Hello everyone my name is Andy Marsh and I’m an ugly American. This is part of the 12 step program that I’ve decided to put myself through after being called an ugly American the other day on this very site. It was revealed to me that I’m an ugly American after responding to a post about who the rest of the world thinks should be my president. Being the sensitive man of the new millennium that I am, this deeply hurt my feelings. I’ll give you a little background and lay down my thoughts on this issue and then you can decide if I am indeed, an ugly American.
I’m a Jersey kid that spent most of his school years in a Catholic school. I joined the U.S. Navy when I was 17 and spent the next 20 years defending my country in a relatively peaceful world. I was stateside for most of Desert Storm, so I was never involved in any conflicts in any of my time in the Navy. The only “action” I saw in 20 years was in 1993 when Husseins’ plot to assassinate the president was discovered and the ship I was stationed on at the time fired 14 Tomahawk missiles into downtown Baghdad to blow up the Iraqi intelligence center.
One quick not on that cruise: My job was security team leader for a boarding party. It was our job to board merchant ships bound for Aqaba, Jordan and inspect their cargo to determine if they were carrying anything to Iraq that was not on the approved UN list. I spent my days attempting to communicate with people of many different nationalities and I feel it was actually one of the most rewarding experiences I had in my 20 years. On one Russian freighter they were watching the movie Hot Shots with Charlie Sheen (dubbed in Russian) and actually asked me if that’s the way the US Navy really was! I laughed and said “of course!”
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Rodney Welch
I think you're a very long-winded American.
2 - Claire Robinson
You are NOt an Ugly American...welcome Andy to your first post...and it was a good one. I agree with you. I don't frankly, give a flying **** who the citizens of France think our next President should be. They have THEIR best interests at the core of their opinions, not ours.
Sounds like you are a pretty reasonable guy...with a wealth of experience.
I have appreciated your comments on my posts, and look forward to many more of yours.
Claire
3 - andy marsh
Rodney - I'll try to keep them shorter in the futer...but I just kept addin to this one whileI was waiting to post it...it kept gettin longer and longer...
Claire - Thank you for the compliments, you are to kind. I'm sure others will agree with that statement!
4 - Mark Edward Manning
I can't figure out why, if an American votes for Bush honestly thinking that he is the only one who'll act in favor of American interests, he's called an "ugly" American.
The "ugly American" used to be the culturally insensitive jackass you'd see in the shops of a foreign country, hollering, "What? What do you mean you don't accept American money here?"
Now it's been extended to anybody who votes the wrong way. How convenient!
5 - SFC Ski
Don't listen to Rodney, that column was just fine.
Might I add "Amen Brother!"? Uncle Sugar has sent me all over this planet, and for that I am eternally grateful. I am a much wiser man because of the travels I have taken, voluntarily or not.
6 - andy marsh
Mark - One of the comments that started me thinking about this whole thing was about going to Germany and ordering a budweiser. I totally disagree with that of course, I'm not a bud kinda guy!
Thanks Ski - I did reread it a few times and I think that's exactly why I put the comment in the piece about being long winded. And I to feel very fortunate to have travelled the globe, like you not always of my own free will.
7 - Eric Olsen
very fine job Andy, excellent introduction to yourself and your perspective. Thanks and welcome!
8 - andy marsh
Thank you, Sir!
9 - SFC Ski
"going to Germany and ordering a budweiser."
Here in Germany, you can get a real Bud, from Budowiece, Czech Republic. I t is about 1000% better than American swill.
Sure, you can find more than a couple of ugly Americans over here, but many more American servicemembers that I know love the overseas tour, and learn the language, and get out on the economy.
Question: How many of the non-mil critics have spent more than a month outside the US? For what reason?
10 - Shark
You forgot to list your "turn-ons".
...zzzzzzzzzzz...
11 - andy marsh
I'll get my turn ons in the next one for you shark.
Unlike some others on here and I won't mention any names, I am not embarrassed to let you know exactly who I am. I use my full name and figured I'd share a little history with you. Maybe help you understand my perspective.
But hey, I'd be pissed if my parents named me shark too!!!
12 - Eric Olsen
I spent about 6 weeks in Japan in '79 with a study group from college, and I spent about 5 weeks in Spain in '92 around the Barcelona Olympics. Those are my only extended stays. I learned a lot and enjoyed both trips immensely, but I was also very happy to go home.
13 - andy marsh
It's always good to come home!!!
14 - Claire Robinson
I am so gratified to see so many comments on your first piece, Andy. It makes me wonder if I shouldn't have done an introduction to myself....good instincts...and good piece...
Claire
15 - andy marsh
I am feeling all the love here at blogcritics...ain't life grand???
16 - Mark Edward Manning
SFC SKI: "Here in Germany, you can get a real Bud, from Budowiece, Czech Republic. I t is about 1000% better than American swill."
I was actually thinking about the Czech Budweiser when I read Andy's comment. It's available here in England too. Though, believe it or not, I've seen many Englishmen downing American Buds in pubs.
17 - Mark Edward Manning
Oh yes, good debut, Andy. Good to have you here. And your debut was considerably more welcoming than mine was.
18 - andy marsh
It's early yet Mark...I think, and I say this lovingly, the nuts, just haven't fallen from the tree yet...but I'm hoping!
19 - Sean
I wonder if the citizens of other countries spend quite so much time meditating on how people from other nations percieve them.
Is this a sign of mental health or narcissism?
20 - Sean
go ahead and make that "perceive"
21 - andy marsh
Sean...I'd say it'a a mental health issue...but hey...I'm freakin crazy!!! what do I know!!!
22 - RJ
I have spent literally HOURS in Canada at the Boblo Island Amusement Park when I was a young lad. Great stuff. Canada is great, if only you could first euthanize all the Canadians...
(Just Kidding!)
23 - RJ
Oh, and I've gone on a fishing trip to Goat Lake in Ontario as well. Super place, if you're a survivalist-type who enjoys dysentery and frequent bear attacks...
24 - Mac Diva
So, another Blogcritic without a blog, eh? Pathetic.
25 - andy marsh
No blog..just lot's of opinions. Nice to meet you too.