That's not true Chuck, don't let anyone tell you it is. That is the attitude too many Americans have when they go abroad, and it shows. If you go there looking for that, sure you will find it. If I can might I recommend Brindisi in the summer. It's on the heel of Italy. Lots of small café's, delicious food and the women are simply beautiful. I don't know how they do it as they stroll past you licking their gelato's.

I don't understand how you do not acknowledge that it is problematic when the head of government privately (or not so privately) controlls 90% of TV media broadcasts, including the state television. Do you really believe it is possible to seperate the private business man from the politician in that special case? I don't  think Berlusconi is a tyrant or anything remotely like it, but  he is a scoundrel.

Italy is a democracy with the most stable unstable government in Europe, and I like Italy and most italians, they're open a friendly people, very welcoming.. and Rome is an amazing place. I like history and the roman ruins there are really really cool.

Chuck, most people in Germany like America. Sure, there might be critical opinions, but the US is mostly just seen as the land of freedom and opportunity. You will rarely find people who are openly hostile towards americans just because they are americans. And germany is a really cool place in some areas, llike Berlin, Colone during carneval, carneval in general in the rhine region, we have coo coo clocks (lol) and great saussages like Wiener (note: Wien = Vienna, so the word actually just means viennese - and I know it is in austria but the kind is very popular in Germany as well) and amazing beer and bread. I met  alot of american tourists and they all love it here. In fact, some even like it better than the US It definitly beats Iowa on the "interesting place to visit" scale.

There are so many great things to see in Europe - even if it is rather smallish compared to the US - like Prague, Split, Vienna, Carcassonne (Southern france in general is very very beautiful), Amsterdam, Geneva.. the alps, the mediterranian, Barcelona.. they all beat most places in fly over midwest americana by a long shot. And the ppl are friendly to tourists and visitors

No, I don't believe it's possible to separate the private business man from the politician. But I don't care.

I have seen so many honest politicians do the most vile things, I prefer a good scoundrel.

I am a fan of almost any politician popularly regarded as a scoundrel or evil mastermind, from Berlusconi via Bush to Lieberman. I think they are ultimately more honest than the others, and certainly more than their critics.

A politician who REALLY controls the media is not one who is constantly criticised by them and he is certainly not known as a scoundrel to the mass media.

Germany's largest television network would NOT run a "story" (with in this case lots of allegations) about such a politician.




And the majority of them voted for Berlusconi, several times, despite the fact that all media outlets, except his own, have demonised him for over a decade.

I respect that in a politician.

This thread got away quick.

Obama does not physically "own" the media here per se, but there is definitely something going on. Never before in US history has the media used its influence on such a scale to get a person elected to the presidency. So what's in it? Just follow the money. NBC is owned by GE, the GE CEO is an adviser to the president, and the company stands to make billions on "green technology" (funded in part by the proposed cap and trade scheme). They don't even try to hide it. Go to the NBC gift shop and buy a "We did it" tee shirt with Obama's picture on it.

As for fear, do a search Lou Dobbs. Now I'm sure the Obama administration was not directly involved (there are too many willing to do the dirty work for him). Maybe you don't consider death threats or firing a bullet threw a window as intimidation, I do. At any rate now CNN has been "purified" and the "news" that sends a "thrill up your leg" can now get the party word out unabated.

That one sure didn't net the US any free oil (I'm still waiting for the cheap gas). I never thought it would, but the left here pushed that issue. Funny how quiet those noise makers are now on this one.

One does not have to control the media, just be able to manipulate it. Cash works well, especially if that media has other business interests.

Even the AARP who doesn't poll their own members for their opinion, sends plenty of money to support this administration, and even more advertising in favor of its schemes. Why? Because it also endorses supplemental Medicare insurance which nets it a fortune. Good business? Maybe. Does this support the interest of its members? Probably not, since it takes money from both liberal and conservative members and supports only liberal causes. Wouldn't you say that is a conflict of interest?

Same thing happens in New York City, except they don't call them the mafia, they call them unions.

The US media landscape used to be very diverse, but in recent years it has shrunk down to half a dozen media empires that controll most. I once saw the figures and owners, but I couldn't cite it to you just now. And you do not have license fee funded public broadcast companies that people are watching. There is PBS, but most don't watch that. The cable news networks like FOX and CNN and CBS and all the rest have to make a profit with their broadcasts, and are dependant on those who pay fees for advertising which gives the bankrollers of the network pretty big influence on the content. I've seen some critics say that quality journlism under those circumstances is neigh but impossible.

And your example about NBC just illustrates the whole problematic area with lobbying. I think lobbying takes place way too much and you can accuse Obama of doing it, but back then the ppl accused Bush for doing it in favour of the oil and car industry. That does not mean that you get cheaper gas, it probably meant more profit for the oil industry. I would say that both are probably true and that it is normal in US politics to do it because the campaign money has to come from somewhere after all. So it is not something that Obama does now that nobody ever did before him,  he just turns out to be a "regular"  politician who can't solve all the problems and also makes alot of mistakes. If McCain had had won, I am sure he would have had some similar relationships with some lobby or other as well.

Nah, we got drones and missiles that can travel long distances. We can stay here and still wage a war on anyone.

 

I know what you guys mean but it's more than that though. I can barely deal with the laws here in my own country, last thing I want is to deal with the laws of a country I know little if anything about. I would not want to be found guilty of something I didn't do outside the US. I would not want to break any laws and I would definitely not want to have to deal with someone who does not speak English (or Spanish). I get enough headaches here but at least I can always go home and relax. Outside the US, it scares me to think one small mistake could keep me from going home to relax for a long time. Until I can see relationships between us and the rest of the world are better to the point traveling from one country to another is almost as easy as going from one state to another here, I don't plan on going anywhere outside the US besides Puerto Rico. Maybe Dominican Republic only because my father-in-law plans on moving there and even then I doubt it. It's just who I am.

Your response is interesting. I've been to many countries and never much gave a thought to their laws, just act like a reasonable and responsible guest would anywhere, and there is little to worry about. Now I imagine lighting up a fatty or killing someone might be frowned upon, so I would avoid those types of activities. Locals are usually more than willing to let you know if you shouldn't engage in a particular activity. When in doubt...ask. Some people travel to certain destinations to take advantage of looser laws or restrictions, that is never my intent. As for the US laws, I'm sure I don't know them all, but I can pretty much stay out of trouble by acting reasonably. It isn't that hard.

Oh, forgot to add: Many people want to practice their English on you. Plus, it's usually not hard to pick up a few phases.

BTW You'd be fine in Italy, the Spanish and Italian share many similarities.

Yep, Italy is a great place to visit. It's a bit chaotic, but nobody seems to mind. For example,  many bus stops in Rome don't have a schedule written down there because the bus would never be on time anyway. I think you would really enjoy it and have a good time. I wouldn't really worry about breaking laws there eithr, totally agree with Nitro on that.

PS My aunt used to be a nun in Rome and I visited her there a couple of times - it's one of the most amazing cities I know.

Here in Ireland bus stops have a schedule for a DIFFERENT STOP.

It simply says something like "83a leaves whatever station/village at the following times:" and then gives a table with times. Where that station or village is, which part of the village the bus is leaving at the given time, or how long it takes the bus to reach the stop is not mentioned.

In Ireland, city planners always try to emulate other countries in a cargo-cult manner.

 

Yeah it was the 'in' thing to hate on bush or to bash bush.  Especially in academia.  I don't know if anybody in JU knows this but academia has gone crazy liberial.  When I would bring up my views (most of you tend to know them) the come back of my grad school years to me would be 'you are so closed minded and ignorant.'  I don't think I have ever seen as many posters, shirts, or other articles bash one president as much as bush got bashed. 

A story that makes my point about obama.  A friend of mine wore a shirt that said 'impeach obama'.  On his university campus some people mocked him and call him racist.  A few students got agressive (he can handle his own and most people wouldn't mess with him) with him.  Several professors commented by asking 'are you trying to get attention to yourself/do you need some special attention? (they might have been joking and being serious in saying this. not sure didn't ask)'  I think only one said 'he needs more then a year, so give him a chance.'  When he went off campus to a nice restuarant (an area where they are a lot of liberals) I guess several guests complained about his shirt and the server came over and asked him if he would 'kindly remove the shirt or turn it in side out? (I would have said sure if its alright for me to go shirtless/topless) '  My friend said 'no' and the server said several guest are offended by it so he would have to leave.  My friend instead of asking for a box (I think they would have gotten him a box) he crammed as much food as possible in his mouth and walked out saying to people mouth full and all 'you're offended by my shirt! I'm offended by you!'

I wish I could have been there. Overall, he didn't notice anyone agree or say nice shirt.

Tee shirt tests are cool.

The more I learn about this case, the more I feel that Knox has been wrongly convicted.  I hope that Hillary Clinton or someone from our State Dept. voices concerns with the Italians over this flim flam of a trial. Thank goodness in America we have lots of rights that protect us against unlawful interrogations, and if we go before a jury the standard for guilt is "beyond any reasonable doubt." The evidence against Knox was all circumstantial and most of it wasn't even all that compelling.