Since I have been fortunate enough to travel a great deal I have always wondered how others see us, the USA. More often than not others don't see us as we really are or so I thought. This matter as been of greater concern since 9/11 because of the why and who that did it (attacked us) and the reaction of the world on how we are dealing with the attackers and their supporters.
One of the main sources of how America is viewed is throught the various medias, TV, movies news papers and our music. This is what disturbs me and a perfect example is the Super Bowl.
This is the biggest hyped sporting event of this country (not every American watches it but it does get the ratings) and it is seen around the world. How would you as a foreigner view a country that consider the pregame show and music and halftime show and music as representive of what Americans wanted for a family entertianment?
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
should we really worry about how others view us, i think we should only answer to ourselves and God. worrying about what everyone else thinks (politically correctness) is a waste of time, money and effort.
t roy, it is that we can not always see ourselfs as clearly as we think. That is why we get opinions from others, to learn, obtain other view points, share values.
It has nothing to do with PC. I don't want others to set the standards for the US. I just want to know how you see us. If you think your opinion doesn't count or by giving it it would be PC then so be it.
Now, step back and look at the events of the Super Bowl entertainment as listed above (not just the boob thing) and tell me how You think it reflects on us if you were an outsider. In otherwards, have no pride, just say it as it is.
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
The funny thing is - all those celebrities that make us look so bad to our enemies are the ones who protest when we have to defend ourselves against them. The arab terrorist does not hate us because of the hard working, middle class joe. They can probably relate to him. They see these celebrities spending $100,000 on clothes, $50,000 on a party, flying a private jet across the country to get a hair cut and see America as evil and wasteful.
If that halftime show personifies America, we are evil. If we accept it, we are evil.
God did bless this country at one time. When that blessing is withdrawn, and it may already be, there are going to be an awful lot of sorry fools around.
Regardless of how stupid some one may think others are in a global community their opinion does count. Their opinion guides their actions and we have to deal with the results of those actions. We can not be controlled by their opinion but others opinions of our standards do count.
But that is not my point.
Does the media reflect what the USA is all about. Well whether we like it or not it does. Just look at the debate about the boob on this forum. There are many here who do not understand that it is a big deal. So often you hear people say "It doesn't hurt anyone" Well it does. It reflects the degree or level of our morality. It is a limit sign for our children. You can go this far or further. Young people will always push the limits. It is the responsibility of the adults to set and enforce those limits.
People dancing on stage grabbing there croch or the other persons butt and talking about how they are going to have you naked by the end of the song or whatever goes to far. The arguement that it is free speach doesn't fly. There is a limit there also. You can not walk down a street yelling out profanities in an area where there are other people and children. This is no different. How the conduct is conveyed to the person does not matter. In certian venues it is not acceptable and Family TV is one of them.
Movie stars and athletes get their money from us. We go to the games, buy from the sponsor, buy the DVDs and CDs. We support their behavior. So when they do things we don't like it is their right and some will tell you that you are wrong for boycotting them in any way. Sort of the arguement people used to defend the dixie chicks. Well when your son or daughter doesn't do as you tell them or do things you don't approve of you take action toward them because you want to contro land develope their charactor and behavior. I guess that is violating their rights???
I don't think this country as a whole is in a spiraling moral decay but I do think that the entertianment media, sports stars included have over reached their bounds. They are what our kids see and our kids see us supporting them directly and indirectly. Giving those people our approval.
If we accept this type of trash and it is the norm for our country how would you describe this country and its people?
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
We are the Infidels?
