BS: What have the Americans ever done for us

Subject: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 02 May 07 - 10:44 AM

There's a scene in the Monty Python film the life of Brian when a group of activists are trying to whip up the mob against the Romans, by asking them 'What have the Romans ever done for us'.

So my question as person from planet Earth is,

What have the Americans ever done for us ?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 May 07 - 12:38 PM

I think you're asking the wrong question, Brian. Are you talking about American politicians and industrialists, or about the American people?

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Amos
Date: 02 May 07 - 12:39 PM

ANd who is us in that sentence?


A

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: kendall
Date: 02 May 07 - 12:41 PM

Troll alert!

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 May 07 - 12:51 PM

Hey, he specified - he's asking as a person from Planet Earth. But yeah, it gets old to hear all the American-bashing, so people get sensitive. The Internet seems to have become a home for stereotyping and prejudice, a place where people can find support for their dislike of whatever group they choose to hate today.

Condemning or praising any national group is a logical error. Some members of the group are worthy of praise, and some are not.


And some "contributions" are both beneficial and harmful. Americans gave you Coca Cola, which I happen to like a lot. However, it rots my teeth and expands my belly and makes my wife glare disapprovingly at me, and has been a symbol of American imperialism for a generation.

The Americans gave you Woody Guthrie, and all folkies love Woody Guthrie. But some people - and some Americans - hate him. And I have to say that I liked his songs, but not his singing voice.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 May 07 - 12:55 PM

It would be quicker sailing to Australia if the Americas weren't in the way. I'm not sure which side of the scales that would belong.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Wesley S
Date: 02 May 07 - 01:02 PM

Brian - what have you ever done for us?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: gnu
Date: 02 May 07 - 01:05 PM

You name it, them fellers done it. Better 'n most.

Yeah, Kendall, I know, but....

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Midchuck
Date: 02 May 07 - 01:10 PM

Without the US, it's likely that the world now would be either divided up fairly evenly between the German and Japanese empires, or, if not, entirely a part of the Soviet empire.

I suppose either one would be more peaceful than today's world, so maybe we can be considered the cause of all the troubles.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: gnu
Date: 02 May 07 - 01:17 PM

I remember this.

Subject: BS: What Have Trolls Ever Done For Us?
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 May 07 - 01:33 PM

Besides those Billy Goats Gruff and nearly having their way with Hermione Granger, that is?

Subject: RE: BS: What Have Trolls Ever Done For Us?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 02 May 07 - 01:35 PM

Trolls give us something to complain about, besides ourselves.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: John Hardly
Date: 02 May 07 - 02:56 PM

They gave us Elvis on TV with Celine Dion.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Bert
Date: 02 May 07 - 03:25 PM

Computers for one. British computer technology was sealed after the war due to the official secrets act.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Peace
Date: 02 May 07 - 03:32 PM

I have read that Sinclair article before, Gnu. I could not agree more.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 May 07 - 03:36 PM

Maybe it's a bit unfair identifying Brian as an anti-Yank troll.

The joke in the Life of Brian was that the determinedly anti-Roman Zionists couldn't help but come up with an ever lengthening list of benefits from Roman rule, so that rhetorical question "What have the Romans ever done for us?" backfired. I rather assume that's the assumption underlying behind the thread.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 May 07 - 03:56 PM

Gnu:
Nice link, but possibly not quite factually accurate. I quote:
Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy, were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of those countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

That paragraph is somewhat rebutted by the BBC website BBC, which says:
The UK will repay debts owed to the US dating from the World War II by the end of this year, the government says.
Under the lend-lease programme, which began in March 1941, the then neutral US could provide countries fighting Hitler with war material.
The US joined the war soon after - in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbour - and the programme ended in 1945.
The final payment of £45m will be made by the 31 December, meeting a 1945 obligation to repay the debt in full.

CHEERS
Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST,ib48
Date: 02 May 07 - 04:10 PM

They taught me how to cringe,watching their awful sickly sit coms

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 May 07 - 04:11 PM

And NB the date on that last was 3rd May 2006, so it's paid off by now.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 May 07 - 04:16 PM

We had a thread on the Gordon Sinclair piece in about 2000 (that's the text gnu linked to, with the Canadian griping about people who gripe about the U.S.), and I think the entire Sinclair text had been posted previously. Can't say I think much of the Sinclair piece, and I have some doubts about its authenticity. You can find it in about three million places on the internet, so I greatly appreciate gnu's not posting it.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: jacqui.c
Date: 02 May 07 - 05:48 PM

They gave us the Mudcat.......

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 May 07 - 06:50 PM

... can we give it back?


:-P

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: kendall
Date: 02 May 07 - 08:33 PM

They gave us Twiggy. We gave them the Torrey Canyon.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:17 AM

Steinbeck, Melville, Faulkner, James, Dreiser, Poe, Hawthorne, Whitman, Pound, Kerouac, Hemmingway, Fitzgerald, Ellison, Wolfe, Cooper, Ginsburg, Cummings, Mailer.

To name just a few

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Peace
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:31 AM

Bob Dylan ought to be enough for anyone, IMO, never mind providing the world with the prototype for the French Revolution. The US has contributed its fair share of great people and great thoughts to this planet.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: alanabit
Date: 03 May 07 - 03:21 AM

In fact the Brits and Americans have always taken the piss out of each other. We probably always will. Likewise the Ausssies and the Brits. It is usually no more than banter between friends. Those, who really do want to set up their people or culture as "superior" are the losers. I am not going to waste a lot of time getting hot and bothered about a few half witted bigots.
I loathe Coca Cola, chewing gum, crap sit coms, fast food joints and overbearing US companies and military arrogance. On the other hand, I love Mudcat, Mississippi John Hurt, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Ambose Bierce, Mark Twain, Katherine Hepburn, American spontanaeity and generosity of spirit.

"Condemning or praising any national group is a logical error. Some members of the group are worthy of praise, and some are not."

Nailed it in one Joe!

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST,brain
Date: 03 May 07 - 04:47 AM

Whay hay Thanks Mcgrath of Harlow, at least someone haS seen the film and well put alanbit, my thoughts exactly.
Itlooked as though the thread was going to end up being full of paranoid people thinking this was an anti American thread,then who would be stereo typing, there are other worries in the world and we don't all want to take a pop at the US, so lighten up and take it in the spirit it was meant and maybe take time out and watch the film sometime.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:13 AM

We have given the world new standards in torts! We are the most litigious country in the world and when you READ THIS you will know that no one can hold a candle to us.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Grab
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:35 AM

Doubt I could say it better than Alanabit.

I'd also add the spirit of free, unencumbered research and taking that research to market. The Brits did pioneer work on a huge amount of modern technology in the first half of the century - aircraft, computers, radar, radio telecoms and cars, to name a few - but either the research was hidden by the government to avoid other countries getting a leg-up, or industry/investors simply weren't prepared to put their money where their mouth is and so they lost out, went under or moved elsewhere. American government, industry and investors weren't so stupid.

The blessing and curse of American culture, as I see it, is that it sees every ambition as possible if enough people and money are thrown at it. That gave us men on the moon, Bell Labs and some fantastic technology, and gives us wonderfully generous, optimistic people. It also gave us Vietnam and Iraq II, and people who are (to European minds) overly influenced by soundbites.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:43 AM

I too saw it as a positive thread, like Kevin, for the same reason - it's OK Brian, you're not a naughty boy like your Mum says. So, without thinking too much or prioritising, I for one am (or have been at some stage in my life) grateful for:

Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Tim Robbins, Tom Hanks, Orson Welles, Isaac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut, Doris Day (what a confession), Alan Arkin, proper hamburgers, peanut butter, Teflon, nylon, Alaska Mike and Big Mick; and Happy Days and the Fonz.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:47 AM

And for that little piece of text the Fathers of the Nation drafted... It has been abused since, especially in our days, but it has served many countries as a shining example, and many individuals, myself among them, in sorting out their stance on life in their youth.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: kendall
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:26 AM

Alanabet, I hate the same things you do!

There are those who think that our arrogance is inherited from our European cousins, though I mention no names.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:31 AM

Great singers, songwriters , musicians and writers far too numerous to, and BANJOS

eric

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:01 AM

Might one modestly mention the Mudcat Cafe?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: MMario
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:04 AM

It's been mentioned - but while we are at it:

The Digital Tradition

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:21 AM

I'm American, (no I'm American) I'm American and so is my wife

(see the film to get the context of this)

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Peace
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:57 AM

America didn't give us banjos. They are of Middle East and African origin, I think. Azizi did a write-up about that a year or so ago.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 May 07 - 12:50 PM

Jazz, Country-Western, Blues, Rock and Roll, Bluegrass...

You're welcome

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 May 07 - 12:51 PM

Oh, and Scotland and Ireland didn't give us bagpipes, either. They came from the Middle East.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:09 PM

George, they didn't actually GIVE us nylon - it was a collaboration between US and UK scientists, hnce the name NY - New York, LON - London (or so the story I read about it led me to believe - no doubt someone from the West side of the pond will tell me it was all their own work, much like they won WWll single-handed!) LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:11 PM

But, to their great credit, they DID give us Emmylou, James Burton, Buddy, The Big 'O', Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, Ry Cooder, Tom Paxton........need I go on?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:15 PM

Pete Seegar 88 years old today.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Rog Peek
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:16 PM

......Phil Ochs, Woodie Guthrie, Cisco Huston, Tom Russell, Rambling Jack Elliott, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, Pete Seager, Sis Cunningham, Joe Hill (well he ended up in America), and many, many more..........

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: DougR
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:16 PM

Doesn't appear Guest Brian is interested enough to post his/her response to the replies to far. I fear Kendall is right (horrors!)

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Rog Peek
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:19 PM

Oh, and I forgot Jackson C Frank

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:31 PM

Yes he did Doug - it's just he respelled it as Brain.

Peanut Butter.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Bill D
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:32 PM

What have the Americans done for you? Oh...compact & reasonable spelling, should you wish to peruse it...*grin*












*stepping out of missle range...*

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 May 07 - 01:32 PM

Hey - when you have a troll make troll-house cookies!!

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 03 May 07 - 03:47 PM

Compact and reasonable spelling? Maybe, perhaps.
Absolutely and utterly f**kin' wrong spelling? Absolutely.
It's our language - Yanks either spel it and talk it proper like wot us Brits doo, or feck off and invent your own! LOL!
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Jeri
Date: 03 May 07 - 05:36 PM

Didn't we give Jerry Springer to the English? If we did, why is he still here in the US? Can't you people hold on to anything!?

In my little pocket of America, in the places where I sing, we like English folk music. This is a good thing, since from what people say on Mudcat, hardly anyone sings it in England.

As an aside to people who are just a bit slow getting the joke and too eager to find fights, the original Monty Python, 'What have the Romans ever done for us' line is, 'All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?'

It's not a troll, unless you're in the habit of being easily trolled by ironic lines in humorous moves, and it has the stink of a compliment about it...

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 03 May 07 - 06:29 PM

As a Canadian I perceive them as good friends and neighbours (neighbors?)who are always willing to do us a favour(favor?). They have laboured (labored?) to improve life on this planet but they can't spell, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Jeri
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:25 PM

Well, we Americans can be obnoxious - especially Americans with any degree of power. Most average Americans aren't obnoxious. Well, not ALL the time. Not unless they're driving. I have to shift into Canadian driving mode when I'm up there. You know: don't tailgate people in the passing lane you want to pass because you can trust they'll move over when they can. Let people in front of you to pass even when you're going faster. Make room for folks. That kind of stuff. You know - common decency.

This really happened once: some annoying, impatient person tried to crawl up my tailpipe for a few blocks, pulled into the same lot as I, went into the same store I was going into. I went in, thinking to say something brief and honest about how I felt, and got the, "Oh hi, there. It's a beautiful day, isn't it? I have to write a check - do you want to go ahead of me in line?" Why are people like overly caffeinated axe murderers in cars and all sweet out of them?

No, my non-American friends - we do NOT all own handguns and run around shooting at each other all the time. Most of us have cars, though.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:36 PM

Jerry, I am at this time visiting with family in the USA. The driving here is more agressive than at home but there as well things are changing. More tailgating, running yellow lights, and yapping on cellphones.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: jacqui.c
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:42 PM

Depends on which part of the States Sandy. Up here in Maine it's still relatively civilised, in comparison to driving in the South of England, when I go back for visits a couple of times a year.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: kendall
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:48 PM

I had a young woman come from the left lane, cross the center lane and cut me off in the right lane, missed me by a foot or so, then she ran a red light and pulled into the grocery store parking lot.
I wanted to ream her, but instead I called the police and complained.
Damn, I wish I could holler!

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST,::
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:04 PM

Taken the UK prevailence for BUGGERY, reformed it to an art...and then marketed it on the web as a British National Monument.

Sincerely ::

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: kendall
Date: 04 May 07 - 07:23 AM

What? explain...

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Amos
Date: 04 May 07 - 09:16 AM

Ask not what America has done for you; ask, rather, what you have done for America."


A

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 05 May 07 - 05:16 AM

Africa gave the Americans the ' banjar ' who converted it into the banjo. There is a big difference between a gourd and a Gibson.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Amos
Date: 07 May 07 - 05:43 PM

Hey, man...show some respeck!! We're Number One!!!!! Dig?


A

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Peace
Date: 07 May 07 - 06:41 PM

"There is a big difference between a gourd and a Gibson."

Yeah. Ya dring Gibsons from a gourd, not the other way 'round.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 08 May 07 - 04:41 AM

Dring ? Gibsons, sounds like you've had enough matey.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST,brian
Date: 08 May 07 - 06:04 AM

Hi Doug R, No Kendall was wrong, I've just been away and blimey haven't you all been busy,arnt some you very touchy,can I be bold to suggest those of you who haven't seen the film life of Brian, watch it before you make further comments or get used to the concept of Irony and Amos I dont want to 'ask what America has done for you, ask rather what you have done for America' I want to ask What have the Americans done for us, WATCH THE FILM AND COMMENT.

PLEASE TAKE IT IN THE SPIRIT IT WAS MEANT, WATCH THE F$$KING FILM PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I await further comments with interest.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: kendall
Date: 08 May 07 - 07:10 AM

Guest ib48

Our sit coms suck almost as much as your "Benny Hill"

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 08 May 07 - 02:18 PM

D'ye know what's really funny about this thread?

With only a couple of exceptions (and one or two incomprehensibles), you are ALL right.

The American people are saintly, evil, well mannered, ignorant, generous, greedy, arrogant, mild, passionate, calculating, and humble.

So are the people of any other nation on the face of this earth.

As for what they have done for us, They've produced both the best, and worst, and passed them on. So just about the same as we've done for them.

Ask a Bostonian what his ancestors thought of tea.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Amos
Date: 08 May 07 - 10:06 PM

Dear Brian:

I have seen the movie, and I am well versed in the nature of irony, as you would know if you had read any twenty of my posts here.

And, speaking of being touchy, why do you not see the irony in my offering John Fitzgerald Kennedy back at you?

A

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST
Date: 09 May 07 - 10:24 AM

WAY HAY WELL DONE DON YOU'VE WON THE PRIZE SO FAR(& well done to you Amos, me old fruit, you have got a sence of humour)come the rest of you.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:52 PM

Thankee kindly Guest

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Ron Davies
Date: 11 May 07 - 11:12 PM

Hey Kendall--Some of Benny Hill is great stuff--particularly when he lampoons TV or ads--which he often does. And I have nothing against double entendres. On a US sitcom the vulgarity never leaves the locker room stage. Benny is literate. It's an improvement. I'm surprised you can't tell the difference.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Stringsinger
Date: 12 May 07 - 03:57 PM

How 'bout them Beatles? Didn't they get their inspiration from black musicians from the US? The whole British Invasion was predicated on early rock and roll from the Fifties. To say nothing of the "Skiffle" movement and Lonnie Donegan stealing Leadbelly's licks.

Even Carnaby Street reflected the dress of the early "hippie" community of San Francisco.

We even went so far as to support Andrew Lloyd-Weber and for this abuse we should easilly get a medal.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST,jebonyr
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 11:37 AM

Musically: In the early fifties, you had nothing, and I mean zilch.
In America in the mid-fifties a balloon burst and it took you eight years of mad (copy and cover) that is, until the boys in Liverpool
learned how to do it from listening day-in-day-out to the American records, they emulated.Now, as per usual, they act as if it's theirs.
Also Messrs Donegan & McDavitt hijacked blues & traditional Americana
and called it "Skiffle". After Lonnie Donegan ran out of Woody Guthrie,Leadbelly and various old "coloured classics", he recorded his own wonderful hits like,"My old man's a dustman"--"Does your chewing gum lose it's flavour"---------From the sublime to the Shit.
   And this is only music....................

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Musket
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 11:54 AM

Is it that time of the month already jebonyr?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST,Rahere
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 01:17 PM

Find it hard to argue when I ask myself what we ever did for the US and realise we sent them Simon Cowell.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 04:04 PM

Best place for him.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 04:11 PM

I got this remote control thingy which controls Simon jes fine!

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 04:19 PM

Me too Bill. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Airymouse
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 07:26 PM

A way of speaking English that anyone who speaks English can understand. (In contrast, for me at least, half the mystery in Mystery Theater is trying to figure out what the characters are saying.)Of course, most major corporations have figured out that it us sometimes to their advantage to connect you with someone who speaks English that no one can understand.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 11:54 PM

It's interesting that some American advertising agencies and television documentary programs have decided that having the message narrated by someone with a pronounced English accent will give it more... panache? Credibility?.... *shrug* (no one still knows what accent that GEICO gecko is supposed to be)

And if they can find someone with really jolly, eccentric delivery where every phrase is emphasized like they were chewing toffee and trying to read Chaucer simultaneously, all the better.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Musket
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 01:57 AM

Over here, it goes further Bill. Call centres located in The North East have been all the rage for years because some clever sod worked out that the regional accent was one we all trust. No call centres in Wolverhampton for the same reason.

I thought it was an abundance of available Geordies but then, what do I know?

Back to the thread. Americans gave us greasy chicken served in a bucket.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 04:07 AM

Furthermore, among so many more than somewhat great writers so far mentioned, guys and dolls, the incomparable Damon Runyon does not appear to me to put in an appearance till now.

≈M≈

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 09:23 AM

For many of the meaner-spirited among us, Americans provide a wonderfully broad target for criticism and envy ... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 12:51 PM

"Americans provide a wonderfully broad target for criticism and envy ... ;-)"

*Running to mirror to see if there's a target on my back*

Hmmm.... nope. It must be on some maps....no....

Ahhh... there it is!

I suppose that any country which is both physically large and influential will inevitably become a target of some sort. If it ain't Congress & guns, it's greasy chicken. Greasy chicken may be the biggest danger... have you seen the obesity reports?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: billybob
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 01:58 PM

" Us" being me and my family, The Americans gave me my lovely husband, thank you NJ 35 years in the UK and he has lost his accent..... shame !

Wendy xx

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: gnu
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 03:13 PM

Lately, here in NB.ca, it's gas fracking and special forces snipers to quell the protests/protections. WE are not amused in the least about the Texans fracking us up and bringing guns onto Canuck soil when we say FRACK OFF!

Sorry. It's a pet peeve of mine. Foreign troops just up the road from me? WTF is THAT shit?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 03:36 PM

Sorry, gnu. Here in southeastern Alaska we are frequently disturbed by the actions of some Canadian companies and their seeming disregard for their neighbors.

Some years ago a Canadian mining company spent millions and a dozen years exploring and preparing to reopen a large tunnel mine operation. We- people who were concerned by their planned tailings pond and the tons of cyanide that were to be barged daily through our waters, among other things - got that stopped. For the time being.

Currently we in Alaska are disturbed by the latest disastrous breach/spill at Mount Polley that dumped toxic tailings into the salmon waters of the Fraser river, knowing that the same company that built their containment walls is hired to do the same at their projected Tulsequah Chief Mine on the Taku River shared by Alaska. A spill there would have an immediate impact on Alaska's salmon runs.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: robomatic
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 03:57 PM

One of the great celebrations of the intertangled web of dysfunction that is the great relationship across the pond:

Wendy: My father was in the Secret Service, Mr. Manfredjensenjen, and I happen to know perfectly well that you do not keep the general public informed when you are debriefing KGB in a safe house.

Otto: Oh you don't?

Wendy: Not unless you're congenitally insane or irretrievably stupid, no.

Otto: Don't call me stupid.

Wendy: Why on Earth not?

Otto: Oh, you English are *so* superior, aren't you? Well, would you like to know what you'd be without us, the good ol' U.S. of A. to protect you? I'll tell you. The smallest fucking province in the Russian Empire, that's what! So don't call me stupid, lady. Just thank me.

Wendy: Well, *thank* you for popping in and protecting us.

Otto: If it wasn't for us, you'd all be speaking *German!* Singing "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles..."

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: LadyJean
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 12:19 AM

When I was in high school, the bio teacher, who was an English woman, told an Irish joke in class. There were six girls in my class with Irish surnames. It was a stupid, mean thoughtless thing to do.

I found a St. Patrick's Day card that declared the recipient an "Honorary Irishman" because he or she had, "Courage, wit, humor and just a bit of blarney." The bio teacher had none of these qualities, but I bought the card for her and had most of the class sign it.

A couple of girls tried to stop me from giving it to her FOR FEAR OF HURTING HER FEELINGS.

I've been watching some British sitcom that stars Ian McKellan and Derek Jacoby as a gay couple. Talk about sticky! Also predictable, with plots straight out of "I Love Lucy". How can the BBC waste two good actors like that?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 03:54 AM

No doubt people in Iraq, and indeed the whole Middle East, might have a rather different take on the subject of this thread...........

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 09:37 AM

We won't do it anymore, I promise.

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Musket
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 09:39 AM

LadyJean. If instead of Sir Ian McKellan it was Judy Dench, but the same script, would it be just as sticky?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Midchuck
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 10:11 AM

What America did for England, and Europe in general, was discover the simple truth that there is no logical reason why an hereditary noble, or "gentle" class should exist, and have rights and privileges that the common people are denied.

Now we appear to have forgotten this fact ourselves. As we all say on the Internet, WTF?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Greg F.
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 10:16 AM

"We" haven't forgotten it, Midchuck. We've willingly handed the country over to the Corporations and Plutocrats in the name of "tax reduction" and supposed "economic prosperity".

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Musket
Date: 02 Sep 14 - 12:53 PM

Rights and privileges?

Someone been reading Tom Clancy novels again?

Subject: RE: BS: What have the Americans ever done for us
From: Janie
Date: 03 Sep 14 - 12:40 AM

Assuming "Us" is the UK, I don't know and have other things in life to think about. I also don't concern myself too much with what the UK has done for "Us."

Pass the gravy, the haggis, the plum pudding, the poached possum, the Tex-Mex chili, chitlins or cupcakes, vegan or not - I don't give a rat's *ss as long as you join me on the porch to make some good music about the lives of people that we can all participate in, be it with instrument, voice, dance, toe tapping, or a smile and a head nodding in time.