Sasquatch
I do what you can't.

I don't think you're a racist person. I don't think you have any kind of hatred for minorities. But sometimes, I think you have a lot of idealism when it comes to how equal everyone actually is in American society.

For the record, I don't think you're a racist. Not really, anyway. I just wouldn't describe you as.... diplomatic. You are very much a white conservative male. So while we would probably disagree on a lot (a lot) of things... I don't think you're a bad person. Like, I don't see you killing puppies or anything. Just so you know.

I was just wondering about your views on the 'Christian' and 'Catholic' relationships to Mary. You say it is non-Christian to pray to Mary. How so?

Catholics do not worship Mary, they venerate Mary.

Venerate: 'Regard with feelings of respect and reverence'

Marists (an aspect of Catholicism, and one I am particularly fond of) have an expression that says that Mary is the chamber which houses the flame of Christ. Like one of those old oil lamps with the glass. Thus the word "Marist" begins with MARy, and ends in chrIST. How is this "not Christian"?

I've noticed something you've been saying around the forums lately which intrigues me. Do I have less freedom than people in the US because I live in the UK? You've said that America has the most freedoms out of any country a few times now. All I can think is that you don't have the freedom to travel to Cuba without paying the government, or the freedom to watch the full version of Antichrist in cinemas (it's a shit film, but you get the point).

Also, did you believe that guy when he said that if Stephen Hawking had been treated under the NHS he'd be dead, and that Edward Kennedy (may he rest in peace), wouldn't have been treated under the NHS because he's 77? I know that you are against universal healthcare, which is your perogative, but I'm looking for you to say that your campaign still has elements who possess reason. How can you let right-wing representatives lie like that and not impeach them? The Tory MP who went to America and slagged the NHS is facing a revolt in his constituency now.

I knew I shouldn't have used the word 'experiences', but I'm pretty sure I have a realistic image of it all.

The 'American Dream' is one of America's greatest assets. Or that's what they try to tell the rest of the world. Although Europe (at least the Western part, not including the UK) isn't any different in terms of economic liberty, there is a difference in life standard.

You have to admit that the amount of poor regions in the US kind of contradicts the whole 'American Dream' idea. Maybe you, as a (white) American, have a naive, romantic image of it. Maybe I, as a happy Belgian, am too biased. Who knows.

But trying to get good grades in High School, when your cousins are all trying to be the man in some gang war, doesn't seem like the perfect environment to get rich. The 'die trying' part seems more likely.

Also, the US has a funny educational system. There are a lot of possibilities in High School. But your grades in High School actually matter when you want to go to college.

They call it 'applying for college' over there. (As they do in the UK, btw.)

Over here (mainly talking about Belgium and The Netherlands), anyone can study whatever they want, on whatever university they want, as long as they can pay the 600 euros tuition and can pay for all the books and everything that comes with it (which makes around 1000 euros in total for one year I think.)

It has been like that since the 60s. University is not for the rich people only.

And before you try to insult our universities, we have some of the oldest and best universities. It's not elitist like Harvard or any of the Ivy LEague universities. Or at least, the atmosphere isn't anything like that. But the University of Leuven is among the best ones in the world.

I'm happy with where I live, but I would be too if I was poor. (Not that I'm rich, we don't really have a class war like the UK still has.)
but I'm wondering if you would be happy to live in the US if you were poor.

And I think it's pretty ignorant to say that 99% of all poor people put it upon themselves...

"Most likely because of their own actions"
I have to disagree with this one. From my experiences, the US is a pretty tough country to live in if you're poor. Though you could specualte about the definition of poor. College tuitions are amazingly high, though I'm not sure how community college works. And the scale of your country is totally different from anywhere else in the world. Everythings bigger, so it's harder to get out of a poor/dangerous environment.

"Because if you think Britain has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, damn, I've got some stuff to teach you."
Haha. I'm indeed from Belgium, and you would have every right to teach me some stuff if I thought Britain had a good heath care system. I'm a socialist, but I feel no connection to what happens over in the UK, even though they call themselves socialists...

Isn't it pretty ridiculous to censor a word, when everyone knows what word is being said? America is funny in that respect, that it has this fear of anything that might be seen as offensive. A few days ago, some newsreporter (don't know what channel) apparently apologised for saying "colored people". I was like, "Oh so that's offensive?". But then I found out that "people of color" is the politically correct way to say it.

I was like wtf. You have to admit that the US can be pretty anal about that stuff. Not only racial. I mean in general.

"That's kinda ... dumb, ain't it?"
Yes it is. But if you consider that Belgium is about 2 times the size of New York City, and the Netherlands are right above us (as in North of us), it makes more sense.

Totally agree with you on the Marijuana thing.

You think it's not one of the services the government should provide, I think it is. I'm not sure how it works over here though. We've got a couple of health care 'companies' (for lack of a better term), but we're obligated to have it. I don't think it's a private business though. I know we have one of the best health care systems in the world, it's what our politicians are always pointing out when they're in trouble not getting other stuff done etc.

And I wonder, are breasts shown on the news an issue? Like if they were to show a clip from a beach and there would be people in monokini. I've always wondered if the context of the 'improper' item mattered for your censoring.

Oh, and do you have like a national tv channel, funded by the state? (Like the BBC in the UK, and others in other European countries)

And what I meant about the marijuana, was that over here, we can smoke it, but we can't grow or sell it. So that's kind of a paradox. We still have to drive to the Netherlands to get it, and we're only allowed to carry like 3 grams (not sure), so a trip is hardly worth it. So do you want the marijuana industry in the US to be in the hands of (mostly) criminals, or do you want the business to be recognised as a legitimate industry, with taxation and even unions if you will?

Then why not stop paying taxes altogether? If 'stealing' is what you call it. Do you think it's alright for the government to steal your money to fund a war? I'd say paying taxes for health care is a better way to contribute.

And the 'freedom' you talk about, that's all relative. Besides, if anything, the US has more censorship in all media than probably any Western European country. And definitely the Netherlands and Belgium. I'd say your first amendment is more applicable to Europe than to the US.

And indeed, Marijuana doesn't solve anything. It's just a drug, just like alcohol. Only less unhealthy (granted, if you conveniently leave out the smoking part) and way less dangerous. I'm surprised you are for legalisation. Are you for taxation as well? I mean, do you want it to become legal to smoke it, or do you want the growing industry to become legit too?

What do you mean by freedom?

I'd say, for instance, Belgium has at least as much freedom as the US.

Plus we are allowed to hang with Mary Jane.

"I live in America. Here, we have more rights than anywhere else in the world."

I was wondering what exactly you meant by that. Do you mean it like the USA is representing the Western world vs. the rest of the world, or do you mean in comparison to every other country?

If the latter, I might argue with you.

By the way, we have totally different political views, which is almost inevitable, you being from the US, me being from Western Europe. But you manage to discuss with me in a decent way.

I like that. It makes me respect the conservatives more. Cause you have to admit, most of them(/you?) are fundamentalists who have no clue about what they're talking about.

I get what you're saying.

I take it you're not a fan of socialism or Europe-like politics?

Anyway, did you hear about that Republican guy, claiming how he got beat up so badly that he needed lots of sedatives and someone to talk for him (which is ridiculous, since he was able to stand and talk for himself right after the 'fight')?
But the thing is, he was protesting against Obama's health care reform.
And now, he's collecting money on a website because he needs it for 'surgery' etc. Wtf did he complain about if he didn't have health care anyway? The change would only be in his advantage.

How ironic (and downright idiotic).

But the US is a pretty young nation.

Much like the Islam is a very young religion compared to christianity.

Evolution is relative.

I don't know, man.

Health care is virtually free over here, and euthanasia is legal (of course not in every case).

I said to a friend who was complaining about the political situation in Belgium only today, 'Belgium is a great country to live in, paradise compared to the US'. He said 'yeah, but it's just sucky to live in te US...'.

Like the comparison didn't make any sense cause the US is considered a crap nation to live in.

I'm just saying. Not that you should care what other nations think of you that much, but it has come pretty far when over here, people use the US as a 'bad example and laugh at your ways.

It's a different culture, sure. But human beings are human beings.

I'm glad to see a (semi?)republican not caring about Beck or Limbaugh.

I guess you don't like Letterman (let alone Craig Ferguson)?

And Palin said Obama was planning on composing 'Death Panels' to decide who lives and who dies. what the?

The bill contains a fragment about how people should be able to consult with a doctor about how they want to arrange everything when they're dead, or when their dead is a certainty (or at least that's what I understood from it), and the Republicans go all 'Obama wants to pull the plug on Grandma with his death panels' and the USA is headed straight for Hitleropia.

So I guess I could say you're like a Republican, only with common sense?

Or is that too offensive? (though it was meant to be a compliment.)