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**DuncanK** · January 16, 2003, 15:36

Originally posted by GP

READ TOQUEVILLE'S BOOK

There are some good ideas discussed in the book, like the one that Americans will trust their government too much and stop participating in it or stop keeping up with the issues. However, reading the book will not be sufficient to be the last word in critique of American Democracy. It is presented as so in high school though, I believe.

**DuncanK** · January 16, 2003, 15:40

Originally posted by Ozz

Not offended at all, I was doing a bit of poking too.

Do Americans have unique reckonzied vocal mannerisms as a whole? Some regional areas do ie Texas, The South but as a whole is there something only Americans
say?

The vocal mannerisms have become melded in California and the West. Gradually more and more people in the country are talking like Californians. Some people, like in Texans, try hard to retain their culture and retain their vocal mannerisms.

**Arrian** · January 16, 2003, 15:49

The vocal mannerisms have become melded in California and the West. Gradually more and more people in the country are talking like Californians.

Come again? Humor a backward New Englander, explain.

-Arrian

**DuncanK** · January 16, 2003, 15:59

Originally posted by Arrian

Come again? Humor a backward New Englander, explain.

-Arrian

I hate to put my foot in my mouth and get off topic and only talk about Americans. Anyway, I'm not a Linguist (is that even how to spell it). The initial Anglo immigration to California came from all over the East. The new Californians started talking in a new dialect (melded from the other dialects). It wasn't a Southern dialect or a Northern dialect. Now with the media and all the migration all over the country Americans are starting to talk in the same dialect, Californian.

**Arrian** · January 16, 2003, 16:04

If you say so. *shrug* I've never heard any such thing. When I go to the MidWest, I hear that flat, MW accent. When I go South, I hear that drawl. Up here, we have Nu Yawkas and Baastanians, with Conneddicut inbetween. Maybe your Californian thing will catch on out here eventually.

Heh, we've definitely had some odd threadjacks in this thread (Canadian defense spending, the characteristics of certain nuclear submarines, Canadian/US lumber disputes, and now this).

-Arrian

**Ozz** · January 16, 2003, 16:13

Originally posted by Arrian
Heh, we've definitely had some odd threadjacks in this thread (Canadian defense spending, the characteristics of certain nuclear submarines, Canadian/US lumber disputes, and now this).

-Arrian

No Jackin' The topic is "Why are Americans so different from the rest of us Westerners" One of the differiences
is others all have distinct phases and words that mark
their identify, A Brit may think a Canadian American until
he says about or eh.

Hollywood has given us all your words.

**TCO** · January 16, 2003, 17:33

Originally posted by DuncanK

There are some good ideas discussed in the book, like the one that Americans will trust their government too much and stop participating in it or stop keeping up with the issues. However, reading the book will not be sufficient to be the last word in critique of American Democracy. It is presented as so in high school though, I believe.

Agreed. I think it is impossible to write a book that unravels the entire snailshell of why and how Americans are different from Europeans. (And it is obviously confounded alot if you get wrapped up in which you like better, the American attributes or the European ones.) I just think that "Fighting Al" swings at some tough pitches and connects with a pretty good batting average. And I don't mind at all that some of his characterizations are negative (I hope Roland gives me enough credit to know that I wouldn't get hurt by that) so long as his observations ring true and seem to hit a perceptive chord.

I think reading books is not sufficient. (I would add some Mark Twain and some Menkin in there to get a little more of the feel for the US.) But travelling and working and spending some time over here. Getting all of your info from newspapers and TV and video games and movies doesn't do the thing justice. Do like Cali or Stew (Boddington) and come over for a stay. Or Legman or Colon.

**TCO** · January 16, 2003, 17:37

Originally posted by Arrian

Heh, we've definitely had some odd threadjacks in this thread (Canadian defense spending, the characteristics of certain nuclear submarines, Canadian/US lumber disputes, and now this).

-Arrian

Are you complaining? Don't make me get my boy D2K to give you a *****slapping.

**TCO** · January 16, 2003, 17:38

Originally posted by Ozz

No Jackin' The topic is "Why are Americans so different from the rest of us Westerners" One of the differiences
is others all have distinct phases and words that mark
their identify, A Brit may think a Canadian American until
he says about or eh.

Hollywood has given us all your words.

There are alot of the Canadians who don't have a very strong Canadian influence either. I.e. don't say "a boot".

**MichaeltheGreat** · January 16, 2003, 18:01

Originally posted by paiktis22
way better than romantic colonial scum who got kicked in the ass for their murderous regimes DL ozz

edit: actually no, they are the same ****

Paiktis: The threadstalking, insults and threadjacking stop now.

Want three days to chill, or would you rather have a whole week? It's up to you. This time.

**KrazyHorse** · January 16, 2003, 18:31

Originally posted by DuncanK

My post got lost behind pages and pages of stuff about Canada.

Canadians,

this thread isn't really about you. Very little is. If you want to have a thread about Canada go and start one. I suspect that you will be the only ones posting there. It's like why America is more significant than you, because everyone immigrated to our country and not yours.

Snooze.

a) You can blame a dual citizen, IIRC (Asher) for changing topic

b) This is a 20 page thread. 20 page threads go off topic

c) Even American-bashing gets tiring after a while

**DuncanK** · January 16, 2003, 19:04

Originally posted by GP

Agreed. I think it is impossible to write a book that unravels the entire snailshell of why and how Americans are different from Europeans. (And it is obviously confounded alot if you get wrapped up in which you like better, the American attributes or the European ones.) I just think that "Fighting Al" swings at some tough pitches and connects with a pretty good batting average. And I don't mind at all that some of his characterizations are negative (I hope Roland gives me enough credit to know that I wouldn't get hurt by that) so long as his observations ring true and seem to hit a perceptive chord.

I think reading books is not sufficient. (I would add some Mark Twain and some Menkin in there to get a little more of the feel for the US.) But travelling and working and spending some time over here. Getting all of your info from newspapers and TV and video games and movies doesn't do the thing justice. Do like Cali or Stew (Boddington) and come over for a stay. Or Legman or Colon.

So true

**TCO** · January 16, 2003, 19:23

Originally posted by Frogger

c) Even American-bashing gets tiring after a while

Whew. It's like being the class idiot. Eventually they run out of energy yelling at you.

USA!

**DuncanK** · January 16, 2003, 19:27

Originally posted by GP

Whew. It's like being the class idiot. Eventually they run out of energy yelling at you.

USA!

**Main_Brain** · January 16, 2003, 19:29

I have no clue where my posts are in this uhm large Thread but nevertheless I thank those who made valid Points and damn those who didn't

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