Posted on 08/02/2009 9:34:20 PM PDT by Schnucki
It’s been a privilege, says the BBC’s North America editor Justin Webb, returning to London from DC after nearly eight years. And quite a privilege for America too, eh, Justin?
Now, don’t get me wrong: this is not a man who despises ordinary American folks. On the contrary, he appreciates their curious ways:
In more than seven years of life in America, I have come to value - to love, actually - the stolid, sunny, unchallenging, simple virtuousness of the American suburban psyche …Indeed, he forgives all manner of faults:
And yet for all the ugliness, the deadening tawdriness of much of the American landscape and the tinny feebleness of many of its politicians - for all that nastiness and shallowness and flakiness - there is no question in my mind that to live here has been the greatest privilege of my life.The bad side, too, alas:The immensity of America, the energy and the zest for life remind me sometimes of India. And as with India, where I spent some time for the BBC many moons ago, America shines a light on the entire human condition.
America can be seen as little more than an eating competition, a giant, gaudy, manic effort to stuff grease and gunge into already sated innards.You could argue that the sub-prime mortgage crisis - the Ground Zero of the world recession - was caused mainly by greed: a lack of proportion, a lack of proper respect for the natural way of things that persuaded companies to stuff mortgages into the mouths of folks whose credit rating was always likely to induce an eventual spray of vomit.
There is an intellectual ugliness as well: a dark age lurking, even when the president
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.telegraph.co.uk ...
Thanks to Damian for the good news and the honest appraisal of the idiot.
You could argue that the sub-prime mortgage crisis - the Ground Zero of the world recession - was caused mainly by greed: a lack of proportion, a lack of proper respect for the natural way of things that persuaded companies to stuff mortgages into the mouths of folks whose credit rating was always likely to induce an eventual spray of vomit.
He may be just another Euro-douchebag but he has a way with words.
At first you are amazed and dumbstruck, and then you just don't want to hear it, and are liable to turn angry about it.
Many Americans do NOT like to be told they eat too much, know way too little about the world beyond their borders, or are gullible (just look at the televangelists on Sundays or infomericals late at night and you know something is out of whack.)
Then, a majority of American voters went and put this fellow Obama in office, or salivate over Michael Jackson's death even during the risk of North Korean missiles falling on Kalakaua Avenue in downtown Honolulu.
Anybody beside me see a problem with America in some regards?
To say nothing of the British penchant for "bangers and eggs basted" for breakfast and their absolutely horrible greasy fish & chips. They wouldn't know what a real good prime cut of steak looked like if it slapped them upside the head!
“...was caused mainly by greed...”
“He may be just another Euro-douchebag but he has a way with words.”
For all of his journalist prowess, Mr. Webb missed a glaring detail; the fact that this recession, and the current crisis on our shores was caused by a Marxist driven ideology.
I wouldn’t attribute the use of “colorful” sarcasm as having a way with words. He’s no Buckley.
I find humor in his musings. Justin talks about fat Americans? Do the Brits recognize a toothbrush and floss if these sat on their foreheads, let alone know what an orthodontist is? Webb’s returning to the United Kingdom. He had better start memorizing the Koran, and maintain perfect health.
“Getting feedback sometimes, from external, objective sources, is kinda like shockingly being told you have bad breath.”
AmericanInTokyo, I don’t mean to be rude, but you have bad breath.
Some of the most arrogant and ignorant individuals I have ever know or have met have been people whom have either traveled abroad or have lived abroad. Some of the most genuinely caring, charitable, and easy going individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting or knowing are country folk whom have never left America.
To suggest that we’re not open to criticism is absurd. I’d like to see you visit Iran, or Saudi Arabia and shout to everyone in the streets that you are a Christian American. Visit Niger and tell the locals that their country sucks.
You’re in Japan? And we all know how the Japanese are open to foreigners becoming Japanese citizens, provided you denounce citizenship from another country.
Incidentally, I question whether a majority of Americans elected O. If you can include dead people as voters and ACORN, I guess he won fair and square.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/3666292/From-Uncle-Joe-to-the-boy-George.html
I learned to resent webb when he practically campaigned for zero and the democrats last year. If he wasn't paraphrasing democrat talking points, he seemed to be actively generating some of his own. It was almost like he was cheering on our destruction.
While he may accidentally notice and point out some of our country's legitimate problems, he completely missed the boat regarding the inexperienced, racist moron that was foisted on us in the name of "hope and change".
I think he's living proof of bbc's leftist bias and I'm surprised that cnn/abc/nyt/msnbc/cbs/etc didn't try to sign him on with a huge pay raise.
“Then, a majority of American voters went and put this fellow Obama in office, or salivate over Michael Jackson’s death even during the risk of North Korean missiles falling on Kalakaua Avenue in downtown Honolulu.”
If you’re going to use Obama (or M Jackson) as the litmus test for idiocy, well the europeans have us beat - they were slubbering over both of them more than we ever have.
I do think that we are way too obese, and the main stream culture is getting more crass and vulgar by the day. The litmus test for this is any commercial and especially the beer ads.
Oi !
Bangers n’ mash, fish ‘n chips, soul food, don’t forget the pork pies :)
America is light years ahead of any place else - just ask the Japanese who followed Tojo down his Enola Gay illuminated rathole.
What do you base your belief on? And before you respond, please read this article -- Top 10 Reasons Why The BMI Is Bogus -- then get back to me.
“What do you base your belief on?”
I guess they’ve never visited Tonga(no offense to Tongans). :^)
Looking at the statistics that the CDC uses to support its contention that Americans are becoming fatter and fatter every year, you will see that those statistics are based on the BMI - which is 200 years old and which, in any event, doesn't measure how fat one is.
“What do you base your belief on?”
By walking into any WalMart.
My point is proven.
How many WalMart's have you walked into in the past 6 months?
You’re right on target. This “crisis” is no different than immunizations, or smoking, or the government created Swine Flu “pandemic”, etc. It doesn’t just allow the government to force their definition of health care upon the American people. It also gives them authority to usurp parents rights if the government deems our children to be unhealthy, and parents as neglectful.
You’ll find this article at Big Hollywood timely:
Fat! It’s the New Smoking!
Posted By Jeffrey Jena On July 31, 2009 @ 3:15 pm In Political Humor, Politics | 107 Comments
As the Most Powerful Community Organizer in the world pushes through his vision for your future healthcare, his minions are hard at work. Myriad press outlets are blaming fat folks for the rise in healthcare costs. In Obamaland, fat is the new smoking! How and what you eat is the next evil behavior to be controlled by law!
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Here is the reason: in the future if you do not conform to the health police’s standards you will be denied access to healthcare. You smokers and drinkers, you fatties and stoners, you are a drag on the system. Your behavior is making you cost too much so go to the end of the government rationing line and hope we get to you. You oldsters and people with chronic conditions take a pain pill. You are a bad risk for successful treatment. In fact, why don’t you do us all a favor and take the whole bottle of pills and check out!
All you kids born in less than perfect health, best of luck! President Obama has already given his opinion on this when he was back in Illinois! All you gay folks with incurable illnesses, those drug cocktails that are keeping you alive are tres expensive! All you folks who are past 60 or 70, your healthcare plan for transplants and serious surgery is to pray you don’t get sick. You see, the best way to control healthcare costs is to give healthcare to as few people as possible! If the government can find some reason to exclude you, it will. Do you think it was hard to deal with your HMO? Try arguing with some government functionary for your kidney transplant. Want a preview? Try to get a little extra service from the post office “civil servant” behind the counter.
Remember way back in September and October when the Candidate Obama was promising you the same healthcare that Senators and Congressman get? I have yet to hear any of them say, “I can’t wait to get on Obamedicade!”
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Article printed from Big Hollywood: http://bighollywood.breitbart.com
URL to article: http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjena/2009/07/31/fat-its-the-new-smoking/
Copyright © 2008 Big Hollywood. All rights reserved.
How about if we start with violent crime per 1000 citizens and check the comparative chart ( per capita rapes is the one I just viewed). Would that be a good one? What is your definition of "light years" anyway? My position would be the United States leads in a great number of areas. However, the United States is not the leader of the world in all areas, nor is it "light years ahead of anyplace else." That is just a foolish assertion and academic facts do not bear it out, whether we are Americans or not for that matter.
“How many WalMart’s have you walked into in the past 6 months?”
You’re kidding, right? You mean you know of some that don’t have any “big boned” clientele.
Now, if you really want to get an eyefull, go to some “all you can eat” joints.
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