X-Message-Number: 19753
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 17:07:30 -0700
From: "John Grigg" <>
Subject: Differences between friends...

I wrote:
>... .I think the next time the U.S. builds some cool piece of
>technology, we should keep it well away from the French.  This
>would force them to invent their own stuff, and not just steal
<it from us...  Talk about rude behavior!!!

Olaf Henny responded:
John, I like you and your generally positive posts, but where
does
that crap come from?  (And who is rude?)
(end)


Many Americans come away with the impression many(but by no means all) French 
people are rude.  I don't entirely blame the French on this, since citizens of 
the U.S. and other nations pour into their land each year as tourists.  But than
again, they don't seem to complain about all that extra money strengthening 
their economy! lol


I had a friend tell me the French in the infrequently visited countryside tend 
to be very nice, but the folks who live in large urban areas(inundated by 
tourists) tend to be the very rude ones.  It does somewhat make sense.


you continue:
I presume, that has its roots from your indoctrination from
preschool on, that the US is the greatest country in the world,
and if we all just could pattern ourselves after the American
system, the world would be a wonderful place to live in.
(end)


We Americans are very proud of our accomplishments, and we definitely have solid
reasons for it.  Our military prowess kept Europe free from Nazi and Soviet 
tyranny, and our economic strength rebuilt it after WWII.  We currently must try
to gently guide Russia and China along the path of peace and brotherhood among 
nations.  This will not be an easy task, considering both powers may turn 
against us and also their neighbors in the years ahead, in a quest for political
and military gain.  Peace with such nations(considering their histories) will 
ONLY come from a position of strength.   


I do not think other nations must pattern themselves after us.  We certainly pay
a high price for our emphasis on military and economic supremacy.  High taxes 
combined with a certain amount of neglect for the poor(and middle class) are 
examples of this.  

you continue:
It probably is all that by American standards, which emphasize
science and technology (good for us cryonicists), martial skills
and unbridled entrepreneurialism and which makes them world
leaders in all those categories.
(end)


I am very proud of my nation for these key areas being of paramount value to us.
I do admit however, that we do not care for our citizens as well as we might.
A scandinavian welfare system would not be the answer, though! 

you continue:
However other nations  priorities lie more in humane treatment of
_all_ members of their societies, and in that aspect the US is
not only the taillight of the G7, but it lags behind the other 6
and behind all the members of the EU by a wide margin.  Instead
of the universal right to bear arms all the others hold up the
right to universal health care.  Nobody gets bumped from the
right to health care because of extended chronic illness.  They
all have abandoned capital punishment as barbaric and unbecoming
to a civilized society.

It is the emphasis on preservation of life and health, which
should
give that set of values appeal to cryonicists.
(end)


The U.S. must certainly do much more regarding this crucial matter.  But you 
must remember that nations with universal health care often make their citizens 
wait sometimes a LONG time for the care they need.  Sometimes so long the person
actually dies.  So don't tell me the european approach is perfect.  And we do 
spend billions on our Medicare and Medicaid programs.

you continue:
I am not saying that one system is superior to any other
(although I do have a preference), but I do say, that the
universe does not exactly revolve around the American system of
values.  That has evolved out of American history, is indigenous
to
the US and has a rightful place there.  But that does not mean,
that the rest of the world has to follow the US example.
(end)


The universe does not revolve around the United States?? Why, of course it 
does!! lol!  Seriously, I am glad you are at least insightful regarding how we 
came to be who we are.  And if not for the warlike tendancies of certain 
european states, WE would not even be the somewhat militaristic society we are.
Please keep that key fact in mind! lol

you continue:
Now we come to the point, which raised my blood pressure:  Just
because the US is the world leader in most fields of science and
technology, that does not mean, that the rest of us are STEALING
it from you.  There is a universally accepted patent system in
the world, which is recognized and adhered to by all developed
nations.  If we are using American technology, we pay good
royalties for it.
(end)


I did not intend at all to slight all European nations on this very touchy 
matter.  BUT the fact is the French government's intelligence agencies, AND 
their corporations, have had a policy for years of spying on U.S. corporations 
and their employees.  This is very well documented!  The French in fact have at 
times gone too far in terms of breaking into hotel rooms, bribes, blackmail, 
etc. that corporate america has had to appeal to the U.S. gov't to exert 
pressure so that the French would at least tone it down.  


I realize many other nations engage in this(China, etc.), but the French are 
supposed to be our ally and European "brother!"  But they sure don't act like it
at times.  


It is now a booming business for U.S. corporate employees(especially when headed
overseas) to get special training in how to deal with these problems.  

Olaf, thank you for giving me the opportunity to discuss these matters.  

best wishes,

John       



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