Father was in the Air Force so we traveled a lot. I have 5 brothers and sisters each born in a different state, one born in France (Etein Air Base) and the another in Germany when we lived there. Been to just about every European country several times over. Ventured into Czech Republic in one of my last visits but turned the car around when we realized we had time-warped back into the 1950's (and the potholes were most likely going to damage the rental). Last country visited was Sweden. I wouldn't want to live there although I found the youth there more articulate, better educated and knowledgeable than American youth. In fact I think they spoke English better than most Americans.
I've traveled through Europe by road and train, backpacked the old "hippy trail" and been to Canada and USA. US was back in the late 90s, the people seemed very nice and reasonable, not like I see on SH politics these days :-(
Ps, most Europeans speak better English than Americans, because they learn it as a second (sometimes third of fourth) language, so they they learn correct grammar etc.
I'm tempted to say grammar has been eliminated from the curriculum but I can't speak for all schools. It certainly isn't taught as much as it was 20 or 30 years ago. It would be safe to say today's student has never seen an English grammar book. The only time someone might learn about conjugating a verb is if they studied a foreign language. Don't believe me? Ask around.
And yes, it does get pretty nasty around here. But that's because people can hide behind their keyboard and say things they normally wouldn't say. Those people wouldn't talk to someone they don't know the way they do here. Anonymity emboldens them and civility is lost for them.
Everybody is an expert in politics nowadays. For most it is like critiquing Art. It's safe to have an opinion and no one can say you're wrong . . . simply because you're entitled to your opinion. Where it gets interesting for me is backing up one's political opinion with facts and figures and historical events. Otherwise, it soon turns into a childish name calling game. And the most childish one prides him/herself in say the most awful thing. Sadly enough, they consider themselves to be the winner.
Ah yes That does seem to becoming more popular of an idea. I don't believe it because I don't think that all people have the same abilities or all have the same beauty, or kindness, or talent. or intelligence, or ambition. To me, it goes against nature. For example not all parts of a tree get to become the flowers.
I have 5 brothers and sisters each born in a different state, one born in France (Etein Air Base) and the another in Germany when we lived there.
Been to just about every European country several times over. Ventured into Czech Republic in one of my last visits but turned the car around when we realized we had time-warped back into the 1950's (and the potholes were most likely going to damage the rental).
Last country visited was Sweden. I wouldn't want to live there although I found the youth there more articulate, better educated and knowledgeable than American youth. In fact I think they spoke English better than most Americans.
And you?
The only time someone might learn about conjugating a verb is if they studied a foreign language.
Don't believe me?
Ask around.
And yes, it does get pretty nasty around here. But that's because people can hide behind their keyboard and say things they normally wouldn't say. Those people wouldn't talk to someone they don't know the way they do here. Anonymity emboldens them and civility is lost for them.
Everybody is an expert in politics nowadays. For most it is like critiquing Art. It's safe to have an opinion and no one can say you're wrong . . . simply because you're entitled to your opinion. Where it gets interesting for me is backing up one's political opinion with facts and figures and historical events.
Otherwise, it soon turns into a childish name calling game.
And the most childish one prides him/herself in say the most awful thing.
Sadly enough, they consider themselves to be the winner.
http://www.sodahead.com/livin...
And if your opinion is different than what you've been taught, what's your opinion?
Is there any other way to get rich . . . other than stealing?
That does seem to becoming more popular of an idea.
I don't believe it because I don't think that all people have the same abilities or all have the same beauty, or kindness, or talent. or intelligence, or ambition.
To me, it goes against nature.
For example not all parts of a tree get to become the flowers.