Americans

[Fo Sho]

What the hell? I never heard of learning the national anthem at school. We learn the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I pledge allegiance
To The Flag
of the United States of America

What a stupid thing to pledge allegiance to. I'd rather pledge allegiance to something that has some intrinsic value, like the Constitution.

And to the Republic for which it stands

Then why involve the flag? Why not "I pledge allegiance to the United States of America" instead?

One Nation, Under God

One Nation? Correct.
Under God? Not so much. A goodly portion of the citizenry doesn't believe in God. Another portion believes in multiple Gods or some other form of spiritualism. How about "One Nation; Under God in places, not so much in others."

Indivisible

Wait, if its indivisible, why are there individual states?

With Liberty and Justice for all.
Except for students, they don't get any rights. Not theirs.

I pledge allegiance
To The Flag
of the United States of America

The Flag is simply a banner for America. A representation of who we are (50 stars for 50 states) and where we have come from (13 stripes for 13 colonies). It's symbol of our power through unity. And while the constitution is definitely a huge part of what america is and stands for, I'd rather pledge to the flag than a piece of paper, no matter how important it is.

And to the Republic for which it stands

This is simply explaining that we aren't just pledging ourselves to the unity of the 50 states, but the ideals which those states stand for...

One Nation, Under God

Though this part of our pledge may be a bit outdated, you have to understand that when the United States was first founded, our society was heavily influenced by their religious beliefs... It was a part of their day to day lives. I think that that part should stay, not only because it is a symbol of our history, but also because a vast majority of Americans today do believe in one form of a higher power or another... Whether it be christian beliefs, jewish, muslim, etc. And for you atheists out there... well it just sucks for you.

Indivisible

By saying we are indivisble, we are saying that yes, there are many individual states, and yes, we all have our own differences, culture, etc. But our strength and power, comes from our unity, and our ability to rely on each other. This part of the anthem is just a testament to that indivisibilty and strenght.

Many people believe that the pledge of allegiance should be banned in public schools. And they nit pick at tiny details like "under god" to say that it goes against America's separation of Church and State. The National Anthem is just one of those things that you have to take with a grain of salt, and not take every word verbatim. I believe it teaches young children a sense of patriotism and duty to their country which gives them so much... In no way, shape, or form is the plege allegiance "brainwashing" kids. I think that is one of the most ridiculous claims I've ever heard.

[vtmarik]

Many people believe that the pledge of allegiance should be banned in public schools. And they nit pick at tiny details like "under god" to say that it goes against America's separation of Church and State. The National Anthem is just one of those things that you have to take with a grain of salt, and not take every word verbatim. I believe it teaches young children a sense of patriotism and duty to their country which gives them so much... In no way, shape, or form is the plege allegiance "brainwashing" kids. I think that is one of the most ridiculous claims I've ever heard.

I just think that it's unnecessary. How is a one-minute long ritual going to instill anything but a memorization of the words?

I think it was Plato who said "Exercise obtained under compulsion does no harm to the body, but Knowledge obtain under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind."

[Titanic]

intellectual? HA, just like the post u made about americans being brainwashed becuase we learn our national anthem at school. thats very intellectual isnt it?

Thats not intellectual, thats true. How America bring up their school children is no different to how Islamic militants do. You brainwash the population into believing that what you say and do is right, and if anyone disagrees they are wrong. The kids don't know any better, but I'm glad that this only happens in a minority of countries. At least here in Europe we are not fed this nationlist shit from birth.

Many people believe that the pledge of allegiance should be banned in public schools. And they nit pick at tiny details like "under god" to say that it goes against America's separation of Church and State. The National Anthem is just one of those things that you have to take with a grain of salt, and not take every word verbatim. I believe it teaches young children a sense of patriotism and duty to their country which gives them so much... In no way, shape, or form is the plege allegiance "brainwashing" kids. I think that is one of the most ridiculous claims I've ever heard.

It is brainwashing, as your giving them patriotism possiblt against their will. You making them everyday learn the Pledge of Alliance or some shit, and making them believe that America is so good and is the greatest nation on Earth. If thats not brainwashing, what is?!?

[Iliad]

intellectual? HA, just like the post u made about americans being brainwashed becuase we learn our national anthem at school. thats very intellectual isnt it?

Thats not intellectual, thats true. How America bring up their school children is no different to how Islamic militants do. You brainwash the population into believing that what you say and do is right, and if anyone disagrees they are wrong. The kids don't know any better, but I'm glad that this only happens in a minority of countries. At least here in Europe we are not fed this nationlist shit from birth.

Many people believe that the pledge of allegiance should be banned in public schools. And they nit pick at tiny details like "under god" to say that it goes against America's separation of Church and State. The National Anthem is just one of those things that you have to take with a grain of salt, and not take every word verbatim. I believe it teaches young children a sense of patriotism and duty to their country which gives them so much... In no way, shape, or form is the plege allegiance "brainwashing" kids. I think that is one of the most ridiculous claims I've ever heard.

It is brainwashing, as your giving them patriotism possiblt against their will. You making them everyday learn the Pledge of Alliance or some shit, and making them believe that America is so good and is the greatest nation on Earth. If thats not brainwashing, what is?!?

how is making children sing the national anthem brainwashing? Patriotism and brainwashing are two different things.

[Titanic]

Re-read it again. "You making them everyday learn the Pledge of Alliance or some shit, and making them believe that America is so good and is the greatest nation on Earth."

^ That is not good for anyone, and it is brainwashing.

From Wikipedia brainwashing is - "any systematic effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person against his will"

The children don't know any better, and your making them believe certain crap and get certain attitude sbefore they can say they don't want it. By the time they are old enough, you have already pumped so much crap into their head that they can't go back against it.

So much for the Land of the Free.....

[GustavusAdolphus]

intellectual? HA, just like the post u made about americans being brainwashed becuase we learn our national anthem at school. thats very intellectual isnt it?

Thats not intellectual, thats true. How America bring up their school children is no different to how Islamic militants do. You brainwash the population into believing that what you say and do is right, and if anyone disagrees they are wrong. The kids don't know any better, but I'm glad that this only happens in a minority of countries. At least here in Europe we are not fed this nationlist shit from birth.

Many people believe that the pledge of allegiance should be banned in public schools. And they nit pick at tiny details like "under god" to say that it goes against America's separation of Church and State. The National Anthem is just one of those things that you have to take with a grain of salt, and not take every word verbatim. I believe it teaches young children a sense of patriotism and duty to their country which gives them so much... In no way, shape, or form is the plege allegiance "brainwashing" kids. I think that is one of the most ridiculous claims I've ever heard.

It is brainwashing, as your giving them patriotism possiblt against their will. You making them everyday learn the Pledge of Alliance or some shit, and making them believe that America is so good and is the greatest nation on Earth. If thats not brainwashing, what is?!?

It's not branwashing, and it's not nationalism. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is more a tradition than anything else, and kids are not told by teachers that America is the world's greatest country. Instead, they CHOOSE to recite the pledge. It's just an effort to instill some pride in one's country, which is not nationalism. Personally, I think we should stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in school, but you're dead wrong if you think the government brainwashes kids into thinking "that what you say and do is right, and if anyone disagrees they are wrong." A lot of teachers are willing to tell their students exactly what is wrong with the government and how we were wrong to invade Vietnam and Iraq.

So, to summarize: It's not brainwashing if it's optional or if teachers are allowed free speech to criticize the government.

[Iz Man]

Re-read it again. "You making them everyday learn the Pledge of Alliance or some shit, and making them believe that America is so good and is the greatest nation on Earth."

^ That is not good for anyone, and it is brainwashing.

From Wikipedia brainwashing is - "any systematic effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person against his will"

The children don't know any better, and your making them believe certain crap and get certain attitude sbefore they can say they don't want it. By the time they are old enough, you have already pumped so much crap into their head that they can't go back against it.

So much for the Land of the Free.....

You're a complete nutbag.

Do you not have pride in your country?
Pride in where one hails from is wrong?
I doubt you've ever even been to the U.S.
I've run into you Brits all over the world. In every instance, what started out as a freindly, "normal" conversation turned into a rant against the U.S.

You're just pissed off because the sun sets on the British empire now and you people just don't like it.
You have had to have been kicked out forcibly all over the world from your occupations and you don't like it. Barbados kicked you out, India kicked you out, Argentinia certainly doesn't like you, Scotland doesn't like you, Ireland DEFINITELY doesn't like you, WE kicked you out, the Arabs kicked you out.

Now all you have is your little cold, rainy, dreary island, and it pisses you off.

So what do you do? Just lash out at the biggest guy on the block. The good ol' U.S. of A.

Go ahead and rant. Coming from you it means very little. We'll be over here enjoying our prosperity, and you can stay on your island and be miserable about all the little countries that have kicked your a$$ and booted you out.

[vtmarik]

It's not branwashing, and it's not nationalism. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is more a tradition than anything else, and kids are not told by teachers that America is the world's greatest country. Instead, they CHOOSE to recite the pledge. It's just an effort to instill some pride in one's country, which is not nationalism. Personally, I think we should stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in school, but you're dead wrong if you think the government brainwashes kids into thinking "that what you say and do is right, and if anyone disagrees they are wrong." A lot of teachers are willing to tell their students exactly what is wrong with the government and how we were wrong to invade Vietnam and Iraq.

So, to summarize: It's not brainwashing if it's optional or if teachers are allowed free speech to criticize the government.

I don't know about you, but teachers at my high school went berserk if you sat down or chose not to recite the pledge. Their fits ranged from rants about how "I should just leave the country" to detention and a near suspension.

When my dad mentioned the words "major" and "lawsuit," they changed their tune pretty damn quick. All of the various students who were punished for voluntarily not reciting the pledge had their punishments rescinded and they never got another negative response to it.

[Titanic]

Re-read it again. "You making them everyday learn the Pledge of Alliance or some shit, and making them believe that America is so good and is the greatest nation on Earth."

^ That is not good for anyone, and it is brainwashing.

From Wikipedia brainwashing is - "any systematic effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person against his will"

The children don't know any better, and your making them believe certain crap and get certain attitude sbefore they can say they don't want it. By the time they are old enough, you have already pumped so much crap into their head that they can't go back against it.

So much for the Land of the Free.....

You're a complete nutbag.

Do you not have pride in your country?
Pride in where one hails from is wrong?
I doubt you've ever even been to the U.S.
I've run into you Brits all over the world. In every instance, what started out as a freindly, "normal" conversation turned into a rant against the U.S.

You're just pissed off because the sun sets on the British empire now and you people just don't like it.
You have had to have been kicked out forcibly all over the world from your occupations and you don't like it. Barbados kicked you out, India kicked you out, Argentinia certainly doesn't like you, Scotland doesn't like you, Ireland DEFINITELY doesn't like you, WE kicked you out, the Arabs kicked you out.

Now all you have is your little cold, rainy, dreary island, and it pisses you off.

So what do you do? Just lash out at the biggest guy on the block. The good ol' U.S. of A.

Go ahead and rant. Coming from you it means very little. We'll be over here enjoying our prosperity, and you can stay on your island and be miserable about all the little countries that have kicked your a$$ and booted you out.

I have plenty of pride for my country, but I wasn force fed it, I got it myself. I have been to the USA. Easter 1996. Went for 2 weeks. NYC and Florida.

I doubt all the Brits you run into start salgging of the USA. The only reason they will is because you start your patriotism shit and try to tell them what to do. We've never been told what to do for almost 1,000 years, not about to start now.

Btw, the Sun still dusn set on the British Empire. For the whole on the winter months the sun is shining on British Antartica. In the summer months we have Canada in the north. We also have UK and Australia, which are 3 places even spaced around the world which will always have sunshine at 1 place.

Barbados kicked us out? You realise the carribean islands we had are still in our Empire. The Queen is still the head of state in those islands.

India kciked us out? They never defeated us. We left because we had no more need to be there, they had done more then enough for us during the two world wars, and our popularity was shrinking. They never actually defeated us, like Vietnam and Iraq have done to you.

Scotland dusn like us? Take a look at the local elections last night and tell me that again.

So what is Argentina dusn like us? I could name tonnes of countries which dont like you....

Ireland does actually like us now. Theres peace in NI, and we work together with Ireland in economic and political terms now. When was the last IRA attack on UK? Too long ago now, that I cant actually remember.

You didn kick us out by yourself. You needed the help of the Spanish and the French to kick out just one portion of our army. We had business elsewhere. You were just one annoying little spec of insigniificance who we didn care about. If we wanted to we would have drafted more troops there and kicked your asses. Thats how crap your army was and still is. So undiciplined, no brains, trigger happy, friendly fire noobs.

The arabs kicked us out? Exactly when is that? Also, at least the arabs likeus more then you. Great job your doing in Iraq.

Little, cold, dreary island? Not bad considering we've got the 5th largest world economy, the world largest financial institute, the most diciplined army in the world, the beggining of the industrial revolution, the strongest ever world power in relative form, the largest empire the world has ever seen, the royal family, the highest percentage of mobile phones per person in the world, the strongest mainstream currency, the City of London, Houses of Parliament, the creators of modern democracy, the first country to successfully beat Nazi Germany, the country who played arguably the largest part in defeating Napolean, the country who instantly stood up to and faught until the end of the wars the axis powers and central powers rather then cowarding of and joining late on, etc...etc...etc..etc...etc... Not bad for a little, cold, dreary island eh?!?

We don't "lash out" at the USA. We just how you why you suck so much, and how you could improve. We use educational, intellectual debates, not childish patriotism crap.

Enjoy your prosperity? Not for long. Indian, China and the EU are coming to kick you ass. The EU already has a larger economy.

Also, little countries kicking our asses? Name some? Would that include Vietnam? North Korea? Iraq? Iran? Columbia? Phillipines? You have had people or armies in all those countries, great job you did. How many have you won? Whats that, ZERO?!?!?!?

The Phillipine government dont even want you to fight the extremists, thats how bad your army is. Your just there for survielance and intelligence. What a hreat army you have you dirtbag.

[gingis khan]

[quote="Fo Sho"][quote="vtmarik"][quote="GustavusAdolphus"]

One Nation, Under God

One Nation? Correct....?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????....ONE NATION?

Indivisible...????!!!!!????????

[gingis khan]

Every country rules, exept Ethiopia, that place sucks.

]
Ethiopia is THE HOLLY LAND for u.s.a.... greek orthodox (by religion)... knights (by upbringing)!!!!!!

[vtmarik]

I have plenty of pride for my country, but I wasn force fed it, I got it myself. I have been to the USA. Easter 1996. Went for 2 weeks. NYC and Florida.

I doubt all the Brits you run into start salgging of the USA. The only reason they will is because you start your patriotism shit and try to tell them what to do. We've never been told what to do for almost 1,000 years, not about to start now.

Btw, the Sun still dusn set on the British Empire. For the whole on the winter months the sun is shining on British Antartica. In the summer months we have Canada in the north. We also have UK and Australia, which are 3 places even spaced around the world which will always have sunshine at 1 place.

Barbados kicked us out? You realise the carribean islands we had are still in our Empire. The Queen is still the head of state in those islands.

India kciked us out? They never defeated us. We left because we had no more need to be there, they had done more then enough for us during the two world wars, and our popularity was shrinking. They never actually defeated us, like Vietnam and Iraq have done to you.

Scotland dusn like us? Take a look at the local elections last night and tell me that again.

So what is Argentina dusn like us? I could name tonnes of countries which dont like you....

Ireland does actually like us now. Theres peace in NI, and we work together with Ireland in economic and political terms now. When was the last IRA attack on UK? Too long ago now, that I cant actually remember.

You didn kick us out by yourself. You needed the help of the Spanish and the French to kick out just one portion of our army. We had business elsewhere. You were just one annoying little spec of insigniificance who we didn care about. If we wanted to we would have drafted more troops there and kicked your asses. Thats how crap your army was and still is. So undiciplined, no brains, trigger happy, friendly fire noobs.

The arabs kicked us out? Exactly when is that? Also, at least the arabs likeus more then you. Great job your doing in Iraq.

Little, cold, dreary island? Not bad considering we've got the 5th largest world economy, the world largest financial institute, the most diciplined army in the world, the beggining of the industrial revolution, the strongest ever world power in relative form, the largest empire the world has ever seen, the royal family, the highest percentage of mobile phones per person in the world, the strongest mainstream currency, the City of London, Houses of Parliament, the creators of modern democracy, the first country to successfully beat Nazi Germany, the country who played arguably the largest part in defeating Napolean, the country who instantly stood up to and faught until the end of the wars the axis powers and central powers rather then cowarding of and joining late on, etc...etc...etc..etc...etc... Not bad for a little, cold, dreary island eh?!?

We don't "lash out" at the USA. We just how you why you suck so much, and how you could improve. We use educational, intellectual debates, not childish patriotism crap.

Enjoy your prosperity? Not for long. Indian, China and the EU are coming to kick you ass. The EU already has a larger economy.

Also, little countries kicking our asses? Name some? Would that include Vietnam? North Korea? Iraq? Iran? Columbia? Phillipines? You have had people or armies in all those countries, great job you did. How many have you won? Whats that, ZERO?!?!?!?

The Phillipine government dont even want you to fight the extremists, thats how bad your army is. Your just there for survielance and intelligence. What a hreat army you have you dirtbag.

O_O

Pwned!

[Backglass]

I have been to the USA. Easter 1996. Went for 2 weeks. NYC and Florida.

Visiting Times Square and Disney World and basing all of the US upon it certainly explains a lot. It would be like saying you visited Cancun and now know what all of Mexico is like!

In the summer months we have Canada in the north.

You do? You might want to check with the Canadians on that.

If we wanted to we would have drafted more troops there and kicked your asses. Thats how crap your army was and still is. So undiciplined, no brains, trigger happy, friendly fire noobs.

Yup...just an army full of noobs. We have a kick-ass army...just a piss poor "commander in chief".

Little, cold, dreary island? Not bad considering we've got the 5th largest world economy

<chanting>

WE'RE NUMBER FIVE!

WE'RE NUMBER FIVE!

the royal family

This is a bragging point?

the highest percentage of mobile phones per person in the world

Again...your proud of this, why?

the strongest mainstream currency

Perhaps...but you must admit, not as universally accepted as the US dollar.

Enjoy your prosperity? Not for long.

Yeah, we're going down alright. Did you see the Dow this week BTW? My portfolio is rockin'!

[Titanic]

I have been to the USA. Easter 1996. Went for 2 weeks. NYC and Florida.

Visiting Times Square and Disney World and basing all of the US upon it certainly explains a lot. It would be like saying you visited Cancun and now know what all of Mexico is like!

I never said I knew what all of the USA was like. The racist twat said I had never been to the USA, I was just saying that I had.

In the summer months we have Canada in the north.

You do? You might want to check with the Canadians on that.

Whats there to check? The Canadians and Australains never fully declared themselves independant. It may only be a title now, and not mean anything, but technically we still "own" them.

If we wanted to we would have drafted more troops there and kicked your asses. Thats how crap your army was and still is. So undiciplined, no brains, trigger happy, friendly fire noobs.

Yup...just an army full of noobs. We have a kick-ass army...just a piss poor "commander in chief".

Um, yer. Your army is full of noobs. As I said. Undiciplined. Not clever. Ignorant. Trigger happy. Love friendly fire. Cant tell an enemy from an ally. Would be useless if they weren't backed up by so mcuh technology. Dipshits.

Little, cold, dreary island? Not bad considering we've got the 5th largest world economy

<chanting>

WE'RE NUMBER FIVE!

WE'RE NUMBER FIVE!

And we're also NUMBER ONE when you count us as part of the EU. You should start chanting "WE'RE NUMBER TWO!", cus you aint the strongest int he world anymore, and China and India are catching your asses up quickly. Give it 40 years.....

the royal family

This is a bragging point?

Considering the amount of tourists (especially Americans) who visit Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Tower of London, and other Royal attraction, yer it is a bragging right. The royalty are admired worldwide.

the highest percentage of mobile phones per person in the world

Again...your proud of this, why?

Very developed country. More so then any other in the world in this aspect. Loads of disposable income, strong economic growth and properity, large companies and mass-consumers, but then again, what would you know of anything remotely educational?

the strongest mainstream currency

Perhaps...but you must admit, not as universally accepted as the US dollar.

Universally accepted? Do you even know what that means? No currency is remotely universally accepted. You cannot spend US Dollars outside of USA. Maybe a couple of neighbouring countries would accept them, but no one else would.

My original point was on the strength of the currency anyway, in which the pound is now over twice as strong as the dollar.

Enjoy your prosperity? Not for long.

Yeah, we're going down alright. Did you see the Dow this week BTW? My portfolio is rockin'!

I never said you were going down. Learn to read. Your world market share is lessoning as other countries are growing much much faster then you. Like I said earlier, give it 40 years, and America will just be a sideline country...

[Backglass]

I never said I knew what all of the USA was like. The racist twat said I had never been to the USA, I was just saying that I had.

Still, these two tourist destinations give you a fish-eye view of our country.

Whats there to check? The Canadians and Australains never fully declared themselves independant. It may only be a title now, and not mean anything, but technically we still "own" them.

"Own them", huh? Any Canadians in the house? I work with a couple and will pass this quote onto them...and then stand back.

Um, yer. Your army is full of noobs. As I said. Undisciplined. Not clever. Ignorant. Trigger happy. Love friendly fire. Cant tell an enemy from an ally. Would be useless if they weren't backed up by so mcuh technology. Dipshits.

They "love friendly fire"? "Undisciplined dipshits"?? How exactly are you coming to these brilliant conclusions? These kind of rants just make you look silly you know.

You should start chanting "WE'RE NUMBER TWO!", cus you aint the strongest int he world anymore, and China and India are catching your asses up quickly. Give it 40 years.....

I guess we will have to wait 40 years and see, wont we. Lets assume you are right and in 40 years we are number 4. Would that make you feel better?

Considering the amount of tourists (especially Americans) who visit Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Tower of London, and other Royal attraction, yer it is a bragging right.

I'll put Las Vegas up against your royal family for international tourist dollars any day.

The royalty are admired worldwide.

You really think so? I doubt that seriously. Perhaps at one time, but now they are nothing but a glorified tourist attraction. I also think it's foolish to send Prince Harry to Iraq. Are they crazy? Talk about a giant bullseye on your ass....

Very developed country. More so then any other in the world in this aspect. Loads of disposable income, strong economic growth and properity, large companies and mass-consumers

Agreed. We have none of that over here.

but then again, what would you know of anything remotely educational?

Huh? I have no education? You sure do know a lot about people you have never met. Should I just assume you have bad teeth?

Universally accepted? Do you even know what that means? No currency is remotely universally accepted. You cannot spend US Dollars outside of USA. Maybe a couple of neighbouring countries would accept them, but no one else would.

I have traveled to over 30 countries so far and although I always change my US dollars for local currency, I have on occasion ran out and used US Currency with taxi's and merchants in almost all of them. Granted for a loss against the prevailing conversion rate, but nonetheless accepted, yes. I didn't need to whilst in the UK however...they accepted American Express with no problem.

My original point was on the strength of the currency anyway, in which the pound is now over twice as strong as the dollar.

It is strong...no doubt.

I never said you were going down. Learn to read.

And I didn't quote you as saying such, thanks.

Your world market share is lessoning as other countries are growing much much faster then you. Like I said earlier, give it 40 years, and America will just be a sideline country...

A sideline country? You honestly think that don't you. While I in no way would be pompous enough to say we will stay on top forever, to say we will someday be just a sideline is just more silly ranting in my opinion.

I guess we will check back in 40 and see who was right.

[Iz Man]

Way to go Backglass. It shows that even though we may be on different sides on many issues, we both can see blind hatred for the U.S.

Titanic:

Racist twat? Not sure where that came from.

Backglass is right about the U.S. dollar. All the world's currencies are valued against the U.S. dollar, not the British pound.

So you "own" Canada and Austrailia? I'm sure the Canadians and Aussies would beg to differ. The Scots don't consider themselves British, they consider themselves Scottish. We've all seen Braveheart, we know how they feel about you. Same with the Irish, you think most Irish DON"T want a unified Ireland? Please.......

The U.S. military is the most powerful and well trained in the history of civilization. This is undisputed. A military force cannot get by on technology alone, you need quality manpower to back it up. The Brits have a fine military, your Special Forces are top notch. I won't take anything away from the quality of the U.K.'s military, but you are now showing your ignorance when it comes to military power, that is now obvious. It's also obvious you haven't served.

I'll have to look up the numbers, but I'll bet more people visit Disney Land than the Royal Palace every year. For what its worth.

Remotely educational? Backglass? HA ! He & I may not agree on many things, but all you have to do is read what he writes and know he has come to his conclusions from education & experience, not blind hatred.
The U.S. has the top Universities in the world. That's why thousands upon thousands aquire student visas to go to school here. You have Oxford and others, sure, but not near the numbers and variety of institutions of higher learning.

You have made my point. Thank you. You have shown that you still maintain a Colonial attitude towards the world, that the sun never sets on the "empire" *cue Star Wars music now*........

[Iz Man]

but then again, what would you know of anything remotely educational?

Huh? I have no education? You sure do know a lot about people you have never met. Should I just assume you have bad teeth?

Now THAT was funny

[Guiscard]

Titanic, mate, I'm afraid you are getting owned a little here...

Getting irate really doesn't help arguments

[Titanic]

I never said I knew what all of the USA was like. The racist twat said I had never been to the USA, I was just saying that I had.

Still, these two tourist destinations give you a fish-eye view of our country.

I didn learn most of what I know about USA from going there. I enjoyed my trip to the USA, my second favourite holiday that I've been on so far. I learnt what I know about USA from the news, from books, from my teachers, from the internet, etc...

Whats there to check? The Canadians and Australains never fully declared themselves independant. It may only be a title now, and not mean anything, but technically we still "own" them.

"Own them", huh? Any Canadians in the house? I work with a couple and will pass this quote onto them...and then stand back.

Notice how I say "technically" and put own in commas. In realistic terms we dont, but technically we do.

Um, yer. Your army is full of noobs. As I said. Undisciplined. Not clever. Ignorant. Trigger happy. Love friendly fire. Cant tell an enemy from an ally. Would be useless if they weren't backed up by so mcuh technology. Dipshits.

They "love friendly fire"? "Undisciplined dipshits"?? How exactly are you coming to these brilliant conclusions? These kind of rants just make you look silly you know.

Friendly fire? I could bring up loads of examples where your troops have killed British and other troops, rather then the real enemy. If you want me to, I'll get a few links. Here a quick one - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendly_f ... ._military[/quote]

You should start chanting "WE'RE NUMBER TWO!", cus you aint the strongest int he world anymore, and China and India are catching your asses up quickly. Give it 40 years.....

I guess we will have to wait 40 years and see, wont we. Lets assume you are right and in 40 years we are number 4. Would that make you feel better?

It wont make me feel any different in 40 years (supposing I'm still alive) because I would have forgot about this. Although I do criticise the US heavily (I feel as the sole superpower they should be setting examples on how to behave, not on how not to behave), I would rather have a world as USA as the superpower then China.

Considering the amount of tourists (especially Americans) who visit Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Tower of London, and other Royal attraction, yer it is a bragging right.

I'll put Las Vegas up against your royal family for international tourist dollars any day.

If its possible to compare the money spent by international tourists at all these places, go ahead. Also, remember you have got to take into account what the economy gains from this, not what the casinos gain.

The royalty are admired worldwide.

You really think so? I doubt that seriously. Perhaps at one time, but now they are nothing but a glorified tourist attraction. I also think it's foolish to send Prince Harry to Iraq. Are they crazy? Talk about a giant bullseye on your ass....

Hes a British citizen in the army. Hes got the right to fight for this country... Btw, the Royals are adminred, thats why they get laods of invitations from foreign states to visit them, and when they do they do give them a really grand welcome. If they were not admired, why go to the effort?

Very developed country. More so then any other in the world in this aspect. Loads of disposable income, strong economic growth and properity, large companies and mass-consumers

Agreed. We have none of that over here.

I never said there wasn. Just saying for mobile phone comsumption we are the most advanced, that was all, your the one who said that it means nothing. I was just saying what it meant, I never said we were the only ones to have it.

but then again, what would you know of anything remotely educational?

Huh? I have no education? You sure do know a lot about people you have never met. Should I just assume you have bad teeth?

Very mature, bring in the lame stereotypes...

I was talking about your debating skills earlier, not your actual education. You do not really put facts and stuff behind that, you just try to make a joke out of most of the comments.

Universally accepted? Do you even know what that means? No currency is remotely universally accepted. You cannot spend US Dollars outside of USA. Maybe a couple of neighbouring countries would accept them, but no one else would.

I have traveled to over 30 countries so far and although I always change my US dollars for local currency, I have on occasion ran out and used US Currency with taxi's and merchants in almost all of them. Granted for a loss against the prevailing conversion rate, but nonetheless accepted, yes. I didn't need to whilst in the UK however...they accepted American Express with no problem.

Yes, because American Express operates here. Using a card and currency are two different things. I can use my HSBC card anywhere is Europe or the USA, or most of Asia if I wanted.

Racist twat? Not sure where that came from.

It was aimed at xtratabasco

Backglass is right about the U.S. dollar. All the world's currencies are valued against the U.S. dollar, not the British pound.

I never denied that, although technically it is not 100% true. Re-read what I said.

So you "own" Canada and Austrailia? I'm sure the Canadians and Aussies would beg to differ. The Scots don't consider themselves British, they consider themselves Scottish. We've all seen Braveheart, we know how they feel about you. Same with the Irish, you think most Irish DON"T want a unified Ireland? Please.......

Great idea, base what you know abut foreign countries on Hollywood! Scotland does not want to be independant as they proved in the local elections last night. SNP didn get anywhere near a 50% vote. Somewhere around 30% if I remember correctly.

I never said Irish people want a unified Ireland. I said NI was peaceful...

The U.S. military is the most powerful and well trained in the history of civilization. This is undisputed. A military force cannot get by on technology alone, you need quality manpower to back it up.

Powerful, no doubt. Trained, definately not. One example. In the Pacific, the USA have a military training base. The average time a USA soldier takes to complete it is 5 hours. The French militray conducted exercises there, and half of their people did it in under 1 hour, with teh quickest time being 45 mins.

It's also obvious you haven't served.

I'm 17. I dont plan to serve either, I'm going to university.

I'll have to look up the numbers, but I'll bet more people visit Disney Land than the Royal Palace every year. For what its worth.

You really need to read properly, or stop twisting what I am saying.

The U.S. has the top Universities in the world. That's why thousands upon thousands aquire student visas to go to school here. You have Oxford and others, sure, but not near the numbers and variety of institutions of higher learning.

Because you have a population 5x the size of ours? Possibly? Also because you pay shitlaods to the university to attend it, whilst we only pay £3000 per annum.

You have shown that you still maintain a Colonial attitude towards the world, that the sun never sets on the "empire"

No I dont, I am very anti-imperialist. I only mention Australia and Canada as they are "technically" still in the Empire, even though in real terms I know that they are independant and are there own countries.

[Titanic]

Getting irate really doesn't help arguments

Yer I know, blame ICT A2's. 4 courseworks in for Tuesday. Thank god for the Bank Holiday though.

Unfortunately got dragged in against my will in a debate about evolution with some fanatic Muslims at my school today. That was annoying, I thought most people (especially ones who study Biology at A Level) take evolution as fact...

[Iz Man]

I didn learn most of what I know about USA from going there. I enjoyed my trip to the USA, my second favourite holiday that I've been on so far. I learnt what I know about USA from the news, from books, from my teachers, from the internet, etc...

Perhaps you should expand your sources. Maybe then you will realize that even though the U.S. has its faults (as all nations do), there are many admireable traits it possesses. Your blind hatred is doing just that, blinding you.

Whats there to check? The Canadians and Australains never fully declared themselves independant. It may only be a title now, and not mean anything, but technically we still "own" them.

Nothing's changed, I see.

Friendly fire? I could bring up loads of examples where your troops have killed British and other troops, rather then the real enemy. If you want me to, I'll get a few links.

Friendly fire is very unfortunately a consequence of war. To attribute it to "noobs" and incompetence is absurd. Once again you show your lack of understanding of military conflict.

If its possible to compare the money spent by international tourists at all these places, go ahead. Also, remember you have got to take into account what the economy gains from this, not what the casinos gain.

Money spent in the casinos (or just about anywhere) goes into the respective local economy. Nevada's economy booms mainly because of the casinos. Not sure what your point is here.

The royalty are admired worldwide.

Admired like celebrity. I won't flame your royalty, but you have to admit they are now nothing but figureheads with no real power. People flock to see them and where they live because of their celebrity.

Very mature, bring in the lame stereotypes...

Backglass was responding to your insult. He didn't start it.

Universally accepted? Do you even know what that means? No currency is remotely universally accepted. You cannot spend US Dollars outside of USA. Maybe a couple of neighbouring countries would accept them, but no one else would.

Hmmm, lets see. I've spent U.S. CASH in Japan, Austrailia, Hong Kong (albeit before China took it back), Singapore, Thailand, Phillipines, Panama, Barbados, Italy, and Egypt. Just off the top of my head.

Great idea, base what you know abut foreign countries on Hollywood! Scotland does not want to be independant as they proved in the local elections last night. SNP didn get anywhere near a 50% vote. Somewhere around 30% if I remember correctly.
I never said Irish people want a unified Ireland. I said NI was peaceful...

It was obviously said tongue-in-cheek. I still find it difficult to believe the average Scot on the street does not want a free, independent Scotland.
Just because there is peace in Northern Ireland now, does not mean that the Irish don't want to become one unified nation.

Powerful, no doubt. Trained, definately not. One example. In the Pacific, the USA have a military training base. The average time a USA soldier takes to complete it is 5 hours. The French militray conducted exercises there, and half of their people did it in under 1 hour, with teh quickest time being 45 mins.

This makes no sense. What are you talking about? There's a base, and the French completed it in 45min? Completed what? The other people? Who?
You're going to have to SERIOUSLY back up any military "facts" you come up with as you've already proven your lack of knowledge in this area.

Because you have a population 5x the size of ours? Possibly? Also because you pay shitlaods to the university to attend it, whilst we only pay £3000 per annum.

So U.S. universities cost more and yet more & more people choose to go to them.
You get what you pay for I guess.

I'm 17.

You should have Guiscard sit in for you now. He'll do a much better job.
Maybe we can continue this when you get big.

[Backglass]

Notice how I say "technically" and put own in commas. In realistic terms we dont, but technically we do.

Notice how I say "That means Jack Shit" because both are now 100% independent. "Technically" if you wanted them back, you would be out of luck.

Friendly fire? I could bring up loads of examples where your troops have killed British and other troops, rather then the real enemy. If you want me to, I'll get a few links.

Of course. Friendly fire has occurred in every military since time began, but thats not what you are saying. You are saying they "love it", which I am sure they do not.

Although I do criticise the US heavily (I feel as the sole superpower they should be setting examples on how to behave, not on how not to behave), I would rather have a world as USA as the superpower then China.

I agree on both counts.

Hes a British citizen in the army. Hes got the right to fight for this country...

Of course, this was never in question. But to send him into Iraq, where he will be target #1 and needlessly put others at increased risk is foolish in my opinion.

Btw, the Royals are admired, thats why they get laods of invitations from foreign states to visit them, and when they do they do give them a really grand welcome. If they were not admired, why go to the effort?

George W. Bush gets many invites and grand welcomes. He must be admired the world over!

Very mature, bring in the lame stereotypes...

You mean like all Americans are fat idiots?

I was talking about your debating skills earlier, not your actual education. You do not really put facts and stuff behind that, you just try to make a joke out of most of the comments.

It's been working quite well thus far. I will try to work on my "facts and stuff".

Yes, because American Express operates here.

Yes, it certainly does.

Powerful, no doubt. Trained, definately not. One example. In the Pacific, the USA have a military training base. The average time a USA soldier takes to complete it is 5 hours. The French militray conducted exercises there, and half of their people did it in under 1 hour, with teh quickest time being 45 mins.

I say bullshit...sounds like nationalist propaganda to me. Please state your source.

I'm 17.

Why am I not surprised?

I'm going to university.

Good for you, and good luck.

Because you have a population 5x the size of ours? Possibly?

Sooo...the larger the population the better the schools? Great ! I'm sending my kids to Beijing University!

[GustavusAdolphus]

Hey Titanic, guess what? No one outside of the UK gives a f*ck about the queen! Seriously, no one listens to what the British royal family has to say, and no one cares unless one of them gets married or dresses as a Nazi or dies in a car crash. They're just fodder for the papparazzi, except they get paid by the state to piss away everyone's time.

[GustavusAdolphus]

Oh shit, I just saw that the UK has "the highest percentage of mobile phones per person in the world." Damn, looks like us Americans got our asses kicked. Even though the US is bigger, more powerful, with a better army, the financial capital of the world, and the banking capital of the world, the UK has a higher cell phone per person ratio!

Aaaauuuughhhhhh!!!! My blindness to the fact that America is piss-poor compared to the UK is being torn away even as I type!!! NOOOOOO!!!!! The truth hurts, the truth hurts!!!!

[gingis khan]

what's wrong with you people?????? brits (who killed their own Princess for having a muslim child) and americans (who killed everybody else!!!)...debating over moral and ethika!!!!!!?????????!!!!!!!!