It's OK , we invented the guitar .

American automation systems keep me in beer so I really can't moan.

I was glad for your sake Dill, that you finally mentioned your Fender guitars, because I hadn't forgotten and I was going to bring it up. And where's Orang Kanuck and his beloved 7-string Gibson?

BTW gang, I didn't specifically mention "invented" but instead used the phrase: "have given to the world," which, like the airplane and guitars, were not actually first created by America, but it was America and 'muricans that "gave it to the world..."

AND most importantly, the whole point about mentioning Al Bell and his phone, was indeed to emphasize that it was the 'innovation culture' that exists in America that helped him harness his latent talents to do it, something that HE COULD NOT DO in Scotland or Canada for a variety of reasons.

WHY ARE THESE GUYS SUCCESSFUL IN the U.S., but NOT in THEIR HOME COUNTRIES??

Look at Naismith's basketball or that Rocket Scientist Piss referred to, or "all the English immigrants" Capt referred to -- it was while they were in America that they DID great things. That 'yankee ingenuity' culture allowed/encouraged their innovative spirit to thrive and create and invent. They weren't being constantly dragged down and spat upon by naysayers and backstabbers in the "old country". Fellow newbie Americans were right alongside them urging them on.

The entire list of these innovators/creators is a who's who of immigrant success stories, people who were stifled to boredom and uselessness and angst because of their societies around them. You can see it here quite clearly. If I propose something bizarre that could be a good idea for, say, Indonesia (recent threads being on judges and Internet), we get people from the "old countries" spitting at me, ridiculing me for being this, that and the other, AND not a single word of encouragement or building on the idea. It doesn't phase me though, because I understand that baggage that most of you carry from your backstabbing/tear-people-down cultures and I accept that.

It makes you wonder how many great minds were drowned and quashed by all that old-country backstabbing. The deep angst must have finally got to them and they instead chose to devote their lives to hooliganism or being nastier backstabbers.

[/quote]



AUSSIE HYPERBOLE/PROPAGANDA ALERT

While I admit openly that I'm a big fan of Aussies in the Olympics -- love their drive and determination and love what the country/government has been doing the last ten years -- it's really hard to imagine anyone thinking they are the "per capita champion". In fact, it's so far from the truth it's laughable. AND, I hate to be the one to tell you but even NEW ZEALAND beats AUSTRALIA.

Here's the ALL-TIME Per Capita Olympic medal champs by country measured as a ratio of population (k = 1,000_ for 1 Olympic medal Oz doesn't even come close to the top 10:
1.. East Germany* 10k : 1 (*did it in half the time, but "assisted")
2t.. Finland 11k : 1
2t.. Norway 11k : 1
4.. Sweden 15k : 1
5.. Hungary 22k : 1

/.../
others included in top 50
New Zealand 52k : 1
Australia 54k : 1
Jamaica 61k : 1


ANYWAY, the only thing this population/per capita medal stuff really means is that some countries' men are not virile enough or they have too many barren women to reproduce more Olympic champions. My little 1-year-old girl is already in full training mode. We've currently got her focusing on all the events in the Heptathlon, (women's version of the Decathlon) but we won't limit her to just that. Might get her into the Winter Olympic Biathlon as well, as she's already shown an affinity for guns, just like her dear ol' dad.

and Scotland??

That's bollox that is. Those stats are including winter Olympics golds, which we all know is an elitist bunch of shite. They aren't even real sports.

Not like the America's Cup, which NZ recently won and held before another Kiwi won it.

Anyway, back to the original thread. America. World contributions?

Obesity
Psychotherapy
High School Massacres

Alright, let's not get hung up on Olympic stats (I'll show you the Summer-only stats later and it's even worse for the Aussie as lots of African and Caribbean teams are ahead of them).

FOCUS ON THIS for a couple minutes:

"They weren't being constantly dragged down and spat upon by naysayers and backstabbers in the "old country". Fellow newbie Americans were right alongside them urging them on. "


Why did you leave ? I have asked you many times what you are doing in Indonesia , you certainly aren't happy here , and America seems to be the answer to all of your prayers , I just don't understand why you left - still , it must be nice to know that you are amongst the 4% who actually travelled outside the US .

WHY ARE THESE GUYS SUCCESSFUL IN the U.S., but NOT in THEIR HOME COUNTRIES??

Easy that one Riccardo - the US is so full of clowns and window lickers that anyone who shows a bit of promise is automatically promoted to the super league , in the rest of the world , we have a bit more competition .

scotland? a sporting nation?? HA! now you're just being stupid!

That's where you are wrong!

In December 2005 The Duke of Argyll captained his team, Chivas Regal Scotland, to win the World Elephant Polo Championships for the second year running.

The World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA) was formed in 1982 at Tiger Tops, Nepal, and has an enormous and growing following of fans and teams from all over the world. The Duke represents Scotland and competes three times a year against teams from Hong Kong, India, Iceland, Thailand, England, Nepal, Germany, USA, Australia and Sri Lanka.

The rules of the game are similar to horse polo, although played at a much slower pace with four elephants on each side. Each elephant is 'driven' by an expert Mahout, which leaves the player to concentrate on the game (as well as trying to stay on the animal!). The smaller elephants are used for the attack positions as they are generally faster, while the slower and larger elephants are used to block and defend the goal. There is usually a giant elephant used for refereering and a number of vital helpers including the umpires, commentators and of course, the 'official pooper scoopers'.

Surprisingly, the game is faster than one would expect, with extremely skilled stick and ball work (the sticks are made of bamboo and can range from 6 to 9 feet) and the elephant can often become more excited than the players. Most games have an incident which includes elephants running away with sticks, treading on balls (which can take minutes to dig out) and generally taking the game over amongst themselves. The rules are the same as horse polo, although have some necessary additions which include a penalty for elephants lying down over the goal and wandering off to eat bamboo shoots - none of which is helped by the fact the elephants don't understand English!

The Duke is a key player in the main Scottish team which has been dominating the game since it started in Nepal 24 years ago. Scotland has a strong, even if unlikely, link with the game. It was originally played by Scots in India at the turn of the century and was started up again in 1982 by James Manclark from Edinburgh. The games - held in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal - always have a 'Scottish' feel to them with the ceremonies being opened and closed with a selection of music played on the bagpipes, accompanied by the World Elephant Polo official drink - Chivas Regal Whisky.

OK riccardo i give in ... I would like to thank America the beautiful for giving the world:

An entire Nation of Morons that give the rest of the world a sense of smug superiority.

Not really difficult to understand at all if you weren't so determined to shove me into your "he's a typical yank" box, and you're wrong about being happy here.
1. I'm not an inventor, and not interested in being "pushed" to succeed by the ambition of the USA's culture.
2. I'm definitely a Gen X slacker
3. RI is a great place for slackers to slack off and still live a decent lifestyle.
4. USA is NOT the answer for ME, I'm just trying to educate you lot about the "Why" part. Many of you folks seem confused as to "why" America/Americans are so successful, as you only see/read all the negative stuff and can't comprehend the whole package of why they have achieved what they have.

Notice, too, how I use the pronoun "they", I definitely do not consider myself one of "them" any longer. When people ask me when I'm "going home", my reply is usually, "after this beer, or around midnight, when the traffic to w. Jakarta thins out a bit." For me "home" is right here in W. Jakarta with my family. You see, it's not about me, it's just a simple discussion about a culture that you folks don't seem to understand in its entirety. A culture that has its good and bad bits, but not one for me.

Stay on-topic and leave ME out of it.

Then why crap on about it ad-nauseum then ?

Nobody gives a toss , when a valid point is made , you delete the post anyhow .

Speaking personally , I wouldn't consider the USA as a place of residence - I did 15 years ago , when it still seemed like the land of milk and honey , but now ? you must be kidding - I escaped from the UK to avoid such shite , I have no intention of going somewhere where the standards are even worse than the UK .

OK , you are unemployed which is unfortunate , perhaps Chewwy can find something for you to stop you feeling so bitter .

Christ, CM finally said something intelligent....

it's been known to happen. but i wouldn't set your watch by it.

That's more of his arrogance shining through - of course only he can be right. That is why I created a topic in another section that hopefully he can't moderate.

Captain, you and I and just about any other educated person could move to that crappy country if we really wanted to; the fact is we don't. In fact, I can think of about 20 countries off the top of my head where I'd rather live. But they really believe that the rest of the world finds them and their culture so attractive...what a bunch of deluded fools. I still travel into the USA quite often, for various reasons, and I always come out with absolutely no desire to be part of it. Just listen to an afternoon of their TV or radio advertisements... enough to drive you looney itself.

Was that not a clear directive?

You will note that you cannot delete your posts , only Herr Oberleutnantfuhrer Riccardo can do that ....

So, I'll get us back on-topic. More things that you enjoy everyday from your favorite country that YOU ARE eager to express your appreciation for:

Country and Western music
Intel Processors
Starbucks
Blues music
Pringles
Paul Newman Salad Dressing
Tabasco extra hot with Habanero
Dunkin' Donuts
ESPN
CNN
AP newswire
Ralph Lauren - Polo
Vaseline
WD-40
Kellog's Rice Krispies
Quaker Oatmeal
Kraft Foods
K-Y Jelly
Johnson & Johnson products
Procter & Gamble products

That may be your list ric but it sure aint mine ... personally i think you should be flogged in publc for putting Blues Music and Starbucks in the same list.

Also looking at the list I would like your opinion on globilization. Personally I hate the way things are going and try to purchase local produced products where possible.

Country and Western music (Shite)
Intel Processors (Not Bad)
Starbucks (Really shite)
Blues music - Agreed)
Pringles (Shite but my daughter likes them)
Paul Newman Salad Dressing (Never tried so unable to comment)
Tabasco extra hot with Habanero (Burn yourself an extra asshole - who needs it)
Dunkin' Donuts (Shite)
ESPN (Only good when they show football of the European Variety, Rugby and F1)
CNN (Shite)
AP newswire (Shite)
Ralph Lauren - Polo (Prefer the mints)
Vaseline (Not going there)
WD-40 - Agreed
Kellog's Rice Krispies - Agreed
Quaker Oatmeal (Fuck off, Scottish Porridge repackaged by religious zealots)
Kraft Foods (Aaargh - alergies and shite combined)
K-Y Jelly (Not going there)
Johnson & Johnson products (I'm male dont understand)
Procter & Gamble products See above

You forgot Spam which I quite like, Hormel must be great place to stay!

Country and Western music (Shite)
Intel Processors (Not Bad)
Starbucks (Really shite)
Blues music - Agreed)
Pringles (Shite but my daughter likes them)
Paul Newman Salad Dressing (Never tried so unable to comment)Shite - tastes like ferret vomit
Tabasco extra hot with Habanero (Burn yourself an extra asshole - who needs it) Sambal
Dunkin' Donuts (Shite)
ESPN (Only good when they show football of the European Variety, Ruby and F1)
CNN (Shite)
AP newswire (Shite)
Ralph Lauren - Polo (Prefer the mints)Made in Indonesia
Vaseline (Not going there)
WD-40 - Agreed - American engineering at it's best
Kellog's Rice Krispies - Agreed - Invented by WPS - Jetzone , not kellogs
Quaker Oatmeal (Fuck off, Scottish Porridge repackaged by religious zealots)
Kraft Foods (Aaargh - alergies and shite combined) not to mention ciggies
K-Y Jelly (Not going there)
Johnson & Johnson products (I'm male dont understand)
Procter & Gamble products See above

You forgot Spam which I quite like, Hormel must be great place to stay!

Strange, we have so much in common Captain, we must meet for coffe sometime! (Like fuck)

Oops, forgot about the RSS feed!

Uh? Are you mentioning me here? I guess so... why? I pointed out basketball was invented in Canada, never intended to bash on the southern neighbors. After all they play the damn sport more than us who have only one team in the league...

And for the Gibson, I have 5 of them, 3 fenders, 2 Mesa amps and an old '66 Harmony, all made in USA. basically 'coz they're the only one to make decend instruments, except for 2 honorable mentions to UK who built Marshall and Vox amps, and Canada who built some of the best acoustics guitars.

I also eat a lot of clown shit, watch american TV, movies. Listen to their music. A lot of. So what? Never post here to bash on or make the praise of the ol' USA...

p.s.: I had a Ford Escort and it sucks...

p.s.: I had a Ford Escort and it sucks...


Probably made in the UK then