What is your favourite thing about the U.S.?
- Thread starter Cosmo
- Start date
There's nothing wrong with my conclusion equipment nor my wide angle observational devices. The sentence you selected from my work ended in a question mark, therefore it was not a conclusion but a question.
We could as Canadians build the myths and delivery systems (media) to emulate the American experiance of national history and accomplishment. We have attempted to do exactly that for the entire time that mass media has been available for that purpose. The effort has always meet with the same problem. We cannot match the scale of our American nieghbours. This problem is not only Canadian but is also well understood by many other countries and thier indiginous media and cultural institutions. There is no way arround the American industry which smothers all others.
In any case all the efforts expended in this effort in the United States have not resulted in expanded awareness by the American public who consistantly score far below much of the rest of the developed world in general knowledge of thier own country as well as appaling ignorance of the rest of the known world. I agree with most of your sentiment but it's not for lack of trying that Canadians are frustrated in thier attempts to educate and entertain Canadians.
`` Nathans hot dogs ``
Hey Doc!
In my youth, Coney Island was my favorite hang out. And yes, while Nathan's hot dogs were fabulous - his French fries were impeccable. That's what I really enjoyed above all in that famous place.
Sadly, it is said that Coney Island has closed its doors for the final time and that they will not re-open in Spring.
How sad. It should have had landmark status but, as always, the monied corporate directors always get their way and we will soon lose another public treasure.
Very sad, indeed. :-(
Hey Doc!
In my youth, Coney Island was my favorite hang out. And yes, while Nathan's hot dogs were fabulous - his French fries were impeccable. That's what I really enjoyed above all in that famous place.
Sadly, it is said that Coney Island has closed its doors for the final time and that they will not re-open in Spring.
How sad. It should have had landmark status but, as always, the monied corporate directors always get their way and we will soon lose another public treasure.
Very sad, indeed. :-(
Coney Island is being revitalised, as are many areas of New York City. We're gearing up for the 21st Century. New York City has always gone away with the old, and brought in the new. It's just the way things have been since September 2nd. 1609.
It has nothing to do with Corporatists. :roll:
I love this topic - makes up for the hundreds of insults offered - and still the few cannot resist their
contributions of insecure slur. Then if that is how you view our world, it must be a drag.
contributions of insecure slur. Then if that is how you view our world, it must be a drag.
C'mon Beave, you think I don't recognize an old debating trick like the rhetorical question?
No, I have to disagree with that one. We don't try very hard, we just let American culture and influences wash over us pretty much unimpeded. My children were not taught much about Canadian history or civics in primary or secondary school, they learned almost nothing of Canada's role in the 20th century's two world wars and a lot of what they did get was inaccurate, and so it goes. But I'm not going to belabour the point here, the thread's not about my least favourite things about Canada.
hmmm.... what do I like about the US...
I've never set foot in the country to tell you the truth, so, all I have to go by is what I've observed through telelvision, documentaries, anecdotes from friends... but, here goes.
I like the fact that the culture changes from coast to coast and border to border. I imagine you could travel the US exclusively for a lifetime, and still probably see something new every year. Even just hearing hubby talk about his excursions through Houston and Lafayette, the differences in each area are amazing.
I've never set foot in the country to tell you the truth, so, all I have to go by is what I've observed through telelvision, documentaries, anecdotes from friends... but, here goes.
I like the fact that the culture changes from coast to coast and border to border. I imagine you could travel the US exclusively for a lifetime, and still probably see something new every year. Even just hearing hubby talk about his excursions through Houston and Lafayette, the differences in each area are amazing.
My favorite thing about America !!!
It's NAFTA !!!
I like it even better because CHINA will make YOU like NAFTA.
Other than that, I like most of the Western world. We are more similar than we are different,
and yet the differences are what catch our eye. This emphasis on differences is natural. It is
analogous to being in the woods and the only things that become visible are those things that
move. Staying still is kin to invisible. Emphasis on differences is how we define and know things,
such as the Tao examples of no mountain without a valley, no light without dark.
But we are all more similar than we are different. Some like to boast they're better, but that is
just rude in any western culture and come to think of it, that is just rude in ANY culture.
What is particular to America not found elsewhere in western culture ?
Probably just our power. And I guess owning such power can corrupt and warp.
But is our constitution unique ? I guess maybe, but a lot of other western nations can claim
similar liberties. All of our nations have interesting stories. We could learn from each one.
Americans like to say the 50 states are 50 laboratories for incubating different and new ideas
and I'd like to say we ought to look at the world of nations in the same way.
I love the beauty of the Shenandoah valley and the mountains down here in Virginia.
It's NAFTA !!!
I like it even better because CHINA will make YOU like NAFTA.
Other than that, I like most of the Western world. We are more similar than we are different,
and yet the differences are what catch our eye. This emphasis on differences is natural. It is
analogous to being in the woods and the only things that become visible are those things that
move. Staying still is kin to invisible. Emphasis on differences is how we define and know things,
such as the Tao examples of no mountain without a valley, no light without dark.
But we are all more similar than we are different. Some like to boast they're better, but that is
just rude in any western culture and come to think of it, that is just rude in ANY culture.
What is particular to America not found elsewhere in western culture ?
Probably just our power. And I guess owning such power can corrupt and warp.
But is our constitution unique ? I guess maybe, but a lot of other western nations can claim
similar liberties. All of our nations have interesting stories. We could learn from each one.
Americans like to say the 50 states are 50 laboratories for incubating different and new ideas
and I'd like to say we ought to look at the world of nations in the same way.
I love the beauty of the Shenandoah valley and the mountains down here in Virginia.
US is good
I love visiting the US, I wish Canada provided the service that they do! We could learn a lot about service from them...perhaps we should send our store clerks, waiters, and waitresses down there for training.
I love Vegas., the Oregon Coast, the People, the Snake River Valley, South Utah, Sun Valley Idaho, the Carlsbad Caverns, and the people...did I already say the people?
I love visiting the US, I wish Canada provided the service that they do! We could learn a lot about service from them...perhaps we should send our store clerks, waiters, and waitresses down there for training.
I love Vegas., the Oregon Coast, the People, the Snake River Valley, South Utah, Sun Valley Idaho, the Carlsbad Caverns, and the people...did I already say the people?
I love that the US made Walt Disney! What would the world be like without him and his ideas? Pets would never have attained the status they have if it wasn't for him and cartoons in general. He, basically, had a very heavy hand in Animal rights and humane treatment!
Piece of foil in the seer mechanism can bring a whole world of curious joy to that fun....
Colt....
Wolf
Damn you Dex i was going to say there CONSTITUTION The best freedom for the people document ever written .I also love the NFL and Nascar Americans are he best at putting on a show hands down
Technical and scientific advancement are a couple things I appreciate, for which Americans contributed to heavily. Approx 90% of the video games I play are created/published from the US, I can't live without those. 
If you ever decide on a excursion to the U.S., I would highly recommend Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Truly a beautiful place to behold, especially considering how much blood was spilled during the Civil War.:smile:
The later part of this thread is very near and dear to me... our Civil War Battlefields. The ones that have been protected are incredible. Although I am from the North East I try to make it to the mid Atlantic states to see one or two a year. Some are better than others. If any of you have the chance, please try and see Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. The US Parks Department has gone through great pains to make the place as it was those 3 days in July 1863. They have removed vegetation and have preserved areas exactly as they were and they are still researching the landscape. They are in the process of buying land back to remove a little bit of the sprawl that creeped up in the unprotected lands. It is a spectacular story and when you are there, there are plenty of monuments and placards to show you exactly what happened at that very spot. Gettysburg is truly hallowed ground with regards to the Civil War. All over the battlefield the bodies of Blue and Gray are still buried in unmarked graves. The most recent one was found in the late 90's and they say there could be hundreds more out there.
Thanks for this thread.
I went to Gettysburg for a class trip in my American History course in high school, it was quite the place, hard to fathom the amount of blood that was shed there.