Speaking only for myself, it's nice to know there are dumbasses everywhere. The US doesn't have the market on it!
Natter 60: Gone In 60 Seconds
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Hey, wow! I finally caught up! (Okay, so I skipped almost 3 weeks of July natter.)
Hello again, Buffistas!
Yeah, but with this "US is Number One" complex around here, you'd think that USanians would feel some obligation to actually live up to that standard.
But "USA #1!!!!" is all you need to know!
I find myself rooting against the US in the Olympics a lot, just so I don't have to watch the "OMG!!We're so awesomely wonderful" celebration things.
I'm also tired of athletes being heroes, but that's whole other rant. Dedicated, talented, and overcoming adversity, sure. Heroes, no.
Sorry, some of the rant got out.
I always made my French 101 students have to identify at least 5 Francophone countries (on different continents) as part of their first test.
My favorite was the student who used almost all islands so that he wouldn't have to know the article!
With you on the heroes, thing.
But I would be shocked if every country didn't cover the Olympics with the same bias. You think the people in France are less biased towards their athletes than U.S.?
I always made my French 101 students have to identify at least 5 Francophone countries (on different continents) as part of their first test.
Djibouti!
Which I know because of some possibly similar requirement friends of mine had when we were 12.
Ah ha! The use of articles in French with proper nouns is why so many female artists in the early and mid 20th century were referred to as Le or The Whomever! Another foible of British mystery books revealed!
My favorite was the student who used almost all islands so that he wouldn't have to know the article!
Dude, that's some good thinking. Ultimately counterproductive, but points for recognizing there was a problem and being quick on his feet to get around it.
Also, "ounterproductive" apparently isn't a word.