Chickens European Vacation - Part Deux

Right. I suppose that the basis for my question is that since Estonia was once a part of the Soviet Union that perhaps there may be some lingering bitter feelings towards Americans in general. Also, I would not just travel to most countries and yell out "I am an American!" for fear of being shot.

The Jargonaut wrote: Right. I suppose that the basis for my question is that since Estonia was once a part of the Soviet Union that perhaps there may be some lingering bitter feelings towards Americans in general. Also, I would not just travel to most countries and yell out "I am an American!" for fear of being shot.

That's just the conservative right's propaganda machine. Selling fear to get elected. It worked well for a long time. The world really isn't like that. In most countries nobody gives a shit either way. Now, muslin countries are a different story, I wouldn't let it be known that I was an American either.

T

The Jargonaut wrote: Right. I suppose that the basis for my question is that since Estonia was once a part of the Soviet Union that perhaps there may be some lingering bitter feelings towards Americans in general. Also, I would not just travel to most countries and yell out "I am an American!" for fear of being shot.

Estonia was part of the Soviet Union not of it's free will. It was invaded by Russia in WWII, forcibly annexed into the Soviet Union and militarily occupied for the next 50 years. The bitter feelings they have are towards the Russians.

And Tommy is right, nobody cares if you're American. People around the world are smart enough to separate an average citizen from it's governments foreign policy. They know Bush doesn't consult you on such matters and it's not your fault. 😉

(FYI, Estonia has troops in Iraq and has had 2 soldiers killed)

Tommy wrote: [quote=The Jargonaut]Right. I suppose that the basis for my question is that since Estonia was once a part of the Soviet Union that perhaps there may be some lingering bitter feelings towards Americans in general. Also, I would not just travel to most countries and yell out "I am an American!" for fear of being shot.

That's just the conservative right's propaganda machine. Selling fear to get elected. It worked well for a long time. The world really isn't like that. In most countries nobody gives a shit either way. Now, muslin countries are a different story, I wouldn't let it be known that I was an American either.

T

It seems to me that the liberal left uses fear to get elected as well.

The fear of the conservative right gettin in or staying in power.

mAmA

yO mAmA wrote: It seems to me that the liberal left uses fear to get elected as well.

The fear of the conservative right gettin in or staying in power.

mAmA

Lol, but that WAS some scary shit, no? 😮

T

Tommy wrote: [quote=yO mAmA]It seems to me that the liberal left uses fear to get elected as well.

The fear of the conservative right gettin in or staying in power.

mAmA

Lol, but that WAS some scary shit, no? 😮

T

Was and still is!

Tommy wrote: [quote=yO mAmA]It seems to me that the liberal left uses fear to get elected as well.

The fear of the conservative right gettin in or staying in power.

mAmA

Lol, but that WAS some scary shit, no? 😮

T

Yes....lol, but my problem is both of the 2 major parties scare me. I'm waiting for an indy party to get some momentum. Graft and corruption have rendered them all useless in my opinion

mAmA

yO mAmA wrote:

Graft and corruption have rendered them all useless in my opinion

mAmA

Couldn't have said it better myself

8)

Here is an article which may answer your question a bit better Jarg.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/27/europe/EU_GEN_Estonia_Bush.php

Pro-U.S. Estonia to welcome Bush on first visit by an American president

The Associated Press

Published: November 27, 2006

TALLINN, Estonia: George W. Bush will become the first U.S. president to visit Estonia when he arrives in the Baltic nation late Monday on a brief stopover seen as a token of American gratitude for the tiny ally's unwavering support in the war on terror.

He will be in friendly territory. Unlike in most of Europe, there is hardly any public criticism here of Bush's administration, the Iraq war or Estonia's role in it.

"Mr. Bush is very welcome here; he is the leader of the free world," said Silvia Belova, 84, a retired teacher in Tallinn.

Martin Matteus, 25, called Bush "an important person."

"Hopefully his visit will make Estonia better known in the world and encourage people to visit our country," he said.

A small protest by anarchists was planned Tuesday but was not expected to cause any major disruptions as Bush visits the quaint medieval city of Tallinn on his way to a NATO summit in neighboring Latvia, officials said.

Bush will meet with Estonia's Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and U.S.-educated President Toomas Hendrik Ilves before heading back to the airport. Between talks, the U.S. president was expected to meet democracy activists and Estonian soldiers who have served on foreign missions.

Grateful for U.S. support during five decades of Soviet occupation and wary of any future Russian expansionist ambitions, the three Baltic countries — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — are among the most loyal U.S. allies.

All three joined NATO in 2004, and eagerly commit their small forces to the front lines of the war on terror.

Estonia has 40 troops in Iraq and 130 in Afghanistan — hardly a decisive fighting force, but a considerable contribution from a country that only has about 5,000 people on active military duty and relies on NATO jets for its air defense.

"For the size of its armed forces, for the size of the country, Estonia's commitment seems to be more than adequate," said Eric Johnson, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn.

Estonian troops are embedded with U.S. troops in Baghdad. Two Estonian soldiers have been killed and fewer than 20 injured, since the mission started, Estonian military spokesman Maj. Peeter Tali said.

Although opinion polls have shown most Estonians want to bring the troops home from Iraq, there is little public debate about it.

Poet and writer Jaan Kaplinski, one of few vocal critics of the government's Iraq policy, said Estonia's "unconditional support" for the U.S. was partly due to a fear of Russia, and partly due to the Soviet heritage.

"We are accustomed to have one policy that is right and everything else is wrong," he said. "Debate is by itself already very dubious and we try to avoid the idea."

Associated Press Writer Jari Tanner contributed to this report.

aha.... the lock is lifted ! Now I can....oh.... wait you're reading this...

Nevermind

mAmA

yO mAmA wrote: aha.... the lock is lifted ! Now I can....oh.... wait you're reading this...

Nevermind

mAmA

Yeah, well I locked it because it was getting political in an uninformative way and Clan DOU rule #2 states: "No politics or religion themed topics should be brought up in the server or on the message boards."

But then I got to thinking I probably jumped the gun a bit. So, sorry about that. Post away! 😀

Thanks for that post, Chicken. I would love to visit Estonia and take in the sites. I would wait until summer to do so, of course.

I can imagine that you, as a Floridian, must freeze your ***** off there this time of year.

😛

"{DOU}.:cHiCkEn/ wrote: Clan DOU rule #2 states: "No politics or religion themed topics should be brought up in the server or on the message boards."

Someone needs to remind T of that rule then 🙄 Please...

Sorry had to do it 😛

The Jargonaut wrote: Thanks for that post, Chicken. I would love to visit Estonia and take in the sites. I would wait until summer to do so, of course.

I can imagine that you, as a Floridian, must freeze your ***** off there this time of year.

😛

Winter is quite cold there indeed, but I've lived in cold climates before so it's no issue for me. It will be nice to experience four seasons again.

"{DOU}.:cHiCkEn/ wrote: [quote=The Jargonaut]Thanks for that post, Chicken. I would love to visit Estonia and take in the sites. I would wait until summer to do so, of course.

I can imagine that you, as a Floridian, must freeze your ***** off there this time of year.

😛

Winter is quite cold there indeed, but I've lived in cold climates before so it's no issue for me. It will be nice to experience four seasons again.

How cold does it get there?

Try WI once, we can have all 4 seasons in one day 😛