Questions for our American friends

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by Nobody1

Don't forget it is also a sport. And simultaneously a philosophy.

That's it, exactly.

Gun ownership isn't really about shooting, self defense or hunting: its about a philosophy.

Its the idea that the power of life and death is in the hands of the individual . . . its very much part of the US Protestant ethos.

If you've seen "No Country for Old Men", you'll get a flavor of it . . . the American philosophy of personal violence is that each man will -- or might-- make a choice with massive repercussions. Gun ownership, even with the practical dangers that accompany it, is psychically rewarding to gun owners.

The reality -- that they're far more likely to shoot themselves or their kid than they are to kill a criminal -- doesn't interfere with that narrative.

[kiwali]

Originally Posted by billybunter

Where do you hail from mate? When people graduate they tend to feel elated and celebrate with family and friends.
I'm Irish so your second question I can't answer. But American football is nothing like soccer. Same with Gaelic football played in Ireland or Australian football.
Education is deemed important by society. Though it has never been proven.

Originally Posted by ubu_roi

As BB noted, education is deemed important by society. Plus, a High School diploma is required for almost any job in the US, and of course you must have one to advance to college or a trade school. Personally, I had a nice party but I don't recall receiving any presents - now I feel cheated.

Well,first I'm not ignoring the value of education.
When high school finish, you just walked half of the way. To get a good job (or just a job) you need be trained or a degree. Is important have a high school diploma, but not enough to get a good job, So I dont understand big celebrations (like in movies).


Puerto Rico is a free asociated state or commonwealth. Has a special status and this is the reason of my question. I Dont know how life is in territory but not part of a sovereign state

Originally Posted by billybunter

But American football is nothing like soccer. Same with Gaelic football played in Ireland or Australian football.
Education is deemed important by society. Though it has never been proven.

Gaelic or Australian (or the international rules test), at least players have to kick the ball when are triying to score.
GAA............go Rebels!!!

[ubu_roi]

Originally Posted by kiwali

Is important have a high school diploma, but not enough to get a good job, So I dont understand big celebrations (like in movies).

Well, some of us like to find any excuse for a party.

Not that we're all a bunch of drunks. Just most of us.

[GailFan]

Watching American politics on TV, its strikes me that many Republicans loathe democracy, and wish the US was a one-party dictatorship. They seem to love the idea of voting and political parties and so forth, but the thought that somone other than a Republican could be president seems repugnant.

Is it just me?

[9876543210]

ubu_roi,

Originally Posted by ubu_roi

I've fired more than a few legally-owned full-autos in my years (including M16s and a Thompson M1A1) and they are a lot of fun to shoot. Keeping more than 3 rounds on a target is quite the challenge.

I've never fired the M-16 but I have a Thompson. Holy cow that thing was a beast! Trying to keep that thing on target would take some really good upper body strength. Rapid fire .45.... now that is a lot of fun.

[Mal Hombre]

Originally Posted by 9876543210

ubu_roi,

I've never fired the M-16 but I have a Thompson. Holy cow that thing was a beast! Trying to keep that thing on target would take some really good upper body strength. Rapid fire .45.... now that is a lot of fun.

They used to market the Tommy Gun for Home Defense.....

[9876543210]

kiwali,

Originally Posted by kiwali

Well,first I'm not ignoring the value of education.
When high school finish, you just walked half of the way. To get a good job (or just a job) you need be trained or a degree. Is important have a high school diploma, but not enough to get a good job, So I dont understand big celebrations (like in movies).

Not sure what movies you're talking about but its probably fairly old. It used to be (up until probably the 1980's) that you could get a pretty good job here in the US straight out of high school. When I was in high school in the 60's and early 70's a lot of people went straight from school to some factory where they made pretty good money (depending on which factory it was and if you had an in with that factory.

But its not that way for very many anymore. Most of the factories are gone and a hs degree isn't worth much. Nowadays, for a lot of jobs, a Masters degree seems to be pretty much what anyone needs.

and Gailfan,

Watching American politics on TV, its strikes me that many Republicans loathe democracy, and wish the US was a one-party dictatorship. They seem to love the idea of voting and political parties and so forth, but the thought that somone other than a Republican could be president seems repugnant.

Is it just me?

No, its not just you. I've noticed the same thing. And I'm not so sure we won't eventually wind up in a Republican dictatorship. These right wing, right to life, tea partiers have us headed that way unless people wise up to these people. They have no interest in democracy, only in having us do exactly as they want.

[bombermouse]

Originally Posted by 9876543210

ubu_roi,
I've never fired the M-16 but I have a Thompson. Holy cow that thing was a beast! Trying to keep that thing on target would take some really good upper body strength. Rapid fire .45.... now that is a lot of fun.

I've never fired a Thompson but I fired an M16 professionally for a couple of years. Not a lot of recoil but like any automatic weapon, it wanted to climb. They trained us to fire short 2-4 round bursts but some guys would get excited when things got thick and burn off a whole clip in one burst.

Originally Posted by GailFan

Watching American politics on TV, its strikes me that many Republicans loathe democracy, and wish the US was a one-party dictatorship. They seem to love the idea of voting and political parties and so forth, but the thought that somone other than a Republican could be president seems repugnant.

Is it just me?

I used to split my vote about 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans but it's been three elections since I voted for even one Republican. And I don't think that's because I turned into a flaming liberal in my old age.

[winebeavis]

Originally Posted by kiwali

Why is so important graduete from high school? according to movies and tv, the graduates recive nice presents and celebrate a party.

Why football(NFL)? this sport is mainly played with hands. Only a few plays are "foot play". To me is like call Euro Football/soccer Handball

Could you travel and live without any visa or other legal requirement to Puerto Rico?

1. Television and movies do seem to go overboard with the end of high school. The over dramatization of the end of an era or passage into adulthood. Friends parting ways forever. etc. It's not really like that in most instances. For me and most of my peers at the time, it wasn't a big deal. There were the typical teenaged parties every weekend. A graduation didn't make it any more special.

2. A lot of Americans would agree that American football developed from association football/soccer and rugby.

3. Yes to Puerto Rico. It's a U.S. territory the same as U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Samoa, and a few other places. At this point, most states were part of some "territory" before entering the union.

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by winebeavis

Yes to Puerto Rico. It's a U.S. territory the same as U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Samoa, and a few other places. At this point, most states were part of some "territory" before entering the union.

What are the chances of Puerto Rico, the USVI, Guam or Samoa ever becoming states witin the Union? Hawaii was admitted as a state in 1959, so there is a precedent.