Is it just me?

[essence]

Is it just me who brings up issues about Europe and the UK? Or is there really a special relationship with the UK? Is the UK prima intra pares (or whatever the expression is) amongst European countries?

My uncle was a career soldier, served in Aden, spent some time in Arizona, liked the lifestyle, procurement discussions go on all the time.

Is the relationship historical, and not relevant to younger people in US? To a certain generation, WWII was an unforgettable collaboration. But has time moved on?

I don't know the numbers, but an awful lot of Brits live and work in Texas, either as residents or visitors, I am pretty sure it is far more than any other European nation. Probably the same story in other states. My wife's family has relatives in Florida and NY. I spent a year in US when aged 4/5.

[Guest123018-4]

Europe ant the UK fucked themselves up years ago.
It wasn't that long ago the the British Empire was the strongest in the world and that from a relatively small p0iece of land off the coast of Europe.

[Cpalmson]

Yes, there is a special relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. Think of it as the company store run by a father and then passed on to his son. The U.K. birthed America. Study our history. Our Founding Fathers bent over backwards to try and remain loyal and stay part of the U.K. (Britain, England, or whatever you want to call them). Our biggest gripe was not being directly represented in Parliament. Other than that, we shared the same values and history as the Brits. Politically, the only real difference between our countries is that we have a written Constitution which serves as the basis of our form of government. The Brits have an informal Constitution which is comprised of customs, courtesties, treaties and past acts of Parliament. Truly the only real difference is they drive on the wrong side of the road.

[I B Hankering]

Originally Posted by Cpalmson

Yes, there is a special relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. Think of it as the company store run by a father and then passed on to his son. The U.K. birthed America. Study our history. Our Founding Fathers bent over backwards to try and remain loyal and stay part of the U.K. (Britain, England, or whatever you want to call them). Our biggest gripe was not being directly represented in Parliament. Other than that, we shared the same values and history as the Brits. Politically, the only real difference between our countries is that we have a written Constitution which serves as the basis of our form of government. The Brits have an informal Constitution which is comprised of customs, courtesties, treaties and past acts of Parliament. Truly the only real difference is they drive on the wrong side of the road.

Disagree in part: One third of the colonial populace supported the Revolution. Another third was against it and the other third wanted to live a life free from strife.

The third that agitated for independence claimed not not be represented in Parliament. Parliament yielded and offered the colonials a seat, the agitators then claimed they could never properly be represented in Parliament. The agitating third essentially wanted to be free of English taxes. They were land speculators and settlers* who wanted to settle the lands west of the Appalachians -- contrary to British treaties and law. This agitating third were also merchants who wanted to trade with other realms -- contrary to the charters and dictates of the English mercantile system.



*btw, my gggggrandfather was along side Boone fighting against the British beyond the Appalachians during the Revolution, and my ggggrandfather fought along side General Isaac Shelby against the British at the Battle of the Thames -- guess it comes natural to those of Celtic stock -- LOL.

[JD Barleycorn]

How interesting IB. Last year I went to Mexico and Hermann MO searching for family. I found that one of Daniel Boone's sons married a woman from my family almost two hundred years ago. I guess we're related.

[I B Hankering]

Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn

How interesting IB. Last year I went to Mexico and Hermann MO searching for family. I found that one of Daniel Boone's sons married a woman from my family almost two hundred years ago. I guess we're related.

Could be, but it would be through the wife's side. I'm distantly related to the Kentons (via Simon Kenton's brother) but not to the Boones, JD.

[Iaintliein]

Yes, it is just you. . . now, what was the question?

[JD Barleycorn]

I heard some "experts" (who isn't) talking about the investment community. They have turned to the US because things are so bad in Europe and because of that some are saying that we are doing pretty good when we are slightly better off than Europe which is pretty bad. When Europe goes then we follow as does China.

In the late 50s and 60s there was a contrived effort to connect the economies of the countries of the world. The idea, like MADD, countries could not go to war if their economy was dependent on the target of their attack. Sadly a lot of our military gear is produced in China of all places. You would think that a Congress would require that all military gear is US made.