board77

I think that is the closest word to use. Being able to function and be with his family I think is a step in the right direction. Also, he's at Harvard. Something has to be going right there.

Wilma thanks for the clarification I really didn't want to think you were a big jerk with a large head. I know America has it's problems and may not do things the same way Canada does, but that's why we are separate nations.

I think you are absoluetly correct that people do get the wrong impression of American's from the media, because that's because we put everything on the news for everyone to see, epecially the violent and corrupt stuff. G-Dub is always making news for the decisions he's making. I couldn't even tell you who the head of Canada is let alone anything he's done good or bad (I know I'm horrible). The only things I hear about our neighbor to the north is how displeased they are with the decisions Bush is making. Oh what's that Canada doesn't support the US, ah what's new? Can't make everyone happy...or as of late anyone

I just ranted on like a looney. And just all of you wait I'm going to actually find an issue and study up on it and knock your socks off with how much I know about "it" whatever "it" maybe be.

I feel guilty now too....

And you know what: wherever you go, people mix up Switzerland with Sweden. It's frustrating .

The best is to read news-papers. Good ones.

Quote:

people mix up Switzerland with Sweden. It's frustrating

They do? Oh my. That's at least as bad as people who ask folks from New Mexico if they were born in the US...

Axordil wrote:

Quote:

people mix up Switzerland with Sweden. It's frustrating

They do? Oh my. That's at least as bad as people who ask folks from New Mexico if they were born in the US...

I hope you aren't refreing to other American's asking if ppl from New Mexico....oh of course you were

And as for Switzerland and Sweden, hrm, do you suppose it's because they both start with "S"?

But they don't confuse them with Spain, I'll bet.

I think it's the cute blondes.

Yeah for the 'you I meant in the general sense. I wish though that Americans would try to know who was in charge of countries near by. I know about Vicente Foz is the president of Mexico. For some European countries I am not quite as well versed unfortunately.

The thing that can be very embarrasing is that when can build a comedy program on what your next door neighbour dosen't know about you (us). To the point of making fun of the future president. I don't think that is a good thing.

Also, it's well kind of hard to feel great about your neighbour when you help them out in a major (public) emergency (to the point of feeding and sheltering the other countries citizens and taking a risk to themselves) and they don't even thank you in public since they forgot about you. That does not lead to good relations.

Are you talking about Gander et al taking in planes that had to land when 9/11 happened? That was very classy for all involved, thank you.

BBC World News on PBS, 6am. Record it religiously, watch it when I wake up in bed with a coffee and a hot chick next to me.

If only we smoked in the house it would be perfect.

I've always listened to world news. When I was 10, I got my first short wave radio and I grew up listening to news from many countries. Deutsche Welle, the BBC, Radio France, Radio Moscow (years ago), and the CBC were favorites. All of it was interesting.

Because of the internet, most shortwave broadcasting has been cut severely or abandoned. Fortunately some has shifted directly to the internet. I listen to the BBC part of every day at the office. There are several Pakistani and Indian websites that give a decent alternative view to the events in the middle east. Most foreign news sources are associated with newspapers rather than broadcast media.

It is unfortunate that most Americans totally ignore what is readily available. Cable provides TV news from England, France, and Germany for those that are curious. The web provides far more information than I can cope with, but it is convenient to have when I hear a rumor of a problem that is not being reported in the US.

My fave sources:

BBC (latenight via NPR)
The Irish Times
The Christian Science Monitor

The latter two are free on line.

And of course Salon.com, for the comix.

Ax,

You should really try the BBC World Service on the internet. It provides more depth than the TV version.

BBC World Service

And I don't have to stay up late to hear it, either. Good idea, thanks.

Fox I meant Vincente Fox. I do not want anyone to think I got the president of mexico confused with Fozzie Bear from the muppets

Thank You everyone for the news advice. I will be making an effort to catch PBS in the morning. I have already bookmarked the news service link IS thanks.

Edit: My mother used to listen to world news on her shortwave Radio when she was growing up in St.Kitts.

Edit again: About Gander, thanks Ax. The thing is I think most of Canada knows most Americans appreciate it (greatly). I thik nthere were many people who fell in love with the place. But it would have been nice to have been acknowledged about that when the whole world was watching (we usually don't get much notice, you see). That has nothing to do with the US citizens, who appreciated it, and everything to do with Bush and the speechwriter. Particularly when it was the US govenernment who was the one who asked us for the help in the first place and that Canada was potentially putting itself at risk by taking on all those unexpected flights. At the time no one knew who could be on those planes. Bush as the head of the government should have known better. We were all sitting there, waiting for it and it never came. The world was watching. I know one American even apologized for Bush to me for such a gigantic oversight (although they shouldn't have felt they had to do that).

Axordil wrote:

But they don't confuse them with Spain, I'll bet.

I think it's the cute blondes.

You know it's funny you should mention Spain as it happens to be my last name. So of course people can't resist asking the age old question, "Are you from Spain?" or even better "Are you Spainish?" the answer was no then and it's no now. Spain is an Irish name. I don't make the rules people, and I'm not nearly exotic (or tan) enough to look Spanish.

Don't suppose your first name is Nancy....

Alas it is not Nancy. Is it safe to assumed you know a Nancy Spain?

It's a Christy Moore song:

Of all the stars that ever shone
Not one does twinkle like your pale blue eyes
Like golden corn at harvest time your hair
Sailing in my boat the wind
Gently blows and fills my sail
Your sweet-scented breath is everywhere

Daylight peeping through the curtain
Of the passing night time is your smile
And the sun in the sky is like your laugh
Come back to me my Nancy
Linger for just a little while
Since you left these shores I've known no peace
Nor joy

Chorus:
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
by your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
gone, if you'll return again
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain

On the day in Spring when snow starts to melt
And streams to flow
With the birds I'll sing this song
Then in the while I'll wander
Down by bluebell stream where wild flowers grow
And I'll hope that lovely Nancy will return