Posted on 11/05/2004 2:53:54 PM PST by BritishBulldog
Just lately (noticeably since the US election result) there seems to be an awful lot of anti-British sentiment on here (there always was a little but I put that down to a handful of xenophobic kiddies)
What I would like to know is do most Freepers now share the low opinion that some (many) on here seem to have of our nation or is it just a small (but very vocal) minority of morons?
I've enjoyed this forum (for the relatively short time that I've contributed) and have always liked Americans in general, but I now find myself reconsidering my thoughts on both.
If we Brits are not liked or wanted around here, I think I'll probably discontinue my involvement.
"I do not care what these studies show, as when they relate to mental characteristics, I know them to be unreliable."
It is good to see that you are keeping an open mind on the subject.
"Most twins are exceptional people, they are rare, and so are not representative of the overall population."
I believe this is what is commonly known as "spin".
"Upbringing (environment) affects these choices (as your parents teach you morality)."
I see. So that explains why siblings always have exactly the same temperaments, intelligence, and morals.
(siblings share on average 50% of their genes)
33% of the Brits and 52% of the Americans myself - as in - I trust them.
Europeans, on the other hand seemed to enjoy taking great sport in disliking our "cowboy" president(s) and making fun of them in your press; calling both our President Reagan and then President Bush names like stupid, swaggering, etc.
In fact our President is above average in intelligence. Being an American doesn't mean trying to PROVE how smart we are.
Brits seem to base their opinions of our Presidents on what our media has to say. Our "liberal" media loved Bill Clinton and gave him a pass in too many areas and it was actually your newspaper The Telegraph who wrote the stories everyone here in the States should have been reading in our own papers.
What your news organizations don't appreciate is our country's history, where the likes of a Southern Bush is more popular than the stiffness of a Boston Kerry. American's are patriotic people who love their country, God and family and are pretty fun-loving people. What you see on American TV doesn't, as a rule, represent mainstream America. American's usually tell it like it is; we don't pussyfoot around.
In the post-9/11 world we enjoyed much empathy around the world and the relationship between USA and England seemed to strengthen on a bond built between our President and your Prime Minister. At one point Tony Blair came here and was invited to speak before our congress. Something we don't do as a rule it was a great honor bestowed on a valued friend.
In return, during the run-up to war, our President visited your country and we were terrified for him due to all the threats to take his life if he sat foot on British soil. A huge slap in the face of ALL Americans who wouldn'think of threatening any of the foreign leaders who visit our country on a regular basis. The vitriol aimed at President Bush and our country pre-visit was over the top, insulting and very rude.
Fast forward to a few weeks before the election with the British paper, the Guardian, decided it was their duty to influence our election by a retreating campaign to the good citizens of Ohio; they felt it was their duty to explain how "stupid" our President is (in their view).
When the letter-writing campaign backfired they wrote an editorial imploring someone to assinate our President. I can say unequivocally American's would NEVER do such a thing to any other world leader.
Now our election is over, our President was reelected by the largest popular vote in history and your papers and citizens are screaming that we are horrible, stupid people and just don't get it.
I dare say; we do get it. We are a conservative, capitalistic society; not a liberal society. We don't embrace Socialism as a way of life in our country; but American's are some of the most generous people on the planet. We give generously of our time for causes we care deeply about. We're unable to turn a blind eye when we see people living under a ruthless dictator who will deprive their citizens of food in order to enrich himself. We are not warmongers, but we will not run when a fight is brought to our doorstep.
I'm half British. Me Mum came over the pond when she was 18 after she met and married my USAF Dad stationed over there.
I could call myself British-American but I can't stand that hypenated stuff.
Please stay! We just don't like being told how to vote or that our President should be assassinated (even as a joke). There are some obnoxious people in England and there are obnoxious people in America...Michael Moore, most of Hollywood and everyone at DU for starters.
BTW, I really like Tony Blair, Margart Thatcher, "Are You Being Served?" Hyacinth Bucket, Rowan Atkinson and "Black Adder" , "Ground Force", (I could go on and on)...
and I call my kids, "sweeetie dahling" (AB Fab).
So as I said, please stay!
"I am training to be a Biomedical Scientist."
It sounds like you are being educated in Britain. It also sounds like you are getting the good old fashion leftist, politically correct brain washing at the hands of your Professors. While you may have to toe the party line in order to stay in the good graces of your Professors, this is an anonymous forum and thus you are allowed to write and think freely without punishment.
Yep. We're not anti-British, we just don't appreciate the Euro masses who think we're stupid because we re-elected our President. I know some comments must sound insulting if you're relatively new around here, but don't worry, we FReepers know who our friends are.
When someone makes an anti-British comment here, it's understood by FReepers that it's referring to the unenlightened liberals who think we should all fall into lockstep with their mindset. Americans - and particularly FReepers! - don't like being told what to do or how to think.
We have lots of fellow FReepers in your country and around the world, and we value their input. Please don't take questionable comments personally, and know that you are certainly welcome here.
Tom Clancy once characterized the relationship between the U.S. and U.K. thusly: while America would defend its allies, they would throw themselves in front of a train to save England. I think this still holds true, but seeing so many rabid leftists over there causes us much dismay. For myself, I only feel all the more sympathy for the Tories and I'd really like to see them roll things back. It's only a shame that so many people don't realize what they lost when Margaret Thatcher retired.
Ask BBD what Tony's stance on gun ownership is.
Actually, we don't all love the Brits. Although those among my ancestors who were Hugueonots probably liked them fine, but those who came to America as White Coats, and then fled to Vincinnes as beidereinders probably didn't!
They are reacting to the British headlines after Bush won, and to the perception that typical Brits dislike Bush for all the usual stupid reasons of the knee jerk left. And they are right to do so.
Blair has done well and kept the British state by our side when it counted. But it is widely believed he has not delivered British public opinion to the same place, but simply defied it successfully. For which he is admired, but that admiration does not extend to those he has to defy in order to do the right thing.
And if you want to take your ball and go home crying wah wah, please don't let the door smack your backside on the way out. Pantywaists of any variety are not needed here. You are with us or you are with the terrorists, the rest is self-regard, ignoring clear moral duties, and denial.
I am talking only about the vermin who took to the streets. Also you must admit, there is far less support for the war on terror among British than American people. Yes Blair's obsession with "Palestine" is terribly vexing
You must admit the Independent with those headlines and pictures was wayyyyy over the top????? What if we had headlines in the US papers with the same thing in reverse?
"Moral characteristics such as stoicism are determined by the choices that individuals make"
Yeah right. It is just coincidence that all the individual South American Indians decide to be stoic.
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