Only in America

[Flynn]

Originally Posted by BountyHunter

I'll tell you a positive story that happened several years ago. The first female graduate from West Point Military Academy was a young lady from South Vietnam. That accomplishment was made because of our country and was good for her country. There are many athletes who immigrate into America and are very successful. Their accomplishments are good for our country and are good for their countries. There is a Thread in The Society section of the forum called The Last Word. I invite you to go there and have The Last Word. I realize you are always right, never wrong, and respect only your opinion. That's the way we are in America. We let you have it your way. It's your way or the highway. Adios, chow, au revour.

For starters I said a story that happened today, I'd settle for a recent story.

All our countries do that, the athlete thing, Tatiana Gregoriava took out Australian citizen ship so should compete on the world stage as an Australain. She had not competed in that sport for her mother country Russia, or whatever Baltic State she is from, I'm sure you get my point.

Anyway......

I read your post and the first thing that comes to my mind is

Marion Jones

[BountyHunter]

Let's redirect that Love Boat to Australia where there is never any bad news. We might even get Australian Citizenship to compete on the world stage since it is so freely given to those from outside Australia.

[Flynn]

BH

No, lets look at the facts........

I ask for positive current stories and you post an athletic story from 10 years back.

I think I just made my point about only bad news comming out of America, you mention athletics my mind goes straight to the most topical and current American athlete in the worlds media and that is

...........

Marion Jones

Are you at least starting to join the dots that the only information the rest of the world receives about Americans is negative ?

[Flynn]

Mailed Plastic Fetuses Offend Recipients
Group Sends Mailings To About 44,000 Residents

RACINE, Wis. -- An anti-abortion group in Racine is under fire after mailing plastic fetuses to 44,000 people.

The mailing also included an informational letter and a fundraising envelope, WISN-TV in Milwaukee reported.

Mystical Listrom said she was not happy when she opened a Wisconsin Right to Life letter accompanied by a plastic fetus.

"It's my right to choose to do what I want with my body. I shouldn't have people telling me what I can and can't do with my body," Listrom said.

Her neighbor, Glenda Pollock, got the same package.

"If they had sent a letter explaining why they think abortion should not be allowed, I wouldn't have a problem with that. It was the plastic fetus that bothered me," Pollock said.

"We thought it would be appropriate to send out some information to get people talking about the subject," said Dave Obernberger of Wisconsin Right To Life

Dave and Bonnie Obernberger, of the Racine County chapter of Wisconsin Right to Life, said the plastic figure represents an 11- or 12-week fetus.

They sent it out this week to mark the 35-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

"I pray that they'll look at it a little more than being offended by it, but being educated by it," Dave Obernberger said.

The Obernbergers said they have already gotten some response, and they expect more.

Pollock wasted no time having her voice heard. She brought the package to the post office and mailed it back.

"I had to pay to have it returned because it was a non-profit mailing, which I was happy to pay. It was just over $1 and it was well worth it," Pollock said.

Pollock filed a complaint with the U.S. Postal Service; however, it doesn't appear to be illegal.

Postal officials said it doesn't fit their standards of obscene or lewd, but they said people can fill out a form that would prevent them from getting mail from Wisconsin Right to Life in the future.

The mailers were sent to every home in Racine and to some of the surrounding suburbs.


I'm still looking for that good news story that makes us Non Amercians envious of America.

This story and others like it truely do only happen in America !

[AutumnRain]

can I just say something without someone biting my head off?
thanks

America doesnt have great credibility anymore.. not to those people who dont live there. I dont mean that america is a horrible place and that all people in it are horrible..What i mean is that your media, your celebs, your politicians and your crime stats do nothing to show the world that your country is great and fantastic.. yet while we receive all the negative news we are still being told how wonderful everything and everyone is..
The USA's PR is absolutely terrible, but instead of blaming it on "narrow minded foreigners" perhaps trying to portray yourselves as being REAL helps.. if that makes sense... sorry i have a fever of 40C :/

[squirt]

DALLAS

Wearing a royal blue surgical cap with the Dallas Cowboys logo on the front and his old jersey number on the side, Ron Springs sat in a wheelchair Friday, March 2, surrounded by tubes and wires. As several nurses helped him up onto a stage where he was to discuss his new kidney, Springs smiled and said, ''Let's go, we got to move!''

Just one problem. They still needed the donor, former Cowboys teammate Everson Walls.

Minutes later, Walls strode in wearing a pink button-down shirt and gray slacks. He was the picture of health — just two days after the transplant operation they hope will inspire many more.

Walls and Springs discussed everything they've been through during an emotional, uplifting news conference. As the first U.S. pro sports teammates to share an organ, they're trying to maximize the attention on them to spotlight the need for more organ donors, especially among blacks.

''I can't thank him enough, but I'll tell you what I can do,'' Springs said. ''We're going to help people get kidneys and donors of hearts and livers and all this stuff. We'd like people to get it quicker.''

Springs has suffered from Type 2 diabetes for 16 years and was on the transplant waiting list since 2004. Thanks to Walls' donation, Springs goes off the list, which means someone, somewhere gets to move up a spot.

Nearly 70,000 people in the United States are on the kidney transplant waiting list, and about one-third of them are black, far more than any other ethnic group. Diabetes is a major cause of kidney decay and blacks are also at high risk for contracting the disease.

''So you can see this is a great need and a great thing Ron and Everson have done here,'' said Jeremy Bradshaw, head of transplant services at Medical City Hospital. ''It is our hope that more people, especially minorities, get tested and treated for diabetes as soon as possible and seriously consider being an organ donor.''

Lead surgeon Richard Dickerman said ''the hero in all this process is Mr. Walls,'' prompting a big nod from Springs. Walls joked that he was ''going to hold that over his head for the rest of his life,'' then told the story about his hero in all this, a friend who donated a kidney to her sister 22 years ago, back when there was more risk and uncertainty.

''They told her the kidney would not last but four years. Not only that, they told her as a donor she would not be able to have kids. That was something that always stayed in the back of my mind when I made this decision for Ron,'' Walls said. ''It's no comparison to how safe it is now. It's a little bit uncomfortable at this point, but I'm looking forward to a full recovery.''

Walls, 47, was likely to ache through the weekend as his body recovers from the operation and adjusts to running one kidney.

Springs, 50, already is feeling better. Not needing dialysis for the first time in years is a great start, plus a huge lift to his spirits. Doctors said his gnarled hands should straighten and other effects of his kidney problems should be gone within a year, providing his body accepts the new organ. To help that happen, he'll be on anti-rejection medicine for several years.

Springs played for the Cowboys from 1979-84, usually starting in the backfield alongside Tony Dorsett. Walls was his teammate for only four seasons, but their friendship has grown over the years, with their wives and children becoming close, too.

Springs' oldest child, Shawn, plays for the Washington Redskins. He's a cornerback, just like Walls was. Walls was a good one, too, the NFL's only three-time interception leader and a Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants in 1990. He can often be seen talking football on ESPN.

What makes this story so powerful, though, is how much Springs and Walls have in common with ordinary folks.

Diabetes has forced Springs to have his right foot amputated and several toes on his left foot, too. While waiting for a donor, he found two relatives who were matches, but other issues got in the way. Then Walls decided to get tested.

He knew he was going to go through with it as soon as doctors said he could. Those closest to him were concerned.

His wife dealt with her fear by dwelling on her love for Springs and his family. Walls' mom tried talking him out of it. She gave up a month ago, when he told her, ''I can't just let him die.'' That only made her worry more.

Springs knew how Ouida Walls felt. So before he went into surgery, ''something very powerful happened,'' Walls said.

''He made a statement that he wanted to thank her for having me. Because by her having me, it saved him,'' Walls said, then buried his head in his hands, his emotions overwhelming him.

''I'm so emotional because, first of all, my stitches are hurting like hell,'' he said, turning a roomful of sobs to giggles. ''I've got gas in my stomach. I cannot eat.''

About the only one trying not to laugh was Springs.

''That's why I can't say anything,'' he said. ''I feel good!''

Updated: 1/18/2008 2:11:06 PM

[squirt]

[BountyHunter]

Squirt: Thank you so much for this story about Ron Springs and Everson Walls. My story is very similar and these are not just the only two in America. My hometown newspaper ran a story about my step-son donating one of his kidneys to me on May 29, 2007. The story was printed on Father's Day, 2007 and was titled "Father Receives The Gift of Life From His Son." I was diagnosed with end stage renal disease in October, 2006. Iam also a Type II Diabetic, however, my kidney failure was caused by severe blood poisoning which was caused by seven venomous snake bites. One of those occurred in the land down under. I was on kidney dialysis for six months. When my son was tested, there was no turning back. He was elated to be able to save my life and he has made no big deal of it. Yes, he is my hero. The transplant surgeon stated, "Steven did so at great risk to his own life. He has extended the quality of life for his father." Yes good things to happen in America and our news is not always tied to politics, good or bad. It is a shame that some of those living in other countries cannot see this. The wife of one of our former political figures is responsible for the Special Olympics which is know around the world. Sure, some of our professional athletes have problems but the majority of them are good models for us and they do compete on the world stage. Singling out one athlete for a problem does not make all athletes bad or indicate they all have problems. There are just as many problems in other countries. I am happy to know that people down under live in a country where no one does any wrong. As far as I am concerned, this debate is irresponsible rather than interesting. I am still proud of my country and the fact that I served my country in the military. I am proud that I was a professional sports official here as well as a professional athlete in another country. I do not have to point my finger in the face of people from other places. They don't have to like us but in not liking us, they at least need to do so as adults and not as children. I am not afraid to show my picture.

[Flynn]

Squirt

Friends helping friends, it's a gret story.


Type 2 diabetes is sometimes described as a ‘lifestyle disease’ because it is more common in people who do insufficient physical activity and are overweight or obese. It is strongly associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and an ‘apple’ body shape, where excess weight is carried around the waist.


Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes. It affects 85 to 90 per cent of all people with diabetes. While it usually affects mature adults, younger people are also now being diagnosed in greater numbers as rates of overweight and obesity increase. Type 2 diabetes used to be called non-insulin dependent diabetes or mature onset diabetes.

In other words if he had have eaten good food and exercised he would not have needed a kidney transplant. Your story is more about personal neglect with the end result of a friend needing to give up a kidney to save a life.

Statistically speaking Americans are the fattest and most unfit people who live on planet Earth, with diet and exercise he could have controlled his own health issues.

Type 2 diabetes is a very preventable disease.

[Flynn]

Originally Posted by AutumnRain

can I just say something without someone biting my head off?
thanks

America doesnt have great credibility anymore.. not to those people who dont live there. I dont mean that america is a horrible place and that all people in it are horrible..What i mean is that your media, your celebs, your politicians and your crime stats do nothing to show the world that your country is great and fantastic.. yet while we receive all the negative news we are still being told how wonderful everything and everyone is..
The USA's PR is absolutely terrible, but instead of blaming it on "narrow minded foreigners" perhaps trying to portray yourselves as being REAL helps.. if that makes sense... sorry i have a fever of 40C :/

It is all about credibility, you're absolutely right.

What we see on our news and entertainment media, to my way of thinking, portrays Americans as people that I don't want to be anything like.

Once again I have to say we don't see a whole lot of Good News stories come out of America about ordinary middle class people who are probably the back bone of that country.

Stories about athletes who ate too much, didn't exercise needed a kidney transplant sums up American society for me.