Other People's Blogs

Now, I'm not going to claim to be a genius, but I do think that there are a lot of REALLY REALLY REALLY dumb people blogging out there. Sometimes I wonder what planet they're living on. One such case, someone who had a fight to the death between Family Guy and the Simpsons.

I don't know where to start. I made a comment (though I was logged in as my wife "Shannonoz"), but feel that this needs a bit more comment. I am sick of people claiming that Family Guy is anything but a cheap, poor quality rip off of the Simpsons. The show sucks! There is no subtlety in its jokes, there is no creativity or originality. The Simpsons made fun of it being a clone and it took the show's creator two months to figure it out.

My wife was saying yesterday that the Internet has given the masses the ability to take content back from the news media. Another thing it's done is brought idiots together so they can share their stupid thoughts.

Ugly Americans

I constantly hear when we Americans travel abroad that we are the "ugly americans." However, I have encountered a number of Europeans lately who (and I do NOT want to generalize all Europeans this way) are some of the most misguided and pompous people I have met. They've accused us as being racist, conformist, misguided, etc. Meanwhile, while telling me we're racist they scream about, "ARABS, ARABS, ARABS who want to take over!"

The issue that we discussed at length was the banning of religious symbols in French schools. I am a privately religious person who believes in the right of my fellow man to decide his own path. I try to live the cliche "I don't agree with you but I will fight to the death to defend your right to believe that."

So, I was told that children should "not be allowed" to wear turbans, burkhas, crosses, yarmulkes, etc. in schools because it promotes freedom for the individual. I have no idea how denying choice to the individual does so. It seems to me that allowing people to express their religion or thoughts in a public arena (without imposing those beliefs on others) is one of the cornerstones of a free society.

Personally, I believe that Europe is so obsessed with maintaining and protecting an antiquated European Cultural Ideal that they do not have room for other ideas. The U.S. is not perfect by any means, but at least our system is set up to protect the individual and their expression through law instead of forcing them to conform. It's ironic though how the Europeans feel that our system forces conformity.

To be honest, I think they're upset because they can't waltz through our country whenever they want, are faced with views that they disagree with, and are presented with a multitude of cultures that carry the weight of nearly 300 million people. I would humbly suggest that they learn a thing or two about the right to free religion and expression. This is one area I know that we, as Americans, are light years ahead.