What is good about America?

[WilliamPitt]

I have my own thoughts regarding what is good about America, but I'd like to hear yours. What do you love about America? It can be a person, place, memory, moment, whatever. A snapshot in your mind that makes you feel passionate about your country.

Example: My neighborhood. The guy down the street has a pickup truck festooned with home-made anti-Bush stickers about 9/11, Iraq, Medicare. Every time a new issue hits the news, there's a new bumpersticker on his car. Two days ago, he put on a 'Rice Should Testify' sticker. Seriously. The guy who lives next door to this person parks his car in front of the anti-Bush guy's house. *His* car has two Bush-Cheney stickers on it. I get the sense that the two of them have been at this for years. I love that.

If at all possible. I'd like to keep this thread positive, but do as you wish.

Sound off.

[rinsd]

1. I don't know what's worse

That we have to create such a list or the fact that this has been started multiple times here.

[WilliamPitt]

3. I didn't realize I was starting a bad trend.

[ulTRAX]

56. that's the problem when there's not enough forums....

....and GD is on overload. Who can keep track?

[Vickers]

2. We have a heckuva blueprint

We just need to follow it a little more closely!

I like that most Americans like to laugh.

[bobthedrummer]

5. Yep. Our US Constitution and our Bill of Rights.

Gotta defend them though.

[camero]

4. The land

Just a smorgasbord of ecosystems that is great in its diversity. We have practically every kind of landscape in the world right here in America.

[derby378]

6. Dang, I was just about to use that one

The palm trees in Florida, the mountains in Colorado, the sweeping Texas plains, the Oregon wilderness, the Nevada desert, the Louisiana swamps, and the Alaska tundra - all of that flies under our flag, and that's only the beginning.

[RapidCreek]

86. Wow me to....

I've been thinking of leaving...and that's the one thing I'd miss....very much....the one thing...if it's still around in 25 years that would almost certainly bring me back.

RC

[Insider]

7. harriet, martin, john, robert, malcolm, sojourner

HOPE lives all around us, but especially in the words of the bill of rights and the constitution.

[Catfight]

8. Our rich diversity and idealism

Because it took great visionaries to form a country, by the people, for the people and of the people. That is why we must preserve those ideas or we lose everything and become like any other country.

[unblock]

9. we're still the melting pot

sure, immigrants aren't treated as well as 'natives', especially from certain countries and with certain accents. but we're far better than most countries in this regard.

second generation immigrants are pretty much accepted as 'regular' americans.

our hatreds, compared to most countries, are relatively limited. we fret about poor treatment of blacks, hispanics, gays, and so on, but we're far removed from the generational ethnic hatreds that lead to genocide and ethnic cleansing.

our ability to integrate people from other cultures is genuinely unparalleled.

[unblock]

13. you will notice bu**sh** is undoing every positive thing in this thread...

10-1 no one can identify a positive thing about this country that shrub is not in the process of unravelling, or at least plotting to do so.

sad but true.

[mhr]

10. Great Constitution, Early Liberal Tradition, Endowed With Ample Resources,

and a history of getting things done with a can do attitude.

On to modern times.

Well, some things are best left unsaid.

[Bluzmann57]

11. The diversity of the people

We have people from all over the world who bring their own ways and assimilate some of them into American society, thereby creating new and sometimes exciting traditions.

[KoKo]

73. The Music! Diversity of Music....Heritage of Music.

that's all I can think of right now.

[mikey_1962]

12. Must be something. Net immigration from every 1st world country

[Caution]

14. The Declaration of Independence

The Constitution is amazing but the Declaration of Independence is what makes me proud to be an American.

More Stuff:

Catcher in the Rye
On the Road
Thanksgiving
The fact that I was turned away when volunteering to drive down to NYC on 9/12 because they had too many people already.
The Grand Canyon
The Mississipi River
The Boston Red Sox & Fenway Park
The Appalachian Trail
Harpoon's India Pale Ale
Boston
San Francisco
NYC
The Boston Music scene in the 80's and 90's
The American Revolution
Abraham Lincoln
John F Kennedy
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Martin Luther King Junior
Harriet Tubman
Susan B Anthony
Thomas Jefferson
Ben Franklin

[Kathy in Cambridge]

31. The Boston Music scene in the 80's and 90's

I was there too-The Rat specifically!

:hi:

[Caution]

45. Yay!

I miss The Rat! I don't miss Rat Brew though. I used to love their jukebox. Nastiest bathrooms i have ever been in though

[sadiesworld]

15. That we may still have a chance to turn things around.

Sorry, it's been a rough couple of days (which is the impetus for the thread I guess). I'll take my crybaby ass elsewhere. :cry:

[unblock]

16. great place to be rich

great place to become rich, if you are willing and able to do what it takes.

alas, it's also easy for the conscience-free to become rich, see my earlier note about b*sh undoing all that is good about america....

[MiddleRiverRefugee]

17. Aaron Copland

Recommended reading: Look up his testimony before HUAC, if you want to hear an American speaking.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

18. I hate to say this....but not too much.....

If I had some real in-demand job skill I would seriously consider emigrating.

That being said, I like the music. Yeah, the music...R&B, Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Rock n Roll, Blues...stuff like that ..it really speaks to me. The music is really great. When you can get it..fortunatly I have some good radio stations and record stores in the area.

And the movies. America does do some good movies (although my favorite director, Billy Willder, was a Jewish emigre from Germany, so...).

And, maybe the convienience of having stores open all the time so I can run out and get stuff.

And thats really about it.

I can't say I like the people as most of the Amercians in my life are narrow minded, conformist, ignorant bigots.

Or the scenery. Compared to Europe the Midwest is pretty awfull.

So I am sort of in a state of "internal emigration". America? I just work here.

[CaptainClark23]

19. Brooklyn, NY - the B Train

Riding from Sheepshead Bay, into mid-town Manhattan is like taking a whirlwind tour of the world's cultures.

People can live together, and do. Thats America.

[prodigal_green]

32. Queens, NY-The 7 train

known alternately as the International Line or, as my doctor called it when I had a particularly bad case of bronchitis, the Tuberculator.

Let's see, what else is there to like about the people:
Optimism
Inventiveness
Volunteerism
Friendliness

What to like about the geography:
The desert Southwest
The beaches up and down the East Coast (never been to the Pacific, so I can't say)
New England Fall foliage
The wild places
Skyscrapers

* exploits the best qualities of Americans and manipulates them to into doing evil. For example, the optimism/lack of cynicism that the general public exhibits is taken advantage of by the liars. The liars know that the public doesn't *want* to believe that its leaders are evil, so it can get away with being evil, even when credible sources go public with that information.

[ClarkUeberAlles]

20. The Constitution

The ethnic diverstiy, the religious freedom, the ability to become a millionaire if you truly work hard. The general law and order in our society. Our beautiful national parks. Hollywood movies. There's so much to love about this country that you just can't put it in list.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[VelmaD]

22. You know what's really great about America...

the fact that we have the freedom of speech so that I can tell you you're out of your freakin' mind.

Pretzeldent Bush is a complete wanker.

[Rowdyboy]

25. Amost choked on my iced tea when I saw that one...

Glad he/she has been tombstoned. Think its time for a beer on that note!

[WilliamPitt]

27. No, Bush is great. Seriously.

He is the place of definitions. I know more about what I truly believe in from watching his sorry ass, and from fighting him every step of the way, than I have ever known before. In a way, I owe him for that. I will also enjoy the victory party after we thrash him in November. I will enjoy that possibly more than anything I have ever enjoyed before. Again, thanks to Bush.

:)

[Mr. Brown of MD]

28. FOR ME TO POOP ON

...well, somebody had to do it.

On election night I think I'm going to get really smashed. Hopefully it will be in celebration rather than mourning.

I like that I'll be able to get away with doing that with almost certainty.

-CollegeDude
Will be, regrettably, a week shy of the big 21, but exceptions can be made

[VelmaD]

36. I guess I understand where you're coming from...

I feel the same way about Reagan. I know why I'm a liberal and what I really believe in down in my bones from watching what Reagan did to the country. And I also suppose I owe Shrub for lighting a fire under my ass again. (Although frankly I give more of the credit for that to you and some other people in my life.)

The victory party in November is gonna ROCK!

[Vickers]

26. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

Whew! Man, that was GOOD!

*coughing noises*

Dude, that's the funniest shit I have ever seen!

[maveric]

23. Diversity in the people as well as geographically.

Being able to get a great fish taco in the afternoon and corned beef and cabbage in the eve.

Flying from ocean to ocean and still be able to hold a common thread with those on the opposite coast.

And you are free to go to:
Joshua tree state park to the fishermans memorial in Gloucester MA to Everglades natl. park to the St. Louis Arc to the Seattle space needle to Yosemite to Lake Michigan shore in Kenosha WI to the Kangamaugus hwy in NH to the Ocean Beach pier in San Diego to Padre Island to Lake Flathead to The French Quarter, to the Mormon Tabernacle in SLC to the Grand Canyon to the Tenderloin in SF to "Nathans" in Brooklyn to Sunset Blvd to PA Amish country to the "4 corners" to Maui to the North End in Boston to the Colorado Rockies to Acadia Natl Park ME to........
And still be in the same nation.

Diversity adds color. Diversity adds flavor. Diversity makes the US so different and so unique.

[pop goes the weasel]

24. The guy in the next town over

with his very own front-yard, visible from the highway, do-it-yourself billboard. He's hit Gov. Perry, a local company that did bad work on his driveway, AT&T Wireless, various sports teams, and most times he's just silly. It's like a sig line for the world to see. There are plenty of countries where he couldn't get away with expressing so public an opinion, and I love that about America.

BBQ. Small town fairs. Big city international groceries. Having great national neighbors (waves to Canada and Mexico).

[anarchy1999]

29. Granny D, Molly Ivins, Studs Terkel, Dennis Kucinich, Eugene Debs

Gore Vidal, Kathy Kelly (sp?), Howard Zinn, Scott Ritter and you too, Will. So many others to name. How about the young man who walked around the world for peace, know more well known as Jackson Thoreau, the author.

The list is long and inspiration is there. Living in North Dallas I find it hard to write of many positives in the neighborhood. Oh yes, there is one, ex-boss, right wing conservative, pro-war, had his whole perspective turned upside down by Greg Palast, myself (the anti-war protestor within his office, there was one day I could have been fired) and his brother, living in SFran and attending every major protest. Upon reflection there have been quite a few other moments in the last couple of years. There was the protest we all held at Bush's appearance right before the election of 2002. We were all at Mockingbird and Central and marched to SMU where he was appearing. It was the closest protesters had ever gotten outside of the "Free Speech Zones". It was raining, it was in November and it was cold. We also had people inside that unfurled a banner, were removed and several were almost arrested. Then there was the March on Feb 15, 2003. Many of the older activists said it was the largest protest ever staged in Dallas.

Thanks Will, you helped me reflect back and be proud of what we actually have accomplished these last couple of years. We couldn't have done it without you.

We are all in this together, meet you round the bend.

I forgot, Bev Harris, Andy S. Kevin Phillips, Medea, Kevin D., there are just too many to name. I am proud to be in their company.

Oops, just a few more...... Military Families Speak Out, Veterans For Peace, Mari333, Bring Them Home Now, Stan Goff..........

Once you get started you just can't stop.........

Jim Hightower, Michael Moore, endless authors and journalists trying to get out the truth. Robert Fisk (I fear daily for him when he is in Iraq), J. Pilger, C. Floyd, P. Krugman, Helen Thomas, RB Ham, how many more have to publish?

[IrateCitizen]

30. The fact that my grandfather, an 8th grade dropout...

... could build his own house and send both of his kids to college.

Seriously, that's what's good about America. Of course, this all happpened in a very different America than the one today, one in which egalitarianism was something we actually promoted rather than lavish wealth.

[jedicord]

33. I Cry at the Star Spangled Banner Again

A few months ago I wrote that I didn't cry anymore when I heard our national anthem, like I always did. Because "when the bombs bursting in air" were now our bombs, and not someone else's. Now I cry because the song doesn't mean what it used to. The pride is gone. I am no longer proud to be an American, because of what we have become.

I used to be proud because we protected the unfortunate. Our goals were positive. Bringing democracy to other lands meant helping the downtrodden. Now we have to add the word "Corporate" to America. This eliminates the positive and the downtrodden.

Even the learned Republicans advocate eliminating an entire race. One I talked to today, when I said we should ensure that our children not go hungry or be denied medical help, said we should just let them die. Not the Iraqis, but actual American children should die, because they cost us money. That's America today, my friends.

[theoceansnerves]

34. like a lot of other people..

diversity. i live in southern california and i don't know if there's a more diverse area in the entire world.
also, cheap and easy internet access, good higher education, beautiful country (when people aren't polluting it.)

[DrWeird]

35. Rap music.

And jazz and blues and much rock.

[RichM]

37. I love Americans who have come to loathe our government, & most

especially, those who recognize that the depravity of the Busheviks is the inevitable result of monopoly capitalism.

I also love apple pie, the Rocky Mountains, Vermont in October, the front steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, and Big Sur.

[ulysses]

58. "loyalty to the country always.

Loyalty to the government when it deserves it."

[Ripley]

38. Jim Hightower.

And his latest book "Thieves in High Places." The absolute best book I've read in a long, long time. Informative, maddening, hilarious and optimistic.

East Carolina BBQ is another great American thing I wish I didn't have to live so far from nowadays.

Just a couple for you.

[dad]

39. .

We invented the Internet

[Voltaire]

40. Mr. Pitt. . .

I love Phillies Baseball. And I would love nothing better than to see them in the World Series against the Red Sox!

[ElementaryPenguin]

41. Bill "big dog" Clinton!

And oh how I miss him (as does most all of the world)!!

:-(

[zebrathirtythree]

42. The freedom to hop in the truck or RV and go anywhere in the USA

Hunting on public land and with the ATV in some areas (I'm disabled).
Right to own firearms and shoot them on my land.
Free speech.
Ability to start my own business without overegulation.
Right to privacy in my home.
Low fuel and energy prices (not over-taxed like the EU).
Strong defense.
Civil rights.

There is no better place than America for people like me.

[anarchy1999]

48. I believe you may be in for some rude wake up calls.

"Free speech",
"Right to Privacy in my Own Home",
"Low Fuel and energy prices.....",
"Strong Defense",

And last but not least "Civil Rights".

Guess maybe you have not been lurking here long?

No insult intended.

Free speech = 1st amemdment zones

Right to Privacy in my Own Home = most recent Court of Appeals Decision out of 5th District Court, New Orleans.

Low Fuel and energy prices = Record high prices for gas being recorded nationwide, along with OPEC cutting supply, turmoil in SA, prices going up for natural gas...... all = Disaster!

Strong Defense = Far too many of our National Guard and Reserve forces serving overseas, far away from the country they signed up to protect, and for the oath they swore to serve.

A country not defensible, bent on Empire.

What is the quote, "....Those that do not know their history are doomed to repeat it.....", or something along those lines. This nation does not know its history.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

68. All I can say is: Wake UP!

[rumguy]

43. this

"If the trout are lost, smash the state." - Thomas McGuane

[skooooo]

44. Bob Dylan....

from his #1 fan. By the way, why isn't my Dylan avatar showing up? I'm new, but I thought I selected that in my profile.

[mouse7]

46. View out apt. window, Hope in Spring for Tigers, Powell's Books

My view of the PAC NW landscape is gorgeous, but almost every one is. At the beginning of Spring, the Tigers are still tied for first. Powells Books main store is walking distance from my place.

And, yeah, there's still a chance we can turn the disaster in DC around.

(On edit: William, you in particular would just lose it upon walking into Powell's Books)

[guitar man]

47. The common folk

I love the average everyday people I interact with where I live. The guy who fixes my flats and changes my oil,the folks at the local grocery store,the guys at work and the folks at the bar where I get an after work beer(or two,or three,or...)

They aren't rich or famous. They are just people. Black,White,Native American,Hispanic etc. These people ARE America.
Let's hope and pray we can turn the current situation around so America doesn't get completely trampled under Amerika's wheels.

[stevedeshazer]

49. This Land Is Your Land

Woody Guthrie
Sitting Bull
Margaret Sanger
War vets
Kids
Old folks
Unions
the Several States
Granny D
my family

[matcom]

50. Lots

just like most other countries

[G_j]

51. Jazz: some of the most creative music ever made on the planet AND

of course my own prejudice: The Grateful Dead!!

:-)

[G_j]

53. Native American culture

[Zorra]

52. The land. The topography of America is diverse and beautiful.

Probably the best country in which to make coin, if you can figure out how to keep it by beating the cost of living.

There are not yet (as far as I know) any military checkpoints as you travel around the country, something that I detest about Mexico.

The availability of goods and services.

Cultural diversity.

America puts out some great literature, art, films, music.

What we retain of our civil liberties.

[DinahMoeHum]

54. It's easy to fall in love with the region I live in. . .

Westchester County, NY; including Long Island Sound and the Hudson River. Especially the Hudson River valley region. No place on earth like it in the fall with the foliage, and the apple cider, and the pumpkins. Unless it's the spring with the strawberries.

The area has a helluva lot of early American history; from Thomas Paine's cottage (New Rochelle) to Washington Irving (Hudson River) to the Revolutionary battles at White Plains, Tappan Zee, Stony Point, etc.

You can bet your ass people out here are angry about "President Douche", no matter what their political affiliation. The area used to be predominantly Republican, but in the last 20-30 years, it has shifted to nearly 1/3 Republican, 1/3 Democrat, 1/3 independent voters. You don't make it to an office of State Senator or higher without transcending party lines.


:kick:

[Cat Atomic]

55. Americans have a disdain for authority, which I love.

I spent some extended time in Europe over the past few years on business. First in England, then France and Italy.

I love Europe, but there are some subtle yet fundamental differences I noticed in overall societal views. In Europe I noticed more of a trend to respect traditional authority, or to take the opinions of self-proclaimed "experts" as gospel. That happens here as well, of course, but I think it's to a lesser degree. Americans are more skeptical on average, and much more willing to tell a powerful person to shove it.

Another thing I love about America is the sort of respect for unorthodoxy you find here. People here are anxious to innovate, even if everyone tell them their particular innovation is stupid.

[BeHereNow]

57. Will, that is like asking...

what is good about that bouquet of dried flowers
in the dump.
Every thing that is beautiful about this country and its'
people is rapidly disappearing under the bulldozer
of corporatism. Unfortunately that is the reality of our collective
situation.
Beauty will survive in secret places, if only in people's
hearts. But it will not shine unfettered by the
dark clouds that grow in density daily for a very long time.
We are entering a very dark time, and though I think it important
and commend you for the thought, the reality is extremely grim.
Until the cycle runs dry, we must follow the advice given
by William Saroyan in his preface to "The Time of Your Life"
to "Encourage virtue in whatever heart it mayhave been driven
into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror of the world."
I am certain there are no better directions for the times ahead.
BHN

[anarchy1999]

66. Thank you for your harsh and honest commentary.

n/t

[BeHereNow]

91. Sadly-

I calls 'em as I sees 'em.
As the saying goes.
Still I wake in the morning and do my best for my loved ones.
However, I am not deluded in any sense of the severity
of the situation.
It is going to get worse before it gets...
worse.
That is a fact.
I may not like it, but that will not change it anymore
than you could change the scent of that dried bouquet.

BHN

[Ripley]

59. Are you using us for your next book?

If so, I want a cut. :evilgrin:

My other post was positive, but since you said "...but do as you wish"...

I'd like to say that America probably has some of the best environmental laws on the books. Too bad they aren't enforced, have been rolled back by Smirkaholic or are just simply not complied with. Whenever I travel to our lovely neighbor Canada or to Europe, I always notice the dirty, filth of America upon my return. Smog, huge dumps, trash on streets/highways...there are rare instances of roadway beautification that used to exist thanks to Lady Bird.

Americans are pigs who throw trash out the windows of their cars thinking what? The garbage fairy will pick it up in the night? It seems to be a mindset in the USA that littering is okay...from McDonald's bags to toxic waste dumps.

To end on a positive note....there are lots of us who want to change that and we probably have a good goddammed chance at doing that because we have a history of wonderful fighters for our country.

[BeHereNow]

60. Here is GOODNESS- DU Newcomer

17 year old DU newcomer Bush-Sucks-
Ah, I see more and more of our young people
fully cognizant of what is happening!
THIS is what is good about America!
WE MUST NOT LET THEM SEND THESE SOULS TO FIGHT THEIR WARS!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1313715
BHN

[spanone]

61. The mere fact that we can have a DU.

It is certainly a right that I personally feel the bush*men would like to eliminate.

[markses]

62. Ten Things I Love About New York City

1) Just Missing the Train: You're walking into the station and you hear the rumble of the train coming in. You pull your Metrocard from your wallet and slide it through the slot - you start to run down the stairs, but all the people getting out are pushing their way up. Shit. You get to the 8th stair from the bottom and you hear the rush of air (the air breaks letting loose?) so you push to get there - you're at the 2nd stair from the bottom when you hear the bell - ding dong - SHIT! You run to the edge of the platform just to see the door close in your face...but then, perhaps somebody at the edge of the platform has held the door, so there are the two seconds of pure and utter hope - then that bastard starts pulling out. You just missed your train. Nothin' like it.

1a) The Disappointed Faces of Those People that Just Missed the Train: You're sitting on a Brooklyn Bound 4 train. You're reading a book, but you look up at the what stop is this?, cuz you're going to Brooklyn Bridge and - fuck - where the hell am I??? - but the doors are just now closing and you see a young woman running down the steps, and the doors close right in her face, but she still holds out hope that they'll reopen, but they don't, and you see her face, and it's miserable and disappointed and somehow so goddamn beautiful and you think, Well how's THAT action? And you love New York.

2) The Black Spot on the Ceiling at Grand Central Station: They cleaned up Grand Central, so that it now has fancy olive oil stores and a really fucking snazzy food mart where you can get just about any spice your sick and twisted practices require. They cleaned it up good. But, just to let you know what a fabulous job they did, they’ve left a black spot on the ceiling for comparison. The grime was said to be somewhere in the area of 90% cigarette residue.

3) Inherent and deep distrust of any woman named Molly.

4) An Asian chick in Washington Square Park playing something slow and sexy on a violin, while the hustlers hustle close by, below the radar and beneath the fast moving clouds.

5) The Conductor on the N Train Who Drags out His Announcements: He says: “This is a Coney Island Bound N Train; Lawrence Street is Next; Stand Clear of the Closing…………………Doors Please” At every stop, everyone on the train looks up, waiting to see how long it will take for “Doors Please”. Talk about inserting a singularity into a bureaucracy….

6) Meeting friends for an early breakfast – replete with many Bloody Marys - in the Village to watch various college students and twenty-somethings, wearing the same clothes they went out in the previous night, making the ritual walk of shame back to their own apartments.

7) Brooklyn. Specifically: Eating a Jamaican beef patty in East Flatbush on a sunny Tuesday morning; the bodega owners on 4th Avenue who won’t let you take a picture of their signs; mentally aiming at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge while playing golf with hoods at Dyker Beach; hanging out with the Jamaican kite-flyers in Prospect Park, while they smoke their hoolie rats and insult each other in a language thoroughly unfamiliar to you.

8) Graffiti. Big, fat chrome fill-ins that disturb complacent architecture and awe you with the sheer life that refuses to be ordered, and that can’t help but bubble up with shock and difference through any screen of sameness. When arriving or returning by land, you can always tell how close you are to NYC by the marked improvement of the graffiti.

9) Those Tourists that Mistakenly End Up in Brooklyn: They went on the Staten Island ferry to get a cheap view of the Statue of Liberty. They trudged down the stairs at the Whitehall – Southferry Subway stop, but they went down the wrong side, so now they’re on a train to Brooklyn. They have those haircuts and clothes that say “We’re not from around here” – maybe Dallas, maybe Minneapolis - and the husband is terribly misreading the easiest train map in the world to read. The wife – impossibly blonde – is busy holding the youngest kid back from acting a fool, somehow terrified that all the diligent workers who got on in the financial district are aiming to harm her family. You approach them and say “You don’t wanna go to Brooklyn, do you?” and they say – “No, we’re going the 53rd St.” So you tell them where to get off and where to go, and they thank you and thank you while you give your sidelong glances to the others on the car.

10) Dive bars in Hell’s Kitchen and environs, nowhere near as tough as they were even ten years ago.

[CaptainClark23]

72. aw man...

you've got me misting up over here!

beautifully put, and I agree with every word. Even heard that conductor on the BMT...

and I'm surprised anyone calls it Hell's Kitchen anymore. Thats my family's first neighborhood coming over. true Westies.

see you in the streets.

on edit: issat HST I see as your avatar?

[markses]

76. Oh, I'm even more pretentious than that

The avatar is Michel Foucault. ;-)

Do not ask who I am and do not ask me to remain the same. Leave it to our bureaucrats and our police to see to it that our papers are in order - at least spare us their morality when we write. - Michel Foucault

[CaptainClark23]

87. irreverant image

the first thing that popped into my mind was a picture of HST and Foucault in a celebrity death match.

by way of explanation, I've been at working about 16 hours now, almost done.

thanks for the funny picture, think it might get me through the last hour!

[shekina]

63. We really are the home of the brave

Just ask a NYC firefighter. Oh, and Johnny Cash was born here too!!!

[Lisa0825]

64. Diversity in people, places, and things...

I work in a state workforce office, and more than any other clients, I love helping the new immigrants and refugees. They are generally still so optimistic about this country that it keeps me from getting too cynical.

We have every kind of landscape for every kind of taste.

We have more choices in products than any other country. I have talked to people from many other countries, and those who have extensively travelled, and they all say that our choices when shopping far surpass even the other "westernized" countries. Now, you might not think consumerism is worthy of high praise, but we also have lots of choices of items produced by local crafts people, fair trade imports, organically grown food, etc. So, we may have bad choices, but lots of good choices too.

All that being said, I am much less in love with my country now than ever... mostly because my eyes have been opened to more things this year than ever. I was blissfully ignorant about so many things. I'll never get that back... but hopefully some of the perpetrators will eventually be brought to justice.

[kaitykaity]

65. Long stretches of empty road.

Rap-metal music. Mom-n-Pop coffee shops. The internet. Public libraries. James Carville. Howard Dean.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

67. I'm very disappointed in a lot of things, but...

there's still

1) The natural landscape: everything from tropics to tundra, from rain forests to deserts, from deep valleys to high mountains, from thick forests to treeless prairies

2) Ethnic diversity: even Minneapolis, which used to be almost all Scandinavian, German, and British Isles types, now has Latinos, Vietnamese, Hmongs, Koreans, Chinese, Iranians, East Indians, and, surprisingly, given its climate, a rich variety of Africans, including Nigerians, Liberians, Somalis (lots of Somalis), Ethiopians, and Eritreans. One of the water aerobics instructors at the gym I belong to is from Eritrea. My church has people from Cameroon, the Caribbean, India, China, England, Scotland, and Lord knows where else.

3) Second chances: In most countries, it's hard to reinvent one's self. The educational system may force you to choose a career early in life, and if you don't like it, too bad. Here you don't have to be between 18 and 22 to go to college or a vo-tech institute. You can go when you're 50 if you feel like it, or if you have to.

4) Public generosity: Despite the freepers, people still respond to pleas for help for victims of disasters or for individual victims of crimes or fires. How many times have you heard or read that a fund has been established at such and such a bank for the Smith family, who lost everything in a fire? And people do contribute to help out complete strangers.

[anarchy1999]

69. A kick for Will P., This deserves to stay on the front page.

This thread deserves to stay on the front page tonight. I believe we will see a rather moving article come out of it.

IMHO.

[Forkboy]

70. Too many to list

but being able to say the things we do without being taken out and shot is right up there.

Fall here in New England has to be mentioned also :)

[Room101]

71. William how funny- you just described my neighbor and me.

I have huge yellow and pink Anti-Bush posters in the front of my house. If they put up a Bush sign I will put a Bush resume in all our neighbors mailboxes. They had a “support the troops” poster I retaliated with two yellow posters “Veteran Benefits” – “Troops pay cut” – “By Bush” HEE HEE

This is what I love about AMERICA!

[HEyHEY]

74. It's close to Canada? - Serious answer inside....

The one thing that really sticks out about the USA to me....is the geographical diversity. You can be in minus 15 and plus 40 (celcius) on the same day in the same country. As well, you have everything from tropical regions to the priaries, with the rainy temporate northwest thrown in. No country has as much diversity as the US. Which shows up in its cities as well. It's hard to believe ,from the outside looking in, that (for example) SanAntonio is in the same nation as Boston.

Its wierd when you think about it.

[Zomby Woof]

75. the literature

Mark Twain, Ken Kesey, Larry McMurtry, James Baldwin, Tom Robbins, Joyce Carol Oates, Zora Neale Hurston, Willa Cather, Jack London, Edgar Allen Poe, William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, Kurt Vonnegut, Gore Vidal... and on and on... these are the works of a great civilization.

[Mari333]

77. I hate living here more then I ever have.

I detest the US. I would give anything to leave, but my husband is so weak from his sons deployment, and so ill from it, I cant take the chance to put him thru yet more stress.
God, I really hate living here .
Yes, I hate it. Truly. I have been to Europe, and its exactly where I wish to live.
Sorry Will, I hate it here. Cant say one good thing about it.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

78. Hey, Mari333, are you a native European?

or are from the USA? Im curious where in Europe you where at.

[Mari333]

82. Ireland and the Uk where people I met were civilized and polite.

I miss it. Better place to be.

[Cleita]

79. There are so many beautiful parts of America, especially here in

the west that I wonder why everyone is running off to Europe and the South seas. When my husband and I once traveled around the west, we always ran into tourists from all over the world enjoying what our country had to offer. Americans take what's here for granted.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

80. Euro perspective is this:

"great place to visit but I wouldnt want to live there"....

[Mari333]

83. I heard that too. I should have never come back.

Had to, I had kids here.

[anarchy1999]

97. Maybe because trouble is coming your way.

As in the West. Some of us that have lived here for a long time do not like what we see.

By the way, when was the last time you traveled? In my small circle of friends, we take nothing for granted, period.

I believe we are about to lose it all, what do you think?

[Tinoire]

81. Ralph Nader

:loveya:

[JanMichael]

84. Friends and Family. Great music. Some decent downtowns.

All sorts of fabulous weather.

And some truly interesting regional proclivities.

[IronLionZion]

85. Everyone is welcome here

and everyone can find someplace where they like to live and build up a decent life for their families. Not all countries are like that.

No matter what you are into you can find it somewhere in America. Whether it is Opera music or tongue piercing or a good Democratic forum.

[sir_captain]

88. Film!

Americans created and nurtured the new literature of our time! Well, of course, with a little bit of an assist from that British chap Charlie Chaplin. ;-)

But seriously, say what you want about it, but Hollywood and American film have made an awesome contribution to the history of art in just the last 85 years.

I'll also throw out some thanks to NYC--the greatest and most diverse city in the world.

[Bushknew]

89. Where do I start?

Being born in this country is a blessing, imagine being born in a country where
children are commonly used as sex slaves.

I love American inventions.

I love to watch basketball.

I love rich Americans who donÕt have to but use their time, money and education to help
others who are less fortunate.

I love all types of American music and movies.

I love TV shows like 60 minutes, 24, and Wonderfalls.

I think per square mile there is such an incredible diversity of attractive women in the US.

[Generic Other]

90. I read this thread when it had no replies and have been bummed out

ever since. I got weepy, my nose bled, and now I'm wallowing in ice cream.

The things I love most about America? The elementary school I attended as a child where the poor kid had the same opportunities to excel as the rich one. The public library where I first learned to love books. The neighborhood park where I played as a child with my friends. The community center with its arts and day camp programs for kids.

And today? The school is struggling to survive the devastating impact of the "no child left behind" law, the library has been forced to make severe cuts in services. The neighborhood park now charges admission. The community center has closed its doors.

What I love, Bush and the GOP have targetted for destruction. For them, victory means erasing any public institutions dedicated to the public good. They will not be satisfied until this entire country has been destroyed.

[anarchy1999]

96. Thank you for your post.

n/t

It helped me remember.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

99. I feel the same way, GO

In the 1950s and 1960s, we "had the money" for good schools and libraries and community activities. Hell, we "had the money" during the Depression and World War II.

Now all of a sudden, with all those people in $500,000 houses driving $80,000 vehicles, we "don't have the money."

[Jim Warren]

101. touching

This little side thread, your post to generic other's, touches me.
Thank you guys.

I'm reminded of the time Bill Bradley (remember Bill?) spoke at the college I used to teach at and he reflected on the country he knew growing up in:

"..... we built communities, these towns and cities, street by street, and sidewalk square by sidewalk square, and we gave out time and gave out money, and we measured it out not too precisely."

[The White Rose]

92. Americans.

The most generous, brash, warm-hearted, xenophobic, egalitarian, idealistic, under-educated, creative, prejudiced, over-entertained, over-worked, daring, faithful, bellicose, wide-eyed, stressed-out, incurious, inventive, inconsiderate, optimistic, self-absorbed, self-promoting, self-deluding, hero-worshipping, heroic, magnificent, endlessly fascinating people on the planet.

[kodi]

93. the people. basically we are good, decent people

http://www.community-media.com/grace/grace_2001/Robeson.mp3

The House I Live In

What is America to me?
A name, a map, or a flag I see
A certain word, democracy
What is America to me?

The house I live in
A plot of earth, a street
The grocer and the butcher
Or the people that I meet

The children in the playground
The faces that I see
All races and religions
That's America to me

The place I work in
The worker by my side
The little town the city
Where my people lived and died

The howdy and the handshake
The air a feeling free
And the right to speak your mind out
That's America to me

The things I see about me
The big things and the small
That little corner newsstand
Or the house a mile tall

The wedding and the churchyard
The laughter and the tears
And the dream that's been a growing
For more than two hundred years

The town I live in
The street, the house, the room
The pavement of the city
Or the garden all in bloom

The church the school the clubhouse
The millions lights I see
But especially the people
- Yes especially the people
That's America to me

Words by Lewis Allan, Music by Earl Robinson

hearing it from paul robison or even frank sinatra reminds me that we living americans are just a link in the chain.

dharma is not always a bad thing, especially if one duty is to promote freedom.

[Andy_Stephenson]

94. The lower Rio Grande valley

in the spring at sunset.

[porkrind]

95. "What is good about America?"

Children
Free Speech
Curiosity
Diversity
Idealists
The internet
Coffee
Beer
DU and DU'ers
Progressive / Liberal / Honest / Humanist caring souls
People who think for themselves
People who hate corporations
People who hate consumerism / materialism / greed
People who love the environment
People who hate TV and love books
Slashdot
EX-mormons and anti-religious / un-superstitious people
The beautiful natural landscapes of America
Comedians / Cartoonists / Ethical Journalists
Unions


What Sucks:
George Bush, BFEE, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Condi, etc.
Corrupt politicians and a broken government
War
Greed
Poverty
Republicans
Lazy, stupid Americans who buy into Right-wing lies
Christian fundamentalists
Lack of health care
Consumeristic / Selfish / Narrow-minded people
Liars / Thieves
Competetive assholes who promote themselves at the expense of others
Bigots
Amoral Corporations
Pollution
The media / TV / populist "bread and circus" diversion issues
Orrin Hatch / Zell Miller / Bill Frist / Right-wing traitors

[9215]

98. The sideshows

The main event is a horrible farce.

[Jim Warren]

102. The carnival

apt metaphor, nice.

[SarahB]

100. Krispy Kreme donuts

Once a month, I go on a sugar frenzy and eat them! Oh, they are soo good.
I also drive by a house every day that still proudly has their Kucinich sign on the lawn (I think it's the only one in town). I know a few Republicans that are starting to hate Bush and actually listen now. It's gotten bad enough that people are at least beginning to realize it.