Thread: American Character

Originally Posted by pickel

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Define 'cheap' for us? Like give some locations (Amerika is a big country) and throw in some property tax info while your at it?

Seen the news lately?

What kind of throw-away question is that? I asked you a straight question: Define cheap. Can't get no more straight-forward than that...

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by pickel

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Define 'cheap' for us? Like give some locations (Amerika is a big country) and throw in some property tax info while your at it?

Seen the news lately?

What kind of throw-away question is that? I asked you a straight question: Define cheap. Can't get no more straight-forward than that...

It is a Jet-like answer, the stuff she throws out all the time . . . not really satisfying if you're on the receiving end, is it, BM?

I believe Pickel is hinting at the mass-evictions of home-owners and bargain basement sell-offs of houses because they can't give them away . . . not just in Rotgut, Ohio.

A report on AJ showed virtually a whole street of 'new' middle-class (real middle class, not Palin middle-class) homes being repossessed and out up for sale.

So, there is ample opportunity for a wealthy woman like Jet to buy up big and buy up good in a nice neighburhood . . . if the US lets her in . . .

What's AJ? Another leftie Australian rag?

what a great topic, almost missed that one

Originally Posted by Texpat

Americans, by and large, (myself excepted of course) very rarely disparage you and your countries for being what you are.

It's not because we don't think you're a small-minded, self-absorbed, helpless, disenfranchised, whining group of miserable pricks. But rather because we whole-heartedly realize that by doing so makes us appear as shallow and ineffectual as you.

I disagree, your constant lecturing to others for saving the world and promote democracy is not only ridicule but highly annoying.

I don't have a problem with Americans killing women and children as a past time, but they need to stop thinking that they are above everyone else, that they are some kind of "moral" and "freedom" royals when the truth is that they are the same dysfunctional murderers like the rest of us, and will loot and kill for profit like everyone else, and that they are as brutal as their enemies "du jour", despite believing in "ridiculous" myths about themselves.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

The US did not need to help your sorry a**es and lose their countrymen either. Don't forget, Britain didn't have enough pilots for the "Battle" and many Americans, Canadians and Europeans flew planes in 1940 for the RAF.

America is the best country in the world.

Oh dear Jet. Not a student of history are you?

Check your history time line.

December 7th 1941 - Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor.

December 8th 1941 - America declares war on Japan (ONLY!)

December 11th 1941 - Germany declares war on USA

There is some debate that if Hitler had kept his mouth shut, America may not have entered the European theatre at all. Roosevelt had his hands largely tied by a combination of a strong isolationist policy in US, as well as a strong PRO german support in the USA.


As has been noted previously, the threat of invasion of Britain by Germany was largely past, as a resut of the battle of Britain (September 1940ish) as well as the German invasion of Russia (June 22nd, 1941). All these events took place long before the US entry to the war (Dec 1941).

There is, of course a good argument to be had as to whether Britain (and its commonwealth allies) could have "cleared" europe in the absence of American support. In my opinion, certanly not. The Russians would have beaten the germans (eventually) - and the "iron curtain" would probably have extended to the middle of France. Britain and Russia were 'allies" and so likely after the russians had ground the germans down, some form of British landing would have been made in France - but way too little and too late to meet the Russians in the middle of Europe.

So, its unlikley (IMHO) we would all have been speaking german, but quite likley Europe would have been speaking Russian!

However, and as a round out- there is little doubt that ALL the allied countries of that war made what today would be considered inhuman sacrfices. America did put the flower of it youth onto the beaches at Normandy and elsewhere, and it was the overwhelming industrial might of America that finally won the war.

But please, lose the idea of USA "comming to the aid" of Britain. If anything it was dragged into the war first by the japanese, and then by the germans.

By the way, I would also be happy to shift the argument to the Great War (World War I). We could focus on the canadians, and in particular the significant part the Ross Rifle played in Canadian actions in the war. Or the command role of Byng in the action at Vimy Ridge?

Up for it?

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

What's AJ? Another leftie Australian rag?

Umm . . . . yes, it is called Al Jazeera . . . . Holy Canoly you are stupid

Are you disputing that people are losing their homes? Getting evicted?


It's like taking candy from a baby . . . an ugly one

I refuse to be drawn into this shitfight. All countries act in their OWN self interest first. If if can benefit friends and neighbors, it's frosting on the cake.

But ... the three major Axis powers, Germany, Italy and Japan were part of a military alliance on the signing of the Tripartite Pact in September 1940, which officially founded the Axis powers.

Fight one, you fight them all.

Originally Posted by Texpat

But ... the three major Axis powers, Germany, Italy and Japan were part of a military alliance on the signing of the Tripartite Pact in September 1940, which officially founded the Axis powers.

Fight one, you fight them all.

Sorry tex, but the dates and events are a matter of record. Japan bombed pearl harbour on the 8th (and, I think handed in a declaration of war after the bombing even though it was supposed to have been delievered before). US responded with its own declaration of war later on the 8th.

Germany declared was on US on the 11th. Again, US responded to that with its own declaration on the 11th.

Yeah, but Japan and Germany had that bond thingy going four years earlier -- in 1940.

Wiki sez: "The pact the three nations agreed that for the next ten years they would "stand by and co-operate with one another in... their prime purpose to establish and maintain a new order of things... to promote the mutual prosperity and welfare of the peoples concerned." They recognized each other's sphere's of interest and undertook "to assist one another with all political, economic and military means when one of the three contracting powers is attacked" by a country not already involved in the war..."

Fight one, you fight them all.

Because there were three days separating the declarations of war, imo, is meaningless. The US understood perfectly well what it was getting into.

^Too true. It's not like the US decided to declare war on Japan and thought "oh, well maybe Germany won't notice...." Give me a fucking break. The days separating the declarations of war don't really matter. Semantics.

Originally Posted by durianfan

The days separating the declarations of war don't really matter.

To wit WWI . . . One gunshot in Sarajevo set Europe on fire

^That's not the only thing that caused WWI --- there were many factors.

Originally Posted by durianfan

^Too true. It's not like the US decided to declare war on Japan and thought "oh, well maybe Germany won't notice...." Give me a fucking break. The days separating the declarations of war don't really matter. Semantics.

Sorry to disagree, but you can't put this down to "semantics". The american declaration of war on germany was in response to a declaration of war on US by germany.

Using the tripartite pact, America could have declaed war on japan, germany and italy on the 8th. It did not do so.

America was, as a country, VERY reluctant to enter another european war due to a number of factors - memories of the slaughter of the great war, an isolationist mentality as well as a strong pro german feeling in America at the time (due to the large number of german immigrants and thier descendents). Fortunately for europe, Roosevelt was a classic schemer who did all he could to support the allies - over, and please remember this - considerable opposition.

However, therer is little doubt that it was the german declaration of war on US that finally freed his hand.

Originally Posted by panama hat

Originally Posted by durianfan

The days separating the declarations of war don't really matter.

To wit WWI . . . One gunshot in Sarajevo set Europe on fire

Oh fark....LOL...

Originally Posted by durianfan

That's not the only thing that caused WWI --- there were many factors.

Of course, but this was the ignition

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Oh fark....LOL...

I know what you mean, but take the statement on face value. The assassination started the ball rolling on these fronts . . . I made this comment vis-a-vis the statement regarding pacts and alliances.

The carte blanche which Germany handed the Austro-Hungarian empire was like a true domino effect.

Originally Posted by panama hat

Originally Posted by durianfan

That's not the only thing that caused WWI --- there were many factors.

Of course, but this was the ignition

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Oh fark....LOL...

I know what you mean, but take the statement on face value.

Nah, I just hoped we could finish re-fighting world war 2 first. I am half way through reading Neillands "the great war generals" with Priors "The Somme" sitting on the bookshelf waiting for my attention, so I might need to get back to you....

Ah, I see . . . going backwards in time . . .


Ok, World War II it is then . . .

Originally Posted by Texpat

There are some very stupid and irritated Teak Door members who just refuse to give it a rest. They'll be back ...

and there is also some very stupid and gullible posters who bite every time someone tries an anti american troll.....

Originally Posted by kingwilly

and there is also some very stupid and gullible posters who bite every time someone tries an anti american troll.....

There are some ... chimp.

Only stupid or gullible if they don't realize it's a troll.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

What kind of throw-away question is that? I asked you a straight question: Define cheap. Can't get no more straight-forward than that...

I saw on the news nice new foreclosed homes in Phoenix/Scotsdale going for 100-150k. Those same homes in the suburbs of Vancouver would be near the 1 mil mark.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

then would you care to enumerate exactly what the benefits are to be had from being American?

1. Nifty blue passports.
2. Knowing deeply and truly that you are one of "the good guys".
3. Excellent lawn care services from persons of questionable legal status.
4. You are blessed by God Himself, no less.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

How would I materially be better off than I am right now by being American?

Just a guess, since I don't know your financial status, but attorneys in the U.S. make shit loads of money--more than Thailand at any rate.



But seriously.

It never ceases to amaze me how easily riled up and defensive my fellow Americans get every time someone makes critical remarks about us and our country. Really people! Lighten up! We don't take ourselves that seriously at home so why behave that way here? We have gaggles of media that deal in biting satire, political and social, on TV, in magazines, the internet, etc. Please, please for the love of God do not rise to such obvious nation baiting. Take it in stride, laugh it off, count to 10, whatever. We know who we are and what we are about. We have nothing to prove to anyone else, nor do we have justify our existence on this planet. It's their problem, they have to get over it.

By the way, did I mention that America invented satire? Oh, and irony, too.

Originally Posted by Agent_Smith

3. Excellent lawn care services from persons of questionable legal status.
4. You are blessed by God Himself, no less.

Very good! Will have to get back to you on a green for that one.

Just a guess, since I don't know your financial status, but attorneys in the U.S. make shit loads of money--more than Thailand at any rate.

Poor choice of words on my part; meant to say in the whole over-all grand scheme of things, not just fiscal and other similar ways.

Green'ed already

Originally Posted by Agent_Smith

Nifty blue passports.

I have one, Ant has one, Terry57 has one, Momo8 has one . . . 'Cannae bladdy fek Jet' linguist has one . . .

And ours will get you a welcoming smile at airports!

Originally Posted by Agent_Smith

You are blessed by God Himself, no less.

Actually I was blessed by a girl, Martina, on my 15th birthday . . .

Originally Posted by Agent_Smith

Excellent lawn care services from persons of questionable legal status.

Same here, thay are from Bangla Desh

Excellent post, mate

It's their problem, they have to get over it.

Truer words have never been spoken. But ... we can always make their recovery a little more painful.