[Vision2020] This Isn't Hate Speech, Either

Mon Jul 10 22:24:35 PDT 2006

Thanks Joan.

>From: Joan Opyr <joanopyr at moscow.com>
>To: "Matt Decker" <mattd2107 at hotmail.com>
>CC: vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] This Isn't Hate Speech, Either
>Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:33:22 -0700
>
>I'm sorry, Matt.  I didn't mean to accuse you of either boasting or 
>behaving like an ass overseas.  I'm sorry if that's how it came across.  
>What I intended was simply to offer up a few observations about my own 
>experiences, in which Americans (not you) often do boast about saving 
>European -- particularly French and English -- ass during World War II, and 
>then find themselves embroiled in a pointless tit-for-tat in which the 
>French and English point out that during both world wars, we always came a 
>day late and a dollar short.  Note: I don't say this to insult our VE and 
>VJ veterans; I'm only telling you how the pub fights go.  Once old 
>Englishmen begin reminiscing about good-looking American GIs who were 
>"overfed, oversexed, and over there," it can get nasty very quickly.  I was 
>once the sorry witness to two old men arguing in London over Hershey bars, 
>panty-hose, and a war bride who hadn't been "one of our lovely English 
>roses" for more than fifty years.  It was quite the sight.
>
>No, I don't think you, Matt Decker, are the ugly American.  I do think, 
>unfortunately, that there are many ugly Americans out there -- butt ugly.  
>I'm sure you'll agree.
>
>Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
>www.joanopyr.com
>
>On Jul 9, 2006, at 11:34 PM, Matt Decker wrote:
>
>>Auntie,
>>
>>Cmon, if you think I'm one of those conceded texans that Debi is refering 
>>to you obviously have no clue who I am. I stated that they love us for 
>>ww2, not me saying that quote to them boasting how great we are. It wasn't 
>>me buying numerous beers in Ausi land it was those great Ausies buying 
>>beers for me and many more other. And for numerous reasons one being 
>>though that they do like us. In fact one had actually thanked me for ww2 
>>and he was my age at the time 21-23. I could say that we are from America, 
>>and why not? Is the USA not located in the Americas? Should we exclude US 
>>from the Whole America click, I think not.
>>
>>In no way have I ever acted like an ass overseas. I have never bragged, 
>>boasted, or lied who I am. I have never been rude or not abided by "their 
>>rules". So don't infer that I have. In the 15+ countries I have stepped 
>>foot in I always try to set a good example for our country. I only hope 
>>that others do the same.
>>
>>In fact people who can't embrace, respect, or are embarassed to state 
>>their country of origin, I feel for. Along with the jackasses who travel 
>>abroud and can't live with others rules. AKA lady from texas who doesn't 
>>have a clue. Furthermore, the jackasses who come here to AMERICA smack dab 
>>in between the CANADA of America and Mexico of America, who can't speak a 
>>lick of english or live by our rules. But hey thats just me.
>>
>>Matt
>>
>>PS In fact I think people should have classes on how to act, customes, 
>>rules, etc, before they are allowed to be granted a passport.
>>
>>
>>>From: Joan Opyr <joanopyr at moscow.com>
>>>To: Vision2020 Moscow <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>>>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] This Isn't Hate Speech, Either
>>>Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2006 22:55:44 -0700
>>>
>>>
>>>On Jul 9, 2006, at 9:54 PM, Matt Decker wrote:
>>>
>>>>Ellen,
>>>>
>>>>I think the point is obvious. Sure there are different Americas, usually 
>>>>when one refers to America most people know what that is or what was 
>>>>intended. Im sure no harm is meant towards others by saying this. I 
>>>>believe this not to be pompous or intentional harm towards our 
>>>>neighbors. Really how many times have you been overseas talking to 
>>>>someone else asking where they are from, them saying they are from 
>>>>America and you thinking they meant Chile?
>>>>
>>>>I don't recall in my travels including Australia (which by the way love 
>>>>us for saving their asses in WW2)  people hating or not being 
>>>>neighborlly to AMERICANS of united states decent. Just my travels 
>>>>though.
>>>>
>>>>Matt
>>>
>>>Once upon a time, Americans spoke softly and carried a big stick.  
>>>Somewhere along the line, we began to shout at everyone and hit them with 
>>>the stick.  I've never been to Australia, but I do correspond with 
>>>Australians of all political stripes -- writers, readers, and radio 
>>>listeners.  WWII doesn't come up much in our conversations.  The Aussies 
>>>I know are all under 80, and they seem a bit more interested in the 
>>>soldiers today, those assisting us in our "Coalition of the Willing."
>>>
>>>We are the world's one and only superpower.  Our economy dominates the 
>>>globe.  American culture is everywhere; you cannot escape Friends or 
>>>Elvis, Tom Cruise or Madonna.  I've traveled widely and often, and I've 
>>>found that speaking softly, stopping to listen, and doing my best to 
>>>respect local customs and local peoples has served me well.  Like it or 
>>>not, our Canadian neighbors enjoy a better reputation for their behavior 
>>>abroad than we do; they're perceived to be more pleasant, more polite, 
>>>and more courteous.  I've never heard a Canadian declare "we saved your 
>>>asses back in 1945 -- you owe us" when the chips are down and the pub 
>>>fight is brewing.  And yet the Canadians were at the front in WWI and 
>>>WWII; they've never shirked.
>>>
>>>One of the few smart things George W. Bush has said -- something with 
>>>which I absolutely agree -- is this statement from his October 12, 2000 
>>>debate with Al Gore:
>>>
>>>"If we're an arrogant nation, they'll resent us; if we're a humble 
>>>nation, but strong, they'll welcome us.  And our nation stands alone 
>>>right now in the world in terms of power, and that's why we've got to be 
>>>humble, and yet project strength in a way that promotes freedom."
>>>
>>>What image do we project when we're abroad, arrogance or humility?  How 
>>>do we represent our country?  Too often, we're all mouth and no trousers. 
>>>  Too often we're belligerent, fat-assed, and rude.  Not always.  It's 
>>>been my experience that most people are wide open to Americans; they're 
>>>not lying in wait for us to make asses of ourselves.  They're quick to 
>>>point out that they like us as individuals, even when they disagree with 
>>>our global behavior.  I'm not an ambassador for the Bush Administration 
>>>when I travel; I'm just another American tourist.  But I count.  My 
>>>behavior is noted, and at the end of the day, it's totted up.  I can 
>>>choose to be the ugly American and confirm everyone's worst fears, or I 
>>>can be what I think most Americans are -- curious, independent, 
>>>open-minded and decent.
>>>
>>>Joan
>>>
>>>Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
>>>www.joanopyr.com
>
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