Americas Greatest Strength

[Koga No Goshi]

I think we readily adopt new ideas etc.

....and it only takes two or three whacks from a two-by-four to get our attention!

Personally I'd say "readily" is a stretch. I would say that we have a legal framework much less friendly to encoding traditionalism into law and making traditions harder to change than many other countries, but I'd laugh at the idea that Americans embrace change quickly and eagerly.

Example of what I mean: the legal system works so slowly that some changes can slip through faster than the legal system can respond. A very obvious and readily recognized example would be the internet in general, or even more specifically, the trading of software and other intellectual property. How long were people doing classifieds and primitive versions of "Ebay" before laws caught up and said HEY you gotta report that! Or how long were people trading music before the music and record industries woke up to this business they were losing through their own failure to grab new opportunity in a timely manner? So it worked in our "favor", you could say, as far as bringing about change, that strict enough laws didn't exist to squeeze out the new directions that individuals would push the use of technology.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Personally I'd say "readily" is a stretch. I would say that we have a legal framework much less friendly to encoding traditionalism into law and making traditions harder to change than many other countries, but I'd laugh at the idea that Americans embrace change quickly and eagerly.

Example of what I mean: the legal system works so slowly that some changes can slip through faster than the legal system can respond. A very obvious and readily recognized example would be the internet in general, or even more specifically, the trading of software and other intellectual property. How long were people doing classifieds and primitive versions of "Ebay" before laws caught up and said HEY you gotta report that! Or how long were people trading music before the music and record industries woke up to this business they were losing through their own failure to grab new opportunity in a timely manner? So it worked in our "favor", you could say, as far as bringing about change, that strict enough laws didn't exist to squeeze out the new directions that individuals would push the use of technology.

My post was largely for the humor value Koga, I'm feeling flippant tonight after having blown up at my 13-year-old (I swear His puberty is going to kill ME).

[Koga No Goshi]

My post was largely for the humor value Koga, I'm feeling flippant tonight after having blown up at my 13-year-old (I swear His puberty is going to kill ME).

British-delivered sarcasm is invisible online. :D

[Strike For The South]

My post was largely for the humor value Koga, I'm feeling flippant tonight after having blown up at my 13-year-old (I swear His puberty is going to kill ME).

My father said the same thing....It sucks because Im the oldest of six!

[JR-]

agreed, the land of yank will do fine.

[KukriKhan]

"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing—after they’ve tried everything else." -w.c.

[TinCow]

Disagree. It's greatest strength is a totally ruthless support for freedom of speech. Few other places in the world allow for the same level of protection of minority opinions as the US. Freedom of speech is the bastion of liberty, and thus its preservation from any and all encroachments is very important.

Which is not to say that the US is perfect in these regards. The FCC and indecency/obscenity laws are heavily flawed. Still, the US has a very good track record despite these unfortunate policies.

[yesdachi]

I think America’s adaptability is a major strength but what allows its adaptability are its freedoms. Freedom of speech, religion, etc. and I don’t think we can discount the entrepreneurial spirit of Americans (immigrants or natural born). The ability to own your own business and ideas is a fantastic concept that has been allowed to proliferate across the county. I don’t think there is a place on earth with as many independent people and small business owners (Hong Kong has lots too). Sure there are some simple minded, book burning, nutters out there that stifle creative minds but overall I think America is a melting pot where innovation is born and that is our greatest strength.

America’s greatest weakness is our tolerance for those who don’t think we are the greatest; they should all be crushed and burned.

[Louis VI the Fat]

It's greatest strength is a totally ruthless support for freedom of speech. Few other places in the world allow for the same level of protection of minority opinions as the US. Freedom of speech is the bastion of liberty, and thus its preservation from any and all encroachments is very important.

I would not disagree with the above. But I think it is subordinate to America's propensity to re-invent itself.

Free-flowing information, the exchange of ideas, competition of ideas, this leads to an easily adaptable society. Which, I must agree with Strike, I think is America's outstanding quality.


(As an aside, this is why I consider W. Bush I the least patriotic administration in (modern) American history. Their flagpins, their call for uncritical, 'patriotic' devotion to set ideas, for toeing the line, immediately had a debilitating effect on America's capacity for a free competition of ideas, with disastrous effect)

[gaelic cowboy]

Disagree. It's greatest strength is a totally ruthless support for freedom of speech. Few other places in the world allow for the same level of protection of minority opinions as the US. Freedom of speech is the bastion of liberty, and thus its preservation from any and all encroachments is very important.

Which is not to say that the US is perfect in these regards. The FCC and indecency/obscenity laws are heavily flawed. Still, the US has a very good track record despite these unfortunate policies.

This still ties back to millitary firepower America's freedoms are defended by guns which are held in check by the guns belonging to its civilians ergo america's greatest power is its guns.

Freedom of speech is a consequence of a ruthlessly defended country at all levels.

A strong economy is a consequence of freedom of movement and of ideas etc

A strong economy leads to more money for the millitary which leads to more money for Americans.

More money for ordinary American means they can afford guns too which keeps them free.

I seem to be going in circles so I think its pretty obvious Guns equals Americas greatest strength.

[Mangudai]

The metric system is a great idea.

[Koga No Goshi]

The metric system is a great idea.

Everyone knows the metric system is Socialist.