booga_roo
Guest
Ok, bearing in mind that 4 Americans are trying to sue fast food companies for letting them get fat, I think its time we asked the question.
Are Americans Mad?
Are Americans Mad?
Are Americans Mad?
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I'm guessing you use the term "mad" to mean crazy, not angry?
Are we? Sure, some of us certainly are but then again, some of every group of people are, don't you think?
Sure, we have our share of folks who are about as intelligent as a box of rocks (stones if you prefer) but we also have our share of the top minds in the world.
We run the show. You know this, right?
Tom
Are we? Sure, some of us certainly are but then again, some of every group of people are, don't you think?
Sure, we have our share of folks who are about as intelligent as a box of rocks (stones if you prefer) but we also have our share of the top minds in the world.
We run the show. You know this, right?
Tom
Rockhound
Guest
with people who are mad.
But, to label Americans, ostensibly ALL Americans, as "mad" for the actions of a greedy few is akin to labelling all Brits as mad for the actions of their hooligans when fans are crushed at a soccer match.
Some Brits are stiff; some Frenchmen, rude;some Muslims, crazed maniacs; some Australians, lazy drunkards (okay, a Kiwi friend of mine told me that!).
But, I count among my friends, many Brits, Aussies and followers of Islam...and (egads), even a French national. I know these assumptions are not true.
No matter where you are from, even within regions of your own nation, such derogatory and unearned labels are far too common(are you Cockney, perchance? Then you would understand).
Unfortunately, if these labels get repeated often enough, they pass from opinion to truth purely on the strength of a myth.
I am from "The South", born and raised in rural Alabama. I used to shoot rifles and handguns competitively, and I belong to, but don't always agree with, the NRA. I like to hunt and fish and I drive a 4x4 truck. I'm a big guy, I have a beard and a certain "look". I use colorful, colloquial language when I speak. Heck, I'm sometimes gruff and a little too direct, but only when I'm tired or exasperated.
In the minds of many Americans, I am a "redneck",simply by virtue of my birth, my looks and the sound of my voice. With that label comes the implication that I am an uneducation racist with criminal and/or violent tendencies.
I am none of those awful things. I am educated, open-minded and honest. Yet, because of the actions of a few, who "earned" those undesirable labels, people I do not know often judge my character unfairly, strictly on the bases of a popular cultural perception.
Watch almost any movie that depicts Americans, and the biggest oaf, the most ignorant bigot or thief is most often depicted with a southern drawl (If he is a "smart" criminal, he has a German accent, btw.) Even the "good guy southern parts" are played for comedic effect.
So, don't judge an entire society, mine or anyone elses, by the actions of a well publicized minority. Don't use articles in the paper or the entertainment media, (or rumors from fearful dive boat operators, for that matter) to form your opinions of our entire population.
The vast majority of Americans are just like the vast majority of Brits, Poles, Germans or anyone else on earth. We are honest, thoughtful and considerate. We have high moral standards, we love our kids, we work very hard and we like to have fun. No one writes about us, because such traits, by virtue of being mundane and commonplace, are considered "unnewsworthy".
In my judgement, the only differences between races, religion and nationality lie in "culture", religious and social conventions. Iin the great scheme of things, those differences aren't really differences at all.
The lawsuit you refer too is just as ludicrous in the the minds of Americans as it is to the rest of the world. One of the risks we Americans face, living in such a free and open society, is that we are sometimes subject to the whims of the dishonest and the crazed. That doesn't make us crazed or greedy, just subject to the occasional idiot lawyer.
But, in exchange for thes minor risks, we enjoy unprecedented freedom to live and speak as we wish (at least pre-9/11. Post 9/11, we have lost some of our Liberty, which bothers me greatly.
Anyway, I agree that a lawsuit over "fast food" is ludicrous. I suspect, as with the infamous "Twinky" criminal defense, it will gain notoriety until some thoughtful judge tosses it out of court. Then, it will fade from our memories.
But, to label Americans, ostensibly ALL Americans, as "mad" for the actions of a greedy few is akin to labelling all Brits as mad for the actions of their hooligans when fans are crushed at a soccer match.
Some Brits are stiff; some Frenchmen, rude;some Muslims, crazed maniacs; some Australians, lazy drunkards (okay, a Kiwi friend of mine told me that!).
But, I count among my friends, many Brits, Aussies and followers of Islam...and (egads), even a French national. I know these assumptions are not true.
No matter where you are from, even within regions of your own nation, such derogatory and unearned labels are far too common(are you Cockney, perchance? Then you would understand).
Unfortunately, if these labels get repeated often enough, they pass from opinion to truth purely on the strength of a myth.
I am from "The South", born and raised in rural Alabama. I used to shoot rifles and handguns competitively, and I belong to, but don't always agree with, the NRA. I like to hunt and fish and I drive a 4x4 truck. I'm a big guy, I have a beard and a certain "look". I use colorful, colloquial language when I speak. Heck, I'm sometimes gruff and a little too direct, but only when I'm tired or exasperated.
In the minds of many Americans, I am a "redneck",simply by virtue of my birth, my looks and the sound of my voice. With that label comes the implication that I am an uneducation racist with criminal and/or violent tendencies.
I am none of those awful things. I am educated, open-minded and honest. Yet, because of the actions of a few, who "earned" those undesirable labels, people I do not know often judge my character unfairly, strictly on the bases of a popular cultural perception.
Watch almost any movie that depicts Americans, and the biggest oaf, the most ignorant bigot or thief is most often depicted with a southern drawl (If he is a "smart" criminal, he has a German accent, btw.) Even the "good guy southern parts" are played for comedic effect.
So, don't judge an entire society, mine or anyone elses, by the actions of a well publicized minority. Don't use articles in the paper or the entertainment media, (or rumors from fearful dive boat operators, for that matter) to form your opinions of our entire population.
The vast majority of Americans are just like the vast majority of Brits, Poles, Germans or anyone else on earth. We are honest, thoughtful and considerate. We have high moral standards, we love our kids, we work very hard and we like to have fun. No one writes about us, because such traits, by virtue of being mundane and commonplace, are considered "unnewsworthy".
In my judgement, the only differences between races, religion and nationality lie in "culture", religious and social conventions. Iin the great scheme of things, those differences aren't really differences at all.
The lawsuit you refer too is just as ludicrous in the the minds of Americans as it is to the rest of the world. One of the risks we Americans face, living in such a free and open society, is that we are sometimes subject to the whims of the dishonest and the crazed. That doesn't make us crazed or greedy, just subject to the occasional idiot lawyer.
But, in exchange for thes minor risks, we enjoy unprecedented freedom to live and speak as we wish (at least pre-9/11. Post 9/11, we have lost some of our Liberty, which bothers me greatly.
Anyway, I agree that a lawsuit over "fast food" is ludicrous. I suspect, as with the infamous "Twinky" criminal defense, it will gain notoriety until some thoughtful judge tosses it out of court. Then, it will fade from our memories.
R
redacted
Guest
50 years ago, the idea of warnings on tobacco products would have been considered mad. Maybe we will end up with warnings on our big macs next rather than just grilled chicken sandwiches. You probably didn't realize that THEY might be fortifying those grease pucks with habit forming triglycerides.
We are just going where no man has gone before. And yes, there are deadends in these journeys.
We are just going where no man has gone before. And yes, there are deadends in these journeys.
Scubaroo
Contributor
Where do people get off calling Australians lazy drunkards? There's nothing lazy about walking to the pub every day!
wrecNcaver
Contributor
:balloon:
The great thing about this board is that there is a great, diverse bunch of divers who can debate, chat, argue and converse about a lot of subjects. Let's just remember that we are all individuals. So if you please, don't lump me with those crazy people who are trying to get rich fast for getting fat. I think I'd rather just be lumped with the crazies that are called DIVERS!!!!
The great thing about this board is that there is a great, diverse bunch of divers who can debate, chat, argue and converse about a lot of subjects. Let's just remember that we are all individuals. So if you please, don't lump me with those crazy people who are trying to get rich fast for getting fat. I think I'd rather just be lumped with the crazies that are called DIVERS!!!!
There should be a warning on that new McDonald's Chicken Pita thing. Has anyone tried that yet? I ordered it thinking I would be eating healthy, and what I got was a disgusting hodge-podge of flavorless chicken, bland pita, and some sauce that probably has more grams of fat than a Big Mac. Took two bites and threw it out.
As far as the idiot suing fast food restaurants, you can rest assured that the trial court will summarily toss that out quicker than you can say "short order cook."
As far as the idiot suing fast food restaurants, you can rest assured that the trial court will summarily toss that out quicker than you can say "short order cook."
I need to know if you are referring to my place of origin (Columbia, South America) or my current home (Florida, USA, North America). Either way, I'm as looney as a tune, and glad to be that way! But I wouldn't want you to judge all the other sane people of these continents by my misadventures. It just wouldn't be fair to them. Now, I could mention names, but there are even those on this board that would be mortified to be associated with me... and my spreader plate for the bungeed wings of death! They know I am a stroke and they have never even dove with me... Ah well! The world needs more kindness and longsuffering. Guys like me are put here to help everyone else develop that! :tease:
Amber
Contributor
RockHound,
A lot of people I've known throughout my limited years on this earth have considered me well spoken, articulate, and to have a firm grasp on current issues and topics; but I don't think I could have said what you did any better.
It is a shame that in our so called "advanced society", people still label each other before they get a chance to know them.
Calling ALL Americans "mad" or anything else because of the poor actions of a minute few, is the same as shunning all middle eastern people because of the events of 9-11, labeling all Germans as nazis because of the dictacting actions of Hitler, or labeling all blacks as criminal "thugs" because of what you see in the media.
oking:
A lot of people I've known throughout my limited years on this earth have considered me well spoken, articulate, and to have a firm grasp on current issues and topics; but I don't think I could have said what you did any better.
It is a shame that in our so called "advanced society", people still label each other before they get a chance to know them.
Calling ALL Americans "mad" or anything else because of the poor actions of a minute few, is the same as shunning all middle eastern people because of the events of 9-11, labeling all Germans as nazis because of the dictacting actions of Hitler, or labeling all blacks as criminal "thugs" because of what you see in the media.
oking:
landlocked
Contributor
Oh yes! Please let it be so!
Just curious, if the fat guy wins, will he use the money to buy more Big Macs? Hey, he could sue them again for letting him win the first time!
Just curious, if the fat guy wins, will he use the money to buy more Big Macs? Hey, he could sue them again for letting him win the first time!
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