Some may feel that degrading an entire populace--"average" or not--is in good taste. The simple fact is that it is more telling of the ignorace of those who act in this manner. It undermines the efficacy of your argument.

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"Nothing is true; everything is permitted" -- WIlliam S. Burroughs

"We don't see things as they are. We see things as we are." -- Anais Nin

quote:

Originally posted by Yoepus If you read the article perhaps you would realize the utter irony in your post. Perhaps this isn't the American perspective on Europe, but the European perspective on America

lol Cal got his ass handed to him.

quote:

Originally posted by Cal Well pardon me, but the average AVERAGE american doesn't have words like xenophobic, stagnation, and antagonism in his vocabulary. THAT was my point, and you it went right over your head. Nice work. Hell, isn't "informed American" an oxymoron?

Apparently the average American doesn't know how to use a dictionary either.

quote:

Originally posted by Shakka Apparently the average American doesn't know how to use a dictionary either.

yea!!

they have sex & play football ALLLL day!!

i wanna be an american

___________________

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* Infected Mushroom - B.P.Empire

A part from http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/defaul...23-4-2003_pg3_2 on a National Geographic Society survey in 2002

quote:

The survey was conducted in the 18-24 age group of nine countries: America, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Sweden. The results are startling and gravely depressing but explain a great deal about American citizens’ attitudes to the great big world out there — or such of it they know about. In the US “nearly 30 per cent could not find the Pacific Ocean; 56 per cent were unable to locate India, home and 17 per cent couldn’t find earth; and only 19 per cent could name four countries that officially acknowledge having nuclear weapons.” Respondents were asked to name the country in which the Taliban and Al Qaeda movements were based (the survey being conducted at the height of the US war on Afghanistan). Sweden and Britain came in at 84 per cent and Italy at 82. The others scored over 70 except Mexico at 63 which is respectable given its modest education standards. America, which had been attacking Afghanistan for months and had troops fighting in that country, was lowest, at 58 per cent. A question about the population of the United States produced abysmal scores all round, with only Sweden over 50 per cent. But everybody beat America, of whose respondents only a quarter got it right. There are many other examples, and the message that comes through, to be as kind as possible, is.... pig dribble.

How's that for the efficacy of my argument?

wow it so cool that sweden always score so high on these kind of things, we are the best

quote:

Originally posted by Cal A part from http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/defaul...23-4-2003_pg3_2 on a National Geographic Society survey in 2002 We should not be surprised that so many Americans believe everything they are told about foreign countries by the propaganda machines whirring away in Washington. Independent, impartial international reportage is almost non-existent on US television. Most major newspapers are partisan to the point of risibility, and local papers are notable for their jingoistic fervour and even, deplorably, their self-righteous, club-swinging, flag-brandishing xenophobia.

So I am just a brainwashed American zombie ready to take on the world.

Cal, do you know how hard it is to play Banjo?

actually it's pretty easy, I heard.

...but I bet you play the skin flute like nobody's business!

Aww Did National Geographic make you cry?

quote:

Originally posted by St_Andrew wow it so cool that sweden always score so high on these kind of things, we are the best

I am from North Dakota (pop 634,110), one of the smaller and more insignificant states in the US of A. We pride ourselves in having one of the best educated populations in the United States. Our higher standards set by our state create a better educated people. About 90% of our high school graduates go on to college.

I know little about the educational systems in Europe, but the standards are set by each state and not by the nation. The non uniformity of education can be an advantage or disadvantage. Califorina is considering that students can graduate their junior year (11th grade) and skipping the senior year (12th grade). I understand that many European nation have a 13th year of school.

quote:

Originally posted by Cal Aww Did National Geographic make you cry?

yes. it sure did.

it didn't belie the fact that YOUR heritage has no claim history. sorry mr. ad hominem skin flute player.

if I go on, I'll be at the mercy of the moderators.

later.