Go and watch the 'ball-game'
You just could not resist! Now see---
Nasty Europeans and Asians --all the same,
Conspiring against the Land of the Free!
But between ourselves - South Africans
Aussies and Kiwis and Brits
Well-spoken Indians and Canadians,
Don't they drive us out of our wits!
Must we forever put up with the food?
It's not remotely tasty;
Or all the trash from Hollywood?
And their wars are a tad too hasty.
Of course we can understand
They can't be expected to think
That we don't know all about their land
And the Grey and the Cream and the Pink.
And so across the cyberspace
Their spangled flag's unfurled
A symbol of their lack of grace,
Draped on a hostile world.
Author notes
God bless America! and one or two others.
Tell me what you REALLY think!
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
-
Annnnnnnnnddd...Americans have about as much control over our politicians as everyone else in the world has over their own.
-
This represents a very small and relatively insignificant portion of America, as I'm sure you know. Unfortunately, it is only the ugly side that gets any press at all, much like the rest of the world. The vast, usually silent majority of us are hardworking, compassionate, humble and quite appalled by the aberrant behavior of the rest of them. 
In fact, very few of us ever even consider appearing on "American Idol" or "Oprah". The rest of us merely shake our heads and go back to the business of living. 
-
-
Yes.....
.....but I wonder how easy it is, for Americans to realise that, to a large extent, 'globalisation' has simply meant Americanisation. It pervades everything. Even without the Americans doing anything, Governments justify what they do by reference to what the US does -- a v recent example here is the highest court in the land. It is, technically, a committee of the upper house, the House of Lords, but in reality there has been no connexion for aeons. For want of anything better to do, this Government renamed it: The Supreme Court.
Culture is a big thing. Who owns the publishers? Americans. If you want to make a film that is more than an art-film, well, will the Americans like it? Why yes, provided that you have an American as a hero, even in a tale of some old Imperial escapade. History must be changed, if necessary. British actors in America tell of ludicrous situations where they are called upon to be v British-sounding, and when they complain that no-one would say what is in the script, they are told to say it just the same, because Americans think that is how the English talk.
Having said all that, Britain had its turn; and if you want to get an idea of what I am talking about, remember that China has about a billion more people than the US, and they are singing ever more loudly, that catchy little ditty 'The East is Red'.
Some children here are learning Mandarin; you would not mind so much if most of the films you saw had English sub-titles? Or if one of them about the War of Independance starred a couple of Chinese freedom-fighters, with Washington and co trailing around in the back-ground?
More seriously, there is a gigantic chasm between the UK and the US in one respect: the average American is a church-goer; the average Brit is not.
What a rant in response to your friendly comment!
E
-
-
And I don't like subtitles. If I wanted to read, I'd buy the book instead.
-
I'd say so. As long as people continue to use categories and labels as they do, there will always be a rift between one culture and another. I, for one, detest being "put in a box" and called "this or that". I am unique, as is everyone else. Generalizations never do anything but cause problems, whether it be between the genders or between one nation and another. Sigh. 
-
-
I beg....
... you to read my one called 'Venus and Mars', just because of the mention of 'generalisation'. I absolutely agree with you about labels in theory: it's just that without them, mankind would never have crept out of the cave!
E
-
-
-
-
well done , a thought provoking rant, american bashing seems to be a popular sport these days one from which i do not indulge myself but rather us brits tend to view them as latent , wayward and rather naughty children in need of a fatherly arm and occasional spanking. well done again!!
-
-
Thank you
It was just fun. And anyone who feels like it may defend their country against such calumnies, or to launch an attack on my own.
-
-
I would hope ...
that this is a bit tongue in cheek.
I'd be curious as to what prompted it. Of course, I hear some of this from my co-editor sometimes (who lives in Canada), but not nearly so blatant. He hates rightwing Americans, but then so do I, so we rarely have any disagreements over that.
I really wonder what the "gray and cream and pink" line means?
In any case, it's an interesting read, even if half of it escapes me utterly. Good luck with your writing in future.
-
-
And you would...
...be right! It was prompted by an American flag being waved across my screen by AP. It revived petty annoyances. Would the Americans put up with endless films and TV programmes from Britain? No, but that is what we get. People here were baseball caps with no idea who the team is, but because it is somehow fashionable. But those are things which the British have allowed to happen, backed up by a supine government (films, eg, cannot be restricted because of WTO rules, subject to the French exception). Cyberspace is different: there, if the US, or its people choose to say, 'well, this is the way it is, take it or leave it', they may be able to force the most absurd stuff on me (this computer and the software is governed by the law of Delaware, one other state, and the Republic of Ireland), but I don't have to like it. Since I am pro-American, you can guess at feelings elswhere.
As for the 'grey and cream and pink, that was how this Stars and Bars came out on my screen. A faded Red White and Blue.
I was also intrigued, once the title had popped into my head, as to how many Americans would be hooked. It is, in reality, just as you say: tongue firmly in cheek.
I am sorry that it was obscure: I thought it totally lucid!
E -
-
Americans have a very odd fascination with Britain ...
and particularly with British movies, British actors, and Princess Diana (as do I, I must admit.)
We see a lot of British movies here, and we also see a lot of British TV series, although not so much in prime time. I'd wager though that most Americans were quite taken with Princess Diana. I rather doubt you'd find too many detractors if you bring up her name. Since there is such a "cult" feeling about anything British, particularly the accent, I'd say that you would be really amazed at how strong the pro-British sentiments are here. Actually, Elton John's version of "Candle In The WInd" for Princess Diana was the best selling single of all time in North America. So, no, I rather doubt that Americans would do much complaining about "too much" of anything British.
-
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 11 of 11
