Text 42043, 86 rader
Skriven 2006-10-29 08:27:00 av FRANK SCHEIDT (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av JEFF SMITH
Ärende: Insults
===============
-=> Quoting Jeff Smith to All <=-

 JS> Well, lets see I have seen mention of Russians, Americans,
 JS> Dutch, Europeans, Canadians, Scandinavians, USAians, Swedes, amoung
 JS> others. 

 JS> While I think that most of the references and insults have been
 JS> for more entertainment purposes than meant as a true heartfealt
 JS> insult. What is the positive purpose here? I don't think anyone likes
 JS> to see their country insulted either directly or by reference. Can't we
 JS> have discussions and yes disagreements without the nessesity to
 JS> reference one's nationality? I am sure some will respond with something
 JS> like " Well... They do it. Why not talk to them?" I am raising this
 JS> question to all. To those that I consider a friend as well as those
 JS> that I may not. This is not an INSULT or FLAME echo. Lets please take
 JS> steps to stop the needless insults or at least to take them to an echo
 JS> where they are better suited. I realise that I am not the moderator
 JS> here and that I carry no more authority than anyone else. I am simply
 JS> asking that we all (Myself included) do our part to bring this echo
 JS> back to where it should be. I have a few more thoughts but haven't the
 JS> energy or feel well enough to articulate them sufficiently at the
 JS> moment. 

Yours is certainly a moderate approach for which you should be 
commended.  However it might be instructive to see how *part* of 
the insults/flames which are related to *me* came into being.  I 
speak of only *my* participation:

A number of months ago I happened to mention that the world -- 
especially the Europeans -- owed America a great debt.  The 
Europeans, immediately on the defensive, *demanded* that I 
support the charge.  That was a big mistake on their part, of 
course since the defense is easy.  

I suggested we consider only the Twentieth Century.  I didn't 
even go so far back as Theodore Roosevelt's actions in settling 
the Russo-Japanese war.  I mentioned WWI in which the Europeans 
borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars from the US.  They 
promised to pay back the debt.  Of course, being Europeans, they 
never *did* pay back the debt -- other than the valiant Finns.  
Then, after, in effect *giving* the Allies in WWI all that money 
we sent over American troops who took a losing war and promptly 
crushed the German army.  The Europeans have always resented 
that. The German Spring offensive of 1918 had the Europeans on 
the brink of surrender -- then the Americans entered and within 
one-half year we had crushed the Germans.

Next we have WWII.  In that case, the US *again* had to come in 
to win it for the Europeans -- though, in the interest of 
fairness, *this* time Germany declared war on us and Japan 
attacked us, so we had little choice.  The fact of the matter, 
though, is that we won that war for the Europeans.

Then consider the Cold War.  The Russians had surrounded Berlin 
and were going to starve it into submission, in violation of all 
moral laws.  Harry S Truman sent thousands of transport planes 
with food and fuel to Berlin thus thwarting the Russians and 
saving the Berliners.

Then there was the Marshall Plan which took a beaten, 
poverty-stricken, helpless Europe and gave it enough food and 
equipment to help it back up.

Back to the Cold War:  The Soviets had the goal of conquering the 
world -- which they would have done if it weren't for the US.  
Ronald Reagan, a master of economics, knew the Soviets couldn't 
keep with us economically so he devised a costly defense plan 
called the Strategic Defense Initiative.  The Soviets, being 
on the brink of bankruptcy folded.

I think this is enough to show you why the miserable crop of 
Europeans we have here resent me.  No one likes it pointed out 
that he is a debtor who refuses to honor his debts.  So they try 
to insult me.  Mr. Vlist, of course, fears me so much he can't 
even respond ... heh heh heh ...

Even now, though, since the Europeans here have been thoroughly 
cowed I'm willing to give up the "flames" which they fear so, and 
indulge in civil discourse -- even with Mr. Blist and Mr. 
Forestorm ...

... "In time we hate that which we often fear." ÄÄ Shakespeare

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