America's Declining Prestige?!?

[55North]

Apologies all.  Yes. it's Farage.  Unfortunately, I've been busy on the phone, trying to arrange our appointment at Kislovodsk ZAGS.  

It took precedent. 

 
Farage.  Definitely bloody foreign-sounding.  Sounds and looks like a Frenchy, what with their la-di-da, coming over here, taking our jobs and women, etc, etc, etc........

No! Wait! Even worse. A Greek/Balkan Jew.  Ought to have stayed where the sun shines.........
http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~faraggi/old.guide.html

This just in.......
http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/tag/nigel-farage/

[55North]

And here's Nigel  dressing down Tony Blair surrounded by all his buddies!  Gotta give him credit for having cajones grandes.

Actually, I agree with you there, Ronnie.  There is an incredible slowness regarding the rectification of  the wrongs in the EU, which are, to a great extent due to the prevarication and rule-breaking of 'Old Europe' (France, Germany, Italy).  This is exasperating for those of us that actually believe in the idea of EU, and want to make it really work.

[I/O]

appears to know more about our system of government and the NWO than most yanks.

That wouldn't be difficult.

You guys are smart down under there.

We know.

is it because standing upside down allows more blood to the brain cells? 

Probably the rarefied air.

Anyway that Aussie has produced a second 3-part presentation entitled FIAT currency, Tyranny and Presidents.

I wonder how "Aussie" with that thick American accent.

I/O

[Ronnie]

I wonder how "Aussie" with that thick American accent.

I/O

He might be a long-time expat.  I met two brothers (twins) once, both born in Oakland, Calif.  At 21 one brother emigrated to Oz.  Now in their 40s, there was no telling they were brothers in their manner of speech.

[WmGO]

That said, the reality is,

1.we DO NOT have one world government at this time and

2. if you think an economy as powerful and large as America is going to give up it's absolute sovereignty without a squeal

I/O

[1 and 2 my inserts.]

1. The trend is toward global institutions and global rules and regulations   and this will continue and increase. Ditto the formation of continental and regional governmental and economic trading blocks. 

2. You have not been paying attention to demographic changes in the
U.S. and how those changes extrapolate out into the future. Google
what they will be mid-century. A different culture with a different
mentality might not even put up a squeal, unfortunately.

[Kuna]

Has anyone else noticed an dramatic change in the perception of being an "American" lately?  And how do other Western origins differ in todays global view?  (UK; Australian; etc..)

Riv,

Ya kidding aren't ya???  Maybe you're just realising the world isn't actually bowed at the feet of the USA like many Americans think they are.

I've traveled and worked in the States and I've seen the good and the bad...  America has the extremes of both...  Some of the best experiences/environments/characteristics/etc in the world... AND some of the worst.  "Patriotism" demands that most Americans don't acknowledge the bad stuff though.

I do sense a new contempt for Americans and American culture that is a by-product of your "culture"...  and I don't think it's JUST about Bush as some others have suggested.

America has gone from a Capitalist society to a Materialistic society.  Who you are is What you've got.

Insecure people gain confidence through obsessions with plastic surgery - and some cases are extreme.  The superficiality in many Americans is out there for all to see... and it's a sad indictment of their emotional health!

We see celebrities treated like royalty, even if some are common thugs and criminals - AND they are generally valued more than those people that actually DO make valuable contributions to your society. I personally think the system is vile is someone is paid millions to act in a movie but someone else can't fund research into programs for humanity...  but greed is good - huh!

We see a corrupt political structure that may or may not serve your people well.  Whether you're happy depends on what demographic you live in.

We see measurements of character being replaced by measurements of wealth.


What is disappointing is that the good things about America aren't as obvious from the outside.  I generally think AMERICANS are good and honest people... I think AMERICAN CULTURE is corrupt and arrogant. 

Kuna

[IAmZon]

Kuna wrote: "Ya kidding aren't ya???  Maybe you're just realising the world isn't actually bowed at the feet of the USA like many Americans think they are."

Nope. that's not me.

Kuna wrote: ""Patriotism" demands that most Americans don't acknowledge the bad stuff though." 

In a superficial sense, the dull and numb, the talking heads ... yes.  But in a deeper sense, patriotism demands not to be wed to any thing but an ideal.

Kuna wrote: "America has gone from a Capitalist society to a Materialistic society.  Who you are is What you've got."

Yep!  I got to run to the bathroom and pewk.  I hate it,

I'm all for a revolt ... just name the time and place.  Could be anywhere.  Maybe this time the good guys could wear the Red Coats?

[I/O]

2. You have not been paying attention to demographic changes in the
U.S. and how those changes extrapolate out into the future. Google
what they will be mid-century. A different culture with a different
mentality might not even put up a squeal, unfortunately.

I pay attention to is words like this......and how those changes extrapolate out into the future......and this..........A different culture with a different mentality might not even put up a squeal..........

Might's and If's and Maybe's are speculation.

I/O

[WmGO]

Kuna,

Sad but true and valid points: it is decline of culture.

I/O,

True, but it is the past and the present that drives the future.
Methinks the writing is on the wall, unfortunately. And it will not
happen by force and arms. NAFTA didn't. It will come by continued
application of the festina lente strategy (make haste slowly) (Gen. Fabian) .........and abuse of treaty making powers.......and "experts"
saying this or that is necessary.........sometimes in response to crisis
or emergencies real or imagined.

For example:

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=59945

A Global Currency. Long advocated by many so called "intellectuals"
as well as very influential think tanks and organizations such
as the Council on Foreign Relations. Google CFR Pres. Richard Haas comments and writings advocating the single global currency. And here
we have the former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve advocating
such.

Unfortunately, most of humanity would probably be unable to understand
the political (global control) ramifications of a single global currency.

Rev. 13:16-17

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."


When this was written almost 2000 years ago, even the possibility of
such was impossibe and not even imaginable. Now, it is not just possible, it is an everyday reality that transactions require numbers and
the planet is now primarily a cashless one. As time progresses it will
become completely cashless.........and then..........................

[tim 360]

In answer to Rivardco's original post: Yes.  I don't know if loss of prestige is quite the term though.  In regard to my EU friends, I would have to say that I have seen a souring in their thoughts of the US Guv over the last 3-4 years about our Iraq war.  I am not trying to be political here but...Most patently disagree with what we have been doing there and all find Bush and Co curious at best and wonder how Americans elected him 2 times.  I don't hear much negativity about Americans in general, except the usual stereotypical stuff and the antics of some of our "celebs", it has more to do with our Guv's policies etc which they disagree with.

[BC]

Here's another tidbit to chew on along the lines I posted before..  At least it is getting mainstream media attention.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/26/beck.deficit/index.html

Prestige is often confused with wealth so hope this is not too OT.

[Ronnie]

Watch this 16 minute documentary and tell me if this doesn't connect a lot of dots.
"America must fall before the New World Government can rise"

[2tallbill]

This should be in the odds and ends section not the trip report section.