Mabel criticizes President Bush on AIDS

[ysbel]

I think some Americans exaggerate anti-Americanism. I lived abroad for a year and most people were very pleasant to this American regardless of their political leanings.

A lot of political leaders get heavily criticized by citizens of their own country. Its an occupational hazard. I'm not so naive to believe that someone critical of Bush is by default anti-American.

I never heard of an anti-Australian phenomenon except when asking a New Zealander. :)

[Warren]

Originally Posted by ysbel

I never heard of an anti-Australian phenomenon...

Ysbel, I think they are still getting us confused with those troublesome Austrians. :)

[Smilla]

Originally Posted by ysbel

I think some Americans exaggerate anti-Americanism.

I think it's something the American administration uses to get the people to side with them against all those evil foreigners who dare to criticize the American government.

[ysbel]

Originally Posted by Smilla

I think it's something the American administration uses to get the people to side with them against all those evil foreigners who dare to criticize the American government.

Nah, I think its mostly because most Americans don't have a lot of contact with non-Americans. Its a pretty big country and unlike Europe, its unusual for Americans to speak a foreign language or travel abroad to the extent that Europeans do.

My European friends travel quite frequently to other European countries, sometimes for vacation, sometimes for business, and sometimes for family. Even the teenagers go on a lot of school field trips to other countries. That's just not practical in America.

An American isn't likely to hear a lot of anti-American sentiment in their daily life among other Americans so when any foreigner newscast is critical about something in the U.S., it takes them by surprise. Of course, we all know, that bad news sells newspapers so its no wonder that most Americans are not going to hear what foreigners like about the U.S.

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by susan alicia

Mabel only wants to score with herself, she is a career woman

At least Mabel is trying to further a career with a good cause behind it. Mabel didn't make a contentious speech that could've potentially damaged the Dutch royal family's reputation or Dutch/American relations to further a career that would say increase her personal wealth or for other much more selfish reasons.

I don't imagine that people working for such social organizations make a lot of money, not as much as say CEOs or multinationals. So if Mabel is trying to further her career, I hope that with it she brings great attention to the cause of AIDS and brings in greater funding for research or resources to help those living with AIDS.

[Maxie]

Originally Posted by ysbel

Nah, I think its mostly because most Americans don't have a lot of contact with non-Americans. Its a pretty big country and unlike Europe, its unusual for Americans to speak a foreign language or travel abroad to the extent that Europeans do.

My European friends travel quite frequently to other European countries, sometimes for vacation, sometimes for business, and sometimes for family. Even the teenagers go on a lot of school field trips to other countries. That's just not practical in America.

An American isn't likely to hear a lot of anti-American sentiment in their daily life among other Americans so when any foreigner newscast is critical about something in the U.S., it takes them by surprise. Of course, we all know, that bad news sells newspapers so its no wonder that most Americans are not going to hear what foreigners like about the U.S.

I was thinking exactly the same thing earlier when reading some of the messages in this thread. I was born just six miles from the belgian border and just one from the german. I always consider myself as being a real european girl and as a matter of fact i think i really grew up in three countries when it comes to that. From an early age in made various trips into the neighbourhood and very soon I learnt there were others out there who had different ways of life and different visions (and different languages, of course). You won't believe how different the same piece of earth can get within 45 miles. For me that's what Europe about, so many different countries and some many different visions to which you adopt at an very early age. You make jokes about the other countries and the other countries make the same jokes about you. And after some time (when you grow older) you come to realise that some of these jokes actually consist of some thruths, whether you like it or not. And that people who make those jokes or have something to say about your goverment and it's policies are not necessarily 'anti-yourcountry'. I think that's the main ground why I have been so supportive of Mabel's venturing her opinion (next to the fact that I feel everybody has a right to venturing his or her opinion): it's just another voice of an European crowd who is doing what we're doing over here for centuries: talk too much and meddling in eachother's business. By which I don't mean to offense anyone, btw. I just love the variaty of so many different people on one message board.

[semisquare]

i have to say just one thing of the subject of americans traveling to europe. it is easier for an american to travel here in american because its much cheaper to drive to another state vs flying over the ocean to visit europe. im sure its just as cheap to drive to another country in europe than to travel to american, i think.

[pollyemma]

Originally Posted by semisquare

i have to say just one thing of the subject of americans traveling to europe. it is easier for an american to travel here in american because its much cheaper to drive to another state vs flying over the ocean to visit europe. im sure its just as cheap to drive to another country in europe than to travel to american, i think.

sad but true. only 5 percent of americans have passports.

[Smilla]

Originally Posted by Warren

Ysbel, I think they are still getting us confused with those troublesome Austrians. :)

Yeah, genuinely a part of the axis of evil, those troublesome Austrians. Always trying for world domination... :)