Comment by Ava Wilson on February 4, 2011 at 3:21am

Just wanted to point out you're mistaken a little about Iran. It's devolved more than you think. It actually was a beacon of equality in ancient times when it was known as Persia. It was one of the few civilizations that had pioneered women's rights. There were sometimes even female generals in their armies. Read that as a reference for a novel idea I was working on. :) So it's degraded a long way.

Comment by Radu Andreiu on February 4, 2011 at 7:19am

I also fear for the progress of Americans for a whole range of reasons. I don't live in the US, but I know how many people see Americans. The education and intelligence of Americans is often an object of ridicule, but I think that's not entirely fair. Just a few things about the land of the free as presented by the incomparable character of Boston Legal, Alan Shore:

 

See also: religion, gay discrimination, prostitution, racism, or the death penalty. And this is just hilarious.

 

Not only that all these issues are treated much better in some places of the world (Europe, Australia, and even Asia and Africa for some of them), but why the heck aren't there more shows like Boston Legal? I think the worst problem of America, and the rest of the world, is that there is too much Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga on TV, while important issues are put to rest in old dusty books for most people.

Comment by Denise W on February 4, 2011 at 8:31am

Oh, it gets worse in Arizona...they're also trying to secede from the union. *wincing* 

 

And yeah, I hadn't heard that about Iowa. Great start to the day. Is this already Facepalm Fried Day?! Yikes.

Comment by Lindsey on February 4, 2011 at 3:36pm

Personally, I wouldn't mind if that natural disaster grew to include the entirety of the bible-belt.

Comment by Snowcrash on February 4, 2011 at 3:41pm

Sometimes i wonder about america myself, it used to be the country i really looked to as being the most advanced in the world, but over the last 20 years it sure has been declining (if the news is to be believed)

I'm from the netherlands and if it had'nt been for american people posting here i would sure have thought by now america is one big asylum, i'm glad the people here proof that concept wrong :)

It's a shame though, i saw a poll a little while ago about which countries are the best to live in in 1953 and in 2005 i think it was , america was in 3rd place in 1953 but by 2005 it's now ranked nr. 49.

 

Still i think on overall some very great people live there and hey if it was'nt for america helping us out here in europe during WWII we would all be speaking german now, for me that gives them alot of leverage with me.

 

Some things i think are wonderful about america are:

The space program , for me the moonlanding is one the 7 world wonders , it still gives me goosebumps when i see that footage.

The computer, for me it's the best invention ever.

The internet, it's probably the best thing to ever happen to mankind, i can make friends all over the world i could never have met 20 years ago, and it gives people power, just look at the middle east countries right now, the protests would never have worked without it, the governments would have Crushed them ruthlessly, but they can't now with the eyes of the world turned upon them.

 

So yes, america has issues and it is worrying, but which country does'nt, i hope in time rationality will prevail and turn things around.

Comment by Misty: Baytheist Living! on February 4, 2011 at 4:14pm

Thanks everyone. I am always very interested in seeing our country through the eyes of the rest of the world. Keep the opinions running. I read and appreciate every single one.

Comment by Ava Wilson on February 4, 2011 at 6:31pm

I don't know where you got that information from, but the US has never been #49 on the best places to live list. The reality is poor but not that poor. In those rankings of "Top ten", America has fallen in 13th place, stomped by Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, etc, which made the top 5. The only number 49 even remotely corresponds to is our rankings in math compared to the rest of the world, which was like 38th place. What's to blame is our outdated and poorly regulated and funded educational system. Many schools still use textbooks from over 10 years ago. The fact is that textbooks are obsolete. We need to invest in something cheaply and easily updated like a national cirriculum online accessed through laptops.

Comment by Misty: Baytheist Living! on February 5, 2011 at 1:02pm

Show me a single argument used in Iowa now that wasn't also used in the south to outlaw interracial marriage during the civil rights era. 

And hey Snowcrash..this isn't an attack or anything, but I'm interested to know where you got your stats from. Mind linking us a source? Thank you! 

Comment by Snowcrash on February 5, 2011 at 3:11pm

I can't find the list anymore, someone on twitter had linked to it, but now that i'm checking those lists they vary wildly , not very trustworthy these lists This one lists america on 11th spot.

Ranked 13 here

Gah i keep getting lists of best country songs aswell lol, deffo something that's bad from the usa :)

 

Comment by Spencer on February 5, 2011 at 4:20pm

It does indeed seem that America's power is declining. I actually asked my natively Dutch father to get me a dual citizenship (US and EU) in case some crazy Palin-or-otherwise figure gets in office. I really like Europe and the surrounding areas, Holland and Sweden especially. America, not so much. I'm getting quite tired of bible-justified anti-whatever laws.

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