Lars Johansson wrote:
"I read that Joakim was born in the 70's just like me and he's just part of the same indoctrination that was fed into us about the US. My late grandfather from former Yugoslavia, a teacher, actually taught shit about US of A. Until he went there, then he saw that he had been indoctrinated all his life. I'm sure Joakim will 'wake up' also. My dad still has a way to look up to communists, for example when we were in S:t Petersburg where our ancestors came from (on my slavic side) I had no right to complain about the food since it was Mother Russia. However when I was in the States with him he said: Complain all you like, this is a free country :)."

Well, I wouldn't say that I am that indoctrinated. I certainly have no love lost for the old Soviet Union, but I am having a hard time stomaching the rhetoric of the Bush government when it basically takes away civil liberties under the banner of protecting them. So all in all, it's very much a reaction to things happening in recent history (less than a decade), than any childhood indoctrination.

So all in all, my "negative view" is a fairly recent development in my view of the US on the whole. The only thing "stopping me" before was time, money and the fact that I've tended to favour the UK over the US on occasion – and even there time and money becomes a factor. Also, in all honesty, the seeming need for a car in many US locations is also a bit of a deal breaker as I've got no driver's license (at least not yet, haven't got around to it so far).

If the day comes when I set foot upon US soil, I am sure there'll be plenty of good experiences to be had... after all, I've met plenty of friendly Americans both in the flesh and on-line, so there...

Kevin Hagerman wrote:
"Have those responsible for this thread drift been sacked yet?"

Of course... but instantly rehired since we're having far too much fun. ;)

And besides, Kevin... Ni ni ni ni ni ni!!!!