Home > How They See Us > Archives > 2008 > August > 19 > Entry
A nation of racist, gun-selling, unhealthy polygamists?
America is a nation of polygamists that sold large piles of weapons to Saddam Hussein and whose citizens are not entitled to emergency medical care.
For the launch of a new pro-America Web site www.AmericaInTheWorld.com this week, a special opinion poll of nearly 2,000 British citizens was conducted. It was startling to see just how little they know about their closest ally.
For example, 58 percent believe polygamy is legal in parts of the United States. (It’s not.) More than 80 percent believes the United States sold Saddam more than one-quarter of his weapons. And many see the United States as a racist society — much more racist than Europe.
The good news is that this new Web site, launched by “a few London-based friends of America,” is designed to make the case that the United States is fundamentally a good nation. “America isn’t a perfect nation but it’s not had a fair press in recent times,” the site says. Amen to that. The group — British Conservative Leader David Cameron will be at the site’s formal launch party — rejects both American isolationism and anti-Americanism.
And tomorrow — Aug. 20 — the group launches a two-minute YouTube video entitled “A World Without The American Soldier.” Check it out.
Comments
By John Lonergan
August 19, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Heard yr bloke on Jezza Vine’s radio prog 2day. Cldn’t agree with him more. The Yanks are our cousins.If it weren’t 4 them during WW2 n WW1 we deffo wld be under the German jackboot.Have any of those commies ever read An Ocean Apart by David Reynolds n David Dimblumbum?
By Yep
August 19, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Contrary to the egos of Americans, they do NOT have a favorable reputation throughout the world. The history of racism, sexism, inflated egos, excessive consumption and a nation of people who don’t want to know anything outside of their own little bubble is what the rest of us know about America. I’m here from Switzerland on vacation and can’t wait to go home. The constant intolerance, close mindedness, and fear of anything not like you makes you seem paranoid and rude.
I’ve had to ask directions around the city and help with the local transit only to be greeted with snobbish attitude. The only nice people I’ve encoutered were those who work at The Ellis!
Atlanta is the most boring city in America and by far the worst vacation I’ve ever taken and I won’t be back. Next time I’m going to New York or Los Angeles.
By John Lonergan
August 19, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Yep,wot have the Swiss ever given the world apart from cheese and cuckoo clocks,suggest u go home.
By danny
August 23, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
im sorry this swiss visitor had such a bad time on their vacation…but its very unfair to label americans with name calling… justfrom one visit to alanta….true there lots of people who are racists ,but that goes in in every country ………just look at your example….sounds like your remarks are racist also… but the truth of the matter is…most americans are not racists at least not any more…our country is made up of all different races……but a lot of people are just ignorant and ignorance has no boundaries…….but i do agree that a lot of americans are arrogant…its rampant in our political system especially…and thats one reason the world sees us in such a negative way and im sorry for that but we seem to not have much control of how our governemnt portrays us….which is sad to say……..its seems like the more we give of our selves such as in disasters…and giving to charities…and even giving our families lives and service to the defense of other nations doesnt mean a thing …… and thats the worst part of it all….oh welll no matter what one gives or does….our governemnts actions over shadows all the good things we do….
By Ebaby
September 1, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
I am an Atlanta native and have lived in Europe for several years. As such, I am quite accustomed to defending the US and its people. I am glad that someone is coming to our defense because Hollywood and US media doesnt do us any favors.
As far as the tourist, I have met Euros that have been to Atlanta and its all or nothing. They either loved it or hated it. Atlanta isnt an easy city to navigate as a tourist but if you have the right tour guide, it can be a very pleasing vacation.