General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRyder Cup rudeness: Robert Heinlein quote FTW
A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot.

NCDem47
(3,083 posts)He's given white-male America license to be the same.
303squadron
(753 posts)Nt
Champp
(2,198 posts)again
yardwork
(68,154 posts)TheRickles
(2,969 posts)Eliot Rosewater
(34,184 posts)or for that matter the first time either.
Festivito
(13,796 posts)90 seconds on actual recount in two hours of babble. C'mon.
Okay, I'm exaggerating. You need to go over the statistics that could show a problem.
But get to where it is checked by paper ballots!
Gotta spend less time repeating for two hours and more time with who won't recount paper ballots.
Paladin
(31,684 posts)Gimpyknee
(746 posts)American boorish behavior.
Bernardo de La Paz
(58,968 posts)Wiz Imp
(7,564 posts)I don't believe there was ever a need for a police escort for golfers on the course before like was necessary for Rory McIroy and Shane Lowry on Saturday.
Talk about ugly Americans... It was absolutely disgusting.
Farmer-Rick
(12,081 posts)Who bragged that she tortures liberals. She gives patients less pain relief if they dare to look uncomfortable about the MAGAT hat she wears while drilling their teeth. Or Kristi Noem shooting puppies.
It seems psychotic behavior is in vogue.
CharleyDog
(808 posts)Bragging about it gives them the thrill of reliving their cruel act that caused pain to someone they are pledged to care for.
Caring. Caring is lacking. We need to know more how so many ppl got this way, and start programs to counteract this mental illness.
hlthe2b
(111,529 posts)when I travel and take off all insignia on bags or clothing that would spot me as one as well...) So, I've seen my share of the classic "ugly American" stereotype. But, I DO believe it is so much worse since Trump and his "golden escalator" intro to the world, which gave license to the worst Americans could present.
I fear I will not live long enough to see this turn around. I'm not that old, but this change has so taken hold that I fear it will take decades to see it truly changed for the better. I hope my pessimism is wrong.
multigraincracker
(36,362 posts)should claim to be Canadian. What a difference that made. I felt the love.
NBachers
(18,922 posts)I figure it gives me a little bit of potential leeway.
maxsolomon
(37,432 posts)Even if they don't know where it is, they know its full of coffee and Grunge (& Radical Left Lunatics).
hlthe2b
(111,529 posts)I DID let everyone think I was from Canada (especially during my time in the Middle East).
I even still have some Canadian Maple Leaf emblems on a couple of strategic items I took with me. LOL
Bernardo de La Paz
(58,968 posts)Aristus
(70,983 posts)n/t
Bernardo de La Paz
(58,968 posts)Every American calling themselves Canadian for personal gain gives us another reason to dislike the US of A. We generally like most Americans as individuals, so don't erode that too.
To the point of the OP: An American stealing Canadians' reputation is not polite and part of the down-trend.
Aristus
(70,983 posts)We are the Viceroy butterflies evolving to look like the bad-tasting Monarch butterflies, so we don't get eaten.
Bernardo de La Paz
(58,968 posts)If you don't like fake tans, don't put on fake Canadian identity.
Hold yourself to a higher standard than tRump does.
hlthe2b
(111,529 posts)Yes, I did not correct them. Still, that would please me if the situation were reversed.
FYI: I worked for several years in Canada, too, and likewise was frequently assumed to be "native-born."
I'm horrified and ashamed of the US right now, as I have been from time to time in the past. That is one thing that should unite Canadians and liberal/progressive Americans right now. Let's not start a schism here, too.
Bernardo de La Paz
(58,968 posts)But stealing the good name of Canada is what starts schisms; objecting to the theft is not the start. I assume you don't really want to blame the victim.
hlthe2b
(111,529 posts)be derisive or to besmirch the good name of Canada, I'd agree with you.
BidenRocks
(2,287 posts)Another rude Canadian!
No! It was an American being an ass, making Canada look bad.
Chump is a douche, Own It!
We don't get to ditch our identity just because we are now a fascist country.
I've had enough of the USA chants too.
Americans have no class or respect. (Throwing dildoes is funny?)
Prove Me Wrong!
hlthe2b
(111,529 posts)Stop throwing accusations at me, for gawds' sake. I am the one who originally called out these creeps. READ THE GD THREAD and try to interpret who is saying what before you start that shit.
BidenRocks
(2,287 posts)First you blow up at Bernardo and now at me.
None of these comments are directed at you personally.
Just the stolen identity issue.
hlthe2b
(111,529 posts)Your post was beyond the pale, given you couldn't even be bothered to read the subthread and took one post out of total context because you were not even willing to read the prior posts. Then you whip out an accusatory post to me as though I were one of those golfers' rude harassers. Well, take a look in that mirror.
And, Bernardo and I have known each other on DU for years and years. So, your related comment was off base there, too. Totally.
multigraincracker
(36,362 posts)Thought I could get away with it as I was very familiar with it.
I would vote for my state joining Canada in a minute.
I worked part time in an antique mall and had arguments with a young guy that was president of the local young republicans..He kept telling me they hate their health system up there. A very rich Canadian guy was looking around and while we were talking, and the kid was standing there, I asked him how he liked their health system. He said he loved it and would never trade for ours. Poor kid looked like he was going to cry.
llmart
(16,901 posts)I'd be right there with you voting to join Canada!
pfitz59
(11,910 posts)So I don't feel guilty bragging about that little bit of DNA
SergeStorms
(19,789 posts)when traveling out of the U.S.
Yes, I'm ashamed of being a U.S. citizen, but at my age no other country would have me, and I'd miss my family immensely. Leaving is not an option.
So I stay, and I fight when I can, and I try to change things from within, but right now it feels like a fruitless endeavor.
Bernardo de La Paz
(58,968 posts)SergeStorms
(19,789 posts)if that's what you mean, but when asked where I'm from I always say, "St. Catharines, Ontario,, Canada." There's no crime in that.
Bernardo de La Paz
(58,968 posts)Deceitful as if you said you were Kamala Harris's cousin here.
OldBaldy1701E
(9,154 posts)But, alas, you are completely correct.
Skittles
(167,767 posts)if you're a good American but hide it then we're letting those fascist assholes define us
and as far as insignia goes I don't usually sport any identifiers - I'm just a polite American, a decent human being
hlthe2b
(111,529 posts)Muslims were pissed as hell at Americans--with reason. If they wanted to assume I was Canadian because I behaved towards Egyptians or Jordanians, or any others I encountered, unlike what they had experienced with Americans- i.e., with respect and interest in them- and that likewise increased my own personal safety, then I need no "forgiveness" for not having corrected them.
Skittles
(167,767 posts)yeah, OK
hlthe2b
(111,529 posts)You think like a tourist. That was NOT what this was, and I resent the hell out of your comments and attitude.
SilverDawg
(882 posts)The Ugly American.
Escurumbele
(3,912 posts)That was my thought exactly as I was watching the Ryder Cup, "The Ugly Americans", I did make sure not to watch when the buffoon was there though.
Collin Marikawa, one of the USA players, should pay attention, he called for "total chaos from the crowd", I guess he felt he could not win on his own merits, so he needed the crowd to hackle the Europeans for him to have a chance, but he did get his "chaos", including his chaotic performance as a player.
SilverDawg
(882 posts)stepped up to the nastiness and the match he participated in.
Escurumbele
(3,912 posts)is not in that nasty, violent mode, but when they are they feel they are just getting approval, and feel they are being encouraged to continue with their bad behaviour, I feel that is how they took it from Thomas.
The USGA, in their quest to bring more people to the game, have broken ethic rules everywhere, and they have attracted crowds who do not even play golf but are there to get drunk, yell profanities, yell stupidities like "get in the hole", "mush potatoes", and other silliness that contributes to the sport loosing its ethics and all the good things they continue to try to sell, and it only happens in the USA.
If there are any golfers in DU they can attest about the behaviour that is encouraged in the "Waste Management" tournament where on hole 16, a par-3, people boo the players whose balls do not land on the green, they are drunk, and they throw beer cups, bottles, cans on the course, it is disgusting, they are very loud, they go there just to misbehave.
rubbersole
(10,633 posts)The Ryder Cup is supposed to be partisan, but not nasty, vulgar and personal. I've been playing golf and attending tournaments since '61. The game is the same - the crowds are getting ruder, louder and more disrespectful by the year. I quit going after Tiger won Bay Hill for the first time. The throng of humanity surrounding him - with some yelling "Go in the hole!" after he would hit his driver on a par 5 - made it more trouble than enjoyment. Spectators are even yelling at the Masters. Now that's a sign that the Rapture is imminent. 🤪
Wiz Imp
(7,564 posts)got significantly out of hand. However, he was also one of the main culprits in provoking the crowd to begin with resulting in them behaving that way. He doesn't get special credit from me for trying to tamp down the ugliness which he helped start to begin with.
gab13by13
(29,905 posts)Krasnov, IMO, was behind the Saudis creating LIV golf. Krasnov wants LIV to merge with the PGA and eventually lead to its downfall.
Krasnov is pissed at the PGA for pulling 2 major tournaments from his golf courses after Jan. 6th., he wants retribution.
Rory McIlroy was on the players board looking into the merger and he is anti-merger, he is pro-PGA. I assume that Krasnov wants retribution against Rory for taking that stance, just my opinion.
Escurumbele
(3,912 posts)And the thing is that because of the format that LIV has, the LIV players are getting worst, their skills seem to be diminishing.
Yesterday John Ram did poorly, he did well when playing with a partner, but the partners he had seem to carry him, DeChambu did well yesterday, and only because Fitzpatrick seemed to loose focus, or maybe became intimidated by the aggression from the crowd.
Crowds can be intimidated, I remember the World Cup final in Argentina, it was Argentina vs Netherlands. The Netherlands was then a superior team, they played one of the most beautiful Soccer styles ever seen at a World Cup, but the crowd became very aggressive, menacing, even the referee was terrified, and Argentina, who by no means had a great team as well, won. I guess the USGA and the USA players were hoping the crowd would sway the results in their favour by way of intimidation. It is very sad, indeed.
bluestarone
(20,387 posts)AGREE!!!
NewEnglandAutumn
(243 posts)We are a dead nation
Escurumbele
(3,912 posts)to wake up, and because things will get worst before they get better? They will almost completely wake up. Of course there will be a few who will never wake up, they are numb, can't think for themselves, and have become worst than zombies, but the great majority will, and things will be restored, it will take time, but things WILL be restored. Lets vote these criminals out of office.
Abstractartist
(344 posts)I agree totally. We are not dead, we werent dead before, during and after the revolutionary war, before and after the civil war, WWI, WWII, Korean conflict, Vietnam, the major assassinations, depressions, recessions, sell offs and buyouts. We held up and against the KKK, the 9/11 attacks and attackers. We showed the world who were are and we will show them again. Our leaders are seeing what they and the rest of us need to see, and do.
2026 is not the start, but now is when we need to start the change. Get involved with local politics. Volunteer at voting polls
.. one of the best ways to witness wrongdoing with elections. Help your elderly neighbors get out and vote, or help get them registered if they are not.This country is not dead, just being a turtle on its back, but me like others would roll that turtle over and point him it the correct direction
. Im hoping he walks left.
ananda
(33,428 posts)into a new species... maybe something like
homo reptiliens
2na fisherman
(103 posts)Are we not men? We are DEVO!
ananda
(33,428 posts)It really does look that way sometimes.
EYESORE 9001
(29,094 posts)but he does make a salient point.
ms liberty
(10,641 posts)Some of his writing is magnificent, and some of it was schlock , and sometimes it was both in the same book.
He was dead on point here.
ananda
(33,428 posts)Just about all Republicans now also.
Amaryllis
(10,715 posts)Last edited Mon Sep 29, 2025, 10:55 AM - Edit history (1)
In case the link fails, it's from "Friday" page 242.
Amaryllis
(10,715 posts)twodogsbarking
(16,022 posts)Buckeyeblue
(6,039 posts)But in fairness, it gets pretty rough in Europe as well. The difference is that the Europeans tend to hold their booze a little better. For the fans, the ryder cup is a drunk fest. You're there all day. On Friday and Saturday there are only 8 matches each day. It's really not as exciting as the TV tries to make it.
harumph
(3,022 posts)It's like that scene from Freaks and Geeks where unbeknownst to the party goers, they're drinking non-alcoholic beer and the kids somehow still "affect" drunkenness and stupidity. In vino veritas.
moniss
(8,125 posts)Henry203
(745 posts)This part of Long Island is on the border of Nassau and Suffolk county.
Suffolk County is republican and these people are assholes. Lee Zeldin is from here and we all know what kind of an asshole he is.
Renew Deal
(84,513 posts)violence in and around stadiums, and throwing things at opposing players. Europeans are hardly innocent when it comes to horrible sports fan behavior.
TexLaProgressive
(12,605 posts)Snip:
This book is also notable for featuring a transgender character and readily available sex changes, whether for personal desires or on a whim in California. Gender neutral bathrooms vigorously enforced are also featured in one chapter of this book. That was considered insane in the early 1980s but is currently an issue in 2010s America.
https://www.libertyislandmag.com/2019/07/12/sci-fi-book-review-friday-by-robert-heinlein/
Robert Heilein is a complex man. I expect he has critics across the entire political spectrum.
byronius
(7,833 posts)A weirdo extraordinaire, he was a complex thinker and a very powerful force for many young writers and artists.
He is often accused of being a conservative, but I credit him with my liberal nature. I read every word he ever wrote multiple times, and still love him. He had a militaristic origin but was deeply influenced by the hippie ethos, and his best works were written in that style.
TexLaProgressive
(12,605 posts)I credit him with my being a feminist. Of course it helps that my Mom was a mathematician/scientific programer. I mean with a woman like that in your life how could you not know that women are the intellectual equals sometimes surpassing us men.
Oh, she had stacks and stacks of SciFI books and magazines collected from her youth.
In this current time of political danger I am reminded of Revolt in 2100. One of the weapons used by the liberators was an artful use of the media. They would write articles that were flattering to the regime on the surface but made care use of words and phases that had a negative index.
I too have read everything Heinlein wrote.
Turbineguy
(39,442 posts)and the neighbors had a US flag under which was a flag that appeared to be a trump flag. Without wind the flag just hung there. The flag might say "Fuck Trump". I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Finally some wind revealed the whole flag. "Trump 2024" and in smaller letters below, "No more bullshit".
Well, now we know. Apparently they don't listen to anything trump says.
Scalded Nun
(1,520 posts)homegirl
(1,864 posts)Let's make one thing perfectly f***ing clear
About the Ryder Cup, PGA, LIV and Saudi conundrum.
15, f***ing 15, of the 19 hijackers on 911 were Saudis.
For any f***ing MAGAts on this board, let that f***king sink in, you f***king shitebags.
SunSeeker
(56,801 posts)JoetheShow
(132 posts)Now I am living through a dying culture where anger and bitterness are encouraged. Basic decency is reviled as "Woke". Atrocities (mass shootings) occur almost daily. I've changed my mind. Seeing this discussion, I was reminded of Voltaire's quote: "Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." There's a downward slanted line connecting a vibrant, decent culture through loss of courtesy, to the active hatred and atrocities of a dying culture. I hereby apologize to RAH. I was wrong, and you were right... in this case.