# Americans Who Think Differently Than I Do **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 10, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346 "2010-01-10T01:57:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/81 "2010-01-10T13:59:07Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > I live in rural Manitoba bud, every 3rd person owns at least one gun. \<— no, I can’t provide a cite for exactly 1/3 of rural Manitobans own firearms, I pulled it out of my ass but a great many of us do. That must make for some interesting gunfights in rural Manitoba – the next time I’m out that way, if I see someone moon me, I’ll be sure to immediately duck and run. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/82 "2010-01-10T16:04:54Z")
> [@Mehitabel](#): > > Just wondering how the OP feels about the fact that Canadians pour money into the regime in [Cuba](http://www.gocuba.ca/client/home/index.php)? Over half a million went there last year and don’t seem to mind the [tourist apartheid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Cuba) and prevalence of sex workers. Without making reference to the US, if possible, how do you see Canada’s adherence to morality and purity as being consistent with helping prop up such a regime? Or is your argument that Cuban politics are consistent with Canadian values; if so, how? This is an odd objection, considering the US relationship with China, and the fact that many countries have relations with Cuba - the US is the exception, and the reasons are not consistent with the rest of US policy. But this is probably fodder for another thread. ---
**Author:** ![hobscrk777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a6a055/32.png) [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/83 "2010-01-10T16:20:15Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:19, topic:524346”] The first thing that comes to mind when I read something like the OP is that it’s yet another clueless overgeneralizer who thinks that there are only two ways to think. Dude, you have absolutely no idea what the average American really is – largely because “average” is a myth. By the way, my tax adviser recommended that I incorporate my bookstore, so I now own one of those corporations you despise so much. Funny, it hasn’t made me want to invade anyone or kill anyone yet. Hmmm. Maybe I just need to give it some time. And somehow, the fact that I’m a gun-owner hasn’t made me disbelieve in evolution. I have voted for both republicans and democrats - sometimes on the same ballot. I’ve voted for independents, greens, and libertarians, too. I think Bush Jr. and Clinton _both_ should have ended up impeached and removed from office. In the 30+ years since I reached voting age, I haven’t found one single solitary politician that agrees with me 100%. Why is it that I can realize that not all Canadians are alike, but you can’t realize that all of us south of your border aren’t all alike? Moron. [/QUOTE] Wait, wait.. wait.. are you telling me that you don’t fit neatly into a compartmentalized stereotype? How am I supposed to spout my ideological rhetoric now? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/84 "2010-01-10T17:07:41Z")
Ca-na-daaaaa FUCK YEAH! So shake my hand And let’s be friends, eh? Ca-na-daaaaa FUCK YEAH! Dot dot dot, dee dee dee, whatever the HELL ELSE you want to put in there… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/85 "2010-01-10T17:10:38Z")
Probably wants to sneak over the border, get some of our health care. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/86 "2010-01-10T18:09:48Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > Okay. I care, deeply about your opinion. > > Oh wait, no I don’t. Sounds like something someone who cares would say. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/87 "2010-01-10T18:30:51Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > This will not end well. End well? It didn’t begin well. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/88 "2010-01-10T18:41:25Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > End well? It didn’t begin well. No I think it began extremely well… … From an entertainment standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/89 "2010-01-10T19:08:44Z")
You know, **Zeke** isn’t exactly _wrong._ ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/90 "2010-01-10T19:32:08Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > You know, **Zeke** isn’t exactly _wrong._ That’s probably the most annoying part. There is some much vitriol that he fails to make the points he wants to make, my interpretation being that the US is wasting so much time and talent on such garbage, when it’s probably the one country that could really make the whole world a better place. . ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/91 "2010-01-10T20:35:28Z")
I just picture our hero here standing in the snow facing the U.S. and shaking his little fists in impotent rage at the border. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/92 "2010-01-10T20:45:04Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > Real Texans would never say a word like “wanker.” Maybe not, but [Oregonians would](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankers_Corner,_Oregon). ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/93 "2010-01-10T20:47:17Z")
It’s good to know that Canada also has posters on the level of Curtis LeMay. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/94 "2010-01-10T20:59:53Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > That’s probably the most annoying part. There is some much vitriol that he fails to make the points he wants to make, my interpretation being that the US is wasting so much time and talent on such garbage, when it’s probably the one country that could really make the whole world a better place. Part of what makes that so frustrating is everyone spouting the party line, that the US is the best country in the world. You don’t have to do anything better if you’re already the best, do you? As Dr. Phil says, can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/95 "2010-01-10T21:23:57Z")
Doesn’t follow. We were the best country evah the instant of our birth, the first country to expressly commit to revolution and overthrow of the old order of oppression and inequality, in pursuit of justice and equality. OK, its taking longer than we thought, but still, everybody else is playing catch up. So, OK, they’re getting pretty close, in some ways, even better. So, we try harder, we press harder for full equality of our citizens of whatever stripe, we press harder for economic justice and full civil rights. Anybody gets ahead of us in the race for virtue, we send them a cake saying “Congratulations, and Watch Yer Ass, 'Cause We’re Gaining on You!” That’s an attitude I can get behind, much better than “This is our planet, and the rest of you just live here.” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/96 "2010-01-10T22:12:34Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > “Oh, but our army kicks ass and we are a kick ass nation because these colours don’t run!” And they don’t, but only because you only fuck with countries whose militaries comprise three planes, a tank and four guns. Your fucking street gangs (that OWN chunks of your cities) are better armed. But at least you never run. Just for the record, the Iraqi military was the world’s fourth-largest in 1991, and arguably the most battle-tested. > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Given that he started off by using the word “tonnes,” I’m guessing the UK, Canada, Australia or Rhodesia. If it’s the latter, he probably ought to update his passport. > [@](#): > > You know, Zeke isn’t exactly _wrong._ He’s not exactly right. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/97 "2010-01-10T22:39:53Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Just for the record, the Iraqi military was the world’s fourth-largest in 1991, and arguably the most battle-tested. But against whom? Modern middle-eastern armies are notorious for turning tail and running when the going gets tough. The Israelis famously routed three middle-eastern armies containing units from six other nations in 1967. Egypt had 1000 tanks and over 100,000 troops in that engagement. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2010, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/98 "2010-01-10T22:49:23Z")
The Iran-Iraq War? 1980 - 1982. The Israeli armed forces were massively better equipped than their opponents in the Six Day War, and not really outnumbered - including reserves, they had approximately a quarter million men in uniform at the time. Egypt, Jordan and Syria had roughly the same number between them, and a third of the Egyptian military - the more effective third - was trying to pacify Yemen. It wasn’t the sort of David vs. Goliath showdown it appears to be- the Arab states were outmatched from the beginning, especially after the Israeli sort-of-preemptive strike on Egypt’s airfields, which decimated its air force and essentially decided the war. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/99 "2010-01-11T00:21:20Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Just for the record, the Iraqi military was the world’s fourth-largest in 1991, and arguably the most battle-tested \*People say “Iraq had the fourth largest army in the world”. Yeah, maybe, but you know what, after the first three largest armies, there’s a REAL big fucking drop-off. The Hare Krishnas are the fifth largest army in the world, and they’ve already got all our airports. \* – Bill Hicks ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346/100 "2010-01-11T02:43:07Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > \ > > He’s not exactly right. And therein lies the discussion. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-think-differently-than-i-do/524346.md?page=6)