You need to live in America for awhile to get the real picture of its people.
The Political picture is still the same, but you'll see the people are really good people.
Heh.... right. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
My opinion is they're basically good but sadly naive (sp?), shockingly so in some cases, of the rest of the world. This has grown even worse since 9/11 and many people including myself prefer to holiday somewhere we can drive. However....
I do like Massachucetts (Home of the puritans originally) because they do instigate good gun control. Guess the christians ain't all bad.
However right next to us is New Hampshire. Hicks, shotguns in the back of the truck. Not a black man within 50 miles, you get the picture. A piece of paper is required for a gun. Bullets can be bought in wal-mart. Makes me sigh, deeply and shake my head in frustration.
The first amendment gives us the right to free speech. I love this, this is the good thing about America.
The 2nd (or is it the 3rd?) amendment is the right to arm bears, I mean bear arms. This is outdated and archaic. Its roots in the 17th century have no reflection on the society today. (well, unless you live in alabama) Home and self defence can be taken care of by tasers, mace or even (shock, horror) the police, possibly?
What that senile old git did in Florida (it was florida I think) was pretty much inexcusable. The fact that he got away with it shows just how wrong the justice system is there. He would've been convicted in Massachucetts. So that's the south for ya. Still fightin' the war....
My point? If there is one it is that you don't have to go to europe for cultural diversity. You can head south. You don't have to go far either. You'll hit pensylvania where evolution is now labelled 'theory, not fact' in biological textbooks. Words fail me on this one. To express my full opinion would boil down to a list of loosely connected expletives.
You can head north to Canada where gun deaths are in the teens for the entire country and everyone owns a gun too. Nobody locks their doors. Makes you think... Maybe the US has an attitude problem possibly? See 'bowling for columbine' by Michael Moore sometime, it'll clear a few things up....
Where I want to go, and will be in the summer (Canada is too cold <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> ) is good old California. Seriously, where would the world be without hollywood? Everyone here watches movies right? Personally I'm going for the wine and to see San Francisco. (home of Dirty Harry and a lot of gay people)
To be honest I still like it here. The money's good. I married a Yank. Can't complain really. The weather's definately better. (More sun, less SAD)
I'd still like to travel. Like Alrik with the US I still have preconceptions about Germany and Germans. Well, not many. Its just fun to make fun of you guys. Sorry. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
Every German I've met has been totally cool though. I don't think they're any more sexually liberated in particular. Sexual hang-ups exist mostly everywhere. Most people would still rather watch an action movie than a porno. Good old violence. Human nature.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
Are there cultural differences? Of course. And the world is better for it IMO. Variation=development and understanding. Sometimes a few good jokes too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
