Oh, no no no

I'm sorry, maybe my poor english made you misunderstand me. Not "maybe".. for sure is that.

I was not insulting you (por favor!), I didn't call you "coward". I was trying to say that some of the same people that can't pay attention to 500+ countries, consider themselves able to call "cowards" the sapniards, just because they voted what the US government didn't want them to vote.

Sorry again, I apollogize not for insulting, but for getting wrong with the language, the expression or whatever. You ARE NOT the "coward".. the cowards are supposed to be the spaniards.

What I was really trying to say is if you didn't hear or read anywhere some words about the cowardly reaction of sapnish people on the march 11 elections. And if you didn't hear some common people repeat that idea, without knowing really anythiong about Spain, spanish politics or even where Spain is located on planet Earth.

I don't mean they should know Spain, because, as you say, there are many countries in the world and many of them more important that Spain. I mean that they should be careful with their opinions, and if they do not pay attention to Spain, OK, go on with that but avoid insulting the spaniards just because your government and some (or many) media are politically disappointed or whatever.

I hope to have explained the misunderstanding, because I really didn't say a word about you as an individual, (why should I do that?), and I didn't judge you or anybody.

I would like my english was as good as my spanish, then you could understand my words. If you want, I'll write a message for you in the spanish language section, because I makes me a little bit sad to leaving a wrong impression of being insulting or disdaining someone, in this case, you.

This is the reason why I always try to avoid this ind of political matters in a intercultural dialogue... but, if in this case, I couldn't help it: we had our 11-S, that was the 11-M, and we had to hear and read some disgusting fallacys and lies from a few people and media that didn't like a democratic elections result.

....And that probably weren't aware that in this country we know a thing or two about terrorism....

Thanks Emilio, for the apology, although I think the misunderstanding was more due to my interpetation than your English. (Grammatically, it was fine.) Sometimes meanings get lost on the internet, I see now what you meant and where you were going with your comments. I'm sorry I blew up at you for saying something logical! Anyhow, I don't think that these students criticized Spain for voting Socialist if they didn't know about the bombings in the first place. I agree that there are many people here who listen to the talking heads (media, government) and who don't think for themselves, and who therefore were criticial of Spain after M-11. So feel free to get upset with them...I can't stand people who can't think for themselves either. However, I think that the media and the politics (especially the politics) of the US are seperate from its people in many ways, so take comfort in knowing that many of us felt for Spain and understood on the emotional level, thanks to 9-11. I'm not sure anyone could truthfully say how they would have voted in such a situation unless they have lived it, and therefore they have no right to judge the results.

Again, thanks for the apology for the non-insult. I'm sorry I misunderstood!

Oh, thank you, I feel much better now

For some time now I have been following comments on this site and I am amazed how many AMERICANS get great pleasure of trashing just about everythings about the USA America or whatever. First of all, I like to make it clear that I consider myself very educated fluent in two language and working on improving my third (spanish). I have been unemployed after many years with a company and now I am in a new career. And because of my hard work I am doing quiet well.I have friends all over the world I am lucky to say. Please do not believe that American Students, the American Schoolsystems and all other Americans are STUPID. It is amazing how many people tune in in this bashing mood. I have friends that have been teachers here in the US, that are also teachers in Spain - Galicia- La Coruna and Madrid. One of the teachers a young male, the other a late 30ish teacher a female! Yes believe it or not there are actually terrible lazy stupid and non caring students in Spain, just imagine that. Maybe these of you that have all these bad ideas about our system here needs to be finding some more educated people to hang out with. I am well aware that here in the US are many problems, strange at it seems so are many problems in Spain, in Germany and oh yea there are a few other countries in this world. I am German and I am very proud to be one, I love the country of Spain and love to learn as much as I can. I am sorry to say that I dont keep up with all of the countries that are on this earth, and I am sure that the students in this world do not know of all the events. Maybe you as an adult have a need to know of all I recommend reading THE ECONOMIST. That magazine tries to cover the world! So my friend, trust me the AMERICANS are great people, smart educated intelligent work hard and some even bring hard earned money to Spain. That is the beauty of living in a free world. Bush or Kerry really want only one thing from us as Americans, our vote and then our money, so figure! By the way Madridman, there is no need for you to defend the Garbage in Spain, Garbage is garbage in what country it and it stinks!!(Trash in the streets)That I can still do living in this great free country, but now I must go back to work so I can earn some money, buy the things I like and travel. I know there are smart educated students living here in the US. I know that for a fact. Pity is there are studying and wasting there time reading and writing comments on this board. And so it is!

I am an American and in no way did I "trash" any thing American on this website. I was just stating a fact that most of my students here in the USA did not know about the bombings in Madrid and that I am doing my best as a teacher to make them aware of things that happen in the world. I also have taught in Spain -- for more than twelve years. Yes, there are students in Spain that do not know what is going on everywhere in the world. BUT I would never call any of my students (here or there) "terrible lazy stupid and non-caring." I hope that no one else has misinterpreted my commentary on this website.

Thanks,
marilisa

I don't mean to "trash" America as a whole either. There are things that I love about the states, but there is a large number of things that I think need reform as well. During this conversation, more of those negative viewpoints have come up other than the positive mainly because of the situation and/or topic. I'm studying in a great university here in the states, and I really couldn't ask for more. On the other hand, there are aspects of American society that make me really sad, like the fact that our high school students don't pay much attention to current events. It is something that seems so simple to change, but yet it doesn't happen. I find such things really aggravating, and I really don't mind when people outside of the US complain about these issues, because I think they have a point. I think it helps promote change since people sometimes need to hear about a problem from an outsider before anything gets done.