Questions for our American friends

[Rogerbh]

Reminiscing, Lonesome Loser, Lady, etc. For a time you couldn't walk outside your house and not hear someone playing those songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voQWlL-jj5Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf-AmedKfRc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrnZv7fHGSE

Didn't even know they were Aussies until now.

Now AC/DC, my friends and I thank Australia for them.

[HugoHackenbush]

Originally Posted by Motorboater

Why was the Little River Band popular over there?

I was not a big fan, but they had great vocal harmonies.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Decadence

I continue to be amused by folks from abroad who have this notion Hillary was/is a war hawk. She's a democrat, and a liberal..

So? Since when would that make a difference when she also thinks like a neo-con, and would do almost anything to benefit Israel, often to the detriment of her own country in lives, cost and reputation? She's known to be ruthless anyway, as witnessed by her screwing Bernie over the Democrat nomination

But I know... you're amused because you're American, live there, and quite reasonably believe you must be better informed than people who aren't and don't. I get that

However, we believe your media don't tell you everything about many important matters. So we're amused that you're amused. Long story cut short, but that's the A and O of it

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Brian249x

The CIA interfering? Of course they do; it's their job

Ok, we know that's how many Americans see it. But we see the job of intelligence agencies as gathering intelligence for political review. They have many other functions, but they don't include overthrowing governments they don't like. They often do controversial work, but that kind of activity is not routine for most of us, no matter what you're told

That includes Russia, btw

[Puhbear69]

Originally Posted by palo5

Ok, we know that's how many Americans see it. But we see the job of intelligence agencies as gathering intelligence for political review. They have many other functions, but they don't include overthrowing governments they don't like. They often do controversial work, but that kind of activity is not routine for most of us, no matter what you're told

That includes Russia, btw

Yes !!!

Neither it is industrial espionage and selling the results to the US-industries.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Puhbear69

Neither it is industrial espionage and selling the results to the US-industries.

The discussion is amusing, to use my colleague's word

There was a time when the West said the USSR listened to everyone's phones, and spied on you everywhere. And everyone in the West believed it. In reality, in Leningrad -- which is several million people -- the KGB really could tap anyone's phone, but it could only monitor and record 300 lines at a time

Question for Americans: would you prefer the NSA system that can log all details permanently, or the KGB system with its great limitations?

You told everyone we were the worst people in the world because we watched everyone. Clearly it wasn't true and you were duped, but how do you react now you know your society is a gazillion times worse?

[Puhbear69]

Originally Posted by palo5

The discussion is amusing, to use my colleague's word

There was a time when the West said the USSR listened to everyone's phones, and spied on you everywhere.
[...]

Well, with some "friends" (I don't mean ordinary people, of course) you do not need any enemies -> USSR (I don't mean ordinary people, of course).

But you can't compare yesterdays technologies with the nowadays.
Nevertheless, to spy out the own citizens is an evidence of incapacity of the jurisdiction. It's a sheer bankrupt of the state.

[Arturo2nd]

Originally Posted by palo5

Question for Americans: would you prefer the NSA system that can log all details permanently, or the KGB system with its great limitations?

You told everyone we were the worst people in the world because we watched everyone. Clearly it wasn't true and you were duped, but how do you react now you know your society is a gazillion times worse?

Those of us who are aware of what has happened to this country are very much alarmed and severely pissed off. So far, we only have a Gulag for black people.

I recently saw a book sampling the letters of complaint written by Soviet citizens to their government during the 1930s & 1940s. Those complaints had about as much effect as Americans' complaints do now. I recently received replies to my latest letters to my Congresswoman and Senators. I would have felt better if the subjects to which they referred in the letters were the actual issues that I had contacted them about.

I do remember the reports of our military people upon visiting Russia after glasnost and seeing the true state of construction quality and broken down facilities wondering, "Why was it that we were supposed to be afraid of these guys?" I hate to say it, but in looking at the shoddy maintenance and safety record of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, other nations should probably begin asking the same question about the U.S. It looks like our bankrupt government is having trouble paying for the war machine.

[zeus64]

palo5 :

Question for Americans: would you prefer the NSA system that can log all details permanently, or the KGB system with its great limitations?

i would prefer both to document my vintage images ... herein the states as long as your not uploading kiddy porn or chatting on terrorists web sites ... honestly i don't care who's watching ... i'm more worried some fat ass congressman cutting my gov bennies!

[charliels531]

No matter what you say, it is more fun to knock up a girl in the U.S. than it is in Britain.