This is whack.
This is not about this board. This is not about Simon. This is not about ThiChi. This is about cultural differences.
In Britian it's a cultural thing not to respect people in authority; can any one remember Spitting Image? A British puppet show savagely satarising British politics and royalty with hideous latex puppets. There's entire games shows based on satirical political humour. The UK press will build people up, and then knock them down. This willingness to satarise and criticise people in power extends beyond out boarders. Obviously there is a degree of nationalism involved, but we are, thank you, very busy laughing at our own country, as well as laughing at others.
My experience of American media leads me to believe that Americans have a far more respectful attitude towards people in authority. Just as my previous paragraph is a generalisation, so to is that statement. But I do not know of any equivalent trends in humour; for example, one of the most fun things on a British chat show is watching American celebrities being interviewed. They tend to be so out of their depth, as they are not used to ribaldry and having the interviewer not cut them any breaks on account of them being famous. Sometimes (like Jim Carey the other night on Jonathan Ross) you get someone who can cope and more; Robin Williams is another good example. I don't think the Spitting Image format ever made it in the States, as many Americans simply don't find that sort of thing that funny. The political commentary we see in sketches on those rather vapid late-bight American chat show (Leno et.al.) is far less caustic than the British equivalent.
Now on this board and other boards (you don't have to believe this), the chief differentiator between how Brits and Americans react to criticism, is Brits tend to agree with it, and Americans tend to take offense at it. I don't particulary care if the Republican Male Voice Choir agree with this characterisation or not. It's my opinion, and I've travelled enough and corresponded with enough people, in both Europe and America, and know that despite all these characterisations, Americans as individuals tend towards the polite, considerate end of behaviour.
But there's a BIG humour gap, big enough to require me helping (as a student guide) some American students on their JYA realise that it wasn't that everyone hated them, but that interpersonal banter (taking the piss) was a staple of British humour, and something you only did with people you like.
There is also a BIG gap in what is considered fair game as a conversational topic - whilst we parody our leaders and royalty in the most savage ways, there is this rather surprisingly subserviant respect shown to politicians and American royalty (stars). I don't recall any programme from the states that rip strips out of current affairs the way that British TV programs do. US papers are also far more pompous and portentous than UK papers as regards writing style.
In base level attidue to our countries, there's a difference too; considering the above, it's not surprising that Brits will happily join in a moaning session about the UK, and bitch about all the things that piss them off. They don't feel insecure or insulted by not showing respect and deference to their country.
Americans are conditioned to be more patriotic by their upbringings (flag salutes and up, lessons on citizenship, national anthems before sporting events; loads of differences), this higher level of patriotic fervour combined with a sense of humour that isn't used to personal attacks produces these kind of situations, where what Brits see as fair comment is taken by Americans as biased criticism.
This patriotism is so bad that an American poster who I have asked for opinions regarding American funded terrorist activities (which are a matter of record, and which the individual must know of) has refused to answer; they are so patriotic, and so unwilling to accept criticism of their country that if they admit their country has done bad things (even if it's true), they will feel bad, unfaithful to their beloved America.
Aside from cultural differences explaining why this topic inflames people, there are other factors. I think that the most powerful country in the world is bound to get more crticism than a small European country like Britain. It's an easy choice; if you want to be the de facto world power, take the criticism that comes with that. If you don't, file off the edges of the continental USA, shove it north, and call it Canada, or Norway, or some other country that isn't that important and doesn't get that much criticism.
So humour, patterns of respect to those in the media eye, nationalism, and the importance of the USA all contribute to you poor Americans feeling so set upon. Get over it. America is a big country, which means it's dirty underside is bigger than most - but all countries have dirty undersides.
I would encourage and applaud posters like Stinky; I think it would be wonderful for Americans to show more interest in international politics. Knock seven shades of shit out of the UK for all I care; if you're right, I'll agree with you. Let me get you started; women in prisons, equality in sentencing between men and women, institutionalised racism in police force, the 'welfare trap', public transport, the national health service, lap dog prime minister... that should get you going... I don;t mind admitting when my country is at fault. THAT'S the main difference.
Hell, let's start with Belgium; nasty despotic colonialism in the Congo, and complicity in deportation of Jews. Corrupt government and police. The Netherlands? Living a multi-cultural fairytale at times. The things they do to tea are DISGUSTING. Horribly conformist; most boys between 16-24 have the same haircut. I forget whether it was Serbia or Rwanda where a Dutch UN force stood aside and let a towns men be shipped out to be massacred. France? Don't get me started. Sweden! Liberal bullshit, forced sterlilisation to pursue eugenic ideals.
All of these are facts. Many of the things people post here about the USA are facts. If you don't like the facts, then get involved in politics and stop your country acting like that.
Oh, I love Yeru's wonderful isolationist policy; my country right or wrong, doesn't care what the rest of the world thinks. Totalitarianly silly. Like, grow up. We share the same planet, however much you want to ignore the FACT.
I also think I could duplicate ThiChi with a program;
10 Goto http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/search.ashx
20 Let y ='usa iraqi womd camp delta evolution weapons mass destruction bush lied to the world'
30 Insert y in 'Query' CR
40 Goto <result of query = a>
45 Let a=a+1
50 Goto 'Reply to topic'
60 CTRL N
70 Goto www.google.com
80 Let x='usa bush right never wrong always justified ra ra ra god creation'
90 Insert x in 'Search' CR
95 Let z=1
100 Goto <result of query 'z'>
101 If <result of query 'z'> = <404 error> goto 40
102 If sum <result of query> =<z goto 40
105 Let z=z+1
110 CTRL A
120 CTRL C
130 ALT-TAB
140 CTRL V
150 Goto 'Submit Post'
160 Goto 'Reply to topic'
170 ALT-TAB
180 Goto 100
