American Fear

[jonnyflash]

I turned on the TV, and there was cops chasing scary science fiction monsters. CLICK next channel...cops chasing poor black and white people suspected of crimes and assaulting them, violating their human dignity along with their vestigal civil rights in a televised manner with their families often present.
CLICK .....cops in a funny movie, chasing foreign looking enemies in a funny way.
CLICK...Lawyers dealing with crazy, terrible murderers
CLICK...another funny cop movie with a likeable rougish cop.
CLICK....A crazy terrible murderer who murders normal people at brutal length until he is killed by a hero cop.
CLICK....a prison show where there are lots of crazy violent people and murders.
CLICK...a school where the teacher fires a gun in the class to terrorrize his students.
CLICK...a funny Chinese cop who knows martial arts with a funny black cop.
Simmer for 4 hrs per day, sprinkle in sensationalistic newspaper coverage of real violent crime, let sit for 20 years. At the end you have a fearful citizen who sees strangers with the proper amount of suspicion and fear, and cant seem to feel anything but love for the repressive machinery of a rogue government, though he cant quite remember exactly why....

[jonnyflash]

Chance, Stretch......hajimeruyo!

[Stretch]

[quote]At the end you have a fearful citizen who sees strangers with the proper amount of suspicion and fear, and cant seem to feel anything but love for the repressive machinery of a rogue government, though he cant quite remember exactly why.... <hr></blockquote> ONLY IF they never learned to think for themselves. And yes, critical thinking skills can be taught and learned.

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

In Egypt? You'll probably come home smeared in camel dung, as you so often do. Good luck, fearless knucklemothhead.

[Rex Boyd]

[quote]Originally posted by Stretch:
<strong>&gt;
If I were to judge any other nation by a MOVIE !!!! what would I be accused of? Narrow mindedness at the least.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hey Stretch,
I know quite a bit more about America than what I saw in a MOVIE !!!! You can add to that movie about 23 years of living in the place. I think you will also find it universally accepted that the best way to get an honest perspective on your own country is to do a bit of travelling and most importantly turn off the television. From where I'm watching now the States seems like it's gleefully stuck back in the era of McCarthism and proud of it. God Bless America.

Rex

[Stretch]

So what difference do you see in America from when so many years ago you lived here? From your post, it seems like you see no difference: Fear and mistrust from your youth in suburban Texas and more fear and distrust now. 33 million foreigners live here, perhaps they see from a different perspective.

Remember that the media acentuates bombast. That is how they sell newspapers! (and all other media) And with 500 or so channels there is a lot to chose from on TV, including WorldLink TV

http://www.worldlinktv.org/

After 9-11 has America changed? Of course. It was predictable. The only constant in human affairs and much else, is indeed, change. The pendulum continues to swing as it alway has.

While some folks bought duct tape, most of us were laughing at the absurdity.

The good news about human nature, is that we can and do get used to anything. And the bad news . . . is that we can and do get used to anything.

Is the US more repressive now, yes. But not as bad as in WWII when thousands of Japaneese US citizens were intered for the duration of the war. At least not yet. Give us another 10 years. Thanks for the heads up.

[ 04-25-2003: Message edited by: Stretch ]</p>

[Evan Young]

On the road from Cali to New Orleans I picked up three kids (20s) with their thumbs up just outside of Tuscan AZ. They were street kids/travelers, and we got along pretty well. We got some wisky and camped out in gila national forest that night. The Next day (tuesday) they called their friend in Texas to see if we could crash with her for a night. We got to her house late that night.
Turns out, their friend owns a huge wild game ranch in the Texas hill country, with a guest house and the works. It's like a ski resort with guns, and no snow. So we spent a couple days there, drank lone star beer, and got a new perspective on Texas. If you have never been to the Texas hill country you are missing out, it looks like africa. We left on friday and made it to Hustin that night, where we noticed I had a flat tire. So we put the spare on and found a city park to sleep in. I bought a new tire this morning and we just made it to New Orleans. I droped them off in the Quarter and I'm now on the west bank at my aunts house.
There is so much more to tell.... I just don't have the patience to put it up here now. email for the full story.

[ 04-26-2003: Message edited by: Evan Young ]</p>

[Greedybogle]

To allow a post I started to wander, Texas is the most beautiful place I have ever been.

I was born in Houston, and now live in New England, but my heart will always stay in West Texas.

It is indescribable.

[worldwidese]

Please remember that the US is not the only country in the world. If you have never been outside the US you have a very narrow perspective.

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

Its the mid-eighties and I'm hitchhiking. Just outside of Houston, which today has meant tons of walking due to construction, I catch a lift. I have my pack on. With its bongo drums, books, juggling show and peanut butter and jelly, it weighs over 100 pounds. It takes a 19-year-old back to handle the packing whims of a 19-year-old. I hoist it into the back seat, and sink in, grateful. Not much of a ride, its about a 20-miler, but I'm past the orange cones and jackhammers of my morning, and happy for that.
Small rides today, including a huge pontiac boat of Spanish-speaking teens who offer me a bottle of whiskey. I don't drink but their joy spillls over into me.
I'm sad when they drop me before their exit, even though they fill my hand with the light weight of precious cigarettes.
More rides, and its early twilight. I decide to knock off early: its good to be the boss. There is a gentle slope upward on my right, up and away from the cars. Walking it, I'm 20 feet above them at the top, with the quintessential quiet cow pasture behind me, and rushing cars wheeling below. I pitch the tent, easy in so much light, and unroll the sleeping bag outside, to watch the cars speed by, to play the harmonica in the warm evening air, and to take in the sunset.
My view is right on, and the sun turns into a huge ball of red. Clouds everywhere around it follow suit. It is beautiful as I have never felt or seen beautiful before, and I know, this evening, this time now, is a huge part of why I'm thumbing across America. I know I will never forget this Texas sunset.

[ 04-29-2003: Message edited by: Mr.Taxi Trix ]</p>

[Evan Young]

[quote]Originally posted by worldwidese:
<strong>Please remember that the US is not the only country in the world. If you have never been outside the US you have a very narrow perspective.</strong><hr></blockquote>


I think you may be preaching to the choir (at least if your talking to me). The culture shock of living in England was the most valuble part of Circomedia circus school for me. Regardless, there is still a lot to learn from right here in the US.
And you cant really learn much about Texas from some other country. My previous thoughts on Texas were based on all the negative steriotypes I've heard about it. I used to hate the state for all it was worth, and now I think it's allright.

[Stretch]

[quote] Originally posted by worldwidese:
Please remember that the US is not the only country in the world. If you have never been outside the US you have a very narrow perspective. <hr></blockquote>

In 1999 I traveled to Sydney as a tourist. Met a fellow window cleaner plying his trade in Kings Cross. He hated Kings Cross, my partner and I loved it. He was surprised to learn that we were not Jehovah Witness! In his experience, all window cleaners were J. W. !!!

Perspective is a state of mind.

Change your attitude, change your life.

For some people, travel is a waste.

Clean windows reflect on you.