My goodness, that looks like Leslie Nielsen, yes? If so, he knows all about good Canadian beaver.
For many years all I knew about Australia was from Skippy! TV did not end up giving me a balanced view of America mind.
At my primary school there was a map on the wall old enough that the empire was still marked in pink, including canada. Not old enough to show when that included the eastern seaboard though.
I'd always sensed there was a sub-category of American actors that had a certain unique humility. Then one day I learned they were all Canadian.
Then there's the sub-category that gave me the opposite sense.. but I won't go into that here (*cough, take a Cruise).
Then there's the sub-category that gave me the opposite sense.. but I won't go into that here (*cough, take a Cruise).
I always sensed there was a sub-category of American musicians that had a certain unique quality as well. Neil Young, Jane Siberry, Checkfield, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Oscar Petersen, Sarah McLachlan, Bryan Adams, Brooke Miller, Bruce Cockburn, Avril Lavigne ... in fact these guys are so good that I'll even forgive Canada for producing Justin Bieber and Diana Krall.
The "American Exceptionalism" and "Manifest Destiny" triggered me to read about both. Absolutely despicable considering the misuse of power and continuous misunderstanding of foreign countries and other cultures. Thank you for making me wiser. The superiority of the anglosaxon race.... pffff...thinking of that I think the woke culture is well deserved 🙂
American Exceptionalism Is a Dangerous Myth
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For many years all I knew about America was from the Dukes of Hazard.
I later realized that most of what I knew about history was from the carry on films.
I later realized that most of what I knew about history was from the carry on films.
From trips far North in Manitoba ( Yes, a province in Canada 🙂 ), I know Canadians consider Americans are big mouths.
Outdoor wilderness there, quickly teatches humility, at least to those who survived getting lost in the woods.
Outdoor wilderness there, quickly teatches humility, at least to those who survived getting lost in the woods.
More educational than the pathe reels of the time!
Having visited small town America in some places I don't think it's too far from the reality. At least everyone being 'cousins' 😀
Seriously being a country boy i do love how things change outside the cities. Luckily have never heard the line 'you ain't from around here boy' and hope to keep it that way.
One think I never worked out is why 30 year old pickups are used as garden ornaments. Haven't gnomes made it out there?
Many, many Americans believe this stuff to their heart. Politicians refer to "American Exceptionalism" very often in their (moronic) speeches. For about half the country "American Exceptionalism" is off the table and not negotiable. It is axiomatic.
Even when I was 9 years old and being taught this stuff I resisted it. I started speaking against it when I was about 14. Remember the year was about 1972 so that was a very radical stance for a child to take (children weren't supposed to have opinions back then).
Manifest Destiny - This was considered axiomatic as well. I was taught "Columbus Discovered America" even though there were people here already. I raised my hand and pointed out to the nun (Nuns 😡) that there were people here already and I was immediately suspended. I was almost expelled (from 5th grade!) but my mom (the only authority figure in my life that wasn't a complete and total ahole) straightened it out with the Principal, and even told me that I was right!
In reality, the US is far from exceptional. It is backward, ignorant, and bigoted country. A stupid American is a good American.
Want to learn more about the US? Look up Dominionism Theology and realize that this is the direction the US government is headed. 😡
Actually Dominionism is very, very similar to Islamism, except that they quote from a different book ;-)
Jan
Jan
These people want to make the US a Christian version of Iran. They've been at it since the 1970s and they are now succeeding. (Remember the Moral Majority? They were the antithesis of moral!) Their first superstar was Ronald Reagan (Just Say No!) and their Crown Prince was Trump. They have a few ringers in the pipe now: Ted Cruz and Mike Pence are both staunch Domionists.
They're about a quarter of the country, but they make all the noise. Honestly if I were younger I'd be out of here. I'd be on their short list for summary execution.
I lived this song in my youth……still do to some extent! Even the car jumpin was a regular activity 😀
“Just the good ol' boys,
Never meanin' no harm,
Beats all you've ever saw, been in trouble with the law since the day they was born.
Straight'nin' the curve,
Flat'nin' the hills.
Someday the moutain might get 'em, but the law never will.
Makin' their way,
The only way they know how,
That's just a little bit more than the law will allow.
Just good ol' boys,
Wouldn't change if they could,
Fightin' the system like a true modern day Robin Hood.”
“Just the good ol' boys,
Never meanin' no harm,
Beats all you've ever saw, been in trouble with the law since the day they was born.
Straight'nin' the curve,
Flat'nin' the hills.
Someday the moutain might get 'em, but the law never will.
Makin' their way,
The only way they know how,
That's just a little bit more than the law will allow.
Just good ol' boys,
Wouldn't change if they could,
Fightin' the system like a true modern day Robin Hood.”