A letter from John Cleese to America...

[leema1290]

@jkirk

Now, now, I said they don't always tell the truth, not the same as saying they never tell the truth.

I'm just naturally paranoid of people that promote interesting wars like USA vs Iran, and only say anything about the largest explosives haul in the UK after much prodding (All the explosives belonged to a white fella so wasn't 'newsworthy').

Media peeps are usually in it for the money/fame/power. Same as the politicians really, and look how trustworthy they are.

[Karlos]

@metalman

So, criticising your nations actions abroad as imperialistic automatically makes one a Marxist, ey?

:roflmao:

You really haven't the slightest clue, have you?

Back in the "good" old days, we took over weaker nations, toppled then installed their own administration or puppet governments, took what we wanted and basically were unnacountable the whole time we were doing it. Any significant protest could always be quelled with military force.

The times may have changed and some of the nuances of how these things are accomplished in the modern world, but frankly, you would have to be in complete denial to believe the current US administration is not behaving in this fashion. It has invaded sovereign nations without the backing of the international community and is probably planning punative strikes against another at this very moment. Its not as if they are answerable to anybody...

[jkirk]

I'm just naturally paranoid of people that promote interesting wars like USA vs Iran

i wouldn't go so far as to say that. being a little bit cynical is healthy. i actually agree with your first sentence

I said they don't always tell the truth, not the same as saying they never tell the truth.

it is just the way you put it in your original post made it seem they all lie. we are just stuck with our broken systems that too many people(politicians,businessmen,etc) take advantage of.

[leema1290]

jkirk wrote:
 we are just stuck with our broken systems that too many people(politicians,businessmen,etc) take advantage of.

no we're not, it's just that people that become politicians are generally &*%$s, so we just need to change the way people get elected, for instance, the use of lie detectors, 24 hour surveillance, actual background checks, before someone is even gets to the prelims.

Then, with actual decent people in place in the government, we could change the WHOLE system, viva la revolution!

[jkirk]

no we're not, it's just that people that become politicians are generally &*%$s, so we just need to change the way people get elected, for instance, the use of lie detectors, 24 hour surveillance, actual background checks, before someone is even gets to the prelims.

well first off this is too 1984 ish for me.

second we elect good people to government positions every year. the problem is that they run into roadblocks. they then find out the only way to stay in office is to follow the others until finally they are just as corrupt as the corrupt ones.

third with the corporate funding of candidates we are actually being run by corporations not by the people. the budgets of the incumbents are so large that the rookies don't have a chance. term limits will help but then you will end up with people that don't know enough to do a proper job.

as i said we are stuck with what we got. the only way to fix the problems is a full scale coup. then remove everyone from office, bar lobbying, and start fresh.

[leema1290]

@kjirk

Hmmm, don't know about the USA, but Britain has got loads of outdated laws in place that no-one knows about, most of them are cow grazing rights, and random other unhelpful things, but there is probably something about "your current governing body it rubbish," most interesting laws can only be repealed by the King/Queen, so would still be valid...

Anyone know anything 'bout that kind of thing?

[jj]

did anbody see the episode of top gear where they were in the USA and they painted stuff on each others cars.  like country sucks, an i love men, and hillary clinton for president.   They were in bible belt south somewhere, and they got attcacker for it.

The people actually refered to themselves as hicks, was funny, but also quite frighting that huge populaions of the supposed free world ars so ignorant and up themselves

[PMC]

I did see that, man that was funny.  

[jkirk]

i am boycotting anything that can be considered reality shows. (exceptions any show that teaches a trade. Ex. trucks!) reality shows annoy the heck out of me. if i wanted to watch people fighting all i have to do is go to boone's saloon.

[KThunder]

JJ wrote:
...but also quite frighting that huge populaions of the supposed free world ars so ignorant and up themselves

what is frightening to me is that people see somthing stupid on tv and assume that huge populations are being accurately represented.

[jj]

well whos fault is that, mmmmm Jerry springer I wold thnk lol

[mick_aka]

jkirk wrote:
i am boycotting anything that can be considered reality shows. (exceptions any show that teaches a trade. Ex. trucks!) reality shows annoy the heck out of me. if i wanted to watch people fighting all i have to do is go to boone's saloon.

FYI, Top Gear is a british motoring show.

[jkirk]

the way y'all are describing it is sounds more like a "reality show."  so what was the point of this excercise then? i am guessing they were not showing how to change spark plugs.

[PMC]

No, it's a magazine show about cars but with a massive injection of humour.  One of the running gags is American cars (although one of the presenters owns a Dodge Challenger) so they went to the USA for a road trip in three $1000 bangers and had to endure certain challenges.  

IIRC Top Gear won an Emmy a while back?  Why don't you check it out on BBC America?  

[jkirk]

i can't get bbc america now but if i ever do get it again i will take a gander at it.

[CannonFodder]

jkirk wrote:
i can't get bbc america now but if i ever do get it again i will take a gander at it.

Top Gear to appear on US TV