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Post by Ribaric unplugged on Mar 21, 2005 17:43:28 GMT 1
I asked the same question of a friend of mine in LA, only it was about England. She said...
"What happens in the USA has some importance for the whole world, what happens in the UK (or most anywhere else) is not. Why would we be interested in your little country?"
I sounds arrogant in the extreme but there is a certain truth in it. The USA is really a large continent which has unified itself. We don't have anything they don't already have. OK, perhaps football. But apart from the football, what have we got that they don't?
Don't mention the Romans.
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croam
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Post by croam on Mar 21, 2005 19:00:36 GMT 1
The reason that americans don't know about croatia is because it was part of YU for so long. That, and, there are 50 states within the US. There are only 25 member states of the EU, which Croatia is not a part of. Also, if Croatia was paradise with a great economy and could live in isolation, then you wouldn't care about the US and what it was doing but its the other way around. I'm not promoting the US over Croatia. I love both countries. But don't make stupid comments about Americans. There are alot of stupid Americans, but just as many good and smart ones. I think the same can be said for croatia or any other country. I've come to realize that there isn't any one country that is more cultured over another, even though alot of Europeans think they are superior to Americans. Yeah, some are, but there americans who are also as cultured. Soooo, you've got the rednecks everywhere, and the intellectuals as well. Please don't broadstroak America as being all one way. I know its VERY popular right now to be Unamerican, but if your one of those than you will be saying how great we are in a few years once this TREND has passed. Either way, I speak for the openminded cultured Americans who do speak more than one language, have lived all over the US and travelled extensivly to Europe. Yeah, we do exist. And the reason most Americans dont have passports is because they are too busy WORKING to take a vacation. Americans take less vacations than any other industrialized nation. So think about that.
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croam
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Post by croam on Mar 21, 2005 19:15:58 GMT 1
oh...that was directed to Ugursuz...
bok
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Post by Ribaric on Mar 22, 2005 2:17:50 GMT 1
I did wonder.
I lived in Miami in 1981 for about 7 month, we were building the "Downtown People Mover" and the Hialeah commuter line. I loved it, despite it being 40% hispanic (therefore not typical American). The climate, the space and the living standard were very seductive. The guns and drugs were not. I have travelled through the states quite a lot and even got married there. I love the place and have some good friends, yanks and southerners. I do understand why they have little interest in foreign affairs (sweeping generalisation I know - but my experiences dictate my viewpoint), the media only sees foreign stories as it relates to the US. As a foreign affairs hobbyist, I found this stifling.
Where can I get grits y'all?
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Post by divttp on Mar 22, 2005 4:58:38 GMT 1
US news stations rarely talk about things that don't affect the country itself....that's why i have my cnn.com set on the international edition
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croam
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Post by croam on Mar 22, 2005 5:28:30 GMT 1
ribaric...the US is one of the most dangerous places to live(industrialized nations). I think we have over 40,000 murders per year. That's just citizens killing each other. Its a fast paced life. As long as you don't do stupid you'll be ok here. Common sense goes a long way, same as in Europe.
I do agree about the US news media being very one sided...cnn, msnbc, fox...its the same with a slightly different slant, and never mentions alot of whats going on in the EU. No mention at all about Croatia not getting into the EU. Not one channel. I had to read the news on EU business online. If they had something it wasn't on the news, maybe in a paper on page 37 really small.
Ironically, Serbia got mention for turning over some more of their accused generals. It seems they are doing a better job of turning them over, kissing Carla Del Ponte's not a very nice person. Their country isn't doing as well as Croatia so they want that EU money bad. Croatia needs it but alot of people are getting fat the way it is now. I also found Mesic's statement of Croatia being a leader in the region a bit out of step with current events: Serbia handing over generals every other week, begging for EU citizenship and even Bosnia now slated for talks this year. Bosnia!!?? I'm afraid that statements made by some of the EU wanting all of the "balkan" states to enter together. What will they call it?? Yugo2? I guess it would be Yugo3 Return of the Tito. wahahahaha. sometimes you have to laugh at the stupidity of it all.
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croam
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Post by croam on Mar 22, 2005 5:47:52 GMT 1
and please...when speaking of isolationism in the US, think about how isolated Mesic is with his statement on March 21st 2005, after getting shafted by the EU, that he is not only confident that Croatia will resume ascension talks with the EU by July, but that Croatia will be a leader in the region. I think that would be the greatest thing Croatia could do. Unfortunately, if Mesic is serious about his statement, then he should start acting like a leader and do what he is supposed to do. Find some Fall Guys. Google it Mesic. Fall Guy. People in place who know they are the first to get turned over when the hits the fan. Come on! Thats the way we do it. You don't think every politician in the US knows they are expendable? Rumsfeld was Sooooo close to getting booted a few months ago but that story dissappeared. He knows he may one day have to say, "it was my fault", so that everyone else who is f**king up can save their asses. Get real! Talk about living in a fantasy world. Either decide to stay independent or decide to join. But do something! Make a decision and then put on a good show. Sorry, i just had to paint the picture. I know Mesic gets daily breifing from this post. Ahahahahahahhahaha. Oh f**k, Tito's henchman are at my door! Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaater.
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Post by Ribaric on Mar 23, 2005 3:14:02 GMT 1
Is it irony that some kid decides to blow away a bunch of folks in his school - just after you reminded us of the dangers in the US. Perhaps irony shouldn't be used, just plain awful is what it is. As for the media, well you know. As a youngster (thousand years ago) I used to listen to the Soviet short-wave broadcasts in English. They once reported that the reason Moscow Dinamo lost a European football match to Ajax Amsterdam was that the Soviet players were disheartened due to American intransigence over the arms limitations talks (SALT). I think they meant for us to believe it too. Let#s be thankful those days are behind us. They are aren't they?
As for Mesic, I don't see where he can go now. He seems to be isolated and cornered all at the same time. I've no real idea what it is he wants, everything is a muddle and he tries to play both sides whilst sitting on the fence. I see no future for him other than someone for Sanader to use as a scapegoat when the time comes.
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croam
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Post by croam on Mar 23, 2005 4:17:25 GMT 1
so sanader is higher up than mesic? please explain the president/ prime minister differences and how that works. I thought the PM was like our version of the Vice President. but i'm an american idiot so it shouldn't be surprising.(isolationism)
i agree he is playing both sides...without even keeping to much on the topic... too bad.
Is Sanader OK? I met his brother who is a priest. He seemed ok. Don't know his politics though.
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croam
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Post by croam on Mar 23, 2005 4:21:26 GMT 1
yeah.... sad about the violence in America. We have lots and lots of guns here. I think thats good in the long run. I don't fear WWIII or some foreign attack as much as I used to. At least not in my lifetime. If it happens, it would be the bloodiest bonanza in the history of mankind. I think the powers that be realized that overt control wasn't going to work forever. They have more subtle means now. but yeah, violence sucks. My friend Joe said to me tonight "i think half the worlds population needs to be deleted. You ready to sacrafice yourself?" And I said no and he agreed, even though we both agreed about the deletion at first. Paradox, eh? Joj.
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Post by Ribaric on Mar 24, 2005 2:13:47 GMT 1
Funny how these threads very quickly drift miles away from the original premise, still, what the hell!
President and prime minister is a mix which completely baffles me. In the UK, we only have a prime minister who is the leader of the political party who wins the biggest number of constituencies (similar to your states - but much smaller). That party then forms the government and sets about taxing everyone and odoing ther stuff - usually not doing all the nice things they promised before they got elected. We have a queen but she don't mean diddly.
In the US, you have congress and House of Reps (Why two?) and a president.... and governors...and mayors. Jeeez, what are they all doing?
Most European countries are republics who have a president and a prime minister - they divvy up the powers according the their constitutions and the whole thing is a pig's breakfast. It seems to me, in simplistic terms, that Sanader has power, Mesic doesn't. Here endeth the lesson. Frankly croam, I ain't got a clue!
I'm a former pistol shooter, y'know, targets and stuff. A while ago, some lunatic killed a bunch of kids in Scotland (Columbine style) and, as a result, pistol ownership was outlawed. Frankly, I couldn't argue with that and am very happy that people can't own guns anywhere in Europe. There are exceptions but not many. You are stuck with them in the US aren't you, millions of 'em.
Interesting paradox. Who would you delete first?
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croam
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Post by croam on Mar 24, 2005 4:03:50 GMT 1
i decided it would be best for my mind and heart to stop thinking of deleting people. i was angry since the 2000 election to a week after the last one. Now i don't care anymore because it doesn't matter if i care one way or the other, or what i think about US policy. Its set up so i dont have to care. It keeps going and going. So i don't want to delete people anymore since i adopted the f**k it attitude. You know, the jebiga attitude! Life is alot smoother now. What do all our politicians do? Get fat. Capitalism is commnunism in desguise only worse. You have to work and you go nowhere. Unless you know people and bust your ass, and are lucky, and get help along the way. Jee, sounds like everywhere else. Ok that was a bit extreme of an analogy but its close to that.
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Post by GS on Mar 24, 2005 5:54:39 GMT 1
If was as easy as doing a "shift>delete" then first would be middle east ... that was a an easy question.
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Post by EMIZ on Mar 24, 2005 11:27:40 GMT 1
Sanader is in charge, Mesic is not much more than a figurehead, who goes to nice dinners, promotes Croatia and takes a little on the side for himself.
In a perfect world Croatia would only have one head of state, who is voted by the electorate, he/she makes all the decisions and the country can have some continuity and organised direction, however as 99% of Croatian politicians are corrupt at least this organisation has one guy keeping the other guy in check.
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Post by Ribaric on Mar 24, 2005 14:35:06 GMT 1
Seems to be a fairly common model. I never did understand how a president can sack the government, but I don't make a habit of reading constitutions.
Do you mean "keep each other in cheques" ?
You OK croam? You sound a bit fed up. Ready to indulge in a spot of mass slaughter one minute then full of melancholy the next. Can I suggest divorce? It tends to keep you occupied and your mind away from such considerations. Now take my wife.....please!
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