> > You know, I have no idea why I post stuff when I know someone is going to start yelling really loudly at me, and then I'll feel embarrassed.
>
> I have no idea either. When you first came here, you posted something like three or four anti-American diatribes in a row, and when you slacked off that due to mass objection, even then your posts generally had to do with some aspect of American culture you wanted to pick at. You say you're embarrassed, but is that the only reason you're regretful?
>
> I understand that cynicism and condescending rivalry are core elements of certain strains of British humor, but what makes the difference between humor and insult is whether all that cynicism and condescension is real or not. I've engaged in some fun mock rivalry with other Rinkies here, but the only impression I've ever had with you is that your anti-American sentiments are basically real.
>
> > Sam: Yep, I am mired in cynicism, sarcasm and irony. Can't help it. Sorry about that.
>
> Heh. You called BG on this but not me. My response to you was about as sarcastic as it gets. I took bets about whether you'd call me on that or not. For the record, I was irked by your post but mostly amused by how utterly inexplicable it was. My quite deliberately over-sarcastic response was the product of an overtired mind having some insane fun with it. But that's not to say I wasn't basically serious underneath that. I truly don't understand how it is amusing for a web site run by the U.S. Government on the subject of defending freedom to have, in its banner, the U.S. symbol of freedom, the colors of the U.S. flag, and/or the name "America" on it.
>
> Now, I think I *could* see your point if the site had all sorts of ad lines on it ("INSIDE: IS *YOUR* NEIGHBOR A TERRORIST?") or an audio narration ("Tonight, on DEFENDING AMERICA..."), but, er, it didn't. The site, as it is, is a regular old professionally done government web site, and I really don't see how you got humor out of it except by finding America's symbols inherently laughable.
>
> *shrug* I'm not going to let it bother me either way, but if you're genuinely concerned about how you come across, there's my take, and I don't think I'm alone.
>
> > Brunnen-G: Sorry, you are one of the Big Three.
>
> There isn't any Big Three. She and I share a lot of the same attitudes about things (though definitely not all), but this does not mean she has any elevated sway or standing on RinkWorks for it.

I know this is expanding the thread a lot more, but I think it's something that needs to be said. I am aware that quite a lot of my posts do contain a certain anti-American cynicism, but on the other hand, it's not "about half," as some people have said. This is probably linked to the fact that most people remember the controversial ones more. On the *other* other hand, I am by no means proud of the content of my posts, and I wasn't joking when I said I don't know why I do it. I have realised that I do most of my posting late in the evening, but that is really no excuse. I would like to be able to say that I really don't have any grudge against the US, and I hope I don't (the vast majority of people here on Rinkworks are American, and very pleasant people too). However, I do find myself making sarcastic comments a lot of the time, and I'm wondering whether there is some ingrained racism in me. It's quite worrying, really. You're absolutely right, my post really was inexplicable, and now that I look at it I can't see how I did find it "pretentious" (obviously the wrong word to use). My only explanation that I can offer is that I am so worried about my own racism (bear with me) that I am not at all receptive to patriotism of any kind, and I slate it so badly that it ends up being racist in itself. I don't believe I have ever used the "usual" insults hurled at the US (poking its nose in where it's not wanted, greedy etc.) and I don't believe them myself. To finish off, I would like to say that it's not just American patriotism I usually go against (some of you may know of my aversion to national anthems, particularly my own country's) and people taking offence can sometimes stem from the fact that I never know when some posts are serious because of the extraordinarily high level of sarcasm used on the site. Grishny's reply to "Brunnen obviously did shout at me. Grishny's linked to it. Can't argue with that" looks indignant, but it might be sarcastic, just like my original comment.

I don't know whether I've explained my actions fully here, and I certainly know they are unjustified, but I hope that anyone who took offence at my posts will accept this apology.

Phil-"This post certified sarcasm-free"-bee