Thanks, Jim - much agree with this...

I agree with Jim...Every country has something to be ashamed of. Whether it is the behaviour of some Canadian soldiers in Somalia, the genocide (yes, genocide) committed against the indigenous populations of North America (by the British, French, Spanish, Canadains and Americans) and in Latin America by the Spanish and the Portugese, or slavery, or witchhunts of every kind etc. I don't think cheap shots are helpful to anyone, as Jim says.

I would, however, like to respond to a few things said here. Of course, I don't mean all Americans when I criticize the actions of it's government and I apologize if it seemed that way. I shall have to be more careful about the language I use in future. Generalization sof any kind are very dangerous. The world is not black and white but rather it's filled with infinite shades of gray. So when we talk about Iraq, it's true that most o fits citizens are Muslim. However, there is, or at least there used to be, fairly large Christian and Jewsih minorities. Yes, there are fanatics in this world who abuse religions in order to pursue their own twisted ends. However, by generalizing and treating all memebers of a faith as a monlolith, we drop down to teh level of the fanatics, just on the other side.

Veiled, it's not so much that people are pissed off at American lifestyle as they are pissed off at the politics of the current administration...Or put it this way, if they see the advancement of that lifestyle (in terms o fsay...oil etc) as violating their human rights...yeah, chances ar ethey are opposed to that. You mention human rights in reference to women wearing veils. As I understand, it is a part of thier religion. true, in some cases women would prefer not to wear them...Some women, however, choose to do so. personally, I think it should be a matter of personal choice. But there is also a human right not to be tortured (which is what water boarding is)...Yes, America has a right to defend itself but it doesn't have a right to violate human rights...I don't think anyone would deny their right not to be tortured.

Portabella and Ruddy, I agree that it's not fair to expect the US to solve all the world's problems and I also agree that the rich nations (Canada, Japan, Britiain, France etc.) should all pull their wieght more with regard to aid, combatting the HIV/AIDS crisis etc. At the same time, the US had the biggest economy and was the most able to provide that assistance. With great power comes great responsibility. I do think that with proper management of the economy the US, as well as the other countries, can afford to make lives better for their own citizens as well as help out internationally.

I also am perfectly ready to criticize my own government. personally, I beleive the people currently running things are not capable o frunning a country and they seem to be doing a lot of damage to Canada's reputation internationally. Oh and don't get me going on this Pope either.

I'm English and I dont. I'd love to change the national anthem too so we sing about Britain not God saving the Queen! and.....I have a problem with the Pope as well!

Anthony please lock up this thread

Peace
Tammy

My big mouth. Shut it down shut it down.

Okay, I don't understand much politically etc. and I certainly am not clued up on political affairs outside the UK. Can't even say I fully understand everything people are talking about here.

But why does politics always have to have such a competitive 'we're the best' undertone. I heard that mentality pretty clearly.

Each country has it's defence. That's what each country should do - defend their land, their people, their economy etc. And where issues arise that affect several countries, others may or may not join forces. Each country has a government doing it's best to survive: and yes there is corruption, there are wrongdoings, propaganda whatever. No country, no person, and nothing is perfect.

Don't see what competition has to do with anything.

I have very few views on politics, and those views are restricted to my country as that is what affects me as a Brit. I don't live in another country so I don't consider myself qualified to comment on another countries politics. Might be different if I was serving my country I guess, as no doubt other countries issues would affect my life. But I certainly see absolutely no point in tit for tat over this country, that country, this war, that war in a competitive sense.

Talk about the real political issues that are constructive, is my view. Riling people up by opinionated judgement and competitive mentality is just asking for trouble.

So I am a Brit. I disagree with some things, agree with others politically. I talk about what I do know, what I do live with politically... but I certainly don't profess to have the answers to the country's/world's problems. As for the Queen... bloody woman should give her money to people who need it. But, just my opinion, from what I have experienced and seen in poverty stricken areas.

What I DON'T like reading... is all this 'you brits this, you brits think that' blah blah BS. Excuse me... I have a mind. I have an opinion. Just because the government is doing something, doesn't mean I agree, or think anything. Wanna know what I think? Ask *me*, and I'll damn tell you what I think. But nobody has the right to dump me into a very large generalised statement that is nothing but stereotypical/judgemental assumptions.

I am Brit. And I'm proud of that. Anyone got something to dig about 'what us brits' are like... come see me and I'll put you straight on what *I* am like.

Dammit.

But hey, what do I know? Very little. Just my two scents.

PS. Now, I *did* eat Crabby CRAPcakes today... so this post is entirely unedited on my part LOL.

Lisa, I quite agree, it is most unfair to be lumped into a category based upon which country you live in. Unfortunately it seems the USA, Canada, the UK and others have all been stereotyped here. Although there is some good discussion contained in this thread, members are upset. I have received several private complaints, and so I have locked this thread for the time being. Political discussion is fine however it must remain respectful. The thread may be opened again at a later time.

Doug, whilst this is a valid topic of discussion, I would ask you to tone things down in future posts and your thoughts relating to political topics. I don't mind politics being discussed here, however; I have stated prior that they must be discussed in check at all times, its not just an onslaught here. This is not a military forum, you are not talking to other soldiers only, you must post in order to appease your audience, not piss them off. Please be careful with such things... I will moderate members who intentionally strive to cause conflict.

I am reopening this thread now and I want all participants to remember the forum rules as covered in the FAQ section, specifically:

PLAY NICE AND RESPECT ANOTHER'S OPINION. KEEP OPINIONS AS OPINIONS, NOT AS ATTACKS.

I'm actually going to stay out of this thread now because I realized it's triggered me about my brother, who is currently serving in Afghanistan. I've gotten overly upset because of that personal reason more than anything, and I wanted to apologize if I was rude to anyone.

But I did want to say briefly before I go, I heard from a couple of members on here that you guys didn't know that Canada was serving in Afghanistan! The truth is, we've had a presence in Afghanistan since 2001, shortly after 9/11!! We have a large number of troops there currently. So to anyone who thinks Canada isn't trying to help with the war on terror, we are! In a big way, considering we are a small country. Please educate yourselves about what our country is doing overseas before making quick judgements on us.