NOT the Onion. New tourism ad makes U.S. look like Canada

[MattSh]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/07/25/us-tourism-ad.html

Here's the good part... IMHO

Iconic American images missing

It doesn't show the Empire State building, Mount Rushmore, Disneyland or the awesome lifestyle of California — the iconic American images.

"Instead it shows women in hijab, a gay couple on a streetcar in San Francisco and people having a picnic, so the imagery they were going after is, this is the land of diversity and inclusion," he said.

"People don’t necessarily associate warm and fuzzy feelings with America. (Wow, you think?) They associate magnificent accomplishments with America, but this was about people and relationships and that's what made it look Canadian to us. It celebrates Canadian traits for sure."

Adds Usha George, dean of community studies at Ryerson: "I didn't think it was about the US. I just assumed it was an ad for Canada."

AND...on a personal note, maybe some time in the near future, I might actually be able to have my wife visit the USA without her visa application being rejected?

The Obama administration has set a goal of attracting 100 million foreign tourists a year by 2021 by expanding the number of people who can visit without visas, streamlining visa processing in key markets like China and Brazil and improving entry procedures at U.S. airports.

Think that can happen? Nah, I doubt that... I ain't one of the "key markets". They'd rather have people pay the $140 application fee for a visa then tell them to go screw themselves. No wonder I haven't visited the US in over six years.

[Confusious]

1. the awesome lifestyle of California

You can have it, I don't think it's all that "awesome"

8% of Californians think they've been abducted by aliens.

A little too narcissistic for me. ( or crazy, however you want it)

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. I live at 7,000 feet, above the smog. Next to a lake. In Southern California.

You better believe this kind of living is awesome.

No matter how broad the brush is, it always misses a spot here and there...

[AverageJoe90]

4. Are you near Big Bear Lake?

I hear the summer weather up there is far more pleasant than in L.A. or San Diego, where temps can sometimes hit 100+ in late summer........and that's just a normal summer!

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Big Bear Lake, yes. We've had a couple 82's so far this summer (HOT!). 50's at night.

I live about 150 yards from the water near the Big Bear Marina.

Hard to believe there is this kind of beauty 100 miles from L.A.

[Confusious]

6. I'll add

for the most part. There are always nice places everywhere. Some places, if you can afford it, which I can't.

I grew up in a "small" town, 250,000 people max, so places like LA, San Diego, San Fran, Oakland, don't do anything for me. I don't hate them, it's just a strong dislike.

[dballance]

3. I love that ad

I'd like to think in my heart of hearts that outside the contentious us vs. them atmosphere of DC and notable places like AZ and a lot of the South the rest of the country really is the country shown in the ad. A very diverse place where, for Rodney King, we can "all just get along."