Country Reputation - Page 2 - Political Forum

writerman · 06-29-2007, 08:54 AM

I could give a rat's butt that the Euros don't like us. For the most part, the feeling is mutual. I have an American friend who lives and works in Europe (shuttles between Hamburg, Madrid, and Dublin on business) and the Irish are the only ones he can stand, and his times in Ireland are a breath of fresh air after the stifling atmosphere of decadence and decay of continental Europe. He says Germany in particular, is so full of mindless anti-American propaganda, much of it untrue, it's disgusting. He also says their economies are headed for inevitable collapse under the weight of their welfare load. The moslems are everywhere, and the Western European governments are all scared shiteless of them. He's been there for five years, and can't wait to find a comparable job back home, or anywhere, as long as it's not Europe.

Slartibartfas · 06-29-2007, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by writerman

I could give a rat's butt that the stupid Euros don't like us. For the most part, the feeling is mutual. I have an American friend who lives and works in Europe (shuttles between Hamburg, Madrid, and Dublin on business) and the Irish are the only ones he can stand, and his times in Ireland are a breath of fresh air after the stifling atmosphere of decadence and decay of continental Europe. He says Germany in particular, is so full of mindless anti-American propaganda, much of it untrue, it's disgusting. He also says their economies are headed for inevitable collapse under the weight of their welfare load. The moslems are everywhere, and the Western European governments are all scared shiteless of them. He's been there for five years, and can't wait to find a comparable job back home, or anywhere, as long as it's not Europe.

If you dont mind, I'd prefer not to be called stupid just because I happen to be European. Thanks

Regarding your friend. A person who can't stand seeing Muslims, just because they happen to believe in Islam, is normally called islamophobe. Is this xenophoby just against Muslims or does he also hate to see other minorities as well?

I would say, a person who hates to be in Europe, well, is not forced to stay here. Judging from what you wrote about him here, he seems to have as many prejudices about Europeans as Europeans might have towards Americans.

expatincebu · 06-29-2007, 11:08 AM

You left off NON OF THE ABOVE!

That should have been a choice. All of your choices are bad influences as far as I am concerned. Much like U.S. elections you leave us choosing the lesser of evils. Perhaps the poll should have read, Which of these countries has the least bad influence.

writerman · 06-29-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slartibartfas

If you dont mind, I'd prefer not to be called stupid just because I happen to be European. Thanks

Regarding your friend. A person who can't stand seeing Muslims, just because they happen to believe in Islam, is normally called islamophobe. Is this xenophoby just against Muslims or does he also hate to see other minorities as well?

I would say, a person who hates to be in Europe, well, is not forced to stay here. Judging from what you wrote about him here, he seems to have as many prejudices about Europeans as Europeans might have towards Americans.

for suggesting all Europeans are stupid. Obviously they are not. But that doesn't keep me from thinking that they, their governments in particular, have a lot of really silly and counterproductive ideas. Many Europeans also harbor an almost primal and unreasoning hatred of the United States that goes beyond just disagreeing with our government's policies. And why shouldn't my friend have "prejudices" against Europeans who are contantly subjecting him to harangues disparaging America, and not only its foreign policy, but its customs and culture as well? He was recently actually physically attacked by some young Euro punks (they must get their training and inspiration for such activities at your soccer matches...) in Madrid for merely being an American. They picked the wrong guy--he's 6'2" and 240 muscular pounds, and he came out pretty much unscathed. A couple of them weren't so fortunate. The police weren't any less prejudiced--they tried to trump up some charges against him for defending himself, but weren't able to get away with it because the lady he is dating that was with him (she's Irish) witnessed the whole incident and collaborated his story, which they then--very reluctantly--had to accept.

About Islam, I make no apologies. IMO, Islam is in its essence, as was Naziism, evil, a global pathology bred of ignorance and intolerance that parades as a religion. In the long run--and maybe not too long at that--I think much if not all of Europe will live under Sharia law.

baxter · 06-29-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

So even though Europe is twice as large as the United States (population wise) the US contributes $379 million and Europe contributes about $60 million, the US contributes 6 times more. So given the relatively small contributions from Europe, who really does not care about the people of Sudan?

US and Foreign Aid Assistance - Global Issues
Look at the second graph (have to scroll down a bit)

Net ODA (Official Development Assistance) in 2006 as percent of GNI

Sweden 1.03
Luxembourg 0.89
Norway 0.89
Netherlands 0.81
Denmark 0.8
Ireland 0.53
UK 0.52
Belgium 0.5
Austria 0.48
France 0.47
Finland 0.39
Switzerland 0.39
Germany 0.36
Spain 0.32
Australia 0.3
Canada 0.3
New Zealand 0.27
Japan 0.25
Portugal 0.21
Italy 0.2
USA 0.17
Greece 0.16

I think this tell the story for itself...but I can't help myself. The US is one of the lowest contributors of aid in terms GNI of all the advanced countries. And on top of that, the first FOURTEEN of this list are European countries, and of the list of 22 countries, 17 are in Europe. Yet to my disappointment, the poll seems to be showing that the people here think the US has a good influence on the world, despite the wars...Maybe I'll succeed in changing your minds.

FRYandBENDER · 06-29-2007, 11:39 AM

So.... assuming that these numbers are correct....

Quote:

the US contributes $379 million and Europe contributes about $60 million, the US contributes 6 times more.

you're saying that even though the us gives more in terms of actual dollar amount, it does not matter because we're not giving as much of a percentage of our GNI?

writerman · 06-29-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baxter

US and Foreign Aid Assistance - Global Issues
Look at the second graph (have to scroll down a bit)

Net ODA (Official Development Assistance) in 2006 as percent of GNI

Sweden 1.03
Luxembourg 0.89
Norway 0.89
Netherlands 0.81
Denmark 0.8
Ireland 0.53
UK 0.52
Belgium 0.5
Austria 0.48
France 0.47
Finland 0.39
Switzerland 0.39
Germany 0.36
Spain 0.32
Australia 0.3
Canada 0.3
New Zealand 0.27
Japan 0.25
Portugal 0.21
Italy 0.2
USA 0.17
Greece 0.16

I think this tell the story for itself...but I can't help myself. The US is one of the lowest contributors of aid in terms GNI of all the advanced countries. And on top of that, the first FOURTEEN of this list are European countries, and of the list of 22 countries, 17 are in Europe. Yet to my disappointment, the poll seems to be showing that the people here think the US has a good influence on the world, despite the wars...Maybe I'll succeed in changing your minds.

You might dismiss it a ancient history, but we have had to come in and clean up major European messes twice in the past century at the cost of American lives (my Uncle was gassed at Argonne Forest) and then to get you back on your feet with the Marshall Plan--and IMO we have gotten damned little gratitude for those things, not to mention any attempt to repay war debts owed us. Europe couldn't even muster up the will to deal with a problem at their own back door in the former Yugoslavia--we had to shoulder the lion's share of that mess too. So don't preach to us about how stingy we are. IMO we've paid our dues, and then some, and the vast majority of Americans will agree with that.

Where in the hell was the world after Hurricane Katrina? After 9/11?

baxter · 06-29-2007, 12:34 PM

I find these kinds of statements utterly boring. Please find a better argument. The Marshall Plan doesn't grant you a carte blanche to do whatever you want. And you should learn from your elders, we have seen and lived two devastating wars on our soil, and therefore know what war really is and what it means.

(By the way, writerman, your friend sounds like a racist thug.)

Quote:

you're saying that even though the us gives more in terms of actual dollar amount, it does not matter because we're not giving as much of a percentage of our GNI?

Yes. Even though the U.S gives more in terms of US$, in terms of GNI (which is the thing to look at), the US gives a very small amount compared to European nations.

marv · 06-29-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baxter

The Marshall Plan doesn't grant you a carte blanche to do whatever you want.

I'll agree to that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by baxter

And you should learn from your elders, we have seen and lived two devastating wars on our soil, and therefore know what war really is and what it means.

...but

is not OUR national flag... Please note that it was THREE wars that the French lost...all fought by Germans on French soil. Is it really necessary to recount the wars France has won - I can spare you the embarrassment!

Quote:

Originally Posted by baxter

Yes. Even though the U.S gives more in terms of US$, in terms of GNI (which is the thing to look at), the US gives a very small amount compared to European nationS.

...the plural is noted...

...get rid of socialism, and you'd have more money to spend.

writerman · 06-29-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baxter

I find these kinds of statements utterly boring. Please find a better argument. The Marshall Plan doesn't grant you a carte blanche to do whatever you want. And you should learn from your elders, we have seen and lived two devastating wars on our soil, and therefore know what war really is and what it means.

I never said the Marshall Plan grants us carte blanche--but it would be nice to see you deadbeats, who are now wealthy enough to pay for and control every aspect of your citizen's lives from birth to death, repay some of the billions we spent saving your asses from problems you created yourselves (such as spawning Adolph Hitler and National Socialism from the Treaty of Versailles.) As for your laughable suggestion we should "learn from our elders." (pretty senile ones, it seems to me) how many governments have many of the European Nations have since 1789? Our Constitution makes our government one of the older ones in the world in terms of continuance and stability. Maybe some Euros should learn from their elders, and in terms of stable enduring governmental institutions, that's the USA.

(By the way, writerman, your friend sounds like a racist thug.)

You don't even know the man. He's a fine person, and a very devout Christian (and the fact that Europe's cathedrals are mostly empty on Sundays makes him shake his head in disgust) and one who usually eschews violence, but when there's a chance a lady is going to be harmed, that's another matter. And by the standards of any reasonable person that certainly doesn't excuse the punks and the lack of professionalism and bias of the worthless Madrid Police. And by the way, you sound like you're excusing the punks and applaud the police in their attempt to harrass a man only exercising his right of self defense.

Yes. Even though the U.S gives more in terms of US$, in terms of GNI (which is the thing to look at), the US gives a very small amount compared to European nations.

So--we give more than any number of wealthy European nations combined--and Europe's total population exceeds ours--and we're the stingy ones?