Travels through America - Deep Thoughts

I enjoyed reading your article. It reminded me of another gentleman who visited the US, back in 1831, and provided insights that are considered to be relevant even a century and a half later. This of course was the Frenchman M. de tocqueville, who wrote, among other things: ``I confess that in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or hope from its progress. ``
As this statement shows, back in the 1800s the US provided the model of democracy to Europeans who then moved out of the kingship stage in their political development. One hundred and seventy years later, the US continues to provide the ``winning model`` to the world, having won people over handily from the competing ideologies of communism and fascism.

Nice overview, nicely written. I would have prefereed a more condensed view keeping the focus on one small town in the south, midwest or western United States.

Two ideas.......rule of law and checks and balances describe US best. We are fortunate to live in the era of a balanced superpower. For every objectionable act of US foreign policy related issues, two or more benevolent acts can be pointed out. God! If it was Islamic instead of western, only coercion would have ruled the world with loan guarantees, loans, aid would have been rain checks to be cashed in the afterlife.

The American roads are a great source of inspiration. They are the best place to avoid the depressed looks of millions of urbanites of America locked in their routines to satisfy superficial desires which they cannot rise to get rid of...and of course it`s a society let down by love.

However, the passions of the Black race will continue to save America from crumbling with the weight of unfulfilled dreams and expectations.

Ref sajni #5

[.... seriously by the end of the article i was getting rather tired of reading about all the good stuff that america has to offer. what about all the bad stuff??? what about ..... all the strip joints, teenage pregnancies, high divorce rate etc etc.]

You can actually live in the US without visiting a strip joint (gasp, what a surprise!), teach your teen-age daughter about contraception if she plans to have an active sex life, not divorce your spouse even though you think that is the local fashion.

Try it. It works for a lot of people. Even for Americans.

On the other hand, if you can`t prevent your teen-age daughter from fcuking around, move back to Desh.

So 80ish. This American Center style propaganda worked well prior to 90s.....I am one of those who were conned.

hi it look like heaven

Good article...I agree with your description of the `average` American. They are really simple, good and friendly folks, and I say this from personal experience. I had the fortune of meeting some wonderful Americans and they will always hold a special place in my heart. Another way this can be looked at is that they tend to be ignorant and don`t seem to care about what`s happening in the rest of the world, which is also true to some extent. I don`t know about the `not caring` part but they do give off an aura of living in their own little world. I guess, barring the rednecks and supremists (and politicians ;)), Americans are also pretty tolerant of other people and their religions and culture. I was living there pre and post Sept 11 and the people I interacted with were tolerant enough to listen and at least try to understand another`s point of view. I don`t know how much that has changed with the imminent Iraq war etc. I`ve heard some horror stories...

i think this is a nice and well written article. but seriously by the end of the article i was getting rather tired of reading about all the good stuff that america has to offer. what about all the bad stuff??? what about invading other , poorer, weaker countries, that great america uses and abuses everday to make life better in thier own country while destroying others. what about all the strip joints, teenage pregnancies, high divorce rate etc etc.

•·.·´¯`·.·• Idea of the Millenium •·.·´¯`·.·•


The websites that you`ve mentioned, if you had given your affiliate links for all of them, it would`ve earned you a handsome sum! :)

This is an excellent piece.

During my 45 days stay in the US last summer, I really got scared for the first time. The anti-Muslim propaganda seemed to be in full swing. I recall a program in which a Minister was quoting the verses of Holy Quran out of context to prove that American Muslims are not faithful to America. I thought that several verses and almost entire of old Testatment could be quoted out of context to prove that Christians and Jews were anti-America too.

US is great to visit and meet people though. At least for us, Americans are proven to be the most friendliest of all the people.

nazar:

interesting observations … with your usual streak of moderation… suspect it comes from seeing it from a distance and at close hand…and…comparing it (with your experience of other lands, though am glad you did not mention them in context here)…you described and observed almost everything….except perhaps the cemeteries…serene and neatly laid out…but that is a minor oversight…on another board I enquired if you are on 310/320 or 747?…

rgds,

t

This is an excellent piece.

During my 45 days stay in the US last summer, I really got scared for the first time. The anti-Muslim propaganda seemed to be in full swing. I recall a program in which a Minister was quoting the verses of Holy Quran out of context to prove that American Muslims are not faithful to America. I thought that several verses and almost entire of old Testatment could be quoted out of context to prove that Christians and Jews were anti-America too.

US is great to visit and meet people though. At least for us, Americans are proven to be the most friendliest of all the people.