Hometown (born and ill-bred): Chicago, IL(linois) - near O'Hare, and apparently, near Sting (wow! personal lessons!) and neilkaz. Shout out to the locals! (I'd say GO BULLS but they ARE gone and GO BEARS, but really, that would be pathetic and just plain sad.)
OKAY - on to the more interesting tangents of foreign policies, global fractiousness, alternative lifestyles, and other flora/fauna:
First off- YES. We ARE the policeman to the world. I think American intervention in World War II and the subsequent rebuilding of Europe got to our heads a bit... then the prolonged Cold War with its staggering (and oh-so frightening) military buildup on both sides of the argument... well, if we Americans can do one thing better than ANY other nation... we can OUTSPEND it, which is how the Cold War was won, yassuh yassuh. (Reagan, the ol' Evil Emperor-baitor supreme, take a bow).
So the Russian economy goes belly-up (sure, their villies stripped all the local gold mines, but forgot to keep their trade boats going, i'm guessing), the infrastructure (already strained from rebellions both domestic and political) collapses... Gorbachev scratches his head (yes, that's why it looked that way), George Bush & co. start up the Victory Parade.
Vixen - I see your point about Gorbachev getting the ball rolling, but it WAS the American policy of the 80's- an unprecedented (and otherwise utterly unnecessary) military build-up that ultimately lead to the Soviet undoing. Both contributed significantly, and the end was inevitable (the Bloc countries were already detaching themselves before Gorby gave the OK, since there wasn't much the Soviets could then do about it).
OK - enuf oversimplification.
Now, here's America, ol' YOU ESS of AY, now the SOLE WORLD SUPERPOWER... got all these nifty gadgets, shiny bombs, "invisible" planes, and underemployed officers... what to do?
And thus, the Bush plan, the New World Order (now there's a Nazi slogan for ya!), was born. Got localized unrest? A military junta move into the neighborhood? Those troublesome border civilians mining your oil fields? Just call the World's Policeman! We'll send over some ships, push a few buttons, PRESTO! Problem solved. (Gosh, sorry 'bout that 'collateral damage.' Gee, war is hell. Whatchu gonna do?) Mind if we set up a McDonald's while we're here? Thanks."
Did we get in over our heads? Oh, hell yes. Are we both ignorant and arrogant? "What? You mean we CAN'T solve thousands of years of Middle East unrest w/ indiscriminate bombing and a UN delegation?" Uh, perhaps so.
Am I cynical? Well, ok. Am I proud to be American?
Absolutely.
Look, we're not perfect, and our foreign policy is still reactive and muddled (and ever-changing due to global changes, "mood of the people" polls, and political whims). And as little as I like the idea of Americans having the muscle (and, occasionally, the desire) to impose their will upon the globe, I firmly believe that America is still the biggest check to global terrorism and anarchy (even if we have imposed our own Orwellian vision to bring this about). It's not perfect, but I would feel far less safe w/o this 'policing' policy.
Just the 2 cents of yer typical ugly American. Please forgive the soapbox.
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German comedy? REALLY?
Well, in a country where (purportedly) David Hasselhof is a big star, I suppose I can believe it.
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Vixen - you are probably right about gay tolerance, especially here in the U.S. (we are still a nation in fear & loathing of all that is 'outside the norm'). However, in just about any large U.S. city (except, perhaps, in the south, this Yankee couldn't really say), you will find large concentrations (ooh, THERE'S a word w/ unnerving overtones) of homosexuals.
In case you or anyone cared, I'm straight - not that it matters, since it's been MONTHS since I've had sex (which means the only person who's touched me in that time has been ME, and since I'm male, wow- does that mean I'm gay? Oh, dear. I'm sooooo conflicted. Now I'll need a whole new wardrobe, and w/ the holidays, I just can't afford it! * * *
Merry Christmas! Happy Channukah! Happy Ramadan! PEACE! FOR EVERYONE!