Here Today... Gone To Hell!

NEW YORK (AP) -- Americans gave nearly $300 billion to charitable causes last year, setting a new record and besting the 2005 total that had been boosted by a surge in aid to victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma -- and the Asian tsunami.

Donors contributed an estimated $295.02 billion in 2006, a 1 percent increase when adjusted for inflation, up from $283.05 billion in 2005. Excluding donations for disaster relief, the total rose 3.2 percent, inflation-adjusted, according to an annual report released Monday by the Giving USA Foundation at Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy.

Giving historically tracks the health of the overall economy, with the rise amounting to about one-third the rise in the stock market, according to Giving USA. Last year was right on target, with a 3.2 percent rise, as stocks rose more than 10 percent on an inflation-adjusted basis.

"What people find especially interesting about this, and it's true year after year, that such a high percentage comes from individual donors," Giving USA Chairman Richard Jolly said.

Individuals gave a combined 75.6 percent of the total. With bequests, that rises to 83.4 percent.

The biggest chunk of the donations, $96.82 billion or 32.8 percent, went to religious organizations. The second largest slice, $40.98 billion or 13.9 percent, went to education, including gifts to colleges, universities and libraries.

About 65 percent of households with incomes less than $100,000 give to charity, the report showed.
Part of 'American culture'

"It tells you something about American culture that is unlike any other country," said Claire Gaudiani, a professor at NYU's Heyman Center for Philanthropy and author of "The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism." Gaudiani said the willingness of Americans to give cuts across income levels, and their investments go to developing ideas, inventions and people to the benefit of the overall economy.

Gaudiani said Americans give twice as much as the next most charitable country, according to a November 2006 comparison done by the Charities Aid Foundation. In philanthropic giving as a percentage of gross domestic product, the U.S. ranked first at 1.7 percent. No. 2 Britain gave 0.73 percent, while France, with a 0.14 percent rate, trailed such countries as South Africa, Singapore, Turkey and Germany.

Mega-gifts, which Giving USA considers to be donations of $1 billion or more, tend to get the most attention, and that was true last year especially.

Investment superstar Warren Buffett announced in June 2006 that he would give $30 billion over 20 years to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Of that total, $1.9 billion was given in 2006, which helped push the year's total higher.

Gaudiani said that gift reflects a growing focus on using donated money efficiently and effectively.

"I think it's also a strategic commitment to upward mobility exported to other countries, in the form of improved health and stronger civil societies," she said.

The Gates Foundation has focused on reducing hunger and fighting disease in developing countries as well as improving education in the U.S. Without Buffett's pledge, it had an endowment of $29.2 billion as of the end of 2005.

Meanwhile, companies and their foundations gave less in 2006, dropping 10.5 percent to $12.72 billion. Jolly said corporate giving fell because companies had been so generous in response to the natural disasters and because profits overall were less strong in 2006 over the year before.

The Giving USA report counts money given to foundations as well as grants the foundations make to nonprofits and other groups, since foundations typically give out only income earned without spending the original donations.

We do like to help others ... hell , I even once donated to a church group .

Another reason to like us : Ky makes some of the best whiskey in the world .

My great aunt was rescued by Patton's troops in a camp 'somewhere in Germany'. She always jokes they they were racing to get to her. (They were really trying to beat the Russians into Germany so they could have first dibs on those V2 rocket plans).

now with all they steal from the world, i guess they have to give some back ....
sadly, the Average-Joe ones giving to charity are not the ones stealing ressources from Africa ...




hey, i'm kidding, i'm just playing my part ;D

hahha great post  : ok:

you're probably right to some degree though - its guilt money.  Us yanks feel bad that we voted (well, some of us did at) for a douche of a president who has done nothing but ruin this country and make the world a less safe place.

getting off my soap box now.

sadly i didn't donate any money last year.

anyone know of any good charities?

IM sorry but How the hell does that statement have anythign to do with this thread? other then a broad generalization as a reason that you like america, or an excuse to continue to attempt to make everything polish ...... though I am surprised you didnt say that it was shermans men command by a polish commander that raced to save your grandmother, while tring to capture a V2 and send it to birtian so that you would ahve soemthing to say hey look at me im polish and poland should rule the world cause we saved everyone in worl war 2...... fuck sakes

Don't mind him, they use vodka for water down there.

no, i gave all my money to your mom for sucking my cock

isnt that impresive?

no

No its not

Current US Military budget anyone?

(hint: $550 billion approx)

Reported budget...

"We also invented the missionary position-you're welcome."

oh you must have been the guy she said was hung like chapstick.  : ok:

dick

did you actually read the article? 

"Individuals gave a combined 75.6 percent of the total. With bequests, that rises to 83.4 percent."

I have a better reason to like America...because we will invade your country and kill your leader if you dont..... :rofl:

Probably all conservatives too, gawd bless 'em all.

France has to step it up, greedy bastards.

nah, she was talking about your dad

a mom joke to start with and your follow up is a dad joke?   wow.

anyways, its funny how people around the world always seem to forget how giving americans are.  I guess its easier to focus on the bad things.

When you learn to read......... ::)

Apparentry you don't know the difference between the government spending taxes on the military and individuars giving their money of their own free wirr.  America takes a ROT of shit around here.  But this isn't about poritics, is it?   

Sadly there's alot more reasons to like America than this example alone. And if anyone living here can't see these reasons, than it's time for you to leave, for good.

there's always good reasons to love USA, and a first, american people.

we just don't like your government and the way he mixes religion & politics, for example.

it's just scarry. but yes, american people are sometimes not just retarded
people who don't even know where are other countries on a map  :hihi:

funny you say that, just as I was clicking on the link I was thinking to myself that the word "finally" was a bit dramatic.

I think you know my thoughts on this country by now though, so to think I don't love it or think extremely high of it is just silly.  simply refer to my posting of the "america, Fuck Yeah" lyrics for dozens of reasons to love america!!   : ok:  :hihi:

And to be honest, our gov't hasn't done a lot in the past few years to make others think too highly of our country.

Apparentry you don't know the difference between the government spending taxes on the military and individuars giving their money of their own free wirr.? America takes a ROT of shit around here.? But this isn't about poritics, is it?? ?

Why didn't you change the 'l' in military?

Does it really matter if america is the most giving country in the world. All the money they donate goes to rebuilding countries that the military destroys.

Is that a reason to like America or to like those specific individuals who were generous? 

I think foreigners often get the two confused.  Just b/c our president is a giant douche doesn't mean the rest of us are.

one of the dumber posts i've  read on here    ::)

you think ?  ::)

its the same fucking point dude.....

Love or leave it huh . That is the same McCarthyistic bullshit that was spouted in the 50s and 60s... fuck that shit . Love it or vote to change it .

Wow !!! ...  and I thought the creationist museum was a monument to ignorance .

"you're either with us or against us"!  :hihi:

the topic name was really meant for NON-Americans, not those of us living here - I guess some of us need everything spelled out for them though.

^ Ok, yeah good point. It wasn't very articulate of me and it was nothing but a cheap shot. ?Allow me to redeem myself.

So we see America is currently the most charitable country. That's definately something to proud of considering it says that 75% of that is individual people. (Correct me if I'm wrong on that). What I really meant was that the perception that a lot of foreigners have of America is based purely on their most famous exports - i.e. the Gulf wars and big corporations. But what this charity thing isn't is a big American guilt trip. Not everyone voted for Bush, but that doesn't mean that they all give money to charities just because they feel bad that the other half of their country elected an idiot.
America(as the country run by Bush) has a lot to answer for, but that doesn't make it an evil country. Causing a "Civil War" in Iraq, destabilising the region further, making the world a more dangerous place... These are all valid points that can be argued/defended until judgement day, but that doesn't mean that Americans should have to defend themselves to the world by encouraging people to think that their charitable record is some kind of reparation for, as some people would see it, fermenting and spreading the growth of international terror.

So to conclude, George Bush has created a lot of problems in the world. Fact. However I, for one, don't blame "America" for that. I could drag out all the old cliches about how my best friend is American, I love New York, it's the government, not the country etc, but I won't because that would just go in circles and I don't want to get drawn into a pro's/cons argument about the USA.
I apologise for my previous post and I have no excuses for it.

My final point is that America would probably still be the most charitable country in the world, Bush or no Bush. America is a large donator of foreign aid, and co-ordinates many humanitarian mission whether they be under the auspices of the UN or not. Whatever the US military budget might or might not be and whatever grief America might have caused... We should learn that the new President will hopefully go a long way to correcting many of those mistakes and continuing America's tradition of preserving freedom in its many forms throughout the world.

 :)

Many reasons to like Americans, not so many to like America.

That's the real danger right there, believing that.

America isn't run by the President, hasn't been for decades. It's the corporations that hold the strings, in America and the rest of the world.

There will be military actions against Iran, either by Bush or the next puppet. It's already decided.

That is a valid argument , however , I'm wondering if it is just hyperbole on your part .

great post  : ok:  I think many foreigners lose sight of a lot of the points you made.  That was the whole point of this thread.  :peace:

I wish it were. On this subject however I'm far from exaggerating.

Did I say that? No. Your putting words in my mouth.

I find it insane that some Americans believe they're living in such a horrible country. When as a matter of fact they can have a much better life in the U.S. then any other country.

Butters, I had hoped you didn't have that strong of a feeling about this country by what you titled your thread as. Thank you for clarifying yourself.  :)

Well lets see , the quote in question is :

So yeah , I'm thinking that is exactly what you said . I sort of take that as psuedo- facsist bullshit.

Well....your wrong! Completely!!

Good points all ... I agree with it ,every part .

Hey , they are your words dude .

Where did I mention anthing about love as you said I did? No where! Your twisting what I said to what you think are my words. Your putting words in my mouth and you are wrong!

Right here

Oh, you said like ... not love . Oh well , I guess it is just semantics . ::)

And see, that's how crap gets started. You took something I said, changed it, and posted it as something I did say.

so why don't you tell us what you meant?  I took your post to mean exactly the same thing "fucking crazy" took it as.  "America, love it or leave it"

You congratulated me for clarifying myself - nows your chance  : ok:

what I posted "love it or leave it" , was an idiom from the 60s and 70s that expressed the feeling you were trying , IMO , to convey ,e,g; America love/like it or leave it . I'm through with this .
Have a good day:)

What I meant is that it seems many Americans believe or say that they live in the worse country in the world and live in such a oppressive society or as you said with there finally being a good reason to like America. If you are so unhappy and reallly compare Bush to Hitler and living under Nazi rule than perhaps you should just leave. Like I said, American citizens live pretty freakin' well and to claim that we live in an oppressed society is fuckin' crazy! Pardon the pun. It had nothing to do with Love it, or Leave it.

I'm going to assume by "you" you don't mean "lil' butters".

Anyways, I think your POV is very dangerous and reminds me of the political climate a few years ago....where those who dissented and spoke out against the war and the bush admin were "unpatriotic", "didn't support the troops" and were "unamerican".

sorry, thats bullshit.  you can call bush hitler, cheney darth vader, and still love this country more than anything else in the world.  when the vice president wants to rewrite the constitution and bush wants to be above the law and spy on people illegally, i can see why some people would say things like that (I have never myself, I just call them Assholes, turd sandwiches or giant douches).

criticizing the current admin and the way they do things has nothing to do with your love for this country.  if you criticize the laws, the constitution, our culture and society and our way of life, thats an entire different story.

And I got jumped on for trying to defend Poland!! (singlehandedly, that is!)   ::)

sigh............................................................................................... ................................................................................................... ...........................

so what does poland need to be defended from?


never attacked you for defending poland.............


never really attacked you until this thread, and this by far is more of a slight then an attack.........................


and for the record, what the point of the poland thread was to try and get you to see was that despite your staunch beleif that it was only poland that won the war, it was in fact and combined effort that accomplished victory. And as I said before I did and do know that great sacrafices that was done by poland and the success that it brought forth.

in this thread I highlighted that no matter what the topic im almost positive that you would manage to find some way, no matter how unrelated, to tie in a ww2 story about the pole or poland.

........................sigh......................

When you learn to get the Polish sense of humour.......................... ::)

Hey, if you don't like freedom of speech, then you can pack your bags and leave. America wasn't founded by a bunch of fucking sheep.

"fucking sheep"!! how dare you sir!  What did the sheep ever do to you!  If you don't like the sheep then take all the cotton t-shirts you own and burn them!  DOUCHE!!!

Fucking Sheep! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=q-l93gltkCc)

that's how Sarkozy talks about France ... damn. Drew is my president :(

Butters, okay you and anyone else can go ahead and compare Bush to Hitler if it makes you feel better. But I see no examples of how you are oppressed in any way. You can go anywhere you want to. You can say anything you want to. You can pretty much do anything you want to. When was the last time you couldn't? I see no exapmle trying to rid a race from existence. Both Congress and the Senate are Democrat comtrolled. You think Hitler would have allowed his opposition to take control like that? No. He would have more than likely executed them.

Pharmo, I knew you wouldn't be able to sit on the sidelines and not twist and put words in my mouth either. Where did I say anything about freedom of speech? I didn't. Your wrong again! My critizism was about people complaining that they live in a oppressed society and have no freedoms. If you want to compare Bush to Hitler than you have that right to. But your living in another world if you think that. Because it's absolutely a bullshit comparison.

WAT-EVER, i'm totally buggin, you par for the course aswell in twisting words. Is the part you quoted the only part you read? Go back and read again. Everything! You jumped to conclusions too fast. When talking about this country, I never said you should love it or leave.

oh yeah sorry :(
i just bumped on these familiar words and it made me think of sarkozy.

All threads about the USA and politics turn into this crap. Do they all have to turn into name calling bullshit attacks? Can anyone accept another's opposing viewpoint around here?

I know I said I was finished , however , dude your one to talk about putting words in ones mouth . I believe butters , and other , comparisons are qualitative rather than a quanitative look at Bush's and Hitler's policies . Read between the lines , there are shades other than white and black .

You suggested that those who vocalize their unhappiness with this country/government pack a suitcase, did you not? Your attitude is much more like those you advocate attacking rather than a true democracy.

WOW!!!, you are the biggest hypocrite jack ass I've seen on this board.  When did i EVER compare Bush to Hitler!?!??!  When did I EVER say I was oppressed and had no freedoms?   When did ANYONE on here ever say that about this country???  And you talk about people putting words in YOUR mouth b/c you said "like" and they said "love".

i thought they only made ass lube

I guess some people know more about ass lube than others...

If someone thinks their life is so horrible and they live in such a horrible country than perhaps it's best if they leave. That was my point. Not they shouldn't say that or shouldn't even be allowed to say that. Vocalinze all you want, that's why we debate. All I was doing was criticizing about people's complaining.


I said you can compare Bush to Hitler if it makes you feel good, I didn't you you did or have. READ! And now you relate to calling me names. Not impressive Butters. I was asking you questions and wanting for your answers? I never said you said that. All the time I read here and elsewhere how awful the U.S. is. And it sickens me! I never said people don't have the right to criticize or voice their opinion.

And yes, I did say there are alot more reasons to like this country than some charity example.

Name some policies that are in comparison to Hitlers.

Read THIS (http://www.amazon.com/Conservatives-Without-Conscience-John-Dean/dp/0670037745) book ... Wrote by a noted right wing idealouge .

His blog FINDLAW (http://writ.corporate.findlaw.com/dean/)

oh PUH LEASE, the implication was there.  Thats just the hitler thing to.

when did i ever say i am opressed and had no freedoms.  when did anyone ever say that?

Your implications mislead you Butters.

funny how you totally avoided the question.

I don't believe I ever said you were oppressed. I said if you were oppressed. And I asked you some questions pertaining to be oppressed. I didn't avoid anything.

well IF you wanna be an asshole, giant douche, hyprocrite, twist words to suit your own needs type of guy then go ahead.  not saying you are, but if you want to be, then go ahead.   ::)

Kady, you're breaking my barrs, Kady!  I forgot!  Don't you know how fucking busy I am?

Very immature Butters.

In addition to the decree for the "protection of the people and the state" issued? by Hitler in '33, e,g; The Patriot Act



The GESTAPO and SD conducted third degree interrogations. On 26 October 1939 an order to all GESTAPO offices from the RSHA signed Mueller, "by order," in referring to execution of protective custody during the war, stated in part:


"In certain cases, the Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of the German Police will order flogging in addition to detention in a concentration camp. Orders of this kind will, in the future, also be transmitted to the State Police District Office concerned. In this case, too, there is no objection to spreading the rumour of this increased punishment. ***" (1531-PS)

On 12 June 1942 the Chief of the Security Police and SD, through Mueller, published an order authorizing the use of third degree methods in interrogating where preliminary investigation indicates that the prisoner could give information on important facts such as subversive activities, but not to extort confessions of the prisoner's own crimes. The order stated in part:


"*** 2. Third degree may, under this supposition, only be employed against Communists, Marxists, Jehovah's Witnesses, saboteurs, terrorists, members of resistance movements, parachute agents, anti-social elements, Polish or Soviet-Russian loafers or tramps. In all other cases, my permission must first be obtained.
"*** 4. Third degree can, according to the circumstances, consist amongst other methods, of:

very simple diet (bread and water)
hard bunk
dark cell
deprivation of sleep
exhaustive drilling also in flogging (for more than 20 strokes a doctor must be consulted)." (1531-PS)

Sorry you think so, but I think you should choose your words more carefully.  I'm not the only one who has "misinterpreted" things you've said in this thread.  Your reckless accusations of feeling oppressed and not loving, uh, sorry, "liking" my country were not immature, but just stupid.

I was the one who was misinterpreted from the beginning remember.

And as always, you stoop to calling people names.

Man, you sure are a mess.  :no:

OMG...you are one to be speaking Pharmo. I mean really!

All this started with me questioning Butters feelings about there finally being something to like about America. He than clarified himself by saying that using the word  'finally' in regarding there being a reason to like America, was a bit dramatic. And from there on what I said was misinterpreted by the few.

Do you not realize though that all of the misinterpretation/confusion is coming from you?  Nobody else "misunderstood" the thread title except you.  Nobody else was "misinterpreted" except you (like vs. love).   At least I did clarify myself so that it was understood what I meant.  You still haven't done that - when you tried you only dug a deeper hole for yourself.

anyway, this thread is totally off topic and pointless now.

As usual, those on the right dumb it up.

And after you clarified yourself that was done and over with. I said thank you and that I figured you didn't really feel that bitter. After that I only asked you if you have ever felt oppressed(not that you said you were oppressed.) and asked how you about the nonsense of comparing Bush to Hitler.

Threads usually start to go off topic pretty quick when members result to calling people names.

dude you REALLY need to check up on your reading comprehension skills.  you are re-writing history the way Cheney wants to re-write the constitution.

I wasn't bitter about anything.  Your question was legit and i answered it.  but you NEVER asked me if i ever felt opressed or about bush being compared to hilter, you said "if you feel that way then leave" - implying I did feel that way. 

Seriously, re-read what you wrote.

Here is where I asked you what I'm talking about. I was simply asking when you weren't able to do any of these. I can understand now how you someone can read that different ways. I categorized "you" as all of us or any American. I was speaking as a whole group. I did say and ask you as it looks in a personal way, but I should have reworded it and said 'us' or 'anyone.'

For that I do apologize Butters. But a debate doesn't have to lead to name calling everytime.

haha, so many american haters on here. american guys, just leave them alone. they're the one living in a bad country. they're just jealous of us. that's all. and Bush compared to Hitler, that's funny. we would have known NOW that our President doesn't have SS troops marching all over U.S.

the only reason why they don't like us is because we are richer. :)

That is a very inclusive statement. I don't know if you intented to include me in it, but I tend to think you did with your reference to the Bush tyrany vis a-vis Hitler. I believe the posters in this thread are amerikan, and I know I take offense at the suggestion that I don't like/love my country. What I don't like is some psuedo-fascist perverting the constitution.

EDIT : Psuedo-Fascist is one of the most derogative terms I use; It is reserved for those most despicable fools that deserve it. In essence, someone to goddamn stupid to figure out how to be a real fascist.

Il Duc? would be shamed.

Its ridiculous for anyone who has the balls to criticize their leaders to be called Unamerican, unpatriotic, traitors, not supporting the troops, not loving their country .....its a cheap way to change the subject and deflect the heat.  Bush/Cheney used this to their advantage a few years ago, but FINALLY the public wised up to it and now it just falls on deaf ears.  nobody believes their bullshit anymore.

whats sad is when their is a legitimate threat/crisis pending, its going to be like the boy who cried wolf.  most people are not going to believe our gov't.  The trust is gone and you can't blame people for feeling that way.  The last 6 years have been terrible.

So true ... so true. Kind of like the miasma following Vietnam.

I agree with you, but the masses are easily swayed...sadly so.  I don't think I ever had that distrust of government that people who lived through Vietnam and Watergate have, but I certainly look at every government action with a more critical eye, now, than I did before this war. 

Though I hate to quote Marx([size=0]not really[/size]): " religion is the opiate of the mases"

It is sadly so though, if people just took the time to read more and educate themselves more instead of looking at pictures of lindsay lohans pussy online they might not be so easily swayed.

i would say FEAR was the opiate of the masses in the past 5-6 years.  But we've been told to be scared so many times with nothing happening that it just doesn't work anymore.  when its time we actually SHOULD be scared nobody is going to believe it though. :(

^I could not agree more. See 3 post above.

So ... where can I find these alledged photos.

OMG.

You guys are weird.

Seriously, you accuse me of a Psuedo-Fascist(Did you make that up? :rofl:).

Just give it up, Democrats...you'll have a black president or a lady president in one more year. Boy, that's going to be something. Seriously, that won't happen at all.
What you just said right there is hypocritical. : ok:

Where's the hypocrisy?

 ::) Whatever, you guys need to get a BREATH of fresh air, or let me explain, go outside more often.

Nice answer.

I was just outside.  I went to the post office.  If anyone's a hypocrite, it's the person criticizing us while using the medium in dispute to do so and, in case it's not obvious...that means YOU!

that don't make up for paris hiltons annoyance :no:

What does? 

Quite frankly sir,  a psuedo-Fascist requires at least a modicum of intelligence ... and no ... I did not call you one.
See prerequisuites.

exactly

lol england always gives so much

I was outside too.  I was walking my dog.  he took a shit.  I thought of Difleha's post.  : ok:

Today was the first day since Monday that you'd actually want to go outside in NYC and get some air, right?  : ok:

seriously fucking HOT this week!!  i feel bad for people who lost power.  i would have melted without my AC.    Thank god i can wear shorts and flip flops to the office.

Do the percentages of the other countries including government donations or individual donations only? If it's individuals only, then America is very greedy compared the other countries (total donations divided by population).

Ouch.

Dios mio, man.  First, you can't call a people greedy when they give $300 Billion to charity.  I don't care how it's given.  But in terms of comparing countries, it's based on GDP.  So a country's "score" is their charitable donations as a percentage of their GDP.  So, bigger countries, like the US, have larger GDPs because of the sizes of their economies.  Thus, they have to give more to equal the same proportion of GDP donations in a smaller country.  Think of it this way.  If a country of 100 people gives $100 to charity, and a country of one person gives $1, then they've given the same amount, per capita.  That's what they're trying to get at here, though per capita isn't a strong measure because $1USD is worth more in some places than others.  If two countries had the same population, but one was a wealthy, industrial state (US, Canada, Europe) while the other was poor and non-industrial (African states, for example) then we wouldn't expect the poor state to give the same amount, because their GDP would be MUCH smaller. 

In other words, it's weighted such that you should have a fairly accurate scale of giving, which takes into account a country's economy and population. 

Donations in the US were equal to 1.7% of its GDP.  Britain was second at 0.73% of its GDP. 

I agree and it's sad people are categorized in this way. If someone disagrees with soemthing like the war than they should be able to protest if they want. But this labeling nonsense goes on all over the board and people get upset cause somebody's feelings got hurt. We've seen it happen alot the past few months. For example, if someone calls a black guy a nigger, he's labeled a racist. If someone calls someone a faggot, he's labeled a homophobic. If some one is against illegal immigrants, then they are labeled racist by those lame ass La Raza people. Etc., etc., etc......

Well, 'nigger' and 'faggot' are extremely offensive words!  :rant:

But it doesn't necessarily mean they are a racist or homophobic, as usually therefore "labeled."

I guess you hate one in a million then?

It probably means that they need to be educated. If such people continue to use these words after being educated about how offensive they are, then yes they are racist or homophobic.....

PS. Maybe Axl was trying to educate people, stir em up......

I'd have to label you as "idiot" after this post, sorry 'bout that.

Jesus... ::)

Wow, this place is bizarre.  I didn't read this whole thread, but what I get from it is that there is a real animosity toward the US on this board, both from outside the US and inside.  Strange that on one hand we all gather here to discuss a corner of American pop culture (GNR is as American as it gets folks), and on the other hand you all bash the US relentlessly.  It's ok to be against the war, hell most people are.  But to turn that into a hatred for the US is bizarre.  Let's face it, the US is the reason Europe is the Europe it is today.  And a bunch of you bashing us may be communists or worst yet, Nazis if it weren't for the good old USA.  I'm not defending our leaders or defending the war, but it seems odd that some of you aren't more thankful toward the US.  Is it jealously?  Probably.  It's natural to hate the guy at the top.  GNR went through that same phenomenon during their hayday.  But still it's weird.   I'm sure France is a great place to live, but when I see some French bashing how charitable the US it makes me laugh. 

As for giving, no country in the world gives more than the US.  You can spin it anyway you want and talk about GNP and such things, but the bottom line is that there are a lot more countries with alot larger populations giving a lot less than the US.  If you can't applaud the US for the generosity of its people, then you just hate the US to the point that you will say nothing good about it.  It must kill some of you that GNR is a product of the USA.

That's just who you are. Calling people names is what you can only result to.

1) The Poles thank the Americans for the years under communist rule! All in the name of the Cold War!

2) Now are you 100% sure about that......

Maybe I should go back and read the entire thread because I don't recall anyone bashing the US. Some of us might have "bashed" that fool in the White House, but I don't think so. From what I seem to recall, It was primarily comparisons in relation to ...

I'm guessing it depends on how far you feel like going back, right?  If you really want to, you can claim that all rock n' roll is the result of African music, but there is a difference between rock n' roll and the blues, which is more closely tied to those slave songs.  So, as far as roots, they're based in America's slave history.  But the eventual creation was one that was American.

Unless, of course, you're trying to get at the point that Slash was born in the UK?  Of course, arguing that GNR isn't an American band is like arguing that Black Sabbath, with Dio, wasn't a British band. 

I suggest you take a reading comprehension class.


People who say stupid shit don't get a pass from me.

I simply tell the truth, while you defend ignorance and repeat cheap AM radio slogan talk.



Anybody who starts off with "I didn't read the whole thread" provides me with an instant profile of themselves. This guy obviously didn't read his entire history book either or he would have remembered that if it weren't for the French we'd all be singing Gawd save the Queen. Best to just be lazy and make assumptions about everything-it's no wonder people think Merikans are stoopid.

It is important to also note that foreign aid is based on GNP as formulated by the UN (and agreed upon by all the "rich" countries.) But of course he didn't know that either, because he probably didn't "read the whole thing."

Pharmo, instead of reacting to my actual points, you reacted to a statement about not reading the whole thread.  Unlike yourself, I have enough of a life that I can't waste days on end here (see your post count for evidence of the amount of time you spend here).  So let me restate my point.

I was simply stating that there is a lot of animosity on this particular board toward the USA (in this thread and others).  And I find it funny considering people congregate here to talk about an American pop culture product.  It's akin to going to a Beatles board and bashing Britain.  My point is that it is kind of amusing in a way.

Defending ignorance is what your all about. Your post say it clearly.

In all actuality, I think he was reacting to this:

I have been right about everything you have been wrong about. Maybe for once in your life you should learn to shut up and start to listen for a change.



I understand you're point, however that is not what I was responding to. I made it perfectly clear what I was responding to.

It's your opinion that your always right when it's just you point of view or opinion. And your school house bully techniques are pathetic.

Right, I've been somewhat muted in my anti-American rhetoric because I like hot dogs and apple pie.  My conscience couldn't tolerate the contradiction without my head exploding.
 

hahah great post  : ok:


but seriously, can we please stay on topic???

Dios mio, man!  I can't remember the last time this thread was on topic.  The last page is people arguing about what they were arguing about. 

When I have guests at my house for dinner, if they go off topic I will scream at them "Get back on topic, get back on topic!" If they still go off topic, I simply ignore them, and eat my food in another room.





 You guys called me all sorts of names back when the war started (and I stood virtually alone in the minority-most old time posters can vouch for this), and I turned out to be right about it all. There is no "opinion" about that, it is what it is. Iraq is a cluster fuck, a training ground for terrorism, and according to our own intelligence reports we are less safe because of it. Just as I predicted. So, therefore I was right about everything you were wrong about.

I agree

Pharmo had it right and  I admit I was wrong.






Global Warming is still Bullshit however. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Once I have some ocean front property in Utah, you can buy me a steak dinner. 'eh?

^
Like I've said

Sure Global Warming exists but I think its kind of ridiculous to hold a "Concert" for it.

All the power and gas people use to get to and from the concerts will do way more damage than the money raised.


Also Al Gore talks about conservation and the dude went on Bus Tours, lives in a house 50 times too big for his needs............ Its just hard to take these multi millionaire's who waste more electricity than all of us combined seriously.

You guys? They might have but I am pretty sure I never did. Please don't include me with them. Yes, I've questioned and criticized some of your post but I've never called you a name. And what does this have to do with Iraq anyways? You said you have been right about "everything.' How many topics have we've touched on and debated about over the years where we had different views? Many of them. I also never made such a bold statement that Iraq would be a cake walk or go smoothly or anything to that nature. Much less to criticize you about it and say it would be.

The majority of what we have debated and argued about is pretty much based on different views and opinions. And just because you think your right doesn't always put you in the right. It's pretty much about a persons opinion and how they feel about a certain topic and discussion.

That's not entirely accurate, and has been pointed out to you before home skillet.

Kudos on the new thread title.  :rofl:


I agree, and it's tough to get behind something because some ultra-wealthy celeb who doesn't know a damn thing about what it's like to live in the real world says so.  And, of course, they're certainly a self serving lot.  When was the last time a movie star proposed a cap on actor wages, so as to better pay the peons in the crew?   But I do my best to set aside my personal disgust for them, because if we held celeb hypocrisy to too high a standard, and simultaneously disregarded the causes for which they stand, a lot of great causes would be fucked. 

A classic, C.E.P. Brooks published his seminal work "Climate Through the Ages" in the late 20s. It is a must read for anyone involved in the debate. A must read. I could probably do a dissertatiion on this subject, but I'll hold off ... for now.

I do like Al Gore though, Don't get me wrong, I'd vote for him in a second for President again if he would run but to me Global Warming is kind of like the space program.

Sure it's a worthy cause and necessary, Its just I can think of a lot more important things we should be using time and money on.

Let's talk about Meg White's ass.

With global warming, how long will it be that pasty?

When the polar caps melt, maybe I will be stuck in a small boat with Meg and I can pass the time by rubbering her ass 6 hours a day, and spend the rest of the time with my face burried deep within her bare naked buttocks.

Oh, that was a delicious exchange.

I'd like to put that on a plate and sop it up with a biscuit.

Who has a nicer ass than Meg White?

As I haven't seen hers, I can't really say. 

My current restraining order (Up in late 2009)......

(http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/7745/camerondiazyx0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

Look on the back cover of the CD insert to the new White Stripes--it's nice, round and fluffy, and she's wearing a soft-silky outfit. I envy her panties.

Fluffy?   :rofl:

What the fuck?  It is made of Orville Redenbacher's popcorn?

The ultimate in thread hijacks-at outright Jihad against Lil Butters has been declared here tonight.



May I suggest:

http://thesaurus.com

Kelly Osbourne must have a nice ass. I'd like to rub my face in it--smell fest 2007!

OK...some results of "fluffy" from thesaurus.com:

1.) furry
---that can't be good
2.) shaggy
---that might be worse
3.) woolly
---definitely horrific

But I stand by my popcorn comment.  From http://www.conagrafoods.com/brands/orville_redenbachers/index.jsp:

"Orville Redenbacher's is light, fluffy, tender and delicious every time, with few unpopped kernels."

I do agree that Meg White's ass has very few unpopped kernels.  :rofl:

Well actually it was meant for Nixon, but it appears I quoted it wrong.

Well, this is the thread about arguing about what we're arguing about...so confusion should be the norm.

What is this!?! As soon as the thread title changes to "arguing" you all make up!

Now the title needs to be changed again to W**K what should we w**k about?  ::)