Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

what's happening in the UK

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    #31
    Re: what's happening in the UK

    The thing is, in the US you can travel thousands of miles and still speak English and pay in dollars. In Europe that was never possibile until relatively recently. Travel overland say, to Greece, and you can pass through Belgium or France, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia (as was) and then Greece, and years ago (back in my misspect youth) that meant a different language every time, and changing up loads of different currency. Yes they still have different languages (Greece even has a different alphabet) but they have connections now too, instead of all being quite separate.

    Also, the US has never been occupied by a foreign power. Europe has. Several times over. It has learned from that. One of the advantages of the EU in my mind is that because countries have ties binding them together, war is less likely. Yes, really.

    Danie Marie has made a series of brilliant posts in this thread. The biggest problem for the UK is that people here have been encourage not to think about Europe in positive terms. Pity.
    www.thewolfenhowlepress.com


    Phantom Turnips never die.... they just get stewed occasionally....

    Comment


      #32
      Re: what's happening in the UK

      Though on that logic, there aren't a lot of places near the US where you can experience that. Canada and the the Carribean, where they largely speak our language and accept our money. There's pretty much only Mexico, and then it's really only the language thing.

      English and the dollar are global institutions.
      Last edited by Denarius; 07 Jul 2016, 11:42.
      Trust is knowing someone or something well enough to have a good idea of their motivations and character, for good or for ill. People often say trust when they mean faith.

      Comment


        #33
        Re: what's happening in the UK

        Denarius,
        The English language and the dollar are far from global and your views reflect a lot of the ideas that make Americans "unwanted" guests in most of Europe and Asia.
        The USA is not and never has been a democracy. We are a constitutional republic. We do seem to be headed toward a democratic socialist country but as long as the constitution stands we remain a republic.
        The Dragon sees infinity and those it touches are forced to feel the reality of it.
        I am his student and his partner. He is my guide and an ominous friend.

        Comment


          #34
          Re: what's happening in the UK

          But that's my point. There aren't many places near the US where one experiences those differences. So Europe is not really comparable to the US in that way. And the US has never been occupied by hostile forces in relatively recent times. English may be a 'global institution' but you try telling that to a Greek trying to communicate in sign language. Where street signs don't even look vaguely recognisable...

          Not everywhere is like the US. You haven't been occupied. You weren't bombed in WW2. These were things that happened in Europe, and part of its response was to band together probably in the belief that you don't invade or go to war with your trading partners. So far it's not been bad, either. No war in mainland Europe between members of the EU. Surely not a bad thing.

          And Britain, though tiny, has tried very hard to pretend it has far more influence than it has. Partly it has done this by being as bloody minded as possible towards Europe. Frankly I wouldn't mind betting there are quite a few folk in the EU who are glad to see the back of us.
          www.thewolfenhowlepress.com


          Phantom Turnips never die.... they just get stewed occasionally....

          Comment


            #35
            Re: what's happening in the UK

            Originally posted by Denarius View Post
            English and the dollar are global institutions.
            English is global, yes but the dollar isn't... I can't think of a place in Europe where a dollar would get you anything other than a 'are-you-daft' look in a shop.

            And I think that was kind of tylluan's point. You don't have many places where you can experience that. We do, and that makes the need for somethig like the EU to tie us together. Imagine splitting up all of your states into seperate countries and giving each their own language and currency (and political agenda). Wouldn't work, right?
            We have agreed on some laws, values and ideas that we share. That ties us together.
            You remind me of the babe
            What babe?
            The babe with the power
            What power?
            The Power of voodoo
            Who do?
            You do!
            Do what?
            Remind me of the babe!

            Army of Darkness: Guardians of the Chat

            Comment


              #36
              Re: what's happening in the UK

              Originally posted by DragonsFriend View Post
              The English language and the dollar are far from global
              Well pardon me then, I have no idea where I got the notion that the dollar and English were global. Must just be my American ignorance.
              Trust is knowing someone or something well enough to have a good idea of their motivations and character, for good or for ill. People often say trust when they mean faith.

              Comment


                #37
                Re: what's happening in the UK

                Originally posted by Denarius View Post
                Though on that logic, there aren't a lot of places near the US where you can experience that. Canada and the the Carribean, where they largely speak our language and accept our money. There's pretty much only Mexico, and then it's really only the language thing.

                English and the dollar are global institutions.
                The point is more that you don't NEED to leave the US--states here are larger and more populous that entire countries there. http://www.decisionsciencenews.com/2...ing-us-states/

                When I traveled in Europe, (courtesy of the US Navy), no one took US money, I either traded it in or used plastic at the Euro or (because they hadn't adopted it yet) the Maltese lira. Menus were not in English, unless you went to a tourist trap (and then they were also in Spanish, French, and German, and in Czech at one bar we went to). Sure, most people spoke English--along with the 2 or more other languages they spoke.

                International banking and international business are one thing, and even then, the Euro is actually fairly even with the dollar in terms of circulation. But your average person and business, unless they are in and English speaking country, do life in Spanish or Italian or French or German, etc.
                Last edited by thalassa; 07 Jul 2016, 12:46.
                Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of HistoryPagan Devotionals, because the wind and the rain is our Bible
                sigpic

                Comment


                  #38
                  Re: what's happening in the UK

                  The UK has a history of what is termed "imperialist expansion" back when it ruled the waves. Perhaps the Spanish also appropriated countries already populated. The French also had the habit of just plopping down in the middle of a country and taking over(French Indochina) the Dutch also got in the game(the Dutch East Indies) and the Dutch East India Company. Also,The Dutch Slave Trade

                  So,in many ways Europe has a somewhat checkered history..(and remember Germany also got their licks in)..The US has its own dark side over time,even though at times we are "The great hope" in some minds because we were less vengeful after WW2,and helped rebuild Europe,but also laid down roots in Europe with our bases.

                  - - - Updated - - -

                  Originally posted by Denarius View Post
                  Well pardon me then, I have no idea where I got the notion that the dollar and English were global. Must just be my American ignorance.
                  There was a time when the Dollar was as you say,and english was used to get our tourist dollars,and it became the basis for the term "Ugly American" among some places...
                  MAGIC is MAGIC,black OR white or even blood RED

                  all i ever wanted was a normal life and love.
                  NO TERF EVER WE belong Too.
                  don't stop the tears.let them flood your soul.




                  sigpic

                  my new page here,let me know what you think.


                  nothing but the shadow of what was

                  witchvox
                  http://www.witchvox.com/vu/vxposts.html

                  Comment


                    #39
                    Re: what's happening in the UK

                    Originally posted by Denarius View Post
                    Canada and the the Carribean....and accept our money.
                    At the worst exchange rate ever. You'd have to be an idiot to pay in US dollars in Canada. And they won't take it everywhere. Most small businesses won't accept it, and once you leave the border it's not commonly accepted outside of tourist sites.

                    Oh, and we won't give you change in US dollars. I got yelled at that once for that. I was pissed about it.

                    - - - Updated - - -

                    Originally posted by Tylluan Penry View Post
                    But that's my point. There aren't many places near the US where one experiences those differences. So Europe is not really comparable to the US in that way. And the US has never been occupied by hostile forces in relatively recent times. English may be a 'global institution' but you try telling that to a Greek trying to communicate in sign language. Where street signs don't even look vaguely recognisable...

                    Not everywhere is like the US. You haven't been occupied. You weren't bombed in WW2. These were things that happened in Europe, and part of its response was to band together probably in the belief that you don't invade or go to war with your trading partners. So far it's not been bad, either. No war in mainland Europe between members of the EU. Surely not a bad thing.

                    And Britain, though tiny, has tried very hard to pretend it has far more influence than it has. Partly it has done this by being as bloody minded as possible towards Europe. Frankly I wouldn't mind betting there are quite a few folk in the EU who are glad to see the back of us.
                    I think that's such an important point. At the end of the day, peace is one of the biggest accomplishments of the European project. And given the history of Europe, that was no small feat.
                    Last edited by DanieMarie; 07 Jul 2016, 13:18.

                    Comment


                      #40
                      Re: what's happening in the UK

                      I'd be typing all day to say all I want to about state laws & restrictions. With the health care system of today, I can't move out of my zip code unless I want to pay double. Long story but I'm in a weird & expensive coverage gap. Americans get arrested in one state for something that was legal in another. New Jersey requires a $20./year fee to own a parrot. When I moved, I checked with every state we'd be passing through to see what I needed, if anything, to ensure Buddy wouldn't be seized if anything happened. (We would have been on global news if that happened, believe me!)

                      I forgot about Canadian currency being different. I've been mulling over a quick trip up to Woodbine.
                      sigpic
                      Can you hear me, Major Tom? I think I love you.

                      Comment


                        #41
                        Re: what's happening in the UK

                        Originally posted by Hawkfeathers View Post

                        I forgot about Canadian currency being different. I've been mulling over a quick trip up to Woodbine.
                        Just change some dollars at the bank before you leave (they give the best rates), change it at a bank in Canada (they also give great rates), or pay for everything with your credit card (EVERYWHERE accepts cards in Canada. I once paid a 25 cent parking fee with my card and no one even blinked. Visa and MasterCard, though. Not AE).
                        Last edited by DanieMarie; 07 Jul 2016, 13:30.

                        Comment


                          #42
                          Re: what's happening in the UK

                          Originally posted by DanieMarie View Post
                          Just change some dollars at the bank before you leave (they give the best rates), change it at a bank in Canada (they also give great rates), or pay for everything with your credit card (EVERYWHERE accepts cards in Canada. I once paid a 25 cent parking fee with my card and no one even blinked. Visa and MasterCard, though. Not AE).
                          Thanks! I probably won't end up going, but if I do it'll be credit card city!
                          sigpic
                          Can you hear me, Major Tom? I think I love you.

                          Comment


                            #43
                            Re: what's happening in the UK

                            Originally posted by Hawkfeathers View Post
                            Thanks! I probably won't end up going, but if I do it'll be credit card city!
                            No problem.

                            Anyway, to get back on topic, here are a few fun facts about the UK and how Conservative policies have affected the pre-Brexit landscape:

                            A huge rise in child poverty, a devastating UN critique of British austerity … these are among the news events our government is hoping we miss

                            Comment


                              #44
                              Re: what's happening in the UK

                              Originally posted by DanieMarie View Post
                              No problem.

                              Anyway, to get back on topic, here are a few fun facts about the UK and how Conservative policies have affected the pre-Brexit landscape:

                              https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...P=share_btn_fb
                              It's really, horrible.
                              Has news of the CHilcot report reached outside the UK I wonder? And if so, what is the reaction to it?
                              www.thewolfenhowlepress.com


                              Phantom Turnips never die.... they just get stewed occasionally....

                              Comment


                                #45
                                Re: what's happening in the UK

                                I have seen it mentioned on CNN,though I have not followed it yet.

                                CNN on CHilcot report.
                                MAGIC is MAGIC,black OR white or even blood RED

                                all i ever wanted was a normal life and love.
                                NO TERF EVER WE belong Too.
                                don't stop the tears.let them flood your soul.




                                sigpic

                                my new page here,let me know what you think.


                                nothing but the shadow of what was

                                witchvox
                                http://www.witchvox.com/vu/vxposts.html

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X