[Vision2020] This Isn't Hate Speech, Either

[Joan Opyr]

I'm sorry, Matt.  I didn't mean to accuse you of either boasting or 
behaving like an ass overseas.  I'm sorry if that's how it came across. 
  What I intended was simply to offer up a few observations about my own 
experiences, in which Americans (not you) often do boast about saving 
European -- particularly French and English -- ass during World War II, 
and then find themselves embroiled in a pointless tit-for-tat in which 
the French and English point out that during both world wars, we always 
came a day late and a dollar short.  Note: I don't say this to insult 
our VE and VJ veterans; I'm only telling you how the pub fights go.  
Once old Englishmen begin reminiscing about good-looking American GIs 
who were "overfed, oversexed, and over there," it can get nasty very 
quickly.  I was once the sorry witness to two old men arguing in London 
over Hershey bars, panty-hose, and a war bride who hadn't been "one of 
our lovely English roses" for more than fifty years.  It was quite the 
sight.

No, I don't think you, Matt Decker, are the ugly American.  I do think, 
unfortunately, that there are many ugly Americans out there -- butt 
ugly.  I'm sure you'll agree.

Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
www.joanopyr.com

On Jul 9, 2006, at 11:34 PM, Matt Decker wrote:

> Auntie,
>
> Cmon, if you think I'm one of those conceded texans that Debi is 
> refering to you obviously have no clue who I am. I stated that they 
> love us for ww2, not me saying that quote to them boasting how great 
> we are. It wasn't me buying numerous beers in Ausi land it was those 
> great Ausies buying beers for me and many more other. And for numerous 
> reasons one being though that they do like us. In fact one had 
> actually thanked me for ww2 and he was my age at the time 21-23. I 
> could say that we are from America, and why not? Is the USA not 
> located in the Americas? Should we exclude US from the Whole America 
> click, I think not.
>
> In no way have I ever acted like an ass overseas. I have never 
> bragged, boasted, or lied who I am. I have never been rude or not 
> abided by "their rules". So don't infer that I have. In the 15+ 
> countries I have stepped foot in I always try to set a good example 
> for our country. I only hope that others do the same.
>
> In fact people who can't embrace, respect, or are embarassed to state 
> their country of origin, I feel for. Along with the jackasses who 
> travel abroud and can't live with others rules. AKA lady from texas 
> who doesn't have a clue. Furthermore, the jackasses who come here to 
> AMERICA smack dab in between the CANADA of America and Mexico of 
> America, who can't speak a lick of english or live by our rules. But 
> hey thats just me.
>
> Matt
>
> PS In fact I think people should have classes on how to act, customes, 
> rules, etc, before they are allowed to be granted a passport.
>
>
>> From: Joan Opyr <joanopyr at moscow.com>
>> To: Vision2020 Moscow <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] This Isn't Hate Speech, Either
>> Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2006 22:55:44 -0700
>>
>>
>> On Jul 9, 2006, at 9:54 PM, Matt Decker wrote:
>>
>>> Ellen,
>>>
>>> I think the point is obvious. Sure there are different Americas, 
>>> usually when one refers to America most people know what that is or 
>>> what was intended. Im sure no harm is meant towards others by saying 
>>> this. I believe this not to be pompous or intentional harm towards 
>>> our neighbors. Really how many times have you been overseas talking 
>>> to someone else asking where they are from, them saying they are 
>>> from America and you thinking they meant Chile?
>>>
>>> I don't recall in my travels including Australia (which by the way 
>>> love us for saving their asses in WW2)  people hating or not being 
>>> neighborlly to AMERICANS of united states decent. Just my travels 
>>> though.
>>>
>>> Matt
>>
>> Once upon a time, Americans spoke softly and carried a big stick.  
>> Somewhere along the line, we began to shout at everyone and hit them 
>> with the stick.  I've never been to Australia, but I do correspond 
>> with Australians of all political stripes -- writers, readers, and 
>> radio listeners.  WWII doesn't come up much in our conversations.  
>> The Aussies I know are all under 80, and they seem a bit more 
>> interested in the soldiers today, those assisting us in our 
>> "Coalition of the Willing."
>>
>> We are the world's one and only superpower.  Our economy dominates 
>> the globe.  American culture is everywhere; you cannot escape Friends 
>> or Elvis, Tom Cruise or Madonna.  I've traveled widely and often, and 
>> I've found that speaking softly, stopping to listen, and doing my 
>> best to respect local customs and local peoples has served me well.  
>> Like it or not, our Canadian neighbors enjoy a better reputation for 
>> their behavior abroad than we do; they're perceived to be more 
>> pleasant, more polite, and more courteous.  I've never heard a 
>> Canadian declare "we saved your asses back in 1945 -- you owe us" 
>> when the chips are down and the pub fight is brewing.  And yet the 
>> Canadians were at the front in WWI and WWII; they've never shirked.
>>
>> One of the few smart things George W. Bush has said -- something with 
>> which I absolutely agree -- is this statement from his October 12, 
>> 2000 debate with Al Gore:
>>
>> "If we're an arrogant nation, they'll resent us; if we're a humble 
>> nation, but strong, they'll welcome us.  And our nation stands alone 
>> right now in the world in terms of power, and that's why we've got to 
>> be humble, and yet project strength in a way that promotes freedom."
>>
>> What image do we project when we're abroad, arrogance or humility?  
>> How do we represent our country?  Too often, we're all mouth and no 
>> trousers.  Too often we're belligerent, fat-assed, and rude.  Not 
>> always.  It's been my experience that most people are wide open to 
>> Americans; they're not lying in wait for us to make asses of 
>> ourselves.  They're quick to point out that they like us as 
>> individuals, even when they disagree with our global behavior.  I'm 
>> not an ambassador for the Bush Administration when I travel; I'm just 
>> another American tourist.  But I count.  My behavior is noted, and at 
>> the end of the day, it's totted up.  I can choose to be the ugly 
>> American and confirm everyone's worst fears, or I can be what I think 
>> most Americans are -- curious, independent, open-minded and decent.
>>
>> Joan
>>
>> Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
>> www.joanopyr.com