Texas - Pretty bl**dy awesome!

[Harpodom]

There's nothing wrong with flag waving - people should always feel proud of who they are.

You dont need flags for that

[Guest Guest 47403]

Sounds like hell on Earth tbh, probably the last place on earth I'd want to live never been to Texas but have done a few places in the US and it really doesn't appeal each to there own I suppose.

[Sol2Oz]

 

Since you spend time mentioning how cheap food and beverages are there, you should bear in mind that one of the reasons for this is that service staff only get about half the US minimum wage (which is less than half the Aus version) and are expected to get tips for any additional pay. Much as I like cheap beer, I'm less than happy knowing my waitress is earning about $2 an hour.

 

 

That is such a nice thing for you to say. But, in normal economics, you want your wages to be kept in par with the low cost of living. Inflation or hyperinflation comes out of this. (Now, I'm not saying that the US won't go through its hyperinflation for its bad economics, but for now, while things are cheap, people should take advantage).

 

As for your comment, if someone is making $100 minimum wage but has to pay $100,000 in a monthly rent, where is the grace in that? If anything, it shows that the country's currency is going the way of the Wiemar Republic, Argentina's and Zimbabwe's! What happens if you lose your job? The dole will not be able to pay your $500 a week rent, so what should one do in that case?

[Sol2Oz]

You dont need flags for that

 

I've always wondered what's wrong with waving a flag. I have spoken to a lot of Europeans and British who don't think that's proper. But why? Call it a cultural difference, but I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone wouldn't be proud of the country their from. If an Aussie wants to wave a flag, say, "piss off, we're full", or whatever else, I say, let them - good for them. I see it like a man loving his masculine qualities or a woman wanting to be as feminine as possible. I don't see anything wrong with being who you are - as long as you don't hurt me, I don't mind.

[Harpodom]

I've always wondered what's wrong with waving a flag. I have spoken to a lot of Europeans and British who don't think that's proper. But why? Call it a cultural difference, but I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone wouldn't be proud of the country their from. If an Aussie wants to wave a flag, say, "piss off, we're full", or whatever else, I say, let them - good for them. I see it like a man loving his masculine qualities or a woman wanting to be as feminine as possible. I don't see anything wrong with being who you are - as long as you don't hurt me, I don't mind.

My point was that you don't need flags and chest beating to be proud of who you are and where you're from. If you don't understand that then I certainly don't understand the need to be constantly reminding yourself and others of your nationality. As for the "piss off we're full" that IMO is just an excuse for racism

[Bobbsy]

There's nothing wrong with flag waving - people should always feel proud of who they are.

 

Who I am has nothing to do with where I was born or live though.

 

A bit of pride is fine and natural...excessive jingoism is unhealthy.

[heyyu]

Average pint - $5 bucks (that's a pint, not a pot, or a schooner or any other shi*e)

Happy hour - $1 a pint for domesticPetrol - $3.80 a gallon (gone up alot since last time I was there, still OK though)

You do realise that US volumes are a lot less than imperial,a pint may not be a pint get the point,us measurements are about 20 percent less than imperial

Edited March 25, 2013 by calNgary

[northshorepom]

US pint is 16 fluid ounces, innit?

 

Which is a bit more than a schooner

[heyyu]

US pint is 16 fluid ounces, innit?

 

Which is a bit more than a schooner

 

16 US fluid ounces not imperial oz or 473 ml. a pint in australia is 570 ml a schooner is 420

[surfndirt]

I've always wondered what's wrong with waving a flag. I have spoken to a lot of Europeans and British who don't think that's proper. But why? Call it a cultural difference, but I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone wouldn't be proud of the country their from. If an Aussie wants to wave a flag, say, "piss off, we're full", or whatever else, I say, let them - good for them. I see it like a man loving his masculine qualities or a woman wanting to be as feminine as possible. I don't see anything wrong with being who you are - as long as you don't hurt me, I don't mind.

 

Yep, that's because - contrary to modern propaganda re; USA. I have found people actually in the USA to have, by and large, your mindset. You want to be proud of the country you call home and fly it's flag in your front yard - good on ya. British people (of which I am one) and more recently Australians have been conditioned over many years to believe that nationalism is a swear word only to be used by the BNP... The ideal, esp from the Fabian left (look up what Blair was in relation to this) is that the whole world lives in some non border multicultural melting pot where the only real identity is the state (one state, at that). Hence the relentless 'multicultural' propaganda...... Ponder for a while, if you will, which countries in the world are 'multicultural'? BTW, I'm not saying that the US or TX is any different - just an observation - and yes, I have mates from all over the joint including Africa etc... Most of which can see a big fat national identity removal con when they see it!

[surfndirt]

Average pint - $5 bucks (that's a pint, not a pot, or a schooner or any other shi*e)

Happy hour - $1 a pint for domesticPetrol - $3.80 a gallon (gone up alot since last time I was there, still OK though)

You do realise that US volumes are a lot less than imperial,a pint may not be a pint get the point,us measurements are about 20 percent less than imperial

 

Ha ha.... Fair enough - still like going to the bar..... "PINT please chief" and then handing over something that isn't a multiple of 10. I don't know if they chop and change a bit cause I swear me Guiness is always a proper pint. Plus Have been drinking some Nor Cal craft beer from a bottle shop here in Melbourne and that fills a normal pint glass.... Ah well, still cheaper, still drag racing on the TV behind the bar, still birds that are more than slightly interested in an accent mixed with Geordie and Aussie :-) All good

Edited March 25, 2013 by calNgary

[Sol2Oz]

Yep, that's because - contrary to modern propaganda re; USA. I have found people actually in the USA to have, by and large, your mindset. You want to be proud of the country you call home and fly it's flag in your front yard - good on ya. British people (of which I am one) and more recently Australians have been conditioned over many years to believe that nationalism is a swear word only to be used by the BNP... The ideal, esp from the Fabian left (look up what Blair was in relation to this) is that the whole world lives in some non border multicultural melting pot where the only real identity is the state (one state, at that). Hence the relentless 'multicultural' propaganda...... Ponder for a while, if you will, which countries in the world are 'multicultural'? BTW, I'm not saying that the US or TX is any different - just an observation - and yes, I have mates from all over the joint including Africa etc... Most of which can see a big fat national identity removal con when they see it!

 

 

I agree and I think it's sad. I remember a movie by the name of "This is England" - where some racists were trying to promote national pride. At the end of the movie, the main character, a little boy, throws the flag of England in the river. I thought that was so wrong! A few jerks shouldn't take away from feeling pride in your culture! But sadly, pride in your culture and nation - for some reason, is seen as a racist thing, but it really isn't. In the near future, it will be wrong to be proud of being even a man, or a woman.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Sol2Oz

[bubbe2005]

Hi All,

 

Having been a bit active on here for a while (and made reference to my intended 2x year stint in Texas) I thought I'd give people a bit of a view regards life on the ground there as I have just come back from another 3x week reccie and, well, this kind of info interests me so may interest someone else!

 

Cost of living;

 

Geez, what can I say - been in Aussie 7 years..... It's like being let loose in the real world again!!!! You can rock into a bar and actually have a drink and a feed for less than $10 bucks, remember that old concept of happy hour? wwwohhhoooo

 

Some examples

 

Average pint - $5 bucks (that's a pint, not a F*cking pot, or a f*cking schooner or any other shi*e)

Happy hour - $1 a pint for domestic

3x bed 2x bath with land and near public transit in Denton / Plano, TX - $180,000 ($800 bucks a month mrtg)

2006 Chevy pickup (for my motorbikes) - $7000 (you can get 4cyl ones now, better mileage)

Petrol - $3.80 a gallon (gone up alot since last time I was there, still OK though)

Car Insurance (at above location) - $350 a year

Meal in a middle of the road place - $15 a main (max), $4 a drink

Meal in a tex mex joint - $8 a burritto, $3.50 a beer

 

Jobs

 

Yep, lots and lots of em. Same salary as mine in Aussie. 4x weeks holiday for all the people I talked too. Literally 50% better off. Same take home as Aussie in Texas, anyway.... (including the dreaded medical insurance)

 

Lifestyle

 

Road rage? A little but NOWHERE near Sydney / Melbourne and there's a good reason, have a look at the recent extension of the 'castle law' in TX - yep, most people have shooters in the glovebox. Kinda makes people think twice about being an idiot on the road from what I saw.

 

People

 

Fantastic - simple as that. Believe me or not but I have never chatted to as many nice people - esp if you go armed with an understanding of the country, it's history and the constitution. Make reference to that as a tourist and you are literally invited to become a citizen by people!!! hahahah

 

Needless to say, I loved the place...... (again)

 

 

LOL funny post. Where in Texas are you?

[Guest guest74886]

As regards visas, there is a little known reciprocal agreement between Aus and the States which means that you can access jobs in the US if you have Aus citizenship.

Aas regards everything else the worries I would have are 30,000 people die from gun related incidents in the US, in addition are the daily run of the mill murders.

The other thing which is a biggie is medical insurance, if you get it with your job you have to keep that job at all costs because if you don't then just pray you don't get sick or have a road accident because you either die then or die later as a vagrant. Friends of mine had to relocate from Boston to San Fran in order to keep his job because of his health insurance for the here and now but also because they maintain his insurance when he retires, if he left he would not have got the same deal with another employer at his age even if he could get another job which is doubtful.

A wonderful country to visit I feel ,but there is a real dark underbelly which needs you to have a lot of money to insulate yourself from it

[Guest51810]

30,000 a year?

[Guest guest74886]

30,000 a year?

 

That is the statistic quoted recently by the SMH in a report on the campaign by the New York mayor to counter the American NRA's propaganda.

[Guest]

As far as I know people who work in skilled occupations (which covers most of us) and I do know a few of them who live in the states. All get 4 weeks a year plus public holidays so they actually get more than in the UK. They all can take longer but just take a hit on their pay. The Ozzies are in a league of their own, many just lock up and leave for 3 months a year.

 

As for the gun culture, I dont believe its as previlent as the media makes out in the UK. Yes people have guns but they dont go waving them about all the time. As long as their educated in guns then its OK but I do believe there arent enough checks on backgrounds or the homes of people keeping them to make sure they are locked away. Its the criminals who are the problem mainly I think and they still exsist in the UK and Oz.

[surfndirt]

LOL funny post. Where in Texas are you?

 

Ha! Glad I provided a chuckle.... I haven't left as yet as stated in the OP, have been on 2x trips now to Texas specifically as I am also setting up some (on the side) business interests out of TX / WY. We are heading to the DFW Metroplex..... Have also cut my teeth in Chicago for a while 9 (geez, is it that long) years ago.....

 

Same plan as here in Melbourne - buy where you want to invest and rent where you wanna live (Collin County, Lakewood - respectively)....

[surfndirt]

That is the statistic quoted recently by the SMH in a report on the campaign by the New York mayor to counter the American NRA's propaganda.

 

With reference to this, DustyRoad & SoLo comments....

 

(people from the US, please correct me where wrong here - only been getting into this for a few months really)

The US has a constitution, the second amendment of which was the provision of the right of the citizenry of the country to own arms (meaning guns), the provision that the right will not be infringed in any way and the additional right to form a well regulated militia was also written into the 2nd. Only the supreme court of the land can change the constitution, any other attempts to go against the constitution (if not granted by the supreme court) are illegal. i.e. your New York Major.

Now, I may be off the mark here but I bet there is not too many Brit’s / Euro’s that understand what the reason for the 2^nd is, or let alone what a Militia is in this context?

Super quick summary; An armed population can not be overthrown by a tyrannical government (remember, the government works for you – they are your ‘servants’ not the other way round). The armed population of 1776 removed King George of England and his army – get it? In order to do this they created town / village based Militia (armed) and trained in combat. So after they won, the people who crafted the constitution wanted to ensure (amongst a whole heap of other stuff) that this system of, essentially, organised self defense, was written into the way the country was founded i.e. the 2nd. So no, the Texas Militia, for example - is not some bunch of hoons riding along in the back of an 89’ Toyota pickup with rocket launchers in hand as the BBC would make you believe - they are armed, trained, educated members of the public from all walks of life who are dedicated to the constitution and they’re communities. Interesting stuff eh??

Now, if you were of a left leaning socialist - central control bent, what two elements of the US would you be most p*ssed about? And hence, if you were a billionaire mayor with a liking for total power / control what would you been keen to see kicked to the curb? Makes you think don't it!

[Harpodom]

With reference to this, DustyRoad & SoLo comments....

 

(people from the US, please correct me where wrong here - only been getting into this for a few months really)

The US has a constitution, the second amendment of which was the provision of the right of the citizenry of the country to own arms (meaning guns), the provision that the right will not be infringed in any way and the additional right to form a well regulated militia was also written into the 2nd. Only the supreme court of the land can change the constitution, any other attempts to go against the constitution (if not granted by the supreme court) are illegal. i.e. your New York Major.

Now, I may be off the mark here but I bet there is not too many Brit’s / Euro’s that understand what the reason for the 2^nd is, or let alone what a Militia is in this context?

Super quick summary; An armed population can not be overthrown by a tyrannical government (remember, the government works for you – they are your ‘servants’ not the other way round). The armed population of 1776 removed King George of England and his army – get it? In order to do this they created town / village based Militia (armed) and trained in combat. So after they won, the people who crafted the constitution wanted to ensure (amongst a whole heap of other stuff) that this system of, essentially, organised self defense, was written into the way the country was founded i.e. the 2nd. So no, the Texas Militia, for example - is not some bunch of hoons riding along in the back of an 89’ Toyota pickup with rocket launchers in hand as the BBC would make you believe - they are armed, trained, educated members of the public from all walks of life who are dedicated to the constitution and they’re communities. Interesting stuff eh??

Now, if you were of a left leaning socialist - central control bent, what two elements of the US would you be most p*ssed about? And hence, if you were a billionaire mayor with a liking for total power / control what would you been keen to see kicked to the curb? Makes you think don't it!

 

No it doesn't. Its a total no brainer: a country so fixated on this right to bear arms is a breeding ground for dangerous psychos. You can do a lot more damage with a semi automatic assault rifle than you can with a knife or a baseball bat.

 

It aint 1776 anymore

[surfndirt]

No it doesn't. Its a total no brainer: a country so fixated on this right to bear arms is a breeding ground for dangerous psychos. You can do a lot more damage with a semi automatic assault rifle than you can with a knife or a baseball bat.

 

It aint 1776 anymore

 

Hmmmm, yeah - fair point......

[Ellie 2]

There is absolutely no reason for private citizens to own assault weapons or the like. I'm sure the founding Fathers, who wrote the constitution, never dreamed that those type of firearms would be available. The Shooters party in the US have over stepped the mark and yes there are plenty of "rednecks" in Texas who walk around with a gun hanging from their side. My brother has lived there for many years and I have been there a number of times.

[Sol2Oz]

There is absolutely no reason for private citizens to own assault weapons or the like. I'm sure the founding Fathers, who wrote the constitution, never dreamed that those type of firearms would be available. The Shooters party in the US have over stepped the mark and yes there are plenty of "rednecks" in Texas who walk around with a gun hanging from their side. My brother has lived there for many years and I have been there a number of times.

 

Well, I am a firm believer in the 2nd Amendment - and we are not criminals or rednecks! I have a very clean record - not even a parking ticket have I ever gotten - never been arrested for anything.

 

I do believe that there is a social problem, (unrelated to weapons), where people fail to take personal responsibility for their own actions. We live in a world where people are used to blaming inanimate objects (i.e. guns), other people and circumstances for their own failures and bad decisions.

 

Point in case, there is something wrong with you on personal scale, if you go around shooting other people who haven't done anything to you - you have to agree that the problem is not with the gun itself, but with the mind of the person who engaged in this type of crime. So ask yourselves, why did this person go ahead and engage in this type of criminal behavior?

 

As far as I know, the killers who were involved in these shooting tragedies were all on anti depressants and came from irresponsible families - sorry, but that's the truth. And let me add that you don't need AR15's (which is just a fancy rifle), to commit mass murder. Timothy McVeigh - another loony, the 9/11 tragedies, and the London bombings (7/7) are a few examples were mass murder was committed without the use of guns. So what should people do in those cases? Ban buildings, buses and trolleys??

 

It's amazing the line that some of our liberal politicians use, "Oh we care so much about the kids" - complete and utter BS. If the kids were an issue, they wouldn't be using drones to basically assassinate innocent citizens overseas. And another thing - the governor of New York, Cuomo, who introduced the SAFE act because "we care so much about the kids" acted hypocritical just a few months later, when he signed a piece of legislature, "Women's Reproductive Health Act", that allows pregnant mothers to abort their unborn children after even 24 weeks of pregnancy. Tell me how is that "caring about the kids" when a child can survive outside of the womb at 24 weeks? Clearly, there are ulterior motives for desires to eliminate parts of the constitution.

Edited March 27, 2013 by Sol2Oz

[surfndirt]

There is absolutely no reason for private citizens to own assault weapons or the like. I'm sure the founding Fathers, who wrote the constitution, never dreamed that those type of firearms would be available. The Shooters party in the US have over stepped the mark and yes there are plenty of "rednecks" in Texas who walk around with a gun hanging from their side. My brother has lived there for many years and I have been there a number of times.

 

Yes there is - the reason is that it is enshrined in the constitution of the United States of America via the 2nd amendment.

 

First - and further to Sol2Oz comments, the assault weapon your are referring to, I assume is the much touted AR-15? That is not a machine gun, you cannot pull the trigger and clear a magazine in one action - you have to pull the trigger each time i.e. a shot gun. It will re-load the next round for you and that's it. Same as a hand gun etc. It's media doublespeak your talking.

 

Second - not only is it about organised self defense as per last post, it's also about creating a balance of power. In the US the police are 'peace keepers' and 'incident responders', the individual has the right (2nd) to self defense at the time of the incident.

 

I guess at the end of the day (like most thing in modern life really) I very much like the idea of being able to purchase and lawfully carry a tool of self defense in the knowledge that, all going well I will NEVER need to use it in anger... What I like is that if I, as a law abiding person, WANT TO - I can own the same tool of power and control as those in that position of power and control, I guess in the end it is about personal freedoms, choice and so on. So ultimately about centralized control vs personal responsibility i.e. right vs left basically.... Centralized control = bad, personal choice / individual responsibility = good :-)

[Ellie 2]

You ignore the fact that the writers of the constitution could not see into the future. No multiple clips of ammunition, fire one shot and stop to reload was the order of the day. Doesn't matter about how many people, young and old, die as long as you can go into Walmart and buy as many guns and as much ammunition as you like and then go home and leave them lying about where any idiot can pick them up.It appears that you will fit in well with the general Texan populous.