Popcornbird, I'm glad you agree. Sometimes it saddens me that people of other races or from other countries can see flaws in the USA that the "real" citizens can't see.

Originally posted by All Creatures Great And Small
Ann - it's unfortunate that you had to run across so many of our "not exactly bright" citizens while you were here. However, much of your experience is anecdotal, and you are generalizing based on a small percentage of Americans (largely Southern Californians?) you have met.
Actually, while most of my real life experience is only from California, I work at a big online community with over 5000 members; the majority of those from the USA. I've based a lot of my opinions on them as well as the people I met in Cali, the people on Pet Talk and other websites. I really am not basing my opinions on just a few people, but hundres and hundreds I've talked to. And while those hundreds of course is a small percent of all the Americans, it still gives a pretty good view.

Originally posted by All Creatures Great And Small
Yes, America is very wrapped up in the September 11th tragedy, because it happened HERE, to OUR people. Naturally we will be a lot more concerned about it and want to memorialize the innocent victims. If it happened in Sweden, those people would be far more concerned about it, because it would be felt so directly and deeply. This is not because we think only Americans deserve to be mourned. How do you know that none of us care about innocent victims of war?
I think Swedes and pretty much the whole world mourned for the innocent deaths on September 11. But would you have done the same? That was my point, nothing else...

Of course I know that not all of you are uncaring... A great example would be Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The thousands of people who died there were all innocent civilians and yet most Americans sees it as "a quick way to end the war without any American troops getting slaughtered".

Originally posted by All Creatures Great And Small
As far as the pastor, well, that speaks more about religious exclusion than national pride and ignorance. Who knows how a Shintoist would feel if you told him you find American Catholicism fascinating and a better religion. If he was a Shinto extremist, he might get his knickers in a twist regardless of what country you're from. The beauty of this country is that there are AMERICANS who practice Shintoism right here in America, are free to do so, and would welcome Shintoists even if they were from Sweden . Perhaps some of our religions are not very tolerant, but you are not forced by national policy to follow any of them, or persecuted/tortured/killed for your alternate beliefs as happens in some other countries.
Actually, I've spoken to many Shintoists before, and they have always been able to discuss other religions maturely and without calling me a "devil worshipper"

The beauty of your country can be had in the majority of other countries as well. Sure, there are places like China in the world that doesn't allow free religion, but the USA is not unique with that.

Originally posted by All Creatures Great And Small
Did the European kids in that study do better at world geography, or local geography? Would they know the capital of each US state? Whatever; it really means nothing more than the ability to memorize and retain facts.
They did better with both actually. The study wasn't like "name the capital of California" or anything like that, they asked more general knowledge questions like if there is a town called so-and-so in the USA etc.

Originally posted by All Creatures Great And Small
Not having a personal interest in current world events or other cultures isn't necessarily ignorance, just a personal preference.
It's a complete different thing not to have an interest and to just be plain out uncaring and ignorant. Very big difference IMHO.