America Is Not The World

When I first heard this song, I thought, that's exactly what I've been trying to put into words for the past two years. I love my country, but I despise what George W. Bush and the right-wing propaganda have turned it into. I just wish the government would stop damaging our foreign relations, taking away civil rights, and butting into other countries' business. It just makes me feel ashamed to be American sometimes.

By the way, tps12, Morrissey's last name isn't Smith...it's MORRISSEY.

@Orion - seeing as everyone else has attacked most of what you say as being complete crap, I may as well have a go with the rest.....

"This is not true, the Hamburger was invented in the German city of Hamburg, hence the name."

That's rubbish, hamburgers (or beefburgers in the UK) were not invented in Hamburg - this is a often believed myth. It originates from the Arabs in the middle ages, but the modern recipe/usageage between 2 buns was very much an North American creation.

"Burger King, which sells about as many hamburgers as McDonald's is a UK corporation. "

Burger King was a US corporation until 2002, where it was bought by a UK company Diageo. It was founded in the 50's in Miami, Florida. Ray Croc (McDonald's founder) even sold them milkshake machines back in the day. So whilst technically it's a UK Corporation many would view it as a US Company.

tps12, no one has to make a song that attacks Britain in a similar way, he already did it himself! "irish blood, english heart" is a similar song about how he is conflicted between love of his country and the awful policies of its government. oh, and maybe he wrote it because we're at war! yknow cos some people are against sensless killing. just a thought!

"America your head's too big, Because America, Your belly's too big ... "

• greed, politically its imperialistic practices, controlling country governments who are supposed to be independent, big belly for profits and sources of cheap raw materials for its big industries.

"The land of the free, they said, And of opportunity, In a just and a truthful way But where the president, Is never black, female or gay, ..."

• trying to be the bastion of democracy to the world, waging wars against those he declare as authoritarian, though history has shown its support to dictatorships which America benefits; democratic though discrimination is still prevalent, in short lip service, propaganda-value democracy, deception, etc.

"In America, It brought you the hamburger, Well America you know where, You can shove your hamburger ..."

• can be about vegetarianism, but generally not just hamburgers, it's colonial rule, more on cultural domination, like though there are some countries who are not natural on burgers or any American commodity, the western media, the all-out propaganda machinery dictates people from different societies to "eat hamburgers" or use American goods, as they are marketed as of better quality compared to their local products.

"And I, I have got nothing, To offer you No-no-no-no-no Just this heart deep and true, Which you say you don't need ..."

• America says "the hell with your hospitality, I need huge profits". or "your warm welcome is good but I need cash"

"I love you"

• as America has dominated the world for a long time, and people got used to American culture, system, etc., "I love you" because they have already dug up a deep root to every people, or "I love you" because I don't want you to kill me.

'wish you'd stay where you is' - a comment on America's poor education system?

Also, rhymes better than 'where you are'...

Yes, and he also states that he loves America in spite of it's flaws

Hey tps12, I bet it's very easy to say from where you're sitting at Columbia that it was not responsible or respectful for Morrissey to say such awful things, but that's why we have freedom of speech remember? It's very easy for me to remind you of your Constitutional rights given that I'm in the U.S. Air Force in SW Asia participating in operations that support a "WAR" that myself and most of the free world do not believe in. Morrissey can say whatever he pleases, clearly you have been brainwashed by the right wing propoganda machine that tells us that critizing or asking questions is "unpatriotic", think for yourself and respect other's views.

I hope you were talking the piss Orion? :-).

I came to this same conclusion upon reaching the line about Sinatra. When I started reading, I got really angry, especially with the hamburger bit (I always assumed this referred to the foreign world and I'm pretty sure Morrissey knows where the hambrger was invented, he's an intelligent man against animal abuse) ....but then I realised it was just a joke, so, well, whatever...nevermind.

This is an ace song, kind of self-explanatory but it's great to see it can spring so much (politically-charged) discussion.

Orion, some words and phrases to describe your post:-

• Long-winded
• Pathetic
• Pedantic
• Missing the point

Where you do look for meaning it either isn't there ("blue eyes" - Sinatra) or you fail to see the irony ("America"). Then again, your post might be ironic itself considering how ridiculous it reads. ;)