To come to your conclusion Dan, you must ignore that Gary didn't think he was talking about a subject of mere frivolity as you suggest (Paris Hilton). To Gary, we are worse people than the Europeans because of their great respect for art and our lack of it. To Gary, this is one of the most important issues in the world, which is why he certainly was bashing Americans.
As for asking me "what makes you the arbiter of what is America bashing," by coming to the opposite conclusion, are you not arbitrating the issue yourself? --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "dfsavgny" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "bluebishop82" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > If saying what he said wasn't bashing America, what exactly would > > qualify as bashing America? > > Many things I assume, but I would have to judge each individually. But > short of saying all Americans suck, or that this is a terrible country > to live in, I don't think much. I certainly have not heard any bashing > on this forum. What makes you the arbiter of whether someone's > criticisms of aspects of our society or culture are unpatriotic or > anti-American? I saying that American society as a whole is obsessed > with youth and the supericial appearance of it unpatriotic? I think > Gary's observation that our society looks for the lowest common > denominator in entertainment is valid, how else can you explain the > popularity of Paris Hilton and some of the crap we watch? God help > this country when we can't criticize ourselves with being considered > unpatriotic, whatever that means. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/Y2tolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/