BritainAndAmerica.com is very proud to have sponsored 18DoughtyStreet.com's two minute advertisement that imagines a world without the USA. It is impossible to make detailed arguments inside two minutes but the advert points to the many political, economic and technological benefits of an outward-looking America. This website is a passionate believer in the special transatlantic relationship and will continue to fill these pages with arguments against the anti-Americanism that is sweeping too much of Europe.
Hello! Is there any way you good folks across the Pond could make this ad available in QuickTime and WMV formats? It takes so...frakkin'...long...for the ad to load! And even when it is loaded, it doesn't play smoothly.
Other than that, it's a great ad! Thanks!
Posted by: Macker | February 21, 2007 at 03:11 AM
I have exactly the same response as Macker. Too long a download and it quit playing just as I was getting into it. Could you put it on YouTube? I think (hope)it would get a terrific response.
All the best. Look forward to talking with you again.
Catherine
Posted by: Catherine Glass | February 21, 2007 at 03:59 AM
Good job, but you might want to re-think the '1979' clip. I think there are quite a few Europeans who would whole-heartedly support that particular consequence.
Posted by: Kevin Sampson | February 21, 2007 at 06:35 AM
I have just blogrolled you at;
http://eye-uk.blogspot.com and a few other places.
Maybe a reciprocal link?
Posted by: John Ray | February 21, 2007 at 01:09 PM
It's great yet strange that something like this is being produced in the UK.
Even stranger is my feeling towards the whole "Israel would not exist without the USA" argument within it - I'm pro Israel, but I can see how lots of "Palestinian" supporters and Johnny-come-lately Israel haters would see the converse of the argument. "Wouldn't it be great if Israel didn't exist?" they must ask themselves.
Maybe a new advert posing the question if Israel didn't exist? I'm sure you can find plently of desert footage with various Syrian, Jordanian and Egyptian leaders denouncing each other.
Israel is clearly an oasis in a desert of despots and jihadists.
Posted by: Sepulchre | February 21, 2007 at 02:50 PM
Well, it's nice to know that not all of Europe hates us Yanks yet.
Give it another 10 years. 25% of the UK will be Muslim and then the fun really starts....
Posted by: Foehammer | February 21, 2007 at 11:19 PM
Long Live The Free World!!
Posted by: Jan Jakob DlouhĂ˝ | February 22, 2007 at 12:54 AM
Fabulous work!
Thank God for people like you!
A very timely and much appreciated message!
Posted by: Kevin | February 22, 2007 at 01:22 AM
It's most kind of you to put out such a politically incorrect piece in these times. Thank you! I am simply amazed that your courage! I am an ex-patriot from Aylesbury, Bucks now living in Hawaii. As such, I personally value greatly the thoughts and feelings of my erstwhile countrymen--pro and con--towards my adopted home. Mostly, of course, I hear the con nowadays. Your site is an antidote to the empty-headed, nattering, nabobs on the BBC and CNN who coddle, Chamberlain-like, all manner of dictactors who come upon the scene. Well done!
Posted by: Jim | February 22, 2007 at 01:35 AM
As an American, I'm deeply indebted to you for your clear love and admiration for America.
My only critique is that many Europeans on the Continent would have LOVED for France to have become a Soviet vassal state and for Israel to have been destroyed many years ago.
It's sad that a balanced view of America rarely seems to reach Europe. I hope this video helps to change that situation.
Posted by: SAA | February 22, 2007 at 01:36 AM
Great ad. Arnold Schwarzenegger as president of Austria!
Posted by: Al | February 22, 2007 at 01:51 AM
Love the site. Satire at it's finest. Let's see...Native American genocide, the African slavery holocaust, the use of the atomic bomb,
the war crimes of Vietnam and Cambodia...yep, where WOULD we be without the good ol' U.S. of A.! Three cheers for the red (as in the spilt blood of all those non-American losers), white (as in the colour of a good 'Merican's skin), and blue (as in the blue-blooded oligarchs who run the country)!
Posted by: John | February 22, 2007 at 07:43 AM
Hey John, nice post, except it just reeks of selective- "aren't we all bad?" self-loathing masquerading as history.
Native American genocide? Yes, the common Cold and whisky - aint they just a great American tradition?
African holocaust indeed? I call that making the most of economic opportunities - says a lot about the American spirit. Or is that British spirit, or European spirit? Or indeed Arab spirit? Surely the most unforgiving of enslavers. Remember America had something called a Civil War over ending slavery. I think they've had enough guilt.
War crimes of Vietnam and Cambodia? I don't recall any of those, or do you mean incidents in war that tend to happen when er, you're fighting a war? Please recall reason for war. Then please state in mind whether war is ever fought for a reason other than filthy lucre, coca-cola franchises - as you probably think.
As for your other hilarious spluttering, you've betrayed yourself there, you really do hate yourself don't you? No sympathy here.
Posted by: Sepulchre | February 22, 2007 at 11:36 AM
The tipping point has clearly been reached in US-World relations and we are thoroughly despised almost everywhere. I'm a conservative American and I'm, frankly, sick and tired of being the globe's favorite scapegoat. Our ethanol and biodiesel production industries are coming online fast...then I would hope that we can return to our pre-1939 posture. Of course our nation has skeletons in the closet (slavery, native American, etc.) ...that's not the point. Find me a nation that does not. Did the world ever demand neverending apologies from Stalin for his little Ukraine incident?
So, I'm here to say, "We're sorry." We're so, so very sorry about Iraq and everything that came before all the way back to 1776. WE'RE SORRY! Prior to that, the UK will have to take over the apologies. We won't do it again. If I had my way we would bring all of our troops home from every corner of the world, lock down the borders, cancel every trade agreement and lick our wounds.
Posted by: Increasinglyisolationist | February 22, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Increasinglyisolationsist, I almost completely agree. I would also like to see our forces pulled out of Western Europe, Japan, and Korea. Also withdraw from NATO and reduce our participation at the UN to observer status with concomitant funding cuts. I would have to disagree on trade though. We have always been a trading nation and I think we should continue to pursue international trade aggressively.
It was interesting that you brought up our expanding bio-fuels industry. Apparently the corollary to this has not occurred to anyone yet:
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/01/12/PM200701126.html
As our conversion to biofuels proceeds, expect an increasing wave of international outrage because we are staving the rest of the world in order to fuel our alcohol-guzzling, carbon-neutral SUVs.
Posted by: Kevin Sampson | February 22, 2007 at 03:02 PM
It's nice to know that we have a few "cousins" left in the UK that don't consider us Yanks the black sheep in the family.
Thanks and kisses from The States.
Posted by: Maggie | February 22, 2007 at 03:04 PM
I doubt this will do much to curb anti-American feelings. I feel alot like Increasinglyisolationist does...lets bring our troops home from every corner of the earth, lock our doors and tell everyone we're not home.
It's rather draining to hear people bash you constantly while at the same time holding out their hands and asking for something.
One more thing. While everyone is naming all of the wrongs that have been done by the United States, please list all the wrongs that have been done by your country as well. It's not polite to throw stones at glass houses.
Posted by: Michelle | February 22, 2007 at 03:20 PM
Thank you for speaking the truth. There are many in America who are so pampered by their freedom that they are oblivious to the dangers in the world.
Posted by: Christopher Beard | February 22, 2007 at 04:18 PM
We live in a globalised world, to suggest that simple hiding away from it will protect you from what is merely facile anti-Americanism and/or opportunistic regimes of Venzuela, China, Russia is naive and counter-productive. What do you think Hitler was planning next when he launched Operation Barbarossa against the Soviet Union? Next on the list was the United States. You cannot hide form tyranny, whether it be Hitler, the Viet Cong, Kim Jong-il or the Iranian peasant who's ruling the world via the media at the moment.
America needs the world as the world needs America.
Posted by: Sepulchre | February 22, 2007 at 04:35 PM
As an American who believes the world is better with America in it......I am grateful for this site. If America turns to protectionism and isolationism, it will be a different world, indeed. Americans would get by; and, i suspect the rest of the world would have 'buyers remorse'. But, the truth is.....America can't afford to do that. There is too much at stake and too many problems out there for America to just turn her back. We must make a stand against the evils we face and to promote human rights, peace, and freeedom.......or we all will suffer.
America can make this stand "alone". I am just not sure she can win it "alone". We need the Brits, Aussies, Canadians, and European countries who have principled global morals and ethics to be there with us.
Trust me, Americans welcome constructive criticism. We respect friends with a difference of opinion. And, we are not always right. But, "anti-American" indoctrination by state run media is a danger to democracy. An honest media is one of the cornerstones to democracy. It is supposed to keep a check on the honesty of our government (not promote bias and agenda-driven indoctrination). We don't have that today.
Thank goodness for blogs.....which have become the "check on the media". Blogs? Did America come up with idea, too?
Anyway.......good luck to you.
Posted by: Frogg | February 22, 2007 at 05:06 PM
Thanks for making the embed code available.
Posted by: rightwingprof | February 22, 2007 at 05:32 PM
I should just like to say that upon hearing excerpts from this video on the Bill Bennett show this morning, I was indeed heartened to hear someone speaking kindly (and truthfully) of the USA. The fact that the accent in the audio I listened to was in fact, British; threw me for a loop. Reason being, that there has been nothing but ill will emanating from the British Republic for quite some time now, with regard to us Yanks. Most of it coming at the hands of the rabble-rousing, pro-anything-but-America, BBC. Not a day goes by where we are not blamed for some trivial malady, let alone all things bordering on catastrophe. This world would, in fact, be a much different place without us, as the video suggests. Not to say that we are in any way perfect, or that as a part of our growth, we haven't made the occasional slip up or two. Though, overall, a world without us would be a world still mired, to a great degree, in mid-Nineteenth century beliefs, medicinal habits, a whole host of anti-freedom regimes from one corner of the world to the next, with a slew of cultural phenomenons yet to take place. To say nothing of the sheer number of inventions and such, all designed to make 'all' of our lives easier, whether one lives in the Congo, or in Wales. To be sure, as the nation responsible for most of the myriad of developments that have taken place throughout the 20th century, it would have been easy indeed for us to have kept these technological, chemical, and biological developments to ourselves. The fact that we haven't speaks volumes about the character of the people in this nation. Imagine, if you will, these same developments coming from the work done by the Nazi's, the Stalinists, Communists, or Islamists. Then imagine how much they would cost if introduced onto the world market, and the other tolls they would exact from the rest of us were we to do business with them. Imagine too, the political ramifications of such a pairing. Never has the US entered into any kind of agreement whereby we have asked the rest of the world to pay un-godly and princely sums for an advancement or development we were instrumental in bringing to market. As a matter of fact, we have gone out of our way to make those things we've brought to bear, eminently 'affordable.' For everyman. Though, of late, we are currently enjoying the 'short shrift' in world opinion, fed as it is, by statist media outlets who, in the hope of covering up their dismal records of human rights, tyranny, and anti-freedom pursuits; seek to shield themselves from the wrath of the people they enslave. Yes, we have warts. But unlike the others that have the same, we proudly proclaim ours to all that will listen, yet valiantly struggle in seeking to overcome them in our lifetimes. Moreover, it is usually us that is first on the scene when it comes to the aid of all the others that suffer from the same afflictions. And it is usually us that is approached by those in need with hands outstretched, only to have our fingers bitten off when the final check arrives, or the last nail driven. I ask you, how many other countries are there that respond in the manner we usually do when asked for such aid? And how many of them ever take the time to reply - in any form other than in a'token vein?' And where are they today? This day? I shall tell you this -if they're Britain, then they're right there beside us. As the "Father" of this nation, who left us on our own back in 1776, you have always stood steadfast with us on most of our collective fields of battle, regardless of the conflict or the cost to the Motherland. And now, as then, we Thank You, Britain - and God Speed.
Posted by: VanO | February 22, 2007 at 06:46 PM
I read this article a few months ago:
For all the worldwide whining and bellyaching about the United States, July 4th -- America's 230th birthday -- provides an opportune time for them to consider for just a moment what the world might be like without good ol' Uncle Sam.
The picture isn't pretty. Absent U.S. leadership, diplomatic influence, military might, economic power and unprecedented generosity, life aboard planet earth would likely be pretty grim, indeed. Set aside the differences America made last century -- just imagine a world where this country had vanished on Jan. 1, 2001.
On security, the United States is the global balance of power. While it's not our preference, we are the world's "cop on the beat," providing critical stability in some of the planet's toughest neighborhoods.
Without the U.S. "Globo-cop," rivals India and Pakistan might well find cause to unleash the dogs of war in South Asia -- undoubtedly leading to history's first nuclear (weapons) exchange. Talk about Fourth of July fireworks . . .
In Afghanistan, al Qaeda would still be an honored guest, scheming over a global caliphate stretching from Spain to Indonesia. It wouldn't be sending fighters to Iraq; instead, Osama's gang would be fighting them tooth and nail from Saudi Arabia to "Eurabia."
In Asia, China would be the "Middle Kingdom," gobbling up democratic Taiwan and compelling pacifist Japan (reluctantly) to join the nuclear weapons club. The Koreas might fight another horrific war, resulting in millions of deaths.
A resurgent Russia, meanwhile, would be breathing down the neck of its "near abroad" neighbors. Forget the democratic revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia, Comrade! In Europe, they'd be taking orders from Paris or Berlin -- if those rivals weren't at each other's throats again.
In Africa, Liberia would still be under Charles Taylor's sway, and Sudan would have no peace agreement.
And what other nation could or would provide freedom of the seas for commerce, including the shipment of oil and gas -- all free of charge?
Weapons of mass destruction would be everywhere. North Korea would be brandishing a solid nuclear arsenal. Libya would not have given up its weapons, and Pakistan's prodigious proliferator, A.Q. Khan, would still be going door to door, hawking his nuclear wares.
Also missing would be other gifts from "Uncle Sugar" -- starting with 22 percent of the U.N. budget. That includes half the operations of the World Food Program, which feeds over 100 million in 81 countries.
Gone would be 17 percent of UNICEF's costs to feed, vaccinate, educate and protect children in 157 countries -- and 31 percent of the budget of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, which assists more than 19 million refugees across the globe.
In 2005, Washington dispensed $28 billion in foreign aid, more than double the amount of the next highest donor (Japan), contributing nearly 26 percent of all official development assistance from the large industrialized countries.
Moreover, President Bush's five-year $15 billion commitment under the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is the largest commitment by a single nation toward an international health initiative -- ever -- working in over 100 (mostly African) countries.
The United States is the world's economic engine. We not only have the largest economy, we spend 40 percent of the world's budget on R&D, driving mind-boggling innovation in areas like information technology, defense and medicine.
We're the world's ATM, too, providing 17 percent of the International Monetary Fund's resources for nations in fiscal crisis, and funding 13 percent of World Bank programs that dole out billions in development assistance to needy countries.
And what does Uncle Sam get in return? Mostly grief, especially from all the ungrateful freeloaders who benefit tremendously from the global "public goods" we so selflessly provide with our time, effort, blood and treasure. How easily -- and conveniently -- they forget . . . unless they need help, of course.
But let us never forget, especially today, that despite the name-calling, the jeers, the petty jealousies, we're the envy of the world -- and rightfully so.
The fact is that no matter what anyone says: No country has given so much to so many so often -- while asking for so little in return -- for so little gratitude than this great country of ours. So Happy birthday, America! Stand tall and proud -- you've earned it.
Posted by: matt | February 22, 2007 at 09:57 PM
I am not as articulate as others who have posted here so I will use some of their thoughts on this subject.
As the "Father" of this nation, who left us on our own back in 1776, you have always stood steadfast with us on most of our collective fields of battle, regardless of the conflict or the cost to the Motherland.
The fact is that no matter what anyone says: No country has given so much to so many so often -- while asking for so little in return -- for so little gratitude than this great country of ours.
I remember and old saying about the differences between the US and Britain went something like this "A common people separated by a common language", true then and true now.
Thank You, Britain - and God Speed.
Posted by: Aubrey Saunders | February 22, 2007 at 10:38 PM
As a second generation American, I thank you. Please continue your efforts to bring our countries closer together to work toward our common goals.
Posted by: Robert K | February 22, 2007 at 11:50 PM