Thread: I have some America questions for you!

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Now I'm confused. Burritos can fly?

You're wrong about Fajita songs though: what about the Harry Belafonte classic "I love you Fajita, my sweetheart from Venezuela"?

And, it's a little known fact that the Eagles originally started out as an Alabama Polka band called "Don Fajita and his Fantabulous Philharmonia". Apparently they just couldn't compete with the plethora of Polka bands that abounded in Alabama at the time, so they changed their name and the rest is history. You can still hear the Polka influences on tracks like "Peaceful, easy feeling", "Tequila Sunrise", "Lying Eyes", and "Hotel California" just to name a few.

James.

I think he's talking about the Flying Burrito Brothers http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/rev-a...t_Burritos.htm

Interesting stuff about the Eagles, James ---but are you serious about the abundance of Polka bands in Alabama -- to me Polka bands are about as un-southern as you can get ---maybe they didn't make it because southerners didn't want to listen to Polka -- maybe I'm wrong.


Justin

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

I think he's talking about the Flying Burrito Brothers http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/rev-a...t_Burritos.htm

Interesting stuff about the Eagles, James ---but are you serious about the abundance of Polka bands in Alabama -- to me Polka bands are about as un-southern as you can get ---maybe they didn't make it because southerners didn't want to listen to Polka -- maybe I'm wrong.


Justin

Yeah, that could be it - my music history is a bit rusty.

But man, who doesn't like Polka?? One of my most favourite albums is that one Weird Al Yankovic did a few years back. His Polka version of the Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" - pure unadulterated genius. Makes me want to dance everytime I hear it.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Yeah, that could be it - my music history is a bit rusty.

But man, who doesn't like Polka?? One of my most favourite albums is that one Weird Al Yankovic did a few years back. His Polka version of the Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" - pure unadulterated genius. Makes me want to dance everytime I hear it.

James.

I was just wondering but Polka is usually associated with the Northern/middle part of the country. But I guess it is played and enjoyed everywhere ---- it just isn't southern --like the blues, jazz, rock n roll, blue grass, --- you get the idea.

Justin

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

I was just wondering but Polka is usually associated with the Northern/middle part of the country. But I guess it is played and enjoyed everywhere ---- it just isn't southern --like the blues, jazz, rock n roll, blue grass, --- you get the idea.

Justin

Yeah - that's fair enough. It's not a huge thing down here either...

Anyway, back on topic - the gun thing. In Australia there's plenty of guns - our gun control laws make it difficult to own certain types of firearms, but there's plenty of non-automatic rifles of lower calibre about. I'm pretty sure my father still has my old Anschutz .22 at home (probably registered in my name even after 20 years). It's just that they're not obvious - the only people you see carrying are Police or armed forces (and the latter is rare). I don't think we have a concealed weapon license in Australia.

Is it that much different in the US? I mean, there are guns about but you really don't see them on a day to day basis?

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Yeah - that's fair enough. It's not a huge thing down here either...

Anyway, back on topic - the gun thing. In Australia there's plenty of guns - our gun control laws make it difficult to own certain types of firearms, but there's plenty of non-automatic rifles of lower calibre about. I'm pretty sure my father still has my old Anschutz .22 at home (probably registered in my name even after 20 years). It's just that they're not obvious - the only people you see carrying are Police or armed forces (and the latter is rare). I don't think we have a concealed weapon license in Australia.

Is it that much different in the US? I mean, there are guns about but you really don't see them on a day to day basis?

James.

Fully automatic weapons are illegal without a special permit ---- so even if someone owns an assault rifle , it's not fully automatic. I live in "gun country" and you will not see people carrying guns visibly --- maybe concealed --- I don't know too many who carry concealed weapons but people do. Most people keep guns in the house -- but people in general are not gun crazy --- it's just natural and traditional -- not really thought about really until questioned.

Justin

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Fully automatic weapons are illegal without a special permit ---- so even if someone owns an assault rifle , it's not fully automatic. I live in "gun country" and you will not see people carrying guns visibly --- maybe concealed --- I don't know too many who carry concealed weapons but people do. Most people keep guns in the house -- but people in general are not gun crazy --- it's just natural and traditional -- not really thought about really until questioned.

Justin

Yeah, that's what I thought. We see all the movies where everyone seems to be walking about with revolvers and blowing each other away, and transfer that onto everyday life in the US for some reason. Makes no sense really.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Yeah, that's what I thought. We see all the movies where everyone seems to be walking about with revolvers and blowing each other away, and transfer that onto everyday life in the US for some reason. Makes no sense really.

James.

I would hate to think that the "average American" was something created by Hollywood --- not a very good image. You know even the Western movies about gunslingers where two guys face off against each other is mostly fabrication. They weren't that noble and brave in general --- but it is something that most Americans wish was true. Historically, the South was pretty violent and people say that's where Southern politeness and courtesy comes from -- if you know everybody is packing a gun then you better be nice. Even today you rarely see grown men in the South yell at each other or use derogatory language --- without altercation. But rest assure most Americans are good freedom loving people and gun ownership is just part of the package deal --- comes with territory.

Justin