To all the Americans

[messy]

Well other nationalities can reply if they so choose

After reading the "Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama the one thing that surprised me was that Britain was only mentioned individually once. The reason for this surprise is that both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown both claim to have created/concreted a special relationship with American through a sharing of ideals etc. with the president. So I would have expected that when Obama mentioned in his book about allies Britain (considering that Mr. Blair entered into Iraq fairly close behind G.W.Bush) would appear more often, however it would appear the relationship is a lot less special to a Senator (as Obama was when he was writing this)

Therefore the question I pose to Americans is "How do you see Britain?" Are we a useful aid, merely a small fish looking for protection or an annoying hanger on. Another option I haven't mentioned

Those of other origins can give a view point of what it's like to be an "outsider" if there is even truly something to be outside of.

 

[Turtleboy1017]

All I can say is that London is totally fucking awesome. Queen, fish and chips, Judas Priest, Shawn of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, awesome subways, Lucy Pinder, need I say more?

Amsterdam is also cool too because of its... uh Natural Landmarks.

 

[The Maddest March Hare]

I'd like to say that Britain is viewed as a valuable ally and a country of great power for its size.

As it is, I think we've become the annoying little guy who leans around from behind the bigger bully, shaking his fist and going "yeaaaaaaah" and "or else!" whenever the bully threatens someone. =[

 

[Nickolai77]

How often was Britain mentioned in relation to other countries?
If Obama discusses American foreign relations with China, France, Italy etc- in great detail- but only briefly mention Britain, you may have a point.

I've personally never read the book- so i can only really question you to establish anything. Does the book focus at all on America's foreign relations or is it more about Obama himself and domestic policy- if the latter is true, then its no surprise Britain is only mentioned once.

 

[New Troll]

I generaly think of Britian as an older brother to America. Sure we've had our ups and downs, especialy when we decided we didn't want to be under your shadow no more. But we're still family and you are one person we can turn to for guidance if need be. Just hope you feel the same with us, for mom's sake.

 

[New Troll]

How often was Britain mentioned in relation to other countries?
If Obama discusses American foreign relations with China, France, Italy etc- in great detail- but only briefly mention Britain, you may have a point.

I've personally never read the book- so i can only really question you to establish anything. Does the book focus at all on America's foreign relations or is it more about Obama himself and domestic policy- if the latter is true, then its no surprise Britain is only mentioned once.

Even if it's the former, Britian and America are so close, what really is needed to be said that eveyone doesn't already know?

 

[Nickolai77]

Just hope you feel the same with us, for mom's sake.

That leaves me wondering which nation would be our mother- The Roman Empire??

 

[messy]

How often was Britain mentioned in relation to other countries?
If Obama discusses American foreign relations with China, France, Italy etc- in great detail- but only briefly mention Britain, you may have a point.

I've personally never read the book- so i can only really question you to establish anything. Does the book focus at all on America's foreign relations or is it more about Obama himself and domestic policy- if the latter is true, then its no surprise Britain is only mentioned once.

Well there's an entire chapter on the world outside our doors, and he mentions Iraq, china and mainly developing nations. Europe tends to be classed as a whole. But I was still surprised at how over exaggerated the "special relationship" Brown and Blair created seems to be. It might just be A G.W.Bush thing but Brown was the first to talk with Obama after the presidency and he mentioned the "special relationship continuing". So it could just be all talk, there's no negative to Obama going along with it

 

[cobra_ky]

i haven't read the book yet, but i do know that it was an expansion of the ideas expressed in his speech to the democratic national convention in 2004. the theme of that speech, as well as obama's subsequent campaigns and now his presidency, has been the need for "change". britain's been a tremendous ally to us, especially in iraq, but obama seems to be more concerned with talking about the aspects of our foreign policy that actually need changing, like our relationship with the muslim world.

EDIT: actually, considering how much obama didked up the whole gift exchange, you may have a point.

 

[Tales of Golden Sun]

I'm from the Netherlands, and I love the UK.
If I had to choose between the US and the UK, I'd choose the UK.

 

[New Troll]

Just hope you feel the same with us, for mom's sake.

That leaves me wondering which nation would be our mother- The Roman Empire??

Actualy, both governments were birthed under God. So it could very well be The Roman Empire since they're the ones who spread Christianity across the known land (back then.) Though, with thier influence in mind, you could also claim the Roman Empire is the mother to all modern nations.

 

[Matronadena]

egh, I'm from Scotland, and live in the states now....soooooo technically my viewpoint wont count.....

 

[Vanguard_Ex]

I'd like to say that Britain is viewed as a valuable ally and a country of great power for its size.

As it is, I think we've become the annoying little guy who leans around from behind the bigger bully, shaking his fist and going "yeaaaaaaah" and "or else!" whenever the bully threatens someone. =[

I love Bill Bailey too

 

[AngloDoom]

Odd, from the people who I've heard actually discuss Britain who are American, they seem to view England as a weak nation that sucks up to America because it's scared of them.

Admittedly, most of those were flaming me, and some of those who weren't thought the Queen was our politician.

I'd like to say that Britain is viewed as a valuable ally and a country of great power for its size.

As it is, I think we've become the annoying little guy who leans around from behind the bigger bully, shaking his fist and going "yeaaaaaaah" and "or else!" whenever the bully threatens someone. =[

At least quote Bill Bailey correctly!

 

[Vanguard_Ex]

I generaly think of Britian as an older brother to America. Sure we've had our ups and downs, especialy when we decided we didn't want to be under your shadow no more. But we're still family and you are one person we can turn to for guidance if need be. Just hope you feel the same with us, for mom's sake.

Whenever talk about allies pops up, America is always my first thought.

Odd, from the people who I've heard actually discuss Britain who are American, they seem to view England as a weak nation that sucks up to America because it's scared of them.

Admittedly, most of those were flaming me, and some of those who weren't thought the Queen was our politician.

Same here, this thread is pleasantly surprising.

 

[The Maddest March Hare]

I'd like to say that Britain is viewed as a valuable ally and a country of great power for its size.

As it is, I think we've become the annoying little guy who leans around from behind the bigger bully, shaking his fist and going "yeaaaaaaah" and "or else!" whenever the bully threatens someone. =[

I love Bill Bailey too

Cookies for getting the reference

Spoiler: They're double chocolate ;)

But sadly, the man also makes a valid point. We're slowly losing our individuality and following America more and more. We're becoming a 'yes man' Dx

 

[cobra_ky]

egh, I'm from Scotland, and live in the states now....soooooo technically my viewpoint wont count.....

craig ferguson is apparently american enough now to host 4th of july specials. i'm sure it'll be fine.

 

[Irridium]

I see the U.K. as the guy you have a few big fights with, but then after that we become best friends.

I don't see the U.K. as a "small fish looking for protection" or a "hanger on" as you said. After all, the U.K. used to rule most of the world, from North America to India to China and everywhere in between, they were the big guy back then. And they're still pretty powerful now.

 

[Bertinan]

I work with some Brits. Great folk, I like them a lot. I've always wanted to visit, too...

Your government, though...I wish you'd just tell the EU to go stuff itself (cowards they are), and do your own thing...it worked for hundreds of years for you, after all. You also have a lot of weird censorship things going on, it looks like, and restrictions on all sorts of things. I mean, is it true they banned carrying any kind of knife on you?

The people, though...they're great. Your food sucks, however

 

[Agent Larkin]

Ok Ireland is gonna stay out of this one *leaves room quickly*