1. Why do Americans often seem to have double standards and hypocritical
   views on "difficult" issues? Is there a historical reason for this
   behavior? Examples of such double standards would be e.g. attitudes
   towards harmful content in publications and TV where violence does not
   seem to be nearly as harmful as nudity (even in non-sexual context), or
   the separation of state and religion versus e.g. teaching
   evolution/creationism/intelligent design in schools or the multitude of
   ([conservative] Christian) religious elements in politicians' speeches.
   For the latter issue as such, the article in the reference files was
   quite enlightening.

2. Do you think that the natural disasters of the past month will change
   the attitude of Americans towards the role of government/state in
   crisis management? What about the poverty? At the moment, these issues
   are widely discussed, but will they be forgotten after the immediate
   crisis is over? In your opinion, will this disaster have the same kind
   of profound effect on the U.S. society as the 9/11 terrorist attacks,
   considering the number of affected people is in this case much higher.

------------------------

1. How are people who do not fit into the picture of the "average
   American", e.g. people obviously pursuing a different kind of lifestyle
   ("punks", atheists, etc.) treated in US-American society? Are they
   regarded as outsiders and excluded from community life? Are there
   regional differences regarding attitudes toward this or is this an
   American phenomenon?

2. I heard that people from different regions of the US do not get along
   with each other; besides having prejudices they sometimes even "hate"
   their fellow citizens (e.g. North vs South). To what extent is that
   true and where does this hostility come from? How does this fit with the
   idea of American nationalism and its sense of pride and unity as a nation?

------------------------

1. What is the difference between what America is currently trying to do
   in Iraq to "bring democracy" and empires from the past who were wishing
   to expand their empires, and thus their influence in the world?

2. Why does the US continue to impose sanctions on communist Cuba when the
   US's leading lender of money for cleaning up after Katrina is China
   (the largest communist country on the planet)?

------------------------

1. I saw a map which shows that the states with no death penalty are
   pretty much in the same area. What might be the reason for this? Has
   the situation always been like this, or has it changed? What about the
   states with the death penalty that have not carried out executions in
   the last 30 years or so? Why don't they abolish the death penalty?

2. Why are there state nicknames on license plates? Who invented the
   nicknames? Are they used somewhere else?

------------------------

1. Why is it that many Americans love to eat "junk food" so much? I've
   gotten the picture from American reality tv-shows and such that
   Americans eat all the time at McDonalds and other fast food places;
   don't they know how unhealthy that is? Or don't they care about their
   health? It seems to me that Finnish people are very concerned about
   their health, but this doesn't seem to be the case in America.

2. What is the relationship between 'average' Americans and Native
   Americans? Do most Americans know much about the Indians and their
   culture? Is it taught at schools? I ask this because I've gotten the
   idea that Indians are still looked upon as somehow inferior and I'd
   like to know if this is true.

------------------------

1. There are more and more Spanish-speaking people living in the United
   States. What are the "average" American's attitudes towards Hispanic
   people in the U.S. -- hostile, indifferent, welcoming? Are Americans
   interested in studying Spanish at school or at university, and do they
   think that learning Spanish would be useful for them?

2. I once heard that American kids know very little about geography,
   different countries or different continents. Is that true? For example,
   are they taught about European countries at school?

------------------------

1. How do Americans (both average citizens and the government) view the
   rest of the world? I've always had an image in my head that the
   Americans think very highly of themselves and aren't really that
   concerned about other nationalities. For example, to my knowledge the
   US still refuses to cut its emissions of greenhouse gasses because of
   economic reasons even though many poorer countries have consented to
   the reductions. Don't Americans care about the rest of the world?

2. What is it with the Americans and guns? I have heard many stories in
   the news about kids bringing guns to school and about people shooting
   each other for no apparent reason. Why aren't there stricter laws about
   guns in the US?

------------------------

1. TV seems to play a big part in Joe Citizen's life, so TV advertising
   must also be a big industry. How many TV ads does an average person see
   in one day? Has there been any use of subliminal messages in TV ads in
   the past? Are there any laws of what you can and cannot advertise in
   the television?

2. By contrast, how many books does an average American read per month?
   Are the public libraries in America similar to ones in Finland? What do
   people think about public libraries? In addition, few years ago there
   were several cases of people burning the Harry Potter books. Has there
   been as strong reactions to any other book in the past (disregarding
   religious texts)?

------------------------

1. Do you think that the image of the USA presented to us in the media is
   accurate? Do we get the wrong impression of the American people and/or
   the country by watching tv and movies here in Finland?

2. In the US-1 class you said that how you speak may influence your
   chances in getting a certain job. Are there any other things that might
   prevent you from getting employed, for example age, gender or even race?

------------------------

1. A lot of ideologies, particularly the feminist and gay rights movement,
   have started in the USA, and after that have been transferred to
   Europe. In Europe these ideologies have become more pervasive than in
   the USA, for instance gay marriages and adoption have become possible
   in some countries. What are the possible reasons for the fact that this
   has not yet happened in the USA?

2. What is the current U.S. immigration policy? Is there a preference for
   people with a certain nationality or educational background?

------------------------

1. A few years ago it seemed that young people's mental health was causing
   a lot of commotion all over the world, especially with the school
   shootings in the US and half of the celebrities being anorectic or
   emotionally lost. I think the discussion about these issues has even
   increased lately, at least here in Finland. What I would like to know
   is, how does the U.S. take care of people with mental problems, for
   example young people (but adults as well) with depression or eating
   disorders? Is help available only for those who can afford an expensive
   therapist or who want to appear on an episode of "Dr. Phil"? OR are
   there other ways of dealing with these problems and getting help?

2. In Finnish schools students have compulsory courses on foreign
   languages, such as English or Swedish all the way from the third grade.
   Do American schools concentrate on foreign languages like this or are
   foreign language/culture studies all optional? How common is it among
   the Americans to actually know foreign languages? One might easily
   think they don't necessarily need any other languages than their own.



1. What kind of procedure do you have to go through if you apply for
   American citizenship? Is it much more than just a language test and
   some cultural/institutional knowledge?

2. How advanced must your language skills be?  Is it possible to take the
   language test in Spanish?

------------------------

In the absence of a civil record:

1. How is anyone able to find a particular person in the States? How do
   the FBI, the police or a private citizen find people?

2. How does the IRS find people? In other words, how does taxation work in
   the U.S.? (And how easy it is to evade taxation?)

3. How did the military know who was eligible to be drafted during WWII
   and Vietnam?

It seems mind-boggling to think that a country that big could be run
without knowing who is in it, where they live and what they are doing.

------------------------

1. I read in a Finnish newspaper article that Finnish Civil Servants could
   lose their job if they accepted any kind of bribes -- even an opera
   ticket. What is the policy on bribery in the United States?

2. Aren't the Presidential election campaigns usually financed differently
   than in Finland? Why isn't taking money from companies for the
   campaigns considered corruption? In your opinion, does President George
   W. Bush favour some fields of industry or other businesses?

------------------------

1. Looking beyond the Bible Belt, how big a role does religion play in the
   life of an average white American Protestant? Does Christianity have a
   big influence on people's identities and how does being a Christian
   show in everyday life? Is going to church on Sundays something that the
   majority does? What about mixing religion into politics? Is putting
   your trust in God just a smart political move or is there something
   more to it?

2. You told us a story about Esko Aho in the elevator (US-2, 12 Oct) and
   how people's reactions made you feel awkward. Is it common for people
   in America to approach celebrities and other well known people in a
   familiar manner? Do the Americans believe that people in the public eye
   are also public property? What do the celebrities themselves think?

------------------------

1. Due to recent events (Iraq and Katrina) the U.S. military has been in
   spotlight. I was wondering has it been studied what is the most common
   political view (=what party do they support) of the men joining the
   army? Do the proportions of minorities in the army correspond to the
   ones of population in general? Has there been any affirmative action in
   the army (for instance in hiring officers, etc)?

2. In Finland, especially young people seem to be less and less interested
   in politics. At the same time, a number of candidates who used to be
   familiar to us from an entirely other than political context have been
   elected to parliament. As we all know Arnold Schwarzenegger got elected
   Governor for California. Is this an indication of the same kind of lack
   of interest (as well as awareness) in politics as in Finland? Or did
   the people in California (at least those who voted for him) really
   consider him to be the best politician and think he was the most
   qualified for the post? I have understood that American people like
   Cinderella stories and appreciate a DIY and 'can do' mentality. Could a
   part of Schwarzenegger's election be reflection of that?

   In addition, how much does it cost to have a driver's licence in the
   USA? Everyone seems to have a car there no matter how poor they are
   otherwise. But if the licence costs anywhere near what it does in
   Finland, how can they pay for it? Just curious...

------------------------

1. In Poland people tend to believe it is quite easy and simple to make an
   astonishing career in USA. Your country is regarded as one with great,
   unfinished opportunities for people with their own vision, or idea. Is
   this true?

2. Now and then your country is shocked by news about killing sprees in
   schools. What can be the reason for it? Is it all due to free access to
   guns or are the youth too stressed and alienated? What can be done and
   what is being done to prevent such situations from occurring in the
   future? Does the public blame the government or those who shoot? What
   is your opinion on that issue?

------------------------

1. In the 90s the American Mafia, the most powerful and profitable
   organized syndicate in the world, was broken. Do you think it is coming
   back to life again? Do the family's associates still corrupt the police
   and public officials and exercise control over specific criminal
   activities?

2. Is there in the areas of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi or Florida
   hidden or camouflaged KKK? It lost support in the late 19th century but
   during the 20th Century, it has been revived with a few alterations.
   This group has been noted for its prosecutions against, Jews (as it
   later co-joined with neo-Nazis), foreigners, Roman Catholics,
   Communists, Homosexuals, Blacks, communists and organized labor. Were
   they really called KKK? What is people's attitude to KKK?

3. What do you think of American soldiers in Iraq? Is it necessary? Some
   people claim that American government is responsible for the events in
   New York on 11th of September. Do you think there is some truth in
   these words? Here, in Finland, people hate Bush and accuse him of
   terrorism. Do you have the same attitude?

4. Is it OK that anyone can have guns? Are people afraid of going to poor
   areas? Young people are so immature that they may not understand how
   much harm they could do with a gun. Do you think that allowing people
   to have a gun is like a lack of respect for human life?

------------------------

1. How much do the concepts of American Creed and American Dream mean to
   younger Americans? I have got the impression that not all young people
   are very proud of their country nowadays. Some of the popular American
   rock bands have a rather cynical or ironical view of the United States
   and the way things work (or don't work) there. Are the feelings of
   unity and national pride vanishing among the youth of the U.S.?

2. On the Internet I have seen statistics on the average IQ of the states
   in comparison with who got more votes in the 2004 election, Bush or
   Kerry (e.g. these). Have either of them commented on these
   statistics which show that states that had a higher average IQ seemed
   to vote for Kerry? How reliable do you consider these statistics?

3. If IQ statistics are correct and can be considered reliable, what kind
   of reasons could cause the regional differences? It seems like many of
   the highest average states are in the Northwest and some of the lowest
   averages are in the Deep South. Can such generalizations be made?

4. How exactly is the voting arranged in the United States? Is there a way
   to make sure that every citizen has an equal opportunity to vote? Based
   on what I've understood, the division of votes in each state is more
   important than who got the most votes in the whole country. Is this
   true? How are the votes counted? What is the purpose of the electors?

------------------------

1. The United States is the most powerful country in the world, and it is
   said that the President of United States is the most powerful man in
   the world. But how much power does he really have? The president of
   Finland is sort of a symbol. What about the president of US? Is he used
   as a symbol of the people of America or as an international
   hate-figure? If he is, by who? Who has the real power? What sort of
   advisors do they have? Do they listen to them?

2. What is the state of healthcare in the U.S.? How much do you have to
   pay for eg. a dentist? What about poor people, are they able to get the
   same treatment as the rich or is it possible to buy better treatment?

------------------------

1. How did the old (and possibly old-fashioned as well) black people react
   when slavery was abolished? Being brought up as slaves did they still
   consider themselves inferior to whites? Quite often the oppressed are
   conservative and stick to the old rules very stubbornly.

2. When people were afraid of nuclear war (during the Cold War), how did
   the fear show in American society? I have heard stories about tv
   programs advising kids to hide under their desks. How about communist
   persecution; was it possible to be openly socialist in the US that time?

------------------------

1. During the 2004 presidential election, I heard people talking about
   "red states" (Bush-voters) and "blue states" (Kerry-voters). To what
   extent is the country divided now and does it show in any way?

2. What are "dry areas"? I understand they`re areas (counties?) where you
   can`t buy/sell liquor, but that seems kind of strange.

------------------------

1. Is there any kind of activity in the U.S. that would be similar to
   "kansalaisopisto" in Finland?

2. In one of the last episodes of Frazier, he marries his dad and his
   girlfriend. Who is allowed to join people in marriage in the U.S.?

------------------------

1. What is the status of the American Indian in the U.S. today? Do most of
   them still live on reservations? What is the general attitude towards
   the Indians?

2. How strong are organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and other white
   supremacy movements in present day America?

------------------------

1. What is the significance of Labor Day to the Americans? To oversimplify
   it, all I know is that white clothes are out after the summer, but for
   what reason is there actually a Labor Day?

2. A place called Hamptons - on the East Coast, I believe - is mentioned
   every so often in movies and TV series. The picture I have gotten is
   that it could be some grandiose neighborhood or community with
   celebrities living there and throwing parties all the time. Is this so?
   Furthermore, is the name a plural form, since I remember it being
   subtitled in some program as in the phrase "Hänellä on talo
   Hamptoneissa" (as opposed to "Hamptonsissa")?

3. I don't know where to begin with "Whistler's Mother", but it would be
   nice to know something about the significance of the painting to the
   general public as well as to the actual art circles.

4. Pickled eggs - what's up with them? Americans seem to have them in
   every bar that is a bit below par.

5. Finally: There was a line by a jealous rival in a Stephen King
   miniseries referring to a guy who had a secret meeting with a girl by a
   river he had said to be going to catch fish from, "No doubt he went to
   get fish from the Big Two-Hearted River", or words to that effect (the
   name at least is verbatim). Any idea on what is this in reference to?

------------------------

1. How easy is it to immigrate to the U.S nowadays? Is it easier e.g. for
   Europeans and Australians to get into the country then it would be for
   somebody coming from the third world? I've read from somewhere that
   every year a "lottery" is held to deal out a certain amount of green
   cards. Could you please elaborate on that.

2. I've understood that American agriculture uses techniques which are
   not yet used in Finland, e.g. genetic manipulation of vegetables and
   feeding hormones to cattle in order to produce better beef. Is this
   true? Are diseases such as BSE and bird flu also found in the U.S?

------------------------

   Student nationalities: Poland 2, Spain 2, Germany 1, Czech Republic 1,
   with the remainder Finnish