Defend the Second Amendment!

As for UK politics I've been trying to restrain myself from asking why an Englishman feels the need to poke his nose into ours? We've defeated them at war thrice now and still took the time and trouble to pull their arses out of the fire at least once and still they don't learn.

 

I think it...

...actually, I think Balbus will respond better to this trash talk.

 

What? You don't remember being beaten in war thrice? Need I list them for you?

 

We? You didn't do shit.

 

You've never heard of genetic time travel? I'm using the national 'we' you silly goose. My family has served on the ships of this nation since its establishment.

 

Balbus talking about US politics has nothing to do with who beat who during any particular war.
You may find many people on this forum talk about issues occurring around the world.
Instead of asking why, perhaps try and respond to his arguments.
Otherwise you just seem like a...well, I imagine he can explain that one too.

 

Do you ever wonder why the US pokes its nose in issues around the world?

 

As long as it makes you comfortable rubbing people's noses in events no one on this forum had anything to do with, I guess that makes sense.

 

I think it makes as much sense as some Brit telling us how to run our country.

 

I would stick to the forum games section if I were you.

#wasteoftime

 

Meagain

I don’t think I’m a defender of private cars, but I understand their necessity to travel in some areas – I would very much like to limit the amount of times they are used by promoting and improving public transport.

In many European towns and cities the centers are pedestrianised - in London we have a congestion zone covering the centre to discourage unnecessary car travel there.

I could go on but I don’t think this is the place.

 

Ranger

I have many interests one of which is US politics.

Ok I like history it’s another interest of mine so I’m happy to talk about it.

*

What wars are you talking about?

American War of Independence?

1812-14?

WWII?

*

Heres something I’ve posted about the American War of Independence

"The Battle of the Chesapeake… was a crucial naval battle in the American War of Independence that took place near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay…The battle was tactically inconclusive but strategically a major defeat for the British, since it prevented the Royal Navy from reinforcing or evacuating the blockaded forces of Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. When the French were able to achieve temporary control of the sea lanes against the British, the result was the reinforcement of the American army with siege artillery and French troops—all of which proved decisive in the Siege of Yorktown, effectively securing American independence." (Wiki)

it is an interesting ‘what if’ to wonder what would have happened if the French had kept out of the rebellion (but I don’t think in those day they could keep out of any possible way of poking the English in the eye).

But what I do think is that the French don’t get enough credit, the myth that often seems to be promoted is that a rag-tag army of republican American individualist’s all alone and through plucky determination beat up the British and throw them into the sea. When the real story is that they could not have done it (the way it was done) without the money and direct military assistance of one of the most powerful kingdoms on the planet at that time, which was ruled by one of the most absolute of monarchs.

I mean the claim often expressed by some Americans was that the rebels were fighting against despotism but the thing is that they were doing it (and possibly could only have done it) with the aid of a despot.

*

The war of 1812 was a bit of a sideshow compared with what was going on in Europe at the time. About the same number of British soldiers died in battle in the whole war (1,600) as did in one battle in Europe (Talavera 1,600).

*

As to WWII

Here is something I’ve posted before -

Many Americans like to claim that if the US hadn’t entered the war in Europe the British and Russians would be speaking German. But the thing is that the tide was turning before then (Battle of Britain, Battle of Moscow) and there were a lot of pent up problems within the German system.

Try Adam Tooze’s excellent ‘The wages of Destruction’
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wages-Destruction-Making-Breaking-Economy/dp/0713995661"]The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy: Amazon.co.uk: Adam Tooze: Books


I think that Hitler’s empire would have fallen even without US troops with the most likely outcome being a Europe much more dominated by the Soviet Union.

But the thing is that we were allies it wasn’t about ‘saving’ us but because Germany had declared war on the USA, yes Germany declared war on the US not the other way around, it has been argued that if it hadn’t that the US might not have sent troops to Europe.

*

 

Ranger

The thing is (as others here have pointed out) that it’s a bit silly to talk of ‘us’ and ‘them’ when talking of the past, and can be dangerous to clear thinking. There are people in the UK that still refer to ‘Great’ Britain (its actually a geographical term not a honorific) and talk about when Britain ruled half the world, and this can colour the way they see the world today (eg voting Ukip and wanting out of the EU).

I’m anti-imperialist and look back on the British Empire with horror and loathing; I mean do Americans look back at the treatment of native Americans and slaves with pride?

Also the fruits of empire mainly went to a select few, not to the common people for them improvements came after the empire was basically gone (after WWII welfare state, NHS, public housing etc)

 

Odon

I don’t think he can because he hasn’t any counter arguments – that’s why he is posting the nonsense.

 

True. Hence me suggesting he sticks to the forum games.

 

Here is an interesting piece about a study published by the Annals of Emergency Medicine

Study: Cities Safer than Countryside -- Because Car Crashes Deadlier Than Guns
http://www.wnyc.org/story/308381-cities-are-safer-countryside-reason-car-crashes-deadlier-guns/

More car related injury/deaths in countryside that in urban areas (mainly due to speeding and more miles travelled)

Gun related injury/deaths about the same in both areas but urban more homicide country more suicides.

 

Sorry folks, Balbus is so far off topic I couldn't resist. Remember the Pig War of Griffin Bay!

 

I agree.
As I have asked before with little or no answer;
Mr. Frankenstein certainly has no problem finding, posting and discussing issues and problems with the UK and it's government, yet Balbus acts as if America is the only nation with problems that need to be addressed.
Further Balbus appears to go out of his way to avoid any discussion of problems in the UK, yet seeks out any and every opportunity to bash on American politics and lay blame for many of the worlds ill's based on his "arm-chair" political assessments.

It is that dichotomy that Balbus exhibits concerning these topics that makes him come across as a pompous ass, and that detracts from any credibility his arguments may have.

I know I'm "off-topic", but I'm more interested in the people and their motivations that peek out in between the lines of typed text.

What keeps peeking out of Balbus' posts is a what appears to be a real need to "blame" someone or something.


One point I think is important in understanding the different attitudes is the fundamental, basic difference in American core politics and British politics.

America was founded based on the concept of personal freedom.
British politics was/is rooted in monarchy rule and lack of personal freedoms.

That has a very profound impact on the perceptions each has on "freedom", and is one main reason people like Balbus have difficulty with concepts such as gun ownership.

Now I know I'm going to get blasted for this and told about how British politics isn't like that anymore, yada, yada,....BULLSHIT!!!!!!

The actual political structure and engine may not be the same, but as far as the psyche of the common citizen many are still very much "subjects" of the crown.

Don't believe me? consider all the hoopla and bullshit over "Royal Weddings" and all that crap.

So while the crown and monarchy may no longer hold the political power they once did, they still have a very strong hold on the minds and attitudes of many of it's citizen's, or should I say "subjects".


So before you go banning me for expressing my opinion again Balbus, consider that if you also went after issues in your own country the same as you go after America, your arguments would be much better received and the persona you portray would be entirely different.