NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm really sick of all the america-bashing that goes on the forums...America isn't all that bad. No really- I believe America is the best country there is right now, even though I'm from India.
Anyone else think the same?

Ewwww.

-puts on his crash helmut-

Let the insults begin.

Sorry lad, that is just flick matches..... ;)

I'd rather live in Australia, or better still, Sweden, Canada or the Netherlands... even Belgium...

In fact anywhere in Europe.

India's a cool country though, pity about the poverty and corruption :(

I'd rather live in Australia, or better still, Sweden, Canada or the Netherlands... even Belgium...

In fact anywhere in Europe.

India's a cool country though, pity about the poverty and corruption :(


Canada sure. The Netherlands or Belgium? Don't know

Sweden would be nice but the tax rate is crazy.

I loved India. Been up and down the country.

Don't know if I would want to live there long term.....

Canada sure. The Netherlands or Belgium? Don't know

Sweden would be nice but the tax rate is crazy.

I loved India. Been up and down the country.

Don't know if I would want to live there long term.....

Nah nah nah man definatly Svewn blonde chicks straya too
Svewn has high taxes but health care is sorted out no worries

Nah nah nah man definatly Svewn blonde chicks straya too
Svewn has high taxes but health care is sorted out no worries

They are in deed beautiful. Especially in Stockholm.....

There is far too much anti-Americanism here. I am accused of starting some of it because I started a thread asking why many (NOT all) Americans are so interested in my country (Ireland). However, no criticism of them was meant at all. I'd rather not live in many parts of America, but that has to do with Politics, not the people. I've met a few assholes from the States, but I've met plenty of assholes from here, from Great Britain, from mainland Europe etc as well.

I hate the American administration, but as long as those in the States that support it accept that the rest of the world doesn't have to agree with their ideas, what really is the problem? And there are also a lot that *don't* agree with it. I think Americans are viewed as an arrogant people who want to police the world, but that is such a gross generalisation and the belief that there are some who hold to that way of thinking shouldn't be taken out on the majority who just want to get on with their lives!

i'll stay in the uk for now thank you...and please justify your argument as to why the us is the best place to be, coz i'm sick of hearing about the damn place...it might be a good place to live for certain people but for others it sucks, same as everywhere else.....who cares anyway..

i'll stay in the uk for now thank you...and please justify your argument as to why the us is the best place to be, coz i'm sick of hearing about the damn place...it might be a good place to live for certain people but for others it sucks, same as everywhere else.....who cares anyway..

Have you even been to the country? If so where?

You get a bashing because (this is genreally the case not and not for every American);

1 - you think you invented everything and did everything look at the thread "37 reasons why the US is cool"
2 - You have littel concept of other nations and regions
3 - Everything that comes out of America is US-centris. Even nation states. I had an Issues saying that Baseball, or rounders as we call it in Britain, wanted goivernement funding to start a league. Not of major interest anywhere else yet now all sports are banned in my country! Just because we're not American's
4 - the only really good thing to come out of America is Rock N Roll
5 - You joined the 2 World Wars several years late and then claim complete credit for beating Gernamy; if it hadn't been for Britain there wouldn't have been any major resistence. What do you think would have happened if we had joined with Gernamny as he asked us?
6 - You made us give up all of our colonies to open trade for you at a time we were particulalry weak - now look what's happened to them (Zimbabwe etc.)
7 - You're good at helping to win wars but have absolutely no idea how to control and win the ensuing peace
8 - You invented Line Dancing
9 - You all seem to think the majority of the World's population really cares about Bush and Kerry
10 - You invented McDonald's and coke a cola
11 - You started the trend of raising inflections in speach at the end of sentences even when they're not a question, as in "I'm going to university this year?"
12 - you invented the phrase "cool" which is now the most used and annoyingly vacuous statement I can think of

Ther are more reasons why you get a bashing but mostly due to America's completely inward looking views and opinions.

Funnily enough I quite like most Americans and some American things (music and ummm well music I suppose) just not the overbearing "culture"

Having visited America (Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, N. Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Ilinois, Indiana, Tennesee, Alabama, Florida, S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, D.C., Maryland, N. Jersey, N. York, Pensylvania, Vermant, N. Hampshire and Maine), Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nefoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec), Belize, Venezuela, Brazil, Jamaica, Dutch Antilles, Bermuda, Andros, Uraguay, Falklands, S.Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Rhodesia, Kenya, Liberia, Gabon, Nigeria, Sudan, Rawanda, Senegal, DR Congo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, India, Qatar, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Brunei, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, Georgia, Khasakstan, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Eire, Wales and Scotland,

I can safely say that would rather live where I do now: England, followed quite closey by any State in the USA, with Canada in 3rd. Of countries I have stayed in I wouldn't like to live anywhere other than those 3.

i am from australia and i like america

Having visited America (Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, N. Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Ilinois, Indiana, Tennesee, Alabama, Florida, S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, D.C., Maryland, N. Jersey, N. York, Pensylvania, Vermant, N. Hampshire and Maine), Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nefoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec), Belize, Venezuela, Brazil, Jamaica, Dutch Antilles, Bermuda, Andros, Uraguay, Falklands, S.Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Rhodesia, Kenya, Liberia, Gabon, Nigeria, Sudan, Rawanda, Senegal, DR Congo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, India, Qatar, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Brunei, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, Georgia, Khasakstan, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Eire, Wales and Scotland,

I can safely say that would rather live where I do now: England, followed quite closey by any State in the USA, with Canada in 3rd. Of countries I have stayed in I wouldn't like to live anywhere other than those 3.

Can't help but notice no Australia in that list...

I can't help but to notice he'd rather live in ALABAMA before British Columbia...

omfg LOL!

I support America: Why?
Because the United States defeated the two biggest threats for Europe. First Nazi Germany and later Soviet Russia.
And they were paving the way for a democratic West Germany and due to their efforts in the Cold War for an united and democratic Germany as it is today.

And in the pacific region they defeated imperialistic Japan and they contained Soviet imperialism (Korea). They were paving the way for a democratic Japan and South Korea.

Today I see two major threats: Islamic terrorism and - possibly (depending on its internal development) Communists China (with possibly links to North Korea).
I think and believe that the US will prevail also against those two threats and that at the end of the 21rst century the world is going to be a better place.

I hate america, i hate britain, i hate the government, i hate politics, i hate bush and kerry, i hate islamic terrorists, i hate... i hate...

I HATE EVERYTHING!!!

sorry, but i'm voicing my opinion. i'm going through a phase right now where i find life pointless. But thanks to the human factor in the brain, i don't have the guts to kill myself. at least there are places like this where i can escape reality.

-feeling better-

Nazi Germany was beaten by the Red Army , so stop being a mincer. But more up to date , modern Warfare is small units of highly trained forces that are fast moving , can you pronounce SAS ? THe British Army is the best in the world and it seems has become specialised for Modern Warfare.

sorry, but i'm voicing my opinion. i'm going through a phase right now where i find life pointless. But thanks to the human factor in the brain, i don't have the guts to kill myself.

-feeling better-

So your depressed and easily manipulated atm ? brilliant , would you like to join a neo nazi movement ... We can help direct your hate. against those Turks and Paki`s etc , or maybe you wanna hate some other minority , we can help with all kinds of racial hatred , especially if it stems from racial Guilt of some variety Jew`s etc

Nazi Germany was beaten by the Red Army , so stop being a mincer. But more up to date , modern Warfare is small units of highly trained forces that are fast moving , can you pronounce SAS ? THe British Army is the best in the world and it seems has become specialised for Modern Warfare.
The US kept Japan busy and landed on Normandy.
Without that the Soviets may had taken over all of continental Europe. That wouldn´t have been great for it. Half of Europe remained under Soviet occupation up until 1991-94. A thing many in Western Europe forget. And living under a Communists dictatorship and a shity economic system was not a great thing. It is going to need decades to repair the damage this system has done to Central Eastern Europe.
The British Army is not bad. But with roughly 35 billion Dollar military spending it is minor to the US with more than 400 billion Dollar military spending. Although of a lot of prejudice which exists against France it needs to be said that their army today is quite good. France didn´t loose every war - that is nonsense. They did very well in the 1790s or under Napoleon or even in World War I. And France almost spents as much as Britain for defense.

So your depressed and easily manipulated atm ? brilliant , would you like to join a neo nazi movement ... We can help direct your hate. against those Turks and Paki`s etc , or maybe you wanna hate some other minority , we can help with all kinds of racial hatred , especially if it stems from racial Guilt of some variety Jew`s etc

go to hell. Nazi's suck worse than anything else.

sorry, but i'm voicing my opinion. i'm going through a phase right now where i find life pointless. But thanks to the human factor in the brain, i don't have the guts to kill myself. at least there are places like this where i can escape reality.
-feeling better-
Take a and fill it half with water. And then say to yourself: The glass is not half-empty it is half-full. That is going to help.

That makes no sense at all.

The US kept Japan busy and landed on Normandy.
Without that the Soviets may had taken over all of continental Europe. That wouldn´t have been great for it. Half of Europe remained under Soviet occupation up until 1991-94. A thing many in Western Europe forget. And living under a Communists dictatorship and a shity economic system was not a great thing. It is going to need decades to repair the damage this system has done to Central Eastern Europe.
The British Army is not bad. But with roughly 35 billion Dollar military spending it is minor to the US with more than 400 billion Dollar military spending. Although of a lot of prejudice which exists against France it needs to be said that their army today is quite good. France didn´t loose every war - that is nonsense. They did very well in the 1790s or under Napoleon or even in World War I. And France almost spents as much as Britain for defense.

OK , It was US Canada and ENGLAND that invaded Normandy , and who cares about the Jap`s , the British forces in India and Australia would have defeated them :D Empire kicked Ass , Oh I said British Army was better not more expesive dude , SAS , SBS , Para`s Gurhka`a , Marine Commando`s, even regular troops are better trained then anything the US has , and most warfare in modern times will be small engagements by fast moving units . And France sucks , THe reason they did so well in napolionic war was they were against poland and spain at the beggining , Then England had to decide fight the french or the american collonist`s , so of course america became a country whilst we spent a few years in spain getting tans and killing Frog`s :D

OK , It was US Canada and ENGLAND that invaded Normandy , and who cares about the Jap`s , the British forces in India and Australia would have defeated them :D Empire kicked Ass , Oh I said British Army was better not more expesive dude , SAS , SBS , Para`s Gurhka`a , Marine Commando`s, even regular troops are better trained then anything the US has , and most warfare in modern times will be small engagements by fast moving units . And France sucks , THe reason they did so well in napolionic war was they were against poland and spain at the beggining , Then England had to decide fight the french or the american collonist`s , so of course america became a country whilst we spent a few years in spain getting tans and killing Frog`s :D
Your English patriotism (nationalism?) is amusing. No offence intended but the French under Napoleon also defeated both Prussia and Austria. They weren´t dwarfs though. But against a draft army (mass army) they didn´t had a chance. The turning point was actually the attempted Russian invasion of Napoleon in winter 1812/13. Three years later Napoleon was finished by the coalition (with a great British contribution aside Prussia, Austria and in the begining Russia as well). Actually Hitler followed the Napoleonic example - and failed with it as well. About three years after Operation Barbarossa (the attempted invasion of the USSR) he was finished.
Regarding World War II: as far as I know it would be appropiate to speak about the UK (which is not only England) in order not to offend the other parts. And that the US landed as well at Normandy and had the largest troop their is a historic fact you can´t deny (Omaha beach, e.g.).
The US contribution can not be underestimated though. One reason Britain is having a special alliance with the US since Churchill up until today and it is going to have it in future as well. The times of the British Empire are long over. The "Empire" now is based on the US-British alliance with Britain as junior partner of the US.
I don´t deny the quality of British special units. Though the foreigners legion of the French isn´t bad either.

That makes no sense at all.
It makes more sense than your pessimistic mood. Otherwise you may ask for psychologic help - if needed.

actually, although partly right, you kinda missed out on the poles, free french, czechs, austrailians and all the other smaller nations who took part, and btw it wasn't just england remember, you forgetting the scots, welsh, irish (both north and south) who also helped invade?
also, france were very very good up until shortly before the invasion of russia, then nations began to put tactics together that could beat the french, and gettin soooo many troops together the french didn't really have a great chance (i know there are a few exceptions to this but it follows a reasonably general rule). that said france does suck to a certain extent ;)

I don't support America. And I never will.

OK , It was US Canada and ENGLAND that invaded Normandy , and who cares about the Jap`s , the British forces in India and Australia would have defeated them :D Empire kicked Ass , Oh I said British Army was better not more expesive dude , SAS , SBS , Para`s Gurhka`a , Marine Commando`s, even regular troops are better trained then anything the US has , and most warfare in modern times will be small engagements by fast moving units . And France sucks , THe reason they did so well in napolionic war was they were against poland and spain at the beggining , Then England had to decide fight the french or the american collonist`s , so of course america became a country whilst we spent a few years in spain getting tans and killing Frog`s :D

Shoul be noted that it was Briatin, not England alone, that did this with Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other colonies / ex-colonies. It could be viewed that the British Emplare, which in real terms was more powerful than America is now, was buit up to simply save the World! Remembering that America a a product of British colonies!

And yes the British forces arestil the best, if somewhat underfunded.

If Britain and the Empire had fallen, as it likely would have without America's (eventual help) America would have been next. They were aware at the time that their only hope was to help[ Britain aout, and even so the American's made teh British pay for their war effort!! In cash (which we didn;t finish paying until recent years) but in more real terms in ways of foreign assests and trade agreements. The US was teh only country to come out of WWII with a profit! It was a direct result of WWII that the Empire collapsed (and WWI of course) and thus the emergence of America as the World leader.

Bear in mind Britsin practically ruled the World for about 300 years, America has only come to the fore sionce teh 1950s!

actually, although partly right, you kinda missed out on the poles, free french, czechs, austrailians and all the other smaller nations who took part, and btw it wasn't just england remember, you forgetting the scots, welsh, irish (both north and south) who also helped invade?
also, france were very very good up until shortly before the invasion of russia, then nations began to put tactics together that could beat the french, and gettin soooo many troops together the french didn't really have a great chance (i know there are a few exceptions to this but it follows a reasonably general rule). that said france does suck to a certain extent ;)
Poland historically used to get divided up between Prussia (later Prussia-Germany), Austrian-Hunarian Empire and Russia. From the first Polish division in 1771 till the eradication of Poland from the map in 1795 by a three party deal of Russia, Prussia and Austria. Napoleon actually used the Poles as allies of him. Well, Hitler used the Croats as allies as well and others.
But from 1795-1918 (with the exception of the Napoleonic years) Poland didn´t even exists as a state. And the Hitler-Stalin pact of 1939 erradicated Poland again. Well, admittedly more brutal than before.
We can speak about the contribution of any nations. At the end of World War II there were almost 50 nations in a state of war (formally) with Japan and Germany. Though only a small portion of them actually were fighting.
That would be the same as to talk about the contribution of Mongolia in Iraq. Sorry about it, but we should concentrate on the major actors. And that were Britain (and former colonies: Commonwealth), the US, the USSR and - although weak China - on the allied side and Japan and Germany on the axis side. The French contribution on the allied side was even less than the Italian one on the axis side in my view.

I'm not sure who did what during WWII is necessarily a great guide to modern day countries (after all, I'd happily live in Germany these days, but maybe not in 1933-45). Still, while everyone played a part in defeating fascism, and while Britain ought to get some credit for sticking it out while everyone else looked on from the sidelines, let's get real - Stalin beat Hitler (by the time Normandy happened the war in the west was over - Stalingrad was the turning point and that was a year earlier - the Wehrmacht was in full retreat, and 80% of it was tied up on the Eastern Front).
The US beat Japan, though, no question about that. Midway, Coral Sea, Okinawa... all we Brits did was surrender Singapore and retreat to India, leaving Australia to be heroic in New Guinea (good show, you colonial chappies).

Meanwhile, back in the 21st century. I've been to Chicago (quite nice), Seattle (very pleasant), San Diego (ditto), Phoenix (massively boring), LA and Beverly Hills (really terrible), Tampa and St Petersburg (so-so), and Baton Rouge (danger, danger, Will Robinson - Redneck Central), and I can honestly say that I much prefer being here in London. I keep meaning to try New York though, which most Brits seem to like.

As places to live go, some parts of the US seem better than most of the world, but I still prefer Europe. But then, that's just my opinion. But I think that we probably ought to divorce this from arguments about the temporary paranoid insanity that has gripped the US and made it vote for Geroge Bush, or questions about who did what in the 2nd World War (come on, we all have skeletons in our cupboards - or closets if you prefer. We Brits invented Concentration Camps, after all, and don't ask the French about Vichy). It's history - let it go.

Anyway, lifestyle wise, things are getting better in the US. They have now rediscovered how to make wine, coffee and beer. Once they get the hang of bread, cheese and chocolate, things will be really rocking there.

Anyway, lifestyle wise, things are getting better in the US. They have now rediscovered how to make wine, coffee and beer. Once they get the hang of bread, cheese and chocolate, things will be really rocking there.
And if Britain gets real bread it would be great as well, hehe.
Anyway: I like McDonalds. French fries (or Freedom fries) or chips were actually invented by the Belgians though. Well, but who cares except the Belgians?

Poland historically used to get divided up between Prussia (later Prussia-Germany), Austrian-Hunarian Empire and Russia. From the first Polish division in 1771 till the eradication of Poland from the map in 1795 by a three party deal of Russia, Prussia and Austria. Napoleon actually used the Poles as allies of him. Well, Hitler used the Croats as allies as well and others.
But from 1795-1918 (with the exception of the Napoleonic years) Poland didn´t even exists as a state. And the Hitler-Stalin pact of 1939 erradicated Poland again. Well, admittedly more brutal than before.
We can speak about the contribution of any nations. At the end of World War II there were almost 50 nations in a state of war (formally) with Japan and Germany. Though only a small portion of them actually were fighting.
That would be the same as to talk about the contribution of Mongolia in Iraq. Sorry about it, but we should concentrate on the major actors. And that were Britain (and former colonies: Commonwealth), the US, the USSR and - although weak China - on the allied side and Japan and Germany on the axis side. The French contribution on the allied side was even less than the Italian one on the axis side in my view.


apologies i wasn't clear, when i meantioned the Poles et al, i was only refering to the invasion of normandy, and they were damn important on that day as well as many others, thinking of the Battle of Britain etc etc here. In terms of history although poland did not exist as a state, it always existed as an ethnic group, so its importance should never be underestimated.
that said i think this is going away from the thread somewhat, in fact this is going along the lines of WWII who did more thread thats going around somewhere

apologies i wasn't clear, when i meantioned the Poles et al, i was only refering to the invasion of normandy, and they were damn important on that day as well as many others, thinking of the Battle of Britain etc etc here. In terms of history although poland did not exist as a state, it always existed as an ethnic group, so its importance should never be underestimated.
that said i think this is going away from the thread somewhat, in fact this is going along the lines of WWII who did more thread thats going around somewhere
Chechenya also always existed as an ethnic group and?
Thoes that make them to a major power?
I´ve stated the importance of the UK in this. But it also belongs to the historic truth that not all countries are equally important to the outcome. Poland and France weren´t. They were both defeated. A few exiles play a role and keep somehow the honour of those nations. I accept that. But the major players were others.

And if Britain gets real bread it would be great as well, hehe.
Anyway: I like McDonalds. French fries (or Freedom fries) or chips were actually invented by the Belgians though. Well, but who cares except the Belgians?

I care about the Belgians. They make the best beer and some of the best chocolate in the world. It's like Holland with French cooking (a great improvement - sorry to any Dutch out there, I love your country, but you know it's true).
I admit that the average loaf of bread in the UK is almost as sorry as in the US. You can get nice stuff if you know where to look (at least in London you can).
As for McDonalds - well, it's sad that a country that produces so much beef does that to it, but then it's hard to criticise wheh I've eaten plenty of dodgy fast food of British origin (fish and chips cooked in lard during my time in Yorkshire, and dodgy doner kebabs in south London - okay, those are 'cooked' by Greek Cypriots, but they're very much a late night London staple).

And if Britain gets real bread it would be great as well, hehe. ....


Damn right, i'm currently in germany for a year, and this place really blows away all that warburtons rubbish. the fact you could use the stuff for building houses caus its so heavy mustn't be overlooked either ;)

Chechenya also always existed as an ethnic group and?
Thoes that make them to a major power?
I´ve stated the importance of the UK in this. But it also belongs to the historic truth that not all countries are equally important to the outcome. Poland and France weren´t. They were both defeated. A few exiles play a role and keep somehow the honour of those nations. I accept that. But the major players were others.



er i never said poland was a major power. was mearly pointing out that itself along with other countries played a role that should not be ignored AND that although without them i don't think the result of the war would have changed, i do believe it would have taken longer, esp on the western european front.

I care about the Belgians. They make the best beer and some of the best chocolate in the world. It's like Holland with French cooking (a great improvement - sorry to any Dutch out there, I love your country, but you know it's true).
I admit that the average loaf of bread in the UK is almost as sorry as in the US. You can get nice stuff if you know where to look (at least in London you can).
As for McDonalds - well, it's sad that a country that produces so much beef does that to it, but then it's hard to criticise wheh I've eaten plenty of dodgy fast food of British origin (fish and chips cooked in lard during my time in Yorkshire, and dodgy doner kebabs in south London - okay, those are 'cooked' by Greek Cypriots, but they're very much a late night London staple).
You get around quite a lot, do you? Well, I liked fish and chips. English food is a thing one needs to get used to but it is better than its reputation. Most things are eatable - except a few exceptions I forgot. And of course good tea (from the old Empire) is a speciality one can get used to.
Italian food is great and Balkanic food as well. Also Turkish food. I liked Samoussa in South Africa. And springbock.
Well, personally I don´t take much care about food, so I´m not an expert of it.
And although I´m German I´m not at all an expert on beer or an heavy drinker.
Belgium is indeed a special country: Southern part French speaking, northern part Dutch speaking. But mainly catholic. A result of the 30-year war. And it is closely linked with France. Though Asterix and Obelix is also a Belgian invention.
Another issue would be the old historic connection between France and Germany which broke apart in 843. But that would be another topic. Though it was in a sense "reborn" with the Elysee treaty in 1963.

Damn right, i'm currently in germany for a year, and this place really blows away all that warburtons rubbish. the fact you could use the stuff for building houses caus its so heavy mustn't be overlooked either ;)
It is good for you teeth.

er i never said poland was a major power. was mearly pointing out that itself along with other countries played a role that should not be ignored AND that although without them i don't think the result of the war would have changed, i do believe it would have taken longer, esp on the western european front.
Probably a few months. On the other hand it could be argued that the invasion of Normandy could have been started earlier than it actually happened. Or that there could be a push through Serbia (uniting with the partisans (led by Tito) over there to start a push to the north via Hungary to Austria and get the final assault on Nazi-Germany via that front. Well, a tactical question. Would have been more risky but likely quicker.
And regarding the relationship Germany-Poland/Czech Republic today. It is better than ever but still with a lot of historic burden. Well probably partly like British-Irish relations.

Probably a few months. On the other hand it could be argued that the invasion of Normandy could have been started earlier than it actually happened. Or that there could be a push through Serbia (uniting with the partisans (led by Tito) over there to start a push to the north via Hungary to Austria and get the final assault on Nazi-Germany via that front. Well, a tactical question. Would have been more risky but likely quicker.
And regarding the relationship Germany-Poland/Czech Republic today. It is better than ever but still with a lot of historic burden. Well probably partly like British-Irish relations.


my lecturer at uni looked into the possibility of unifiying the partisans under Tito into an effective fighting force...to say he wasn't convinced is a major understatement :)
I know what you mean about the czechs and the germans, that said, get them started on the topic of beer, then you'll see some right competition!!! To be honest i think czech beer is much nicer, but the border regions (suedeaten land etc) produce some damn fine beers too...probably why its being fought over a fair bit lol

my lecturer at uni looked into the possibility of unifiying the partisans under Tito into an effective fighting force...to say he wasn't convinced is a major understatement :)
Giving the fact how Titio managed things after World War II I wouldn´t be that pessimistic about that prospect. After all: it would have been a logical step after the invasion of Southern Italy. But anyway: historic speculation.

I know what you mean about the czechs and the germans, that said, get them started on the topic of beer, then you'll see some right competition!!! To be honest i think czech beer is much nicer, but the border regions (suedeaten land etc) produce some damn fine beers too...probably why its being fought over a fair bit lol
Actually the historic problems with Poland go much deeper in my view. The major conflict between Czechs and Germans actually broke out at the time of the national movements (with the idea of having a national state). And of course when Czechoslovakia became independent and Slovacs, Hungarians and Germans/Austrians were a minority in a Czech-dominated state.
That was "solved" after 1945 with ethnic cleansing.
A "solution" former czech premier Zeman suggested to Israel regarding the Palestinian problem in 2002 during the election campaign for his party.
Well, though economic interest are binding the countries together.
I personally don´t have any problems with Czechs and Poles. Parts of my ancestors are Czech-German-Polish/jewish.

You get around quite a lot, do you? Well, I liked fish and chips. English food is a thing one needs to get used to but it is better than its reputation. Most things are eatable - except a few exceptions I forgot. And of course good tea (from the old Empire) is a speciality one can get used to.


Actually I can't stand tea, apart from the green stuff you get in Chinese restautants. See - defying my national stereotype!

Most things here are edible. The exceptions? Jellied eels? Black pudding? Mushy peas? Deep fried Mars bars [a Glasgow delicacy...]?

Yes, I travel quite a bit with my job (I report on the oil and gas industry). I'm in the Middle East and Far East quite a lot, and the US when they let me in (they force journalists to go through the most amazing visa procedure. China and Serbia were easier to get into. Only Saudi Arabia was more difficult). I tend to holiday in Europe, especially Italy. Lovely country, shame about the political system.

Giving the fact how Titio managed things after World War II I wouldn´t be that pessimistic about that prospect. After all: it would have been a logical step after the invasion of Southern Italy. But anyway: historic speculation.


Actually the historic problems with Poland go much deeper in my view. The major conflict between Czechs and Germans actually broke out at the time of the national movements (with the idea of having a national state). And of course when Czechoslovakia became independent and Slovacs, Hungarians and Germans/Austrians were a minority in a Czech-dominated state.
That was "solved" after 1945 with ethnic cleansing.
A "solution" former czech premier Zeman suggested to Israel regarding the Palestinian problem in 2002 during the election campaign for his party.
Well, though economic interest are binding the countries together.
I personally don´t have any problems with Czechs and Poles. Parts of my ancestors are Czech-German-Polish/jewish.


i was only referring to a night i spent at a beer competition somewhere in austria, where the a few czechs and a few german micro breweries were having a fierce, but always good natured, discussion about whos was the best.
as for your reference to brit/irish relations and my ancestors, i could relate to your ancestory too. my family has ancestry from scots, welsh, irish and of course english.

Yes, I travel quite a bit with my job (I report on the oil and gas industry). I'm in the Middle East and Far East quite a lot, and the US when they let me in (they force journalists to go through the most amazing visa procedure. China and Serbia were easier to get into. Only Saudi Arabia was more difficult). I tend to holiday in Europe, especially Italy. Lovely country, shame about the political system.
Interesting. How about Russia? Already the biggest oil and gas supplier of most of Europe. I was there once (Moscow/St. Petersburg - 1993 - difficult year for the new Russian Federation). Last time I was in the US was about five years ago. So, I don´t now the new security procedures. But in this time of terror and uncertainty it seems to be the general trend. In a few years (probably a bit more) we are all going to have biometric information in our passports (not just a picture but possibly finger prints or eye lense, e.g. to indentify people).

i was only referring to a night i spent at a beer competition somewhere in austria, where the a few czechs and a few german micro breweries were having a fierce, but always good natured, discussion about whos was the best.
as for your reference to brit/irish relations and my ancestors, i could relate to your ancestory too. my family has ancestry from scots, welsh, irish and of course english.
Well, that is Europe. We are all somehow related. Didn´t prevented any of the wars in the past though. But I think we are really over that now.
Regarding beer consumption. According to a statistic I´ve heard about the Czechs are leading actually. Though that may be due to tourism in Prague.

Interesting. How about Russia? Already the biggest oil and gas supplier of most of Europe. I was there once (Moscow/St. Petersburg - 1993 - difficult year for the new Russian Federation). Last time I was in the US was about five years ago. So, I don´t now the new security procedures. But in this time of terror and uncertainty it seems to be the general trend. In a few years (probably a bit more) we are all going to have biometric information in our passports (not just a picture but possibly finger prints or eye lense, e.g. to indentify people).

Never been to Russia (apart from a 45 minute stopover at Moscow on the way to Japan). I have Russian-speaking colleagues who go, since most Russians don't speak English. English-speaking Russians tend to come over here for conferences, which makes it easy for me - they must like the shopping or something. Poland and Romania are the closest I got. I would also love to visit St Petersburg (I'm hoping it's nicer than the one in Florida). We have part of the Hermitage Collection over here in London, and it's very impressive - makes me want to see the rest of it.

The US is cutting its own throat economically with its excessive security precautions. No-one goes there any more, especially not from the Middle East, because they know they'll be strip searched (or, if they're a British Muslim singer who was big in the 60s, have their plane diverted and then get deported - bizarre or what? I mean this is Cat Stevens for Gods sake. It's like arresting Cliff Richard. I'm betting they were looking for a different Yusuf Islam and some dork at Immigration didn't bother to check).

Ah well. A mad world etc. Not as mad as some of these Nation States though!

Never been to Russia (apart from a 45 minute stopover at Moscow on the way to Japan). I have Russian-speaking colleagues who go, since most Russians don't speak English. English-speaking Russians tend to come over here for conferences, which makes it easy for me - they must like the shopping or something. Poland and Romania are the closest I got. I would also love to visit St Petersburg (I'm hoping it's nicer than the one in Florida). We have part of the Hermitage Collection over here in London, and it's very impressive - makes me want to see the rest of it.!
St. Petersburg is really great. Everything still intact or repaired out of old imperial Russia (palaces, e.g.). It really is. It was after all founded in 172..(something) during the Nordic War by Czar Peter, the Great. Very well planned. A monument of an historic era.


The US is cutting its own throat economically with its excessive security precautions. No-one goes there any more, especially not from the Middle East, because they know they'll be strip searched (or, if they're a British Muslim singer who was big in the 60s, have their plane diverted and then get deported - bizarre or what? I mean this is Cat Stevens for Gods sake. It's like arresting Cliff Richard. I'm betting they were looking for a different Yusuf Islam and some dork at Immigration didn't bother to check).
Though I see the US economy growing much faster than the one of Europe. Tourism is after all only a small part of the economy.

Ah well. A mad world etc. Not as mad as some of these Nation States though!
If we could force terrorists to play nation states instead the world would be a better place though.
I prefer football - soccer - wars above real onces. In Europe we have - mostly - reached that point but not in many other parts of the world.

OK , It was US Canada and ENGLAND that invaded Normandy , and who cares about the Jap`s , the British forces in India and Australia would have defeated them :D Empire kicked Ass , Oh I said British Army was better not more expesive dude , SAS , SBS , Para`s Gurhka`a , Marine Commando`s, even regular troops are better trained then anything the US has , and most warfare in modern times will be small engagements by fast moving units . And France sucks , THe reason they did so well in napolionic war was they were against poland and spain at the beggining , Then England had to decide fight the french or the american collonist`s , so of course america became a country whilst we spent a few years in spain getting tans and killing Frog`s :D

I have to agree to Carpet Flyers here. The US might have more hi tech gadgets and spend more money on their military, but that don't equate to quality. The Brits are bloodly good, particularly the SAS.

Even in Iraq and Afghanistan the US wanted the British and Australian SAS (Australian SAS = Desert & Jungle Warfare version of the British SAS) units involved, because they are better trained and operate with minimum resources and re-supply, and are specialists at counter insurgency warfare.

The Australian and British SAS Units got the job of securing the western desert of Iraq (and its Oil fields) in the Iraq invasion, which they did in a matter of days with no losses and few Iraq casualities.

We Brits invented Concentration Camps, after all, and don't ask the French about Vichy). It's history - let it go.

Yeah, I've heard that one a lot - but its still total crap. Are you really suggesting that concentration camps did not exist until the early 1900's when the British Army used them widely in the Boer War?

Practically all wars throughout history have involved the use of concentration camps, including most current day powers as well as historic polities. The Americans used Camps in the atrocities inflicted on the people of the Philippines following the American conquest in 1898. The Spanish also used camps, most notably in the breakup of their Empire and particularly in the treatment of Cuban civilians in the late nineteenth century.

Everything that comes out of America is US-centris. Even nation states.


I can't believe no one has called you on this. Nation States is Aussie, not American...

I'm really sick of all the america-bashing that goes on the forums...America isn't all that bad. No really- I believe America is the best country there is right now, even though I'm from India.
Anyone else think the same?

I used to. Now I believe it's the prophesised biblical Anti-Christ.

Having visited America (Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, N. Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Ilinois, Indiana, Tennesee, Alabama, Florida, S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, D.C., Maryland, N. Jersey, N. York, Pensylvania, Vermant, N. Hampshire and Maine), Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nefoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec), Belize, Venezuela, Brazil, Jamaica, Dutch Antilles, Bermuda, Andros, Uraguay, Falklands, S.Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Rhodesia, Kenya, Liberia, Gabon, Nigeria, Sudan, Rawanda, Senegal, DR Congo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, India, Qatar, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Brunei, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, Georgia, Khasakstan, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Eire, Wales and Scotland.
WOW, whatever company you work for, or whatever you job is, all i can say its.... AWESOME. :)

You get a bashing because (this is genreally the case not and not for every American);

1 - you think you invented everything and did everything look at the thread "37 reasons why the US is cool"

Nah, but we did invent the internet. So without that you wouldn't be able to say evil things to us Americans over it.

2 - You have littel concept of other nations and regions

Sure we do, we see something we like, we take it. How much concept do we need for that? Geez, I mean, come on here.

3 - Everything that comes out of America is US-centris. Even nation states. I had an Issues saying that Baseball, or rounders as we call it in Britain, wanted goivernement funding to start a league. Not of major interest anywhere else yet now all sports are banned in my country! Just because we're not American's

What?? By the way, we invented baseball, so your calling it rounders is akin to us calling futbol soccer. You know how much the term soccer annoys you. Rounders sounds silly.

4 - the only really good thing to come out of America is Rock N Roll

I'd say jazz were we talking about music....but rock n roll is good too. Though I'm sure your fellow Britons would like to smack you for that, since you all had a large part in it too.

5 - You joined the 2 World Wars several years late and then claim complete credit for beating Gernamy; if it hadn't been for Britain there wouldn't have been any major resistence. What do you think would have happened if we had joined with Gernamny as he asked us?

Um, we joined wars when we were attacked. Why is that wrong? While I've never heard anyone claim credit for the first war, one must admit that without American involvement in the second war, the outlook for Europe was mighty bleak. Granted, Russia played an equally important part in that war but its sort of a Catch 22 here. One couldn't have won without the other. As for what would have happened if you had joined Germany? Well, more than likely the Cold War would have turned out much different, with the United States facing off against Germania (as they probably would have called the European continent) and the main battlegrounds being Africa and South America instead of Europe and Southeast Asia.

6 - You made us give up all of our colonies to open trade for you at a time we were particulalry weak - now look what's happened to them (Zimbabwe etc.)

Altogether now....WAAAAAAAAA! Um, actually, it wasn't specifically the United States that pressured you to evacuate your colonies, though we did have some influence in it. Explain again why you thought you deserved the Falklands?

7 - You're good at helping to win wars but have absolutely no idea how to control and win the ensuing peace

Hello pot, meet kettle.

8 - You invented Line Dancing

You invented mincemeat pie....I call it even.

9 - You all seem to think the majority of the World's population really cares about Bush and Kerry

Well, considering that the newspapers around the world are covering our elections, I guess that belief might be well justified. But Canada seems to think the majority of the World's population really cares about the Stanley Cup. How come you aren't jumping them?

10 - You invented McDonald's and coke a cola

COCA COLA derned it. And we had to invent McDonald's after seeing English cuisine at its best. Fish and chips was your fast food equivalent....I'll stick to the Big Mac.

11 - You started the trend of raising inflections in speach at the end of sentences even when they're not a question, as in "I'm going to university this year?"

Nah, that was a few people on tv and it spread like wildfires throughout the world. Its our fault you picked up the habit?

12 - you invented the phrase "cool" which is now the most used and annoyingly vacuous statement I can think of

This from a country that actually uses CHEERIO??? Cool is so 80s anyway. Like, get with the times man.

Funnily enough I quite like most Americans and some American things (music and ummm well music I suppose) just not the overbearing "culture"

Hey, we're loud, we're proud, and we like to export our culture. You really should be blaming the Frenchies because without them, you'd only have yourself to blame. They were the ones that helped turn the tide on the Revolutionary War.

Oh, I hope you realize the jovial intent of my post. Apparently my humor sometimes falls upon deaf ears.

i'll stay in the uk for now thank you...and please justify your argument as to why the us is the best place to be, coz i'm sick of hearing about the damn place...it might be a good place to live for certain people but for others it sucks, same as everywhere else.....who cares anyway..

Where do I start ?

Well, America has got a lot of opportunity, you can make it to a good life with hard work. There is such a thing as the American Dream for most people..

You also have low taxes, therefore everything is relatively cheap and inexpensive- which means Americans can live far better than in most countries in the world...

Unemployment is low..in fact one of the lowest anywhere...
Most americans understand that immigrants are an asset not a "drain" on American society, therfore this country is by far more welcoming than some countries in Europe..

The government is enlightened enough to realize that "free" stuff is not really free and that the majority of americans could do far better on their own...and most americans get that as well...

finally taxpayers rule here...you can't get away with cheating the government or abusing their money ....you can't live off their hard work ...

If only india had these principles...

Where do I start ?

Unemployment is low..in fact one of the lowest anywhere...


Not as low as Japan's. 14 years of economic depression and we still have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. And now that things are finally looking up again...

God I miss Nagoya.