Why does America lead the world?

[statsman]

As usual this is yet another American misinterpretation of events and pure speculation about an event that didn't happen.

Many people in the UK speak German.

Anyway, even if the Germans had invaded the UK, they would not have forced the populace to ditch their language. They didn't do it to the Polish, French or Belgians so why the UK?

Did the Americans force the Iraqi's to speak your American pigeon English as soon as they invaded? No, of course not. Too busy securing the oil wells for US consumption.

Still waiting for references to your spiel earlier by the way.

Col

Please specify your request for references.
What do Iraqi oil wells have to do with WWII?
I am still waiting for a valid reason why America should have gone to war in 1939.
The last time I checked, Toronto was in CANADA. Perhaps we get a more balanced view of world events than you do. We don't hate Americans. Granted we don't like them all that much either.

 

[statsman]

I have been unable to find any online reference to the USAAF's 4th and 57th air groups using Spitfires. There is a reference to the 4th being the first group to use the Mustang.
The 31st group did in fact use Spitfires (mea culpa) from April to December 1943. They were then given the P47 Thunderbolt.
3 USAAF squadrons based in England used the Typhoon for ground support from D Day til the end of 1944. They were then given the Thunderbolts. I was not able to get the group numbers.

The Spitfire was an excellent aircraft and has the distinction of being the only fighter in WWII that was being built on the first day of the war and still being built on the last day of the war.

 

[ColinEssex]

Please specify your request for references.

Any reference regarding your statements.

What do Iraqi oil wells have to do with WWII?

Nothing - I was referring to the absurd statement that if it wasn't for the Americans we would be speaking German.
Are there any references where the Germans forced the French to speak German or the Belgians etc? Why would we have to speak German if Germany had invaded the UK? They didn't force the Channel Islands to speak German.

So did the Americans force Iraqi's to speak American English after they invaded?

Col

 

[Rabbie]

Truman learned of the first A bomb test while he was attending the Potsdam conference.

The conversation between Churchill and Truman was held at the Potsdam Conference. The election that elected Atlee had been held previously, but the results were not yet in due to the length of time it took to get the soldiers vote counted.

CHURCHILL WAS DE FACTO PRIME MINISTER AT THE TIME.

That was what I was saying in my post. I was disputing your post

Originally Posted by statsman

The only person Harry Truman spoke to about the A Bomb before its use was Winston Churchill. Churchill remarked that if it would end the war, it must be used.

The bombs were not dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki until after Potsdam was finished.

 

[Pauldohert]

The US leads the world in much the same way as Britain did when it was the world's only super power.

A ruling class, rich beyond imagination and totally entrenched in power.
A middle class who yearned to join the ruling class.
A working class that lived in poverty and desperation and that the other classes ignored, except of course when you needed some work done.

The odd thing is, in those days Britain could have easily afforded the Welfare State. They waited until they were practically bankrupt at the end of WWII to do it.
Strange.

So is it worth the supposed expense to the community?
I guess from the intoduction of the welfare state Britain thought not.

 

[statsman]

That was what I was saying in my post. I was disputing your post

[/I]

The bombs were not dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki until after Potsdam was finished.

AS STATED EARLIER:

While at Potsdam, Truman learned of the successful test of the A Bomb. The question still remained as to its use.
Churchill was the Prime Minister (shortly thereafter to be replaced by Atlee). Turman spoke to Churchill about the A Bomb and it was Churchill's advice it should be used.
The Potsdam conference was held in July. The bombs were dropped in August.

 

[Rabbie]

AS STATED EARLIER:

While at Potsdam, Truman learned of the successful test of the A Bomb. The question still remained as to its use.
Churchill was the Prime Minister of England (shortly thereafter to be replaced by Atlee). Turman spoke to Churchill about the A Bomb and it was Churchill's advice it should be used.

In PLAIN English since you seem to bei deliberatly not understanding what I am saying. I was pointing out that Truman spoke to more people than Churchill before dropping the bombs. Is that clear enough for you.

You stated that Churchill was the only person that TRuman consulted. Not true.

 

[Sum Guy]

So is it worth the supposed expense to the community?
I guess from the intoduction of the welfare state Britain thought not.

The point I was making is that is that at the height of the British Empire, Britain could have easily afforded the Welfare state. That Britain waited until the nation was nearly bankrupt at the end of WWII is a strange occurence.

This is not intended as a condemnation of the British wefare state. It is simply an historical oddity.

 

[statsman]

In PLAIN English since you seem to bei deliberatly not understanding what I am saying. I was pointing out that Truman spoke to more people than Churchill before dropping the bombs. Is that clear enough for you.

You stated that Churchill was the only person that TRuman consulted. Not true.

I should have stated the only other world leader. Of couse he consulted others, most notably US Chief of Staff George Marshall.

I am off to Stratford Ontario for the Shakespear festival. Any other corrections will have to wait til I return.

 

[Rabbie]

The point I was making is that is that at the height of the British Empire, Britain could have easily afforded the Welfare state. That Britain waited until the nation was nearly bankrupt at the end of WWII is a strange occurence.

This is not intended as a condemnation of the British wefare state. It is simply an historical oddity.

Not so odd in fact. In 1945 Britain elected the first Labour government with a working majority so they were able to put their plans for a welfare state into effect.

The first state pensions were in fact introduced in 1910 by Lloyd-george in his controversial budget that lead to the House of Lords loosing some of its powers.

 

[dan-cat]

We don't hate Americans. Granted we don't like them all that much either.

It's lonely being an American.

 

[Rabbie]

It's lonely being an American.

Aaah. lucky you've got Pinky And there are a lot of you so you shouldn't be so lonely.

 

[dan-cat]

Aaah. lucky you've got Pinky And there are a lot of you so you shouldn't be so lonely.

But they're all brainwashed. Not very good company

 

[georgedwilkinson]

It's lonely being an American.

I'm here for you. The only time I say anything negative about America is when I'm mocking the few who bash America most heartily. I'm pretty sure they don't get it.

 

[dan-cat]

I'm here for you. The only time I say anything negative about America is when I'm mocking the few who bash America most heartily. I'm pretty sure they don't get it.

I try to keep it light-hearted. But I do think it's a shame that somebody can have a sentiment illustrated by:

"We don't hate Americans. Granted we don't like them all that much either."

regardless of what country it's aimed at. That means he doesn't like me doesn't it?

 

[georgedwilkinson]

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure everybody here likes each other well enough considering we're all perfect strangers.

And Statsman seems to be pro-America (or at least not an America basher) on these forums. He can correct me on that when he gets back.

 

[Pauldohert]

I am off to Stratford Ontario for the Shakespear festival. Any other corrections will have to wait til I return.

Shakespeare?

 

[dan-cat]

Shakespeare?

He said they'd have to wait ROFL

 

[Rich]

But they're all brainwashed.

They must be American then

 

[voidcranium]

Well let's compare the actions of the evil communist regime with that of the land of the free, the Chinese leader went straight to the scene and stayed there summoning all the help he could muster, what did Bush do during Katrina, he stayed on vacation. Which is the country that actually care for its people?

Can you say PROPAGANDA?
The Chinese leadership is only trying to clean up its image because of all the bad press they have been getting over the Olympics and Tibet.