American Paranoia

[BarTopDancer]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

[€uroMeinke]

Upon arrival at LAX immigration, I was struck that a single portrait of G.W. Bush, on the wall and I whispered to Not Afraid, "I thought they only did that in fascist countries." Honestly, I don't recall portraits of the Queen or Tony Blair greeting me at Heathrow.

[Strangler Lewis]

There are pictures of the president in all the federal buildings and courthouses I've been in. Unless having it at the airport is a new post 9/11 thing, you would have seen Clinton's picture back in the good old days.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

There are pictures of the president in all the federal buildings and courthouses I've been in. Unless having it at the airport is a new post 9/11 thing, you would have seen Clinton's picture back in the good old days.

And had I noticed, I would have said, "I thought they just did that in the fascist countries."

I suppose it's helpful to know what the "boss" looks like, in case he comes in to poke around, but still the practice baffles me.

[CoasterMatt]

A mom speaking to her young son while pointing at the portrait-
"That's who we blame for everything"
(Doesn't matter who the pic is, really )

[Tramspotter]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

Upon arrival at LAX immigration, I was struck that a single portrait of G.W. Bush, on the wall and I whispered to Not Afraid, "I thought they only did that in fascist countries." Honestly, I don't recall portraits of the Queen or Tony Blair greeting me at Heathrow.

It used to be a picture of Tom Bradley. If they put one up of our current mayor then you might have something commrad.

Tom Bradleys wife used to and I imagine still owns much of the consession rights at LAX does that rub you the wrong way at all? Or is it a wash compared to the evil bushhitlers Smirk? That alone might ruin many peoples day.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Tramspotter

It used to be a picture of Tom Bradley. If they put one up of our current mayor then you might have something commrad.

Tom Bradleys wife used to and I imagine still owns much of the consession rights at LAX does that rub you the wrong way at all? Or is it a wash compared to the evil bushhitlers Smirk? That alone might ruin many peoples day.

I suppose Tom Bradley's pic in the Tom Bradley terminal wouldn't phase me, but we went through United's terminal, so if I were greeted by it, or the current mayors face it might still strike me odd, but as a Mayor I'd just chalk it up to local political cronieism - but I normally think in terms of nations rather than cities being facist, so I likely wouldn't have made the remark.

As for concession rights, eh that's capitalism for you and god knows one needs some starbucks before boarding.

[Not Afraid]

All I know is that I found myself sing "We don't need this facist groove thing" for the next 2 hours.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

...Wait. You went to London? How unpatriotic! If you like it so much there, you should have just stayed! You should be spending that money in America and supporting our country. You infidel traitor!...

I had a co-worker once who said she would never leave the country, “Because God put all the best stuff in America, why go anywhere else?”

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

International travel doesn't do much for patriotism.

That's interesting that you say that, because my own experiences couldn't be more opposite. I've been very blessed to have been able to travel all around the world and experience many different cultures and peoples. In doing so I’ve gained a profoundly deeper understanding of the world and where and how we fit into it, yet every time I leave the country and discover a new place it not only causes me to gain a newfound respect for yet another culture but also an even deeper love for our own. When I was seventeen and had never ventured across our borders I was what I thought was patriotic (I said the pledge sincerely, looked upon the flag with deep respect, lit off a truckload of fireworks every fourth of July, etc) but it wasn't until I spent a summer living in Europe that I realized just what I had to be thankful for and proud of and why. The more I have continued to travel since then the deeper my sense of gratitude for the U.S. has grown. I admit that we are not infallible and by no means a perfect nation, but more so than anywhere I've been (with the exception of maybe Switzerland. I still can't get over how amazing they are) the U.S. constitutes a truly remarkable world of liberties, possibilities and luxuries. There is a very long list of countries where I would be more than happy to live out the remainder of my life, but the U.S. will always be planted firmly at number one, and it’s mainly because I know what a few of my other choices would be now.

Anyhow, sorry for being long winded. That quote just got me to thinking...