Boycott the Saudi's. dont buy their gas! <-----

[Satcomer]

I agree on we all should use public transportation more (when it is available - hint: most of North America is Rural). However, why is it fashionable for Europeans to bash the everyday American?

[aisikl]

just to be clear: i'm not bashing everyday americans -- remember what i said about generalizations -- i'm just a bit surprised (or even shocked) that someone would start a thread about boycotting another nation about oil -- so easy, lame and naieve --
this whole thread is of coursed colored by what americans read about europeans in american newspapers and the other way around -- but come on, all you americans on this forum: have you seen for instance this cartoon in a New York newspaper? it depicts france as a bird with its head in the ground -- or these pics of WW 2 graves with a caption saying something like " thanks a lot" -- i do hope (and i do trust) that the average american doesn't think like that and that it's again the media being silly and naieve -- anyway, i have nothing against america -- some of my best friends are american -- all i'm trying to say is: don't turn your brain off (and try to read non-American newspapers from the time, the world might just start looking a little bit different...)

[Satcomer]

" ... Americans just have to generalize everything and see the world ... ".

I see the whole world and it looks like a lot of people hate every American because they don't like the current US President. You have the right to hold such views. However, I have the right to say I believe that you are way off base about most of Americans.

[aisikl]

I'm super glad to hear that i'm way off base about most Americans and trust me: this is not meant ironically -- it's always good to keep communicating, don't you think? (which is why several countries in Europe don't wanna go to war (yet)) -- and you're right in saying that it's mostly your president that's causing these european views about america -- too bad, but that is just the kinda of power he has and if he's not adult enough to deal with it in a mature and proper way, then ... -- anyway, anyway: once more for the record: i don't have anything against america -- and please, i'd love to hear from the americans on this forum what they think about all of this -- you can even bash me or trash me while you're at it ;-)))

[Satcomer]

I'm not trying to flame your post. I just what to keep the record straight that most Americans hold wildly different political views and yet others vote for who ever is the flavor of the month. So keep voicing your opinions just don't lump all Americans with the current political climate.

[aisikl]

once more:

1. i don't feel flamed
2. i'm not "lumping all Americans with the current political climate"

by the way, Satcomer, did you see these cartoons that i mentioned? what did you think about them? just curious whether i was the only who got almost angry when he/she saw them...

[Satcomer]

Sorry to I did not see the newspaper. I read another paper. What you don't see in US news is the rift developing in the republican party over this Iraq war thing and Bush. He's getting it from both sides of the political spectrum. 2004 will be very interesting.

[aisikl]

that's interesting -- didn't know that indeed --