ailaves

[ailaves]

American Incongruence

Getting this out of the way: yes. I am anti-gun.

I finished watching seven (!) seasons of a series on Max called Murder in the Heartland. The formula is consistent: a murder happened in small town America, detectives investigate, we find out who was the killer.

In almost every single episode, you hear someone say something along the lines of "this is a quiet, friendly town. We have some crime, but we haven't had a murder in 50 years! This kind of violent crime just does not happen here."

What I find hilarious is that all these people have weapons at home. And not for huntin'.

Most Americans with weapons at home say they have them for protection. My inner Spock finds this illogical.

You say "violent crime never happens here". Then why do you need guns to protect you? Are you going to shoot someone for spray painting your mailbox? Dang, son.

In all the cases where the odd murder did, in fact, happen... having a gun (or more) in the house didn't make much of a difference. If anything, they were sometimes the weapon used against the victim.

Just sayin'.

[ailaves]

Poor Portugal

I'm nearing retiring age (sorta). In the past few years, I've heard more and more American peers and colleagues say that they are looking to flee the US and go to Portugal.

Poor Portugal!

Americans don't realize that they are a plague of locusts and that anything they "discover" they destroy. Examples I've seen myself as a Mexican:

Tequila ... we've experienced years of issues with the blue agave and the quality of tequila went down because Americans loved it and consumed so much they created issues with the growth cycle of the plant.

Avocado ... gringos can't live without their guac and avocado toast. So now, in Michoacán we have avocado narcos, violence, and exploitation issues to feed the ravenous gringo greed. Locals can't afford the fruit that they are growing.

Vacation destinations like Cancún, Cabo, and Tulum. There is nothing authentic left. Tulum went from a beautiful sleepy boho destination to a gringo fantasy of new agey smoothies. Last time I went, I was offered drugs at restaurants. Locals say it's cause the gringos ask... supply and demand.

I could go on. But now I feel for Portugal because they'll face being infested by Americans fleeing the shithole country they created. And to me, this is the key problem. You ruined your own country so now you feel entitled to help yourself to a country that didn't fuck up theirs. What makes you think your being there is something wanted or even better for the place? Fix your own mess! Don't take it overseas.