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Comments

bundyfan

71%! Wow! If you asked the average American if he thought the U.S. should be more distanced from Britain I'm quite certain the number wouldn't even register. Maybe .0001% tops.

But Brown's comments are reassuring. I hope it isn't merely lip-service.

atheling

bundyfan:

The percentage would be higher now. It would register, because Americans are fed up with Euroweenie backstabbers.

We don't share the same values anymore.

bundyfan

Well, the .0001% has spoken.

atheling

LOL, the "statistic" you cite is merely your own opinion. Want to hear from more?

Capt. Jack Sparrow

I think I agree with that .001% would be the proper number.

Kevin Sampson

You'd be wrong.

Simon Newman

Plenty of Americans are anti-British, notably many Irish Americans, and others remain suspicious of Britain for historical reasons. We did burn your White House you know. >:)

JF

The isolationists, communists, terrorist sympathizers, and those tired of the British "what's in it for me?" attitude would certainly welcome more distance from Britain, but I think the number is closer to 10% than 0.0001%.

I often find myself drifting into the last camp above, wishing that Britain would just get it over with, sever ties with the US, and fully embrace the EUSSR. However, as a neoconservative, I find it hard to stomach the idea that Britain would sacrifice its own democracy and liberty to be ruled by unelected eurocrats in Brussels simply to teach the United States a lesson (after all, how could it be in Britain's interests to trade the US for the EU?). The USSR lasted 70 years, but the EU has seen 50 years and continues to grow. I fear if Britain subsumes itself into the EUSSR, we won't see it again as a distinct entity for another century at least.

The Brown-Bush meeting gives me some hope that Britain will continue to do what's right. It will be interesting to see how the relationship develops once Brown starts meeting with the Democrats.

bundyfan

Simon Newman

That's right, you guys set fire to the Capitol Building that houses Congress too. Hmm... Think you could pull that off again?

Kevin Sampson

“I find it hard to stomach the idea that Britain would sacrifice its own democracy and liberty to be ruled by unelected eurocrats in Brussels”

I agree, JF. I think it is all going to come down to the new EU ‘non-constitution’ treaty. If it passes, presumably without a referendum, Europe is well and truly screwed.

S. Baker

While I have been labeled an eternal optimist, but I would hope that the people in the UK (other than Islamists) would like to see the anglosphere grow closer together rather than further apart. I for one would like to see free trade between the aforementioned countries and the right of citizens to live and work in any of the anglosphere-nations.

atheling

I've been an Anglophile all my life. I'm an American of British ancestry and used to be proud of my English heritage.

It's over now. I'm ashamed of Britain, and if my ancestors who came to these shores in 1640 saw what Britain is today, they'd be ashamed too.

The heirs of Shakespeare, Nelson and Churchill have become a race of snivelling, craven and spineless dhimmis.

Ami

Capt. Sparrow, bundyfan

You would be absolutely wrong. I think most Americans would be very reluctant to answer the question honestly, though, because of the very strong support from Tony Blair. Americans know that if it wasn't for Blair Britain would not be standing with the United States. We suffer no illusions there. At the same time it is pretty much a given that once TB was gone the last vestiges of a "good relationship" would be gone also. The British behave as if Americans can't read or aren't capable of finding a British newspaper online and are unaware of the rampant anti-Americanism in Britain and Europe. Not so. We are very aware, and it is beginning to take its toll. Would it appear ungracious, at this point, to say that we would like a separation, too, and the sooner the better? As I believe in giving the people what they demand and the British are demanding a separation. Give it to 'em and give it to us as well. We need a breather.

I agree with you, atheling, I think more and more Americans are fed up with Europe, and very few Americans make the distinction between Europe and Britain. One and the same thing.

Ken Stevens

S. Baker | July 31, 04:09 PM
"..I would hope that the people in the UK (other than Islamists) would like to see the anglosphere grow closer together rather than further apart..."

Well, there's five of us in my family who would love that to be so!

bundyfan

Ami-

Here's my thinking. The left loves England because its England, its Europe. They are so sophisticated over there you know. The left just eats all that culture up. They bask in reflected glory by being Europhiles. Its sickening but that's how they think. Ok so the right in America loves England because of Blair and Britain's steadfast friendship thus far. I really don't think you'll find many "I hate England" people here. Okay some Irish might bare a familial grudge. But the past wars between our two countries I think are not so important anymore. I'm a Son of the American Revolution and I still love my British heritage because I realize that the Founders took thier priniciples largely from thier Anglo-Scottish heritage. I think most conservative Americans think of our cousins that way. I agree with atheling in that we rightwingers don't like the mainstream of Europe or Britian but when I am asked the question "do I want more distance?" I think no I don't and that means I want a more pro-capitalist pro- democratic Britian.

atheling

bundyfan:

There are many on the left who dislike Britain. To them, Britain is the poster boy for colonial imperialism. Those who admire Europe only do so because of their affinity with communism and socialism.

Albanaich

This has to be one of the funniest sites I've seen in ages.

Meanwhile, in the background, the UK and French are building large, American aircraft carriers and building global GPS systems that are independent of the USA.

I'm afraid there's one agenda for dumb Americans and quite another for those in contact with real news.

Albanaich

This has to be one of the funniest sites I've seen in ages.

Meanwhile, in the background, the UK and French are building large, American aircraft carriers and building global GPS systems that are independent of the USA.

I'm afraid there's one agenda for dumb Americans and quite another for those in contact with real news.

Ami

Hey Albanaich,

It really wasn't that good a post to be repeated, but as long as you are having fun what else matters?

bundyfan,

I think that the connections between Europe and America are broken. Americans have a rather benign indifference to Europe and Europeans. They are still welcomed here, but perhaps the welcome, while warm and friendly, is not as affectionate as in the past. Being told that you are hated over and over again has that affect.

I like Britain, I like the British. Although, if they were gone tomorrow I would be sad, but not unconsolable. I didn't leave them, they left me.

Churchill's Parrot

The "special relationship" between Britain and America was christened thus by Sir Winston in recognition of its being the foundation of Western Civilization i.e. mankind's best and ONLY hope. America without Britain, Britain without America - either scenario diminishes that foundation, that civilization, and that hope. Clearly America is in the lead and - possibly - in the ascent, whereas Britain appears to continue its slow and agonizinig descent into socialist/multi-cultural/atheistic nihilism.

We take heart, however, in some of Brownie's rhetoric and hope that adherance to our common traditions (see below) and respect for our common histories will again revive the West's flagging will.

“We must never cease to proclaim in fearless tones the great principles of freedom and the rights of man which are the joint inheritance of the English-speaking world and which through Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Habeas Corpus, trial by jury, and the English common law find their most famous expression in the American Declaration of Independence.”- Sir Winston Churchill - March 5, 1946

Cheers,

Charlie
www.churchillsparrot.com

Ami

Mr. Parrot,

All that you have said (and you have said it quite well, by the way), is true. The only problem is that your people don't want it, and what the people want the people usually get in a free society.

Americans can not do anything about what is being taught in your schools, we can't do anything about what is written in your newspapers, and we can't do anything about what is reported on your news channels. Euro-leftist elitists have convinced even the British people that your future lies away from the US. Combine that with the massive influx of anti-Western immigration and you have the situation that exists today.

I think the people to people contact will remanin fairly good for a time yet, but there won't be anything very special about it. Most Americans are very nice to everyone who visits, regardless of where they are from. While I haven't been to Britain in a few years I understand that most Americans who have have very few problems there. So that may be what is left of the "special relationship" a pleasant place to visit. Poor Winnie.

atheling

Charlie,

Those rights that Churchill refers to are eroded in Britain. Britain is a socialist nanny state which does not even allow its subjects (or citizens whichever it is now) to defend themselves in the home if they are attacked.

Britons do not have free speech, the right to bear arms, or a free media. But what the hell, they have free medicine... oops, when their doctors aren't busy trying to blow up airports or clubs...

The British are going by the way of the Eloi in HG Wells' The Time Machine. Who would have thought he was so prescient?

bundyfan

Isn't this website evidence of a resurgent patriotism on the part of Britains? I keep reading that England is drawing away from us but the mission of this very forum is to help stop the retreat. It does no good to focus on the negative here. I'd much rather read about opportunities to convince others of the importance our special relationship especially if that means ways get Britain to be pround of herself again.

malcolm

The ignorance of Britain and the patronising tones of some American commentators on this blog never ceases to amaze me. I also don't understand why so many of the same commentators seem to be consumed by hideous amounts of self pity (noone likes us!).
Most Britons do not dislike America, huge numbers take their holidays there and most Britons consume significant amounts of American culture through literature, film and music.
And Bundyfan,most Britons I know are proud of their country as I imagine most Americans are proud of theirs.

atheling

"Isn't this website evidence of a resurgent patriotism on the part of Britains?"

Doubt it. Have yet to hear anything about their own problems. The focus of this site is to encourage America to be more "likeable" to Euros.

Nuts!

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