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Barack Obama is embarrassed of Americans
Samuraisword
Member Posts: 2,111
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/07/lhorreur-sn-obama-embarrassed-americans.html
I myself am fluent in German and can understand a little French and Italian. English is the universal language now so I don't see what the problem is. I am all for more language studies in High school though but I am more embarrassed of Americans killing 4 million dogs and cats every year needlessly because we collectively fail to pass laws to control domestic pet breeding. I can't be responsible for individuals who act like ugly Americans oversees so I reject this notion that we should be embarrassed.
Comments
First of all, I think Obama needs to be worried about more pressing issues in this country than how many languages we speak.
Secondly, I have taken 4 semesters of Spanish in college. Got B average in those courses. It was tough and I pulled through, but was totally worthless as I NEVER use it. I have no friends who speak Spanish, no neighbors, no workmates, nothing. It is totally useless to me. Language is perishable. If you dont use it, youll lose it. I am already forgetting skills, words, grammar, etc. So WTF is the value to learn a language I do not use? None. Dont give me that crap either that it "frees my mind". I would have rather had addtional course in computers, history, world cultures etc in lieu of Spanish Grammar.
Thirdly, Do you realize that English is a dominate/popular business/universal language in Europe? I have been to 15 countries (Some in Asia and Africa) Guess what Language we try to talk always.... right. It is kind of tough to be as culturally savy as Europeans also because we are an entire frekin OCEAN away. In Europe if you want to see another country you simply drive across the line and people speak French, Spanish whatever. Its like driving from one state to another in the USA. So being that most Americans cannot afford to cross the pond and receive some culture in Europe pretty much sums up why were culturally dumb and ignorant.
On the flip side - I agree exposure to a second language is a good idea, especially taught in middle school. (Probably much easier to learn) It would have been so much easier to learn Spanish in college if I had this in my day. Plus it does open possibilities for kids to make new friends in school. And maybe they will take interest and become a translator for a firm or something like that. But for someone like me who is set in my ways and life is mapped out ...... I really only need English.
Hey this is my 100th post! Yeah me!
Actually, I subscribe to the notion that additional languages are great for child development. From what I have read though, it is more beneficial for early development, as in ages 3 through 10. As to the original topic, I don't think we need to be self-conscious of our language skills as a top priority for the nation. There are definitely more pressing international issues.
I agree with Obama. I am embarrassed too.
If you had a friend who absolutely never said anything bad about the United States, who contantly talked about how great it was and how much better a country it was would you respect his views? Personally, I like someone who tells it like it is. One more reason for me to vote for Obama.
dame un beso, obama. -picked up that line as a young inner city whiteboy.
no se apoye la puerta- thats from the NYC subway doors.
im doing fine.
-I will subtlety invade your psyche-
/agreed with obama
Ive been embarrassed being an american for awhile now
thats because you watch too many reality tv shows.
-I will subtlety invade your psyche-
You can always move to France. What's stopping you?
You can always move to France. What's stopping you?
Parents, money, gotta get a job and stuff.
I'll get to it asap
Edit: Oh and I gotta learn the language, thats a toughy =/
There are more pressing issues than learning other languages.
As one of the posters above me pointed out, we are seperated by an ocean from Europe, so we don't come in contact with any other languages (besides Spanish occassionaly) so its unneccessary really. How often does the average American go to Europe? Not enough for them to warrant learning 3 other languages probably.
Don't get me wrong, I think learning other languages is a good thing, but hardly neccessary given our locaion and its hardly something to be embarrased about.
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I would be more embarrassed about McCain pulling stunts like this in a so called democracy.
www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/08/john-mccains-security-det_n_111492.html
I am embarrassed of Americans as well right now.
The fact that so many Americans can actually think that Obama is qualified in any fashion to be our next President makes me extremely embarassed.
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Don't feel to bad though
I am equally embarrassed by NeoCons too.
It is way far past the time to have more then just two political parties. Honestly they should pick our public officials like they do jury duty.
We would get a lot more done and be a lot better off.
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I love America. If called upon I would die for this country...in a heart beat, however, we do need to realize that America is only one country on this planet. We have many brothers and sisters that live in France, Germany, England, China, all over the planet! We must learn to respect other cultures, and I wish other cultures would learn to respect ours. We're not all bad people here in the US. I have been fortunate enough in my lifetime to have visited other countries. I have never met anyone outside the US I could not get along with - yet.
Do I agree with how some countries are ran. No. Just as I do not agree with how my own country is ran most of the time. I do not believe people are inherently evil. I believe that is a learned thing. During the last days of the cold war we were told the Russians were part of this huge evil empire. We were told the Chinese are cold hearted and war mongering. I find this the furthest thing from the truth. Why? Because I have traveled among the peoples of these countries and they are not much different in their wants and needs as I or any American is. Most just want to be left alone to live peaceful lives. What throws a wrench into that notion is the people who are hungry for power over others. Those are the people we should be watchful of. Unfortunately, they are everywhere and not just outside the US.
I am American...but I am a human first and foremost. If I felt Israel needed me to spill my blood so that it would not be wiped from the face of the earth by evil people...I would do so. If China was under the threat of annihilation...I would give my life for them. If America were to be threatened by an outside force...I would do whatever is necessary to protect her. We need to stop war - period. How do we stop it. We stop listening to the people in charge and start talking to one another as human beings and ask ourselves - why?
Why must I hate or wish ill will toward a people I do not even know?
I have friends from Iran. Do I wish ill will on them because their leaders are crazy? No. I believe many Iranians, just as many Americans are missguided individuals. They have put to much trust in what their leaders say and see only what their leaders wish them to see and hear. This is sad, because I have found many Iranians to be peaceful, loving people. They have the same needs and wants as anyone. If our leaders would stop this BS about hating one another based on relegious beliefs, cultural beliefs, and what not...this world would be a far, far better place to live in.
Learning other languages helps us to better understand our friends and neighbors outside of our own country. So yes, in a sense, it is a shame that it is not mandantory study in our schools that we learn other languages.
i dont think its necassary, but i do think its a plus to learn another language. Early. Learning languages when your older, like in college and HS, i think its harder and takes alot longer to learn then if you are, as someone mentioned before, 3 to 10. I am embarrased of America, but not for only learning ONE language
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It was mandatory to take 2 years of foreign language when I went through school. I also took a lot of other required classes that have since been dropped from the curriculum.
It seems like most schools now don't even require Geography. How can you require students to take a language from a country they can't even find on a map?
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I can speak fluent spanish, tooks 2 semesters of french in highschool, it was ok, but personally I didn't like it all that much. I started learning japanese by myself, then took 2 years of japanese in college, and even CONTINUED learning japanese afterwards by teaching MYSELF! if that's not dedication towards learning another language, I don't know what is. Fact is, Obama is just full of hot air. Americans should feel embarrassed for not knowing spanish?
No Mr. Obama, it's the illegal immigrants that should feel embarrassed that they don't know any english, nor do MANY of them BOTHER to learn english! How do I know this? Because I work in a customer service related job where I get numerous calls from illegals who have no problem "presione #2 para espa
What`s worse..a McCain adviser saying a terrorists attack on his fellow country men would help McCain win the election or Obama talking about learning more than one ligo?
I could say Obama was giving you all a national holiday with full pay and you would still find something to complain about.
He is right about what he is saying and your opinions are not going to effect his votes.
Soon this blackman will be your main man..lol how do you feel about that.
Believe it or not, we still hold the right to cessede from the U.S. now if only we can get enough southerners with big enough balls, we can make it happen, but then again, you northerners would be pissed off and find yet ANOTHER reason to invade and start another civil war (yep, you heard me right, the north started the civil war by invading a southern confederate state)
I could care less if he was black, white, yellow, purple, orange, blue, or green but I honestly doubt he will get elected. The closer we get to the election and as Iraq becomes more and more less of an issue people are realizing that Obama has no experience or qualifications to run our country.
Personally I think this will become an election that comes down to the VP choices.
Think about it really. If Obama was such a great choice on his own then the polls would be overwhelmingly in favor of the Democrats. We have a President with one of the worst approval ratings in history and yet there is pretty much no statistical difference between Obama and McCain in the polls.
How can this be? Right now there should be a landslide in the polls. Obama should be garnishing 60-70% and higher on these polls. Democrats, Independants, and even Republicans (not NeoCons but actual republicans) are all upset with President Bush and still Obama is barely beating McCain in the polls.
I think this is a really bad sign for the Democrats. I think they fell for his "Message of Hope and Change" just as much as the voters did. In the end I think they were blinded and cast their best candidates aside and instead were duped.
Edwards would of been the best choice for the Dems. Clinton would of been a better choice as well.
But of course we will see come November.
If the Dems lose the election it will be for one reason only and that is because they chose a candidate with no experience.
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Ya know I hear of this theory before and I have argued that it was BS. (last time a State tried this it was the known as the Civil War) I even asked my Political Science professor about it. He told me " There is no clause or right under the constitution that allows or constitues the breakaway of a state from the union." "States may form or join, but none can leave."
I personally am sick of people screaming for a civil war. I really think these people have no clue on what they are asking for. You think Iraq anafghanistan is bad situation? if America had a civil war ......the term bad would take on new meaning....We would be thrust into a new age.
Funny, because actually I do have a copy of the declaration of independence, the constitution, and the bill of rights, I don't remember the exact wording, or in which document it's in. But it's there, I'll have to take a look at it though (pretty interesting read, amazing how much there's in there, even the language, example, choose, used to be "chuse"). Also, take into account that, if it was considered "illegal" or "unconstitutional" the confederacy wouldn't have remained as long as it did (because it lasted for quite a couple of years before the invasion)
Bane,
If you could find that or link a source ........ i would love to see it. Just for my own peace of mind... seriously.
I don't have a link, it's actually a small book that I purchased at borders, the publisher is Bantam classics and the book is simply called The declaration of independence and the constitution of the united states. I'll have to take some time to look at it though, because it's over 100 pages, so it'll take some time just to look for that particular passage. I believe it's written in the constitution, but it might be in the bill of rights. I'll take a look and post it when I get back.