What the approval ratings say about America

MothBalls · 11-12-08, 11:55 AM

<edit> Did a little searching and found it wasn't from Letterman. It's a good read anyway, couldn't track the original source.
================================
<edit #2> Thanks RickC Sniper who found the original and the snopes comment on it.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/hitnail.asp
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=53028
================================
Way to go David Letterman!

David Letterman, on President Bush. (Surprising)

David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see...

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.
The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the US. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

FIREWALL · 11-12-08, 12:06 PM

Our medical care is also second to none in the world.

No one is refused or turned away.

@ Mothballs : Your post gets my

SteamWake · 11-12-08, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen.'

Yup

subchaser12 · 11-12-08, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

Our medical care is also second to none in the world.

No one is refused or turned away.

@ Mothballs : Your post gets my

You forgot the part where the hospital sends you a 30,000 dollar bill after the fact that you can't pay and drives millions of people into bankruptcy for this "second to none" healthcare. So you are correct in saying we are second to none; no first rate nation has a worse health care system than we do.

As for the OP, this is a matter of relativity. Sure, if I grew up in Darfur I would think the worst Wal-Mart in the country was heaven. It is completely irrational to say we in America never have problems because we grew up with flush toilets, food and air conditioning.

FIREWALL · 11-12-08, 12:20 PM

I don't even know if your an American or a foriegner just trolling .

I have friends that have went to the county hospital with a life threatening injury and were treated for free and are alive today.

I don't think yiu know sheet about our medical system.

subchaser12 · 11-12-08, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

I don't even know if your an American or a foriegner just trolling .

I have friends that have went to the county hospital with a life threatening injury and were treated for free and are alive today.

I don't think yiu know sheet about our medical system.

Give me the name of the hospital. I'll immediately put them in my rolodex and I will happily go there if the do healthcare for free. What do you consider "life threatening?"

Also I'm American, if that will allow you to see me as human.

RickC Sniper · 11-12-08, 03:27 PM

The origin of that list was an essay by Craig R. Smith.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/hitnail.asp

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=53028

jpm1 · 11-13-08, 04:46 AM

double-glazing and thick walls that's the secret of happiness . by the way i wanted to thank the english people cause i live in a house made of thick stone walls myself it's a house which dates of the middle-age so i wanted to thank the english cause it's them who point us out during the one hundred years war that our houses walls didn't resist very much to the catapults so if my house has stone walls which make 1 m thickness it's thanks to them somewhere
(Edit : i live in Dordogne)

Kapt Z · 11-13-08, 09:20 PM

I think it is always hard to remember your blessings when you feel like you're trapped in a car with a drunk. We, as Americans, do indeed have much to be thankful for. That our country seems to hang in there pretty well even with idiots at the wheel is quite amazing.

But, we just can't seem to leave well enough alone sometimes! Heck, we revolted against England over some measly taxes!?!

We brought about impeachment proceedings against a president for lying about....wait for it....SEX!

So, now we have a new president-elect and the next four years may play out like a extended episode of 'My Name is Earl'.....

Invaded wrong country under false pretenses....oh, uh, sorry about that.

Forgot we signed the Geneva Convention....ok, wait, we can explain that.

Forgot about a entire city....now just hold on there! We were going back to New Orleans next year!

Point is, we DO live in a great country and our leaders(whatever their party) deserve to hear it when they screw up. It's really our duty to let them hear it!

FIREWALL · 11-13-08, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subchaser12

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

I don't even know if your an American or a foriegner just trolling .

I have friends that have went to the county hospital with a life threatening injury and were treated for free and are alive today.

I don't think yiu know sheet about our medical system.

Give me the name of the hospital. I'll immediately put them in my rolodex and I will happily go there if the do healthcare for free. What do you consider "life threatening?"

Also I'm American, if that will allow you to see me as human.

MLK Memorial Torrance CA. Gunshot , Heavy Trama ( Refinery Explosion ) Auto accidents. Has been rated as one of the best trama hospitals in USA,

If your Americaan have the balz to put it under your avatar to eliminate confusion.

that goes for all. Be proud of where your from.

FIREWALL · 11-13-08, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapt Z

I think it is always hard to remember your blessings when you feel like you're trapped in a car with a drunk. We, as Americans, do indeed have much to be thankful for. That our country seems to hang in there pretty well even with idiots at the wheel is quite amazing.

But, we just can't seem to leave well enough alone sometimes! Heck, we revolted against England over some measly taxes!?!

We brought about impeachment proceedings against a president for lying about....wait for it....SEX!

So, now we have a new president-elect and the next four years may play out like a extended episode of 'My Name is Earl'.....

Invaded wrong country under false pretenses....oh, uh, sorry about that.

Forgot we signed the Geneva Convention....ok, wait, we can explain that.

Forgot about a entire city....now just hold on there! We were going back to New Orleans next year!

Point is, we DO live in a great country and our leaders(whatever their party) deserve to hear it when they screw up. It's really our duty to let them hear it!

You hit it on the head Kapt Z

" WE THE PEOPLE "
Those first three words were big for a reason.

But has been forgotten. We shouldn't whine when it get's amended to " I the Goverment now whats best for you. "

August · 11-13-08, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

If your Americaan have the balz to put it under your avatar to eliminate confusion.

that goes for all. Be proud of where your from.

Hear hear.

subchaser12 · 11-13-08, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

If your Americaan have the balz to put it under your avatar to eliminate confusion.

that goes for all. Be proud of where your from.

Confusion? I feel sorry for you if you get confused because you think everyone who doesn't jump up and down yelling "USA number ONE!! ***** YEAH! Die commies!" could not possibly be an American.

FIREWALL · 11-13-08, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subchaser12

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

If your Americaan have the balz to put it under your avatar to eliminate confusion.

that goes for all. Be proud of where your from.

Confusion? I feel sorry for you if you get confused because you think everyone who doesn't jump up and down yelling "USA number ONE!! **** YEAH! Die commies!" could not possibly be an American.

What a weasel

Go ahead and hide behind your monitor .

USA had no bearing on where you post your from.

It just helps to clearup if you know what the ******* your talking about.:p

subchaser12 · 11-13-08, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

Quote:

Originally Posted by subchaser12

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

If your Americaan have the balz to put it under your avatar to eliminate confusion.

that goes for all. Be proud of where your from.

Confusion? I feel sorry for you if you get confused because you think everyone who doesn't jump up and down yelling "USA number ONE!! fukkk YEAH! Die commies!" could not possibly be an American.

What a weasel

Go ahead and hide behind your monitor .

USA had no bearing on where you post your from.

It just helps to clearup if you know what the feck your talking about.:p

Oh Mr. "let's call people names over the internet". I have to ask, is English your native language?

11-12-08, 11:55 AM	#1
MothBalls Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,012 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	What the approval ratings say about America <edit> Did a little searching and found it wasn't from Letterman. It's a good read anyway, couldn't track the original source. ================================ <edit #2> Thanks RickC Sniper who found the original and the snopes comment on it. http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/hitnail.asp http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=53028 ================================ Way to go David Letterman! David Letterman, on President Bush. (Surprising) David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see... As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about? A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week? B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state. F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either. H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings. K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers. M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the US. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' Last edited by MothBalls; 11-13-08 at 12:02 PM.

11-12-08, 12:20 PM	#5
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	I don't even know if your an American or a foriegner just trolling . I have friends that have went to the county hospital with a life threatening injury and were treated for free and are alive today. I don't think yiu know sheet about our medical system. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

11-12-08, 03:27 PM	#7
RickC Sniper Undetectable Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,221 Downloads: 132 Uploads: 0	The origin of that list was an essay by Craig R. Smith. http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/hitnail.asp http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=53028 __________________ Support Subsim http://www.subsim.com/store.html

11-13-08, 04:46 AM	#8
jpm1 Captain Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 544 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	double-glazing and thick walls that's the secret of happiness . by the way i wanted to thank the english people cause i live in a house made of thick stone walls myself it's a house which dates of the middle-age so i wanted to thank the english cause it's them who point us out during the one hundred years war that our houses walls didn't resist very much to the catapults so if my house has stone walls which make 1 m thickness it's thanks to them somewhere (Edit : i live in Dordogne) Last edited by jpm1; 11-13-08 at 04:48 AM.

11-12-08, 12:06 PM	#2
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Our medical care is also second to none in the world. No one is refused or turned away. @ Mothballs : Your post gets my __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ??? Last edited by FIREWALL; 11-12-08 at 12:08 PM.

11-13-08, 09:20 PM	#9
Kapt Z Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ...somewhere in the swamps of Jersey. Posts: 909 Downloads: 157 Uploads: 0	I think it is always hard to remember your blessings when you feel like you're trapped in a car with a drunk. We, as Americans, do indeed have much to be thankful for. That our country seems to hang in there pretty well even with idiots at the wheel is quite amazing. But, we just can't seem to leave well enough alone sometimes! Heck, we revolted against England over some measly taxes!?! We brought about impeachment proceedings against a president for lying about....wait for it....SEX! So, now we have a new president-elect and the next four years may play out like a extended episode of 'My Name is Earl'..... Invaded wrong country under false pretenses....oh, uh, sorry about that. Forgot we signed the Geneva Convention....ok, wait, we can explain that. Forgot about a entire city....now just hold on there! We were going back to New Orleans next year! Point is, we DO live in a great country and our leaders(whatever their party) deserve to hear it when they screw up. It's really our duty to let them hear it!