What were the first few things you learned to say in Russian, and why?

[WalkonWildSide 0]

Right. Not an oxymoron.... just, er.... unique Mickey Mouse isn't tough to figure out in a cultural context, but try explaining Elvira, Joe the cable guy, or a place like Las Vegas to some one who hasn't been here.

Of course American culture is unique, it is the blending of hundreds of cultures. The one I can't explain properly is Thanksgiving.

Them....Thanksgiving, you eat turkey and lots of food with family and friends.

ME........Yes

Them....Isn't Thanksgiving commerating the survival of the Pilgrims first years in America and that survival was dependent upon the aid of the Native Americans.

Me........Yes

Them....Didn't Americans kill all the Native Americans? And now you are celebrating that betrayal of friendship, kindness and killing all of them?

Me........Ah....well....not all of them, there are some Native Americans left alive in the US.

Them....Where?

Me........All around the US...They have casinos.

Them....Why do Native Americans have casinos? Did they lose a bet? American is such a strange place.

Me........Yes, Yes, Yes it is.

Edited May 9, 2009 by easytarget

[Brad and Vika 129]

Right. Not an oxymoron.... just, er.... unique Mickey Mouse isn't tough to figure out in a cultural context, but try explaining Elvira, Joe the cable guy, or a place like Las Vegas to some one who hasn't been here.

Of course American culture is unique, it is the blending of hundreds of cultures. The one I can't explain properly is Thanksgiving.

Them....Thanksgiving, you eat turkey and lots of food with family and friends.

ME........Yes

Them....Isn't Thanksgiving commerating the survival of the Pilgrims first years in America and that survival was dependent upon the aid of the Native Americans.

Me........Yes

Them....Didn't Americans kill all the Native Americans? And now you are celebrating that betrayal of friendship, kindness and killing all of them?

Me........Ah....well....not all of them, there are some Native Americans left alive in the US.

Them....Where?

Me........All around the US...They have casinos.

Them....Why do Native Americans have casinos? Did they lose a bet? American is such a strange place.

Me........Yes, Yes, Yes it is.

Right. Because of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Indians actually TOOK the right to operate casinos away from the states where the tribes are located. I think of it as a kind of revenge for the genocidal activities of the past. Kind of funny how some of the "tribes" turned into "Nations" that then fractured into many Tribes (each being entitled to one or more casinos). And the big winner is Harrah's Gaming, Inc.

[slim 1,523]

In kentucky, all street signs either mean "drive fast here" or "drive really fast now". Turn signals, etc. are always optional

I like the bullet hole "decorations" in them too.

[mox 298]

Try explaining why you've stopped at a red light at 2am, there's no traffic around, and yet you wait right through that 3 minute light without another car in site. You can explain all you want about the possibility of there being a cop around, and even dip your toe into the "what if we all just stopped following the rules" waters, but in the end she will ridicule you and say what great material this will make in her next letter home.

Just sayin'.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Try explaining why you've stopped at a red light at 2am, there's no traffic around, and yet you wait right through that 3 minute light without another car in site. You can explain all you want about the possibility of there being a cop around, and even dip your toe into the "what if we all just stopped following the rules" waters, but in the end she will ridicule you and say what great material this will make in her next letter home.

Just sayin'.

True, but my wife really seems to pay so little attention to that stuff while I am driving that there are seldom many questions.

[Brad and Vika 129]

In kentucky, all street signs either mean "drive fast here" or "drive really fast now". Turn signals, etc. are always optional

I like the bullet hole "decorations" in them too.

That caused a whole other discussion about guns:

Vika - What are those wholes in signs from?

Me - Bullets.

Vika - From who?

Me - Legally armed citizens of the sovereign Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Vika - Americans all carry guns around to shoot their own street signs? Stupid!

Me - Sometimes, as shooting signs from moving vehicles is a national sport. Mostly we just shoot each other though.

Vika - Do you shoot signs with your guns?

Me - Not any more, because my eyesight isn't good enough to hit a sign from a moving car. I might accidentally shoot an innocent dog or cat instead.

Vika - What about innocent people?

Me - There aren't any.

Vika - When will I have gun too?

Me - I will look into it right away. Do you prefer to shoot stop signs, or general road signs on the highway.

Vika - I won't shoot signs, it is stupid!

[WalkonWildSide 0]

I wouldn't be buying her a gun anytime soon.

Although she is right shooting street signs is pretty stupid.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I wouldn't be buying her a gun anytime soon.

Although she is right shooting street signs is pretty stupid.

No doubt. We will visit the range some time soon though.

[slim 1,523]

The only signs you're "supposed to" shoot are the ones with the deer on them.

[WalkonWildSide 0]

always wondered about the rules for shooting road signs were.

I lived in the NorthEast and there was a town called Sharon. It was more on the hick side of the NorthEast and they had a problem with folks shooting the street signs. The city council in their "infinite wisdom" decided to erect a sign declaring the activity illegal. The sign read, "No Shooting in Sharon". Needless to say this then became the most popular sign to steal.

[eekee 182]

I had no idea people even did this. I must be living in the wrong parts of the country.

[slim 1,523]

I had no idea people even did this. I must be living in the wrong parts of the country.

Or you're living in parts of the country where citizens are now known as subjects. (Unarmed citizen = subject. Think about it. Seriously. Do they have to listen to you when they're armed and you're not?)

[WalkonWildSide 0]

Slim: So are you saying we are "Subjects of the Briti...American Empire" ?

[slim 1,523]

Slim: So are you saying we are "Subjects of the Briti...American Empire" ?

Why do you think they're starting to label certain groups of citizens as "threatening", "dangerous", "possible extremists" or even "at risk to conduct terrorist activity?"

There was a group of men in Boston back in '74 who were placed on a Tory Enemies List. Didn't work out so well for the British. The current administration knows well the ramifications and repercussions of what happened when Gage sent his boys out to collect arms. Alphabet soup agencies try it again.... same result only on a much larger scale.

See, the thing is, every single politician knows they can't disarm us. However, it's a lot easier to enslave us in front of American Idol and Dancing with the Stars than to fight us at Merriam's Corner.

...... and the downward spiral continues......

[Nasturtium 500]

Slim: So are you saying we are "Subjects of the Briti...American Empire" ?

Why do you think they're starting to label certain groups of citizens as "threatening", "dangerous", "possible extremists" or even "at risk to conduct terrorist activity?"

There was a group of men in Boston back in '74 who were placed on a Tory Enemies List. Didn't work out so well for the British. The current administration knows well the ramifications and repercussions of what happened when Gage sent his boys out to collect arms. Alphabet soup agencies try it again.... same result only on a much larger scale.

See, the thing is, every single politician knows they can't disarm us. However, it's a lot easier to enslave us in front of American Idol and Dancing with the Stars than to fight us at Merriam's Corner.

...... and the downward spiral continues......

The new suspect list I saw passed around was ridiculously broad. I'm not saying I approve of any suspect list, but this list would encompass both supporters and critics of the current, past and future government. Take, for example, the "interested in organic gardening" idea. That could span all the way from librul hippies to crazy conspiracy theorists. it also encompasses a vast majority of home gardeners, who are often after growing things for a purely hobby or taste issue standpoint. It's a weird list to me.