[threadbear]

Don't forget arrogance.

[rogerhb]

Don't forget arrogance.

They didn't invent that, just practice it.

[rogerhb]

Rifle - Benjamin Robins(English)
Peanut - domesticated in South America
Motorcycle - Germany
Shorthand - Ancient Greece

[Tyler_JC]

<b>OK, you have me on the locomotive.</b>

But the steam boat?

http://inventors.about.com/library/inve ... fulton.htm

"Robert Fulton (1765-1815) built his first boat after Fitch's death, and it was Fulton who became known as the "father of steam navigation." "

Doesn't matter who invented it so long as the famous name sticks. For the purposes of human civilization, Robert Fulton invented the steam boat.

The swivel chair was definitely an American invention though.

Actually, it really doesn't matter.

An awful lot of very useful inventions came out of the American system of doing things.

The first modern democratic nation was the United States. And if anyone thinks that the American model of democracy did not lead to the global system of democracy that we enjoy today, you are sadly mistaken.

Granted, most democracies use the Parliament system rather than the winner-takes-all US model, the basic principles of democratic rule come from the US Constitution and the work of people like Thomas Jefferson and John Adamas.

If the US had stayed an English colony, the people of Poland would not live in a democracy today. It's a bit of a long logic chain. But PM me if you want an explanation.

So far we have confirmed scores of:
Americans 3 (well, 2.5, we could live without swivel chairs)
Rest of the World 1

I have no interest in continuing this debate. It's a waste of time to argue over who invented the steel razor blade or vulcanized rubber. History assigns people to inventions. Most of the time those people are the actual inventors, sometimes they are not.

But if the vast majority of people believe something, it becomes true.

[rogerhb]

An awful lot of very useful inventions came out of the American system of doing things.

Which nicely ignores the vast amount of scientific knowledge and inventions acrued by the ancient Egyptions, Greeks, Romans, middle ages Europe, the Renaissance, who all managed to do things without the "American system of doing things", and without which, the "American system of doing things" would not have amounted to very much at all, because it would not have existed.

[PenultimateManStanding]

Which nicely ignores the vast amount of scientific knowledge and inventions acrued by the ancient Egyptions, Greeks, Romans, middle ages Europe, the Renaissance, who all managed to do things without the "American system of doing things", and without which, the "American system of doing things" would not have amounted to very much at all, because it would not have existed.

I agree with all of this. What was done in the past is remarkable and sublime. We'll see what happens, rog, but I think it's going to be a bumpy ride here soon.

[Zardoz]

At the risk of getting this thread onto the track it was intended to be on -

The United States has become a religious right wing lunatic dictatorship with weapons of mass destruction and a stated intention to use them...George Walker Bush and his band of Neo Cons need to locked up and democracy needs to be reinstated in the United States.

As Rosanne Barr would say: "Well, duh!"

Does anybody else feel that the chances of Bush completing his second term are becoming a little less likely with each passing day?

[0mar]

Personally I'm proud to be an American.

One can be proud of American ideals (ie equality for all, live and let live, liberty and all that). That's what I'm proud of having. American ideals were noble, but implementation leaves a lot to be desired.

Our government is exactly what it condemns in every country. The only difference is that we have the firepower and clout to tell other countries to shut the fuck up when they point these things out.

As for American ingenuity... Most of those inventions would probably have been invented if not here. We simply had the luck of being the most stable and prosperous country in the 20th century. Had Germany not invaded Russia and conquered Britian, I suspect half, if not more, of those inventions would be in Germany. There was nothing inherent about America inventing those things; it wasn't pre-ordained. Rather, a conflagaration of circumstances produced those products.

[Anthrobus]

right said, omar,

exept that britain was not conquered by germany (and by no one else since 1066). They had these brave air- and seamen that didn't allow us to pursue our ugly plans.

Its a good example what it takes to stop a raging mad dictatorship and its shiny weaponry: The will and the firmness not to let it succeed. As the britains did in WW2, and as the american citizens did in their amazing struggle for independence.

Besides, i like these angry (american) writers like Kustler or Henry Miller (The air-conditioned nightmare seems quite prophetic for the po-aera) who speak out their disgust about the things going on and make their case for truth, real life and beauty and cry it in peoples ears in big words. Most must be really deaf, though.

[Anthrobus]

i propose we start a new topic here about the usa:

Why it is so hated and so boring, so resourceful and admired, a country of lardasses and geniusses, and how it comes that so few people care about their moron government.

what do you think?

[bochen787]

Exclusively American Inventions:

Avarice,
Lust,
Porn,
Rape,
Gang Rape,
Drugs,
Premarital Sex,
Alcohol,
Tobacco,
Firearms,
Junk Food,
Lies,
Hypocrisy,
Propaganda,
Evil,
AIDS,
Ebola,
SARS,
Empirialism,
Hatred,
Terrorism,
Usury,
Violence,
Stupidity,
Fatness,
Gluttony,
Sloth,
Arrogance,
Ignorance,
Bigots,
the list goes on to infinity and beyond.



American will be "liberated" , its citizens will taste
the true meaning of "freedom" , by the 'American'
definition of course!

[PrairieMule]

Exclusively American Inventions:

Avarice,
Lust,
Porn,
Rape,
Gang Rape,
Drugs,
Premarital Sex,
Alcohol,
Tobacco,
Firearms,
Junk Food,
Lies,
Hypocrisy,
Propaganda,
Evil,
AIDS,
Ebola,
SARS,
Empirialism,
Hatred,
Terrorism,
Usury,
Violence,
Stupidity,
Fatness,
Gluttony,
Sloth,
Arrogance,
Ignorance,
Bigots,
the list goes on to infinity and beyond.



American will be "liberated" , its citizens will taste
the true meaning of "freedom" , by the 'American'
definition of course!

Wow,

America originated all that huh? I thought the 7 deady sins originated pre-colonial times. Can you can supply us with more threads to back all this up? Otherwise I'm going to have file it under "Junk Archeology".

Before you poo-poo on America again from the mean streets that is suburban Arlington Texas: Be thankful you have a full belly. In fact be thankfull for some of the amazing cultural contributions mentioned by other posts above. Be thankfull that you have clean water.

Perhaps if America does not suit you you can take the A-train to Nigeria. If a culturally enriching educational trip to Nigeria this interests you, let me know I have connections down there. I know of several openings for pipe fitters on the Nigerian delta. I know things are not perfect here and it's fashionable to bitch and bitch about America without offering better solutions but show me a country that is 100% agreeable to 100% of the world population. Till then be thankful for the opportunities you do have as a US citizen.

[bochen787]

Does anybody else feel that the chances of Bush completing his second term are becoming a little less likely with each passing day?

-Are you kidding???? Bush will stage another 9/11 attack on the US,
blame it on Iran and then we go to war againt Iran and Suadi Arabia,
he'll declare for security reasons that elections cannot be held and then
guess what? He's dictator for life, at the for the next 8 years, and during this time he will make sure the [s]constitution[/s] god damn piece of paper is shredded to pieces and he'll really be dictator for life....

ALL HAIL BUSH! LONG LIVE BUSH!

[bochen787]

Can you can supply us with more threads to back all this up?

WHAT? you want me to supply you with 'evidence'? Do you want me to
do it the American way? Ok sure, here's the link www.americaisthegreatestevilintheworld.com (and don't complain if you cannot find anything) We ARE doing it the America way of 'evidence' remember? If its good enough for the UN its good enough here on Peak Oil.com

Perhaps if America does not suit you you can take the A-train to Nigeria. If a culturally enriching educational trip to Nigeria this interests you, let me know I have connections down there. I know of several openings for pipe fitters on the Nigerian delta. I know things are not perfect here and it's fashionable to bitch and bitch about America without offering better solutions but show me a country that is 100% agreeable to 100% of the world population. Till then be thankful for the opportunities you do have as a US citizen.

-before you implicitly start making fun of Nigeria and third world countries like Nigeria, I should point out to you sir that it is precisely because of America's Usurping and its EVIL ways that these countries are in so desperate a situation in the first place! Do you think it would be fair to rape a women and then chastise her for being a whore? Well, that PRECISELY what you are doing with the Nigeria comment.

Till then be thankful for the opportunities you do have as a US citizen.

-yes, I agree I may be slightly better off than most third world people, but DON"T THINK FOR A SECOND that makes me happier. What Oppurtunities?
Economic "oppurtunities' are just a prerequisite of life. Don't confuse that with the 'purpose' of life. We don't live for food, water, shelter, entertainment, luxuries. The basic necessary elements of life exist to support us so we can live, but they in and of themselves are not the point to life.

So in the sense, I might be better off in Nigeria, spiritually speaking.

[Specop_007]

So in the sense, I might be better off in Nigeria, spiritually speaking.

And yet your still here.
A man who lacks the strength to act on his convictions is no man at all.

You have my sympathy. Too spoiled to appreciate what you have, to spineless to act on your beliefs. Keep hiding in your safe little house.

[PrairieMule]

Does anybody else feel that the chances of Bush completing his second term are becoming a little less likely with each passing day?

-Are you kidding???? Bush will stage another 9/11 attack on the US,
blame it on Iran and then we go to war againt Iran and Suadi Arabia,
he'll declare for security reasons that elections cannot be held and then
guess what? He's dictator for life, at the for the next 8 years, and during this time he will make sure the [s]constitution[/s] god damn piece of paper is shredded to pieces and he'll really be dictator for life....

ALL HAIL BUSH! LONG LIVE BUSH!

No, I am quite serious. As far as Bush orchestrating another 9-11 and being a dictator, well, you have your voice, your vote and finally your firearm. Much like a firearm you should not use your voice or vote in a reckless fashion because sometimes folks will hold you accountable. Right now I am not on board with this Bush planned 9-11, some may think that's just ignorance and that's OK. It's just to big for me to wrap my head around the concept. I do know many Americans are using their voices and votes in a intelligent debate rather than I hate Bush. They have a better chance of persuading me on 9-11 than the latter.

As far as dictator for life, maybe, I think 2008 will give us a Jeb or a Hillary which is more of the same.

[bochen787]

Every innocent life that is lost is forever irreplaceable. Somehow that doesn't matter to the US Army. It doesn't matter to the Bush administration.
And it doesn't matter enough to the American Public for them to act on their beliefs becuase yes we do have a lot of spineless couch potatoes here in this great nation of freedom don't we??

Specop_007, you claim that I am "Too spoiled to appreciate what you have".

Quite the contrary. I feel guilty every time I take a shower, every time I eat a bite of food, or enjoy another hot meal or every night when I sleep on my cozy warm bed. I have the conscious of a 'thief' for I know that all this 'prosperity', 'oppurtunity', 'property' is nothing more but bloodmoney.
So how can I 'appreciate what I have' when innocent people were killed to obtain all this? I do appreciate what I have, but not in the way you appreciate them.

PrairieMule, the truth is the truth it doesn't matter what you believe. If you think 'ignorance is ok' then thats your opinion and its neither right or wrong and I'm not going to argue about that.
You said: "They have a better chance of persuading me on 9-11 than the latter." Whether or not you are 'convinced' is SO not the point.

[bochen787]

As far as Bush orchestrating another 9-11 and being a dictator, well, you have your voice, your vote and finally your firearm.

No PraireMule you are wrong again. I do NOT have my vote.
My voice doesn't NOT count here in the USA. (it doesn't even count in this kind of forum, and you somehow expect it to make a difference in the general american public??) And finally I am against all firearms, but even if I wasn't, we [us public] will NOT have our firearms for much longer.

Do you have anything substantial?

[PrairieMule]

-before you implicitly start making fun of Nigeria and third world countries like Nigeria, I should point out to you sir that it is precisely because of America's Usurping and its EVIL ways that these countries are in so desperate a situation in the first place! Do you think it would be fair to rape a women and then chastise her for being a whore? Well, that PRECISELY what you are doing with the Nigeria comment.


.

Your new here so I'l let you in on something. I have learned a lot about 3rd world countries from my father who is a contractor in Nigeria and has been their since the 1970's as well as other shitholes on the earth that produce oil. Thus I take some liscence of levity when a faily intelligent 20 something tries to lecture me "on how things are". Let me assure you the tribal problems and unrest of Nigeria cannot be dumped 100% on the oil companies. I can say you as a american could not walk through Lagos to get haircut without a machete or AK-47 pointed in your direction. Same goes for any Asian, Westerner, or European.

[holmes]

Mule, ALL Americans will find out their love affairs are more along the lines of Fatal Attraction. They all will learn the hard way. The ones that they hold hands with care not for them. especially AFTER they get into our lands. Its a big fantasy land they have dreamed up here.