The American way!

[Kennedy 0]

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Everybody has the right to disagree with the US. So before we start bashing the Frenchs again why don't we look at history, culture differences and try to be openminded.

Sorry guys, I'm just tired to always deal with people who think only US speaks the Truth.

and I'm tired of the people who think everything the US does is wrong, no matter what. maybe we should switch mates for a while.

come on, 'Freedom' citizens are so fun to mess with, and they make it so easy.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[quade 4]

Sad statement there Turtle.

If you think that good only comes from one party and that bad only comes from the other, then maybe you should widen your view.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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Some good definitions but I wanted to throw my hat into the ring.

It's intrepid spirit and underdog resiliency.

It's refusing to follow lock step simply because you're told to do so.

It's being OK with people's bad pasts as long as they are honest about it.

It's being able to do what needs to be done.

It's part of the stuff put into the Retrosexual thread.

It's a cross between "for the lord is with me" and "I am the baddest mother F-er in the valley."

It's respect for your elders and women while reserving the ability to tell anyone alive to go to hell.

It's loving your country even if you hate the current political leaders.

It's one part MacGuiver, one part biker, one part charity worker, and three parts John Wayne character collage.

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them."

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but to me, THAT'S the American Way.

Ohhh...I like all that. Ok, you may marry my sister.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[airtwardo 7]

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them."

***
Damn I miss the Duke!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[kallend 2,146]

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A good example, bailing France out of two wars with their now good friends, the germans, both of those countries failing to support anything the USA does.

God Bless the USA.

Bill Cole D-41

Just curious how you consider the USA's involvement in WWI as "bailing France out". The USA had a relatively minor role in WWI, on a par with, say, Romania and significantly less than France, Russia or Britain. US pilots even had to fly French aircraft since the US didn't have any that were up to the job.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[CornishChris 5]

There is also the fact that the US waited to see which way the war was going before joining in - to a degree. Granted we couldn't have done it without them (I'm English). It was, at the time, a case of united we stand divided we fall.

What I find interesting about Chuteless' comment about not supporting the US is that one can believe that not to support someone is the same as being against them. France stuck with the UN on this one. Let me ask the question - If it had been another country invading a 3rd country to topple the leader they disagreed with, against UN support - what would the US have done?

CJP

Gods don't kill people. People with Gods kill people

[chuteless 1]

These days, there are so many countries (191 in the UN) against the USA, I can see why Bush says "If you are not with us, you are against us"

Too many counntries will sit on the sidelines and then expect the benefits that go to the victor. France is a great example of that.

I am not suggesting that the USA is always right, but the two faced attitude of some little emperors is quite sad.

When those countries have a national disaster, who is there to help bail them out of it....the USA, thats who. They only suck up to the USA with their hand out.

Bill Cole D=-41

[Michele 1]

The american way?

Wow. Great question.

Like Wendy said, it's brash with braggadocio. It's courage and conviction. It's doing right irrespective of popular opinion. It's the ability to yell and scream and hollar at each other and still maintain some civility. It's saying, "I can" and then finding out if I can or not.

It's picking myself up and giving it another go, no matter what. It's chasing my heart and dreams, which I've been allowed to have, because I don't have a government telling me "you will believe this way" or "you don't have a choice" or "you were born in that class, and there you shall stay".

It's about settling this country from one end to the other 225 years ago, and now being the largest, most generous, productive nation in the world. It's about saying, "what's over the next horizon", and once we reached the ocean, looking to the stars and the moon as the next horizon. We don't stop once we start until it's done, even if it takes us a very very long time.

It's about respect, dreams, hopes, fears, challenges, faith, courage. It's about the freedom to be who you are, where you are, how you are. It's about being self in a world that works to supress self in favor of conformity.

Its about daring to build a better mousetrap, taking something and making it bigger, better, faster, stronger, more endurable, and do it laughing the whole time. There is a playfulness and a lightness of soul that I find in americans that I don't find in those who are not american.

It's about giving when we haven't anything to give, because we know that it will come back...it's about helping no matter who handle no matter what, even those who were enemies, or who are enemies now. It's about sharing what we have, and allowing anyone who wants to try to come to this country and try right along with us.

It's about chamber music and gang warefar. It's about gourmet dining and crack cocaine. It's about "living out loud", as the saying goes. We are loud. We are strong. We are ready, willing and able for whatever comes.


Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[mjosparky 4]

Bill,
Thank you for your appreciation of the good that this country has done and continues to do. I think the willingness to give and help when needed is a large part of the "American way". It always seemed strange to me that people who have left their own country behind to live in the USA, find nothing but fault with it. You would think if the "American way" was you distasteful to them, they would leave.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[rjf98 0]

Funny it seems to me the French thought the American Marines were pretty important at the time. 3 Croix de Guerre awards to our BNs and some of our units still wear the Forriege (spelling I know) that we earned because of that.

[Kennedy 0]

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Just curious how you consider the USA's involvement in WWI as "bailing France out".

I suggest you lay down the science books for a short foray into the history section. Of particular interest may be the following key words:

Marine Corps, Belleau Wood, Marne, teufel hunden, GySgt. Daniel J. "Dan" Daly, Bois de la Brigade de Marine, Croix de Guerre, Soissons, Saint Mihiel, Blanc Mont Ridge, the Argonne

Also, be sure to look into the German offensive of May and June 1918.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[chuteless 1]

In WW I, the USA sent enough men to bail France out. It wasnt until late in the war, but the men from USA were the factor that turned the tide against the Hun and won the war....strictly manpower.

In W W II, it was once again men, but also equipment. The Brits and canadians et al, would still be fighting that war if it hadnt been for the American men, planes, tanks, bombs, and everything elses the USA poured into the war effort.

I have been a historian for many years, (particularly focusing on WW I, aviation, and have evn built four WW I full scale aircraft. Ive talked with many pilots from that era, and the last surviving German pilot of that war was a very good friend.

Ive questioned them about the USA involvement, and they all agreed that without the USA, the Vichy Government would still be giving France to the Huns.

Read your history books.

The same giveaway was implemented by the french in WW II as De Gaule spent his time in England while the soldiers from the USA poured across France to kick the Germans out.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

As a historian Bill you should know the futility of playing "If and And". EG If the US had been involved sooner, say in summer 1939, the Bltizkrieg might not have been successfull, and France may not have needed any rescueing.
What you can say for sure was that the US contribution to both conflicts was significant, and for what its worth, from my point of view, very much appreciated.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[chuteless 1]

where was I playing "IF & AND"????

I was stating the facts of "WHEN & WHERE & HOW" the Americans took the ball and ran with it.

The war wasnt really going anywhere in the Allies favour....and that is why Churchill saw to it that the USA got into the action.

Bill Cole D-41

[Zeemax 0]

hows the geography coming along? do you know which part of europe Iraq is in yet?

Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE
Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies

[chuteless 1]

Yes...its in American occupied middle east.

Bill Cole D-41

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"if it hadnt been for the American men, planes, tanks, bombs, and everything elses the USA poured into the war effort"
If you had done it sooner....was my point.
However, I'm not attacking the US, and reiterate that I for one appreciate the help provided to us during our darkest hours. I also appreciate the help from the Commonwealth, the Russians, the Free French, the Polish, et al, not to mention the countless members of the resistance organisations in the occupied countries.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Its just to the South of Uzbekistan, interesting stuff going on over there......

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[chuteless 1]

I was just thinking about it, and the USA lost more men in one day during W W II to kick out a worthless dictator (Hitler) than they lost in the last year kicking out another worthless dictator (Saddam),
and for the sake of all the innocent people they both killed, I think the price is high, but worth it.

Saddam's sons Oosay and Kuday ( now dead and renamed Okay and Okay 2

Bill Cole D-41

[Zeemax 0]

and made America a few quid in oil.

Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE
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[chuteless 1]

Perhaps...but Bush will give a few barrels to Tony Blair.


Bill Cole D-41

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"I think the price is high, but worth it. "

Always too high Bill, who are we to decide what is an acceptable price, and who should pay it. If only the politicos were better at their jobs, we wouldn't have to rely on the efficiency of the military.
Then again, I've heard it said that the powerful must always demonstrate their power, and that is their weakness.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[Zeemax 0]

i doubt it. Blair will remain a lap dog who gets no treats.

Are there any UK, or any other country for that matter, business helping to 'rebuild' iraq, or is it still only american countries allowed?

This is not attack, please dont flame, i honestly dont know. Last i heard the USA companies were the only ones allowed to tender for the contracts.

Fingers crossed Blair will finally be kicked out soon. I love how he's doing all these U turns... going for the pink vote despite banning homesxual education a while back just makes me laugh...

Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE
Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies

[chuteless 1]

Put the polititians on the front lines....let them see the cost first hand.

The only problem with that is Saddam would still be in powe and Bush and Blair would be dead.

I feel bad everytime I hear of another soldier being killed in Iraq....usually by a bunch of thankless sickos who can't understand that they would likely be in one of Saddam's prisons being tortyured if the USA and Britain hadnt come to clean up the mess of Saddam.

Iraqis, Iranians, Palestinians, and Afghans, et al. have to be the weirdest sickest people on the planet.

To bad we cant just cut out that festering area and let it drift into space.

Bill Cole

[Skyrad 0]

I don't see though what France owes America, I mean if it wasn't for the French, Americans would still be saluting Her Majesty The Queen. (And quite rightly so)

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca