We don't want to be in the middle of international conflicts

[DEDixon 39]

Thailand has denied a visa to the sister of Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, fearing it could upset relations with China.

A top Thai Foreign Ministry official said Thursday that the Jetsun Pema and her husband had applied for visas to attend a cultural festival in Bangkok at Thailand's Embassy in New Delhi, India, but were rejected. About 30 other Tibetan exiles in India were granted visas to attend a "Festival of Tibetan Spirituality, Arts and Cultures" that begins Friday.

"We welcome cultural diversity and have no problem with people coming in and participating in the activities," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign minister, but he added: "In this case, we fear giving permission will be linked to politics. We don't want to be in the middle of international conflicts."

if you care, more here, the topic here is of no interest to me, my intrigue was with the bolded text above:

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...l#ixzz0hK4XnEQB

Oh, how I wish the USA could do the same! When the US butts in, the world says "mind your own business," when the US minds its own business, the world tells her to jump in and lead. Either way, with all things, the US is either doing too much or not enough. I've tired from this... a long time ago. I used to be proud to be at the center of so much, but now I see it as more a burden on us even as individuals (see below).

What comes to mind are these "happy country" surveys (of all things). When the US is way down on the list as unhappy and freaking placing like Thailand are way up on the list as super happy it ticks me off. Well, if we could simply hide out like Thailand, we just might be happy too. Anyone feel any pressure by being American? I love America, but I sometimes wish I was born in Belize or another country that isn't on the map of world affairs.

Edited March 5, 2010 by DEDixon

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Anyone feel any pressure by being American?

No, not really.

[alienlovechild 75]

Oh, how I wish the USA could do the same! When the US butts in, the world says "mind your own business," when the US minds its own business, the world tells her to jump in and lead. Either way, with all things, the US is either doing too much or not enough. I've tired from this... a long time ago. I used to be proud to be at the center of so much, but now I see it as more a burden on us even as individuals (see below).

Anyone feel any pressure by being American? I love America, but I sometimes wish I was born in Belize or another country that isn't on the map of world affairs.

The Thais did take a stand be letting China's policies decide who the Thais can invite into their own country. Wimps.

Most countries don't have the ability or influence abroad really matter far beyond their borders. They can criticize the U.S. but there's little most nations can do for good or ill. Nobody cares what 90% of the countries think and that's how the UN works.

We could emulate China's position of not caring about other countries do just so long as they can make money.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Never feel pressure by being a American. I have traveled pretty much all over the world and have never worried or had any really bad times with natives but been welcomed.

I do agree that the U.S. should maybe start bringing our troops home worldwide now. The last I read we have troops in about 122 countries. There is no reason that we need troops in Japan or Korea or Thailand or any Asian country. There is no reason that we need ever to have troops in any part of Europe. Specifically we need to remove and march our troops back home from the middle east. Just removing our troops and bringing them home would save us a lot of money. Money that could be spent paying our debt down. Then we could afford without bankrupting us these massive social programs many want.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I do agree that the U.S. should maybe start bringing our troops home worldwide now. The last I read we have troops in about 122 countries. There is no reason that we need troops in Japan or Korea or Thailand or any Asian country. There is no reason that we need ever to have troops in any part of Europe. Specifically we need to remove and march our troops back home from the middle east. Just removing our troops and bringing them home would save us a lot of money. Money that could be spent paying our debt down. Then we could afford without bankrupting us these massive social programs many want.

Word.

[jundp 191]

The only time I ever feel pressured about being an American is when I'm traveling in another country and see/hear/witness an obnoxious, rude, loud American demanding something because he/she is American. I've seen this a number of times, most recently in early February when SNOW STORMS canceled many flights within Europe and we were stuck in Frankfurt for hours. There were a couple of horrible, rude, loud, obnoxious Americans demanding "better treatment" because they were American.

I pretended to be Canadian.

Otherwise, no, I don't feel pressure.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The only time I ever feel pressured about being an American is when I'm traveling in another country and see/hear/witness an obnoxious, rude, loud American demanding something because he/she is American.

Well, Germans are pretty annoying when traveling to Southern Europe. I've never been but I've seen the reports coming from Mallorca and I'd say that my fellow Germans didn't really measure up. Bunch of obnoxious drunk fcukers.

[luckytxn 2,264]

The only time I ever feel pressured about being an American is when I'm traveling in another country and see/hear/witness an obnoxious, rude, loud American demanding something because he/she is American. I've seen this a number of times, most recently in early February when SNOW STORMS canceled many flights within Europe and we were stuck in Frankfurt for hours. There were a couple of horrible, rude, loud, obnoxious Americans demanding "better treatment" because they were American.

I pretended to be Canadian.

Otherwise, no, I don't feel pressure.

I have my whole life heard about the ugly Americans but for the life of me I have only seen a couple of instances where that was true. Over all from what I have seen Americans usually made a good impression.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Well, Germans are pretty annoying when traveling to Southern Europe. I've never been but I've seen the reports coming from Mallorca and I'd say that my fellow Germans didn't really measure up. Bunch of obnoxious drunk fcukers.

I liked Germany a lot and have some very fond memories there. Germans were the one people though I can say that I admire on their being forthcoming. They would say what they wanted for sure. Training with their special forces was an experience and could barely keep up with them. I was happy just to survive. Thank God we don't have to go to war with them again. (Hopefully)

The ones I went out drinking with though took it to a whole new level. Even the babes could handle anything the men threw at them.

[alienlovechild 75]

The only time I ever feel pressured about being an American is when I'm traveling in another country and see/hear/witness an obnoxious, rude, loud American demanding something because he/she is American. I've seen this a number of times, most recently in early February when SNOW STORMS canceled many flights within Europe and we were stuck in Frankfurt for hours. There were a couple of horrible, rude, loud, obnoxious Americans demanding "better treatment" because they were American.

Can't say I've seen or heard that before in person. You actually heard an American demand better service because he/she was American? Most Americans don't advertise their nationality abroad for fear of the verbal flak they'll get and the higher prices since all Americans are considered rich.

Most foreigners assume anyone speaking English is an American. Reminds of the Romanians in the village complaining about how the American, Sach Baron Cohen, used them in his Borat movie. Cohen is British BTW.

Edited March 6, 2010 by alienlovechild

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Germans were the one people though I can say that I admire on their being forthcoming. They would say what they wanted for sure.

Yeah, I hear that a lot. And it's true. I don't hold back - always say what I think.

[jundp 191]

Can't say I've seen or heard that before in person. You actually heard an American demand better service because he/she was American? Most Americans don't advertise their nationality abroad for fear of the verbal flak they'll get and the higher prices since all Americans are considered rich.

Oh indeed I have heard that. On more than one occasion. Most recently in Frankfurt about a month ago. It was disgusting. The man actually said "In America we don't treat people this way!" What's worse, it's not as though the people at the airport had any control over the weather.

I also was fortunate enough to witness similar behavior at a restaurant in Bolivia. "Don't you understand I'm American?!" (or something similar...this was about 7 years ago).

There were a couple of occasions where I saw/heard the loud and obnoxious behavior on other travels as well. And yes, they were American, not British, Canadian, etc. I made a point of asking.

Yeah, I hear that a lot. And it's true. I don't hold back - always say what I think.

Neither does my husband, his family, or any of my German friends. I appreciate that, actually.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Yeah, I hear that a lot. And it's true. I don't hold back - always say what I think.

As do I for sure and maybe that is why I got along with them there. Well also as they kept reminding me that I was Deutsch also. I tried to tell them I wasn't but they would tell me I was over and over.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

As do I for sure and maybe that is why I got along with them there. Well also as they kept reminding me that I was Deutsch also. I tried to tell them I wasn't but they would tell me I was over and over.

It's like this: Germans are a tough crowd to break into. Once you do, however, you belong.

[luckytxn 2,264]

It's like this: Germans are a tough crowd to break into. Once you do, however, you belong.

Found that out and I would rather be with them then against them.