OT – FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland

[Anonymous]

Economies based on baksheesh are crippled by hidden transaction costs.

[njtosd]

[quote=FlyerInHi] Americans do have a cowboy mentality.[/quote]

Please explain what you think a “cowboy” mentality is. Europeans love criticizing Americans by calling them cowboys. Do they realize that the Marlboro man was an enormously popular image in the US? Being a cowboy isn’t a negative in most people’s minds. On the other hand, I saw the musical of “Legally Blonde” the other day (school version) which included a song known as “Gay or European”. Here are the lyrics: http://www.nitrolyrics.com/legally-blonde-the-musical_there-right-there-gay-or-european-lyrics.html

There’s a big disconnect between Europe and the US in terms of what is considered masculine/desirable behavior (not sure whether the same applies for what is feminine).

[FlyerInHi]

Cowboy mentality is simplistic gung ho mentality dismissive of culture and sophistication. Calling someone gay as a put down is schoolyard cowboyish. He’s so gay!

Northeastern culture is more Euro.

I think America is changing for the better. Compared to decades past, our cuisine, fashion, culture are much better. More focus on higher education makes it hard to dismiss culture. Plus more education means proportionally higher incomes than in the past. In the end money talks.

The gayish metrosexuals and lumbersexuals in metro areas are hot now. Mark Zuckerberg is so gay! And everyone wants him.

I read an editorial not long ago. The author argued that gays won the culture war. Since there’re a few Asians here, I thought I’d mention that it’s been a benefit to Asians who have really moved up the status ladder in the last 30 years.

Having said all that, I think that we are better than Europeans. Well educated, broad minded Americans are more rigorous in their thinking and actions. I’d say more scientifically minded.

[Jazzman]

[quote=AN] I’m just pointing out the hypocrisy of whining about something on one hand and taking advantage of the thing you’re whining about for your own personal gain on the other. That is hypocrisy.[/quote]
Maybe. Or you may be left with little choice and are being expedient. So you aren’t necessarily sacrificing convictions or being hypocritical, just surviving.

[Jazzman]

[quote=njtosd][quote=spdrun] Things like this make me ashamed to be an American.

[/quote]

We’re ashamed that you’re an American, too. Why haven’t you left yet? As I recall you have dual citizenship – you should go wherever that other country is.[/quote]
Doesn’t exercising freedom of speech make you part of what you are as an American? And doesn’t criticizing someone for exercising that right make you, well, rather un-American?

[Jazzman]

[quote=njtosd][quote=FlyerInHi] Americans do have a cowboy mentality.[/quote]

Please explain what you think a “cowboy” mentality is. Europeans love criticizing Americans by calling them cowboys. Do they realize that the Marlboro man was an enormously popular image in the US? Being a cowboy isn’t a negative in most people’s minds. On the other hand, I saw the musical of “Legally Blonde” the other day (school version) which included a song known as “Gay or European”. Here are the lyrics: http://www.nitrolyrics.com/legally-blonde-the-musical_there-right-there-gay-or-european-lyrics.html

There’s a big disconnect between Europe and the US in terms of what is considered masculine/desirable behavior (not sure whether the same applies for what is feminine).[/quote]
“Europeans love criticizing Americans by calling them cowboys.” Do they? Well, that’s something I confess I didn’t know. The term cowboy in the UK is used in reference to a shady outfit or lacking professionalism. I’m also at a loss about this ‘big disconnect’, and more to the point, what a European ‘view’ is. Whenever I hear Europeans lumped together, I’m pretty confident that person has never been to Europe. You’ll find that perceptions of masculinity, aside from popular images imposed on us by advertising, are as varied as are the countries within Europe.

[Jazzman]

[quote=flu][quote=AN]He’s free to do what he wants. It just make him a hypocrit. Some people don’t care if they’re hypocrit. Just don’t try to justify your position and convince others that you’re not a hypocrit. Like I said, it’s easy to talk the talk but it’s much harder to walk to walk.

I’m not the one who bash the establishment. If you really hate everything America stands for, then feel free to leave or run for office and make the change. Talking/bash/etc are like talking the talk. I don’t care about your particular stance. I’m just pointing out the hypocrisy of whining about something on one hand and taking advantage of the thing you’re whining about for your own personal gain on the other. That is hypocrisy.[/quote]

+1

I will never understand people that apparently hate this country so much at the same time enjoying all the benefits from our system. That is not to say things can’t be improved. But if you really think it would be better elsewhere, just leave….[/quote]
People love to hate, but I don’t think it is the country they hate. I don’t think you can hate a country, or love one for that matter. You can have strong feelings about some aspects that you find either odious, or pleasing, but a country is the sum of its many parts being too numerous for an individual to piece together. All criticism is valid and the best countries roll with punches. I think the US does that well so no need to send dissenters packing.

[an]

[quote=Jazzman][quote=flu][quote=AN]He’s free to do what he wants. It just make him a hypocrit. Some people don’t care if they’re hypocrit. Just don’t try to justify your position and convince others that you’re not a hypocrit. Like I said, it’s easy to talk the talk but it’s much harder to walk to walk.

I’m not the one who bash the establishment. If you really hate everything America stands for, then feel free to leave or run for office and make the change. Talking/bash/etc are like talking the talk. I don’t care about your particular stance. I’m just pointing out the hypocrisy of whining about something on one hand and taking advantage of the thing you’re whining about for your own personal gain on the other. That is hypocrisy.[/quote]

+1

I will never understand people that apparently hate this country so much at the same time enjoying all the benefits from our system. That is not to say things can’t be improved. But if you really think it would be better elsewhere, just leave….[/quote]
People love to hate, but I don’t think it is the country they hate. I don’t think you can hate a country, or love one for that matter. You can have strong feelings about some aspects that you find either odious, or pleasing, but a country is the sum of its many parts being too numerous for an individual to piece together. All criticism is valid and the best countries roll with punches. I think the US does that well so no need to send dissenters packing.[/quote]No one is sending anyone packing. It’s spdrun that stated he wanted to leave and he have dual citizenship. He just wanted to be here for now to suck on the US’s tits until he’s full, then he’ll leave. So, being that he hate the many things that make America great IMHO, that’s why I’m calling him a hypocrite. He’s free to continue to do what he’s doing and I’m free to continue to call him a hypocrite for doing exactly what he’s doing.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=Jazzman] You can have strong feelings about some aspects that you find either odious, or pleasing, but a country is the sum of its many parts being too numerous for an individual to piece together. All criticism is valid and the best countries roll with punches. I think the US does that well so no need to send dissenters packing.[/quote]

That’s it. Roll with the punches.

This could be a standup comedy sketch:
Taking about masculinity and the UK. I don’t see how the male characters on masterpiece theater could be straight by American standards. When a guy says that he fancies someone it sounds so platonic fanciful.
Russell Brand, he’s so skinny with long hair. Definitely gay by American standards. But he’s apparently a studly dude!

I had a British teacher. I can do the queen’s English rather well, haha

[FlyerInHi]

AN, spd is not a hypocite. He’s a small businessman and maybe his business is rental properties in America.

Are Americans hypocrites when they do business in countries they criticize. Americans do business all over the world. They mostly don’t bother to learn the local languages or cultures.

Btw, if you visit the mansions of Newport or other great houses back East you will see many Chinese souvenirs and antiques. At the turn of the century, many blue blood American families made their fortunes in the China trade. AIG got its start in shanghai, as did HSBC. It was common to refer to chinamen as vermins.

[an]

[quote=FlyerInHi]AN, spd is not a hypocite. He’s a small businessman and maybe his business is rental properties in America.

Are Americans hypocrites when they do business in countries they criticize. Americans do business all over the world. They mostly don’t bother to learn the local languages or cultures.

Btw, if you visit the mansions of Newport or other great houses back East you will see many Chinese souvenirs and antiques. At the turn of the century, many blue blood American families made their fortunes in the China trade. AIG got its start in shanghai, as did HSBC. It was common to refer to chinamen as vermins.[/quote]yes they are. Everybody is a hypocrite to a certain level. Spdrun Level is high IMHO.

[FlyerInHi]

I don’t know of any economic theory that require s ove before you can milk the mother cow.

In theory, when you work in an economy you’re providing value commensurate to your income. Everyone is even. There is no debt of gratitude or love owed.

Let’s say Cuba today. Early foreign investors will make fortunes or lose fortunes.

The people who do become rich don’t need to love Cuba or the Castro regime, even though they entered into contract with such regime. Verizon and Sprint will set up Internet service. The contractors will be well paid to move over there for a few years. Some will hate it and can’t wait to get out. Some will love it and remain.

Same goes for small investors who may open bars or restaurants or own rentals.

We are all little economic entities.

[Author]

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