You misunderstand me. I wasn't trying to say that british attitudes were any better. In fact gun crime is nearly as big a problem here as in the states.

I would also stand up for the rights of the press in the UK to publish cartoons of the prophet mohammed... but I WOULD NOT EXPECT THEM PUBLISHED ON WCG !!!

And THAT is the crucial point. It's respecting that other members of the grid have different values, and not trying to force our own values upon those people. We DON'T have to abandon our values, just remember not to stick them in others faces when we are trying to build a WORLD community.

And this is exactly the sort of thing I mean about keeping the grid true to it's WORLD COMMUNITY OBJECTIVES

I had in mind certain far eastern cultures where even things that we don't even bat an eyelid for in the west, like a man and woman just holding hands in public, are considered extremely offensive. Or to buddhists whom even talk of hatred may be deeply uncomfortable.



I don't give a ** how many people americans killed during the 'civil' war to maintain their 'right' to carry instruments of death or whatever. Or that america is one of the 3 top countries for state sponsored murder (sorry I mean 'executions').

Whatever america does on american soil is entirely up to the americans, and if you want to turn this into an american community grid to promote those american 'values' then so be it... but don't try to pretend it's a world community grid.

In my dealings with numerous americans, the thing I find that americans really don't understand is that not all the world subscribes to american values, and more importantly not all the world (me included) want to subscribe to american values.

My point, is that since this is supposed to be a WORLD COMMUNITY grid, that perhaps it should try to show a GENUINE RESPECT for those WORLD COMMUNITIES that it's supposed to incorporate.

But your post just about sums up everything that I find objectionable about america, namely it's unwillingness to RESPECT the cultures and traditions of others outside of american borders.

Some of us don't want to see overt discussions on HATRED even if they are trying to put a positive spin (two negatives i.e. 'hatred' and 'is bad' don't always make for a positive). Some of us don't want excessive references to the american way of life/american school systems, etc.

But rather than try to show some understanding, you have just gone on the OFFENSIVE like americans always do, and basically said that this is the american way and if you don't like it clear off.....

Well.... if that's the attitude on this grid....



... oops looks like it is... so much for having a United Nations member on the WCG board. Clearly I misunderstood. Ah yes, silly me, the WORLD to americans is what lies within the borders of the USA.

God bless america ... (If you believe in that ****)...

I'm clearly in the minority, so rather than take the american attitude and stand my ground to force my views on others (with or without bombs or guns), I will respectfully withdraw from the grid.

Now where's that uninstall button...

** Edited for inappropriate language** TKH

(most of the whining snipped out)


I also don't run this project because of the graphics, but....
Wow!! Can you say sour grapes.
Your just jealous you don't live in the USA
Don't let the door....

**Edited for inappropriate language** TKH

Recently published study, causing some upheaval in the UK, showed that of the 17 richest nations, the Dutch schoolchildren were the happiest, the British most discontent and the US kids following closely (more or less how I remember the BBC World news flash). Suggests at least the English language kids have a commonality (how far can one fetch it ;>).

Most laughable recent government response: That report is 'Dated'. It's a year old and a lot has improved since. As if any government action can turn around anything substantially within a year.

No loss.

You're not the first who's said that to me. And the thing that truly amazes me, is that americans actually believe this when they say it!!!!!!!!!!

I'm currently sat in a hotel in the USA (at the request of my employer, not through personal choice), and I can honestly say I have no desire what-so-ever to remain here any longer than my employer requests (and pays) me to be here. ... No desire what-so-ever.

It's a soul-less, car-dependant, superficial ****, where freedom is spouted but the reality is self enforced social conformance. A country where ones car is the measure of a man, and consumerism is king. Life a finely tuned production line from birth to death with efficiency second to none. A country where the word 'culture' is associated with 'guns' above all else. Where biggest is automatically best, and excess an all too easily achievable aspiration. A country where 'walking' is a swear word. A country where the shopping carts are motorised to prevent the seriously supersized (to the point of disability!) consumers from having to actually exert any effort themselves. A country so vacuous that Paris Hilton is considered a role model. A country so insular, that they really genuinely do believe that everyone else in the world aspires to the their way of life.

And if americans really do like all that, then fine.... It's their country.... But, for the record, no, I'm not jealous because I don't live here.

I'll fully admit that the thought has crossed my mind to live elsewhere in the world outside the UK, but I can honestly say that the USA is not particularly high on the list of potential places I might like to call home.

(Just for the record, the UK is also far from perfect! ... I'm not trying to claim any superiority for the UK)

**Edited for inappropriate language** TKH