Blind Groper's modus operandi is to gather and compile "evidence" of American inferiority, and he does so by carefully selecting categories, statistics, definitions, and parameters in such a way that separates America from all other countries, and puts us at the back of the pack. His methods and motives are pretty goddamn transparent, really, but he doesn't cuss, so people think he's civil.
For a start, the categories he chose are all significant and important to a society, but sure, there will be others. Why not try to select some new ones, in comparison to other western (or westernised) democracies? Perhaps some of these...
Availability of universal healthcare? Maybe not a good choice...
Consumption of natural resources per head of population?
Educational standards of teenagers?
Degree of inequality within a society?
Vibrant economy?
Keep looking, I'm sure some absolute winners will spring to mind...
If you want to have a civil discussion about the problems with America's education or prison systems, no one would have a problem with that. I certainly wouldn't. But Blind Groper isn't interested civil discussions. Blind Groper is only interested vilifying and demonizing, because he's one of these assholes who thinks Americans are uniquely and irredeemably evil and stupid. Here he wants to stuff America into a category which he deems inferior—never mind history, reasons, solutions, etc—he's only interested in sticking a label with negative connotations on us.
Surely I can't be the only one who sees through Blind Groper's crap. He's worse than Sandinista.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." —Voltaire
"They want to take away your hamburgers. This is what Stalin dreamt about but never achieved." —Sebastian Gorka
Nothing bad about being uncivilized, a stage necessary before becoming civilized. You can tell a lot about the top dog by the 'entertainment' that they export and ingest. Let's discuss their dumbed down and culturally toxic TV? Where is their Doctor Who? A vulnerable hero?
What will the world be like after its ruler is removed?
Blind Groper's modus operandi is to gather and compile "evidence" of American inferiority, and he does so by carefully selecting categories, statistics, definitions, and parameters in such a way that separates America from all other countries, and puts us at the back of the pack. His methods and motives are pretty goddamn transparent, really, but he doesn't cuss, so people think he's civil.
For a start, the categories he chose are all significant and important to a society, but sure, there will be others. Why not try to select some new ones, in comparison to other western (or westernised) democracies? Perhaps some of these...
Availability of universal healthcare? Maybe not a good choice...
Consumption of natural resources per head of population?
Educational standards of teenagers?
Degree of inequality within a society?
Vibrant economy?
Keep looking, I'm sure some absolute winners will spring to mind...
If you want to have a civil discussion about the problems with America's education or prison systems, no one would have a problem with that. I certainly wouldn't. But Blind Groper isn't interested civil discussions. Blind Groper is only interested vilifying and demonizing, because he's one of these assholes who thinks Americans are uniquely and irredeemably evil and stupid. Here he wants to stuff America into a category which he deems inferior—never mind history, reasons, solutions, etc—he's only interested in sticking a label with negative connotations on us.
Surely I can't be the only one who sees through Blind Groper's crap. He's worse than Sandinista.
He is expressing contentions you may disagree with (with some, so do I), but he is expressing them in a civilised manner...
Worse than Sandinista?
Sandinista would regard him as a mealy-mouthed, wishy-washy centrist, and would sneer at him with more contempt than he ever did to the likes of Seth...
Extremists hate moderates more than they hate extremists of opposite polarity...
About me: I have prehensile eyebrows. I speak 9 languages fluently, one of which other people can also speak. When backed into a corner, I fit perfectly - having a right-angled arse.
JimC wrote:Extremists hate moderates more than they hate extremists of opposite polarity...
Very debatable. Some clearly do and an equality of hatred is evident in some other cases. However, your generalisation is a little too generalised in general.
A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return. Salman Rushdie You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic. House MD Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view. Sandy Denny This is the wrong forum for bluffing Paco Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish! Calilasseia I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants. Twoflower Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse Millefleur
JimC wrote:Extremists hate moderates more than they hate extremists of opposite polarity...
Very debatable. Some clearly do and an equality of hatred is evident in some other cases. However, your generalisation is a little too generalised in general.
Far too moderate a response!
One day, us centrists will make all extremism illegal, and send the few that remain to death camps!
About me: I have prehensile eyebrows. I speak 9 languages fluently, one of which other people can also speak. When backed into a corner, I fit perfectly - having a right-angled arse.
JimC wrote:Extremists hate moderates more than they hate extremists of opposite polarity...
Very debatable. Some clearly do and an equality of hatred is evident in some other cases. However, your generalisation is a little too generalised in general.
Far too moderate a response!
One day, us centrists will make all extremism illegal, and send the few that remain to death camps!
A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return. Salman Rushdie You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic. House MD Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view. Sandy Denny This is the wrong forum for bluffing Paco Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish! Calilasseia I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants. Twoflower Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse Millefleur
JimC wrote:He is expressing contentions you may disagree with
No, that's not what he's doing. I've already explained this twice, but apparently didn't do a good job of it.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." —Voltaire
"They want to take away your hamburgers. This is what Stalin dreamt about but never achieved." —Sebastian Gorka
Stand in the middle of the road and you are likely to be hit by traffic coming both ways one day. Better to drive a truck and keep a eye on the direction of the wind.
What will the world be like after its ruler is removed?
JimC wrote:He is expressing contentions you may disagree with
No, that's not what he's doing. I've already explained this twice, but apparently didn't do a good job of it.
You are interpreting his statements as having an anti-US bias.
Just think for a moment that this might be a very natural defensive response from a US citizen, rather than an reasoned analysis of what he is trying to assert (given that the assertions can be argued for or against...)
JimC wrote:He is expressing contentions you may disagree with
No, that's not what he's doing. I've already explained this twice, but apparently didn't do a good job of it.
You are interpreting his statements as having an anti-US bias.
Just think for a moment that this might be a very natural defensive response from a US citizen, rather than an reasoned analysis of what he is trying to assert (given that the assertions can be argued for or against...)
How is "Is the USA uncivilised?" not anti-US?
The question, "Should the US do away with the death penalty?" would be a perfectly reasonable question which could serve as a launching point for productive and civil discussion. Likewise, "Why is America more religious than some European nations?" would also be a perfectly reasonable question which could lead to a lively and productive discussion.
Now, what on earth can be gained from attempting to place Group X into a category that carries negative connotations? What is the point of labeling Group X "uncivilized"? The only purpose this serves is to separate Group X out and away from the other groups for further vilification and demonization. It is divisive rhetoric from a supercilious jackass. It's not all that dissimilar to the way Tyrannical uses IQ stats and crime rates to dehumanize black people.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." —Voltaire
"They want to take away your hamburgers. This is what Stalin dreamt about but never achieved." —Sebastian Gorka
The title of the OP might be seen as provocative by some, but it is a valid question, depending on the definition of "uncivilised", and realising that it is very much a relative term. It is a multi-faceted contention, and its merits can be argued in detail...
It may hurt the feelings of those who see the US as the paragon of world civilisation, but so be it. Posters putting such contentions in a reasoned manner should not be subjected to any form of personal attacks...
Hmmm....it's a bit of a grab-bag of statistics. You could assemble a similarly undesirable list of parameters for any country. The French suck the living entrails from sparrows, you know.
"I grow old … I grow old …
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled"
If the new DSM-V which pathologises all human behaviour is to be believed American has every intention of enslaving the world with sedatives - like Aldous Huxley warned would happen. It is a poisoners charter and that makes America a nation of poisoners. That is downright uncivilized - and puts the icing on the cake with this debate.
What will the world be like after its ruler is removed?
