Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Frazzled wrote:

Hawkins wrote:Sorry? special relationship? Pick the place with the largest oil reserves that you havent honked off yet, and Bingo! their enemies are your new friends..... , no vote required, just go for the oil. that should impress the Americans no end

Meh. Been there, done that, got a belt buckle.

A belt buckle eh? heeheehee I'm beginning to not hate your sense of humor... What about the Gulf Coast? I hear there's a lot of oil there! All kidding aside I think the UK/US relationship will perservere. Too many interruptions to other things going on in other parts of the world to go dilly dallying around about who is in what alliance (nowadays its called a trade agreement, whatever). That's soooo WWI. I think its moved along to "who can we sell stuff to and who can we buy stuff from and at what profit level?" So probably China and the U.S. still hold the cards right now, with Russia as a close contender. England, for all its majesty (pun intended) is too small to actually compete with a superpower. Sure you can fight the good fight but when you have the land mass of a single U.S. state you really don't want it as an enemy. 50 to 1 odd work against zulus but not against the U.S. Consider retaking Normandy? It's a start... William the Conqueror can be backlashed. He took Saxon lands, why not take Norman lands? French people will just shove over and deal with it. What are they gonna do, fight back?

Guitardian wrote:England, for all its majesty (pun intended) is too small to actually compete with a superpower.

Competing? Who said anything about competing? We're only only just getting by, here!

Skarwael wrote:

Guitardian wrote:England, for all its majesty (pun intended) is too small to actually compete with a superpower.

Competing? Who said anything about competing? We're only only just getting by, here!

Well, If you need to, Texas could annex you. You too know the meaning of the word damp.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Frazzled wrote:

Skarwael wrote:

Guitardian wrote:England, for all its majesty (pun intended) is too small to actually compete with a superpower.

Competing? Who said anything about competing? We're only only just getting by, here!

Well, If you need to, Texas could annex you. You too know the meaning of the word damp.

Its part of our contingency plan. If the US defaults we launch north to claim the Midwest before Canada gets to it, then keep fgoing to the OIl Sands. A simulataneous pincer move drives south towards Brazil. All hail the Empire of Texas and Pax Queso!

I see plenty of other countries which don't have this problem of wanting to be a world superpower, and they get on fine. We don't need any fecking "special relationship." The less this country worries about being a world superpower the better. The US, Russia and China can go and squable over that title and assume everyone else cares if they want. The British government could care a lot less.

The west indians have it right... rum, reggae, dancing girls and cricket. World dominance? Quit wasting my time with this 'inflate your own ego' bs so I can get on with life.

UK and Poland should be friends. Poland's been having a tough time lately, they can't even into sky.

It's not even that we're "United" anymore(or Great). Scotland and Wales will be sodding off at some point in the near future (perhaps even Northern Ireland, so, I guess we might be called Little England.

whatwhat wrote:I see plenty of other countries which don't have this problem of wanting to be a world superpower, and they get on fine. We don't need any fecking "special relationship." The less this country worries about being a world superpower the better. The US, Russia and China can go and squable over that title and assume everyone else cares if they want. The British government could care a lot less.

The west indians have it right... rum, reggae, dancing girls and cricket. World dominance? Quit wasting my time with this 'inflate your own ego' bs so I can get on with life.

Wait much of that region has like 30% unemployment...

Frazzled wrote:

whatwhat wrote:I see plenty of other countries which don't have this problem of wanting to be a world superpower, and they get on fine. We don't need any fecking "special relationship." The less this country worries about being a world superpower the better. The US, Russia and China can go and squable over that title and assume everyone else cares if they want. The British government could care a lot less.

The west indians have it right... rum, reggae, dancing girls and cricket. World dominance? Quit wasting my time with this 'inflate your own ego' bs so I can get on with life.

Wait much of that region has like 30% unemployment...

Oh right yeah good point, that would be a lot less were they to endeavour to become a superpower.

whatwhat wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

whatwhat wrote:I see plenty of other countries which don't have this problem of wanting to be a world superpower, and they get on fine. We don't need any fecking "special relationship." The less this country worries about being a world superpower the better. The US, Russia and China can go and squable over that title and assume everyone else cares if they want. The British government could care a lot less.

The west indians have it right... rum, reggae, dancing girls and cricket. World dominance? Quit wasting my time with this 'inflate your own ego' bs so I can get on with life.

Wait much of that region has like 30% unemployment...

Oh right yeah good point, that would be a lot less were they to endeavour to become a superpower.

Maybe thats why the whole rum thing is so prevalent?

SilverMK2 wrote:

Frazzled wrote:2nd Opium War, jeez how many wars have you had with China? Y'all must really like sweet and sour pork or something.

They don't like it up 'em!

I remember fighin' them fuzzywuzzys...

Dads Army ftw

Orlanth wrote:Give it time. Obama is fairly Anglophobic, but most of his populace aren't, excluding some Irish American hardliners most spetics think well enough of us.

This. For all the back and forth I give you Brits (especially the more liberal ones) there is a lot of love here for the Queen and the Island. My ancestors came from Brittania and it's a fact we have not forgotten.

Just give us Rebs a little time to deal with Obama. We'll get things sorted out as right as rain in due time. Right as rain.

Frazzled wrote:

whatwhat wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

whatwhat wrote:I see plenty of other countries which don't have this problem of wanting to be a world superpower, and they get on fine. We don't need any fecking "special relationship." The less this country worries about being a world superpower the better. The US, Russia and China can go and squable over that title and assume everyone else cares if they want. The British government could care a lot less.

The west indians have it right... rum, reggae, dancing girls and cricket. World dominance? Quit wasting my time with this 'inflate your own ego' bs so I can get on with life.

Wait much of that region has like 30% unemployment...

Oh right yeah good point, that would be a lot less were they to endeavour to become a superpower.

Maybe thats why the whole rum thing is so prevalent?

You need to be unemployed before you have an excuse to drink rum in your country? This "special relationship" really was a load of bs huh.

Frazzled wrote:That doesn't count. If so here's the list I can think of the top of my head of countries that would be gunning for you.

USA (East Coast anyway, we Southerners sorted that out already)
India
Hong Kong/China
Myanmar
Thailand?
Singapore
South Africa
multiple Afircan countries I can't think of outside Egypt and Nigeria
Canada
Ireland
Scotland
Wales (how come its not Walesland?)
France, oh wait...

Wales counts as part of England due to it never having been a country (technicley)
And Wales in Welsh is Cyrmu so thats how come its not walesland as its a translation

West Indies?

It's all about the rum, reggae, sluts, and voodoo baby! Sounds like Mardi Gras... Trouble is... when yer unemployed how do you get rum? Oh yeah, get wasted and steal it. Perhaps that's why the rest of the world is forking over money to rebuild...

Guitardian wrote:West Indies?

It's all about the rum, reggae, sluts, and voodoo baby! Sounds like Mardi Gras... Trouble is... when yer unemployed how do you get rum? Oh yeah, get wasted and steal it. Perhaps that's why the rest of the world is forking over money to rebuild...

Yeh, you've missed the point.

I'm talking about their attitude to life. I don't believe their unemployment levels etc. have much to do with the fact they aren't trying to compete as a world superpower. How about New Zealand, the netherlands etc. etc.

They can rebuild themselves without my tax dollars. Haiti on the other hand... yeah I guess their party is my problem... must be fun.

And?

I can see where you coming from. I mean your first post was basically a big up yourself as an American, what with you being a superpower and all. And an attempted put down: "England, for all its majesty (pun intended) is too small to actually compete with a superpower. " So I can see why you might be a bit on guard when I basically say our country shouldn't give a crap about this superpower status you regard so highly.

whatwhat wrote:

Guitardian wrote:West Indies?

It's all about the rum, reggae, sluts, and voodoo baby! Sounds like Mardi Gras... Trouble is... when yer unemployed how do you get rum? Oh yeah, get wasted and steal it. Perhaps that's why the rest of the world is forking over money to rebuild...

Yeh, you've missed the point.

I'm talking about their attitude to life. I don't believe their unemployment levels etc. have much to do with the fact they aren't trying to compete as a world superpower. How about New Zealand, the netherlands etc. etc.

What are you talking about some of those islands are brilliantly violent. Some are very cool however.

Frazzled wrote:

whatwhat wrote:

Guitardian wrote:West Indies?

It's all about the rum, reggae, sluts, and voodoo baby! Sounds like Mardi Gras... Trouble is... when yer unemployed how do you get rum? Oh yeah, get wasted and steal it. Perhaps that's why the rest of the world is forking over money to rebuild...

Yeh, you've missed the point.

I'm talking about their attitude to life. I don't believe their unemployment levels etc. have much to do with the fact they aren't trying to compete as a world superpower. How about New Zealand, the netherlands etc. etc.

What are you talking about some of those islands are brilliantly violent. Some are very cool however.

Has what to do with trying to compete as a world superpower? I don't see the dutch trying to maintain a "special relationship" with the US.

You're the one going on about how we should have their attitude to life. I'm pointing out that in many of those islands they are dirt poor and their attitude to life is exceedingly violent. Haiti was a hellhole long before the earthquake. Jamaica has rampant unemployment, and Cuban food just can't compete with the awesomeness of TexMex.

EDIT: Its ironical that I agree with you on the country/superpower thing, both for the UK and US.

mattyrm wrote:China makes the most tactical sense, they have to most guns. I also like their ridiculously aggressive 'feth you' attitude!

China hates you guys. Something about forced opium sales or something. The UK isn't really in a great place to go looking for friends right now.

whatwhat wrote:And?

I can see where you coming from. I mean your first post was basically a big up yourself as an American, what with you being a superpower and all. And an attempted put down: "England, for all its majesty (pun intended) is too small to actually compete with a superpower. " So I can see why you might be a bit on guard when I basically say our country shouldn't give a crap about this superpower status you regard so highly.

Okay first off.... I'm not an American I am English, I just live here in the U.S. I don't think staying 'up' with the superpower is at all necessary. If a country can take care of itself (which none can, completely) then it can start to think about getting married and having kids and all that. No country can do that, (but I believe England is a bit ahead of the curve than United Statesia... at least you have health care... another can of worms entirely) so I don't think planning the next alliances is the answer so much as fixing your home front. If haiti had any infrastructure other than tourist party spots the rest of us wouldn't be bailing them out. We help because we are compassionate. We also shake our heads that we had to help in the first place. We did no better here with New Orleans (also a tourist industry party spot with a complete fail on infrastructure), so no there is no U.S.A. superpride going on here, just pointing out that seeking outside alliances as a plan is lower on the priority list than fixing your own gak in the first place so you don't need a new best friend.

Frazzled wrote:You're the one going on about how we should have their attitude to life. I'm pointing out that in many of those islands they are dirt poor and their attitude to life is exceedingly violent. Haiti was a hellhole long before the earthquake. Jamaica has rampant unemployment, and Cuban food just can't compete with the awesomeness of TexMex.

I don't give a gak what "you" do. I'm talking about Britain, which I believe is where the thread began. The west indies example, which you seem to have decided was the most important part to my point somehow, was just an askew remark about how Britain should have a more laid back attitude. I've given other examples of countries who take a a far less active stance on trying to be a world power, and are stable developed countries. I can give more if you like.

yeah but texmex is good you have to admit (one of the two good things to come out of Texas, the other being the aforementioned belt buckles). Here's what to do... fix yourselves first, don't worry about friending up with who or what... (argentina would be kind of a fun mix though) what the rest of the world is doing as they are all fixing themselves too.

whatwhat wrote:

Frazzled wrote:You're the one going on about how we should have their attitude to life. I'm pointing out that in many of those islands they are dirt poor and their attitude to life is exceedingly violent. Haiti was a hellhole long before the earthquake. Jamaica has rampant unemployment, and Cuban food just can't compete with the awesomeness of TexMex.

I don't give a gak what "you" do. I'm talking about Britain, which I believe is where the thread began. The west indies example, which you seem to have decided was the most important part to my point somehow, was just an askew remark about how Britain should have a more laid back attitude. I've given other examples of countries who take a a far less active stance on trying to be a world power, and are stable developed countries. I can give more if you like.

I'd proffer that emulating Haiti's culture is about as sane as elected the Shropshire Slasher as your PM.

Frazzled wrote:

whatwhat wrote:

Frazzled wrote:You're the one going on about how we should have their attitude to life. I'm pointing out that in many of those islands they are dirt poor and their attitude to life is exceedingly violent. Haiti was a hellhole long before the earthquake. Jamaica has rampant unemployment, and Cuban food just can't compete with the awesomeness of TexMex.

I don't give a gak what "you" do. I'm talking about Britain, which I believe is where the thread began. The west indies example, which you seem to have decided was the most important part to my point somehow, was just an askew remark about how Britain should have a more laid back attitude. I've given other examples of countries who take a a far less active stance on trying to be a world power, and are stable developed countries. I can give more if you like.

I'd proffer that emulating Haiti's culture is about as sane as elected the Shropshire Slasher as your PM.

Did you even read what I just said?

btw haiti isn't the only country in the west indies btw, they don't even play cricket in haiti, and that part was integral to my point.

whatwhat wrote:
Did you even read what I just said?

btw haiti isn't the only country in the west indies btw, they don't even play cricket in haiti, and that part was integral to my point.

OK, I don't like Cricket but on the theory thats like football I have to respect a man who stands up for his game. " What! they don't count! They don't even play bloody Cricket!"

Whatwhat wins the thread.

I second that nomination! break out the enchilladas and burn an effigy of some guy or another... anything to keep feeling like 'great' britain instead of 'piddling little britain', right?

Hey I am proud of English accomplishments. Steadfastness, academic excellence, courage against the Nazi jerks, and so on... but political alleigiances cannot be resolved by an internet poll either, obviously.

Trade concerns are far more relevant in the modern world than military ones. Military actions are no longer trenches firing at each other, and bugging allies to help. They are Guerrilla forces and terrorist actions, where numbers do not matter. Everybody has to learn to trade on everybody else's terms, for the first time in human history. That is modern warfare, how to play that to one advantage or another.

Last time I went to England I got raped by a 250% exchange rate, but my money had the same buying value in goods. Not a good diplomatic move. It has since dropped considerably because of pressure from the Euro, this was a few years back. Point being, nobody is going to pull the bootstraps but the one wearing the boots. Some might try to help tie the laces but that's about all you get.

And seriously... just take over Normandy. Nobody will mind if Brits do it, they only objected when jerk Nazis did.

Frazzled wrote:That doesn't count. If so here's the list I can think of the top of my head of countries that would be gunning for you.

USA (East Coast anyway, we Southerners sorted that out already)

Frazz. . . .shhhhh, we don't want to let them on to the intended invasion and tea tax plan. . . . .

go with Brazil. . .

France.


I kid. I kid.