A wee bit strange

Yes, but that was a negative comment about myself. Self deprecating if you will. 

We don't take it in stride, there is just nothing that can be done. I had it out with the teacher, the school board and I hit brick wall after brick wall. Unless I was ready to sue the school at my own expense there was nothing that could be done. Money talks and bullshit walks. I hate it but I feel I have little to no merit as an American to anything that happens in America. Voting is futile anymore. Right and Left, they all make promises on their "sides" and then squat happens. I have no faith in my politicians whatsoever at all. Each one I voted in has done nothing, each one I voted against has done nothing. Unless I hit a lottery and win a boat load of money, I don't matter. Will the citizens stand up someday and have a revolution against our government? I doubt it, the last civil war we had is still a stain on our memories. I think most just stick their head down and suck it up and deal. Lawyers are quite expensive and there are laws to protect the lawmakers and government agencies from any suits until you go to the highest courts in our country. What is the average person to do? I called my State representative one time about a local problem and got a very polite concerned brush off. 

I have heard tales from some in other countries that feel the same about their own country, this is something that is also not just a USA problem. The politicians have become too powerful. The politicians help to make the laws that protect the politicians. I have to say the whole thing in this economy just makes you feel beaten down. Which is also kinda how I feel about Godus now, beaten down. Yell and scream and debate and suggest and everything else for over a year, and what does it get you? Nothing, just beaten down. Who's the bully now PM?

I'm still telling you I did mean it in a self depracating way. I don't believe it is but, it was meant to be more sarcasm. 

We have people that attack our own government, they kill innocent civilians, they are terrorists and no normal American wants any parts of them. I don't know if you have heard of the Oklahoma City Bombing but that is what that was. Babies died in that. I guess they did not think about the Day Care Center that was in the building. I do know, THAT is not a way to fix things. I would say it will never change till the government falls from it's own demise. I want no parts of an internal war. 

Are you happy with yours? Are you happy with the EU? If not, would like start attacking your own government? Where do you draw the line? I have heard of ton of things people are not happy with in NL but I highly doubt they are planning a coup. I heard these things while spending month after month after month there for the last three years from those that are native to NL. It is not my place to say.

As to America in general to come for the future year or so, I am not going to be around there much, so I leave that all to the capable hands of the rest of the Americans floating around cyber space that might read this. My reason for leaving really has nothing to do with any of that, it is for purely personal reasons. 

I will still stay in touch with my ties to USA, family and whatnot, and I will still file my taxes and maintain my citizenship but the rest will be out of my hands. I looked up the papers again today, we are on track and in line to be able to follow all the countries requirements to settle for good in a few months. The only main problem we have right now is to find a wee place somewhere to lie our heads and call home. Fingers crossed. 

It's all good Danjal. I think that sarcasm is fun at times. It can also be used in a sneering way. The English language, is such an interesting creature that depending upon which culture uses it the whole word or phrase can have all different meanings.

It is funny the place we are staying at is a place owned by some Spaniards that have a house where they have adult English students to come at stay with them in Belfast. Most of them are Spanish too. They also have another house they rent out a discounted rates for English speaking folk that are open to the idea of speaking to their students in their native tongues, not just one of any country but all of them. Since he is a Dutch English speaker and I am a American English speaker, I figure we just be their cup of tea and I hope to talk him into letting us stay here till we find our new place, you cannot beat his rates! I also love to talk, so that would be a great fit. Wish us luck, we have to go meet him in a bit and see what he and his wife say. I am hoping the have the room available to be flexible for a few weeks or so, so we can take the time to really find a great match.

As far as my interest in other cultures, it has been a blessing. Every country I have been too, I have learned something from. I soak it up like a piece of bread in broth. I miss my old comfortable shoe of USA no matter how battered it is, but for now I am going to enjoy my new hiking boots and ride the adventure of cultural exchange.

There is a big difference between pedophiles over LGBT though.
The one are two consenting people who make a choice, a choice that is put in question by a third party because they believe it goes against what they stand for or believe in (because it is different and they don't understand it...), even if it has nothing to do with them.
Pedophilia on the other hand is the decision by one person to take advantage of a minor, usually in the extent that the "lesser" party has no knowledge of the consequences nor the capacity to resist.

They are inherently very different in concept. Not just because of what we were told since we were kids, but because the two are inherently very different. No matter what culture you come from. Even if such relations with minors are accepted or condoned. The core principle stands that the adult is taking advantage of someone who is not in the position to resist.

So unless you want to argue that one person taking advantage of another is exactly the same as people choosing to alter the way they themselves live without involving others.
The example given is entirely nonsensical. Someone choosing their own sexual orientation or gender representation is a vastly different matter than someone choosing to take advantage of another person.



The perception towards things that are foreign is a cultural one though. Not an inherent one.
You are told that foreign/strange are bad, because of a desire to breed fear.
If you are afraid of something, you're more willing to fight it rather than accept it.
And as such you are more easily manipulated. (Much like a child being abused by an adult.)

Do you have proof that the 'foreign entity' is inherently bad? No you don't...
But why take chances right? Better to attack pre-emptively than to be attacked.


Now to extend the matter of pedophilia, I personally am of the opinion that any such behaviour. Where one person or group takes advantage of another because the lesser group is either ignorant or incapable of resisting.
It is by its very definition abhorrent. Hence also my general dislike for religion, because most religions is just that, a piece of leverage to control others.

Its also why I'm in FAVOR of curiosity and learning - because learning about things that are strange, makes it so they no longer ARE strange.
Or atleast, not in the sense that they are "unknown", but just that they are "different" and not necessarily to be feared.
Its the inherent assumption that different has to be bad, which stands at the core of most conflict.

Not all humans follow this path of least resistance, many do take effort to educate themselves and to learn about the world around them.
Which is a GOOD thing. If anything, its a bad thing that so many are willing to just sit down and have the world happen around them.
Fear always has been and always will be a poor advisor. Decisions made out of fear are rarely if ever rational ones.


All in all, you gave no reason why being curious about the habits and cultures is a bad thing.
You gave plenty of reasons why certain people are trained to fear... But you avoided the entire issue at hand.

I think I'll abstain from this conversation.

Not that I have any hard feelings about it all, even being a full-blooded American Mutt Yank male, because I know who I am and find the world - and the people in it - to be so fascinatingly diverse and varied. I'm just a curious, well intentioned sort.

I must have a little Dutch in me. I speak my mind too. 

I am Dutch and I almost completely didn't read any of this.

Lol. Lord Ba'al be not so little mind ye.