BritainAndAmerica.com's six underlying principles

Today BritainAndAmerica publishes its new masthead and its statement of underlying principles.  This website does not believe in a deep relationship between the UK and USA for historical or sentimental reasons but because of vital shared interests and values.  Those shared interests are summarised below and your comments on them are very welcome.

Comments

[JF]

Malcolm, thanks. Our rhetoric can sometimes get a bit heated, but I think we can agree that Britain and America share the same fundamental values. We act out of self-interest, but we also act out of genuine goodwill. America isn't perfect, and we've made our share of mistakes, but the level of hatred emanating from our own allies simply defies explanation. We're doing our best; we're only human.

[Ian Woolgar]

Inept - you should reflect on Churchill's remark 'The Americans will always do the right thing .... after they've exhausted all the alternatives'

[Andy]

JF - I think you do a stirling job of demolishing a lot of the typical left-wing humbug that is force-fed to us by the BBC in the UK. Not enough people analyze and question the crap they produce. This organization has been shown up to be disgustingly deceiptful - witness the deliberately faked phone-in competitions recently.

The American system of government is the fairest and best and the Yanks are streets ahead of all other nations technology-wise.

Believe me, it is the 'silent majority' that are on your side, not the Ballotboys of this world.

[An Englishman]

Andy "The American system of government is the fairest and best and the Yanks are streets ahead of all other nations technology-wise."

Found this really funny, reminds me why the world thinks the yanks are just as up their arse as the British are.

The truth is the terms government and fairness to any extent is fiction.

[A Welshman]

Which part of " ... the Yanks are streets ahead of all other nations technology-wise" is funny? Much of the technology we use and take for granted originates from the States, I'm British by the way.

They've at least a decade ahead of everyone else. I don't buy into that socialist humbug that blames America for all of the worlds ills. For ample proof look at Russia's meteoric success right now, since waking up to the fact that communism does't work.

[A Welshman]

Which part of " ... the Yanks are streets ahead of all other nations technology-wise" is funny? Much of the technology we use and take for granted originates from the States, I'm British by the way.

They've at least a decade ahead of everyone else. I don't buy into that socialist humbug that blames America for all of the worlds ills. For ample proof look at Russia's meteoric success right now, since waking up to the fact that communism does't work.

[Jim Wellington]

This is a nice idea for a discussion. So many fellow Americans I know have cancelled business and vacation trips to Britain because of the anti-Americanism. I had started to assume there was no point in trying to fight it - it is good to know not everyone is joinin in.

[Comstock]

Hi all, is this blog owned by Conservativehome, just out of interest?

[Will Fletcher - England]

America is at least a decade ahead technologically? Erm, no its not. In some places it is maybe, but thats purely down to wealth, and other country's brilliant people going there to take adavantage of said wealth. Many Europian states, and ofcourse, the Japanese or inventing and innovating right at the edge. For example, Japanese robotics, French nuclear technology's, and has any one read about Britain designing and engineering the world's most advanced battleship, super-submaine and car (veyron) recently?

P.S. and the counter-argument of the British being Anti-American, BBC mind f**ked lefty's is, and always has been, a stereo type. I love America, but, a world with out America? A world with out an England ever existing is a world with out Aemerica, Remember that ;)

[dennis]

excelente pag web

[Paulb]

I'm saddened that so many Americans think the left wing rubbish spewed by 'The Guardian Newspaper,' Channel 4 news and other British media represent the views of a majority of British people. The biggest selling newspapers in the UK are the traditionally conservative, pro American 'Sun' 'Daily Mail' and 'Telegraph.' From a personal point of view, I work in the city of London and my colleagues and myself always prefer doing business with Americans rather than Europeans. Americans are typically friendly, hard-working and up for a few drinks (always an important criterion in London) whereas Europeans are often rather aloof. Culturally , Britain has far more in common with America, and long may that continue.

One more thing, Brits are not European, we're BRITISH!

[Emily]

Hi,

I am sending you some information on our (Duckworth Publishers) new book by The Times’s Chief Foreign Correspondent. Bronwen Maddox . In Defence of America is a timely and balanced counter-blast to a knee-jerk anti-Americanism that is pervasive throughout Europe. I do hope it is of interest to you. Do get in touch if you would like any further information?

Best wishes,
Emily.

IN DEFENCE OF AMERICA
BRONWEN MADDOX

‘A marvellous book which shows how vital American engagement is to the world. Bronwen Maddox is a superb and very knowledgeable writer who has the utmost courage of her convictions’ William Shawcross

‘Britain’s foremost commentator on foreign affairs makes a first-rate Counsel for the Defence, speaking of the prisoner in the dock with unrivalled expertise and elegance. Bronwen Maddox reminds United States-sceptics of the values of a great democracy but offers the same sobering reminder to Washington policy-makers. The chapter on Guantanamo and torture must be required reading for law students and presidential hopefuls alike’ Shami Chakrabarti

The world has turned against the United States. Anti-American sentiments have swept the globe. Foreign leaders, pundits and ordinary people decry the United States, proclaiming at best their heartbreak that the American values they once admired have vanished, and at worst condemning America as a criminal state beyond redemption. The invasion of Iraq, America's refusal to sign the Kyoto accords, detention without trial in Guantanamo and torture in Abu Ghraib, the spread of American movies and fast food into every corner of the globe -all have contributed to a feelingSouth Woodford that the United States, once a force for good in the world, is abusing its position as the world's sole superpower.

But there is another side to the story.

In this provocative, brilliant book, acclaimed foreign affairs columnist Bronwen Maddox shows how critics of America take the best of it for granted and exaggerate the worst. They give the US too little credit for their own freedom and wealth and struggle to fend off a monolithic American culture that does not exist. She shows how opponents often unfairly equate American mistakes with moral failings, and how the US frequently makes its own case badly, even when it is on strong ground. And she argues that the world is in danger of fighting to keep the giant at bay, when the harder task is to give America good reason to keep engaged. Persuasive and important, In Defence of America is essential reading for anyone who cares about America’s place in the world, and its future.

Bronwen Maddox is the Chief Foreign Commentator for The Times. She was born in New York City, graduated from Oxford University, and was a director of Kleinwort Benson Securities before joining the Financial Times, heading the award-winning investigation into publisher Robert Maxwell. She moved to The Times to be Washington Bureau Chief and US Editor, and was then its Foreign Editor. She is a Governor of the Ditchley Foundation for transatlantic debate. She lives in London.

Published September 11th 2008 ISBN 97807156 37913 £12.99 HBK

[Term paper]

Your blog is really excellent. It inspires the readers who has that great desire to lead a better and happier life. Thanks for sharing this information and hope to read more from you.