vtsnowedin** » 19 May 2015, 10:39

Consequently, he really is quite incapable of morally looking at the world with any degree of nuance, subtlety or context.

Well you may not call that an insult but I think most would.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 19 May 2015, 11:10

vtsnowedin wrote:
Consequently, he really is quite incapable of morally looking at the world with any degree of nuance, subtlety or context.
Well you may not call that an insult but I think most would.

An insult on an individual level, quite possibly. But it's also an outsider's view (right or wrong but understandable) of the American mindset.

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 19 May 2015, 16:36

emordnilap wrote:the American mindset.

You can't say that there is an American mindset just as you can't say that there is a British mindset. You, Em, and LJ would be mortally offended if it was said that you had a typical British mindset because you both undoubtedly don't have the same mindset as some other people on this website, let alone the British people in general.

To lump VT in with all conservative, Fox News watching American sheople is a massive insult which isn't deserved. The very fact that he is contributing constructively to this website marks him out from the many so I think an apology is in order.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 19 May 2015, 17:47

The line quoted does sum up a mindset. There are many exceptions - I know several personally very well - but Steve is on the nail with a generalisation.

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 19 May 2015, 17:53

An apology for the vociferousness of my post towards VT in particular is indeed in order Ken and so, if you are reading this VT, please take this as that apology. Whilst I do detect from the content of many of your posts, an expression of some of things I mentioned in my post about your culture, as Ken has rightly pointed out, the fact you are posting on here marks you out from that culture to a significant degree as well

However, I simply can''t apologize for leveling the criticisms contained in that post at a significant portion of your mainstream culture. I can't and I won't.

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 19 May 2015, 17:58

Americans are great. Admit it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mWtWz_aGyk

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 19 May 2015, 22:44

Lots of USA "progressives" are now reading my blog with its satirical stories (in which neither the USA nor anywhere else emerges in a good light!) so it can't be all bad

When I start falling over I have to remind myself there's Elizabeth Warren, and of course, Bernie

plus all those kayakizts in Seattle the other day...

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 19 May 2015, 22:47

vtsnowedin · Post by **vtsnowedin** » 20 May 2015, 00:12

My thanks to all who have supported me on this issue or at least my right to be heard. I've had a long day at work and a long drive home and a couple of beers so the best rejoinder to LJ escapes me at the moment but I know it is out there and he surely deserves it.
If you can't attack the point and must resort to denigrating the intelligence of the your opposition can you ever have a valid case?

Little John · Post by **Little John** » 20 May 2015, 03:19

vtsnowedin wrote:My thanks to all who have supported me on this issue or at least my right to be heard. I've had a long day at work and a long drive home and a couple of beers so the best rejoinder to LJ escapes me at the moment but I know it is out there and he surely deserves it.
If you can't attack the point and must resort to denigrating the intelligence of the your opposition can you ever have a valid case?

I'm afraid the intelligence of a good many of your countrymen really does warrant being called into question VT. That's the point. So successful has your elite's strategy to keep its population ignorant, fearful and compliant. Not that this country is far behind......

3rdRock · Post by **3rdRock** » 20 May 2015, 07:55

VT is one of the good guys. He's one of the 20%

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 20 May 2015, 09:05

On the other hand, a very significant part of our understanding of climate science has come from the work of Americans.

And they've made some good music.