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205.188.116.9
A group of diplomats and assorted officials were enjoying after dinner cocktails at Buckingham Palace one evening. "Why is it we ALWAYS have to speak English at these affairs?!" fumed the French diplomat. At which point an American General interjected: "Perhaps it's because we arranged it so you would not have to speak German." The room became very quiet. :)
Follow Ups:
If it wasn’t for the French assist at Yorktown. . .We would still be speaking English!
(insert rimshot!)
By a Frenchman at his actual value & sell him for what he thinks he's worth - (Belgian Joke).
.
I don't think anyone should be redirected here against his/her will. Outside should be consensual.
.
Ah yes, another droll anectdote designed to demonstrate US superiority. How marvellous!Agrippa
Agriipa:How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris? We don't know. It's never been successfully accomplished. :)
It's supposed to be "it's never been tried" or "it's never been attempted."
Pablo:But that would be historically inaccurate. They "tried" as recently as 1940.
Good thing I'm not French regmac - that's quite a funny one. Very old and historically totally inept, but still funny. :)Agrippa
France suffered 4.2 million casualties, including 1.3 million dead in WW I. The Germans did not reach Paris in that war.
French also took Moscow in 1812... so?
Just goes to show how much the biggest and bestest know about the world....Agrippa
Ivan:If the Germans did not "reach Paris" then the French could hardly have defended her. You might want to rethink that one. :)
Come on Agrippa! For all the good-natured "these americans" you euro guys say, deep inside we KNOW you love us, and appreciate us!
Admit it!
LOL
Sam
Much as I agree with you about other things Sam, I'm having a tough time here.... :) Sadly, increasingly the opposite of what you say is true. Not that the biggest and bestest country in world could care less, of course.Agrippa
One more war (you know,one more HItler), and when we come to HELP, maybe you guys across the ATlantic may appreciate us AGAIN.
LOL
Sam
PS. Maybe we WON'T come this time. Can't have too many competitiors you know. Got to REMAIN the bestest. :)
Hmm... I can't imagine that anyone with a little historical perspective isn't appreciative of that the US did during WW2, now, I hasten to add, some 60 years ago. However, a diet consisting only of memories of distant glories isn't that nutritious. It might perhaps serve one better to take a look around the world, read some modern history and consider exactly why the once almost universally popular and respected US of A is no longer just that - popular and respected. Unless a little soul-searching is too much to ask from the biggest and bestest, that is.Somehow I get the feeling that this is a little out of place in this circle....
Agrippa
Until the fall of the Soviet Union, US forces (and need I add tactical nukes) were the buffer between the Iron Curtain and the rest of Europe. Going over the various crisis that occured from the late 1940's until the early 1990's, any 1 of which could have been a preamble to a Soviet invasion of Western Europe.That said, both Europe and the US could each learn from the other.
Best,
Ross
60 years ago can't be that easily dismissed.
Guess what. Push comes to shove? We'll do it again.
Agrippa:You write: "It might perhaps serve one better to take a look around the world, read some modern history and consider exactly why the once almost universally popular and respected US of A is no longer just that - popular and respected.:
Pray tell when, precisely, were we universally popular and respected? Personally, I'll settle for the world's ONLY military/economic superpower. A fact that liberals find most disconcerting. :)
"Personally, I'll settle for the world's ONLY military/economic superpower."So much for an enlightened rule then... Let's instead roll back the age of reason and welcome back the dark ages when the world was still easy to fathom and required only a bigger sword than one's fellow man to ensure success. After all, why should one bother to understand other people and their cultures and make an effort to co-operate with them, when it is so much easier to dominate, subjugate and dictate on the basis of military and economic power?
Trouble is, dominance never lasts and the guys on the receiving end of the formerly biggest stick tend to have long memories. Oldest lesson in the book.
Agrippa
Agripps:
You write: "So much for an enlightened rule then... Let's instead roll back the age of reason and welcome back the dark ages when the world was still easy to fathom and required only a bigger sword than one's fellow man to ensure success. After all, why should one bother to understand other people and their cultures and make an effort to co-operate with them, when it is so much easier to dominate, subjugate and dictate on the basis of military and economic power?
1) You failed to respond to my question.2) Would you rather the Cold War had continued with two superpowers having 20,000 ICBMs pointed at each other?
3) Don't conflate Republicans with conservatives. Republicans treat conservatives like prostitutes. They cozy up to us in the dark, when no one is around, only to shun us in the light of day. Many conservatives, myself included, oppose the Bushies imperialist Iraq adventure. As Pat Buchanan is fond of saying: the Founders gave us a republic, not an empire.
Surprised to learn many prominent conservatives were adamantly opposed to doing Iraq? Then you've been partaking of too much mainstream media. The major media would have us believe war dissent comes only from the Left. Nonsense. Buchanan. Joseph Sobran, Paul Craig Roberts, Charlie Reese et al., have condemned it from day one. Bush was right to do Afghanistan. And that's where we should have remained until Bin Laden was dead and that mess finally cleaned up.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, American imperialism is a left-wing disorder rather than a conservative impulse. I've got two names for you: Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson. These two "progressives" never met an international adventure they didn't like. Wilson promised he would "bring democracy to the rest of the world."
4) As for understanding other cultures, are you suggesting one can enter into negotiations with those who make up Islamic Jihad? Do you think a "dialogue" is possible? Islamo fascists want us dead. End of story. Even if this were not true, what have we in common with a culture wherein the men treat their goats better than their girls? Would you have us look for "root causes?" Iraq and Israel are red herrings. Bin Laden has been at war with us since 1986. We just didn't realize it until 9/11.
This is not a choice between war and peace. This is a choice between war and endless war. The sooner we stop fighting the war on terrorism with one arm tied behind our back -- sound familiar? -- the safer Americans will be. We should start by jettisoning political correctness and implementing common sense measures such as ethnic profiling at our airports. Israel and Japan have been doing this for years, to great effect. Don't waste our time strip searching seventy year old grandmothers with big blue hair. Should a blonde Swede fly an airplane into a skyscraper we can revisit the policy.
"1) You failed to respond to my question."Sorry, I certainly didn't mean to... I assume you meant "when were we universally popular and respected?" If so, the answer is never. But then, what I said was ALMOST universally popular and respected and the answer to your amended question is during the cold war era and for some time after. Admittedly, that is still too sweeping a statement (I have a tendency to sweep too much), but compared to the general feeling towards the US today, it becomes nearly correct.
"2) Would you rather the Cold War had continued with two superpowers having 20,000 ICBMs pointed at each other?"
A moot point, I believe, as it is fairly obvious in hindsight that the Soviet Union had to collapse at some point. Did the US hasten that process? Absolutely. Was that a good thing? Absolutely.
") Don't conflate Republicans with conservatives. Republicans treat conservatives like prostitutes. They cozy up to us in the dark, when no one is around, only to shun us in the light of day. Many conservatives, myself included, oppose the Bushies imperialist Iraq adventure. As Pat Buchanan is fond of saying: the Founders gave us a republic, not an empire."
I don't believe I've mentioned neither Republicans nor conservatives with a single word. Do correct me if I'm wrong. For the record, party politics is of no interest to me.
"4) As for understanding other cultures, are you suggesting one can enter into negotiations with those who make up Islamic Jihad? Do you think a "dialogue" is possible? Islamo fascists want us dead. End of story. Even if this were not true, what have we in common with a culture wherein the men treat their goats better than their girls? Would you have us look for "root causes?" Iraq and Israel are red herrings. Bin Laden has been at war with us since 1986. We just didn't realize it until 9/11."
Did I mention Islamic Jihad with a word? Don't think so. As for the rest of the above piece, it simply appears to show an inability to look beyond the news headlines. As for Iraq being a red herring - sure, I'm with you 100% on that one, only it was, and is, your current government's red herring. However, if you sincerely believe that Israel is a herring of any colour whatsoever, then you most adroitly prove my earlier point, namely that you lack any kind of insight into what is really going on in the world. Problems do in fact have an annoying habit of having underlying causes and if you in fact believe that people like Bin Laden just pops up for no reason, then I respectfully (and I mean that, although you'll probably not take it that way) suggest that you need to read some world history.
"This is not a choice between war and peace. This is a choice between war and endless war."
Too true! And sadly if US foreign policy continue to be shaped by people like those of your current regime, it will very successfully make sure that it becomes an endless war, as you persist in aggravating the already unsympathetic image you portray outwards. It should require little insight to understand that it is pointless to attack the symptoms, unless you also address the underlying disease, but that is unfortunately where US foreign policy has failed time and time again - hence the current climate of hostility. The real tragedy is that until recently (in historical terms at least) it would have taken comparatively little to change your enemy-image in the Muslim world, whereas now it is most likely too late.
Returning briefly to the first sentence of your #4, the point was of course that by gaining just a little bit of knowledge, understanding and respect for other people's cultures, the US would be able to forsee what impact it's foreign policies will have on the people in question. I personally think that would be a good thing (not to mention that it is the way most governments work, in the interest of maintaining relative peace and harmony), but you may of course disagree.
Agrippa
Agrippa:1) "Did I mention Islamic Jihad with a word? Don't think so."
Then who were you referring to when you wrote the following, prompting my Islamic response?:
"After all, why should one bother to understand other people and their cultures and make an
effort to co-operate with them, when it is so much easier to dominate, subjugate and dictate on the basis of military and economic power?" The Israelis? :)2) "For the record, party politics is of no interest to me."
I gathered that. Thus the reason for the preemptive political tutorial.
3) "...if you sincerely believe that Israel is a herring of any colour whatsoever, then you most adroitly prove my earlier point, namely that you lack any kind of insight into what is really going on in the world. Problems do in fact have an annoying habit of having underlying causes and if you in fact believe that people like Bin Laden just pops up for no reason..."
I see. If America would only change it's stance vis-a-vis Israel, the lion would lie down with the lamb and bin Laden would play nice. Is that about it? This strikes me as muddleheaded, not to mention naive in the extreme.
Perhaps it would be helpful if Iran would change its policy vis-a-vis Israel. It's instructive to note that an Iranian wrestler was prevented from wrestling an Israeli during the Olympics because Iran remains resolute in its refusal to acknowledge the existence of Israel. How very 21st century of them.
Were we to help bin Laden push Israel into the sea tomorrow he would still want to eradicate America. The U.S. is a target because we're powerful, rich, and good. We are resented for our power, envied for our wealth, and hated for our liberty. And in that regard the bin Ladens of the world have a lot of company (read: European).
American accept that fact. We realize its always going to be lonely at the top. :)
Ironically, bin Laden would probably agree that Israel is a red herring. What infuriates him is not so much our stance towards Israel, as the fact there are American troops in Saudi Arabia; some of which are -- Gasp! -- female.
And this goes to the notion of national sovereignty: Should sovereign nations have the legal right to enter into alliances with each other without fear of terrorist reprisals, or should we defer to the terrorists?
In the world of realpolitik nations act in accordance with what they perceive as their own best interests. We can debate the accuracy of those perceptions, but the notion that America is doing anything unique is simply silly. Contrary to what the United Nations -- now there's an oxymoron if ever there was one -- might say. The French do what's best for the French, the Germans for the Germans, etc. Should you disagree then please be good enough to point to one nation you would deem as being altruistic...just one.
4) "...by gaining just a little bit of knowledge, understanding and respect for other people's cultures, the US would be able to foresee what impact it's foreign policies will have on the people in question."
Is this yet another "sweeping" accusation or are you really of the opinion that the U.S. has not even "a little bit of knowledge" about other cultures? And just what exactly is the cultural lesson to be learned that will cause bin Laden, Islamic Jihad, Hammas, Iran, et al. to cease and desist? Please enlighten me. It's as if you're recalling sound bites and posting them here.
I should think that no one save the most obtuse among us would be foolish enough to believe that cultural awareness will purge us of bin Laden and his ilk.
Just as many in the Muslim world refuse to acknowledge the existence of Israel, there are those, and they are no doubt many, who see no good reason as to why America should exist
5) "I respectfully (and I mean that, although you'll probably not take it that way) suggest that you need to read some world history."
Your pedantic side is showing. :) Is that your standard response to anyone who disagrees with your point of view? Attempt to label them as ignorant? That strikes me as a bit transparent. How old are you? So which historians would you have me read? Moreover, how do you know I haven't and merely reject their view?
6 "The real tragedy is that until recently (in historical terms at least) it would have taken comparatively little to change your enemy-image in the Muslim world, whereas now it is most likely too late."
Oh come on. And what did the Spanish need to do to change their image? Become intimidated and elect a leader more in tune with the Muslim world? So much for national sovereignty.
"1) You failed to respond to my question."Sorry, I certainly didn't mean to... I assume you meant "when were we universally popular and respected?" If so, the answer is never. But then, what I said was ALMOST universally popular and respected and the answer to your amended question is during the cold war era and for some time after. Admittedly, that is still too sweeping a statement (I have a tendency to sweep too much), but compared to the general feeling towards the US today, it becomes nearly correct.
"2) Would you rather the Cold War had continued with two superpowers having 20,000 ICBMs pointed at each other?"
A moot point, I believe, as it is fairly obvious in hindsight that the Soviet Union had to collapse at some point. Did the US hasten that process? Absolutely. Was that a good thing? Absolutely.
") Don't conflate Republicans with conservatives. Republicans treat conservatives like prostitutes. They cozy up to us in the dark, when no one is around, only to shun us in the light of day. Many conservatives, myself included, oppose the Bushies imperialist Iraq adventure. As Pat Buchanan is fond of saying: the Founders gave us a republic, not an empire."
I don't believe I've mentioned neither Republicans nor conservatives with a single word. Do correct me if I'm wrong. For the record, party politics is of no interest to me.
"4) As for understanding other cultures, are you suggesting one can enter into negotiations with those who make up Islamic Jihad? Do you think a "dialogue" is possible? Islamo fascists want us dead. End of story. Even if this were not true, what have we in common with a culture wherein the men treat their goats better than their girls? Would you have us look for "root causes?" Iraq and Israel are red herrings. Bin Laden has been at war with us since 1986. We just didn't realize it until 9/11."
Did I mention Islamic Jihad with a word? Don't think so. As for the rest of the above piece, it simply appears to show an inability to look beyond the news headlines. As for Iraq being a red herring - sure, I'm with you 100% on that one, only it was, and is, your current government's red herring. However, if you sincerely believe that Israel is a herring of any colour whatsoever, then you most adroitly prove my earlier point, namely that you lack any kind of insight into what is really going on in the world. Problems do in fact have an annoying habit of having underlying causes and if you in fact believe that people like Bin Laden just pops up for no reason, then I respectfully (and I mean that, although you'll probably not take it that way) suggest that you need to read some world history.
"This is not a choice between war and peace. This is a choice between war and endless war."
Too true! And sadly if US foreign policy continue to be shaped by people like those of your current regime, it will very successfully make sure that it becomes an endless war, as you persist in aggravating the already unsympathetic image you portray outwards. It should require little insight to understand that it is pointless to attack the symptoms, unless you also address the underlying disease, but that is unfortunately where US foreign policy has failed time and time again - hence the current climate of hostility. The real tragedy is that until recently (in historical terms at least) it would have taken comparatively little to change your enemy-image in the Muslim world, whereas now it is most likely too late.
Returning briefly to the first sentence of your #4, the point was of course that by gaining just a little bit of knowledge, understanding and respect for other people's cultures, the US would be able to forsee what impact it's foreign policies will have on the people in question. I personally think that would be a good thing (not to mention that it is the way most governments work, in the interest of maintaining relative peace and harmony), but you may of course disagree.
Agrippa
where will we be when asking for help from them?
Apart from music. I like Single malt scotches too. I read in one of your posts below that you do so as well.
Maybe we are NOT so DIFFERENT after all. (though i'd NEVEr pass for a Norwegian).
LOL
Sam
How'd you know you'd never pass for a Norwagia? Apart from the language, I mean? :)Yep, Single Malt whiskies is certainly one of my great passions. Just came back from a distillery-tour of Islay with 12 bottles in my luggage! Once again, the bar is well-stocked and what a great feeling that is! Can I ask if you have any favourites?
Agrippa
are from Islay, agrippa. I love lagavulin, bowmore & ardbeg. I also like highland park (not from islay but close) a lot.
Of course, to the "audiophile" sheep amongst our readers...please don't take this as an excuse to RUSH off & buy these!Seems like lagavulin has not been producing much of late. Any idea why?
12 bottles...cool. I have open right now a bottle of highland park 12 yrs & a bottle of lagavulin, and am alternating. Also, just bougt a bottle of cask strength 12 year old macallan (not from islay, of course, but a good "break" from islay malts).
Which islay malts do you like? and do you like any others?
:-)
Sam
Aha, a man after my heart when it comes to whisky!Lagavulin is unfortunately in the process of running out of stock for it's 16yo, so I strongly suggest that you consider stocking up in the near future. Not that it'll happen VERY soon, but still... After it happens, their 12yo will take over as the standard bottling until stocks are once again old enough. How long we're talking about nobody knows I think.
Actually I love all the Islay malts, both the peaty ones and the non-peaty ones. Lagavulin, Bowmore and Ardbeg are probably the top contenders, but there's simply something special about Islay air... As for other whiskies, regular visitors in my whisky cabinet are Talisker, Glenmorangie, Highland Park (particularly the 18yo), Brora (getting very rare and very expensive, but VERY well worth the expense) and Clynelish.
Since peat is an essential part of your own diet :) I suggest you keep a look-out for a new Bruichladdich bottling called Octomore, which will soon hit the market. Bruichladdich usually uses some 3-5ppm of Phenol (peat) in their bottling, whereas Octomore will - if I remember correctly - use some 60-70ppm, rivalling Laphroaig and Ardbeg for the peatiness-throne.
Agrippa
Hey cool, Agrippa, I will LOOK out for Octomore. At first < I was unhappy that Lagavulin was running out. But you know what, most people liked their 10 year old vintage better anyway, so the 12 year will taste great. I somehow tend to prefer 12 yr vintages over the really older ones ( they get too refined for me). Of course LAgavulin is GReAT (actually its my favorite), even in 16 year form. I will look out for it, and stock up, or just "make do" with others. I like bowmore too...it's lighter than lagavulin, but pleasant. I had some highland park (12 yrs) last night & saw its from the Orkney islands. Tasted great.
I like Laphroag too, BTW.
:-)
Sam
PS Thanx for the tip on octomore. I am assuming you drink it neat? yes? I do.
The 12yo is actually a very good whisky, but not, IMO, quite up to the standard of the 16yo. I'm assuming the current Destiller's Edition (at it's current age I mean) will also run out along with the 16yo, so better pick up a couple of those too. If you haven't tasted it, do try to find a bottle as it is perhaps even better than the standard bottling - more rounded and mellow, but also more complex. Oh, and I had a few tastes of the 25yo on my trip as well - mindblowing stuff if you can get it! The kind of whisky to bring forth at special occations.Personally I tend to prefer my whiskies as old as possible (up to a point), but it certainly depends on the whisky. Many of the lighter malts simply do not age too well beyond 12 years or so. The Glenmorangie 10yo for example is simply perfect at that age.
Neat is the only way to drink whisky of course, unless we're talking about cask bottlings of more than 60«v. Beyond that I often add a drop or two of water simply to be kind to my throat. I do in fact find that a drop of water is beneficial to many whiskies, in that it releases additional flavours and aromas, but you also have to drink it quite quickly afterwards, as the benefical effects don't last and the whisky tends to go "flat" quite quickly.
Agrippa
reevaluate my IMAGE of vintages. Maybe I need a DBT to tell me what I REALLY like, separat from image.
LOL
Sam
As someone who has spent some time in Europe, not just going to restaurants and museums in a rented car, I could say that you, Agrippa, are typical of many Europeans who dislike America simply because we kept you from speaking German, then Russian. You have it in your craw, and you can't stand to be beholden, I guess. But the main reason I'm writing this is, that after looking down your nose at Americans in all your posts, you should be ashamed to be talking about whiskey. Having spent some time in Norway, I must say I've never seen so many alcoholics in my life - from the drunken staff at a 4-star hotel to the drunken staff at every restaurant to watching people puking up whiskey in the parks. (Hint to Americans who want to make a fortune: open rehab centers in Norway. Of course, you'd have to get the Norwegians to admit they have a problem). I was drinking in a bar in Holland with a Jamaican record producer. The bartender said to us "you guys put it away like Norwegians." My Jamaican friend said "no one puts it away like a Norwegian." If you knew my friend, you'd understand how shocking that statement sounds! Your profile says you're a male nurse. Are you and the other nurses all loaded while on duty at the hospital? You might think that this post is overly critical, but I've been reading your criticisms of all things American for a few days now, and I feel that the gloves are off.
"But the main reason I'm writing this is, that after looking down your nose at Americans in all your posts,...."In ALL my posts? Not quite true, is it? Actually, I'm not looking down my nose at Americans at all; instead I'm critizising US foreign policy. The fact that you automatically take that to mean that I harbour a dislike for all Americans and all things American simply serve to demonstrate that YOU are unable to discuss something on the basis of issues, rather than purely feelings. Why is it that because I express a dislike for your foreign policy, you apparently take it to mean that I hate America with a vengeance? Why is it that a little critizism makes you go off your hinges completely? If we were both 3 and I had just said that my daddy could knock the socks off your daddy, I could understand your reaction, but personally I left kindergarten some time ago....
As for feeling beholden, I feel beholden to no man or country (my mother excluded). For me WW2 has nothing to do with anything, I'm talking about the world today.
"Having spent some time in Norway, I must say I've never seen so many alcoholics in my life - from the drunken staff at a 4-star hotel to the drunken staff at every restaurant to watching people puking up whiskey in the parks. (Hint to Americans who want to make a fortune: open rehab centers in Norway. Of course, you'd have to get the Norwegians to admit they have a problem)."
How utterly pathetic of you mate. I have no doubt that you may (or indeed may not) have seen a few drunks vomiting, but if had done just the tiniest bit of homework, you'd know that Norway have the least alcohol-related problems (deaths, crime, drunk driving and related deaths & accidents, domestic violence, etc, etc) of any western nation - and in case you wonder that includes the US. Should I now relate the incidents that I have seen all over the world involving drunk-as-a-skunk Americans? Hardly, as it would serve no purpose and tell no-one anything.
"You might think that this post is overly critical, but I've been reading your criticisms of all things American for a few days now, and I feel that the gloves are off."
Pray tell when I have critizised "all things American"? Does your foreign policy represent the essence of all you are, have been and will be? If so, you may right. As it happens I have a lot of American friends and believe there is a lot to admire about the US. You, however, appears to be someone who believes that everything about the US is to be admired unconditionally and that no other country is worth shit.
In any case and by all means, peel off any article of clothing you feel like, it is all the same to me.
Agrippa
You totally missed the point of my post, which was that although a lot of Europeans are critical of what's going on in the world NOW, vis-a-vis American actions, you guys have had a chip on your shoulder since WWII. You can quote figures all you want about alcoholism, I've never seen such a bunch of drunks in my life. You were so loaded the other day that you accused a Cockney-speaking Englishman of being American because you thought he had bad English. I guess that faux-pas wasn't arrogant, either.
"you guys have had a chip on your shoulder since WWII."Actually, "you guys" are the only ones around bringing up WW2 time and time again and again and again ad nauseam. In fact, no-one "over here" thinks about that war at all these days, except to remember and honour those who fell. To us, it appears that YOU are the ones with something-or-other on your collective shoulder, since WW2 is brought up every time the US feels that Europe should dance to their tune.
"You can quote figures all you want about alcoholism, I've never seen such a bunch of drunks in my life."
So? You happened to see a bunch of brunks and from that you draw conclusions about 4.5 million people. How intelligent is that? Oh, and while I didn't actually quote a single figure, I'd be very, very interested to know why you feel that figures mean nothing?
"You were so loaded the other day that you accused a Cockney-speaking Englishman of being American because you thought he had bad English."
Well, you got that one pretty wrong too. Read it again and see if there aren't other ways of interpreting that particular exchange. Yours ought not to be one which first springs to mind. Was it a pointless exchange on my side? Sure, which is why I apologised.
Agrippa
Talk about drinking BOOZe in long silences....kidding!!!!
Actually I kinda like the scandinavian countries & cultures (except Finland to some extent asa culture...the finns are STRANGE).In fairness to Agrippa (maybe I am defending him cos he likes single malts as well!) he was pretty civil about my bringing up WWII, a good litmus test to distinguish the really diehard Europhile from the ones who merely don't like our policies (WHY they don't is beyond me...i think they are TOO dependent on their media).
:-)
Sam
I guess what I was trying to say was that I spent time in Europe during the Clinton administration, and they had almost exactly the same attitude about America as they do now. You see, they pay $100 a pair (or more) for Levis jeans ($75 on sale) and claim to hate everything American. It's some form of jealousy, but don't get me wrong, it's not ALL Europeans. I've spent enough time there to have made some very good friends. It's just the ones who post things like "you made a grammatical error, you must be American." That type of silly sh*t is what I'm talking about.Cheers,
TJE
"It's just the ones who post things like "you made a grammatical error, you must be American."You still don't get what that was about in other words. Mind you, not that it matters.
"I spent time in Europe during the Clinton administration, and they had almost exactly the same attitude about America as they do now."
Frankly, I fail to see how you could have gotten that impression, as it is very far from the truth indeed.
"You see, they pay $100 a pair (or more) for Levis jeans ($75 on sale) and claim to hate everything American. It's some form of jealousy,...."
Do "they"? Had I actually bought them , they'd be around $70 full price, $40 on sale and this is the most expensive country in Europe (with the possible exception of Switzerland). A bit of pedantry there, but hey - facts are facts. :)
As far as jealousy goes, jealous of what exactly? Cheaper jeans? Gimme a break!
Seems to me that you have a far lower opinion of Europe than I have of the US, without actually having anything substantial to underpin your dislike. Not that I'm bothered by your opinion of Europe, just as you ought not to be so bothered by my dislike of US foreign policy - which is still, I think, the only thing about the US I have critizised.
Agrippa
Agrippa said:
"Not that I'm bothered by your opinion of Europe, just as you ought not to be so bothered by my dislike of US foreign policy - which is still, I think, the only thing about the US I have critizised."MY RESPONSE:
So Agrippa, are you ADMITTING that you actually like Americans, then? In general, I mean?
:-)
Sam
(just givng you a hard time)
Of course I do Sam - I like everyone and their dog, until their likeability has been thoroughly disproved. I wouldn't be in the job I'm in if I didn't. :)Let me know if you happen upon anything particularly interesting in the Single Malt-world, will you? I've currently got tasting-notes on more than 300 bottlings, but there are soooo many more out there....
Happy drinking Sam - just remember to show more moderation than us poor Norwegians! :)
Agrippa
Never argue with a drunk. I stand by everything I've said and I think people can read both of our posts and draw their own conclusions. So as I close my participation in this thread, I have only one last thing to say: seek help, you already work at a hospital, I'm sure there's someone there who could help you with your problem. Feel free to take the last word, drunks always do.
Not always: idiots use to take the last word more frequently than drunks do.And, BTW, while you´ve proven beyond doubt who you are, you really know nothing about Agrippa: that makes your whole discourse bigoted, and idiotic beyond measure.
Regards
BF
Hey, Sam, who's to say that cheap-ass rotgut whiskey doesn't taste the same as your high-end whiskey? You know, modern whiskey making has really progressed in the last few years, and I'll bet they all taste about the same! What we need is double-blind testing, so you won't get ripped off buying that expensive sh*t! ONLY KIDDING - you know I agree with you half the time.
At these medal awarding contests?
I agree with you otherwise...maybe it's the IMAGE I like.
Never done a DBT with lagavulin &, say, bowmore. Maybe I will when my dad visits the next time.
LOL
Sam
Aha, a man after my heart when it comes to whisky!Lagavulin is unfortunately in the process of running out of stock for it's 16yo, so I strongly suggest that you consider stocking up in the near future. Not that it'll happen VERY soon, but still... After it happens, their 12yo will take over as the standard bottling until stocks are once again old enough. How long we're talking about nobody knows I think.
Actually I love all the Islay malts, both the peaty ones and the non-peaty ones. Lagavulin, Bowmore and Ardbeg are probably the top contenders, but there's simply something special about Islay air... As for other whiskies, regular visitors in my whisky cabinet are Talisker, Glenmorangie, Highland Park (particularly the 18yo), Brora (getting very rare and very expensive, but VERY well worth the expense) and Clynelish.
Since peat is an essential part of your own diet :) I suggest you keep a look-out for a new Bruichladdich bottling called Octomore, which will soon hit the market. Bruichladdich usually uses some 3-5ppm of Phenol (peat) in their bottling, whereas Octomore will - if I remember correctly - use some 60-70ppm, rivalling Laphroaig and Ardbeg for the peatiness-throne.
Agrippa
Sam:Perhaps you should do a dbt. :) Seriously, try a vertical of 10, 15, and 30 year old Laphroaig.
LOL. Maybe I will one day...take a 12 year old and a 17 year old vintage and do a DBT. Good idea, regmac!
:-)
Sam
If anything, America arranged it so that Europeans would not have to speak Russian.By the time the US got around to invading Europe, Hitler's fate was already sealed by his losses in the East. As a matter of fact, US forces reached Berlin AFTER the Russians.
Of course, that may not be how it's written in the US history books, but who writes those books;-)
Hitler sealed his own fate. Had he waited 6mos-1yr longer before marching into Poland (or Russia) he would have prevailed. Militarily, he would have had a near inexhaustable stockpile of armaments along with much more advanced rocketry and jet aircraft programs.Had he prolonged the Battle of GB another 90 days, Churchill would have been forced to sue for peace (so said Churchill after the war). Had that occured, nearly all of the German forces that were engaged against GB in the air, stationed in France guarding against an invasion *and* all of the battle hardened forces no longer needed in N. Africa would have been sent to face Russia.
By the time Hitler finally invaded Russia, it is probable that it would have been with a force almost twice as large as what was actually used.
As to what actually did occur, until late 1942 Russia was trying to buy time while they re-armed and re-mobilised. Lend-Lease from the US and to a lesser extent GB, kept Russia alive.
Absent Hitler's impatience and Lend Lease, GB, Europe and Russia would have been defeated and the current world would be a vastly different place.
What is interesting to think about is if Germany would have had thoughts of actually attacking the US. While all of the above was taking place, we were at war with a German ally- Japan.
Best,
Ross
.
A fair point Ivan. After all, our US friends weren't too upset by Poland's fate, or Belgium's, or Holland's, or Norway's, or.... - it was only after the nazis got sloppy and sunk one too many US civilian ships that the ball actually got rolling.... Had old Adolf not had a Napoleon-complex and wanted to succeed in Russia where his hero did not and had Churchill not stood at the helm in Britain, we WOULD be speaking German today.Agrippa
So, you tell me who defeated the Germans?
That is also mostly true.
That's common knowledge, isn't it? A coalition of Britain, Russia, the US, the Free French and contingents from every other German-occupied nation, as well as the underground movements in said nations AND (not to forget!) Germany.Agrippa
Many of those American ships were carrying munitions and equipment
so that Gt. Britan could continue to defend hereself. In WWII American industry had to support it's Allies its own military--in both the European and Pacific theaters. Britain and the Soviets needed large amounts of munitions and equipment and they received it.It was European nations, and not the Americans, that allowed Germany build up its military and commence annexing adjoining countries.
Your comment that "our US friends weren't too upset by Poland's fate, or Belgium's, or Holland's, or Norway's" is misleading. While most Americans desired to keep out of international concerns--US government was very concerned over Germany's belligerance and in 1939 began preparations for war in Europe. You need to understand that in 1939 the US military would have been hard pressed to defend herself let alone take action against the Germans in those countries you mentioned. The US had to build up its own military before they went into action in Europe.
Like yourself, I am not fond of the seemingly endless supply of asinine jokes aimed at the French. Just because France refused to join the War in Iraq is not in my opinion "Anti-American".
I'm optimistcally certain that deep down most French are grateful for the thousands of American lives lost in liberating France from German occupation; but are nonethess tired of Americans reminding them of this, particlarly when after the French express disapproval with a US action or policy.
nt
Ivan:One simple question: Are you suggesting Hitler would have been defeated had America stayed home?
/
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And Russian aces loved their Airacobra's. Too bad the Americans never figured out how to use it.
This is how you strike a nerve. :)
> > This is how you strike a nerve. :) < <Huh? I thought everybody knew that already. ;-)
Cheers,
Jim
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