Heh, that got you attention didn't it? Now hang around for the rest. This discussion comes from several conversations I had yesterday. One of them encouraged me to post this today in my "Opinion Column". Agree or disagree, but this will be fun and interesting.
We in the U.S. are beset with all forms of exceptionalism. One of those is the use of name of our Continent in in the name of our country. Now first of all, we're not even the only one doing this. One country is a continent. The difference of course is they don't share their continent with 19 other countries. So while Australians have no one else to share their continental name, we do. Thus the point of this discussion.
I'm a U.S. citizen and as such I am called an American, but there are many others that are not U.S. citizens who also have the right to be called American, despite the ignorance of many who would deny this. As someone from France or Germany or Denmark or Italy are called European and someone from Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana or Kenya are called African, so too can someone from Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela or Argentina be called American. Try this out and around the U.S. and you might have a fight on your hands.
I've had this experience before with someone with the worldview of a Joe the Plumber or even that of a Sarah the Governor. So this is not just a mental exercise. As most of us know, there is a ton of ignorance out there and some of it is intentional. Hopefully with the incoming Administration we'll have an opportunity to have a new era of Enlightenment.
Okay, into the fray. If you're new to Mojo Friday don't be surprised if you don't see the topic discussed immediately. The primary purpose for MF is collecting Mojo, so the discussions are not always topical. Jump in anyway, someone will respond to you.
Mojo Friday Guidelines
1. If you comment you have to recommend all comments. (in order to receive mojo you have to give mojo. It's only good mojo manners.)
2. Everything you say may be taken as a joke (so if you ask a question, expect a silly answer)
3. You must recommend the diary (and pimp it unapologetically)
4. You don't have to comment to recommend.
5. You can't steal my idea (right, like that ain't goin' to happen)
6. Please, no pictures or YouTubes until after 300 comments. Now, after 300, use a little common courtesy and be responsible in the number.
7. Mojo mojo mojo mojo, mojo mojo mojo
Mojo Friday Goals
A. at least 300 different commenters and 1000 comments by 1:30 PM EST and 1500 by 5:00 PM EST Friday Night that it's posted.
B. 100 recommends for each comment, at least.
C. Stay on Recommend List at least five hours (this requires some strategic planning by you guys, refer to guideline #3)
D. At least 200 diary recommends. 300 would be better, spread the word.
E. And always, fun fun fun.
F. Have at least 75% average participation rate as seen here in the Mojo Friday Postgame Show by Hedwig.
G. (New) Have at least 30 kossacks over 90% participation (see here for some tips).
H. Overload the servers with recommends, not to mention dominate Top Comments Mojo list. (we do tend to mess with the site with all of our recommends at one time)(also, to dominate the Top Comments Top Mojo we need at least 50 comments with over 200 recommends, see guideline B)
I. That's enough for now. (Have a suggestion? Post it.)
MKinTN posted a diary to help everyone achieve greater success called How to Succeed at Mojo Friday Without Really Trying.
For those of you new to MF (Mojo Friday) we have our own lingo about a few things. Thank's to MF'er Jez(the link will explain) go to this diary for a little more fun and explanation. Official Mojo Friday Snecktionary.