Observations of an American Expat in Europe

Boo Hoo Sob. Would you like some cheese with your whine?

You come on a board dominated by South Asians, quite a few immigrants, to whine about the loss of liberty in the US?

As far as your facile comparisons to Europe are concerned, please talk to a few immigrants there instead of projecting your own experience as a universal one. European cops routinely brutalize illegal immigrants. A German cop can ask for residential permit from any one at any time and yes, it`s only the ethnic types who get the shake down.

As a colored person who has spent time in Europe pre 9/11 and in the states both pre and post 9/11, I`d take the States over France and Germany any day. And yes, I would willingly give up some right of privacy to protect this system which gives me more dignity as a human being than the country of my birth.

Interesting observations--material that is sure to stir some thoughts. Welcome to Chowk (I hope you see beyond our unbridled speech, it is our one freedom that we protect).

re: Stuka
Last I heard All are welcome to read write and think at Chowk--so why should he not talk to the readers of Chowk. America WAS the bastion of freedom. Things have changed--slowly but surely over the last decade. People at Chowk are NOT `immigrants` or `xyz` but explorers crossing terrains. Anybody can take to the quest at any time. I refuse to be called a `south asian immigrant`. I am a traveller in ideas, space and time. Today I happen to be in Canada. Tomorrow the world beckons.

John:

...just a very personal comment...

...things are not that bad yet that one would have to resort to picking john doe as a nick!...if you fear retalition of sorts with your employers or collegaues you could have selected any other nick...

...ayatollah john ashland and other bushites dallying with the nation would be reversed and done with in the coming 8-10 years...just like that other dark spot on US...the excesses of Mcarthysim...

rgds,

t

What? Pakistani expat donors to jihadi organisations are rednecks? Not a chance, those are people of `principle`.

So how about dangerous rednecks in for instance, the Pakistani Iftekar Gilani and his US organisation Jamat Ul Fuqra( which Richard Reid also had links to) which was firebombing Hindu temples and killing Indians in the US as far back as the early 80s. Nah. A dead Hindu is yesterdays newspaper to wrap the fish in.

Saima Shah:

``Last I heard All are welcome to read write and think at Chowk--so why should he not talk to the readers of Chowk.``

Erm, when did I say he should NOT talk to them?

`` America WAS the bastion of freedom. Things have changed--slowly but surely over the last decade.``

I see. The past decade? When were the constitutional rights repealed? The recent anti-war marches were expressions of what??? Dissent possibly?

`` People at Chowk are NOT `immigrants` or `xyz` but explorers crossing terrains. Anybody can take to the quest at any time.``

Those ``terrains`` happen to include political boundaries. If the boundary is crossed not to explore but to earn a livlihood, you are an immigrant. Calling yourself fancy schmancy names does not change anything.



``I refuse to be called a `south asian immigrant`. I am a traveller in ideas, space and time. Today I happen to be in Canada. Tomorrow the world beckons. ``

Have fun travelling in space and time. I don`t think most Chowkies have access to time machines or space shuttles. As far as going to different countries is concerned, remember to take your passport. Despite your one world rhetoric, border guards do not take kindly to ``explorers crossing terrains`` if they do not have legal documentation.

#4 sadna:

...you are partially right...but tilting...a more balanced comment would have included the rednecks in IRDF...:)

...t

I say stuka, for an otherwise decent guy, why are you taking off on today? On Saima?

#4 sadna:

...you are partially right...a more balanced comment would have included the rednecks in IRDF...:)

...t

Veeresh

C`mon dude :) Nothing I said was personal. Just retorting to some of the rhetoric. Factual arguement sways me and hyperbole irritates me.

I don`t completely agree with the American actions mentioned, but I cannot blame them either.
The Funda Islamists have brought this wrath upon themselves. They are squarely to blame for their situation.
To remove this apprehension the Muslims must redeem themselves by publically distancing themselves from the Funda Muslims and their actions.

temporal #6
Why would I mention IDRF? Let me point out, you know about IDRF only because of lengthy discussions and exchanges on the subject among Indian expats online and in the streets, discussions which, IMO have been inconclusive..

On the other hand, I heard about JamaatUl Faqra and funding of jihadi organisations by Pakistani expats NOT from any discussions among expat Pakistanis or any expat Pakistani community action against such organisations but from the Western press reports of US govt investigations and convictions related to this organisation.

And in this article the Indian Prime Minister himself is identified as a redneck, in front of whom IDRF is small fish. But you are still not satisfied with the balance in this discussion. Amazing.

re: Stuka

facts are what you make of the world. I see this fact: The future is more important than the past.
There are two ways to deal with an unpleasant fact: One is to accept it, the other is to try and change it. Once you call a bad thing is bad, it becomes easier to change it regardless of which border u reside in. As for passports--they came about because of the creation of nations. they are a fact today but may not remain a fact tomorrow. fact is, things change. Fact is people use different facts to prove their own beliefs. Fact is people are different, fact is people are similar. Facts can be manipulated. What seems like hyperbole to you is a different connect-the-dots for another person.

Even though there is dissent in USA, it seems to be making no impact on the powerful elite in Government. And yes, it is a `fact` that USA has a democratic system of government, it is also a `fact` that the democracy is far from perfect. Dissent alone cannot take the place of Justice. Dissent should make an impact--people in power have to listen for it to work. It seems to many that the US administration isnt listening anymore.

Title is misleading. These are observations by an Asianized-American expat.

saimashah # 12

``useful idiots``

i believe its from lenin and refers to left-wingers in western countries. Apparently he held them in low regard but found them helpful in propagating a sick ideology.

do you think there is any truth to his quote?

#11 by sadna:


`Why would I mention IDRF? Let me point out, you know about IDRF only because of lengthy discussions and exchanges on the subject among Indian expats online and in the streets, discussions which, IMO have been inconclusive..``

---wrong...on several counts:)

``...On the other hand...``

---it is all right to learn...from any and every where...


and yes: ``Amazing.``

:)

rgds,

t

t,
Who are the rednecks in IDRF? Do you know Vijay and Sarla Prakash and the work they have been doing? I sincerely hope they can sue Biju Matthew type scum for libel in an American court.
regards