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UK Election

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Today is the UK general election. I am british and was just interested to know if anybody in America (or anywhere else for that matter) was aware of today's significance or even cared, considering the support England gave for the Iraq war and the fact that lots of Americans seem to like Tony Blair, do they even realise that he might not be Prime Minister tomorrow? Is the UK Election getting any media coverage in the states? Do American have the slightest bit of interest in something happening outside of the USA? Just wondering...

War does not make one great.

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I'm following UK's election, even though I'm pretty much sure mr. Blair will get a third term. My I ask what's your point of view on Tony Blair? BTW I always thought he was from the Conservatives, he's really from Labour? And is there a difference between the two nowadays?
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Traditionally Labour were the 'people's party' and fairly socialist in their ideals while the conservatives were right wing traditionalist, but today they are both more or less middle ground, although the conservatives are still much more right wing on policies such as immigration, etc. My view of Blair is that he is a basically a good man with good intentions who has tried to do the right thing in the past, but I see him as a bit smug and also a bit irritating. I am voting for Liberal Democrats, generally regarded as the 3rd choice party, but in my opinion they are the onlt real alternative because the other 2 parties are so similar. It's the same old story of smiling, lying politicians. Blair will win and I am ok with that. It could be worse.

War does not make one great.

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I'd vote for Liberal Democrats too, if I lived in the UK. And yes it could be worse (Maggie comes to mind).
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
Traditionally Labour were the 'people's party' and fairly socialist in their ideals while the conservatives were right wing traditionalist, but today they are both more or less middle ground, although the conservatives are still much more right wing on policies such as immigration, etc. My view of Blair is that he is a basically a good man with good intentions who has tried to do the right thing in the past, but I see him as a bit smug and also a bit irritating. I am voting for Liberal Democrats, generally regarded as the 3rd choice party, but in my opinion they are the onlt real alternative because the other 2 parties are so similar. It's the same old story of smiling, lying politicians. Blair will win and I am ok with that. It could be worse.


A shame Maggie's too old...

Nemo me impune lacessit

http://ttrim.blogspot.com
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Liberal Democrats? I hope that party is different in the UK than the US version!

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Yeah, they're Liberal and Democratic. Hey, Chaltab, as an American teenager I'm interested to know if you are taught or exposed to any current affairs happening outside of America (this election, for example). I'd like to know the truth about how America observes the rest of the world.

War does not make one great.

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Originally posted by: ricarleite
I'd vote for Liberal Democrats too, if I lived in the UK. And yes it could be worse (Maggie comes to mind).


what my old girlfriend
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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
I'd like to know the truth about how America observes the rest of the world.


I've sadly come to the conclusion that they don't.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
I'd like to know the truth about how America observes the rest of the world.


I've sadly come to the conclusion that they don't.


Coming from inside the U.S. I would have to say that I agree. A good 90-95% of U.S. citizens don't care about the world outside our borders unless it affects them personally. The amount of "extraborder" knowledge has gone up since 9/11, admittedly. But still not to the level that other countries have of us or of each other.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
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I must unfortunatly agree with Bossk.
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Ditto.
"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings."
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But I don't blame it on the people, as one's behaviour is shaped by his surroundings. And what surrounds these 95% who chose to ignore that there's a world out there? The media. Like in a crazy suicide cult, only the people being brainwashed denies that they are being brainwashed.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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You think we are being brainwashed? I hope not. But you are right in that, if it were true we wouldn't know it.
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About that, I wasn't talking on a specific nationality, I'm talking worldwide. Yes we are being brainwashed everyday by the media.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
But I don't blame it on the people, as one's behaviour is shaped by his surroundings. And what surrounds these 95% who chose to ignore that there's a world out there? The media. Like in a crazy suicide cult, only the people being brainwashed denies that they are being brainwashed.



What exactly are the people of the US supposed to do for the rest of the world? How much of the blood of our citizens has been spilled over the past century liberating or protecting other countries? How much of our food has gone to feeding the hungry? How much money has our country shelled out bailing out failed economies, or rebuilding tsunami devasted countries a world away? When will the people of the world solve their own problems instead of looking for the US to bail them out? Do the corrupt/failed governments of the world bare any responsibility for the terrible state their countries are in? Who gives anyone the right to demand that we give more? If you sincerely believe that what I've said above is brainwashing, you need help man.

Nemo me impune lacessit

http://ttrim.blogspot.com
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Jedisage, I must admit I can see your point (although did you know that Britain, which is a significantly smaller country, gave more aid to the Tsunami cause than America? Just saying. Also, the amount the US gave to the Tsunami cause paled in comparison to the billions spent on the war. Again, just saying) but I don't think that England is one of the countries you were refering to in terms of bugging America for help, and I do see what you mean. Anyway, the whole reason of this thread was really just to find out if the American public were aware that Tony Blair, who by all accounts is quite a popular man stateside, was facing an election. My point was that the British government mattered to the American media and the American people when we were offering our support and soldiers but a few years down the line and the interest has waned because it no longer matters to you. Did you know that on May 1st, the anniversary of the so called 'end of the war' the 87th british serviceman was killed in action? Of course you didn't. Incidentally, Tony Blair won the election but with a much reduced majority.

War does not make one great.

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Originally posted by: JediSage
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
But I don't blame it on the people, as one's behaviour is shaped by his surroundings. And what surrounds these 95% who chose to ignore that there's a world out there? The media. Like in a crazy suicide cult, only the people being brainwashed denies that they are being brainwashed.



What exactly are the people of the US supposed to do for the rest of the world? How much of the blood of our citizens has been spilled over the past century liberating or protecting other countries? How much of our food has gone to feeding the hungry? How much money has our country shelled out bailing out failed economies, or rebuilding tsunami devasted countries a world away? When will the people of the world solve their own problems instead of looking for the US to bail them out? Do the corrupt/failed governments of the world bare any responsibility for the terrible state their countries are in? Who gives anyone the right to demand that we give more? If you sincerely believe that what I've said above is brainwashing, you need help man.


Did, in any moment, said you have to DO something? You don't, and belive me, we don't want you to. What we'd like is that you'd know about the world a little bit better. To KNOW, not to DO.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
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Originally posted by: JediSage
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
But I don't blame it on the people, as one's behaviour is shaped by his surroundings. And what surrounds these 95% who chose to ignore that there's a world out there? The media. Like in a crazy suicide cult, only the people being brainwashed denies that they are being brainwashed.



What exactly are the people of the US supposed to do for the rest of the world? How much of the blood of our citizens has been spilled over the past century liberating or protecting other countries? How much of our food has gone to feeding the hungry? How much money has our country shelled out bailing out failed economies, or rebuilding tsunami devasted countries a world away? When will the people of the world solve their own problems instead of looking for the US to bail them out? Do the corrupt/failed governments of the world bare any responsibility for the terrible state their countries are in? Who gives anyone the right to demand that we give more? If you sincerely believe that what I've said above is brainwashing, you need help man.


Did, in any moment, said you have to DO something? You don't, and belive me, we don't want you to. What we'd like is that you'd know about the world a little bit better. To KNOW, not to DO.


I apologize if I jumped, however when you start talking about brainwashing it's difficult not to make the leap. Yes, there's an entire world out there that begs to be explored and learned about. The same could be said standing on any point on Earth, not just the US.

Returning to the original topic, Yoda: What's the word on the seats Labour lost? Do you think if will force Blair out early?

Nemo me impune lacessit

http://ttrim.blogspot.com
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Originally posted by: JediSage
I apologize if I jumped, however when you start talking about brainwashing it's difficult not to make the leap. Yes, there's an entire world out there that begs to be explored and learned about. The same could be said standing on any point on Earth, not just the US.

Returning to the original topic, Yoda: What's the word on the seats Labour lost? Do you think if will force Blair out early?


Just because I'm saying something that "sounds liberal", dosen't mean you have to instantly disagree and bash, eh?

About your coment: I doubt it will, considering the support he aparently have, now that we see the election's results.

BTW, I wish the elections would be like to the Monty Python sketch.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Labour lost loads of seats. Loads. I think Blair will step down at some point. Although personally I think that the more equal share of seats is a good thing, meaning more broad discussion and consideration of issues. Also I think that Blair has seen that some people are disillusioned with him and he can learn from that. He's in his 3rd term so he has the experienc and now he sees where he needs to improve.

War does not make one great.

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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
Yeah, they're Liberal and Democratic. Hey, Chaltab, as an American teenager I'm interested to know if you are taught or exposed to any current affairs happening outside of America (this election, for example). I'd like to know the truth about how America observes the rest of the world.


Heh. Typically, we americans are taught more about the history of other nations rather than current events. I'm considered one of the more knowlegeable people in my school but I can probably count the world leaders I know of by fingers.

Still, I think it's relative; you all are told what is going on in America because whatever the US does affects you. The same can't always be said of the other nations. If America's actions didn't directly affect the rest of the world, then I doubt you'd know as much about them yourselves.

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Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
Yeah, they're Liberal and Democratic. Hey, Chaltab, as an American teenager I'm interested to know if you are taught or exposed to any current affairs happening outside of America (this election, for example). I'd like to know the truth about how America observes the rest of the world.


Heh. Typically, we americans are taught more about the history of other nations rather than current events. I'm considered one of the more knowlegeable people in my school but I can probably count the world leaders I know of by fingers.

Still, I think it's relative; you all are told what is going on in America because whatever the US does affects you. The same can't always be said of the other nations. If America's actions didn't directly affect the rest of the world, then I doubt you'd know as much about them yourselves.


I just don't think it should be prerequisite that I, as a citizen of the American northeast should know what's going on in Siberia right now. Does this mean I'm stupid or brainwashed? No, it means I don't care.

I look at it more as a major weakness in the American educational system than anything else. I graduated high school in 1990, and I can say after looking at some of the kids in my family that things have changed for the worst...big time. My wife is also a teacher, and can tell you that all the BS they have to put up with, from idiot uncaring parents to advertising, running, and collecting for fund raisers being brought in by outside vendors. And keep a kid back for not learning? Feh...not possible. Pass them to the next grade whether they know the work or not. Not only that, but take a walk to the local mall. I know you're still in school, but after talking with you in the past I think you're pretty intelligent: I'm sure you can see how scary it is. Teenagers, in GENERAL (not you) are idiots. When I was in the mall during my lunch hour I was shocked by what I saw: 12-13 year old girls who look like tramps, 8-9 year olds with cell phones, 15-16 year old single mothers with two kids. Points to breakdowns at home and at school, unfortunately.

Expanding on what I said above about teens being idiots, again please don't take it the wrong way. There are exceptions. You are one of them, I was one of them. There were a few of us in my class that would actually read our own books during lunch, or would compete for good grades on our tests. Then there were the rest.

Nemo me impune lacessit

http://ttrim.blogspot.com