Jump to content
Washington Football Team Logo
Extremeskins

Why are they Americans in Lebanon?


88Comrade2000

Recommended Posts

His name is Paul Van Dyk - no e ;) ... and if Lebanon is good enough for Fiddy, it's good enough for me.

haifa%2050%20cent%2005.jpg

http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2006/06/haifa_wehbe_in.php

I stand corrected on the spelling. Actually I need to correct my story. Paul Oakenfold was the DJ at the beach party. Paul Van DYK performed at an indoor venue in downtown Beirut.

Oakenfold in Lebanon

yloakenflyer.jpg

PVD in Beirut

paul%20van%20dyk%20beirut%206.jpg

Tiesto in Beirut, 16,000 people in attendance

beirut%20tiesto%205.jpg

beirut%20tiesto%2011.jpg

beirut%20tiesto%2012.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually, I've tried three different times. My physical/medical issues have kept me out of the service.

Though I do have to applaud you for basically ignoring everything of importance in my prior reply. That's not easy to do for most people.

I think you are just basically scared and have issues about venturing anywhere considered " foriegn". This is planet Earth not planet America.

You are poorer for not seeing other cultures and I'm richer for it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know the important differences between those places and the US. I know that they're backwards socialist societies closer to Communism than any place that I would ever willingly visit on my own. Oh, and by visiting those places and giving them your tourist dollars you DO provide tacit acceptance and agreement with their society.

I have all the information I need about their societies, as I mentioned above.

It's funny, of all the (12) foreign countries I've visited in North America, Europe and Asia, I can't think of any that I would describe as backwards socialist societies. Of course, I'm sure you know more about other countries than I do, having never been there yourself. I guess it must be easier to come to the "proper conclusions" when you don't have any personal experience to draw from. Well, I'm off to read about 8th-12th century Europe, because apparently that's the best way to become an expert on modern life in other countries.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I stand corrected on the spelling. Actually I need to correct my story. Paul Oakenfold was the DJ at the beach party. Paul Van DYK performed at an indoor venue in downtown Beirut.

Oakenfold in Lebanon

yloakenflyer.jpg

PVD in Beirut

paul%20van%20dyk%20beirut%206.jpg

Tiesto in Beirut, 16,000 people in attendance

beirut%20tiesto%205.jpg

beirut%20tiesto%2011.jpg

beirut%20tiesto%2012.jpg

Interesting.I'm still tripping that FatBoy Slim had 500,000 people in Bristol a few years ago.

The dj culture in America has along way to go.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's amazing that you can know so much about these places without having ever been there. While you're at it, can you tell me about life on Mars and Venus? How about life in neighboring galaxies? Oh, and what are things like down at the center of the Earth? I've always been disappointed that I could never go to these places, but thankfully now I have you to tell me everything about places I've never been! How wonderful! I never realized there are people who can know everything about a place without ever having been there.

I never said I know EVERYTHING about these places. Just that I knew enough not to have any interest in visiting these countries. I don't need to stand on London Bridge or visit Buckingham Palace to know that England is a socialist country that doesn't respect a person's rights of self-defense or firearms ownership. I don't need to view the skyline of Paris from the Eiffel Tower to know that France has a society I totally disagree with either.

I have no interest in spending my time or money on vacations to places that I don't agree with the society or politics of. Why would I? Dose that clear it up a little for you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you are just basically scared and have issues about venturing anywhere considered " foriegn". This is planet Earth not planet America.

It's not a matter of being scared. Disgusted maybe, but not scared.

BTW - Yes I do live on planet America. So far as I'm concerned the whole rest of the planet could cease to exist and that would be just fine with me. Even considering all the things we'd lose (oil, etc...) if it were to happen.

You are poorer for not seeing other cultures and I'm richer for it.

We'll have to disagree on that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's not a matter of being scared. Disgusted maybe, but not scared.

BTW - Yes I do live on planet America. So far as I'm concerned the whole rest of the planet could cease to exist and that would be just fine with me. Even considering all the things we'd lose (oil, etc...) if it were to happen.

I would be very interested to look over all of Mass's possessions and see how many say 'Made in... (anyplace besides America)'.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I never said I know EVERYTHING about these places. Just that I knew enough not to have any interest in visiting these countries. I don't need to stand on London Bridge or visit Buckingham Palace to know that England is a socialist country that doesn't respect a person's rights of self-defense or firearms ownership. I don't need to view the skyline of Paris from the Eiffel Tower to know that France has a society I totally disagree with either.

I have no interest in spending my time or money on vacations to places that I don't agree with the society or politics of. Why would I? Dose that clear it up a little for you?

If that was your logic there are states that have a political leanings that you may disagree.Will those states fall under your self-imposed boycott?

Hell, I hate the Cowboys, but I'll still visit Dallas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If that was your logic there are states that have a political leanings that you may disagree.Will those states fall under your self-imposed boycott?

Hell, I hate the Cowboys, but I'll still visit Dallas.

:laugh: - Including the state he lives in. He tries to not be where he is as often as possible. Maybe a hover board would help?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's funny, of all the (12) foreign countries I've visited in North America, Europe and Asia, I can't think of any that I would describe as backwards socialist societies. Of course, I'm sure you know more about other countries than I do, having never been there yourself. I guess it must be easier to come to the "proper conclusions" when you don't have any personal experience to draw from.

So you've never been to Canada, England, France, Germany, etc.... All of which I would consider backwards socialist societies? It's much easier to draw the proper conclusions about a society when you actually have a set of values and principles that you stick to and when you don't allow the fact that Paris is a very physically attractive city (from what I hear and the photos I've seen) cloud the fact that French society is a joke.

Well, I'm off to read about 8th-12th century Europe, because apparently that's the best way to become an expert on modern life in other countries.

No. Actually if Europe were currently more like it was back then, I'd be more interested in visiting that area. My comment was more based on the fact that I do research some other cultures. Just not from the modern time-period. There's nothing about modern European culture that I believe would be worth researching or experiencing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If that was your logic there are states that have a political leanings that you may disagree.Will those states fall under your self-imposed boycott?

Yes, there are states that I do as much as possible to avoid traveling to and through. California and New York as two examples. Massachusetts would be on the list as well if that was possible. Unfortunately I've been unable to find a similar job with equal or better pay in a state I'd prefer to live in (preferably the SouthEast or Deep South areas).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I never said I know EVERYTHING about these places. Just that I knew enough not to have any interest in visiting these countries. I don't need to stand on London Bridge or visit Buckingham Palace to know that England is a socialist country that doesn't respect a person's rights of self-defense or firearms ownership. I don't need to view the skyline of Paris from the Eiffel Tower to know that France has a society I totally disagree with either.

I have no interest in spending my time or money on vacations to places that I don't agree with the society or politics of. Why would I? Dose that clear it up a little for you?

I guess I see one point of misunderstanding between us. I am not suggesting that there is any benefit to taking a vacation overseas to go stand on the London Bridge or go up the Eiffel Tower. Rather, I posit that you can get a better understanding and knowledge of a society if you go there and try to experience the society (not just the sightseeing venues) for yourself. For all I know, you might disagree with the society just as much, or even more, after that experience. I don't have any problem with that, or any problem with your notion that the US is better than any other country. I would just find your opinion or views to be much more credible if they were based on more personal experience in addition to all that you already know. Until that time, I believe that your perspective on and knowledge of societies outside the US is perhaps best described as "limited." I believe this because I feel I have learned a lot about other societies and cultures by traveling extensively outside the US - in my own experience, such travel is educational.

I have never tried smoking, alcohol, or drugs because those things are in conflict with my values. Although I would learn something about these activities by trying them, I choose to remain ignorant. However, I don't claim to know as much about smoking, alcohol, or drugs as people who have tried them. I acknowledge I can learn something about these activities from people who have tried them. If it is inconsistent with your values to travel outside the US, that is fine by me, but this also limits the knowledge base with which you can understand, appreciate, or judge foreign countries and their people. In choosing to limit that knowledge, one runs the risk of being ill-informed. It's a trade-off.

So you've never been to Canada, England, France, Germany, etc.... All of which I would consider backwards socialist societies? It's much easier to draw the proper conclusions about a society when you actually have a set of values and principles that you stick to and when you don't allow the fact that Paris is a very physically attractive city (from what I hear and the photos I've seen) cloud the fact that French society is a joke.

In response to this, I will just say that I have a set of values and principles to which I adhere very strongly. I do believe my values and principles have been helpful to me in drawing the "proper conclusions." I reject the implication that, because my views are not the same as yours, that I do not "actually have a set of values and principles that stick to."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm surprised by all the generalizations on this thread, particularly from those who are not Republicans. Jbooma said you don't appreciate history if you don't travel the world. Others say people who don't travel the world are giving in to terrorism. And yet others say people who don't travel the world are ignorant, and couldn't possibly appreciate what we have here without seeing the rest of the world.

I have not traveled the world, and I certainly do not classify myself as ignorant, an American supremecist, historically illiterate, unappreciative of the USA, disinterested in other countries, or giving in to terrorism. I am what I am and I quite enjoy the safety and comfort of living in Virginia. I know adventurous people and by nature, I am not one of them. I've known missionaries who told me I need to go out and see the world. True story: Two of them (my cousin's wife's sisters) went to Afghanistan and got kidnapped by the Taliban. :doh: They were released unharmed but my point is you have to use common sense. I've known other white people who venture into bad parts of India to buy rugs. Personally, I don't think life is worth risking for a rug, but hey, to each his own.

If anything, it's the folks who DON'T venture ourside the USA who appreciate the USA the most. Of course, if you take that to the extreme you could be an ignorant American supremecist, but I think the reason most Americans don't travel to certain countries is because of work and finances.

I would not go to Lebanon. Period. I don't care how much they are like us. I don't care how pretty the land is. People say the same about Isreal and I ain't going there either. The place is a freakin' target. Woodbridge Virginia is not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't worrry about it man, I can only take insults from people like him as overall compliments. Would I really want his respect? Not really, he doesn't have much value. Does that mean I think I am superior to him, absolutely. Does my superiority mean I am dangerous, nope.

Besides he has been meaning to say something like that over the whole Israel threads in the past few days and he saw his opportunity to take the shot. It wasn't even a particularly good shot considering the fact that I have non-violent tendancies while MSF has called for the death of countless people on this website. He only looks like more of an "mental midget" in the end, and that is fine with me.

I'm glad ... don't let people taking digs at you because you're Iranian dissuade you from airing your opinion and being confident in your convictions even if they lie outside the accepted norm (provided you aren't doing the same thing, of course).

You're entitled to speak your mind and should feel confident doing so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So a person's ethnic background has no influence over how he or she might see the world. Like it or not, sometimes ethnicity is a big part of the story.

Going down that route leads to a slippery slope towards racial generalizations ... one that can/has been applied not only to Iranians and Arabs but also african americans and also Jews. I think it is much more prudent to judge someone on thier individual merits rather than bringing thier ethnicity into it. You're just asking for trouble in that case. :2cents:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If anything, it's the folks who DON'T venture ourside the USA who appreciate the USA the most. Of course, if you take that to the extreme you could be an ignorant American supremecist, but I think the reason most Americans don't travel to certain countries is because of work and finances.
First, the #1 reason people travel to other countries is business.

But anyway, what does travelling outside of the US have anything to do with being appreciative of America?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So you've never been to Canada, England, France, Germany, etc.... All of which I would consider backwards socialist societies? It's much easier to draw the proper conclusions about a society when you actually have a set of values and principles that you stick to and when you don't allow the fact that Paris is a very physically attractive city (from what I hear and the photos I've seen) cloud the fact that French society is a joke.

No. Actually if Europe were currently more like it was back then, I'd be more interested in visiting that area. My comment was more based on the fact that I do research some other cultures. Just not from the modern time-period. There's nothing about modern European culture that I believe would be worth researching or experiencing.

So many french whores you are missing out on ;)

Say if you won a free trip to France, it would be pretty sad that you refused to go and enjoy yourself just because you don't agree with their politics or public opinion. It's not like you are going to step off the plane and get forced to do an on the spot interview/ debate with a frenchmen on BBC world news lol.

I'm sure there are things you don't agree with here in America but you will still visit that state. The "I won't go cause I don't agree with them" logic seems flawed to me. And it makes it seem as though all french people think exactly alike.

You do realize that there are people from France who don't agree with the politics there as well. The same is true in all countries.

Again, of course you don't have to go to anyplace that you don't feel the need to, but the excuse you are using just doesn't hold up very well. I think you have a lot more animosity towards these countries then you are trying to lead us to believe. Of course I could be wrong.

GC4C

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess I see one point of misunderstanding between us. I am not suggesting that there is any benefit to taking a vacation overseas to go stand on the London Bridge or go up the Eiffel Tower. Rather, I posit that you can get a better understanding and knowledge of a society if you go there and try to experience the society (not just the sightseeing venues) for yourself. For all I know, you might disagree with the society just as much, or even more, after that experience. I don't have any problem with that, or any problem with your notion that the US is better than any other country. I would just find your opinion or views to be much more credible if they were based on more personal experience in addition to all that you already know. Until that time, I believe that your perspective on and knowledge of societies outside the US is perhaps best described as "limited." I believe this because I feel I have learned a lot about other societies and cultures by traveling extensively outside the US - in my own experience, such travel is educational.

I don't believe I've ever indicated my opinion was anything other than limited. I just don't see that there's any point in expanding the position the opinion is based on when I know it isn't going to change the opinion itself. For example, if you go online to look at new cars and find a model that doesn't have several of the features you've determined are required in the car you're going to buy, do you go to the dealership and test drive it anyway? I don't. The moment I've determined it's not what I'm looking for, I don't pay any more attention to it at all.

I have never tried smoking, alcohol, or drugs because those things are in conflict with my values. Although I would learn something about these activities by trying them, I choose to remain ignorant. However, I don't claim to know as much about smoking, alcohol, or drugs as people who have tried them. I acknowledge I can learn something about these activities from people who have tried them. If it is inconsistent with your values to travel outside the US, that is fine by me, but this also limits the knowledge base with which you can understand, appreciate, or judge foreign countries and their people. In choosing to limit that knowledge, one runs the risk of being ill-informed. It's a trade-off.

It is inconcistent with my values for me to support any person, group, or country who is philosophically opposed to the things I believe in. That means attempting to not provide them with money and/or even the appearance of support and acceptance of that person, group, etc.... regardless of how distant the connection might be.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the interests of full disclosure, I haven't read most of this thread because I can hear the same yammering on CNN's Crossfire or "The O'Reilly Factor." Every night if I wanted to...

As a person who has limited foreign travel experiance, I can say honestly that some of you are missing a very important point. Traveling is expensive. Very expensive. For a guy like me, who has been in school now for 8 years (post HS), the thought of traveling anywhere beyond the western hemisphere is pretty impractical. My father isn't a millionaire and my financial portfolio is non-existent (unless you count all the red ink). So, now I'm at a point in my life where I'm finally going to finish school, so what do I do?

Some might say "travel, see the world, get cultured!!" Do I lack culture because I haven't been to Paris, Prague, or Beruit? Was that even an option for me? Some of my friends did the wonderful study abroad programs, where you take classes in a foreign land for a semester and pretend that you are well traveled when you come home. Unfortunately, I was in the business of graduating on time with substantive class work under my belt. Not everyone gets the opportunity to travel, and its not always because they have some sort of "xenophobic" outlook, and a fear of foreigners.

Now, I'm 26 and about to be engaged to be married. So my options are (1) blow my lack of cash on a europeon/middle east adventure, or (2) buy an engagement ring for my very patient girlfriend, buy a house, pay the mortgage on time, and raise a family... Guess I'll have to get cultured some other time.

Actually, the truth is that I would love to see other countries in greater detail than that which CNN and the travel channel provides. I, like many Americans, have a different set of priorities that doesn't allow for this sort of lifestyle. I can't just jump in a car and drive to Germany for the weekend. But because of my lack of culture, I am branded an ignorant american, even by other more "cultured" americans. G'Day Mate, guess I'll just throw another shrimp on the barbey....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So many french whores you are missing out on ;)

Sorry but if I have to pay for that, it's not worth the fee.

Say if you won a free trip to France, it would be pretty sad that you refused to go and enjoy yourself just because you don't agree with their politics or public opinion. It's not like you are going to step off the plane and get forced to do an on the spot interview/ debate with a frenchmen on BBC world news lol.

That's actually why I don't participate in certain raffles, lotteries, etc... because I wouldn't want the prize even if I were to win it. You are correct though, that if I won a trip to France, I would decline it. It's more likely that I'd step off the plane and create a scene by puking on the gangway from the plane to the terminal.

I'm sure there are things you don't agree with here in America but you will still visit that state. The "I won't go cause I don't agree with them" logic seems flawed to me. And it makes it seem as though all french people think exactly alike.

Actually, there are things and areas that I avoid here in the US as well. California, for example.

You do realize that there are people from France who don't agree with the politics there as well. The same is true in all countries.

Yes. I also realize that if they don't agree with the politics or opinions of the country they should be working to change those policies/opinions or looking for somewhere else to live.

Again, of course you don't have to go to anyplace that you don't feel the need to, but the excuse you are using just doesn't hold up very well. I think you have a lot more animosity towards these countries then you are trying to lead us to believe. Of course I could be wrong.

Obviously we have a difference of opinion on the relevance of my reasonings for not leaving the United States.

I never said there wasn't animosity. What I have said is that I don't fear those places. There is a difference.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

... Obviously we have a difference of opinion on the relevance of my reasonings for not leaving the United States.

I never said there wasn't animosity. What I have said is that I don't fear those places. There is a difference.

Care to share with us what the animosity is that you feel towards all foriegn countries? Are there any non-US places that you have or would visit? Or do you feel that every other country outside of the US is "third world" and thus not worth your time.

There are so many things to experience in life outside of the US. But again, you say poTAYtoe, I say poTAHto. I can live with that.

Oh and don't knock foreign female street vendors. They give excellent prices :).

GC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mass, I have read where you say you love this country (or at least what the country is supposed to be in your views).

I love this country and give back to it out of gratitude and principle regardless of my not agreeing with many of the things our society and our government does or supports.

So, in honor of both of those lines of thought, I want to thank you for not traveling abroad. :D :laugh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People are too hard on Mass - no other member breaths life into a thread like Mass does with his wild eyed notions of nationalism and the like. His views are unconventional but he doesn't go after people like most people that have wildly uncommon views tend to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People are too hard on Mass - no other member breaths life into a thread like Mass does with his wild eyed notions of nationalism and the like. His views are unconventional but he doesn't go after people like most people that have wildly uncommon views tend to do.
I was just thinking that MSF's views are so on point in this thread ... From experience, I knew pretty much what he was going to say, but in this thread, they were things that really needed to be said.

I personally have not done extensive international travelling because of money/time constraints, and I seriously doubt I will ever be in Lebanon or Israel. However, I have driven across the United States twice, and I'm planning to do it again in the next year. I think many people in this thread overlook how much there is to see in our own country, and how much diversity there is between different parts of our own nation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...