How do you feel about non-Americans on DU?

[SeveneightyWhoa]

As this is the DEMOCRATIC Underground (implying a connection to the Democratic Party, or at least, the leftist portion of America that the Democrats are supposed to represent), do you feel weird about Canadians or other non-Americans involving themselves in your nation's politics?

Does it help you to hear non-Americans raging about President Bush, or would you like it better if you could connect strictly with solely American Bush-bashing patriots? We all know the rest of the world hates Bush--so why is a Canadian like me obsessed with American politics? Does it bother you? Would you be disturbed if Canadians frequented Free Republic to bash Kerry, for example? Or is politics becoming an International Sport?

[theivoryqueen]

1. moral support

it's fine by me unless they are closet freepers or otherwise inflammatory.

[theivoryqueen]

5. plus - US policies impact the world - so it's only fair

that citizens of other nations are able to at least comment publicly - where US citizens can actually see the comments.

[papau]

11. I agree - plus I like the varied viewpoints

:-)

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Are you kidding? Countries don't live in a vacuum. What happens in one

affects others. So it makes sense DU is open to folks from outside the USA.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

7. I, for example..

..was partially disturbed when both Ralph Nader and Michael Moore were telling Canadians how to vote. Something just didn't feel right about it, even though I agreed with what they had said.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. I think we'll be seeing more and more of cross-border voting suggestions

[supernova]

I love that International folks come to DU

Your participation is part of what makes DU such an amazing place. Americans need to engage with the world more than we do. DU is a great place to do it.

We can share ideas with people from the political left all over the world.

I don't see a down side to it.

edit: But you're Canadian, so you don't count as "international." You're the guy over the fence. :pals:

[Tight_rope]

64. Gezzz...what would we do without BBC, the Guardian, and other

international newspapers and media. We wouldn't know how much the Bush administration is dragging the good name of the American people through mud, sand and oil.

3. No boundaries

that's my motto.
Our president certainly doesn't believe in them.
We need all the support we can get.

[Just Me]

4. The rest of the world is important to me, too. n/t

[handywork]

6. when it effects the world

I think the world should be involved in the discussion...

[buff2]

8. It doesn't bother me

:hi:

[BlackVelvetElvis]

9. I love them being here and appreciate their perspective. n/t

[Gunit_Sangh]

10. it certainly doesn't bother me

I think it's great that people from all over the world have the ability and the desire to share their opinions. I, for one, welcome input and viewpoints from around the world.

[tom_paine]

12. I welcome the input of the Free World, considering we are no longer a part

of it.

Hell, even foreigners who live under regimes as corrupt as Imperial Amerika or worse are welcome!

[LittleApple81]

13. Are you kidding? They have contributed so much good information

and input to DU that this board would not be the same without them. And the US is a GLOBAL power, so if they are affected by *, they have every right to complain.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

15. Love em! I hope more join!

Quite frankly many foreigners(to the U.S.) are better informed since their media is not as biased.

Shit who here doesn't prefer to listen or watch the BBC if they have the chance?

And when our evil admin is not only fucking us over but also the rest of the world, I think they have as much right to be here as I do.

TWL

[Forkboy]

16. I love thier input

you should appreciate too.

[Kanary]

17. We have much to learn.

The time comes for the US to also *LISTEN*. We really aren't the be-all and end-all.

I've learned much, for example, by some who have taken the time and effort to come here and talk about the way their countries are run, such as some of the Scandinavian countries. What a precious, priceless opportunity!

Kanary

[Cleita]

18. Not at all. They give us a fresh perspective being on the outside

looking in. I especially appreciate it when the Canadians weigh in on social issues like health care. They prove that all the RW propaganda that we get from the American health care industry about the Canadian system is nothing but lies. We need them to keep us on track and in many cases to keep us informed.

[graham67]

19. I love to see international support....

Here on DU or anywhere else. :)

We had a lot of folks from across the ocean and in Canada support our grassroots site during the primaries. They couldn't donate to candidates so we were the next best thing. We wouldn't have been able to stay online without the help of our friends :loveya:

[KoKo]

20. International News is Good. Connecting with like minded folks from other

countries who have "liberal ideas" is good. Globalization of the best kind to share information.

How else would we get news about protests of Shrub? How else would we get news that we aren't allowed to see or hear in the US because of old Soviet styled USPRAVDA?

[Renew Deal]

21. The foreigners are some of my favorite posters.

Especially you and JyCCC (spelling)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

37. Yeah, I rock!

But modesty usually prevents me from stating it plainly. :evilgrin:

[Cheswick2.0]

22. canadians are americans

Do you mean non US citizens?

To answer your question, I have no need to create internet borders with other citizens of the earth.

[Rowdyboy]

23. I, personally, love the perspective you guys bring

Glad you're here, hope you stay.

[cally]

24. I love the international input!

I've also learned much more about other countries' politics from international DUers input. It helps me remember that we are all in this together and we do have an international community who care.

How could I ever object to anyone bashing this maladministration? :shrug:

[TrustingDog]

71. Cally, what's that demonstration pic you have about?

[MissB]

25. It doesn't bother me at all

The more, the merrier. We're all on this spinning ball together, you know?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

26. I love that they're here. Nice to have a window into what foreign folks

are thinking about what's going on here.

[DemoTex]

27. We are the Democratic Party, not the Xenophobic Party.

Part of the greatness of the Democratic tradition are traits like tolerance and intellectual curiosity; traits which are not seen in the atavistic GOP of today. We listen and learn from our friends abroad. We help them and they help us. Bu$h's GOP insults, intimidates, coerces, and manipulates our foreign friends.

We need their input here on DU now more than ever. We need the balance of their world-view. Above all, we need foreign DUers to tell their fellow citizens that there is a strong opposition movement over here to the Bu$h regime and all DUers can proudly claim some of the credit.

[tlcandie]

28. The more the merrier!

The more viewpoints and discussions the better! Who wants t live in a fish bowl? :shrug:

[Fleshdancer]

29. Love 'em. The more foreigners the better

I want as many people as possible knowing that there are many Americans who oppose what Bush is doing.

[MoonRiver]

30. I love to have them on the DU boards!

Hopefully they can infuse a little sanity into our crazy American political system! GO WORLD!!

[kayell]

31. I like hearing from other countries

We Americans are too insulated from the world as it is. I welcome the chance to hear what people the world over have to say.

I search out other countries news sources to counter balance the biased US centric media here, but that isn't the same as hearing from real people.

[Beacho]

32. I'm A Human First

and an american second

This forum is a great place for me to escape the "Cheney the World" attitude that I get from many a goober here in the states.

It makes me feel a little less ashamed of how the rest of the world sees us, knowing that 'furriners' get to see that we are not all fruitcakes bent on immanatizing the eschaton.

[mike1963]

33. I think it's wonderful! Too many Murkins are xenophobic, provincial louts

with no appreciation or understanding of other cultures, just about all of which are, compared to us, elder states.

[EarlG]

34. Bloody non-Americans

:)

[supernova]

35. LOL!

:-)

[myrna minx]

36. I am grateful for our international Duers.

Our friends from around the world provide a fresh insight and a different perspective that is invaluable. PLUS they have provided some of the best research on this board. :toast: A toast to our friends. :toast:

[MUSTANG_2004]

38. It's flattering that they're interested in our politics. (nt)

[Generator]

39. As long as

they understand WE are the best country on earth because GOD made it so, and they don't try to MOVE here or anything, they are okay by me.

[Forkboy]

40. This is the most one sided thread since

someone told us Gore should just shut up :)

[Politicub]

41. I think it's great

I love reading opinions from the global community. As much as the Reich wing wants to isolate the U.S., the population is becoming more and more connected to people all over the world.

The Internet allows a more intimate 1:1 connection that wasn't possible before on such a grand scale.

[wryter2000]

42. I love our friends from other countries.

And I welcome the opportunity to let them know we're not all idjits in this country.

[cmf]

43. No, I don't feel weird. I like having them here - the more, the merrier

I like having them here - the more, the merrier. It's good to hear international points of view.

[democratreformed]

44. I hold the opinions of non-Americans in high regard.

Often, people can see things more clearly from the "outside" than they can from the "inside".

Also, some of them have ideas that we can definitely use b/c they have "been there".

And, lastly, many are from countries that have better social systems (gasp) than we do. I like to hear how their systems work and think about how we might incorporate some of what others are doing.

[Lindacooks]

45. No problem here at all.

As long as they bash Bush* and his illegal administration, they're fine with me.

[livinginphotographs]

46. I wish they'd go back to where they came from!

Next thing you know, they'll be taking our jobs, marrying our sisters, and forcing us all to play hockey!!!!

(by the way, I'm just kidding) ;)

[Lisa0825]

47. What happens in American politics affects the rest of the world,

so IMO, they should be welcome here.

[ParanoidPat]

48. I'm an earthling by circumstance, human by nature, American by birth......

....but I'm a Progressive Liberal Democrat by CHOICE! :evilgrin:

Since anything the US does can have global repercussions I welcome and am honored to share this little corner of cyberspace with any other like thinking human earthlings who share Progressive, Liberal or Democratic tendencies. :) :toast:

[nomatrix]

49. Why are you obsessed with American politics?

Has it always been this way or just since the republican occupation?
Do you have an open mind to conspiracy theories? (I have a theory about that)

I really don't mind where you come from. I like to know how the world sees us.

[ibegurpard]

50. I think it's fantastic!

Particularly because it gives us a perspective from outside of our own box.

[mandyky]

51. Since I am a world citizen, I love hearing from liberal "furners"!

LOL
But really, I love hearing from liberals anywhere on earth, heck I'd even like to hear from liberal aliens! hehehe

[dudeness]

52. the way i see it..

as long as australia is a puppet state of the US..politics in the US is directly affecting me and mine and i shall continue to support or oppose its policies..at the moment i am firmly in opposition..

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

53. I love the foreign perspective. The foreigners are great!

I really think they are an asset to this site as we can talk about international relations. And they give us a perspective on what the other countrys think of whats up in the USA. And we learn about their countrys too.

By all means! I think they are a real great additiion to the DU posting community.

[TrustingDog]

72. 'The foeigners are great'! ...

heheh, reminds me of a joke I heard somewhere...
bush says of Blair, Hey, he really speaks good English for a foreigner.

[G_j]

54. It makes me quite happy !!

[Arugula Latte]

55. We love you!

It's the world plus thinking Americans against Bush and the neocons, right? We all need to band together. Also, when America sneezes, the rest of the world gets snot all over itself.

Sorry our president is an evil moron! :hi:

[Jim Warren]

56. I encourage it ....like to see more of it........n/t

[amazona]

57. i think it's great

I appreciate hearing from the rest of the world and sometimes they give me concepts I wouldn't have thought of.

It's one planet and there is nothing wrong with all concerned weighing in on a discussion board.

[carolinayellowdog]

58. Value your perspective tremendously

Hey,

I traveled outside the US very often in the 80s and 90s and haven't since the election theft. Sometimes I fear that Bush and his gang have made all Americans persona non grata around the world for the rest of my life. It's a great relief to know that people in other countries care about our desperate plight and don't blame us all indiscriminately.

CYD

[Tight_rope]

59. Sometimes people on the outside see things more clear....

than those on the inside!

[LWolf]

60. I agree with the list owners:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/about.html

<snip>

Democratic Underground (DU) was founded on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2001, to protest the illegitimate presidency of George W. Bush and to provide a resource for the exchange and dissemination of liberal and progressive ideas. Since then, DU has become one of the premier left-wing websites on the Internet, publishing original content six days a week, and hosting one of the Web's most active left-wing discussion boards.

We welcome Democrats of all stripes, along with other progressives who will work with us to achieve our shared goals. While the vast majority of our visitors are Democrats, this web site is not affiliated with the Democratic Party, nor do we claim to speak for the party as a whole.

Democratic Underground would not be possible without the participation of like-minded individuals from across the country and, indeed, from around the world.

[legin]

61. I duuno, but i think I know what you're saying here

It's something that has occasionaly flitted across my mind.

I have noticed that on occasions I get a little snippy down in the basement with the daily 'Europeans are anti-Semitic' threads, and it's something more than just iratation at the wrongness of it. The Denis Boyle's cockroach remarks caused a bit of a wobble.

And I think about how I just sit here and slag off American politicians and sometimes I wonder. But then I remember that not only do the british have effing blair but we got Sully and Christopher Hitchins (whose been a real sleazebag recently) too. If you are Canadian you got David Frum.

Basically we are all in this together.

[Logansquare]

62. I love you hosers

No seriously, I really enjoy seeing "us" through the eyes of our neighbors.

[jobendorfer]

63. bottom line: we need to be building bridges

with liberal and progressive forces in other countries.
Somehow, we've got to become a power in shaping international
relationships and law, because if we don't -- the corporations
will do it for us. And none of us will like it.

J.

[mellowinman]

65. As an American

I like non-Americans. I think an important point is that our entire country was founded by non-Americans.

Politics is definitely an international sport.

Thanks for caring!

[CanSocDem]

75. As a Canadian...

...and a new member, I thank you all for your warm welcome.

The links and the discussion have been a true beacon of sanity the last couple of years. As has been said, we share the struggle for democracy.

But I have to say this:

I have been a fan of Ralph Nader for almost 40 years and it grieves me deeply to see him at odds with so many progressives. Last night in my own home province,(the birthplace of NA's first public health system) and usually a lock for the NDP, provincially and federal....the fear of the right wing scared the left wing into voting 'safe'. We lost 2 NDP MP's. But we kept out the neo-cons, for now.

Sorry to digress...

[Tight_rope]

77. Welcome to DU CanSocDem!

:pals:

[Bdog]

66. It is OK as long as we know

I like the feed back they give.

[HEyHEY]

67. I HATE THOSE IMIGRUNT SCUM!

[ParanoidPat]

73. LOL!

:evilgrin: Howdy neighbor! :hi: :toast:

[Rick in Maryland]

68. Non-Americans need to know that we are not all Bush supporters,

no matter how the American media chooses to portray us to the rest of the world.

[TrustingDog]

69. Canadian here, and I know more about BUSH dirt than Martin dirt....

as us Canadians are a few years behind 'fashion' compared to the US, I look at american politics as a warning as what's to come to a theatre near Me, very soon.

[Gregorian]

70. I'm embarrassed that they care about us, and we don't

I don't have the slightest idea how any country operates, outside of my own USA. And I see that ALL of the other countries are fluent in how we operate. The UK, Canada, Germany, etc. And yet we don't give the slightest bit of care about how they work. It's our educational system, or lack thereof.

I am honored that they care. They give me hope. And support. The likes of which my own county doesnt' give me.

So thanks very much for being here!

And now, to disinfect my goddamn computer from all of the viruses and spyware and trojans I've collected this week. :(

[ElsewheresDaughter]

74. i feel great about the gobal village crowd....the more the merrier

:grouphug:

[Jawja]

76. I think it's great

and it at least lets the rest of the world know that ALL Americans aren't Bushevik War Criminal Neocons.

:hi:

After all, I have distant relatives in Britain, Scotland, Ireland and Germany. They are all "family" to me.

[opihimoimoi]

78. I for one, join in with the rest to welcome the World to come and Party

talk story, share with us.

Luv it, encourage it, wouldn't have it any other way

[ContinentalOp]

79. Welcome Canada!

We may need some serious help from our neighbors soon if the election doesn't turn out well ;)

But I think this is kind of a silly question. Does it bother you that the Americans on DU sit around and pontificate about places like Venezuela? For that matter what's worse: a few Canadian individuals taking an interest in US politics on a webboard or the entire US military taking an interest in Iraqi politics on the battlefield?

[Avalon Sparks]

80. The MOORE the Merrier!

Glad to hear their perspective since our whitewashed mainstream media fails to report it.

Hello International Duers!

[SOteric]

81. The U.S. is the most powerful and influential nation on earth

And even other powerful and influential countries can be influenced for good or ill by the choices made by a U.S. government.

It doesn't distress me in the least that many from other countries come here to read and post. It distresses me a great deal more than so very many natives of the U.S. know and care very little for global politics.

[BritishHuman]

82. As a Non-American...

Two points, I guess. As has been pointed out, decisions made in the US often have serious repercussions for people in other countries. I do like to stay informed about what's going on there, and I prefer the liberal attitude here to J Random news outlet.

Secondly, I think it's helpful for Americans to be reminded that the rest of the world isn't Anti-American, it's Anti-Bush (most parts, anyway).

We love you guys.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

83. BURN THEM!!!

Oh, wait, we're not talking about witches? Well... BURN THEM ANYWAY!!!! :evilgrin:

God I love Monty Python.

[ima_sinnic]

84. we need more of 'em

welcome, welcome, human beings from everywhere!
let's put our virtual heads together and figure out how to rid the world of global terraists--;)--you know what I mean . . .

[omshanti]

85. What about non-Americans who live legally in the US?

What are we, chopped liver?}( We may not be able to vote but we care about what goes on in this country.

[deportivoI]

86. I Think

It is important to get views from people from other countries. That is how you learn, by exchanging ideas


:kick: