Portrayal of George W. Bush in international advertisements

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Americans who feel this way are silly in their own right. But they can keep that silliness to themselves without celebrating when other countries take jabs at our leaders (and at America, in general).

"Celebrating" is a bit strong here. I find that Americans, as a mob, are isolationists who continue to fancy themselves a "super power" and who wish to spread their idealistic (yet flawed) way of life on others. We're babies in the world and we have allies who continue to deal with us (France comes to mind) despite the childish way we snub them because, underneath it all, America means well and really isn't so bad.

There's nowhere I'd rather be. But, I also reserve the right to laugh at myself and my country when I/we do silly things, regardless of where the joke/jab comes from. I don't find it unpatriotic or dangerous in any way.

I continue to pay my taxes, vote and do all the things an American is expected to do, because I appreciate my way of life (e.g. the fact that I haven't been beheaded for my comments in this thread).

You've mentioned twice now that it is inappropriate to find humor in jokes made at the expense of our country's leader(s). I'm still not clear as to why you feel that way.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

You've mentioned twice now that it is inappropriate to find humor in jokes made at the expense of our country's leader(s). I'm still not clear as to why you feel that way.

I think this has essentially been made clear in this thread, but here goes:

I said that we need to be careful in "celebrating" (whatever that means for you is up to you) when other countries find humor and use images of our leaders as bafoons. When it boils down to it, taking jabs at our leaders isn't far from taking a jab at America. Calling our leaders idiots is calling a representation of America, on foreign soil, an idiot.

I have my own sense of humor (usually twisted) and my own opinions of America and America's leaders. I keep that separate from my position on other countries using images of America and our leadership for their own amusement. They can do what they want, of course, but I won't think it's humorous. Just like many people in other countries don't find humor in the things being said of their countries and leaders by Americans.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

When it boils down to it, taking jabs at our leaders isn't far from taking a jab at America. Calling our leaders idiots is calling a representation of America, on foreign soil, an idiot.

I understand what you're saying, but I don't get the why of it. Why does it matter who is taking the jabs if it's funny? (If a particular joke/cartoon/ad is simply not funny to you, no matter who takes the jab, that's just a matter of taste.)

Just like many people in other countries don't find humor in the things being said of their countries and leaders by Americans.

But you also have to account for the people in other countries who can laugh at themselves. If something is slanderous and unreasonably vicious, it's not all that funny to me and I would agree with anyone who said the joke maker has taken it too far. I would say the same thing of many political cartoons I see within the States. It's when there's truth behind a jab - and when it's something that is already food for comedians in this country - that it's particularly funny to me.

I was also brought up by a parent who didn't speak English or set foot on American soil until he was 15 years old. He is one of those people who finds humor in accurate representations of leaders in the country he once called home. Perhaps mocking political figures is more common among European countries. I've never lived outside of the States, so I don't know for sure. Anyway, I'm afraid he passed down his humor to me.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I understand what you're saying, but I don't get the why of it.

Cool.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Cool.

Another way of saying "let's agree to disagree"? LOL! Playin...playin.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Another way of saying "let's agree to disagree"? LOL! Playin...playin.

LOL. Just letting you know that I'm not ignoring your post but just think there's nothing else to add. We can't disagree if you don't really get where I'm coming from yet.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I understand what you're saying, but I don't get the why of it. Why does it matter who is taking the jabs if it's funny? (If a particular joke/cartoon/ad is simply not funny to you, no matter who takes the jab, that's just a matter of taste.)


But you also have to account for the people in other countries who can laugh at themselves. If something is slanderous and unreasonably vicious, it's not all that funny to me and I would agree with anyone who said the joke maker has taken it too far. I would say the same thing of many political cartoons I see within the States. It's when there's truth behind a jab - and when it's something that is already food for comedians in this country - that it's particularly funny to me.

I was also brought up by a parent who didn't speak English or set foot on American soil until he was 15 years old. He is one of those people who finds humor in accurate representations of leaders in the country he once called home. Perhaps mocking political figures is more common among European countries. I've never lived outside of the States, so I don't know for sure. Anyway, I'm afraid he passed down his humor to me.

I think it's kind of like when siblings make fun of each other and fight. It's ok when they do it amongst themselves, but when an outsider does it, they defend each other. I don't care for the job Mr. Bush has done, but I still don't like hearing other countries making fun of him.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I think it's kind of like when siblings make fun of each other and fight. It's ok when they do it amongst themselves, but when an outsider does it, they defend each other. I don't care for the job Mr. Bush has done, but I still don't like hearing other countries making fun of him.

That makes sense. I don't have that level of attachment to any American president.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I think this has essentially been made clear in this thread, but here goes:

I said that we need to be careful in "celebrating" (whatever that means for you is up to you) when other countries find humor and use images of our leaders as bafoons. When it boils down to it, taking jabs at our leaders isn't far from taking a jab at America. Calling our leaders idiots is calling a representation of America, on foreign soil, an idiot.

I have my own sense of humor (usually twisted) and my own opinions of America and America's leaders. I keep that separate from my position on other countries using images of America and our leadership for their own amusement. They can do what they want, of course, but I won't think it's humorous. Just like many people in other countries don't find humor in the things being said of their countries and leaders by Americans.

::wonders::

Which is worse...making fun of political leaders who can get you this lifetime or religious figures (Jesus or Mohammed) that can get you in the next (or after) life...

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

::wonders::

Which is worse...making fun of political leaders who can get you this lifetime or religious figures (Jesus or Mohammed) that can get you in the next (or after) life...

Did your brain just fart? Gross.

[AKA_Monet]

Well we--some folks in the US--clown other countries left and right. Think South Park AND that Puppet Movie in 2006... The Gongger was teased left and right, even on GC...

All because we are living in a Global Village.

We even tease old historic figures, like Hitler in our movies... The sad part is many other countries JUDGE US by our commercials and movies not realizing that these things are "ha ha funny" and "free speech"--in fact in many of these countries, fail to understand the concept of any "speech being free"--its not what some folks beliefs.

The art of diplomacy has been lost overtime. The times of great communication is missing. And things escalate when we cannot communicate with better words.

The Religious Right need to practice what they preach... "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

The reality is somehow we all need to find our own inner peace...

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Well we--some folks in the US--clown other countries left and right. Think South Park AND that Puppet Movie in 2006... The Gongger was teased left and right, even on GC...

All because we are living in a Global Village.

We even tease old historic figures, like Hitler in our movies... The sad part is many other countries JUDGE US by our commercials and movies not realizing that these things are "ha ha funny" and "free speech"--in fact in many of these countries, fail to understand the concept of any "speech being free"--its not what some folks beliefs.

The art of diplomacy has been lost overtime. The times of great communication is missing. And things escalate when we cannot communicate with better words.

The Religious Right need to practice what they preach... "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

The reality is somehow we all need to find our own inner peace...

AAAAMMMMEERICA ..... F**K YEAH!!!