Welcome RPizzle!

[RPizzle]

Welcome RPizzle

I see you like being grilled like a Philly Cheesesteak*... I'll do my best:

1) How far do you live from Scranton?
2) How would you describe Baltimore?
3) The liberty bell is English, and the Statue of Liberty is French. Is this relevant?
4) Do you live in the real America? If so is it any good? Better than the fake America I presume?

* Attempt at sounding like a yokel, I mean local.

1. Scranton is way on the other end of the state. I've never even been there.

2. I've been to Baltimore once, for five minutes. I realized that I took a wrong turn when I had to pay before pumping gas (unheard of in the boonies), and the teller was behind a (probably) bullet proof screen. Due to this experience...yeah...not a big fan.

3. It's a mixture between the Freemasons and Illuminati...be afraid.

4. The real America is grown with water from a mountain stream, using only the freshest of ingredients. Also, the real America doesn't use things like growth hormones or force feeding. Real America is pretty damn hot. Fake America on the other hand is sort of a cross between Frakenstein's monster and Cthulhu. What was the question again?

Philly cheesesteaks are delicious.

[gooseboy]

2. I've been to Baltimore once, for five minutes. I realized that I took a wrong turn when I had to pay before pumping gas (unheard of in the boonies), and the teller was behind a (probably) bullet proof screen. Due to this experience...yeah...not a big fan.

I have to go to Balto quite often. I've grown to like the police cameras on the streets, the smashed car windows, the sounds of sirens, the crab cakes , and the general feeling of unease I get when walking around at night should I stray down the wrong street. It's a pity it's not the real America though..

[RPizzle]

The search for 'Real' America is akin to the search for the philosopher's stone. I'll let you know when I find it.

[Transgirlofnofaith]

Here's one: What do they mean when they say "America's Hat"?

I have only been to, what our locals affectionately refer to as 'America's hat'.

Do they mean the northernmost states?

[RPizzle]

Here's one: What do they mean when they say "America's Hat"?

I have only been to, what our locals affectionately refer to as 'America's hat'.

Do they mean the northernmost states?

Close. This is the term that is often used for Canada. Most Canadians are not quite as amused by it.

[gooseboy]

The search for 'Real' America is akin to the search for the philosopher's stone. I'll let you know when I find it.

I think I already found it. It's gate C31 and Chicago O'Hare airport.

[RPizzle]

Here's one: What do they mean when they say "America's Hat"?

I have only been to, what our locals affectionately refer to as 'America's hat'.

Do they mean the northernmost states?

Close. This is the term that is often used for Canada. Most Canadians are not quite as amused by it.

I guess due to the responses to this, I should go into greater depth. I believe those posts have been nuked, but I should still clarify.

My point was not intended to offend. I have quite a few Canadian friends, and a comment like that is actually one of the mildest when we playful debate the counties. However, that is no defense, so I do apologize.

On a philosophical point, this has nothing to do with Americanism whatsoever. The fact that I am American is simply a product of chance. I see no reason to be especially proud of something that was accidental. I say this to make my point clear. Even if I was mildly poking fun, it came with no intellectual baggage attached. I don't believe in nationalism at all, much as I don't feel an extra special pride for being white. I thought my quote was somewhat funny, that was it. Perhaps I lack perspective, because it is very alien for me to get angry or offended by anything that someone says about my country.

To sum up, I am sorry for making the comment about Canada being "America's Hat." I will try to choose my words more carefully next time should I post again.

[Transgirlofnofaith]

Here's one: What do they mean when they say "America's Hat"?

I have only been to, what our locals affectionately refer to as 'America's hat'.

Do they mean the northernmost states?

Close. This is the term that is often used for Canada. Most Canadians are not quite as amused by it.

I guess due to the responses to this, I should go into greater depth. I believe those posts have been nuked, but I should still clarify.

My point was not intended to offend. I have quite a few Canadian friends, and a comment like that is actually one of the mildest when we playful debate the counties. However, that is no defense, so I do apologize.

On a philosophical point, this has nothing to do with Americanism whatsoever. The fact that I am American is simply a product of chance. I see no reason to be especially proud of something that was accidental. I say this to make my point clear. Even if I was mildly poking fun, it came with no intellectual baggage attached. I don't believe in nationalism at all, much as I don't feel an extra special pride for being white. I thought my quote was somewhat funny, that was it. Perhaps I lack perspective, because it is very alien for me to get angry or offended by anything that someone says about my country.

To sum up, I am sorry for making the comment about Canada being "America's Hat." I will try to choose my words more carefully next time should I post again.

Oh, I wasn't upset at you, or referring to you. You seem very nice. I was just expressing that I don't like when my country is used for a whipping boy just for fun. CJ split the topic into a Serious Discussion thread. You can get there quicker by clicking on my username and searching my posts.

[RPizzle]

Well, I figured that I'd resurrect my me thread. I've become somewhat more acclimated to the 'goings on' around here, and everyone seems very interesting. Anyway, now that some of you have gotten to know me a bit better feel free to shoot more questions my way. Nothing 'safe' please. I prefer my questions to come with lots of nuance or subtle subtext! I'll have to think of some for you all as well. Cheers!

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Well, I figured that I'd resurrect my me thread. I've become somewhat more acclimated to the 'goings on' around here, and everyone seems very interesting. Anyway, now that some of you have gotten to know me a bit better feel free to shoot more questions my way. Nothing 'safe' please. I prefer my questions to come with lots of nuance or subtle subtext! I'll have to think of some for you all as well. Cheers!

I think Gawdzilla may have a few Q's for you.

Try HERE

[gooseboy]

Well, I figured that I'd resurrect my me thread. I've become somewhat more acclimated to the 'goings on' around here, and everyone seems very interesting. Anyway, now that some of you have gotten to know me a bit better feel free to shoot more questions my way. Nothing 'safe' please. I prefer my questions to come with lots of nuance or subtle subtext! I'll have to think of some for you all as well. Cheers!

OK, here's a question for you. Are American kiddies taught that the pilgrims were the first colonists of the USA (as in I know this probably isn't actually said by the teachers, but is it what's implied and the message that the kids end up learning). And a follow-up, is the importance of the pilgrims overstated in teaching history in American schools? And a second follow-up, you didn't want a question about yourself, did you?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

OK, here's a question for you. Are American kiddies taught that the pilgrims were the first colonists of the USA (as in I know this probably isn't actually said by the teachers, but is it what's implied and the message that the kids end up learning).

It depends on the area. New Englanders are def taught that the Pilgrims were the first important colonists, but by the time you get to Virginia the emphasis shifts. Floridians get a lot of Spanish history. St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied city in the US. Farther west it varied. In Alabama they teach that Bobby Lee was the first real American.

And a follow-up, is the importance of the pilgrims overstated in teaching history in American schools?

As above, it depends.

[gooseboy]

@ Gawdzilla - thanks for that.

The reason I asked was that I was in the US last Thanksgiving (and worked the weekend and some people were very sad for me even after I explained that Thanksgiving means absolutely nothing to me), and I was talking to a worldly American coworker friend of mine and said that in school in America it seems that kiddies are taught that the pilgrims were the first colonists. He got a bit mad and staunchly denied this. So I asked around the office "Who were the first successful colonists in America?" Everyone answered "The Pilgrims". Then I asked "And what happened to the Pilgrims". Everyone said "Dunno" (although in a few more words). "So why were they so important?" To this I got a few rambling answers which I thought missed the mark.

This was in Baltimore, although half the people are from further north (Boston, Jersey and New York state). It's interesting that you say that in other regions more importance is placed on events, although I probably should have expected this to be the case.

(The story in Aust is about the same, by the way - almost no-one knows Australian history very well.)

[Gawdzilla Sama]

@ Gawdzilla - thanks for that.

The reason I asked was that I was in the US last Thanksgiving (and worked the weekend and some people were very sad for me even after I explained that Thanksgiving means absolutely nothing to me), and I was talking to a worldly American coworker friend of mine and said that in school in America it seems that kiddies are taught that the pilgrims were the first colonists. He got a bit mad and staunchly denied this. So I asked around the office "Who were the first successful colonists in America?" Everyone answered "The Pilgrims". Then I asked "And what happened to the Pilgrims". Everyone said "Dunno" (although in a few more words). "So why were they so important?" To this I got a few rambling answers which I thought missed the mark.

This was in Baltimore, although half the people are from further north (Boston, Jersey and New York state). It's interesting that you say that in other regions more importance is placed on events, although I probably should have expected this to be the case.

(The story in Aust is about the same, by the way - almost no-one knows Australian history very well.)

US schools tend to teach local history first, then US history, then World history. I've seen this pattern repeated in other countries.

[gooseboy]

Here it's worse (at least it was when I went to school). Unless you study history in high school you learn next to nothing. Then again, Australian history is pretty boring so I can see why we don't spend a lot of time on it.