Having The Guts to Say What Everyone is Thinking - The Newsroom

[The_Hammer]

Anyone watching HBO's The Newsroom?

Pretty Epic.

The writers seem fearless and not afraid to say what every rational person in the world is thinking about modern culture.

[phreak]

This is exactly how I feel about the US. Yes, even that it could again be the greatest country on earth. But it sure as hell isn't right now.

[phreak]

Does anyone have some insight into empire decline, especially that of the British Empire? I know some of the historical background, but am interested in perspectives on peoples' perception then and now. When did it sink in for the common man that the empire was gone? Was there a specific event that triggered this realisation (WW2?) or was this a gradual change in thinking?

[The_Hammer]

Does anyone have some insight into empire decline, especially that of the British Empire? I know some of the historical background, but am interested in perspectives on peoples' perception then and now. When did it sink in for the common man that the empire was gone? Was there a specific event that triggered this realisation (WW2?) or was this a gradual change in thinking?

You must not know much about American history if you think WW2 was the trigger point of decline.

WW2 was the true birth of America becoming a super power.  

Before WW2 America was as prominent in the world as Sweden, but Franklin Roosevelt's guts to stand up and help our British allies showed the world that American's had the will to do what was right and fight against inhumanity.

Shortly thereafter America became a military and economic super power.

The downfall of what was morally right in America occurred in the 1980's when lobbyist paid off the people we as American citizens elected to represent our best interest.

Today, not only America, but the Westernized World has degenerated into a culture of greed and vice.  Kindness and compassion is all but absent, and most find pleasure in the pain of others.

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[phreak]

You must not know much about American history if you think WW2 was the trigger point of decline.

That's why I explicitly mentioned the British Empire.

And also I want to know on a human level when the decline became too obvious to ignore, not on a macro level (which is easier to spot for an outsider).

[Dr Dutch]

Does anyone have some insight into empire decline, especially that of the British Empire? I know some of the historical background, but am interested in perspectives on peoples' perception then and now. When did it sink in for the common man that the empire was gone? Was there a specific event that triggered this realisation (WW2?) or was this a gradual change in thinking?

They neglected the upright row, that was it. yes.

[Tito24]

the superpower of al capone

[Dr Dutch]

That's why I explicitly mentioned the British Empire.

And also I want to know on a human level when the decline became too obvious to ignore, not on a macro level (which is easier to spot for an outsider).

Colonies went, they went too. US had no colonies, so they could rise...

[phreak]

Colonies went, they went too. US had no colonies, so they could rise...

True, but I want to know more about what the man in the street felt. Was it India's independence that made it dawn on the little people that GB was no longer a world power? Was it having to cower in bomb shelters during V1 raids? Was it much earlier, losing millions of troops during WW1? Or was it gradual, just more and more people realising that GB went from being an empire where the sun never sets, to a simple country where it never shines?

I'd like to know this about our country as well, but nobody alive shortly after the Golden Century is around these days. 

[bighead]

Anyone watching HBO's The Newsroom?

Pretty Epic.

The writers seem fearless and not afraid to say what every rational person in the world is thinking about modern culture.

    wow!!!!

[Fortress]

Good stuff.

The USA is FAR from the greatest country in the world.

At its beginnning, it meant well, but has since unraveled to a point where it's gasping for air. 

[El Diablo Blanco]

Good stuff.

The USA is FAR from the greatest country in the world.

At its beginnning, it meant well, but has since unraveled to a point where it's gasping for air. 

Funny how people keep on saying that, yet there are millions and millions of people all over the world that continue to move to the USA and never leave.

Brits always talk down to the US but I can't tell you how many move here and never leave. I read one stat that when it comes to illegal immigraiton that germans are third behind the latinos and asians coming into the country.

I think people bitch about commericialism, greed etc. but love living within pissing distance of 50 major chain stores and love getting things cheap.

[Tito24]

they never leave because usa makes so good hamburgers

[Dr Dutch]

I'd like to know this about our country as well, but nobody alive shortly after the Golden Century is around these days. 

Trading was the main thing, plus our neighbour countries were not that strong around then. Plus we were extremely liberal for the period, so lots of scholars and scientists came to Holland. Everything just fitted into place that century. It couldn't last because we had just 2 or 3 million inhabitants. It was crazy really...

[crownshep]

Just watched the first episode on Sky over here in England,loved the first 5 mins,and that episode just got better and better,can`t wait for part 2 tommorrow night.Brilliant series.

[Fortress]

Funny how people keep on saying that, yet there are millions and millions of people all over the world that continue to move to the USA and never leave.

That many folks choose the lesser shit out of two shits doesn't make the lesser shit not shit. Get it?

To deny that the US hasn't deteriorated massively these past few decades is to be either stupid or have your head in the sand.

[flipper5470]

Pseudo-intellectual drivel designed to appeal to sofa dwellers who think they have all the answers to the world's problems.  

[Voice of Doom]

You must not know much about American history if you think WW2 was the trigger point of decline.

WW2 was the true birth of America becoming a super power.  

Before WW2 America was as prominent in the world as Sweden, but Franklin Roosevelt's guts to stand up and help our British allies showed the world that American's had the will to do what was right and fight against inhumanity.

Shortly thereafter America became a military and economic super power.

The downfall of what was morally right in America occurred in the 1980's when lobbyist paid off the people we as American citizens elected to represent our best interest.

Today, not only America, but the Westernized World has degenerated into a culture of greed and vice.  Kindness and compassion is all but absent, and most find pleasure in the pain of others.

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The US entered WW2 for the same reason it entered WW1...to save countries that had taken large loans from the western banking cabals from being obliterated.  New occupiers mean new governments and new governments mean the cancellation of previous debts. 
That certainly doesn't detract from the nobel efforts of the men fighting the war but is a true statement about how much their lives are worth to the elites.

[bighead]

You must not know much about American history if you think WW2 was the trigger point of decline.

WW2 was the true birth of America becoming a super power.  

Before WW2 America was as prominent in the world as Sweden, but Franklin Roosevelt's guts to stand up and help our British allies showed the world that American's had the will to do what was right and fight against inhumanity.

Shortly thereafter America became a military and economic super power.

The downfall of what was morally right in America occurred in the 1980's when lobbyist paid off the people we as American citizens elected to represent our best interest.

Today, not only America, but the Westernized World has degenerated into a culture of greed and vice.  Kindness and compassion is all but absent, and most find pleasure in the pain of others.

[/youtube]

                                                                                              wow!!  this one had me choke up a little, is that charlie chaplin?

[Psychopath]

ahahahahah, fuck off you naive little dweeb.

Do you think humans are angels incapable of "sin"? What the fuck do you think keeps you safe at night, with paved roads, running water and electricity? A pacifist approach to politics?

When has that ever worked in the past? When was there ever a time where a dominant nation didn't rule the world or the majority of it?

...and isn't there always a foreign threat that manages to overthrow and/or strongly competes with the current dominant empire? If you wish to remain dominant, "pre-emptive" measure must be taken before it's too late, in strive to maintain dominance and favourable order.  

The only thing that differentiates America from previous empires is the level of human rights and freedom it grants its citizens.

The whole system is built on consumerism. You can't have self-indulgent, absent minded, greedy and envious consumers when your populous hails a king, and fears abuse from its own military, politicians, and secret police.

[Roger Bacon]

That is idiotic.  Overall Math, science, life expectancy, infant mortality, median household income, labor force, and exports aren't and should never be what make (or made) America great. 

The reason we are (were) the best is because of our freedom; economic, creative, individual.  Everything else stemmed from that.  It would be very difficult to compete with other countries in those categories while enjoying such freedom to do as we please, and run OUR OWN LIVES.

In such a gigantic free society, there are bound to be groups (that enjoy the freedom to fail) which skew those statistics.


Unfortunately (because of weak minded, ignorant followers) we're now joining the ranks of mediocre countries around the world.

[bighead]

That is idiotic.  Overall Math, science, life expectancy, infant mortality, median household income, labor force, and exports aren't and should never be what make (or made) America great. 

The reason we are (were) the best is because of our freedom; economic, creative, individual.  Everything else stemmed from that.  It would be very difficult to compete with other countries in those categories while enjoying such freedom to do as we please, and run OUR OWN LIVES.

In such a gigantic free society, there are bound to be groups (that enjoy the freedom to fail) which skew those statistics.


Unfortunately (because of weak minded, ignorant followers) we're now joining the ranks of mediocre countries around the world.

  have you travelled outside of the united states?

[bighead]

All the people in this thread that say america isnt the greatest country in the world, could you pick a country that you feel is the greatest.  Not criticizing, just wanna see what people would say.  If you had to pick one, which would you pick?  As of right now.  

  CANADA!!

[bighead]

ahahahahah, fuck off you naive little dweeb.

Do you think humans are angels incapable of "sin"? What the fuck do you think keeps you safe at night, with paved roads, running water and electricity? A pacifist approach to politics?

When has that ever worked in the past? When was there ever a time where a dominant nation didn't rule the world or the majority of it?

...and isn't there always a foreign threat that manages to overthrow and/or strongly competes with the current dominant empire? If you wish to remain dominant, "pre-emptive" measure must be taken before it's too late, in strive to maintain dominance and favourable order.  

The only thing that differentiates America from previous empires is the level of human rights and freedom it grants its citizens.

The whole system is built on consumerism. You can't have self-indulgent, absent minded, greedy and envious consumers when your populous hails a king, and fears abuse from its own military, politicians, and secret police.

  Im sure you have not.

[El Diablo Blanco]

  CANADA!!

HAHAHA, no. Canada's tax system ensures that canadians cannot become rich as quickly as they can in the USA.  Canada does everything it can to be like the USA and deny that it wants to be like the USA.

People need to realize as well that America is fucking huge with so many different types of people and regions that it is crazy.  Trying to define America as a whole is immposible.