WHAT ARE SOME QUALITIES THAT MAKE UP AN AMERICAN?

(Sorry, didn't realized I caps-locked everything) :D

Strength, drive, pride, determination, ingenuity, moral, honorable.



We are, at times, most illogical... But mossop has already pointed that out, haven't you girl? :lol: We can be vengeful, arrogant, greedy, unreliable...


There are two sides to every coin. Personally, I could live without the illogical side.

I do not think that there is any single trait or handful of traits that are definable as American, and to attempt to pigeon-hole people in that manner is both fruitless and dangerous, IMO.

Originally posted by Bootsy Whoosh
I do not think that there is any single trait or handful of traits that are definable as American, and to attempt to pigeon-hole people in that manner is both fruitless and dangerous, IMO.
Maybe... But I don't think it would hurt if you noted a few traits many Americans seem to have.

I agree with Bootsy. How on earth can you generalise an entire nation????

I agree with Mossopp and bootsy but just to show how wide spread this desire to paint ourselves as great, full of fine qualities, look at the recent state of the union address. In the speach he said something like America is the greatest country on the face of the earth. And many other politicos can be quoted as saying something just like that. What does that mean and why does it need to be said all the time? There are many measures of "greatness" and America doesn't hold them all above all others. It's embarrasing to hear the president of the United States tell the entire world that America is greater than all others.

Originally posted by kittflynn
There are many measures of "greatness" and America doesn't hold them all above all others. It's embarrasing to hear the president of the United States tell the entire world that America is greater than all others.
I agree. The U.S. has way to big of an ego.

The United States of America IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!

When Hitler overran Europe, and Britian was on the brink of falling, who came over there and stood with the British to take back the continent, and liberate Europe? We did, that's who!

After the war, we rebuilt the economies of Germany and Japan - and now we are doing the same in Afghanistan. What other nation would do this for us if they defeated this country in a war?

When natural disaster strikes anywhere in the world, who are the first ones on the scene to offer relief and help them rebuild? We are, that's who!

Who has done more than the United States to feed the hungry people in this world? Who has done more to alleviate suffering, or treat the sick? Nobody!

There's still too many people in the U.S. who feel they have to put down this country for the sake of "Political Correctness".

This is the greatest country that God has ever put on the face of this Earth, and I don't give a damn if some people out there don't like me saying it!!!!! God Bless America!

Being a braggadocio is tacky for musicians, athletes, politicians, WWWF wrestlers or supermodels. Modesty and verbal restraint doesn't automatically coincide with being politically correct. Bragging is also a good way to get one's nose bloodied. I wonder if you feel that political correctness in this country should be a category to consider when profiling?

Originally posted by Jimbo

There's still too many people in the U.S. who feel they have to put down this country for the sake of "Political Correctness".

I'm not saying America doesn't do great things, I'm just saying that sometimes this country can be egotistical –there's a big difference. I feel the U.S. sometimes has an exaggerated sense of self-importance. This is just my opinion and I'm not saying we are always this way but oftentimes we do think rather highly of ourselves. The rest of the world would not crumble to pieces if the U.S. did not exist!

It is quite possible to do great things without thinking of yourself as the greatest country there ever was! Besides that, no country is perfect, including the U.S. There are many areas where the U.S. falls far short of other countries and there are times when the U.S. is not so great. I am not trying to put this country down, I'm just pointing out that it is not always greater than others. I also am not trying to be politically correct, this is simply how I feel.

Think of it this way. It's like a talented quarterback bragging that he's the best football player on the planet. He's not perfect, there are plenty of other great quarterbacks, and to go around making those kinds of statements makes him look like a jerk.

Again, I am not trying to discount any of the wonderful things our country does, I just think it is arrogant to claim we are the greatest country in the world.

Originally posted by Jimbo

When Hitler overran Europe, and Britian was on the brink of falling, who came over there and stood with the British to take back the continent, and liberate Europe? We did, that's who!



Get your facts right! America was NOT responsible for any heroics whatsoever in the Second World War. America kept it's distance throughout the entire thing and only stepped in at the very last minute. That does not give you the right to act like heros and I suggest you study your history texts books a little more closely before you say any more nonsense!

I don't have the time or the energy to correct you on any of the other things you said.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of your country but Americans take it all too far sometimes. That's why you have the reputation you do - loud, brash and completely unaware of what's going on anywhere else in the world!! When I hear Americans talking the way Jimbo is talking I can see why people from other countries think you are all ignorant.

Originally posted by kittflynn
Being a braggadocio .....

Sorry, but my South Carolina side is showing through...what the hell does braggadocio mean?

Originally posted by kittflynn
I wonder if you feel that political correctness in this country should be a category to consider when profiling?

To tell you the truth, that thought never occurred to me, but I think you have a great idea there, Kittflynn! Thanks for a terrific suggestion!

Originally posted by JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo


Sorry, but my South Carolina side is showing through...what the hell does braggadocio mean?
Something that Californians and South Carolinians have in common is access to a dictionary. Something that braggadocio and bird or car or tree or bee or see or, really most any word you can name is that they are all in that dictionary. Now, I've known a few South Carolinians, and all of them could read. And you're no exception to that rule, are you JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo.

Originally posted by Mossopp


Get your facts right! America was NOT responsible for any heroics whatsoever in the Second World War. America kept it's distance throughout the entire thing and only stepped in at the very last minute. That does not give you the right to act like heros and I suggest you study your history texts books a little more closely before you say any more nonsense!


You are the one who needs to get their facts straight, Mossopp! So you think America was not responsible for any heroics whatsoever, do you? Who do you think fought along side of the British, the Canadians, and the other allied forces during the invasion of Normandy? Who fought with them in the North Africa? In the Battle of the Bulge? (My own father was wounded there). In fact, while we were fighting the war in Europe, we were also fighting a second front in the Pacific. Ever hear of the battle of Midway? Corrigedor? Iwo Jima? How dare you say say that America was not responsible for any heroics!

During WWII, 292,131 American servicemen and women were killed, and another 671,801 were wounded. Just who do you think you are? If you ever come to this country, visit Arlington National Cemetery (or any other Veteran's cemetary for that matter!), and then walk up to someone and say that - if you've got the guts.

As for "entering the war at the last minute", again, it's you who needs to read the history books. America entered the war in December, 1941, and fought until victory in Europe was achieved on May 8th, 1945, then continued on until victory over Japan was won on August 15th, 1945. That's over 3 1/2 years of combat. I'd hardly call that "the last minute"!

I'm not saying we did it all ourselves - we didn't. If you had bothered to read my original post (instead of just seeing what you wanted to see), I clearly said the we stood WITH the British in liberating Europe. I agree with what President George W. Bush said recently when he stated that our country has "no greater friend than Great Britian". The same holds true for Canada. The border between the U.S. and Canada stretches for 3000 miles - the longest undefended border between two countries in the world. I'm not backing down from anything I said.

Now, regarding your other snotty remark where you said that you "didn't have time to correct everything I said that was wrong". Go ahead. Take the time. I'll be waiting. God Bless America!

Yeah well america is the best because were a superpower so get over it people. And yeah we pretty much do win every war were in. I know nothing about history but I know we rock. And canada dont coutn I mean please.. they dont even have an army. They thought the WTC attacks were funny... Yes a canadian did tell me that,

Pride in America and the courtesy to heed what others say should go hand in hand. Americans will be better served if we're willing to listen.

From the Chicago Tribune:
World Forum: U.S. self-centered

["They" weren't the demonstrators outside the World Economic Forum but the official participants inside, a global A-list of business executives, government officials, princes, presidents, prelates and professors from 106 countries.

A motiff throughout the meeting was critisizm of globilazation and the self-centered role that the United States plays. American businesses and political leaders took heat for a long list of percieved sins: growing inequality between rich and poor, unilateralist policies in Washington, an overreliance on force in the war against terrorism, and inattention to the global environment and health care.

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine complained of U.S. "indifference" toward it's allies.

"We find it very difficult to penetrate the minds of American leaders, the previous admistration as well as this one," agreed Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. "There's a feeling in Washington that anything that is not American cannot be right."

Other delegates said that President Bush proved Veldrines point with his State of the Union speech identifying an "axis of evil" in the world without asking his allies what they thought about this escalation in Anti-terrorist rhetoric.]

Originally posted by kittflynn
Pride in America and the courtesy to heed what others say should go hand in hand. Americans will be better served if we're willing to listen.

From the Chicago Tribune:
World Forum: U.S. self-centered

["They" weren't the demonstrators outside the World Economic Forum but the official participants inside, a global A-list of business executives, government officials, princes, presidents, prelates and professors from 106 countries.

A motiff throughout the meeting was critisizm of globilazation and the self-centered role that the United States plays. American businesses and political leaders took heat for a long list of percieved sins: growing inequality between rich and poor, unilateralist policies in Washington, an overreliance on force in the war against terrorism, and inattention to the global environment and health care.

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine complained of U.S. "indifference" toward it's allies.

"We find it very difficult to penetrate the minds of American leaders, the previous admistration as well as this one," agreed Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. "There's a feeling in Washington that anything that is not American cannot be right."

Other delegates said that President Bush proved Veldrines point with his State of the Union speech identifying an "axis of evil" in the world without asking his allies what they thought about this escalation in Anti-terrorist rhetoric.]
That's a fact.

In my previous post, I stated that the British and the Canadians are the greatest friends this nation has ever had.

Since Kittflynn and Max Whittaker seem to be in total agreement with the socialist drivel published the Chicago Tribune, I'd like to offer for their consideration another editorial about this country.

What follows below is an editorial by Canadian television commentator Gordon Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair spoke these words in 1973. Today, nearly 30 years later, they are just as relevant today. The full text of his message was recorded in the Congressional Record:


This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.

Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When distant cities are hit by earthquakes, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States Dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar, or the Douglas 10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American planes?

Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - - not once, but several times - and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the American who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those.

Jimbo:
This is what I can't understand in a discussion: Gordon Sinclair spoke on behalf of America during the turmoil of the Vietnam war, a period in American history that does not parallel with the events taking place today. During that time the American public forgot to even honor their own soldiers in battle. Shameful! Soldiers that, by the way, would not have been or would not have died in battle but for the decisions of, not the generals, but those in government--McNamara, Johnson. My own brother was one of those in battle. He has payed a huge price for his participation as have many Vietnam vets. I don't take issue with what Gordon Sinclair said, but it doesn't have anything to do with the article I posted, and the article has nothing to do with your buzzword--"socialist". If you want to listen and discuss we can do that. If you just want to claim victory in some imaginary battle of your own concoction, you're on your own.

Originally posted by Jimbo

You are the one who needs to get their facts straight, Mossopp! So you think America was not responsible for any heroics whatsoever, do you....?

The war began in 1939. America didn't get involved untill 1941 - two years later ! And the only reason you got involved was cos you got your asses kicked at Pearl Harbour!
Spare me your "my nation is so great" speeches. Two of my great, great uncles fought in the American Civil War in 1860 so that you could have your 'freedom'!!!

This is the greatest country that God has ever put on the face of this Earth, and I don't give a damn if some people out there don't like me saying it!!!!! God Bless America!

You opinion that you are "God's Greatest Country" just reeks of self-important bullsh#t. Your country is full of social problems - drugs, crime, poverty, homelessness - just like every other country on this planet, and it's on a larger scale! You're a fool if you're able to convince yourself otherwise!

America was reluctant to enter WWII because of it's experience in WWI. We didn't want to fight. And can you blame us? When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, We HAD to get into it. I don't see your point Mossopp. How should that define a nation?



I don't see what is wrong with being proud of your country or even taking it to far. Atleast we don't hate it with a passion! Love for your country is a good sign.


America is not perfect. I never said it was! But it doesn't have to be perfect to be a great land.


patriot:


Of course, your entitled to your opinion about us. However, perhaps you should hold off true judgement until you actually have lived here for an extended period of time.

Originally posted by Mossopp


The war began in 1939. America didn't get involved untill 1941 - two years later ! And the only reason you got involved was cos you got your asses kicked at Pearl Harbour!
Spare me your "my nation is so great" speeches. Two of my great, great uncles fought in the American Civil War in 1860 so that you could have your 'freedom'!!!

You opinion that you are "God's Greatest Country" just reeks of self-important bullsh#t. Your country is full of social problems - drugs, crime, poverty, homelessness - just like every other country on this planet, and it's on a larger scale! You're a fool if you're able to convince yourself otherwise!

In one of your earlier posts, you made some ridiculous statements such as "America was NOT responsible for any heroics in the Second World War" and said that we "only stepped in at the very last minute".

How did I respond to you? I didn't make derogatory remarks about your country (and haven't made any such remarks about any country on this thread). I didn't call you names. I responded instead with facts, figures, dates, places, etc.

I then invited you to refute what I said. Instead of offering any kind of intelligent rebuttal, you responded with name calling and profanity. That's so typical of someone like you. You don't have the facts on your side, so you resort to the kind of garbage found above, because it's the only weapon you have. Now go ahead - call me a few more names. Knock yourself out.

I was gonna stay out of this, but I do feel that I have to say that it is completely unfair to claim that America was not responsible for any heroics in WWII. Certainly, many nations were responsible for heroics in WWII, and no one claimed that America was the only nation that was. To say that we weren't responsible for any at all is insulting. We may have stayed out 2 years but we were in for over 3.

It is shameful that we waited so late to get involved, especially since there is evidence our government knew about the atrocities Hitler was responsible for. However, you must keep in mind that just because our government knew about it does not mean the public knew about it. You cannot judge the entire country based on a 4 year time period of arguably irresponsible government.

However, I do not like it when people blindly state than America is the best nation in the world while totally ignoring all our problems. America does have many problems, and ignoring them will only make them worse.

However, I don't think there is a problem with liking your country and having faith that it will change for the better, even in face of all the problems we have.

Originally posted by kittflynn
Jimbo:
If you want to listen and discuss we can do that. If you just want to claim victory in some imaginary battle of your own concoction, you're on your own.

Contrary to your sarcastic remark above, I am not trying "to claim victory in some imaginary battle of my own concoction".

The person who started this thread merely asked for opinions regarding "Qualities for an American". Some people on this site immediately used it as a chance to focus on the neagtive. To hear them tell it, citizens of other nations are entitled to take pride in their country, but if we do it, we're "arrogant", "egotistical", "self-centered", etc. Too many people in this country seem to welcome opportunies to engage in bashing the United States.

I decided instead to present a positive point of view, and point out some of the good we've done in the world. Because I choose to focus on the positive, you seem to have a real problem with that. You seem to be the one who is bound and determined to have the last word on this.

I'm not trying to claim for one minute that we are perfect - we're not. We've had many dark moments in our history, and have done things that no one should be proud of. But you know what? We've never run away from those dark moments. Instead, we've confronted them, and have done our best to correct past injustices.

This may surprise you, but I happen to agree with your comments about the War in Viet Nam. I am old enough to remember the Viet Nam era, and I agree that the way your brother and others in the military were treated was shameful. I also concur that the conduct of the war should have been left in the hands of the Generals, and not the politicians.

And yes, I will admit, my "socialist" comment was over the line. I owe you and Max Whittaker an apology for that one.

I do not agree, however, with your contention that the Gordon Sinclair editorial has no relevance to the Chicago Tribune article that you posted. The participants in the World Economic Forum are the same type of people that Sinclair spoke about in 1973 - they welcome our aid and our money with open arms, then turn around and put us down at the first opportunity.

They say we haven't done enough for the global environment and health care. Who's done more?

They criticize us for "an overreliance on force in the war against terrorism". Over 3000 people (including citizens from dozens of other nations) were killed on American soil on Sept. 11th. How should we have responded?

They take exception to President Bush for "identifying an axis of evil without asking his allies what they thought about this escalation in Anti-terrorist rhetoric".

Here's a news flash for the rest of the world: We don't need to ask anyone's permission to defend our country! As President Bush said, you're either with us, or you're with the terrorists.

There's one final thing that puzzles me: In your last post, I noticed your "civility" logo at the top of your narrative. If you're so concerned about civility, then why have you said nothing about the vicious, vile, and hateful remarks about our country posted by Mossopp? You are so quick to take me to task, but you remain silent about the bile that he is spewing forth. Why is that?

My remark wasn't sarcastic, it was an honest reply to your prior comeback.To begn your next post by calling me sarcastic detracts from your apology later on. You're assuming that I'm surprised that you agree about my Vietnam stance. If you wouldn't make baseless assumptions you'd be discussing with me rather than arguing with me.

Your read of the ChicagoTribune article is overstated. I doubt that Gorcon Sinclair would go along with America right or wrong. The entire civilized world is asking America to listen.That isn't unreasonable. For our own good and the good of the world we should listen better.

To what Mossopp said: unfotunate underassessment! Americans fought and died in world war two along with the allies! My twenty-twenty hindsight, I wish we would have come in sooner. But that's another matter.

So I won't be misunderstood, I decided to add that I don't share Mossopp's opinions of not only America but also of you. You and I have a different idea of what it means to be patriotic or proud of ones country but I don't have any venom about it. I'm not qualified to judge what it's like to take part in war and I'm put off when someone underrates just what a hardship and extreme experience, up close and personal, that war must be.

Originally posted by Jimbo


The person who started this thread merely asked for opinions regarding "Qualities for an American". Some people on this site immediately used it as a chance to focus on the neagtive. To hear them tell it, citizens of other nations are entitled to take pride in their country, but if we do it, we're "arrogant", "egotistical", "self-centered", etc. Too many people in this country seem to welcome opportunies to engage in bashing the United States.



I don't think there is anything wrong with taking pride in your country and its accomplishments. I never said there was anything wrong with that. My only point was that to claim we "are the greatest country on the face of the earth" is really quite conceited and obnoxious. In no way am I bashing this country, I just don't think we should go around making such claims. There are better ways of expressing pride in your country.

Originally posted by Lynn


I don't think there is anything wrong with taking pride in your country and its accomplishments. I never said there was anything wrong with that. My only point was that to claim we "are the greatest country on the face of the earth" is really quite conceited and obnoxious. In no way am I bashing this country, I just don't think we should go around making such claims. There are better ways of expressing pride in your country.

Lynn:

I've never gotten the impression in any of your posts that you were bashing this country. When I previously talked about people in America who seem to welcome opportunies to focus on the negative aspects of this country, I was speaking in general terms, and not about any specific individual - and certainly not about you. Sure I have some strong opinons (no kidding!) on this subject, and you and I may see things differently on some points - and that's okay. The fact is, we are in agreement on more things than not. At least you are conducting yourself in a civil and concilatory manner. All I've tried to say is there's nothing wrong with feeling that you're country is "the greatest country in the world" - whatever country that might be. People in other lands have every right to make that assertion about their nation, and we have the right to feel that way about ours.

Originally posted by kittflynn
My remark wasn't sarcastic, it was an honest reply to your prior comeback.To begn your next post by calling me sarcastic detracts from your apology later on. You're assuming that I'm surprised that you agree about my Vietnam stance. If you wouldn't make baseless assumptions you'd be discussing with me rather than arguing with me.

You are a real piece of work, lady!

If you don't think your previous remark was sarcastic, then you have some issues with denial that you need to deal with.

In my last post, I acknowledged that one of my previous comments was over the line, and offered an apology. How did you react? By finding a way to cast that in a negative light - you couldn't just gracefully accept my apology, and let it be. I guess that was just too much for me to expect from the likes of you.

I don't mind admitting when I am wrong - but if you think I'm going to kiss your butt over this, think again, babe.

When I tried to find some common ground with you, specifically on the issue of Viet Nam, you couldn't deal with that, either - you just had to find some way to turn that into an adversarial situation as well.

You also said "I doubt that Gorcon Sinclair would go along with America right or wrong". When did I ever say anything about "America right or wrong"? Look at my last post and you'll see that I specifically said quite the opposite - and you have the gall to accuse me of making baseless assumptions about you!

Go ahead and continue to post away. I won't be responding again. I've wasted enough time with you and that ignorant, inflexible, "my-way-or-the-highway" attitude of yours.

One final piece of advice: Stay indoors on rainy days. You've got your nose so far up in the air, if you ever walk out into the rain, you're going to drown!

Not that it's really any of my business, but for everyone's information, kittflynn is a man, and Mossop is a woman. Just thought I'd point it out for some reason.

Originally posted by Jimbo


You are a real piece of work, lady!

I've wasted enough time with you and that ignorant, inflexible, "my-way-or-the-highway" attitude of yours.

One final piece of advice: Stay indoors on rainy days. You've got your nose so far up in the air, if you ever walk out into the rain, you're going to drown!
And you think I should have excepted your apology? You chose to overlook what I said about feeling no venom toward you or America. It's embarrasing to see you dig so deep into the mud. Beats me from just where that tirade evolved from.

Bootsy saved me the trouble of informing you of that other tidbit of information.

Originally posted by Jimbo

Instead of offering any kind of intelligent rebuttal, you responded with name calling and profanity. That's so typical of someone like you. You don't have the facts on your side, so you resort to the kind of garbage found above, because it's the only weapon you have. Now go ahead - call me a few more names. Knock yourself out.

I dunno about anyone else but I'm through discussing this with you, Jimbo. I may have resorted to profanity on one occasion but I love how you decided to focus on that to avoid dealing with any of the points I raised!
You also seem to be a master of the double-standard. You attack me for calling you names - which, BTW, I don't believe I did - yet you can make a "snotty remark" (your words, not mine) to Kitt about drowning in the rain cos his nose is in the air. A remark which is neither mature or funny!!

Wow. I held off on reading this thread for awhile. Wish I hadn't, as it looks like I missed a pretty heated debate.

As an American, let me say that yes, our country does have a pretty inflated head at times. That's not to say I'm not happy to be an American; I am. I'm just saying that we need to be considerate of other countries that are just as great as ours.

On the same token, however, being overly patriotic is kind of therepeutic in times like these. After experiencing an attack of a magnitude we're not used to seeing five months ago, some people need to throw in a few "God Bless America"s here and there to cope. That's fine. But try not to tack in a "...but **** your country" at the end of the sentence, eh?

I hate it when people say "America is better than all those other countries out there," because it gives us a bad name, making us look arrogant and egotistical. We're the Jimmy Connors to the rest of the world's Arthur Ashe.

I love being an American, and I love waving my flag, but I'm not one to wave it in somebody else's face.

Now excuse me while I go and play Lee Greenwood's "America Is Great Because We Invented Cheez-Whiz."

Okay folks, this is a spoof so try not to get into a lather. We sometimes have these gratuitous discussions on the board, like the one above, that end about where they began. A hobby of mine is to observe and comment on a writers style aside from the content alone. Here are sentences from an essay written by Jimbo and some of my observations.

lacks originality - loaded with cliches - reads more like a spousel argument than a public debate - writer frequently undermines his argument by claiming expertise in the field of psychoanalysis, which tends to make readers uncomfortable and possibly turn away from the writer.

"You are a real piece of work, lady!"--Cliche - psychoanalytical, and the gender of the opponent is stated with gusto - "lady!" But because the opponent is a male, the effect intended by the writer is ruined. - Be certain of your opponents gender, or don't state it. The writer calls his opponent, "Babe" later in the essay, so you see what an important lesson that can be.

"You have some issues with denial that you need to deal with." - Cliche, and another example of that grating psychoanalysis.

"I guess that was just too much to expect from the likes of you." - Cliche, more psychoanalysis and the spousel argument style again.- Also, "the likes of you" assumes that the readers know enough about the opponent to have a negative opinion about him. That isn't likely and so could cause the readers to actually find the attack to be disagreeable, which would be the precise opposite of the writers intended effect.

"You couldn't deal with that either." Again, I can't overemphasize the importance of not littering your essays with cliche sentences and phrases. This rule is especially applicable when the cliche is intended to insult. This tactic used by spouses, parents, friends or enemies is a guaranteed wall builder - the writer or shouter is almost immediately tuned out.

"...post away. I won't be responding again. I've wasted enough time with you and that ignorant "my way or the highway" attitude of yours." - A number of problems here. Ironically the word "ignorant" is misused, which relates to the problem with the writers reliance on insults. While some insults might have some validity, calling this opponent ignorant, surely doesn't. Also glaringly ironic: the writer lambasts the opponent with the "my way or the highway" sentence when "my way or the highway" is clearly what the writer is now saying to the opponent. The writer strongly states that he is ending his essay. He would've done less harm to his cause if he had. Unfortunately he broke a cardinal rule of intellectual debate by boring and confusing the audience with not only a multiple closing but again resorting to cliche phrases and the tactics used in spousel arguments by reaching for that one last zinger. This wouldn't have been as detrimental if the zinger would've conjured an image for the reader, but it falls short of doing that. - "You've got your nose so far up into the air, if you ever walk out into the rain you're going to drown." - A physical impossiblity in a couple of ways, and so leaves the readers frowning, trying to picture the gymnastics it would take to drown in the rain. The 'joke' is also possibly the most outstanding example in the essay of how reliance upon the use of the clumbsy insult tactic can be.

The full text of this and other observations of the written word can be found at <www.gotchaontheropes.com>