The issue is that the term American - technically
referts to people of all Americas.. Arent Mexicans,
Bolivians, Guyanans (where Vespucci first saw
"America") and so on. Even in the name United States
of America -- US people *of America.
Now the typical response is a practical one -- USA
people are called by default Americans -- its a common
term, and theres no reason to change it. I agree with
this view -- but dislike your (Rick) one sided way of
putting the issue to the list (explain the debate
please people)-- and dislike even more your inuendo
toward a nationalist appeal.
Nationalism of any kind is irrelevant here. The
opposing argument can just as easily claim that the
use of the term American -- as it refers to only one
state out of many -- simply comes from the 400 pound
Gorilla effect. But only the conventional arguments
are important here, and Wikpedians are perfectly
willing to defy convention to forward Wiki goals.
"Americans" can mean two different things entirely.
Its a paradox -- like many things in adult life.
Respectfully,
-S-
--- Vicki Rosenzweig <vr(a)redbird.org> wrote:
At 07:24 PM 8/9/03 -0700, RickK wrote:
User Wik is intent on trying to claim that people
from the United States
are "U.S.", not "American".
I have backed off on
almost every argument
that I've been involved in since I came to
Wikipedia, but I can't see
backing off on this. It is offensive to me to have
my nationality
minimized like this, as if I don't have the
right
to call myself what I
feel I am. "U.S." is not the correct
term to use
to describe people and
institutions of the United States.
Depending on context, either or both is correct. I
am an American, but an
American
or a US citizen; the U.S. government is often
referred to that way; and
while the
ambassador to France is the American ambassador, our
representative in Lima
is the
"Ambassador of the United States of America" on all
official paperwork.
How about you both put this aside until Monday?
--
Vicki Rosenzweig
vr(a)redbird.org
http://www.redbird.org
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