HaveAny Of You Actually Been In The USA?

HaveAny Of You Actually Been In The USA?

With all the baloney anti-US threads on here, I thought I'd point out a few things I found whilst living there..
It's pretty vast, 50+ contiguous States each much bigger than many European 'countries'. I drove across it three times.
The average basic social security payments are a fraction of Euro taxes, and my health coverage - that covered dental and pregnancy for my New Jersey wife, was a quarter of UK schemes.
There's a fully equiped medical facility every 20 miles or so - with a hospital in every large conurbation. If you dial 911 - anything will turn up within a minute or two that was in the area at the time - with the actual responders a couple of minutes behind. When my wife collapsed, an articulated Fire Ladder truck, with half a dozen men, were pulling up before I'd put the phone down. Compare that to Britain, etc.
It's only meat eating and soda drinking that generally lets any country's weight balloon - in the US there is always the choice of a wide range of Deli, Mexican, Salads and Subs at next to nothing prices.
The cars in the US generally have to cope with 10× the distances of Europe - Fiats and Minis aren't an option. 2.6L is a basic need with the temps ranging from -30 to +30c and 4000ft being 'lowland' or mesa in much of the country.
85% of the women are seriously sexy - compared to British women it's a Wonderland, really. I never saw an obesity 'problem' whilst in Fla, Mich. or California.
I worked in security and only ever saw one unholstered gun in 2 years outside of firing ranges.
I only saw one set of roadworks in 2 years - they were moving a mountain in Utah next to the Freeway...

Anybody else know what they're talking about / have any real recollections of America?

Originally posted by 53north:

It's pretty vast, 50+ contiguous States each much bigger than many European 'countries'.

Methinks you've heard (at least) one too many Obama speeches… Make that 48 contiguous states — Alaska is separated by a portion of Canada and Hawaii, of course, has a goodly portion of the Pacific Ocean between it and the mainland. (American Samoa and Puerto Rico remain non-states, that is territories… [see here for extensive detail])

I'd quibble with the "obesity problem" impression you have; I've lived in California's Central Valley for decades… Ditto, your observation about roadworks; I assume you mean something like "continually under construction"? A common sight, hereabouts.

Of course, I'm an American and have always lived here: California, Massachusetts, Texas, Colorado, New York, and California again and at long last. (I've traveled through many other states — and take your main point to heart: What I know of places I've only visited is quite limited.) So, you perhaps didn't expect or want my input… But your fellow non-Americans seem averse to posting.
I thought I'd help get the ball rolling.

I, too, am interested in their opinions.

I have no idea which country you visited but it doesn't seem to have much in common with the one I've been living in for the last 8+ years. For starters, the one where I live only has 48 contiguous states. The percentage coming out of my paycheck here and in .de is about the same, except in .de it included health care. If you didn't see any obesity 'problem' you must be blind ( warning, don't click on that link unless you have a gallon of brain bleach within an arm's length ). 10x the distance? Sorry, I don't know anyone here who drives 100+ miles to work. "Deli, Mexican, Salads and Subs at next to nothing prices" where is this magical place? I sure can't find it around here. Sure, you can get pretty much whatever the hell you want but 'next to nothing prices' my immigrant ass.
And road works - I lived in FL for abour 3 years, they were working on the road in front of the house the entire time that I lived there.
Hint: don't believe everything you see on TV. Especially american TV.

Originally posted by Macallan:

10x the distance? Sorry, I don't know anyone here who drives 100+ miles to work.

You should come west, young man! 75-100 miles is quite common a commute from the foothills, and even from here… (Not much call for nuclear physicists, etc., in the Sierra Nevadas, ya know? But some people like to live there, anyway!)

Originally posted by Macallan:

"Deli, Mexican, Salads and Subs at next to nothing prices" where is this magical place? I sure can't find it around here.

Perhaps you should mention where "here" is?
As the OP mentioned, it's a big and diverse country…

Mind you, there are a few states that are pretty small. Rhode Island is the smallest and probably smaller than most European countries. As far as territories go, let's not forget Washington D.C. - they wanted to make sure the nation's capital wasn't actually in any state, so it is its own territory.

People at work seem to live up to 40 miles away. Somewhat over half seem to be in town - depending where in town could be up to 2 miles away. Yes, I have known people who commuted 100+ miles, but that was back when gas was still under $2/gallon. These days that's not very practical.

Obesity? It exists, but it isn't like everyone is overweight.

When my son was born me and his mom got a place in a small town that happened to be close to our employers. I lived less than a mile away on the same street as the fire department. I started a brush fire once to get rid of some stuff I had cleared off the little plot of land we had. The short version, I lost control of it and called 911. It took 45mins for the neighbouring town's fire department to arrive and put out the 10acs I burned off. I lived less than 2mins from the fire station and was/am friends with the fire chief and two other officers with that department. They showed up almost 2hrs after I called, as the others were gathering their hoses.

Standard response to medical emergency from what I saw when my father got sick is 20mins. First responders may show up first, but are almost useless. I can leave my parents house and arrive at a hospital in the same time... or if I went in the other direction I'd arrive at a EMS sub station in about 15mins. It's about 5-7 mins to the fire station (first responders).

As for road construction here in TN... It's continuous. Every major interstate has at least one large project going at all times. And that's not even mentioning highway projects. In and around Nashville it's horrible.

And last point not touched; sub compacts. They are everywhere. Slugbugs and minis are becoming ever more popular. Given what my 8cyl. can drink in fuel I understand why.

Originally posted by sgunhouse:

Mind you, there are a few states that are pretty small. Rhode Island is the smallest and probably smaller than most European countries. As far as territories go, let's not forget Washington D.C. - they wanted to make sure the nation's capital wasn't actually in any state, so it is its own territory.

And then you have these states with huge land area where hardly anybody lives

Originally posted by sgunhouse:

People at work seem to live up to 40 miles away. Somewhat over half seem to be in town - depending where in town could be up to 2 miles away.

Sounds about right - I don't know anyone who drives more than 25 or so miles to work. Back in .de my distance from home to work was about 20 miles.

Originally posted by sgunhouse:

Yes, I have known people who commuted 100+ miles, but that was back when gas was still under $2/gallon. These days that's not very practical.

Not to mention the time it takes.

Originally posted by sgunhouse:

Obesity? It exists, but it isn't like everyone is overweight.

Nobody ever said everyone's overweight. Not even here

I commute from my bedroom to my rocker-recliner in less than 30 seconds and live in a state...Michigan...that isn't even contiguous* with itself. I'm obese and balding. Thinking of moving to a country whose D&D approval rating higher. Lithuania? China? Canada, the land of my fourbears. *giggle giggle*?

Any suggestions?

* contiguity is everything

PS the Virgin Islands....Jaybro 's virgins

Jaybro - Contiguity gets more difficult as you get older!


Re visiting the US. I did post this information before but can't find the post to refer to, but I must have visited around 50 times give or take a wee bit.. I never counted. That stretched from when I lived in Canada to visiting courtesy of work and play when I lived in Holland.

I never saw a gun, but was next to a knife fight once and met less than a handful of people I did not like, although heard several I knew I would not like screeching around in fast carts when I was trying to get the old forty winks.

I found out some truths in America - the quality of the food is excellent, especially the Prime Rib and the fish, although the gravy ain't up to much. The Beer is not really Beer. Californian wine is very good. The best restaurants don't have windows. Asking to be put near a light so I can read a book while eating is thought odd and ultimately irritating as I then take ages to eat and enjoy my food.

For the most part the people I met declared their own area as the centre of the World and the best of the best as the place to live. I never saw a gun, except on the cops, but was next to a knife fight once. I met less than a handful of people I did not like, although heard several I knew I would not like screeching around in fast carts when I was trying to get the old forty winks. I was never shot at unless I was missed and didn't notice.

I was asked "where are you from" at least 3 times a day. People don't understand words like Holland or Wessex. Never met Dolly Parton but noticed she has had an influence on American culture.

Originally posted by string:

the gravy ain't up to much... Never met Dolly Parton

Boy my grandmother used to make some awesome gravy. Perhaps you missed out on some good southern gravy? She made the best chocolate gravy. yum yum.

I actually have got to meet Dolly once. Which reminds me, Dollywood has got a new coaster I wanna ride... It's been a couple years since I've been to Gatlinburg, TN and that's a good excuse to go back I suppose.

Ensbb, you might want to have your state beef up its border patrol. I got in and out last night and no one noticed.

I suspect Illinois is king of road construction, right now the Tri-State Tollway has construction from Wisconsin to Indiana.

About food--- McDonalds is the worst, I won't go there if I have any choice. They call it "fast food" because you look at it and immediately want to go on a fast.

Gasoline prices have gone down--- who would have thought it? In the summer, traditionally gas goes out of sight.

I live near Chicago (actually in one of the Western 'Burbs) and my job takes me over much of the area East of the Mississippi. I haven't been to most of New England yet, and I have yet to visit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but nearly every state other than that East of the River.

Originally posted by mjmsprt40:

Ensbb, you might want to have your state beef up its border patrol. I got in and out last night and no one noticed.

I told them you were cool. You just didn't notice you were noticed.

**besides most of the real concern is to the southwest.

Well you might feel confident using the word 'baloney' 53north. It isn't the right way answer an assessing of a place and maybe you need to wonder why so much of the outside world is so negative. Many of those countries have high living standards, education, democracy and such, so not automatically fools.

That isn't to say there aren't positives about America and would be churlish to say there are not. Also, over the years I have met a number of Americans had many a positive chat. Visited the ex-Colonies twice and was an enjoyable holiday but no feeling at all I wanted to say in it. Those I met on my sojourn on the trains and elsewhere I had no probs with. Was better than Edinburgh for a Glasgow man! My appreciation may have been even wider had I discovered the Shangri-Lah nestling in the depths of Michigan........

Originally posted by rjhowie:

maybe you need to wonder why so much of the outside world is so negative

Their mis-perception that they're on the "outside"? An "inferiority complex" as such doesn't exist, if the inferiority is demonstrable…

Originally posted by string:

Jaybro - Contiguity gets more difficult as you get older!

Everything is more difficult when one gets older...even posting here.

I never saw a gun, but was next to a knife fight once and met less than a handful of people I did not like, although heard several I knew I would not like screeching around in fast carts when I was trying to get the old forty winks.

I've never ever even seen a knife fight.

I found out some truths in America - the quality of the food is excellent, especially the Prime Rib and the fish, although the gravy ain't up to much.

Had Arctic cod for dinner yesterday. Yummy! And you need to ask me about my sausage gravy! Double yummy!

For the most part the people I met declared their own area as the centre of the World and the best of the best as the place to live.

That can't be true. Grand Rapids is the alpha and the omega...following Glasgow, of course.

I was asked "where are you from" at least 3 times a day. People don't understand words like Holland or Wessex. Never met Dolly Parton but noticed she has had an influence on American culture.

Of course you were asked that...you folks talk funny.

Holland, Michigan isn't far from here. Wessex? Isn't that a small dog?

Dont much care for hillbillies, but tits are everything!

We didn't have many hillbillies in these parts until WWII when they moved up to work in the defense plants. Sadly, they never moved back to their nether region. Their accents are gone, but their descendants still don't like dark folks.

As a side note to the northern migration, you might find this an eye-opener:

As urban areas swelled with defense workers, housing and transportation shortages exacerbated racial tensions. In 1943, a riot broke out in Detroit in a federally-sponsored housing project when whites wanted blacks barred from the new apartments named, ironically, in honor of Sojourner Truth. White soldiers from a nearby base joined the fighting, and other federal troops had to be brought in to disperse the mobs. The violence left 35 blacks and 9 whites dead.

I was six at the time and remember a friend's brother being stabbed in those riots. He was out there protecting White prerogatives. Doubly bad times. It's nice to know that racism is gone now.

Originally posted by 53north:

With all the baloney anti-US threads on here, I thought I'd point out a few things I found whilst living there..
It's pretty vast, 50+ contiguous States each much bigger than many European 'countries'. I drove across it three times.

It takes serious guts to baloney others and then immediately add an obvious falsity next. Kudos for your guts, but sad when your concept of Europe consists only of UK with some possible memory of France.

Europe is pretty vast, 50 + countries when you include the non-recognised ones. It's politically and economically far more varied than the United States, so that even just one ride through it from one end to the other provides a richer experience than America ever can.

Note that we agree in principle: Know what you are talking about!

Originally posted by ersi:

It takes serious guts to baloney others and then immediately add an obvious falsity next. Kudos for your guts, but sad when your concept of Europe consists only of UK with some possible memory of France.

I think the OP is a Brit who lived in America for some time during the 1980s (and is suffering from rose-tinted memories).

Originally posted by ersi:

Europe is pretty vast, 50 + countries when you include the non-recognised ones. It's politically and economically far more varied than the United States, so that even just one ride through it from one end to the other provides a richer experience than America ever can.

America probably has a more varied landscape though.

Originally posted by Frenzie:

America probably has a more varied landscape though.

Regarding natural landscape I doubt it very much, regarding human landscape certainly not.
Never been at North America, by the way.

Originally posted by Belfrager:

Originally posted by Frenzie:

America probably has a more varied landscape though.

Regarding natural landscape I doubt it very much, regarding human landscape certainly not.
Never been at North America, by the way.

I have an answer for that: Road trip. If by chance you ever get over this way, come with me on a run. Perhaps a run to South Carolina. There's some variety in the landscape (from Midwestern cornfields to Eastern mountains) and we'll take the alternate route back so you can see if we have different peoples. Perhaps a side trip to North Carolina so you can pick up some cheap smokes if you're of a mind to do that (they make cigarettes in NC, buying them there is dirt-cheap compared to almost anywhere else.) If not, then we can plague Ensbb as we pass through Tennessee.

I have actually been in the USA.
I went to school in L.A., I sold afternoon newspapers on the corner of Seventh and Alvarado, I sold Sunday papers somewhere on Wiltshire, I sold peanuts at the Coliseum, I flew model planes and explored Griffith Park. After two and a half years we took a long, town-by-town bus trip to the East coast and stayed in Silver Springs in Maryland for three months. We went sight-seeing almost daily in Washington and its environs. I saw enough of the country to be aware that it defied any generalisations.
I went to the USA again in 1970. Unsurprisingly, it was unrecognisable. After a month I could confidently declare that it still resisted generalisations.
No doubt the changes to everything since then- buildings, roads, mores, laws, the language, food..... would be startling to me, and now, as then, I would not generalise about any of it on D&D.

Originally posted by 53north:

@ersi - nah, my mum was from the Baltic, and I've roadtripped the width of old Europe, before they extended it to Constantinople.
What I said basically - many 'countries' in Europe are barely bigger than a US county, nevermind a State...

There are more bigger states in the US, but there are plenty of smaller ones too. But what point are you trying to make anyway?

Originally posted by ersi:

Europe is pretty vast, 50 + countries when you include the non-recognised ones.

Hadn't you berated those who'd consider Europe some sort of "country"…? You can't –you know– have your cake and eat it too! But you certainly can (and should) talk about Estonia: Let us know –what you think is right and what you think is wrong– about its governance, by all means. (Feel free to explain why Soviet occupation was preferable…)

Originally posted by 53north:

The cars in the US generally have to cope with 10× the distances of Europe - Fiats and Minis aren't an option. 2.6L is a basic need with the temps ranging from -30 to +30c and 4000ft being 'lowland' or mesa in much of the country.

Explaining why I had to cut out the floorboards of my 1.8 liter care and run along with it like in the Flintstones as it tries to cope with 105 degree temps on an almost daily basis and 10,000 foot tall mountains.

Originally posted by 53north:

I never saw an obesity 'problem' whilst in Fla,

I dunno. When I lived in the Florida panhandle, it seemed like almost everyone was fat. In Vegas, it is a different story, though. Hrmmm, maybe you simply can't generalize a large and diverse country like you did in your post.

Originally posted by 53north:

I only saw one set of roadworks in 2 years - they were moving a mountain in Utah next to the Freeway...

Good lord, just north of Vegas the freeway is under horrible construction. All the traffic gets funneled into one lane for a while. Oh yes, it does suck. In addition, some of the roads are still not finished. You can be driving down Rainbow Blvd and suddenly there's no road anymore. But a couple miles away, the road picks up again. It's been like this for years.

Originally posted by mjmsprt40:

Perhaps a side trip to North Carolina so you can pick up some cheap smokes if you're of a mind to do that (they make cigarettes in NC, buying them there is dirt-cheap compared to almost anywhere else.) If not, then we can plague Ensbb as we pass through Tennessee.

Hrmmm..since your delivery truck is above the 2.6 liter threshold for a vehicle to successfully operate in America, you can swing by here and deliver the cheap smokes for us! After your personal delivery to me, you can just open up the back of your truck and sell them on the roadside. An entire truckload will be sold out in a day. You'll be rich!

Originally posted by 53north:

@ersi - nah, my mum was from the Baltic, and I've roadtripped the width of old Europe, before they extended it to Constantinople. What I said basically - many 'countries' in Europe are barely bigger than a US county, nevermind a State...

Silly. There are itty-bitty European states, but seriously? Out west, we do have have large counties, but most of the counties east of the Mississippi are around 500 square miles. But let's take Clark County . We're geographically large for a county at 8,091 square miles. Austria is a fairly small country at 32,377 sq mile miles, roughly 4x our size in land area and coincidentally in population. Even the Netherlands is double our size, much less the size of a typical American county.

Originally posted by Sanguinemoon:

Explaining why I had to cut out the floorboards of my 1.8 liter care and run along with it like in the Flintstones as it tries to cope with 105 degree temps on an almost daily basis and 10,000 foot tall mountains.

All the Swedish cars with 1.6L and 1.8L engines also never run due to their climate.

Originally posted by Sanguinemoon:

We're geographically large for a county at 8,091 square miles.

Bigger than Luxembourg though. Cook County is actually larger than Luxembourg too. But unless you only count Luxembourg and smaller countries that's still a weird thing to say. One last remark: Rhode Island is also slightly bigger than Luxembourg.

Originally posted by mjmsprt40:

I have an answer for that: Road trip.

Splendid idea, if by bicycle count me in.
But could we start our trip at the Mexican border already - all the way down to Patagonia?
(that's why I never visited the US, better things always comes to my mind... )

Course I'm joking with our American friends but I give you an example mjmsprt40, I'm planning Lisbon to Istanbul by bicycle and you tell me, having to choose between the two, what do you prefer, the American trip or this European one? think about any possible perspective and the result will be always to the European side.

Now, the "defending America" bla bla bla. No one at D&D attacks Americans, people just attack the stereotypes Americans creates all the time. Ranging from the "American way of life" and "the land of democracy" to their foreign policy or Constitution idolatry. There's no need to go there to know how those American stereotypes are empty, vain and ridiculous.

Originally posted by Belfrager:

Course I'm joking with our American friends but I give you an example mjmsprt40, I'm planning Lisbon to Istanbul by bicycle and you tell me, having to choose between the two, what do you prefer, the American trip or this European one? think about any possible perspective and the result will be always to the European side.

Ah but in fairness to our American friends (if there are any left) I should point out that the first morning on the road we could savour pancakes at Dennys; The next morning we could have grits at Dennys. The next morning we could have eggs and bacon at, er, Dennys. The following morning we could have pancakes at, er, a different Dennys. The next morning we could ....

I see your point Belfrager.

Breakfast at IHOP to mix it up on the weekend.

Originally posted by Belfrager:

I'm planning Lisbon to Istanbul by bicycle and you tell me, having to choose between the two, what do you prefer, the American trip or this European one? think about any possible perspective and the result will be always to the European side.

Now, the "defending America" bla bla bla. No one at D&D attacks Americans, people just attack the stereotypes Americans creates all the time. Ranging from the "American way of life" and "the land of democracy" to their foreign policy or Constitution idolatry. There's no need to go there to know how those American stereotypes are empty, vain and ridiculous.

Let me suggest a Lisbon to London trip by bicycle, Mr. B.

On U.S. stereotypes, blah, blah, blah, who specifically creates them? Have you been reading too much Smileyfaze? Too much http://theportugalnews.com/? http://www.worldjournal.com/?

I know very many people here, and NONE of them rattle on about the nonsense you've catalogued.

Me? I'm more involved in studying the glory that was Portugal.
..........
Per culpam, per culpam suam maxima culpa.

Originally posted by ensbb3:

Breakfast at IHOP to mix it up on the weekend.

Hmm "love on a plate". Look s delicious . I wonder if they serve breakfast at cardiovascular Units:rip: !

Well Jaybro, I just hope that Portugal is still there if Belfrager actually went on thats long pedal to Patagonia.......

I had thoughts of going to the ex-Colonies for a third trip but that idea has cooled a bit. It was bad enough waiting ages to get past Customs on both trips and with the present security hoo-ha a damn sight worse I have been told. My chagrin was made worse when I got the same oafish, grumpy, glaring git as the time before! Canada seems to be something of a beckoning alternative. This summer I will make do with trips to Ulster and to the Netherlands and another visit to good ole King Billy's Palace at Het Loo again.

No doubt, Glaswegians gladly proclaim Bon voyage! regardless of your destination…

Oh most certainly and even if he went to Edinburgh! I might even reconsider my review of Dr Salazar too!

Can you be less specific? (No, of course not!)

Originally posted by jbrothernew37:

On U.S. stereotypes, blah, blah, blah, who specifically creates them?

I've already said it, Americans. Getting deaf with age? And I added more, that Americans creates it all the time. No surprise, those that don't have any past have to spent their time creating illusions so they can share something. Curiously it doesn't seem to be enough, and as fast as they appeared they have already disappeared. It happens.
Bye, who's the next one?

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Well Jaybro, I just hope that Portugal is still there if Belfrager actually went on thats long pedal to Patagonia.......

This one doesn't have an off button?

On the matter of size, we have Wikipedia, it is big and it is American. So, if we want to talk big the biggest country by far in the world is Russia, followed by a triplet of countries a little more than half that size, but very similar size to each other, China, Canada, and the US. Brazil is a little smaller, and Australia a little smaller than that. The EU is less than half the size of either one of Chimerida, smaller than Australia, bigger than India.

I have been to select locations in China, United States, and Canada, but while I have flown over Russia in a number of occasions I have never entered the country. If I did I probably would get lost and have trouble getting out again. That's how big it is. Brazil and Australia has been on the wrong, bottom, half of the world, so no go.

Dear, oh dear OakdaleFTL. Such an amusing observation using the word 'specific'. Especially as you tend to not be able to concentrate on such yourself!

And poor Belfrager's satirical bent doesn't last long when it comes back the way! I suspect if I ever ent to Lisbon and being a tram/train fan and he knew I was coming, would bribe a tram driver to be at the controls as I cross one of those downhill lines.

Oh, RJ, did you mean António de Oliveira Salazar? I'd take your "review" of his regime as seriously as I take Winnie the Pooh's review of Pippi Longstocking… Your world (and your knowledge of the real world) is so skewed by your ignorance and intolerance that you only ever accidentally make sense.
Of course, with your writing abilities, those "accidents" too are moot… (Over here, we call it "grammar school" — it's readily apparent, why you call it something else, over there! Or are you not representative?)

Originally posted by rjhowie:

And poor Belfrager's satirical bent doesn't last long when it comes back the way! I suspect if I ever ent to Lisbon and being a tram/train fan and he knew I was coming, would bribe a tram driver to be at the controls as I cross one of those downhill lines.

Don't you worry, we are not like you. We consider hospitality a duty and feel honored for practicing it.

Originally posted by OakdaleFTL:

I'd take your "review" of his regime as seriously as I take Winnie the Pooh's review of Pippi Longstocking…

Do you know Pippi Longstocking? I'm amazed, really. Thought that Pippi's Swedish-origin universe wouldn't be too much popular between American children fourty years ago. At my profound reflexions I reached the conclusion that there are only two different kinds of people in this world, those who knows Pippi and those who don't - what an extraordinary end for mankind's philosophical journey eh?

The past it's really a distant, strange country. Mainly when is still at black and white.

Originally posted by Belfrager:

Originally posted by rjhowie:

And poor Belfrager's satirical bent doesn't last long when it comes back the way! I suspect if I ever ent to Lisbon and being a tram/train fan and he knew I was coming, would bribe a tram driver to be at the controls as I cross one of those downhill lines.

Don't you worry, we are not like you. We consider hospitality a duty and feel honored for practicing it.

Originally posted by OakdaleFTL:

I'd take your "review" of his regime as seriously as I take Winnie the Pooh's review of Pippi Longstocking…

Do you know Pippi Longstocking? I'm amazed, really. Thought that Pippi's Swedish-origin universe wouldn't be too much popular between American children fourty years ago. At my profound reflexions I reached the conclusion that there are only two different kinds of people in this world, those who knows Pippi and those who don't - what an extraordinary end for mankind's philosophical journey eh?

The past it's really a distant, strange country. Mainly when is still at black and white.

"Pinky, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"I think so, Brain, but, me and Pippi Longstocking, I mean, what would the children look like?"

How I remember it?
Florida was the "other" California, Hawaii was over rated, but only if you lived there; Texas has no retards in the state limits, California had some of the thuggest people around, Colorado had some of the nicest hippie Christians around, New York has the nicest assholes around; Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Dakota are Vacation ideas, If you live in New Jersey, it's because Queens didn't have room, Massachusetts is the Closest State. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island are really nice year round, and are the best places to live. Pennsylvania Has the Hershey's factory, and the Steelers. Georgia is the love my Ray state. Oklahoma is very southern, Kansas is about the worst state ever geographically, Washington is the worst suicidal wise. Oregon, is historical, yet no one know why. Montana doesn't have a speed limit during the day, South Dakota has gold and nice secenery, Nebraska has corn, Iowa has Idiots out wondering around. Utah has morons and 7 point beer(how does that even work?) Nevada has hooker, gambling and the worst places to live ever. New Mexico has the most Native American Pride in their Heritage, Alaska has Shara Palin. Illinos, indina, ohio, kentucky are states to pass by while driving, While Ohio is about the only place that has country and city in one state. Louisiana is the creole state. Mississippi was the hardest word to spell, but the funest state that was of the south, Arkansas is good for those looking for peaceful retirement. Missouri has Six Flags, Mark McGuire. Minnisota had Vikings, The mall of America and Detroit.

To add to that....Wisconsin is a boring place to live for the most part. People up there are extremely rude. Between the cheese, beer, and cold weather, Wiscansins are a bunch of frozen, constipated, and hungover a'holes.

Originally posted by Belfrager:

Do you know Pippi Longstocking? I'm amazed, really. Thought that Pippi's Swedish-origin universe wouldn't be too much popular between American children fourty years ago.

And with American parents, forty, thirty and twenty years ago... (Lots of Swedes in the Mid-East, ya know!)

Originally posted by Virusboy:

How I remember it?Florida was the "other" California, Hawaii was over rated, but only if you lived there; Texas has no retards in the state limits, California had some of the thuggest people around, Colorado had some of the nicest hippie Christians around, New York has the nicest assholes around; Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Dakota are Vacation ideas, If you live in New Jersey, it's because Queens didn't have room, Massachusetts is the Closest State. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island are really nice year round, and are the best places to live. Pennsylvania Has the Hershey's factory, and the Steelers. Georgia is the love my Ray state. Oklahoma is very southern, Kansas is about the worst state ever geographically, Washington is the worst suicidal wise. Oregon, is historical, yet no one know why. Montana doesn't have a speed limit during the day, South Dakota has gold and nice secenery, Nebraska has corn, Iowa has Idiots out wondering around. Utah has morons and 7 point beer(how does that even work?) Nevada has hooker, gambling and the worst places to live ever. New Mexico has the most Native American Pride in their Heritage, Alaska has Shara Palin. Illinos, indina, ohio, kentucky are states to pass by while driving, While Ohio is about the only place that has country and city in one state. Louisiana is the creole state. Mississippi was the hardest word to spell, but the funest state that was of the south, Arkansas is good for those looking for peaceful retirement. Missouri has Six Flags, Mark McGuire. Minnisota had Vikings, The mall of America and Detroit.

Great post. Much better than the Michelin Guide.
Let me see... well, the choice is difficult... having to decide my choice would be "Oregon, is historical, yet no one know why.". Don't ask me about my preference, I also don't know why... I suppose I'm starting felling American...

Well you had better not upset that kind of Latin temper of Belfrager by miscalling his hero OakdaleFTL. Howevere, I am glad that like here, hospitality still abounds even of the police are rubbish (there not here). It gives something to fall back on having to depend on the EEC begging bowl these days. It and Greece have the worst unemployment in the Europe mess (25% - as we discuss). However, I would be very tempted to visit Lisbon due to my tram and train interests. Would also stand outside the former Royal Palace and muse how sad that it lost it's long and historical monarchial tradition. Maybe, maybe. Meantime, Holland and Ulster first. Will give the USA and Portugal a consideration. How's that for two widely differing possibilities?!

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Will give the USA and Portugal a consideration. How's that for two widely differing possibilities?!

Please go to the USA. They have Disneyland, you know? It will be good for you, you can take a picture with Goofy... or is it Goofy that takes a picture with you..? Never mind, not too much of a difference, is it?

Originally posted by manners84:

Wisconsin is a boring place to live for the most part. People up there are extremely rude. Between the cheese, beer, and cold weather, Wiscansins are a bunch of frozen, constipated, and hungover a'holes.

Come to Vegas. We're relaxed and friendly. The only reason not to come is if you don't like seeing naked people or get upset over political incorrectness.

Originally posted by Sanguinemoon:

Come to Vegas. We're relaxed and friendly. The only reason not to come is if you don't like seeing naked people or get upset over political incorrectness.

relaxed and friendly? I need a can of asshole remover every time i go.

Originally posted by Belfrager:

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Will give the USA and Portugal a consideration. How's that for two widely differing possibilities?!

Please go to the USA. They have Disneyland, you know? It will be good for you, you can take a picture with Goofy... or is it Goofy that takes a picture with you..? Never mind, not too much of a difference, is it?

On hindsight dear red sock lover over in Portugal, maybe I wil give your slice of Iberia a miss. The way the place is going and it's economic meltdown it might go belly up any time. Maybe you should go back to neing a one-party State Belfrager it was probably more stable.

Originally posted by Virusboy:

relaxed and friendly? I need a can of asshole remover every time i go.

Oh dear God, do stay away from the Strip and come to the real Vegas. And be sure to check out Red Rock Canyon and Mr. Charleston, if you like hiking and winter sports. Why, bring Mr. Howie with you. A fine, stout Scotsman should have no trouble at scaling a 12,000 (rounded up a bit) foot mountain in 5 feet of snow