Tour from hell..pt1.

[slugworth]

Nice try at a blatantly Anti-American hatemongering using a failed gig as a straw man. Your real goal here isn't about finding work, it's about hating the US. Watch any anti-American video on Youtube, you're just a parrot. Here's some examples, in your own words...

The obese American

American fat is different than european fat.. on average. I see fat people in England, but I see far more "obese" people here in Rockford.

America-home of the drug addict.

There seems to be a "Meth" situation around here, and people are looking rough.

The displaced foreigner and the insular American

I can't relate to most of the Americans I've met. i can't explain it, they seem so... insular here. John said that musicians that travel as much as I have become "world citizens." I feel... alien.

America down the drain

Boy the dollar ain't worth squat is it? I see a lot of foreclosures in this country, in the very near future..

America, home of the homeless

But, why are there soo many homeless people (not all are "mentis compis" I might add) walking around?

America's dysfunctional healthcare system

At least in England, you can get free health care...

Down and out in America

John said " It seems that it's hard over here. When you're down in America, you're really down. These people just look like they've had a hard time. And to that i can relate..

Racist America

As i continue writing this, I've noticed lots of things from listening to people. The gripes about "mexicans" and other silly things


Americans going broke

My friend has a house in San Diego they bought ten years ago for $800,000 dollars. A recent appraisal due to the fires and the general economy had it valued at half that amount

(Slug comments here. A house purchased for $800K in San Diego 10 years ago, isn't a house, it's a mansion, most likely beach-front property. Demand for such properties is always steady, and values have likely increased, not decreased)

The tired old Class warfare argument. Nice try.

I have noticed the divide between the Rich and the poor is expanding. I personally believe that is more than your percentages will add up to. Stop looking around your environs and at least consider another viewpoint

America-full of religious nut-jobs.

Boy, there are a LOT of churches around here..

A sign? A sign of what. Do tell!

Churches and funeral homes.. I wonder if it's a sign?


The Teen pregancy epidemic.

Well, we talked to the barmaid, (she had a killing body.. a 38 YO grandmother?!)


The gas price situation, and a swipe at that infamous American villain, McDonalds.

paid 20 bucks in gas, bought him a Mcdonalds,

Violent America

I don't mind memories.. It's the fear of being left with bullet or knife holes! This place is rough.


That terrible damn Patriot Act!

I'm just sitting in the library rockford, and for the second time this week a policeman walks behind everyone and looks over my shoulder. Someone told me that the reason they always ask for my ID is the "patriot act."

The geographically ignorant America

The drummer is from Serbia.. Where's that located?

Rabies and Cockroaches?? Oh My!

Hmm... I better think about rabies... There's no rabies in England. Then again I only saw one cockroach in thirteen years


The racist American.

Today, I drove through the snow and we had lunch. There were 5 american women talking about immigration, mexicans, phillipinos and.... england?!

Open Borders!

Boy, america is definitely heated up over this immigration issue.

More ignorant Americans..

The girl then said that her friends were in England and she spent $100 dollars in a week, and that the ratio of pound to dollar was... (get ready...)
"like, twenty to one.."


Cultist America

I just learned they're into something called "Wicker" and there are tapes upstairs of how to be a witch. You can subscribe to this dark haired chicks name on the box.

Murderous and displaced America

What the heck is going on here? I can see why/how Mid west postal workers/kids used to go mad here. What is there to do?

Mental Illness is widespread.

Hmm, guy next to me is talking to himself..
The conversation is heavy..

America the police state.

Apparently there is some kind of "stop and search" order in affect in Rockford. There is alledgedly a lot of drug activity amongst other things going on, so the police will search you even if you look suspicious...
Oops, there goes another cop walking around..

The African American as criminal stereotype

And I suspect while being a black 6'3" male I'd get shot or beat up first, just cause I look dangerous..

America the ignorant and blind..

I can't believe it, America's changed soo much to the point I don't recognize it. A lot of people don't want to see the economic festering IMO..


The American Gestappo police state.

I was told by John he was followed by the police for a long distance. I am sure this has happened at least 20 times since we've been here...

America down the drain.

It will get worse, I believe that, not to mention that that's the overall consensus as well...
From most people, not only about here, but America generally.

Playing the race card.

Yes, there are some very nice houses in Rockford. I always see the police coming from that direction around 3-5 am.
I guess they're looking for guys like me..

Uncontrollable violence!

The next time I log in, I'll tell you about the gunshots last night, and how columbus is becoming no. 1 in the state for carjackings..

Black on Black violence

The young black men here are killing each other big time.

Dope dealers running wild!

I have next door neighbors that are literally selling drugs next to my mothers house.

The ignorant American. Again.

I told the guitarist lady that I was surprised at how weak the dollar was.
She replied with..
"I don't really believe all that economic stuff anyway.."

And finally, it's all because of the Republicans!

If you go in make sure there's no Republican in office, or you'll sho 'nuff be goin to war."

Dude, are you sure you just came here seeking employment and sympathy? You've clearly got an agenda, and it stinks. Shut up and play your guitar.

[*smb]

What the hell are you on about? He's an American!

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by *smb

What the hell are you on about? He's an American!

Not anymore. He's been gone 20 years according to what he stated. He's typical of America hating Eurotrash that has become so prevalent these days..It's all over Youtube, and he's covered just about every BS topic that gets covered there. Pure sterotypical nonsense, but this time it's wearing a mask.

[slugworth]

Just another technique used to try to convince people that our lives are supposed to suck as bad as his...Sorry, no deal.

[*smb]

Originally Posted by slugworth

Not anymore. He's been gone 20 years according to what he stated. He's typical of America hating Eurotrash that has become so prevalent these days..It's all over Youtube, and he's covered just about every BS topic that gets covered there. Pure sterotypical nonsense, but this time it's wearing a mask.

I think you're showing your own prejudices rather than his. There's a big difference between going to America, having a bad time and telling people about it and simply being anti-American.

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by *smb

I think you're showing your own prejudices rather than his. There's a big difference between going to America, having a bad time and telling people about it and simply being anti-American.

This guy has gone prattling on and pontificating about the negative aspects of the US, and his hit on almost every point that the America bashers do, and he's done it with a classic "bait and switch" technique. He used a bad gig experience as a ladder to climb a bully pulpit. Cheap, sleazy and sickening. Total bunkum, but then again, what can we expect from someone who's foolish enough to get punked and suckered as was the advertised premise of this thread, if he's indeed telling the truth?

[tycobb73]

If you read his story, all he is doing is pointing out differences between an individualist society (which the US is more so than any other country) more socialist societies (which anywhere outside the US would be more socialist). I would notice it too if I had been away for 20 years.

[*smb]

Originally Posted by slugworth

This guy has gone prattling on and pontificating about the negative aspects of the US, and his hit on almost every point that the America bashers do, and he's done it with a classic "bait and switch" technique. He used a bad gig experience as a ladder to climb a bully pulpit. Cheap, sleazy and sickening. Total bunkum, but then again, what can we expect from someone who's foolish enough to get punked and suckered as was the advertised premise of this thread, if he's indeed telling the truth?

I'd suggest you take up that discussion over PM with the threadstarter or a mod then rather than post thirteen times in a day on this topic, the majority of those personal attacks on the threadstarter.

[slugworth]

Someone who should have known better gets suckered into a bogus business deal and ends up busted flat in Rockford Illinois in the dead of winter without a backup plan, and then goes onto make wide-brush, politically charged statements about how the US generally sucks... Credibility=zero. Intelligence=less than zero.

[optikhog]

Originally Posted by slugworth

Someone who should have known better gets suckered into a bogus business deal and ends up busted flat in Rockford Illinois in the dead of winter without a backup plan, and then goes onto make wide-brush, politically charged statements about how the US generally sucks... Credibility=zero. Intelligence=less than zero.

Dude, you need to take a deep breath. I've been following and have been an ancillary part of this thread from the get-go and never felt like my country was being bashed. Every country has its share of issues in various places and this guy was holding up a mirror to what he experienced in a very small portion of ours.

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by *smb

I'd suggest you take up that discussion over PM with the threadstarter or a mod then rather than post thirteen times in a day on this topic, the majority of those personal attacks on the threadstarter.

Good idea, as politically charged threads are off limits, even when they're veiled as something else....Mods, close this effing thread, I smell BS.

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by optikhog

Dude, you need to take a deep breath. I've been following and have been an ancillary part of this thread from the get-go and never felt like my country was being bashed. Every country has its share of issues in various places and this guy was holding up a mirror to what he experienced in a very small portion of ours.

Hold on there, Hog...The guy has used this thread as a vehicle to opine on everything under the sun, and he's been flat-out disingenuous and manipulative. I see an underlying motive. The guy needs to work on his job hunting skills. If someone came into my office looking for work with that type of attitude and baggage, they'd be shown to the door and have their application shredded..

[JAUQO III-X]

Slugworth, most of what you quoted from DrayMiles and his views on America, I agree with him.

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Slugworth, most of what you quoted from DrayMiles and his views on America, I agree with him.

I guess it depends on the neighborhood Jauqo...And my disagreements with him are just as valid. I was born in Chicago..It's a good place to be from. I couldn't imagine going to Rockford for any reason. Maybe if he ended up in Arlington Heights with some better people and a real gig, his story would have come out differently.
BTW, only Rick Nielsen and Bun E Carlos still live in Rockford.
Tom Petersson lives in Nashville, and Robin Zander lives in Florida...

[morf]

Originally Posted by slugworth

I guess it depends on the neighborhood Jauqo...And my disagreements with him are just as valid. I was born in Chicago..It's a good place to be from. I couldn't imagine going to Rockford for any reason. Maybe if he ended up in Arlington Heights with some better people and a real gig, his story would have come out differently.
BTW, only Rick Nielsen and Bun E Carlos still live in Rockford.
Tom Petersson lives in Nashville, and Robin Zander lives in Florida...

The point is that just because he didnt go someplace else doesn't make what he said any less true.

You're the only one afaik that is generalizing each statement..

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by morf

The point is that just because he didnt go someplace else doesn't make what he said any less true.

You're the only one afaik that is generalizing each statement..

Anybody who blunders into this type of pickle without a backup plan and then superimposes their experience onto such disconnected isssues as today's San Diego real estate market is making grotesque leaps in logic. Have you seen "The Midnight Express"? The story of the American guy busted in Turkey for smuggling hash? While it was an entertaining film, it's 99% fictional BS but became a metaphor for the entire country and spawned countless "Turkish Prison" jokes...That film is BS, and so is the saying that All French people are rude....Catch my drift? I got Montezuma's revenge once in Mexico. Will that change my travel plans to Cancun this spring? Not a chance.

[didier]

Originally Posted by slugworth

...is BS, and so is the saying that All French people are rude....Catch my drift?

no no, it's just Parisians

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by morf

The point is that just because he didnt go someplace else doesn't make what he said any less true.

..

I love how you spin things, you're a master...Here's the other side of that coin:
He came to the US and had a bad experience. That doesn't mean that he'll have that same bad experience somewhere else in the US..

The weaver in the web that he made...

[IanStephenson]

Just the other day I was thinking "TB is such a friendly place...I've never had to put someone on my ignore list"...

I guess that makes me anti-american...

Ian

[slugworth]

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

Just the other day I was thinking "TB is such a friendly place...I've never had to put someone on my ignore list"...

I guess that makes me anti-american...

Ian

You're right. I'm taking this too hard. Maybe we should just ignore arm-chair sociologists and half-assed unemployed economists opining from whorehouses.