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More Ludicrous Stupidity from UK Goverment
16 years ago
General
Political rant.
Trident, the UK's nukes, are getting old. A few years ago there were political mumblings to update them, perhaps with submarine-based warheads, rather than land-based ones. But since some irresponsible bankers gave everyone's money away to college students with rich fathers, the financial bubble burst, and now there's apparently not enough money to do literally anything with. So now nuclear capability is back on the political menu, not modernising it, but scrapping it altogether.
Their schtick is that the modern threat comes from the likes of suicide bombers and other terrorists, who are unaffected and undeterred by nuclear capability. That's a fair point. But there's trouble brewing in Pakistan, who are nuclear capable. Last week Russia announced plans to massively beef up their nuclear arsenal, and Iran have been launching ballistic missiles, perhaps in a step towards useable nuclear weapons.
To disarm now is simply a very silly thing to do.
In the USA, President Obama has made quiet but clear sounds that he would like to reduce the amount of nuclear weaponry that America has (or perhaps just hide more of it) but only by a small degree, in the wider perspective, America would still have an enormous nuclear deterrant. Obama would, of course, expect their little lapdog to follow suit. When he does, I think the UK's next prime minister should tell him to fuck off.
The UK is supposed to have a "special relationship" with the US. It does, in a way, in that the UK lets the US treat it like shit. When America wants to extradite someone from the UK, they just have to ask, and the UK pays for the jet fuel. When it's the other way round, the UK has to jump through the same hoops as any other country. In the military, the US troops treat the UK ones like dogs, even though the UK troops are trained to do such things as keep their rifles lowered when they're approaching American soldiers just in case the Americans fancy a bit of friendly fire. There are no British military bases in the USA. In the UK, there are several US military bases. When a UK plane wants to land in the USA, it has to pass through all the customs checks and get clearance, just like a plane from any other country. When a USA plane, carrying dangerous criminals, weapons, soldiers, whatever, wants to land in the UK, for re-fuelling on its way to/from the Middle East, the US operators just wave a piece of paper with "classified" written on it, and the UK lets it land untouched.
I wonder how many of the American public are aware of this "special relationship" and I wonder even more how many of the American public even know that the UK exists, far less where it is. Americans have a pill for just about any condition, illness, or cosmetic alteration you can think of. They have the most hospitals per head of any country worldwide, and generally do the least work. Life expectancy in the USA is slightly below the average compared to Europe. The majority of the Japanese population smoke, drink, and work like slaves from the age of 14. They live in small apartments, in massive cities. Yet their life expectancy is the highest in the world. Yet because of this "special relationship" the UK still wants to follow in the trend of the US.
I would like to see more diplomatic ties between Britain and Japan. When they combine their efforts, they can create amazing things. Japanese technology with British engineering, when properly blended, can create the finest works ever, in any field, be it bridges, cars, revolving doors, anything. Unfortunately the ties between Britain and Japan are not as strong as they ought to be, and entering into a joint venture involving nuclear weapons would be too large a step at the moment.
This is why the government of the UK must look to France. The French are nuclear capable, (Electricité du Francais are actually planning to build several nuclear power stations in England and Wales over the next few years) and though the relationship has always been a bit rocky in the past, it's now solid as a rock. The diplomats jibe each other and often try to block each other's proposals just for fun, but when it comes to it, they get along. If the UK were more tied in to this European community, the likes of Russia would be more co-operative. Rather than replacing Trident, the UK would be much stronger for making useful allies here, and at no cost.
The relationship between the United States and Great Britain hasn't been an oustanding benefit to the UK, Europe, or even NATO, for thirty years. But when England joins forces with France, anything (concorde) is (channel tunnel) possible.
Trident, the UK's nukes, are getting old. A few years ago there were political mumblings to update them, perhaps with submarine-based warheads, rather than land-based ones. But since some irresponsible bankers gave everyone's money away to college students with rich fathers, the financial bubble burst, and now there's apparently not enough money to do literally anything with. So now nuclear capability is back on the political menu, not modernising it, but scrapping it altogether.
Their schtick is that the modern threat comes from the likes of suicide bombers and other terrorists, who are unaffected and undeterred by nuclear capability. That's a fair point. But there's trouble brewing in Pakistan, who are nuclear capable. Last week Russia announced plans to massively beef up their nuclear arsenal, and Iran have been launching ballistic missiles, perhaps in a step towards useable nuclear weapons.
To disarm now is simply a very silly thing to do.
In the USA, President Obama has made quiet but clear sounds that he would like to reduce the amount of nuclear weaponry that America has (or perhaps just hide more of it) but only by a small degree, in the wider perspective, America would still have an enormous nuclear deterrant. Obama would, of course, expect their little lapdog to follow suit. When he does, I think the UK's next prime minister should tell him to fuck off.
The UK is supposed to have a "special relationship" with the US. It does, in a way, in that the UK lets the US treat it like shit. When America wants to extradite someone from the UK, they just have to ask, and the UK pays for the jet fuel. When it's the other way round, the UK has to jump through the same hoops as any other country. In the military, the US troops treat the UK ones like dogs, even though the UK troops are trained to do such things as keep their rifles lowered when they're approaching American soldiers just in case the Americans fancy a bit of friendly fire. There are no British military bases in the USA. In the UK, there are several US military bases. When a UK plane wants to land in the USA, it has to pass through all the customs checks and get clearance, just like a plane from any other country. When a USA plane, carrying dangerous criminals, weapons, soldiers, whatever, wants to land in the UK, for re-fuelling on its way to/from the Middle East, the US operators just wave a piece of paper with "classified" written on it, and the UK lets it land untouched.
I wonder how many of the American public are aware of this "special relationship" and I wonder even more how many of the American public even know that the UK exists, far less where it is. Americans have a pill for just about any condition, illness, or cosmetic alteration you can think of. They have the most hospitals per head of any country worldwide, and generally do the least work. Life expectancy in the USA is slightly below the average compared to Europe. The majority of the Japanese population smoke, drink, and work like slaves from the age of 14. They live in small apartments, in massive cities. Yet their life expectancy is the highest in the world. Yet because of this "special relationship" the UK still wants to follow in the trend of the US.
I would like to see more diplomatic ties between Britain and Japan. When they combine their efforts, they can create amazing things. Japanese technology with British engineering, when properly blended, can create the finest works ever, in any field, be it bridges, cars, revolving doors, anything. Unfortunately the ties between Britain and Japan are not as strong as they ought to be, and entering into a joint venture involving nuclear weapons would be too large a step at the moment.
This is why the government of the UK must look to France. The French are nuclear capable, (Electricité du Francais are actually planning to build several nuclear power stations in England and Wales over the next few years) and though the relationship has always been a bit rocky in the past, it's now solid as a rock. The diplomats jibe each other and often try to block each other's proposals just for fun, but when it comes to it, they get along. If the UK were more tied in to this European community, the likes of Russia would be more co-operative. Rather than replacing Trident, the UK would be much stronger for making useful allies here, and at no cost.
The relationship between the United States and Great Britain hasn't been an oustanding benefit to the UK, Europe, or even NATO, for thirty years. But when England joins forces with France, anything (concorde) is (channel tunnel) possible.
Do you think it's hypocritical that the suicide bombers are demanding the British get out of their country,
bearing in mind that a considerable proportion of UK residents are immigrants from that troubled region?
As to Diplomatic ties between Japan and western countries. That may breakdown further after I visit the country and raid anime studios.
Sorry if the levity isn't appropriate. It's simply that so many insane things are going on in the world, sometimes you have to poke fun at it all.
Hopefully when you raid the animé studios, Japan and Europe will grow closer together,
united in their exasperation of the American equivalent of culture.
We do have some good sides, but I have no reason to bring those up, after all I am in agreement with you, and feel no need to defend myself or my Country.
The UK needs nukes that work, period. They are of no value if they do not function.
Russia is moving it's bombers to Cuba and Venezuela, because they are opportunists and see Obama as weak. And he is. Like all of his Liberal Demo pals to get a little power, he has slashed our defense budgets.
If we were good stewards we would give ya'll all the nukes you need, but alas, we are kinda stupid of late. First Bush's little reward the banks for fucking us, and now tax and spend socialists... We are so screwed.
And the worst part is that Washington could give a shit. I value the UK for the great allies they have been in several nasty wars. UK troops have served alongside our troops in Korea, Viet Nam, the Gulf, and two World Wars, not to mention all kinds of worthless UN functions, all misguided and stupid.
We owe ya'll better than what you have seen from us, and the kicker is you won't get the respect we owe you.
Untill maybe, we need a hand again, and most likely we'll get it.
I think you think the UK is ticked off with the way the US treats it. One the very much contrary. All America has to do is film a movie, or have a big American musician play a tour, or a send over a high ranking politician for tea and biscuits, and the UK will love the USA. When a UK thing goes to America, no-one notices. For most British people, who don't understand the politics, defining themselves as in a "special relationship" with the big mighty US of A is enough, enough to keep them wanting more. We may not have the respect, but as far as most British people are aware, it's an equal partnership.
I wasn't Yank-bashing. If I were, I'd be abusive about it. I'm not some rampant imperialist who thinks Britain should cut all ties with the States either. I just think that it's no longer in the best interests of both nations to carry on trying to uphold this very old and now outdated idea. Back in the Eighties, a French industrialist described Britain as "an American aircraft carrier off the coast of Europe" and then last week Jacques Myard, a member of the French assembly, mocked the special relationship the UK claim to have with the US, hinting, with a rather cruel smile, that when it comes to foreign policy, they are the masters and we are the lapdogs, wagging our tails whenever they throw us a biscuit. But the majority of the Brits love it.
I know you are more than bright enough to see what machinations are taking place on both sides of the big wet. I fear we are in for some hard times ahead. Collectively, perhaps not so much, but our monetary systems are quite entwined.
The aircraft carrier allegory is funny, but not true.
It's sad that after such history as we as Nations have shared, that there is not a deep support between us. Like the Commonwealths, we get along well with lots of folks, though our reputation of late has been tarnished, if not destroyed by the actions of the former Regime.
I love these discussions, as it lets me "speak" with folks of differing backgrounds and ideas I may not have otherwise been priveledged to get to hear.
I can only sigh at the slight we have offered other Nations instead of the respect and support they deserve, as my own apologies are meaningless.
On the point of life expectancy, and the UK wanting to follow in the steps of the US for it's health-obsessed (pills) yet unhealthy (diet) balance, I've come across something designed to be humourous, but very interesting, because for the most part it's true:
"The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. The French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. The Japanese smoke more cigarettes per person than anywhere in the world, yet suffer lower rates of cancer than the British or Americans. The Ethiopians smoke less cigarettes per person than anywhere in the world, yet still suffer lower rates of cancer than the British and Americans.
Conclusion: Eat, drink and smoke whatever you fucking like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
lets go out for sushi, then hit an Italian bar, drive German cars, and speak Swahili!
also, I thought the french had a bad spending record. I could be wrong.
You know, my generation, people in my age gap in america... we are probably the last people who are aware of the world around them. Younger people have had their knowledge fed to them through MTV and VH1, and thus wise, they know fuckall about the world, and probably less on life. It's sad to say that the only Americans smart enough to think for them selves are doing that and only that; stealing from the poor to become more rich, big business bounses, trickle-down economics, ect. Anyone with any ambition or means to make change seems to think only for themselves. And the whole country is suffering because of it. Like, coroporations have learned since then that money doesn't have to be allied to one country. So companies don't have to be allied to countries anymore, either. Hailburton used to be American, until they moved to Dubai. And somehow that's not treason.
What used to be the most powerful and hypocritical nation in the world is now a weak hypocritical nation. What went unquestioned before is now obvious and we have no answers as to why we are all assholes.
>.>;
It was nice knowing you.
Give my regards to the guys in the black helicopters.
Actually, you're allowed to think that way in Australia without being locked up.
Lucky you.
See, we wouldn't have to worry about the Chinese if the British still had an enormous empire. But I really don't think in modern times a country can just "conquer" another country like they could 800 years ago. But what will be most interesting is if/when China do kick off, America will try to stop them. The UK will be torn between the sovereign side, being with Australia and thus China. Or the the political side, fighting alongside America against the Chinese, and abandoning the ties with Australia.