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Elizabeth
Joined: Jul 1, 2003
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As an American..............................
July 6, 2003 - 09:14 AM
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As an American I constantly worry. I wonder, if I join the Peace Corp, will someone harrass me because of my president? Will I be look upon as a killer, because I live in the land that has partook in many wars. Should I be embarrassed of my nationality? Is being American a nationality at all. I don't believe so, because to be American means you live there, nothing more, nothing less.
Why do many seek the freedom but fear the persecution. I fear individuals, not whole countries. I can loathe an individual, not a whole group of people. Single somebody out if you have to, but do not hate Americans.
We do have feelings and eyes. I can see what is happening around me, yet I am not able to prevent it or help it. Will you blame me for my immobility? The blame you place on me is a furious burden I will carry for years to come, yet do you know me? Curse our land, our cockiness, our democracy, our language; but have you been to America, met all of its people and then come to a conclusion? If you have, I respect your decision. Those who haven't, do not generalize the direction of your anger, fear, or hope.
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asdf
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Re: As an American..............................
July 7, 2003 - 01:27 AM
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What exactly is the Peace Corps and what does it entail?
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Gerald Derome
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I think
July 7, 2003 - 01:52 AM
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that Bush changed that to America Corp after 9/11 during one of the state of the nations address!
World peace according to Americas style, authority and viewpoint.
Yes, it is unfortunate that people discriminate for unjustified reasons.
Because of nationality, flock direction, height, colour of skin hair, religion, feet size, wealth, number of peircings tattoos guns, smell, age, favorite animal food...
You can pretend that you are Canadian, it might be a little safer.
i/not_neo
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asdf
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Re: As an American..............................
July 7, 2003 - 02:00 AM
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Ahhh, it's true. Being a Canadian never gets you discriminated against.
Isn't the Peace Corps, or American Corps, whatever it is, like a volunteer year or something? Just regular citizens offering their time and effort towards something beneficial to another's community? Their own community?
Does it have anything to do with any government-in-power's political ideology towards anything, or just plain state-sponsered good will?
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Anouk
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Re: As an American..............................
July 7, 2003 - 02:37 AM
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You're right when you say that Canadians are less 'controversial' than Americans (Don't we all love Moore's "Bowling for Columbine"?), but I think the persons who truly hate Americans hate people in 'The West' in general and not only Americans.
I think everybody else really does know that not all Americans are like George W.!
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Elizabeth
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Well....................
July 7, 2003 - 02:44 AM
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First off the PeaceCorp is an international organization, not just American. Second, there is an organization called AmeriCore if that is what you are refering to(?).
World wide the PeaceCorp is an option. You volunteer and the minimum time you may serve is 2years. An application is quite neccessary, for they only take the best at hand. YOu can help out by using the skills you are especially good at. For example, someone who majored in agriculural production at college might go into a developing country and help to market goods in the local area for a more profittable sum that the people could be earning. Teaching is also an example of something that is needed from a PeaceCorp volunteer.
This organization is kinda like a goodwill for all humanity act, not anything to do with the government as far as I know.
AmeriCore on the other hand, is just within the country and is concerned with the government. This groups deals with all problems associated with America; poverty, violence, homelessness, hygeine etc.
Glad to inform you of all this!
Last off, I do think you are right, it might be safer to just say I am Canadian. But I can't. My ancestors moved to America for a better life, and that is what I have, and I will never deny that. But, sometimes I am ashamed of it.
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asdf
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Re: As an American..............................
July 7, 2003 - 02:49 AM
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Does the Peace Corps require money to participate?
I sure hope that people in the world don't hold prejudice against the 'West'. If anything like what happened in America happened in Canada, not only would I truely be shocked, but I wouldn't know what my country might have done to provoke such attitudes or actions.
I hope G.W. is unique in his arrogance, idiocy and incompetence.
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Anouk
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Re: As an American..............................
July 7, 2003 - 02:51 AM
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Having a president who loves to go to war and might not be the most intelligent man ever doesn't make you an evil person!
Don't forget that Americans do play a very important role in world politics, charity and have been pioneers in many fields. (God knows where we would have been without the Marshall Plan!)
I'm reading HBR, CMR and Business Week every time 'cause there aren't many good European replacements...
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asdf
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Re: As an American..............................
July 7, 2003 - 02:54 AM
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Of course I agree with you Anouk.
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asdf
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Re: As an American..............................
July 8, 2003 - 01:28 AM
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That sounds like a pretty good program. I checked out the web page, but it's too overwhelming for my small curiosity in it. Definitely cool though. More countries should host similar initiatives.
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sopiemay
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Re: As an American..............................
July 8, 2003 - 03:12 AM
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i've always wanted to join the peace corps! my mom was a peace corps volunteer after she finished college and went to togo... i guess that was what got me interested.
but anyway. i think there is definitely some prejudice against americans in foreign countries; however, i don't think it's anything to be worried about. i was just in germany as a foreign exchange student, and when people heard i was an american, frequently the first thing out of their mouths was 'So whaddya think of George Bush?' But it was all lighthearted and not really aimed at me - more at just the country in general. so i think people realize that in reality not all americans are pro-war, republican, etc. It's just become a kind of stereotype.
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Elizabeth
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Happy to hear this!
July 8, 2003 - 07:43 AM
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Sorry about my misconcption of the PeaceCorp, I went on the website awhile ago and did not give you a full overview, oops?!
Also, I want to congratulate all of you who have responded to this post. It makes me happy to know that not everyone stereotypes Americans poorly.
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Me
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Re: As an American..............................
July 9, 2003 - 01:58 AM
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yay! I'm thinking about joining; I just don't think I could afford two years without a job when I finish college with massive student loans. It really is a great program though.
and opinionram14: don't worry about making a mistake. we all do.  This morning I saw an email saying that the phosphoric acid content in coke is so high that "to carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials." needless to say, it's not true.
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Roentgen
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Re: As an American..............................
July 9, 2003 - 08:05 AM
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My town has regularly hosted PeaceCorps volunteers and they have done a great job. They have conceptualized projects (the mangrove protection and coral reef program, for example) and they proved beneficial to my community.
Other countries also have similar programs. South Korea has one.
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Anouk
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Re: As an American..............................
July 10, 2003 - 05:29 AM
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Talking about stereotyping: please tell me you don't think that all Dutch smoke pot, love to go to the Red light district, walk on wooden shoes and love tulips...?
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