Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bloopity Bloop]

[Pluto]

New York City, hands down, is the best city in the world.

Disclaimer: This is only an opinion, I don't mean to say NYC is the absolute best city.

[chris_J2]

I like the restraint, shown by the US. It's the most dangerous country on the planet: if it chooses to be. They could have nuked the USSR, several times over, but won the cold war through other means. Kissinger suggested nuking Hanoi, during the Vietnam war, too, but that idea was quickly scotched. Can you imagine a world where the Soviet Union or China was the dominant power? Would they follow protocol, or have any serious considerations for human rights or environmental issues?

There's a lot more to like about the US, now that GWB has gone, too, imho. 'Tall Poppy syndrome', is alive & well, I see. If it wasn't the US, it would be the UK, China or Russia being sniped instead.

No country is perfect, nero. I'm surprised that you lived in 5 States, as long as you did, if you allegedly hated it so much. Maybe you should try a stint in Dhaka, Bangladesh, before you truly appreciate what living in a first world country means?

[classydame]

Hmm. I better think about what I like/appreciate about the U.S. before I leave it, eh?

1. Food/drink. Lots of variety, delicious beers & wines. American cuisine isn't steeped in centuries of tradition, so there's a lot of room for creative and delicious experimentation.

2. Variety of cultures. Remember those old commercials about Texas being like a whole other country? There's distinct differences in culture/vibes in NYC, New Orleans, and Twin Falls, Idaho. You don't have to leave the country to get a change of pace.

3. DIY culture in music, art, and media. There's a lot of stuff out there, but if what you want is not available, there are resources available to do it yourself.

4. Purple mountain majesties, fruited plains, and all that pretty nature stuff.

5. People are generally pretty direct, or at least easy to read.

I know there's probably more, but this is a good start:)

[Perceptioncheck]

[chris_J2]

Perceptioncheck, I was thinking more along the lines of the macro, big picture. There was no all out nuclear war with the Soviet Union or China, despite an out of control arms race between the 2, for decades. Agreed, the micro picture is not so pretty, with a number of proxy wars fought against Communism (Korea, Vietnam eg). Maybe it's the American people that exercise restraint, rather than the Government? Politicians who go too far, are voted out of office by those same people. Or impeached, as in Nixon's case.

This would not happen in Iran or Burma. Or North Korea, the only true Stalinist State left. But enough of politics.

I admire the 'can do' attitude of Americans. Nothing is too big or too complex to at least try, for them. And they more often than not, succeed, inspiring the rest of the world to follow suit. Most Americans don't have a problem with criticism, provided it's justified.

[DorkothyParker]

If you would like a dialogue, please make a thread for it. You will note that while these threads are set up as binaries, the posters themselves are not. Many of us posted in both threads, myself included.

As I stated in the original posting, this thread isn't about bashing or belittling other countries or cultures. It's not even meant to assert that ONLY America has the things listed. However, I have experienced the awesome creativity of my homeland. I have not taken in very much (or any) Swedish street/poster art. Sorry. I'm sure it's great. But I don't know. So, I will say that I really like street art in American cities.

I also love that I CAN love and hate the USA at the same time and it's totally okay.

Also, Thanksgiving!! Happy Turkey Day everyone.
http://www.overcompensating.com/comics/20081127.png

[classydame]

Back to the topic at hand!

5. American men are pretty hot, especially in the Northwest.

6. A lot of the cities are pretty easy to find your way around in.

[Perceptioncheck]

[Fermentator75]

I love the many beautiful beaches in Southern California filled with all of the beautiful California girls and transplants from other states... the most beautiful girls in the world.

You don't believe me? Just ask the Beach Boys because they've been all around this great big world and they've seen all kinds of girls and they couldn't wait to get back in the states, back to the cutest girls in the world.

[rusty1983]

[young_clinton]

[quote="chris_J2"]I like the restraint, shown by the US. It's the most dangerous country on the planet: if it chooses to be. They could have nuked the USSR, several times over, but won the cold war though other means. Kissinger suggested nuking Hanoi, during the Vietnam war, too, but that idea was quickly scotched. Can you imagine a world where the Soviet Union or China was the dominant power? Would they follow protocol, or have any serious considerations for human rights or environmental issues?

Except under Stalin the USSR was not particulary more dangerous than the USA. In fact the USSR backed down during the cuban missile crises to avoid world war III. I seriously suspect that there was some justification for the Soviets to invade Afghanistan too. China on the other hand under Mao was extremely dangerous, even thier fellow communists the soviets detested Maos craziness.

[.38 Special]

Today, I really love American Thanksgiving

We need more feasting holidays! Forget Christmas, it should be Christmunch! But, then again, that really wouldn't change anything for the Catholics

[chris_J2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_war_in_Afghanistan#Background

The Russians primarily got involved to support the Communist Govt of Afghanistan, (DRA) in 1978, and they did not want a Shariah Law State (Mujahideen). The Taliban took over in 1989.

The opponents in the war were the Mujahideen, supported (covertly) by:
Pakistan
United States
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Egypt
United Kingdom
PRC

Agreed, Russia & China came very close to an all out war between each other, in 1974. (Mao died in 1976.)

I like homemade pumpkin pie with cream. Happy Thanksgiving to all the US expats!

[Privateer]

I like American generosity and hospitality. I think it's part of a culture of abundance, and perhaps a legacy of pioneer days when people had to rely on each other's help.