You could have heard a pin drop.
 

You coulda heard a pin drop..........



We Americans are hated worldwide. Maybe it is because we have helped and rescued so many nations? And how quickly they forget that we SAVED their countries! When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush.



He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.

You could have heard a pin drop.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then there was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?'



A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck.

We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?'

You could have heard a pin drop.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries.

Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, 'whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, 'Maybe it's because back in '44 the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE...

A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.



'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.

'Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.'

The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.'

'Impossible monsieur. You Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!' The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. 'Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in '44 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any stupid damn Frenchmen to show it to.'

You could have heard a pin drop.

Do you want Freedom Fries with that?

WOW, thats all I can say.

Political Science
by Randy Newman

No one likes us-I don't know why
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try
But all around, even our old friends put us down
Let's drop the big one and see what happens

We give them money-but are they grateful?
No, they're spiteful and they're hateful
They don't respect us-so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them

Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us

We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too

Boom goes London and boom Paree
More room for you and more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh, how peaceful it will be
We'll set everybody free
You'll wear a Japanese kimono
And there'll be Italian shoes for me

They all hate us anyhow
So let's drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now

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Americans are not "hated" worldwide.

That's a myth made up so that particularly insecure Americans can post stuff like the above.

If you travel, you'll find that people in most countries are friendly to Americans, generally like us, sometimes make fun of us but no more than any other nationality. Exceptions are usually people who aren't usually friendly to anyone - customs agents, harassed tourist industry workers, and the like.

However, if you travel around expecting people to fall to their knees and kiss your hand because your late grandfather came ashore at Normandy 70-odd years ago, you will be disappointed. After three generations, people have moved on.

And if you confuse "the American government" with "the American people", and expect the former to be always popular abroad, then you will be disappointed. Guess what, the American government is not all that popular at home either.

One of the great songwriters of all time,
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A few words in defense of the South
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I like Randy Newman, seems like a lot of people hate him, though not particularly because of his Americanicity, or whatever you would call it, more his profoundly offending so many, to amuse so many more. I like aussies too, hmm...

People have short, even tiny, little attention spans, and you think maybe they should have a memory? That third one made me laugh out loud, tres bien, mon ami.

These are really funny........ Too bad they are all untrue. Please do some research before posting this type of nonsense.

Unrelated but my favorite tune of his. My Mom's family was in this flood as were many. Land from W VA to OK flooded.
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Nonsense?! Nonsense?! Why, we are loved and respected around the whole wide world!

NO place do people live with greater freedom! And NO place are people happier and more fulfilled (well, there are some exceptions here on PPOT)! Our foreign policy is admired and aspired to by EVERY country in the world (though a few won't admit it). And NO other country has helped so many other countries - OFTEN WHETHER THEY WANTED OUR HELP OR NOT!

And that's why we absolutely HATE it when someone not privileged enough to have been born on our hallowed soil dares to point out our "shortcomings" (ha!) as a nation!

Geez! Where you been, France or someplace?

Oh....you're in France. Sorry.

Hey Teener - fish on! While the rest of us could see these for the amusing little anecdotes they are meant to be, the "critical thinking" Frog actually believes you take them to be true.

S: Of course not! You are English types.
A: Well, what are you then?
S: (Indignant) Ah'm French! Why do you think I have this out-rrrageous
accent, you silly king?!
Galahad: What are you doing in *England*?
S: Mind your own business!
A: If you will not show us the Grail, we shall take your castle by force!
S: You don't frighten us, English pig-dogs! Go and boil your bottoms, son of a
silly person! Ah blow my nose at you, so-called "Arthur Keeeng"! You and
all your silly English Knnnnnnnn-ighuts!!!



Why does France's navy use glass-bottomed boats? so they can see the french air force ;)

Wel, I dunno about "the rest of us".

From my experience there are a whole lot of hyperpatriot types in this flawless country of ours who, on reading such material, have to restrain themselves from leaping to their feet, putting their hands over their hearts, giving the pledge of allegiance then singing the Star Spangled Banner followed by America the Beautiful, God Bless America and maybe even Yankee Doodle!

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Ignorance is bliss as they say.

Sadly, you are quite right on all counts. Funny, though, you can usually tell them by their Confederate flags. Odd...

The hyperpatriot types provide a balance when compared to the hippie freeloading bleeding heart liberal cowards they are unwillingly forced to support and protect.

No they're all whack.

[QUOTE=Jeff Higgins;3822056]Hey Teener - fish on! While the rest of us could see these for the amusing little anecdotes they are meant to be, the "critical thinking" Frog actually believes you take them to be true.[/QUOTE}



Small minded individuals and groups always like to pass on these "amusing little anecdotes", all in the name of building their self image up, due to an obvious low self esteem.

And although you can find these "bon mots" all over the world, they are considered as insightful political thoughts mostly by ignorant Americans. SmileWavy

ribbit ;)

Ribbit, yourself. Since I am an American.
I just have a better grasp on history than you.

I like the stories. I have a problem with what they prop up.

As for the notion that the Ultra Right is out there taking care of everybody, all I can say is not bloody likely.

I think John put it well.

After talking to foreign tourists, I sometimes bring up US hegemony in the world. Given that some country has that degree of power & control (and this is the first time it has happened since ancient Rome) who would they like to have that country be -- if it were not the US. I have never had anyone suggest a different country. I once asked some young Germans - well what about Germany? everything would work well, etc. They were very emphatic - HELL NO, in essence. Sometimes people suggest the Swiss or Swedes, etc. but then they retract that after thinking a bit.

Obviously, the Chinese would like a little slice of the power pie - but no one in Asia will suggest Japan - even now.

Australia often comes in second, but is never picked by New Zealanders....

Feelings do vary with time & presidents -- Bush is pretty well uniformly hated.

I'm an PROUD AMERICAN that still is a resident of the UNITED STATES. what has history have to do with a fun post filled with sarcasm. IT'S A JOKE MAN. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. show those frogs your an American and laugh a little. SHEESH:rolleyes:



maybe i should have posted this in the joke thread then there would be no confusion where this post was intended.

and like Jeff said FISH ON!!!!

Actually, the quote from Colin Powell IS TRUE. Please do some research of your own before you go calling someone else's post a bunch of lies... :rolleyes:

Chances are, there is some semblance of truth in the other anecdotes as well.

Colin Powell quote


Randy

I've noticed that. I believe it's mostly the consequence of the economically depressed conditions in so many of the southern states and the concommitant lower number of people living there who find it very difficult to get a decent education. I'm sure you'll agree people are people and we're all Americans. Also, the south doesn't have a lock on ignorance and reprehensibility; such individuals are found across the country from White Plains, NY to Orange County, CA (see below).

Those you refer to I assume are the same you'd be quite content to see gunned down by the National Guard, re your comment lamenting the good old days of the Kent State Massacre.

I did my tour in Viet Nam (did you participate in that filthy little war, or were you too busy protecting your hard earned wealth and material possesions from the marauding gangs of freeloading bleeding heart liberal cowards who were out to rip your sorry ass off?) and I made it back alive to work my way through graduate school on my own power and let me tell you, you are no patriot, hyper or otherwise; you are a piece of work.

I did. Checked the same place you did. They are not the same in meaning, context or reaction. Perhaps a reading comprehension course might be indicated for you?

As far as the rest of these anecdotes, they are false too. I have already checked them out. Did you?

No, you are a patriotic fool. I understand that they were jokes. I also understand these types of jokes are meant to support and justify an "us against them" mentality. If you question what history has to do with pushing idiotic jokes based on lies, then you are too far gone to help.

And since when is being assigned to work in a different country a mark of the non-patriotic? What a simple minded creature you are!

Randy and Ted, it is fruitless to carry on any sort of conversation with this young man once you have pointed out he has made a fool of himself. The childishness of his attacks on your educations, critical thinking skills, reading comprehension, etc. only grow in proportion to his desperation to prove his superiority in those realms. The only thing he has succeeded in accomplishing with his past efforts along these lines is to demonstrate he lacks the maturity, tact, and intellect to post here in an adult fashion. Don't waste your time and effort with him; his mother will soon revoke his internet privileges once again, and he go away and leave us alone for awhile.

Checked them out? I have to call BS mon frere.

I checked that link and it is pretty much as presented. Simplified slightly, the gist of the question and the response are quite accurate in portraying the spirit in which this statement was made.

You should refrain from taking hard stances on things when you are wrong, makes it easier to wiggle free from the corner you put yourself into. I suppose you care little for right and wrong, accurate and inaccurate, or there is every indication this is the case.

Look who is taking a hard stand, when they are wrong.
Let's see the audience is different, the remark is different and the response by the audience is different. Yeah, that makes it the same.:eek: :rolleyes:

The idiotic repetition of baseless stereotypes is done by insecure, ignorant imbeciles to make themselves feel superior. Many who hide behind patriotism. But it is totally evident that "you care little for right and wrong, accurate and inaccurate, or there is every indication this is the case".

We can clearly see what group you belong in. SmileWavy

"I have a bad feeling about this....."

You aren't from WI are you?SmileWavy

Oh, BTW the snopes link states Status:True. So stating that the quote is not true comes from where? It is acknowledged to be a paraphrase, and extracted somewhat from context (although the implications of each of the statements is probably correctly identified).

There certainly are a bunch of Americans that have some frustration with France. I can only go on what experiences I have had with French folk as well as what my Father has told me concerning his experiences in WWII while in France.

My experiences with people I know that are French - they are very fine people and none that I have met are any more arrogent than a typical American, Chinese national or South American. As for my Father, he has shared with me that the French he had experience with provided him with fond memories.

RPKESQ - please do not feel that the comments of a few in anyway suggest that it is the way we all feel about your country as a whole. True, our countries have had its share of trials but at the end of the day I liken it to a sibling rivalry by two brothers trying to get the attention of the whole family.

France is a good country as is the United States. We look at the world differently but we both have passion for being the best - the diffence is in our definitions of what ir means to be the best. Our country would not be what it is without French investments or even the support that your country provided early on and I would like to think we have helped France stay a fine country with a deep sense of tradition and passion.

These United States should not forget the other countries that made us who we are - England, Germany, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Spain, Portugal to name a few. We should also remember that Africa, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba as well as many South American countries have in there own way formed who we are.

We are just getting a little tired and frustrated. It happens.

Try reading and comprehending the entire Snopes article. Snopes says exactly what is true and most of the initially posted anecdote is patently false. Snopes quote of Powell does not support the tone, context or response that the posted anecdote relates. Snopes is true in its quote and the response, the anecdote and its intention is completely false.

All that is true in the original anecdote is the partial quote from Powell. All the remaining is false, and yes I am not the only one who has found Snopes to be less than completely correct in their analysis. Why don’t you try some other sites to gage the response to Powell as well? Single source, again? I thought that was the sole territory of the religious.:rolleyes:

You obviously had problems with research papers in college.:eek:

Guess you need to call me small minded then.

I fly to France often, usually every week or so when on duty. There is something called the Shenigan visa in Europe. It allows people to travel freely between the EEC countries.

There is also another thing called the "English required ATP" where all commercial pilots who fly in EEC airspace have to be able to speak English good enough to preform their duties.

I have been checked on both of these many times in the last couple of years. Guess where I have been checked? Frigging FROGS in France are the only ones who feel that they have to enforce the rules of the EEC and try to find pilots who do not have the visa's then detain them at the airport. They now check and try to trip up every American pilot coming into the country. I really piss them off when I show them my AMERICAN passport with a unlimited GERMAN residence and work visa in it, so that they cannot hassle me any futher.

Oh yea, they also are now the ONLY COUNTRY IN THE EEC who are requiring pilots to have it stamped on their pilots license confirming that they speak English. Its not good enough to be from England or the UK, or America where everyone speaks English, the FROGS are forcing every pilot in the world to do this or they get detained. Remember, this is the only country in the world doing this.

Funny thing, that its only the Frogs who do this when their Air Traffic Controllers refuse to follow the ICAO rules and speak french to their pilots, then attempt to speak English to the rest of us. Problem is that those of us who do not speak frog cannot understand what the controller just told the other airplane, and at times it creates a very difficult safety issue.

This is the pot calling the kettle black here son. I would tread lightly, very lightly. The flight crews of the world are really torqued off at the FROGS right now, and just wait until we get some of their flight crews in our country. Payback will be a long time coming and well deserved.

holy crap it was posted all in fun and jest. next thing you know someone is going to bring
religion into this whole thing.

weeeee....troll on :)

Wooooow...soooooooooo impressive.!

Geez Sammy, I thought I liked you but know I know I do. That teener fellow though...suspect at best. ;)

So easy it's getting boring. Where's tabs when you need him? Or maybe Sup, or Higgy. Buncha misfits.