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| quote: | Originally posted by NYCTrancefan
Certainly you cannot argue that in Eastern European countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia to name a few the Romani populations of those countries are treated as second class citizens. They are often referred to as blacks by the general population, education is usually not available or segregated when offered.
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I agree with you that the treatment of gipsies in Eastern Europe is awful (and the same goes for the treatment of Eastern Europeans by gipsies btw.), but that is a very liberal interpretation of what Yoepus wrote: He wrote that Eastern Europeans are treated badly in Europe - something that is entirely different, and which I deny.
| quote: | Originally posted by NYCTrancefan
As for Americans being treated bad in Europe wouldn't surprise me since people always try to get political when they hear someone is American, I have had friends who have gone to Ireland to visit and as soon as people hear that they are American they start asking a whole bunch of questions centered on politics, such as how could you elect George Bush, why are Americans so ignorant of other people, along with the other usual inferences. Never mind that over half of America didn't vote for Bush, which means odds are you just might be speaking to someone who disagrees with his policies, but do some Europeans take the time to know that, no, they simply want to argue politics because you are American and have already been generalized. When I go on vacation I don't want to talk politics but to relax and enjoy another culture, hope many Europeans realize this as well.
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So it "wouldn't surprise" you if Americans were treated badly in Europe. Sorry for not being totally convinced, it's probably because I live here and have worked with Americans living in Europe, and have been on holiday with other Americans living in other parts of Europe.
As to the burden of being asked about the political climate in one's home country, I must admit that I never have thought of that as being inpolite. In the last two months I've talked to Irishmen, Frenchmen, Norwegians, Swedes, Iraqis, Germans, Austrians, Slovaks, Czechs, Fins, Pakistani, Iranians, Spaniards, and Americans, and all of them I've talked to about political issues. I think that letting such opportunities pass would be a shame, and so far I have not met any hostility from people I have debated with - no matter if it's the arrogance of the French government officials, the gradual disappearance of the Irish national identity, or the merits of the Bush administration.
If people are fed up with talking about politics I expect them to tell me.
| quote: | Originally posted by NYCTrancefan
When it comes to Bush and the administration certainly they have no business in E.U. affairs but we could just as easily say that Europe has no business in American affairs by that token of sentiment and I wouldn't mind seeing both exercised. I believe with the issue of Turkey and the E.U. too much of a deal is being made on your part when the U.S. says it supports E.U. membership for Turkey, either way it is not up to America, but Turkey is an ally and the U.S is simply voicing support for that ally, what difference will it make when France, Germany, U.K all favor Turkish memerbership as well. I will never sell America short because I know what this nation ultimately stands for and administrations come and go.
P.S. America has seen other rough patches in its history and has managed to strengthen and grow throughout it all, all who predict the downfall of America seriously underestimate the spirit of this nation when all is said and done. America could be passive, isolationist and inward looking but will that be for the better in the world of today? |
Notice that I didn't target Americans when I complained about interference in other nations affairs (I said the Bush administration), and I think that you will find that we agree on these matters.
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