Hi, I live in Europe, in the Netherlands. Thought maybe some of you
would be interested in a bystanders view on the us noise that is made
here...

I thought I'd get info about boats when I joined this group a few
weeks ago.
But I got an education that was far more interesting. In the beginning
that is, it was interesting to learn to understand the way of
reasoning of rep'and lib's and the way the one would drive a bus
through the others arguments.
In the developed world I've never seen a country that devided like the
us. Looks to me like the civil war was never ended but went on using
other means.

But I am glad this discussion is going on. And I am glad that a start
is made in acknowleding that a lifestyle of godfearing
self-sufficiency can easily become a caricature.

It's very interesting to see the similarity between the rep's yelling
"you're takin' down american values" and the muslim condemning one as
infidel.

I hope but don't expect that the US will stop its misplaced acting as
a superior body. The power inside to make this happen is totally
absent. And when I look at it in a reasonably pessimistic/realistic
way, the americans who would be competent enough to rise above the
fighting parties and could alter the situation would rather be found
dead then become part of this ridiculously derailed tv-show thats is
mistakingly seen as a political system.

And....
You don't have to point out the mistakes Europe makes.
We don't know how to fight like the us does, we have a clown for
president in Italy, a bookkeeper in Holland, a ventrilloquists doll in
Britain... We have difficulty becoming a union. We know that -in order
to maintain a certain level of civilisation- we have a system in which
we help the lesser priviliged and off course there will be some abuse
of that system
but we see that's simply a part of the costs of civilisation.
We accept being just one of the parties in the world and we're not a
purely selfish, manipulating superpower.

But what do we see when we look over the pond?
A country that rapidly alters from a dependable big brother with whom
one could achieve rational solutions into an irrational schizophrene
brother that more and more becomes a helpless
part of the problem and in time may need to be isolated in a
straightjacket.

And this is just for starters. I haven't even mentioned the
environment, the penalty court, the shortsightedness when it comes to
achieving peace, the selfishness mistakingly referred to
as selfsufficiency.

I wouldn't dare to fly an american flag when cruising abroad and not
because it poses a threat.

Thanks for reading my rambling...

Len

In article ,
says...

Hi, I live in Europe, in the Netherlands. Thought maybe some of you
would be interested in a bystanders view on the us noise that is made
here...

Hi Len,

Thanks very much for your thoughts. Glad you've found the rantings
somewhat interesting.

I'm embarrassed that we cannot have the same outlook on taking care of
our less fortunate citizens, even knowing that there'll be waste in any
such system. You are right in that we're very divided. The US needs
some time to reconstruct or it will surely deconstruct.

Please share as you see fit. It would be very interesting to have folks
from Europe taking part in the discussions.

Also, we actually break out with some boating information now and again.

Cheers,

jps

"Len" wrote in message
...
Hi, I live in Europe, in the Netherlands. Thought maybe some of you
would be interested in a bystanders view on the us noise that is made
here...
.....................snip....................


I totaly agree with you Len. Here in Canada we also get a view of the USA
that I am sure that the Americans themselves cannot see. Here is a little
story for your amusement. It may help you understand.


Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God went missing for six days.
Eventually, Michael, the archangel found him resting on the seventh day. He
inquired if God, "Where have you been?" God sighed a deep sigh of
satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds. "Look
Michael, look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet" replied God. "And I've put LIFE on it. I'm going to call it
Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.
God explained pointing to different parts of Earth, "For example, Northern
Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while Southern
Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot.
Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a
continent of black people." God then continued pointing to different
countries. "This one will be extremely hot and arid, while this one will be
very cold and covered in ice."
The Archangel impressed by Gods work pointed to a large land mass in the top
corner and asked, "What's that one?"
"Ah." said God. "That's Canada, the most glorious place n Earth. There are
beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, and an exquisite coastline. The
people from Canada are going to be modest, intelligent, and humorous and
they're going to be found traveling the world. They'll be extremely
sociable, hard working, high achieving, and they will be known as diplomats
and carriers of peace. I'm also going to give them superhuman, undefeatable
ice hockey players who will be admired and feared by all who come across
them."
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed, "What about
balance, God. You said there will be BALANCE!"
God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the loud-mouth *******s I'm putting
next to them."


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 07:54:18 -0400, "Jim Carter"
wrote:

I totaly agree with you Len. Here in Canada we also get a view of the USA
that I am sure that the Americans themselves cannot see. Here is a little
story for your amusement. It may help you understand.

It was fun to read...
In fact I've met several, dozens of canadians in Amsterdam.
All kinds of ages. Without an exeption: polite, friendly,
easy-connecting, interested in another culture/way of life.
No superficiality, no criticising the welfare system, no cowboy-style
whatsoever.

Jim,
What is the general view on abortion, gay marriage and euthanasia?
How would you characterize Canada in terms of religious parties and
their political power?

But this isn't off topic any more, it's even worse.
Do you know some us- or canadian group where discussions like this are
possible without the obvious flaming and namecalling ?

Regards, Len.

Len wrote:

In fact I've met several, dozens of canadians in Amsterdam.
All kinds of ages. Without an exeption: polite, friendly,
easy-connecting, interested in another culture/way of life.
No superficiality, no criticising the welfare system, no cowboy-style

You got a problem with cowboy style, pardner?

--
Skipper

On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 13:14:17 -0500, Skipper wrote:

Len wrote:

In fact I've met several, dozens of canadians in Amsterdam.
All kinds of ages. Without an exeption: polite, friendly,
easy-connecting, interested in another culture/way of life.
No superficiality, no criticising the welfare system, no cowboy-style

You got a problem with cowboy style, pardner?

Are ya talking to me?
Are ya talking to me?
ARE YA TALKING TO ME????
Do ya feel lucky punk?
Well ????
Do Ya????

Thats what I call cowboy style.
And yes it is offensive, rude, dumb, and a lot more but I guess you
get my drift.

Regards, Len.

Len wrote:

You got a problem with cowboy style, pardner?

Are ya talking to me?
Are ya talking to me?
ARE YA TALKING TO ME????
Do ya feel lucky punk?
Well ????
Do Ya????

Thats what I call cowboy style.
And yes it is offensive, rude, dumb, and a lot more but I guess you
get my drift.

Regards, Len.

Got to admit when I've been had. Good one, Len.

--
Skipper

"Len" wrote in message
...
Jim,
What is the general view on abortion, gay marriage and euthanasia?
How would you characterize Canada in terms of religious parties and
their political power?
But this isn't off topic any more, it's even worse.
Do you know some us- or canadian group where discussions like this are
possible without the obvious flaming and namecalling ?
Regards, Len.

The general view, in Canada, on abortion......It is up to the woman to
choose.

Gay Marriage is legal in Canada.

With a "living will" signed by the patient, it is legal for a doctor to
remove all life giving medications and supplements. My wife passed away
three years ago in a Canadian hospital. She was, at her own request and
mine, to be left to die with dignity after she had been told that her cancer
was terminal and there was nothing more that could be done for her.

She was given large amounts of morphine and died with no pain and with a
smile on her face. This type of "death with dignity" is common in Canada
but it is only after the patient has given written instructions to her
family and to the doctor.

Religion plays almost no part in Canadian Politics at all. There is no
place for it here like there is in the USA.

Sorry Len, I know of no "online" forums for Canadian Political discussions.

Jim

So you Canadians really are "blessed", in every aspect so far
No wonder every day three farmers or lorrydrivers quit their
business/job over here and emigrate to the land with the Maple Leaf.
There sure must be a lot of dutchmen over there...

Sorry I asked that question, Jim. I appreciate your open answer a lot.
Whenever my wife or I arrive at that roadbend, we'll no doubt do the
same thing... I am very glad to live in a country where it's possible.

Warm regards, Len.

"Len" wrote in message
...
So you Canadians really are "blessed", in every aspect so far
No wonder every day three farmers or lorrydrivers quit their
business/job over here and emigrate to the land with the Maple Leaf.
There sure must be a lot of dutchmen over there...

Sorry I asked that question, Jim. I appreciate your open answer a lot.
Whenever my wife or I arrive at that roadbend, we'll no doubt do the
same thing... I am very glad to live in a country where it's possible.

Warm regards, Len.

Very near to where my boat is located, in the town of Bayfield Ontario,
there is a large population of people from the Netherlands. Below, I have
copied a little information about a Dutch attraction. A full sized
windmill.

The Folmar Windmill brings a touch of Europe to Huron County. This full size
windmill is styled after an actual mill in the Netherlands called "The
Arend." Folmar Windmill has the capability to be used as a sawmill and a
grist mill. During your tour the guide will explain how the "natural energy"
of the wind can be utilized for those purposes.

View the "technical artistry" of the mill's builder, Frank de Jong, or let
yourself slip into Europe's yesteryear as the sighing of the sails
hypnotizes you and you marvel at this unique structure. Natural environment
areas are abundant in the area, and the Folmar Windmill is situated along
side a small lake.

If you do an Internet search on Google, you will see the photos of this
windmill. Search for "Folmar Windmill Bayfield Ontario"

This area is good for boating as it is on the shores of Lake Huron, the
"Sweet Water Sea".
Jim