NationStates Jolt Archive

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

Well, that's a kinda arrogant way to make a valid point.

I mean no one over here really cares about soccer, but they keep pushing it on us. This is our revenge.

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

It doesn't matter who gets to be in the White House? Where have you been for the last 8 years?

The people who have to monitor the sewerage and sanitation systems. If people started giving crap out who knows how much pressure might build up creating a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions.

I doubt either will affect me directly. The closest either candidate will likely come to it would be ordering the US military to stop using Shannon airport for refuelling their planes.

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

To be extremely simple, we have a rather lot of nuclear weapons and other military power and it might matter to you and the rest of the world who controls them. Add to that the influence that the U.S. has over the global economy, environment, etc.

As for the rather ridiculous statement that it doesn't matter who wins because "nothing will change," you might tell that to Iraqis, Afghans, and various nationals held at Gitmo.

Now, granted, I'm a U.S. citizen and resident so the election makes a big difference to me and I lack the perspective those of you living elsewhere may have.

It doesn't matter who gets to be in the White House? Where have you been for the last 8 years?

Not being directly effected by George Bush. Sure it's been funny to watch, but he hasn't had much effect on me. Do you honestly bellieve the war on terror wouldn't have happened if Gore had won?

Actually, I'm a yank and I don't really give a crap either.

I mean no one over here really cares about soccer, but they keep pushing it on us. This is our revenge.

Some of us brits hate soccer too. Some of us can't stand it. :mad:

Do you honestly bellieve the war on terror wouldn't have happened if Gore had won?

To an extent, yes. Certainly it would have been very different.

Not being directly effected by George Bush. Sure it's been funny to watch, but he hasn't had much effect on me. Do you honestly bellieve the war on terror wouldn't have happened if Gore had won?

It might not have happened, and if it did it might have happened differently.

I doubt either will affect me directly. The closest either candidate will likely come to it would be ordering the US military to stop using Shannon airport for refuelling their planes.

Military chartered flights go through Shannon as well. I expect to be buying snacks and such there in a few short weeks.

I give a crap, here, have it.

Military chartered flights go through Shannon as well. I expect to be buying snacks and such there in a few short weeks.

You guys should meat up. Chat for real. He can organize a lynch mob.

Actually, a lot of people around the world actually care.

And it's been over 200 years since we were British subjects. :p

Actually, a lot of people around the world actually care.

And it's been over 200 years since we were British subjects. :p

*sigh* Good times.......

Not being directly effected by George Bush. Sure it's been funny to watch, but he hasn't had much effect on me. Do you honestly bellieve the war on terror wouldn't have happened if Gore had won?
Oh, most definitely. He might still have called any retaliative measures after 9/11 "war on terror" but he very believably expressed his incredulity at retaliating against Iraq, of all places, instead of against the people who actually had something to do with 9/11 and thus I am very certain that he would indeed have focused on Afghanistan like he said he would have. I mean, come on, without Bush Iraq wouldn't even have ever come up in the first place.

Without Bush and things like his daddy-complex war in Iraq or his Halliburton stance on climate you wouldn't have had the colossal squandering of international goodwill towards the US; you wouldn't have thousands of civilians and allied soldiers dying and being wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan; you wouldn't have an understaffed war effort in Afghanistan that, much like Iraq, currently serves mainly as a recruiting ground for new terrorists (who, btw, like to blow up things outside the US just as much as inside); you wouldn't have gas prices skyrocketing since the invasion of Iraq.

But yeah, no, all this really doesn't have any effect on the rest of the world at all. At all.

Without Bush and things like his daddy-complex war in Iraq or his Halliburton stance on climate you wouldn't have had the colossal squandering of international goodwill towards the US; you wouldn't have thousands of civilians and allied soldiers dying and being wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan; you wouldn't have an understaffed war effort in Afghanistan that, much like Iraq, currently serves mainly as a recruiting ground for new terrorists; you wouldn't have gas prices skyrocketing since the invasion of Iraq.

But yeah, no, all this really doesn't have any effect on the rest of the world at all. At all.
I get what you're saying, but I agree with the OP on this one. The Iraq war only had a great effect on my country because we chose to get involved. If we just refused to play along it wouldn't be a great issue for us. I'd sooner focus on getting a government that actually acts in our interests than worry about the American political system and the wars that country gets involved in.

Military chartered flights go through Shannon as well. I expect to be buying snacks and such there in a few short weeks.

Word of advice, everything in Ireland is a rip off, so if you want to have a pint of guinness in Ireland it'll probably set you back about $6.40.

I'm a little sad, actually. I'll miss George W Bush. And it doesn't look like McCain will be elected, so that's even more depressing. How can the Daily Show make jokes about a president like Barack Oboring?

I'm a little sad, actually. I'll miss George W Bush. And it doesn't look like McCain will be elected, so that's even more depressing. How can the Daily Show make jokes about a president like Barack Oboring?

Good leaders are the bane of satirists everywhere.

I get what you're saying, but I agree with the OP on this one. The Iraq war only had a great effect on my country because we chose to get involved. If we just refused to play along it wouldn't be a great issue for us. I'd sooner focus on getting a government that actually acts in our interests than worry about the American political system and the wars that country gets involved in.

The German government refused to get involved in the Iraq war - and our soldiers are still dying in Afghanistan because the whole thing there is understaffed and underplanned and just generally a failure, and that's with us having the cushiest and safest jobs of all the nations over there because our soldiers aren't allowed to actually fight. We're still paying $8 per gallon of gas and we're still a target for islamist terrorists (all plots discovered and foiled so far, knock on wood).

The German government refused to get involved in the Iraq war - and our soldiers are still dying in Afghanistan because the whole thing there is understaffed and underplanned and just generally a failure, and that's with us having the cushiest and safest jobs of all the nations over there because our soldiers aren't allowed to actually fight. We're still paying $8 per gallon of gas and we're still a target for islamist terrorists (all plots discovered and foiled so far, knock on wood).

But do you really believe that a change of President will change any of that?

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

Well, care about any nation's political doings, because some have a major effect on your nation. For example, Tony Blair's election loss was a blow to our war on terror (I'm not saying I'm agreeing with the war, I'm just making a point).

What about the rise of fascism and communism in the 1920s? They didn't take place in America, yet they were important to America.

Good leaders are the bane of satirists everywhere.

Not if you're Ronald Reagan.

Yeah, I said it...Ronald Reagan was a good leader.

(Others whispering)

"Did he just say that?"

"No, he's being sarcastic."

"God dang evil conservative person."

But do you really believe that a change of President will change any of that?

It would have helped tremendously if that change had come in the form of Gore instead of Bush to begin with, because by now Bush has fucked up so incredibly much that I'm not sure how much of that can even be "fixed". The threat of terrorism has been increased so much by Bush's actions, I don't know how Obama would be able to change this, I don't think he will.

But at least he won't be making it worse and he might actually make headway in Afghanistan instead of letting it sink into chaos and Taliban rule. And honestly - neither of us can look into the future and if you had asked people what they thought was the worst thing that could happen during a Bush presidency I'm pretty sure nobody would have anticipated 9/11 and what followed, but it happened anyway.
So yes, just as I think having had Gore in office instead of Bush during that crucial time would have made an immeasurable difference, I think having Obama in office for the years to follow instead of McCain is absolutely vital for the US as well as for the rest of the world.

And that's not even mentioning things like the US maybe finally signing a fucking climate treaty already or, say, slapping some regulations on their banking sector so its crashes don't take down the global financial markets with it - another thing that effects people all over the world.

But do you really believe that a change of President will change any of that?

Actually, yes, it can cause a major change.

Like it or not, political change in America has a major effect on the world at large.

Actually, yes, it can cause a major change.

Like it or not, political change in America has a major effect on the world at large.

True. But not only do I doubt how much political change there actually will be, considering america's power is decreasing in comparison with the rest of the world (In europe the EU is on it's way to superpower (economicaly at least) status, in Asia Russia is resurgent and China an India are rising), the influence it has to make this change spread is limited.

Here's another crap someone gives! Take that!!

True. But not only do I doubt how much political change there actually will be, considering america's power is decreasing in comparison with the rest of the world (In europe the EU is on it's way to superpower (economicaly at least) status, in Asia Russia is resurgent and China an India are rising), the influence it has to make this change spread is limited.

I would say that the EU is already a superpower, and that China is very, very close.

However, in developing nations, US action can be critical.

Here's another crap someone gives! Take that!!

Your maturity is astounding, professor.

oh god i'm soo hungry for cheese right now. foood. must have been the maturity comment. damn you Knights of Liberty!

Oh, most definitely. He might still have called any retaliative measures after 9/11 "war on terror" but he very believably expressed his incredulity at retaliating against Iraq, of all places, instead of against the people who actually had something to do with 9/11 and thus I am very certain that he would indeed have focused on Afghanistan like he said he would have. I mean, come on, without Bush Iraq wouldn't even have ever come up in the first place.

Without Bush and things like his daddy-complex war in Iraq or his Halliburton stance on climate you wouldn't have had the colossal squandering of international goodwill towards the US; you wouldn't have thousands of civilians and allied soldiers dying and being wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan; you wouldn't have an understaffed war effort in Afghanistan that, much like Iraq, currently serves mainly as a recruiting ground for new terrorists (who, btw, like to blow up things outside the US just as much as inside); you wouldn't have gas prices skyrocketing since the invasion of Iraq.

But yeah, no, all this really doesn't have any effect on the rest of the world at all. At all.

Not to be a pain, but had Gore been elected, his Democratic predecessor was a mite bit hawkish on Iraq as well. While I doubt a war would have developed, I can certainly see Gore leading an international "tightening of the chains" on Hussein's regime.

Well, we are the most powerful nation on Earth with the greatest ability to project power anywhere in the world, so I'd say choosing who is going to be responsible for using that colossal amount of power is exceptionally important. This is especially true at such a critical juncture, when many significant issues are approaching critical mass and will have to be dealt with in the next decade. The way the next President leads this country will have a drastic effect on the rest of the world.

why am i attacked by images of the US president Obama using the statue of liberty as a giant death robot hellbent on walking accross the ocean to sort out Russia? must be lack of sleep.

why am i attacked by images of the US president Obama using the statue of liberty as a giant death robot hellbent on walking accross the ocean to sort out Russia? must be lack of sleep.

*copyrights*

*copyrights*

You better not sit on that forever. I want to see that movie.

why am i attacked by images of the US president Obama using the statue of liberty as a giant death robot hellbent on walking accross the ocean to sort out Russia? must be lack of sleep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQj3LIH-DqM

Not to be a pain, but had Gore been elected, his Democratic predecessor was a mite bit hawkish on Iraq as well. While I doubt a war would have developed, I can certainly see Gore leading an international "tightening of the chains" on Hussein's regime.

"Tightened chains" is very different from war and invasion though.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

We love in a global community, and the impact of this election will be felt around the world. You should care. It's important.

From trade through the question of global climate change and international diplomacy to the current wars: All will have an impact.

If you can't see it, I'd say you weren't interested enough.

I'm British and do care about the result. But I don't care enough for about a year's worth of coverage. Its a foreign election, even if its an important one. Cover it in detail for a few weeks before it happens, maximum. I'm a politics student, and even I'm bored to death with it now. God knows how everyone else feels

"Tightened chains" is very different from war and invasion though.

The reason I said that is because it was claimed that Iraq would probably have not have even come up, had Gore won in Florida (damn the peninsular states!) I suspect Iraq would have come up, and something pertaining to Iraq would have happened.

The reason I said that is because it was claimed that Iraq would probably have not have even come up, had Gore won in Florida (damn the peninsular states!) I suspect Iraq would have come up, and something pertaining to Iraq would have happened.

Oh, no, I meant Iraq would never have come up in connection with whom to bomb in retaliation for 9/11. I didn't phrase it clearly, I'm sorry.

(damn the peninsular states!)

Well played. In retaliation (a minor threadjack) I'll show you the heresies I see every day. I'm sure you'll feel a dark, mirror image of the disgust I feel.

The flags above my unit's area (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/SS100029.jpg)

The flags of those whose armed forces are stationed on my base (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/SS100028.jpg)

Well, we are the most powerful nation on Earth with the greatest ability to project power anywhere in the world, so I'd say choosing who is going to be responsible for using that colossal amount of power is exceptionally important.
Potential being an importantword. We could do quite a lot, but we just waste it piddling about on the edges of things and harassing the 3rd world. Iraq was a fucking waste of hot lead.

Well played. In retaliation (a minor threadjack) I'll show you the heresies I see every day. I'm sure you'll feel a dark, mirror image of the disgust I feel.

The flags above my unit's area (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/SS100029.jpg)

The flags of those whose armed forces are stationed on my base (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/SS100028.jpg)

http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2006/09/ohiostateiraqkids.jpg

Don't worry...I'm sure the joy I see at this, you feel equal disgust.

http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2006/09/ohiostateiraqkids.jpg

Don't worry...I'm sure the joy I see at this, you feel equal disgust.

Indeed. I still question DoD's wisdom in creating a brigade, half from Michigan and half from Ohio...

Indeed. I still question DoD's wisdom in creating a brigade, half from Michigan and half from Ohio...

Haha. With good reason. I can't even justify that one on the grounds of "friendly competition".

Haha. With good reason. I can't even justify that one on the grounds of "friendly competition".

Indeed. Still, the writing on the latrine walls is generally quite humorous. Also, you bastards have the leg up on us because we have to wear your patch. However, as you can see I have my own way of protesting that. Look closely at the patch on my left sleeve above the "Buckeye" patch in the middle of it.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/100_0561.jpg

Indeed. Still, the writing on the latrine walls is generally quite humorous. Also, you bastards have the leg up on us because we have to wear your patch. However, as you can see I have my own way of protesting that. Look closely at the patch on my left sleeve above the "Buckeye" patch in the middle of it.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/100_0561.jpg

You have to wear our patch because we got stuck with Toledo.

But, making the effort there, I see sir.

You have to wear our patch because we got stuck with Toledo.

But, making the effort there, I see sir.

Hopefully the next time we can stick you with Detroit.

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

When the economy melts and you're forced to live in a trailer park, that's because you didn't care about the 2000 and 2004 elections. :(

Speaking as the resident bastard of Jolt, I say on to you, I dont give a damn about what you think about the US, bub, watch Manchester United and STFU, oh yeah. pay back the WW2 lend lease.

Here's why you should care:

IF we Americans choose wrong, you and other world leaders have to put up with our mistake while the majority is thinking to themselves, "Oh crap... we screwed up again?" Likewise, with the world economy in the shape it's in, a false move could screw the world. The wrong choice could also screw up diplomatic matters. Kinda like how instead of listening to NATO, we jumped into two wars. One was the right one, the other was a vendetta. We need to keep our alliances strong, which means that we also have to be compassionate and accomodating to them.

Since I only look on the surface of politics, I don't have any ideas on how to create that kind of world. I only know my positions.

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I care about foreign nations' elections because those sort of things have always been interesting to me, but I'd never *expect* a foreigner to care about our elections. With the recent global economic troubles and globalization in general, *everyone* is affected by foreign elections to some degree, so there's good reason to pay attention when major players are having elections, but if it bored me or if I didn't really stand to lose anything, I probably wouldn't pay any attention either.

If you don't care about the lives of, for example, a few hundred thousand innocent people in Iraq or, for example, the potential lives of innocent people in pretty much any other country due to US actions, then fine. There is nothing I or anyone can say that will burst your egocentric, "If I can't smell it, it must not be shit" mindset and somehow force you to be a decent human being and care.

But don't act as if we should all be like you.

As a non-American, I care, because the result has an impact on the whole world. I wish it weren't the case, but it is.

I care a lot. Have you not been following Bush the last 8 years? Or the 2 wars we've blindly followed him into?

I am honestly tired of this shit already. It seems like there's nowhere I can go or anything I can watch without the election getting into it. God I can't wait for this to be over.

I am honestly tired of this shit already. It seems like there's nowhere I can go or anything I can watch without the election getting into it. God I can't wait for this to be over.

Wow. Get over yourself. It's two days.

Wow. Get over yourself. It's two days.

I know, but there should be places we can go to escape the political stuff if we want. I can't even watch sports right now without the dumbass broadcasters bringing it up or having to watch a political ad.

I know, but there should be places we can go to escape the political stuff if we want. I can't even watch sports right now without the dumbass broadcasters bringing it up or having to watch a political ad.

That why we have books.

If you can't escape election horseshit, you're not trying hard enough.

@Soviestan: Save the apathy for if we screw up or if you can do anything, vote. Until then, give it a rest. It's pretty important because really there is a lot at stake if we screw up.

I know, you can redirect your apathy and use it on a soap opera. Because, really in the end, who cares about soaps?

I care a lot. Have you not been following Bush the last 8 years? Or the 2 wars we've blindly followed him into?

This is old, but highly relevant:

President Gore (http://adamcadre.ac/calendar/10651-real.html)

Holy shit it's been 8 years already? I remember when George W Bush got elected, I had just started jerking off that year. Time flies...(wise look)

I guess the point of this is that I agree with the OP, we really shouldnt waste our time on US elections since we cant vote there and its irrelevant. Ok I just wasted 10 min in this thread, see ya!

@Soviestan: Save the apathy for if we screw up or if you can do anything, vote. Until then, give it a rest. It's pretty important because really there is a lot at stake if we screw up.

I know, you can redirect your apathy and use it on a soap opera. Because, really in the end, who cares about soaps?

I'm not apathetic, I voted a week ago and I volunteered for one of the candidates.

That why we have books.

If you can't escape election horseshit, you're not trying hard enough.

I don't like books.

Well, apparently your news stations must think it important. Don't take it out on us Yanks because you don't like what's provided for you -- tell your stations and newspapers to stop making this a big deal.

As a non-american I'm not quite sure the two candidates have that much of a difference in any issue that might be relative to my life. So I don't care about it overtly much either. I'm interested yes, but I don't really worry about the damn thing as much as some people seem to think I should. I think that my time can be spend better on issues that I can do something about.

I don't like books.

I feel sorry for you.

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.
Speaking as a different limey - not like anything much else is going on at the moment which can be reported on.

"Markets pure mento again"
"Err someone dies, maybe a Taliban or something"
"Elections, hurrah!"

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.


Speaking as a different limey - not like anything much else is going on at the moment which can be reported on.

Speaking as a non-limey, I am distressed I do not live in a country whose inhabitants are called limeys. It sounds so much more fun and citrusy than "yankee."

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

Your butchery of the English language irritates me. If I could vote for you to use spell check, I'd be very interested in that election.

EDIT: I mean, for fuck's sake, if you're a proud limey learn to spell BRITANNIC.

Speaking as a non-limey, I am distressed I do not live in a country whose inhabitants are called limeys. It sounds so much more fun and citrusy than "yankee."
It's pronounced 'Yank' :p

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

You can look forward to Obama invading Pakistan as promised, so we're going to vote for someone dumber than Bush.

You can look forward to Obama invading Pakistan as promised, so we're going to vote for someone dumber than Bush.

This is the second time I've seen you make this idiotic claim.

I'll refer you to the rebuttal (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14154429#post14154429) which you can now proceed to ignore again, as is your wont.

In short - you're wrong.

In short - you're wrong.

You get used to it from this particular poster.

I would say that the EU is already a superpower, and that China is very, very close.

However, in developing nations, US action can be critical.

EU WOULD be a superpower if the member states actualy bothered to come to some bloody agreement (and the governments in some could stop bloody arguing like little kids)

EU WOULD be a superpower if the member states actualy bothered to come to some bloody agreement (and the governments in some could stop bloody arguing like little kids)

And the U.S. is an ever perfect union that agrees on everything and treats all creeds and colours equally.

EU WOULD be a superpower if the member states actualy bothered to come to some bloody agreement (and the governments in some could stop bloody arguing like little kids)
Obviously you've not been looking at the US senate lately. What a débâcle.

And the U.S. is an ever perfect union that agrees on everything and treats all creeds and colours equally.

the noise you hear is the point sailing RIGHT over your head.

the noise you hear is the point sailing RIGHT over your head.

I'm paranoid. I thought the sniper had come back.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/01/AR2007080101233.html

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama issued a pointed warning yesterday to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, saying that as president he would be prepared to order U.S. troops into that country unilaterally if it failed to act on its own against Islamic extremists.

In his most comprehensive statement on terrorism, the senator from Illinois said that the Iraq war has left the United States less safe than it was before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and that if elected he would seek to withdraw U.S. troops and shift the country's military focus to threats in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"When I am president, we will wage the war that has to be won," he told an audience at the Woodrow Wilson Center in the District. He added, "The first step must be to get off the wrong battlefield in Iraq and take the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

It's pretty clear that Pakistan is unwilling to pacify and police the tribal areas of Waziristan partially because of internal political problems, and partially because the ISI (the Pakistan Secret Service) is unwilling altogether to kill off their own proteges.

That's why right now, Predators are flying in to kill terrorist leaders, both Taliban and Al-Q.

Pakistan is also unwilling to let the US come in and do it - which is why they protested to the State Department as well as Petraeus this week.

Obama will either have to completely backpedal out of this promise (likely), or he'll be forced to invade Pakistan.

Either way, he looks completely stupid.

It's pronounced 'Yank' :p

Then what do you call those Americans between the Mason-Dixon line and 49th parallel?

Then what do you call those Americans between the Mason-Dixon line and 49th parallel?

Only New Englanders are called Yankees. The rest of the North is not.

Only New Englanders are called Yankees. The rest of the North is not.

I thought any Northern state that was in the Union during the Civil War had citizenry called yanks.

I thought any Northern state that was in the Union during the Civil War had citizenry called yanks.

The term Yankee, sometimes abbreviated to Yank, has a few related meanings, often referring to someone of U.S. origin or heritage. Within the United States its meaning has varied over time. Originally the term referred to residents of New England as used by Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. During and after the American Civil War its meaning expanded to include any Northerner or resident of the states formerly on the Union side of the war, and included anyone from the Northeast (New England, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Great Lakes states). After the Civil War the term gradually reverted to its earlier meaning of New Englander,[1] although Southerners sometimes continue to use the extended meaning.

Thus sayeth ye olde Wiki.

Thus sayeth ye olde Wiki.

So in the non-United States it means an American, in the non-North it means a Northerner, and in the non-New England it means a New Englander. If I were to go to New England, it would probably mean someone from a specific part of New England. They always live just over the hill. :)

So in the non-United States it means an American, in the non-North it means a Northerner, and in the non-New England it means a New Englander. If I were to go to New England, it would probably mean someone from a specific part of New England. They always live just over the hill. :)


As EB White said

To foreigners, a Yankee is an American.
To Americans, a Yankee is a Northerner.
To Northerners, a Yankee is an Easterner.
To Easterners, a Yankee is a New Englander.
To New Englanders, a Yankee is a Vermonter.
And in Vermont, a Yankee is somebody who eats pie for breakfast.

Obama will either have to completely backpedal out of this promise (likely), or he'll be forced to invade Pakistan.
I want to be very clear about what I said. Nobody called for the invasion of Pakistan. Sen. McCain continues to repeat this.

What I said was the same thing that the audience here today heard me say, which is, if Pakistan is unable or unwilling to hunt down bin Laden and take him out, then we should.

Now, that I think has to be our policy, because they are threatening to kill more Americans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZDSJN7mVPo

Either way, he looks completely stupid.
Luckily, that's only to you and to the people who refuse to look at the context of his words.

Luckily, that's only to you and to the people who refuse to look at the context of his words.

and let's be honest, very few people decided not to vote for Obama because of what he said. Mostly it's people who already were not going to vote for him, scrambling to justify their decision.

Obama could, in his first week in office, turn a surplus, bring stable democracy to Iraq, end world hunger, disarm Iran, broker a mid-east peace agreement, end the crisis in Darfur and bring about the coming of the messiah and people will still bitch about Ayers.

and let's be honest, very few people decided not to vote for Obama because of what he said. Mostly it's people who already were not going to vote for him, scrambling to justify their decision.

Obama could, in his first week in office, turn a surplus, bring stable democracy to Iraq, end world hunger, disarm Iran, broker a mid-east peace agreement, end the crisis in Darfur and bring about the coming of the messiah and people will still bitch about Ayers.

There's more than a little truth to this...

I'm interested, as many around the world, on the US's election outcome. Does it affect my daily life? Nah.

Does it affect my daily life?

Sure it does. That annoying election thread is occuping space which would be better spent on a thread about some political figure falling over or something.

Sure it does. That annoying election thread is occuping space which would be better spent on a thread about some political figure falling over or something.

It may affect my NSG existence. But not the one outside.;)

It may affect my NSG existence. But not the one outside.;)

You said Daily Life and expect me to believe that doesn't involve NSG?

You said Daily Life and expect me to believe that doesn't involve NSG?

You're a difficult person.:eek2:

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.

who wins what?:confused:

I say the rest of the world bands together and turns the US into a dictatorship, that way we don't have to deal with this election BS every 4 years.

Just out of curiosity, in the US do you get extensive coverage of foreign election's?

I say the rest of the world bands together and turns the US into a dictatorship, that way we don't have to deal with this election BS every 4 years.

I think you've got it backwards. We turn your countries into dictatorships, not the other way around.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/01/AR2007080101233.html



It's pretty clear that Pakistan is unwilling to pacify and police the tribal areas of Waziristan partially because of internal political problems, and partially because the ISI (the Pakistan Secret Service) is unwilling altogether to kill off their own proteges.

That's why right now, Predators are flying in to kill terrorist leaders, both Taliban and Al-Q.

Pakistan is also unwilling to let the US come in and do it - which is why they protested to the State Department as well as Petraeus this week.

Obama will either have to completely backpedal out of this promise (likely), or he'll be forced to invade Pakistan.

Either way, he looks completely stupid.

With a bit of luck, Obama will trigger a nuclear war.

Just out of curiosity, in the US do you get extensive coverage of foreign election's?

HAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah, I'm sure they do.

With a bit of luck, Obama will trigger a nuclear war.

At some point you have to put staying alive and non-nuked ahead of partisan politics and spitefulness.

At some point you have to put staying alive and non-nuked ahead of partisan politics and spitefulness.

Hehehe, no I don't. I would scorch the planet out of pettiness.

Just out of curiosity, in the US do you get extensive coverage of foreign election's?
Nope. I remember reading a New Yorker article about London's mayoral election and there was some coverage of the election that brought in Sarkozy, but that's it. On one hand I can see why that it, Mexico's leader affects me less than the US's, but it doesn't do much to give my fellow Americans and me a cold douse of much-needed humility.

IMHO, if Gore won I believe that 9/11 still would have happened. It was planned well before Bush hit office and had nothing to do with political parties but the fact that we gave aid to the taliban years back when they were fighting the soviets and then decided to cut funding, leaving them on their own. I can see how they would be pissed, but I don't condone their actions.

As for Iraq, I honestly don't think Gore would have hit Iraq. Possibly afghanistan but I doubt he would have went into Iraq.

As a yank, I only care for the fact that I don't want the world to suffer under another 4 years of the same crap happening for the last 8 years. Remember folks, it was the US pres that pushed that co-op effort to go into Iraq. Many other nations sent troops and some of those troops were killed. If the President had been Gore, I don't think the Iraq thing would have happened, hence may foreign military soldiers, men and women from other countries mind you, would still be alive today.

So yes, I think the world should care.

IMHO, if Gore won I believe that 9/11 still would have happened. It was planned well before Bush hit office and had nothing to do with political parties but the fact that we gave aid to the taliban years back when they were fighting the soviets and then decided to cut funding, leaving them on their own. I can see how they would be pissed, but I don't condone their actions.


Ok....

Who has said otherwise?

Nope. I remember reading a New Yorker article about London's mayoral election and there was some coverage of the election that brought in Sarkozy, but that's it. On one hand I can see why that it, Mexico's leader affects me less than the US's, but it doesn't do much to give my fellow Americans and me a cold douse of much-needed humility. Well then you cant know how annoying it is to have British papers with an American election on the front page

Well then you cant know how annoying it is to have British papers with an American election on the front page

I can imagine it's pretty annoying. Um...sorry, I guess. We'll try to wrap things up by Wednesday.

Hmm. It's been a while since I've been called a ''Yank." Anyway, I really don't care who wins either, even though I should since it would affect me in the future, with my being in the military. I'm pretty much voting for my next boss. McCain is too much like Bush, and I don't see much truth or confidence in McCain. Obama on the other hand. He has a different "vibe" if you will. My gut tells me that something different needs to be done and that we need to try it out at least once. Politics aren't my thing, obviously, because I don't really give a strong argument when the topic is brought up, but that's the best way I can describe it.

I can imagine it's pretty annoying. Um...sorry, I guess. We'll try to wrap things up by Wednesday. Cheers, much appreciated. We even had an episode of Question time broadcast from Washington, it just sort of deteriorated into a shouting match between the American's with poor old David Dimbleby trying to keep the peace. One peculiar thing I noticed is all the panel members were wearing poppies but none of the American audience; no doubt they were made to by the BBC.

Ok....

Who has said otherwise?


I was making a point in response to this:

Not being directly effected by George Bush. Sure it's been funny to watch, but he hasn't had much effect on me. Do you honestly bellieve the war on terror wouldn't have happened if Gore had won?

I was responding to this. Do I think the war on terror would have happened if Gore won? No, hence my prior comment. 9/11 was going to happen regardless, and I gave the reasons I believe it happened. I don't think Gore would have hit Iraq so no I don't think the "War on Terror" would have happened if Gore was in office.

Well then you cant know how annoying it is to have British papers with an American election on the front page

You can't know how annoying it is to have American papers with British soccer tourny results on the front page.

If It Is Anoying Dont Watch It The United States
Cares So Much About It Cause We
Pick A President For
Are Country.
Dont Like Well To
Bad So Sad

You can't know how annoying it is to have American papers with British soccer tourny results on the front page.

That's not news, that's an intervention.

for starters the rest of the world cares because we are tied up in their economys, have the most advanced and dagerous millitary evarrr, and we are a diplomatic powerhouse. also absuluty no one here has the right info about iraq, and if Al Gore was president half the u.s. would be burning

That's not news, that's an intervention.

If it isn't World Rally Championship (a.k.a. World Rally Car), I'm not that interested. You can keep the American Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Hockey and Nascar....I just care about WRC results :)

also absuluty no one here has the right info about iraq, and if Al Gore was president half the u.s. would be burning

Not so much but don't let me get in the way of your fantasy. Concidering your post, you could be asleep at the keyboard.

Al Gore is 1. a an ass, and 2. a very very bad leader. he would not have had the incentive to suppress the Talaban, and Al Quada when he could. Iraq was an attempt to get a foothold in the middle east to keep it stable, and Saddam was a scapegoat

Al Gore would not have had the resolve to prosecute a coordinated response to the 9/11 attacks, and that means terrorists would not have been deterred from attacking us again.

The ferocity of the American response is the only reason we have not had an equal or greater terrorist attack on our soil. People conveniently forget about that when Bush bashing. For the most part, he did his job. Iraq was a focal point to distract the terrorists from plans against the homeland. There were a lot of strategic mistakes in the prosecution of the Iraqi war, however.

Hopefully, it would matter to most people who is the President of the US, regardless of where they live, for two reasons:

A) The amount of power this person will have
B) The amount of interconnectedness in the world today (both for people who depend on the US and for people whom the US depends upon)

Probably we (in the US) will know tomorrow night and it will finally be over.

Al Gore is 1. a an ass, and 2. a very very bad leader. he would not have had the incentive to suppress the Talaban, and Al Quada when he could. Iraq was an attempt to get a foothold in the middle east to keep it stable, and Saddam was a scapegoat

And he´s super super serial. *nod*

Al Gore would not have had the resolve to prosecute a coordinated response to the 9/11 attacks, and that means terrorists would not have been deterred from attacking us again.

The ferocity of the American response is the only reason we have not had an equal or greater terrorist attack on our soil. People conveniently forget about that when Bush bashing. For the most part, he did his job. Iraq was a focal point to distract the terrorists from plans against the homeland. There were a lot of strategic mistakes in the prosecution of the Iraqi war, however.

Hopefully, it would matter to most people who is the President of the US, regardless of where they live, for two reasons:

A) The amount of power this person will have
B) The amount of interconnectedness in the world today (both for people who depend on the US and for people whom the US depends upon)

Probably we (in the US) will know tomorrow night and it will finally be over. I agree:hail:

Half man half bear half piiiiiiiiig

Half man half bear half piiiiiiiiig

It´s ManBearPig!

Speaking as a proud limey, the huge amount of coverage the colinial election is getting, both in on our Britanic Majesty's airwaves and her interwebs, iritates me deeply.

I know the reson why the US presidential election gets the coverage it does worldwide - global superpower and all that - but who in the non american world actually cares. Personally I consider the huge Obama-mania and Plain effect situation to be slightly OTT - nothing really will change, no matter who wins.

So, asside from the yanks among us, who's actually cares who wins? I'm intrested, but I don't see that as the same thing.
This is a side issue, but could you British people please stop referring to us as colonials? We've not been colonies of anyone for over 200 years, thank yew.

This is a side issue, but could you British people please stop referring to us as colonials? We've not been colonies of anyone for over 200 years, thank yew.

Well, if it makes it any better, the people who founded the US weren't so much the colonials. They were the British people we had sent over to subjugate the local inhabitants and claim the land in the name of the crown. You were the colonisers.

But they of course, got a bit uppity for their boots, and we all know what happened after that...

This is a side issue, but could you British people please stop referring to us as colonials? We've not been colonies of anyone for over 200 years, thank yew.
I don't call you lot colonials, that's the lot of people who like to imagine that the UK is still super important and such.

I don't call you lot colonials, that's the lot of people who like to imagine that the UK is still super important and such.

Oh. So, the arrogant Brits. :p

Just keedin'... you're not any more arrogant than anyone else.
Your accent just make it sound that way.

(Argh! Must... stop. Can not... resist)

Oh. So, the arrogant Brits. :p

Just keedin'... you're not any more arrogant than anyone else.
Your accent just make it sound that way.

(Argh! Must... stop. Can not... resist)
*shakes fist, poshly*

If Gore had been in the White House, 9/11 would not have happened in the first place. We did have advance warning, which only a supreme idiot would have ignored.

I think you've got it backwards. We turn your countries into dictatorships, not the other way around.

That's why we've got our sleeper agent running for President! YOU FOOLS! Obama is a Manchurian Candidate, and there's nothing you can do to stop us now! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Now I shall carefully explain our entire plan while putting you in an easily escapable trap.

If Gore had been in the White House, 9/11 would not have happened in the first place. We did have advance warning, which only a supreme idiot would have ignored.

Just as a side note, on September 10th, 2001, terrorism was largely viewed within the federal government as something that was a purely law enforcement issue. The President, as with most issues, was VERY hands off, allowing the agencies to deal with such challenges as they will. Micro-level implementation of policy is not what we elect Presidents to do.

That's not how Richard Clarke tells it.

Now I shall carefully explain our entire plan while putting you in an easily escapable trap.

I hope the escape allows me to utilize the gadget I was briefed about ten scenes ago.

The ferocity of the American response is the only reason we have not had an equal or greater terrorist attack on our soil.
But not because of deterrence. People who believe they're fighting for a higher cause, bringing about an absolutely fundamental change to the way human beings live on earth and who think they will find rewards not in the here and now, but in the afterlife - those people aren't afraid that the US is going to bomb their campsite. The US response just encouraged them because now the war had begun in earnest.

That's not to say going to Afghanistan and trying to disrupt them in Pakistan is a bad thing, because it clearly takes away from their physical ability to do stuff. But to imagine that they're somehow scared, or even that people would be deterred to join terrorist factions in the first place is delusional.

Iraq was a focal point to distract the terrorists from plans against the homeland.
That presumes that there is some sort of central terrorist command which has limited resources it can either apply in one place or in another. That's obviously not true - AQ doesn't have a centralised leadership of the sort it had before 2001. The guy who got their campaign going in Iraq was some ex-con from Jordan who otherwise would just have kept going robbing people. It's not like Al-Zarqawi would have taken a flight to the US and blown himself up if the Iraq war hadn't happened. At best he would've gone to Pakistan and fought the Americans in the border region.

Global Islamist terrorism is decentralised and internet based. It doesn't have a leadership and it doesn't have to economise. People receive some sort of training, either physically or through the web, and are then left to their own devices on how they want to use it. They could live in the middle east and have an easier time getting into Iraq, or they could live in London and just do it right there. I can't tell you with certainty why it is that there haven't really been big stories about Americans trying to commit terrorist acts in the US, but I can tell you that I'm pretty damn sure it's not because they thought it would be a better idea to leave the US and go to Iraq to kill Americans.

I think the main point to get across here is that everyone should care... as long as we keep trying to police the world...

Just - who and wherever you are - pray that Palin does not make it into office. Screw McCain or Obama - they're pretty equal. Palin is the thing that makes this election an easy decision.