US letters to UK newspaper

[Tinpot]

I stand corrected by jove

[rpm]

Originally posted by Tinpot
Oh well. I could find lots wrong with our little Island but I think I'll stay here. At least you guys can rely on us to back you guys up in a fight and visa versa. We may be useless at lots of stuff but we are pretty good in a corner , don't chuck in the towel easily and are a tough little bunch.

"Have you not noticed that Americans don't give two ****s what Europeans think of us? Each email someone gets from some arrogant Brit telling us why to NOT vote for George Bush is going to backfire, you stupid, yellow-toothed pansies ... I don't give a rat's bellybutton if our election is going to have an effect on your worthless little life. I really don't. If you want to have a meaningful election in your crappy little island full of ****ty food and yellow teeth, then maybe you should try not to sell your sovereignty out to Brussels and Berlin, dip****. Oh, yeah - and brush your whoopeeed teeth, you filthy animals. "

When republicans speak of/to allies like this, it's no wonder our "coalition of allies" is shrinking fast. "We don't give two ****s what you think. Just do what we tell you and be quick about it." That's the beautiful thing about Republicans.

[Darkish]

Looks like the Guardian went fishing and caught a boatload.

[Tinpot]

rpm

I sadly agree with you. Most of us over here recognise the current " to hell with everyone who doesn't mindlessly back bush atitude" and consequently don't feel too valued as allies. Our troops are getting killed too. Sadly sometimes by their very allies. Its not good when a govt as powerfull as the USA starts making noises like that. Truthfully I think the rest of the world is scared of what will come if he wins again.

Sorry but I feel we should bring the boys back home.

( a deadly serious reply this one )

[straffo]

pssssttt Tinpot it's "Vive la différence" I don't mind of the lack of accent "é" but the "a" you put in differance make this word very ugly

[Tinpot]

Now we are supposed to send 800 troops into the mess around Baghdad. Why???? The US says they are vital. Come on you have Hundreds of thousands of troops there. Are 800 of us realy that vital? I think its so Bush can crow about solidarity in the coalition. Or maybe its because 800 of our guys are worth hundreds of yours though I'm not realy so stupid as to realy think that.

I know two brit troops one a freind the other a brother of ny freind I don't want to see them die so that Bush can score a political point.

I'm afraid this is one war we should never have got into and I mean USA and Britain. We can't make you guys stop but we can get out ourselves. Much as it feels wrong to leave an ally, this time the ally is badly, dangerously wrong. We should leave and encourage you guys to follow. That would be real support and at least mean fewer body bags.

Interestingly the Commanding officer of the Black watch ( the unit that is supposed to move up toward Baghdad ) was quoted as saying that "the British Army's style of fighting was somewhat different to the US forces. They tend to think before they shoot whilst Americans seem somewhat trigger happy!"

That is not my words I hasten to add, just reporting what our media was putting out this evening.

[Chortle]

All wars are political, some more than others. The proposed British deployment seems to be very political in nature, but the exact details are very thin on the ground at the moment so it's hard to say.

One term I heard was 'backfill', using the Black Watch to take over duties left by US soldiers who are going on the offensive. Big question to me is who 'backfills' the Black Watch? They're over there already and obviously not sitting on their arses - they make up 10% of the UK's total forces stationed in Iraq so it would mean a significant reduction in troops down south around Basra.

I suspect its a feeler, suggesting this move and seeing what the reaction is from the UK govt and opposition and the people. I dont think Bush has much to gain if this deployment does go ahead but Blair has everything to lose, although with the election being so tight anything is possible.

[Phaser11]

I really had a problem whether I was going to vote in this election. I really did not like any of the choices. After finding out that this was going on, finally someone, “RA” has given me a reason to vote. Sometimes we as Americans do interfere in other countries political elections (our government that is). I have never considered trying to sway a voter in another country.
 Because of this I have elected to vote. I cannot and will not support any candidates that are being pushed (to this extreme) by another nations people. Where I’ll bet that somewhere in the world there are people doing the same thing for President Bush, but nowhere is it so pronounced.
 I spent many years stationed in the UK (RAF Upper Heyford) and met many wonderful people, two of my children where born over there. We never involved our selves in there elections. We did watch them to see what was happening and hoped that the next parliament was pro American.
 My wife and oldest are both voting for Bush (They have no problems with the President) and now I’m a third vote for the President.

As for the Kerry Supporters (Note; I did not say democrats), in this great country, I vote for President Bush, you may thank the United Kingdom for my vote.

[straffo]

Phaser11 , I don't understand.

1) you are pissed because of a foreign attempt to influence the voters
2) you vote because of this influence

hahem ...

[lazs2]

tinpot... I would feel just fine with british troops at my back... if their hi tech weapons killed a few Americans while saving thousands I wouldn't *****.

as for pulling out now.... please do if that is what you feel is the correct thing to do but give your explanation and then shut up about it.   quit your whining.... What is happening in iraq and afghanistan is a good thing... If you don't have the stomach for it then leave but quit with the whiny excuses allready....

If it is the jews you have problems with then be a man and dupport the palistinians but quit your whining.

Bush flew 60's era fighter jets and graduated from an ivy league school.... you call him stupid but I bet you are too stupid to do either one so quit your whinin.

you don't know anything about Americans and probly never will so you strive to make us socialist tools like yourself.   That is the real basis of your whining.

lazs

[Dago]

Originally posted by ra
I wish I had written this one:

"Have you not noticed that Americans don't give two ****s what Europeans think of us? Each email someone gets from some arrogant Brit telling us why to NOT vote for George Bush is going to backfire, you stupid, yellow-toothed pansies ... I don't give a rat's bellybutton if our election is going to have an effect on your worthless little life. I really don't. If you want to have a meaningful election in your crappy little island full of ****ty food and yellow teeth, then maybe you should try not to sell your sovereignty out to Brussels and Berlin, dip****. Oh, yeah - and brush your whoopeeed teeth, you filthy animals. "

That guy has my subtle style.

That was my favorite too.

dago

[Dowding]

The Brits are the last people I'd ever ask for advice on government unless I specifically intended to send my country on a long slow slide to mediocrity. They have specifically set things up here in the UK to be unpleasant enough to have something to complain about over a pint at the local pub, but not quite unpleasant enough to actually DO anything. That's why it's the year 2004 and windows still don't have screens, doors don't have doorknobs, new houses are built without central air or heat, to get a hot shower they plumb cold water to the tub and then electrically heat the water on the fly so all you get is a trickle unless you pump in a few thousand watts, and they still can't figure out how to combine hot and cold water in a faucet to get warm water. I asked a home depot style store guy here what it would take to get warm water at my kitchen sink, and he directed me to a plumber he knew who could probably get it done for $2000, but he wasn't sure if he'd be able to get the parts. No demand for it you see, sorry old chap.

What exactly are you talking about? I bought my flat from the blueprints - it has central heating, power shower. Why not just use a mixer tap for the hot water and cold water?

As if the US or any other country doesn't have crooked builders or gullible householders...

If your house was brand new, it sounds like the builder pulled a fast one on you and more fool you for accepting it.

[Curval]

800 British troops with bayonets would scare the bejesus out of the insurgents after what happened last time the Brits "fixed" them over there.

[Dowding]

British troops are already back-filling in Basra.

Blair and Bush want British troops in the thick of it. If Blair thinks he can get away with it politically, he would do it within days.

Blair out in 2005.

[Phaser11]

Originally posted by straffo
Phaser11 , I don't understand.

1) you are pissed because of a foreign attempt to influence the voters

Yes

2) you vote because of this influence

You got it! Don't worry, nothing in this election has made any sence. I'm just trying to fit in!:aok