American Atheists (Official)

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Comment by Joan Denoo 7 hours ago

John D. No, they didn't call me "US", they referred to me as U.S., just as they referred to British as U.K.  I guess we have to agree to disagree. Have you travelled in Europe or Asia? 

There is a strong anti-U.S.A. sentiment in very many places and for good reason. Are you not aware of the exploitation of other countries, taking resources out of other countries and leaving behind hunger and devastation? Sorry to be the one to tell you. 

If you approve of what our nation has become, the economic ruin of not only this nation, but others, then you must not have read the Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Are you not aware of supporting regimes that are corrupt?  Of turning farmland that fed people into corrupt corporate agribusiness? 

Yes, I am angry, and disappointed, and ashamed of what U.S.A. has done and continues to do. Have you not listened to the economic summit of Davos and understand what they are contemplating? Did you not listen or read about the Bretton Woods economic summit

"Economic crisis: rich countries block reform at UN summit"

BRETTON WOODS PROJECT|26 JUNE 2009

http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/art-564772

Comment by John D 15 hours ago

Someone called you "US"?  Really.  I have heard people say I am from the US, but everyone says I am an "American".

No one says someone is a "UK".  They say they are British (or English, Irish, etc.)

Currency is referred to as Dollars (but more accurately it is called US dollars so as not to be confused with the Canadian dollar).  Sometimes in Canada they call it American money.  When they say this they don't sneer and say "Amerikan imperialist money."  They don't really care that US and America is often used interchangeably.  No big deal.  I live in Detroit so I have been to Canada a hundred times.

I really don't even understand what you are talking about anymore.

Thank you for labeling Americans as trivializing, discounting, and putting down others.  Of course, people from other countries never say bad things about Americans.  No other people claim we are violent, backwards, stupid etc.... oh but I forgot... you think these things are true.  Do you simply hate Americans and America?  Sort of a self hate thing you got... must be a drag to have to live here... huh?

Comment by Joan Denoo 18 hours ago

Traveling in Europe or Asia, I was referred to as U.S., as in U.K. 
No big deal, everyone understood, when I changed money it was always U.S. currency. I never heard "American", and when I did it was as an imperialist nation. Just because "everyone" says "American" doesn't mean I do, nor do I want to. It also doesn't mean "everyone" agrees USA and America are the same. The Canadian and Mexican friends I have make it clear they are as American as USA. So, who gets my vote in this matter? I am U.S. not American. 

Trivialize? discount? put-down? Sure! That is the way Americans act toward anyone who is other. 

 

Comment by John D 20 hours ago

PS - Only a trouble maker would lose sleep over the use of "American" to describe an organization in the USA.  There is the American baseball league, the American flag, the American eagle (a symbol not a real bird species), the American Music awards, the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society...etc...

We should really get over our self deprecating apologies on this topic.

Comment by Jason Fleming 20 hours ago

Joan, your point is completely valid and I've thought about this a lot before. We are still calling the aboriginal peoples of North and South America "Indians" based on a 500 year old misnomer. I'm all for changing it, but "United States of Americans" is a little too wordy for conversational use and "USAs" just doesn't sound right. We need a new identifier, but it won't get used if it doesn't roll off the tongue. I have a feeling we're not the first to try to crack this nut.

Comment by John D 20 hours ago

Joan - I can't help it if everyone I meet from a foreign land calls me an "American".  It is simply a handy way to abbreviate "United Sates of America".

There is one place where I am not called American and that is Canada.  A Canadian will ask me "Are you from the States?"  This has never happened to me in any other country.

Blaming my hubris for what others call me is pretty lame.

Also please keep in mind that there is no continent called "America."  There is a "North America" and a "South American".  Using your logic we should call someone from Argentina a "South American" and we should call a Mexican "North American".... which by the way... is exactly what I do say.  We shouldn't call anyone "American" when referring to their continent of origin.

Comment by Joan Denoo 20 hours ago

"American" is a problem; it implies Canada to southern S. America and everything in between. Furthermore, it implies Americans of all races and nationalities as USA citizens. It reflects the hubris and arrogance of USA population over all the Americas. 
People who are citizens of Canada, Mexico, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina, and Chile are "Americans". People from USA are USAs. 

 

Comment by I LYK 2 READ yesterday

http://www.atheistnexus.org/forum/topics/stop-creation-science-indi...

Comment by I LYK 2 READ yesterday

so riddle me this folks
what's the difference between 'american' and 'national'? ; )

Comment by Lee Brashear on December 30, 2011 at 4:26pm

Hello, noob here, just wanted to say thanks for having this group. I'll be lurking and reading. :)

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