If you in the good old US of A, enjoy the fireworks tonight. I'll be watching them, and then I am going to the casino!

If you in the good old US of A, enjoy the fireworks tonight. I'll be watching them, and then I am going to the casino!

What possible interest is that to the rest of us. Who actually cares how you waste your money. (Unless of course you work there)

Col

What possible interest is that to the rest of us. Who actually cares how you waste your money. (Unless of course you work there)

ColYet another intelligent quote by a useless poster.

Happy Independence day to the Americans

Yet another intelligent quote by a useless poster.

Yes, you need to put some thought into your posts, that one is just a waste.

Incidentally, a quote is something that has been said before. If you were referring to my post, it wasn't a quote. Please try to use the correct wording - I know it's difficult for you, I do sympathise with you not having English as your first language.

Col

What possible interest is that to the rest of us. )

Col

So you have added mouthpiece for the whole forum to that of the whole of the UK.

Your posts used to have wit and inelligence for the most part but you appear to have had a humour bypass recently and are trying for the title of the world's grumpiest old man.

Brian

So you have added mouthpiece for the whole forum to that of the whole of the UK.



I think not actually, but - read my post again, this time a little more carefully and try to understand. I asked Speakers what he thought might interest us in that statement. Then I asked who cares what he does with his money.

The fact nobody responded shows that nobody actually cares what Speakers does. Can you indicate where I said I represent the UK or forum?

Your posts used to have wit and inelligence

Wit? Ah yes, I remember - good old days when we had decent people posting like Hales, Lyns, Mile-O, Rich etc etc. The days when these forums were UK not Yankee / redneck forums. . . . . . . . . . . ."Inelligence"???

Col

The fact nobody responded shows that nobody actually cares what Speakers does. Can you indicate where I said I represent the UK or forum?Col

Actually, you responded to Speakers. You are in effect responding to yourself. Once again Col you are a voice in the wilderness. Just about where you belong.



Wit? Ah yes, I remember - good old days when we had decent people posting like Hales, Lyns, Mile-O, Rich etc etc. The days when these forums were UK not Yankee / redneck forums. . . . . . . . . . . ."Inelligence"???

Col

There are subjects discussed on this forum that are of no interest to you. That does not make them good, bad or anything else. The correct procedure for you in these situations is to say NOTHING.

Actually, you responded to Speakers. You are in effect responding to yourself.

Surely it's either one or the other. As I had already said I responded to Speakers the second part of your comment seems bizarre.

Once again Col you are a voice in the wilderness. I remember it well - Cliff Richard, circa 1959.

Col

The fact nobody responded shows that nobody actually cares what Speakers does.
Col

I'm certain the lack of response has more to do with it being a weekend, and moreover for many Americans, a long holiday weekend.

As a fellow American, thank you for the wishes of happiness.
We're stimulating the economy by renting a condo on the gulfcoast.

I'm taking advantage of the precious time off work and reading a classic work of literature, Pride and Prejudice. I have never before read it, but thought I may enjoy it since I thoroughly enjoyed the movie Sense and Sensibility by the same author. (Alan Rickman played the part of the Colonel Brandon and swept my heart away in this rare romantic role. Therefore it may simply be Alan Rickman that allowed me joy, and not necessarily Austen's writing.)

I find it to be not a comfortable read as the language of the times has a much different tempo and the wording much more precise than in modern times. However, I'm muddling through to the best of my clumsy American abilities and I'm now on Volume Two of the novel. I'm sure that if Alan Rickman were by my side narrating to me, I would have a much easier time of it, but thus far I am sufficiently rapt.

Er, if no one cares what I am doing, I beg your pardon.
And if anyone has more interesting weekend activities, please do share.

Er, if no one cares what I am doing, I beg your pardon.
And if anyone has more interesting weekend activities, please do share.

I'm always interested in what you say and do Tess, and Cindy too.

Col

I wish you Happy Independence day there in a America

Has America been a success since Independence? Or would it have been better under British rule? Discuss.

Col

Has America been a success since Independence? Or would it have been better under British rule? Discuss.

Col

SUCCESS and BETTER are subjective terms.
It would certainly be different.

I think most Americans would think it would not have been a success as the British class structure would have prevented most rich Americans from attaining their wealth. EG. would Henry Ford have invented mass production if he had to obtain permission from the Earl of Detroit first?

On the other hand, America's racial problems would have been avoided as the First Reform Act (1832) abolished slavery in the British Empire. This would have avoided a long and bloody Civil War (1861-1865).

The American Revolution was certainly one of the most avoidable conflicts in history.

Has America been a success since Independence? Or would it have been better under British rule? Discuss.

Col

Then there is the argument that the UK is the 51st State! In which case a: we should be a bit nicer to our rulers, and b: is my green card in the post? :D

Oops, nearly forgot, a belated happy 4th of July.

Ah Tess, sounds like you are well getting into Pride and Prejudice, lol, you're post even had the tone right! Hope you had a great holiday weekend.

Has everyone forgotten that this all started through pollution, dumping all that Tea into the harbour....

Where were Greenpeace when you needed them. :)

On the other hand, America's racial problems would have been avoided as the First Reform Act (1832) abolished slavery in the British Empire. This would have avoided a long and bloody Civil War (1861-1865).

This is debatable. The Civil War was not fought over slavery. It was about whether states had the right to succeed from the Union. When Lincoln ran for president, his platform was preservation of the Union. When states started to succeed, he had to take up arms. The emancipation proclamation was a strategic military move. It was not about letting the slaves be free, it was about trying to win the war.

The American Revolution was certainly one of the most avoidable conflicts in history.

I don't necessarily think so. The British left us alone for almost 200 years. Then all of a sudden, after the French and Indian War, the British needed to raise revenue. After being left alone fending for ourselves, I don't think it is surprising the Americans did not stand for taxes from a country 2000 miles away.

Happy Birthday America - saviour of the Christian values in the new, old and emerging worlds.

Umm..., what?

Happy Birthday America - saviour of the Christian values in the new, old and emerging worlds.

I had to laugh at that. Since when has America's actions got anything to do with Christian values? The value of oil - yes definately.

Do you really think America cares for anyone except the USA?

Col

Do you really think America cares for anyone except the USA?



On bitingly cold winter nights we look fondly upon Chile.

I know that on the odd occasion my comments about the USA are less than enthusiastic, but I think the US has done quite alot to help the world.

It is possible, if still under British rule, such innovations may have been stifled. Yet on the other hand most colonies do tend to do their own thing, they are not necessarily directly governed from Westminster.

Many still like to have the "British" way of life, but these tend to be smaller colonies.

The class system does still exist in the UK - sometimes a little too much for my liking (House of Lords for one), but does the class system stop innovation?

The north / south divide is also a problem. It is difficult to "get on" in the north where department stores still have a tin bath section. Traditionally, the working class north has been the home of the mines, shipbuilding and most industrial development. In the south we have the money and the education.

Anyway, the USA? Yes, I remember my Mother first using a Teflon frying pan to cook eggs, it was incredible how they didn't stick, it was a miracle. So, keep going USA, you have the resourses and throw money to develop new drugs and many other things.

Col

The class system does still exist in the UK - sometimes a little too much for my liking (House of Lords for one), but does the class system stop innovation?


And new Labour has made it worse by stuffing the house with people beholden to the new regime, We all thought we were going to get an elected second house.


The north / south divide is also a problem. It is difficult to "get on" in the north where department stores still have a tin bath section. Traditionally, the working class north has been the home of the mines, shipbuilding and most industrial development.

I.E. we create the wealth


In the south we have the money
Col

Thieving B*$%*&ds steal it from us.

Brian

I agree. The redistribution of wealth is very difficult.

I get the impression that "the North" is the equivalent to GWB's attitude to New Orleans. As you say, money is taken but little returned in regeneration.

Living in the rich south, I find it difficult to imagine what it must be like using an outside toilet in midwinter. Plus, the streets appear to be so violent with jobless people virtually scrounging a living.

Col

Living in the rich south, I find it difficult to imagine what it must be like using an outside toilet in midwinter. Col

You get used to it and the midden behind is great for the veg plot. ;)

Brian

You get used to it and the midden behind is great for the veg plot. ;)

Brian

It all sounds a bit middle ages to me. It must be awful.

Col

You get used to it and the midden behind is great for the veg plot. ;)

Brian

Surely you must be joking.
Seriously, people still use outhouses in parts of the UK???

Surely you must be joking.
Seriously, people still use outhouses in parts of the UK???

Only in the North. Some places up there haven't even got electricity or telephones yet.

Col

Surely you must be joking.
Seriously, people still use outhouses in parts of the UK???

Sure I'm joking as is Col,I hope, if he isn't then its time he travelled the country, but I think this was just a bit of harmless banter between us so don't worry Tess we do have modern plumbing all over the UK.
To prove it I attach a pic of our bathroom, actually no bath, before we personalised it with plants etc.

Brian

I am joking Tess. It's only in parts of Scotland they are still in the dark ages with no electricity or phones.

Brian's outside bathroom looks very nice.

Col

This is debatable. The Civil War was not fought over slavery. It was about whether states had the right to succeed from the Union. When Lincoln ran for president, his platform was preservation of the Union. When states started to succeed, he had to take up arms. The emancipation proclamation was a strategic military move. It was not about letting the slaves be free, it was about trying to win the war.

The US Civil War had many causes. Those you stated in addition to the polarizaton of the country (rural and agrian south vs. an increasingly industrialized and urban north). Historians agree however that if slavery had not existed, the civil war would probably not have occured.

One of the major factors was James Buchanan, the president before Lincoln who simply refused to do anything about succession. He even declined to remove the arms from the federal arsenals in the south, thus arming the Union's future enemies.

I don't necessarily think so. The British left us alone for almost 200 years. Then all of a sudden, after the French and Indian War, the British needed to raise revenue. After being left alone fending for ourselves, I don't think it is surprising the Americans did not stand for taxes from a country 2000 miles away.

The colonial/British victory in the Seven Years War (the last of the F&I wars) which included the capture of Quebec made most of North America British and therefore became a major reason for the revolution.

The French & Indian wars required a large standing British Army in America. With end of the French and Indian Wars, the need for that army no longer existed as well as the reason for the taxes to support it. A lot of Americans felt that this large army was more an occupying force than a protective one.

-----------------------------------------------
Traditionally, a Canadian is an American who rejected the Revolution - Northrope Frye.

Oh! I am so relieved! (no pun intended)
The lav looks so chic.
I was surprised to see the vulgarities of the toilet so nicely hidden.
In America the tanks are normally exposed, not as "built in" of a feeling.
Is this the normal fashion of the lav in the U.K. or is this a new design?

Oumahexi,
I've just finished the book within the past hour or so and was happy with the ending. I was, even with ten pages left, expecting some sort of misfortune to come between Darcy and Elizabeth, possibly of Lady Catherine's doing. I wonder if all of Austen's works end thusly?

As I had alluded to before, I so very much enjoyed the movie version of Sense and Sensibility, and there are similarities in this story. It is interesting to me how I am affected by the societal rules of the day. Normally, I eschew "appearances" and am more inclined to be "honest". I find the laws of "high society" to be confining and encouraging falsehoods and distance of relationships. However, I find myself, in understanding Austen's times, appreciating civility as more than mere "societal rules." The rules of civility do result in more respect being granted to all concerned as it seems to be a shame to display any disrespect, regardless of the degree to which personal esteem is truly held.

I suppose, in a nutshell, what I am saying is, "It's nice to be nice" is a long held belief of mine. And I do appreciate that adherence to that societal rule being a mark of honor. And so my question is, today, can we be honest and also always be respectful? And if given the choice, would we rather to have our opinions heard under the guise of honesty, or would it be more esteemed to be respectful and hold our own opinions to be worthy even though they are not always openly shared?

:) I promise to revert to my old ways of speech soon enough, and not to be so verbose. As soon as the influence of classic literature wears off, I shall be back to normal. I may even use the word "Y'all" in order to comfort. :)

Discuss.

ColIs that an ORDER?

I wonder if all of Austen's works end thusly? Sadly even Dickens had nothing but happy endings. I think it was a Victorian trend. Victoria herself being an incurable romanitic.

As I had alluded to before, I so very much enjoyed the movie version of Sense and Sensibility, and there are similarities in this story. It is interesting to me how I am affected by the societal rules of the day. Normally, I eschew "appearances" and am more inclined to be "honest". I find the laws of "high society" to be confining and encouraging falsehoods and distance of relationships. However, I find myself, in understanding Austen's times, appreciating civility as more than mere "societal rules." The rules of civility do result in more respect being granted to all concerned as it seems to be a shame to display any disrespect, regardless of the degree to which personal esteem is truly held. Victorian society was somewhat warped. As Victoria had these extreme principles she expected her subjects to follow suit. This led to the flourishment of whore houses etc as the rich could no longer flaunt their exploits.

What the Austins will never touch upon is the diversity between "high society" and their servants, there was little difference between the way the servants were treated and the way slaves had been treated in the past, there was a difference, but a tiny one. I suggest you read some of Catherine Cookson's books, that'll de-Austin you :)

And so my question is, today, can we be honest and also always be respectful? with empathy it is absolutely possible, unfortunately we lose our ability to empathise with others as we grow up, it's a shame really.

:) I promise to revert to my old ways of speech soon enough, and not to be so verbose. As soon as the influence of classic literature wears off, I shall be back to normal. I may even use the word "Y'all" in order to comfort. :) I'll be relieved to see that lol.

By the way, don't you listen to Colin about the outside toilets in Scotland, the only places I've ever visited in Scotland where the toilets were outside were air shows. On the other hand, last time I visited my cousin in Yorkshire he had an outside toilet, and that was only a few years back...
:eek:

.

The colonial/British victory in the Seven Years War (the last of the F&I wars) which included the capture of Quebec made most of North America British and therefore became a major reason for the revolution.

The French & Indian wars required a large standing British Army in America. With end of the French and Indian Wars, the need for that army no longer existed as well as the reason for the taxes to support it. A lot of Americans felt that this large army was more an occupying force than a protective one.



This is so true, as soon as the colonies no longer needed the protection of the British, their leaders decided to grab power for themselves, which was really what the revolution was about, and to be fair to the Americans this does come across quite well at the scenarios played out at Williamsburg.

Brian

To prove it I attach a pic of our bathroom, actually no bath, before we personalised it with plants etc.

Brian

It's weird how the toilet is built into the vanity. I have never seen that stateside. It is also different to me how the sink is bigger than the counter.




@statsman-nicely said.

Is that an ORDER?

Yes. It's the way the English phrase the questions in school exams.

Col

Yes. It's the way the English phrase the questions in school exams.

Col

You went to school?

This is so true, as soon as the colonies no longer needed the protection of the British, their leaders decided to grab power for themselves, which was really what the revolution was about, and to be fair to the Americans this does come across quite well at the scenarios played out at Williamsburg.

Brian

The decision to leave the Army in America in spite of the fact it was no longer required was made by King George against the advice of his ministers.

The decision to levy new taxes to pay for this army was made by King George despite the fact that only Parliament could levy taxes.

In no way should you assume that all Americans or their leaders were in favour of the Revolution. Less than 50% thought it was a good idea. When the rebels won, large numbers of Americans left for Canada and other places.

As I stated earlier, the Revolution was a very avoidable conflict.

It was about whether states had the right to succeed from the Union.

Or "secede" as the case may be. :)

You went to school?
It would be obvious to anybody well educated

It's weird how the toilet is built into the vanity. I have never seen that stateside. It is also different to me how the sink is bigger than the counter.


It's part of our style and design culture, something America is not renowned for of course

In no way should you assume that all Americans or their leaders were in favour of the Revolution. Less than 50% thought it was a good idea. When the rebels won, large numbers of Americans left for Canada and other places.

.

The use of the word you rather than it is putting words in my mouth, and after all the quote of my words did say "leaders" not all colonists.
Just thought I'd clear that up.

Brian