# Things people in the US are absolutely sure of but are completely unproven. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 24, 2002, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353 "2002-04-24T15:05:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/61 "2002-04-25T23:33:26Z")
That we actually elect the president. That American cheese is cheese! :eek: That George W. Bush was elected president. ---
**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/62 "2002-04-26T15:51:08Z")
Well, he’s back and he’s bad, as you young people say these days. I don’t know how the hell that happened, but I don’t live on these Boards, so I didn’t know what was going on. My examples were: This is the best country in the world. Our way is the best way. Anyone can succeed if he works hard. If you are not a Christian, or maybe a Jew, you have no moral compass. There is no official ideology here. Creationism seems reasonable. The US fights wars to build democracy and human rights around the world. There is no weather beyond the Canadian and Mexican borders. Otherwise, why do the weather maps stop there. Got any favorites? ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/63 "2002-04-26T16:34:22Z")
Adopting unconventional guerilla warfare tactics enabled the colonies to win their independence from England’s soldiers (who marched in neat rows like idiots, making them easy targets). Dogs are good. Cats are evil. (that one’s DEFINITELY true) In God we trust. ---
**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/64 "2002-04-26T16:48:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Osiris \* > \*\* > And our hotdogs have both first and last names. \*\* That’s _bologna_, Osiris, _bologna_… Sheez. Gosh-darn Commie… ---
**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/65 "2002-04-26T16:52:58Z")
> [@](#): > > There is no official ideology here. 😕 What is the blanket, proven, official ideology here? ---
**Author:** ![hapaXL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/94ad74/32.png) [@hapaXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hapaXL)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/66 "2002-04-26T16:55:45Z")
Here’s the major dose of cynicism that you might be looking for: We believe that economic growth can continue forever. Even if we already consume a third of the world’s resources and that growth is largely dependent on all of us drowning in debt to buy useless crap. We believe that major economic depressions and recessions are strange, problematic crisises that can be corrected with some financial tinkering. Of course, history tells us that they are an inevitable and almost necessary part of capitalism. We believe that the high-tech American way of life will (and must) continue indefinitely - the cliched flying cars, space planes and the like. You can often find a techno-cultist giving his latest theory on TV on how mankind can continue even after we have completely paved the earth and consumed all its resources. Should we live underground? How about gigantic bubbles under the sea? Maybe we’ll mine huge asteroids and turn them into huge spaceship-colonies and shoot our “civilization” into space (no, I’m not making these up - seen them all on the Discovery Channel at some point). Almost like we can never even consider the fact that we might at some point **volunteer** to turn back to a simpler way of life before the earth is turned into a burnt-out cinder. We believe that American society is the zenith of civilization and that all societies, even if not necessarily capable of “catching up” to us (we seem to think the countries of Africa might not have the capacity), are trying their hardest to do so. **And the capper.** We Americans believe that the USA somehow exists outside history and that we will continue to dominate the world’s affairs forever. While traveling in Africa, many people would ask me, “Do you think America will rule forever?” It was an especially loaded question in places like Ethiopia and Egypt where mighty ancient kingdoms once grew, ruled, and then inevitably declined. I usually surprised them by laughing and saying “of course not. History shows that all great empires truly believe that they will rule forever. They all take whatever necessary and ruthless steps to ensure that fact. They are all eventually blindsided by the factors that lead to their downfall.” (Actually, I simplified that explaination.) I don’t think they heard that answer very often from Americans. You can probably guess my politics. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/67 "2002-04-26T17:02:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sidle \* > \*\*That’s _bologna_, Osiris, _bologna_… > Sheez. Gosh-darn Commie… \*\* I’m innocent I swear! It’s all a frame up, Le Pen made me do it. ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/68 "2002-04-26T17:16:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bryan Ekers \* > \*\* > Actually, it was _Winston_ that tasted good (like a cigarette should). > > I’m Canadian, so does my absolute belief that Americans fuck up all the time (see above) count? \*\* D’oh! Can I claim youth as the excuse for my ignorance here? I don’t even remember the commercial, just read it somewhere once and was tickled by it. Now, come to find out, it was all a LIE! Nooooooooo! Imposters have been tickling me. I feel so violated. And, while we’re on the subject of what Americans believe, how about: screw it, someone else will do it why bother, I’ll be dead before it matters _my_ little angel would never do that! bella ---
**Author:** ![Yondan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/278dde/32.png) [@Yondan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yondan)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/69 "2002-04-26T17:49:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sidle \* > [5) GWB is not only president of the USA; he’s also a member. \*\* This is the funniest fuckin’ thing I have read this week! ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/70 "2002-04-26T21:10:55Z")
I’d walk a mile for a Camel. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/71 "2002-04-27T03:45:46Z")
Swearing on the radio!!! That’s the end of the world!!! I don’t care if there are people starving, PEOPLE MIGHT SWEAR IN A SONG!!! ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/72 "2002-04-27T10:12:50Z")
1. Pushing the button repeatedly will make the elevator come faster. 2. If it’s 85 degrees in the room, setting the thermostat at 60 will cool the room faster than setting it at 70. 3. 80% of people believe they are better-than-average drivers. 4. A flashbulb can illuminate an object 500 feet away in a giant stadium. 5. The fastest line at the supermarket is NEXT TO the one you are standing in. 6. Improv comedy has some redeeming value. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kambuckta \* > Die Yankee Dogmatism Shouldn’t that be Der Yankee Dogmatism? p.s. At least in the U.S., “Aluminum” is a 4-syllable word.😉 ---
**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/73 "2002-04-27T16:54:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sidle \* > \*\* > 😕 > What is the blanket, proven, official ideology here? \*\* The official ideology is that there is no official ideology. The propaganda is that there is no propaganda, only information. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/74 "2002-04-27T18:01:59Z")
The way I interpreted the OP made me think immediately of the vast conspiracy behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Absolutely unproven. But in my entire life only one person has ever told me “I believe Oswald acted alone.” Those were her exact words, and I remember being shocked to hear them actually uttered. For the record, I don’t know what happened in Dallas that day, but it’s taken for granted in America that the mafia, the CIA, Castro, the KGB, and several other parties too numerous to mention had a hand in the President’s murder, even though it has never been conclusively established. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/75 "2002-04-27T18:49:34Z")
American gridiron is the only real “football”. The metric system is just silly. Charmin is not to be squeezed. You can’t eat just one Lay’s potatoE chip. Dukes of Hazzard is entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/76 "2002-04-27T18:59:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 5-HT \* > \*\*Bryan is right about Winstons. But one thing i do know is: > Lucky Strike means Fine Tobacco \*\* **Lucky Strike Green Has Gone To War!!** I don’t know if people believed this but it sure wasn’t proved. For a modest fee (only pennies a day), I’ll tell what the hell that was all about. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/77 "2002-04-27T19:01:14Z")
The military would never, ever, think of lying to the American public about such things as combat losses or civilian casualties :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > You can’t eat just one Lay’s potatoE chip. Show me someone who can 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/78 "2002-04-28T02:04:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rand 100 \* > \*\*But in my entire life only one person has ever told me “I believe Oswald acted alone.” \*\* I believe Oswald acted alone. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/79 "2002-04-28T03:01:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sidle \* > \*\* > > That’s _bologna_, Osiris, _bologna_… > Sheez. Gosh-darn Commie… \*\* Upon consultation with my layer Mr. Cochran I am retracting my confession and say “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer weiner so everyone would be in love with me.” And add that’s it’s good enough for me ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353/80 "2002-04-28T03:20:10Z")
Intel isn’t really inside. Its just kinda hangin’ off the corner. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-people-in-the-us-are-absolutely-sure-of-but-are-completely-unproven/105353.md?page=5)