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It's the UK or the United Kingdom or Great Britain or Britain NOT just England

Discussion in 'Free Fire Zone' started by Owen, Feb 3, 2014.

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  1. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Be grateful it won't be never.



    Getting back on track & topic of the Best Damn Yankee songs;

    I remember the Fall of 2011 when we were returning from our trip to the DC area. I took the road less traveled as we left Fairfax, Virginia heading out into the country-side on the two lane blacktop. It was one of those days where the sky was a brilliant blue, the leaves bouncing above the tree lined course of our intended route turning their usual kaleidoscope of colors. As we passed the many varied homesteads, many with signs stating such things as : Built 1826 or Established 1772, I noticed we were approaching a small stream with a rock wall on either side directing traffic to the center of the one lane bridge crossing the unpretentious rivulet of water flowing gently underneath. As we neared I could make out a small Bronze Plaque embedded in the rock face.
    Shenandoah River is all it said.
    As one can imagine if they were in the same situation there could be only one thing that would happen. I could tell my wife was overwhelmed as I started to release my Baritone rendition. Her eyes teared up and she grasped her head lest I see her emotional response at hearing such a sound. The words flowing as smooth as the finest rich chocolate for the first hundred miles or so but loosing their luster soon after.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=khxx3sCVhtE
     
    Biak, Feb 10, 2014
    #81
  2. Owen

    Owen O

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    Bizarre thread this has become.
    :spin:
     
    Owen, Feb 10, 2014
    #82
  3. A-58

    A-58 Cool Dude

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    It's them yankees. Can't trust them for sh1+.
     
    A-58, Feb 10, 2014
    #83
  4. urqh

    urqh Tea drinking surrender monkey

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    Well, rather than be partisan...As you know I'm not biased in favour of Britain as Belasar would gladly admit I'm sure...but whats better than a bunch of yanks...singing our praises...Only as it should be...http://youtu.be/5yaxVYNGaUU
     
    urqh, Feb 10, 2014
    #84
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  5. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    Well the Irish would say their English "problem" dated back to the 11th Century.
     
    lwd, Feb 11, 2014
    #85
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  6. toki2

    toki2 Active Member

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    Yes that is true lwd. Which brings us back to the historic difference between England, United Kingdom and Great Britain.
     
    toki2, Feb 11, 2014
    #86
  7. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    And then there were the borders on the Scotch English border who up until (and arguably a while after ) James the VI and I had a not us "problem" with a somewhat variable definition of "us".
     
    lwd, Feb 11, 2014
    #87
  8. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

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    I think that most Americans appreciate the difference, but in some ways find it kind of pedantic. In the US, we took plenty of Indian nations, we took the southwest from Mexico, we bought Alaska from the Russians and the Mississippi valley from the French, but all of those people (who still live there) think of themselves as Americans.

    There are still people in Louisiana who speak French, in New Mexico who speak Spanish and in Alaska who speak Russian, yet when asked their nationality they'll say "American." In the states, I think we tend more to think of these differences as ethnicity rather than nationality.

    Perhaps the fact of our being a nation of immigrants is the difference.
     
    KodiakBeer, Feb 11, 2014
    #88
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  9. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I think KB is on to something. The big difference between the US and the UK has much to do with our attitudes toward nationality or ethnicity. In the US, we all came from someplace else. As a result, where we came from might be a source of individual pride, at the end of the day, we proclaim ourselves as Americans. In the UK, historic differences among the various nationalities has emphasized difference rather than similarity. This view of the past colors how they see themselves. English, Scots, Irish, or Welsh, they first view themselves through that prism.
     
    LRusso216, Feb 11, 2014
    #89
  10. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Yeah, when it really gets down to it, I am an American first and foremost. I can talk about them DamnYankees all I want to but you furreners (even you Canucks) best not say a word about 'em or you'll see me get all bent out of shape. :panic:
     
    Slipdigit, Feb 11, 2014
    #90
  11. green slime

    green slime Member

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    You Johnny-come-lately 'mercans only had a couple of low key efforts to kill each other off, and haven't really developed a full set of grudges yet. You to remember that the UK is full of houses that predate the existence of the US of A.
     
    green slime, Feb 12, 2014
    #91
  12. kerrd5

    kerrd5 Ace

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    They haven't gotten over losing the War of Southern Independence.


    Dave
     
    kerrd5, Feb 12, 2014
    #92
  13. toki2

    toki2 Active Member

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    I am Scottish first then British. A lot of Americans see themselves as Irish-American, Italian-American etc. Are they Irish, Italian or American first?
     
    toki2, Feb 12, 2014
    #93
  14. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

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    We're Americans first. As for your being Scottish first, who issued your passport and where is the government located that issued that document? Whose picture is on your currency? It's not that you aren't Scottish - of course you are! But Scotland was conquered by England and later united with that nation as a partner. You're a British national, of Scottish extraction.
     
    KodiakBeer, Feb 12, 2014
    #94
  15. green slime

    green slime Member

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Yeah, who is that guy in the wig?!?
     
    green slime, Feb 12, 2014
    #95
  16. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

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    Zinnngggg!

    If I ever visit Scotland again, I'll have to remember to change my British Pounds for Scots pounds. What's the exchange rate?
     
    KodiakBeer, Feb 12, 2014
    #96
  17. toki2

    toki2 Active Member

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    Scotland joined the union in 1707. We were not conquered. The Scots had a bank before England did. Scottish pound has the same value as any other pound in the UK. I would prefer that my passport said Scottish but they wouldn't let me back in to the country again if I made my own adjustments.
     
    toki2, Feb 12, 2014
    #97
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  18. Owen

    Owen O

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    Owen, Feb 12, 2014
    #98
  19. toki2

    toki2 Active Member

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    The currency issue was a foregone conclusion so no surprises there then. I have heard better debates in the schoolyard than we are getting from those on both sides of the fence. I will be voting for the Monster Raving Loony party as I am fed up with the whole issue.
     
    toki2, Feb 12, 2014
    #99
  20. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

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    The Alaskan Ruble hasn't gone over well...
     

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    KodiakBeer, Feb 12, 2014
    #100
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