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FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@carpediem You'll be pleased to know that the main broadcast media are bound by law to be impartial (is that true there?) and we get a lot about the problems in our own country. The other great thing is that, as long as I don't physically threaten anyone or foment violence, I can say what I like anywhere. I wonder which billionaires with interests in stirring controversy for clicks are persuading you of this untruth. We're not too keen on kiddie porn being freely available and I will put my hands up to admit I'm ok with that.
carpediem · M
@FreddieUK A billionaire is not convincing me of anything when I see a video of someone being arrested for a social media post. Nice bit of free speech. I am also against "kiddie porn". Much to your surprise, it's not "readily available" here. Did your "impartial" media tell you it was? It's illegal. Yes, very impartial.
You can't phycially threaten anyone or fomence violence here either. Also illegal. Perhaps you just don't "get it". I'm not surprised sir, after all, perhaps you've never lived in a country where Free Speech is literally writtenn into the constitution. I am proud to say that I do live in one.
I don't care about your society to be honest. I shake my head and remember, there was a reason the US revolted against Britain in the first place. I also don't besmirch your country here, unless of course provoked while defending the reputation of my own.
You can't phycially threaten anyone or fomence violence here either. Also illegal. Perhaps you just don't "get it". I'm not surprised sir, after all, perhaps you've never lived in a country where Free Speech is literally writtenn into the constitution. I am proud to say that I do live in one.
I don't care about your society to be honest. I shake my head and remember, there was a reason the US revolted against Britain in the first place. I also don't besmirch your country here, unless of course provoked while defending the reputation of my own.
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@carpediem Sounds to me like the rules are the same there as here. If someone was arrested then that's because the broke one of them. I'm glad you're proud of your country. It's a great country. We have loved much that has come from it (perhaps not the LDS 🙄) and consume a lot of media - even paying extra for it. I think this whole 'free speech' thing is designed to cause unnecessary division by people with an agenda. Because I am not parochial and the US domestic agenda affects other countries, we take an interest.
Thank you for your passionate and literate contribution. We diverge on political beliefs, but I genuinely like to engage with people who I disagree with.
Thank you for your passionate and literate contribution. We diverge on political beliefs, but I genuinely like to engage with people who I disagree with.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
I'm not a member of that particular minority and I'm in a completely different age range but I will not go to the US again either. I've been there many, many times on business, the last time was in 2018.
I enjoyed being there and I count some of my ex-colleagues as good friends but I very much doubt that i will ever meet them again.
Even before Trump entry into the US was different from entry into other countries. I remember many years ago presenting my passport to the immigration officer at Newark and him suddenly asking in a very tense and somewhat hostile voice why I had a Saudi stamp and visa in my passport. He accepted my explanation although he seemed quite bothered by it.
Going into other countries the presenting of my passport was just a formality. In fact the first time I went to China in 1986 the first words spoken to me were not "Passport please" but "I'd like to practise my English with you.".
The only recent hiccup was exiting France to England a few years after Brexit. The French exit control officer asked to see my Norwegian residence card, something that had never happened before (in fact could not happen before because EU citizens don't need one). He apologized for asking for it and explained that no one was quite sure what the rules were. I presume that the French border control system now has it recorded that I am resident because I've passed the same border post several times since without being asked for it.
I enjoyed being there and I count some of my ex-colleagues as good friends but I very much doubt that i will ever meet them again.
Even before Trump entry into the US was different from entry into other countries. I remember many years ago presenting my passport to the immigration officer at Newark and him suddenly asking in a very tense and somewhat hostile voice why I had a Saudi stamp and visa in my passport. He accepted my explanation although he seemed quite bothered by it.
Going into other countries the presenting of my passport was just a formality. In fact the first time I went to China in 1986 the first words spoken to me were not "Passport please" but "I'd like to practise my English with you.".
The only recent hiccup was exiting France to England a few years after Brexit. The French exit control officer asked to see my Norwegian residence card, something that had never happened before (in fact could not happen before because EU citizens don't need one). He apologized for asking for it and explained that no one was quite sure what the rules were. I presume that the French border control system now has it recorded that I am resident because I've passed the same border post several times since without being asked for it.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
I agree. This is the overwhelming view of people outside of the US. There are simply more attractive places to go in terms of personal freedom and security than America at this time. Its not the regular American people so much. You cant trust the authorities to act within the law.😷
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
Gusman · 61-69, M
A couple of tourism related facts;
International travel fell again in early 2026, marking the ninth straight month of declines.
The U.S. is projected to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending in 2025, making it the only country among 184 analysed to see a decline.
International travel fell again in early 2026, marking the ninth straight month of declines.
The U.S. is projected to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending in 2025, making it the only country among 184 analysed to see a decline.
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout If I understood this, I'm sure I could make an informed response.
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout I know. But thanks for your comment.
Roundandroundwego · 61-69
Safe? Smart pants American people make fun of trying to be safe!
Open season on everyone, for them!
Open season on everyone, for them!
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