:sighs: Ok, for what it's worth, here's my $0.03 (you know, inflation)...anyways
first and foremost, I'm saddenend to see how the board has just erupted in such open hostility in the past few days. I went away to camp for a visit and I was excited to come back and talk camp-talk with you guys and here it is, open hostility and all these polls.....and the title of this thread?? Totally inappropriate, IMO.....
this board has always been a board that I've looked forward to reading, because everyone has almost always been so supportive and happy and helpful...it's like a camp family on the web and that's awesome. This open hostility and inappropriate name-calling is ripping the board apart, and that's not cool.....
Secondly, we are a country founded on the right to free speech. Granted, free speech should be handled with tact, and in that respect, I think that Canuck is in the wrong, but those that respond back with such low name-calling is just as wrong. We don't fight ignorance with ignorance, or names with names.....We should know that by now, for the most part, we are all adults...I had Brownies at camp last summer that handled confrontation and problems better than some of the people I've seen here....
Lastly, I am an American, and I am proud to be an American, and when anti-American stuff is done, or said, or such, it does bother me, but I don't go out and call someone names right back....we aren't perfect, and IMO, anyone that thinks we as a country are perfect is ignorant. Sorry, but it's true (IMO). Having spent time overseas and out of the country, living as a native of the country I was in (it was an exchange program) I could walk down the street and pick out the Americans before they ever opened their mouths. We are arrogant, hypocritical and ignorant (at times, and some people) for example, we sit and talk about how people coming to this country should speak english (people visiting or living here) but then we go to other countries and expect them to speak English for us. If you are so big about speaking English in America, you should practice what you preach when you visit other countries. I've seen Americans walk down the street, cutting people off, taking way too much space (physically or with their things) and basically being rude beyond comparison. It was times like that when I was happy with the fact that I could speak the language of the country I was in, so then I wasn't identified with the "rude Americans". Our country, as a country has done some incredible things, and has many reasons to be proud. My father fought in the Navy, as did his father. I've got close high school friends that are serving in the service as we speak, and know of many others that are fighting for our country and that is an incredible sacrifice they are making. I am proud of the fact that I am a citizen of a country with such outstanding and giving people that they'd give their lives for the lives of people they'd never know. I appreciate the fact that I have many liberties that I wouldn't otherwise have, and for that I am grateful, but I'm not blind to the problems that we have, and although it hurts me when people point them out in such tactless ways, I know that the facts are simple, we aren't perfect. I just like to respond in more productive ways, such as educating people as to how we're seeing in other countries, what we do that makes us seem so bad, and what we can do to fix the situation.
I appreciate the fact that Canuck has brought some issues to light, just not in the manner that they were. However, I just wish that some people here would have more tact to respond in better ways. I respect the opinions of almost everyone on this board, whether I agree with them or not. I see you all as my extended camp family and my friends and I have a respect for you and your opinions. However I may disagree with your actions....
My mom used to say to me, and it's stuck with me a long time, "I don't always have to like you, but I will always love you"
Just my (long-winded) $0.03
..::Mandie::..
