London Olympics

[Stephen Thomas]

What are buffalo wings?

[Fleetwood Mac]

I think there is quite a lot to be challenged in this post - even by many Americans - but this is not the right thread.

Challenge away by all means, Limehouse.

But, even a cursory glance at 19th century politics will inform.

The one part that may be open to debate is the point around isolationism, considering US colonial ventures were in full swing around the 1890s.

It's all relative though, Limehouse, and relatively speaking the United States has a far superior track record to the country you lefties worship.

[Robert]

Just my opinion but Gershwin isn't in the Mozart class. Hardly anyone is.

Yes, blues was an American contribution. It may have African roots but it developed in America.

Another American contribution is cinema. Not that other countries haven't made wonderful films, but the Americans are the ones who made the cinema almost a religion.

[Limehouse]

Well, when we look around the world at names like Leonardo, Mozart, Shakespeare, Einstein and Newton, then OK, the US haven't produced anyone of comparable stature in those fields, but then they've had less time.

However, they did give the world Oliver Hardy. Britain supplied Stan Laurel. That's rather like Mozart and Beethoven sitting at the same piano together. Pure genius.

On the negative side, the Americans never seem to say goodbye on the phone. In all the films, someone will be taking down information on the phone, say "Right" and hang up. Yet the person at the other end may have had more to say.

And US TV is pretty dire these days. I'd rather have a tooth extracted than watch it.

Gershwin? Does he count? What about singers such as Paul Robeson, Billy Eckstine, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and songwriters and performers such as Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and many more I could name.

And Americans have produced some wonderful literature.

[Monty]

Hey, until you have spent three years and filled out literally more than 500 forms in pursuit of trying to get some kind of health insurance that by law you already qualify for, you don't know what fresh hell the US can inflict.

But we have Tex-Mex, which makes up for a lot. Not to mention we gave the world hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and buffalo wings. And the Blues. Oh and Shark Week. And the US and UK together produced Star Wars and the Muppets...

But on behalf of the nation, I really do apologize for Twilight. That was uncool.

Tex Mex is influenced by Mexican food, Hamburgers and Hotdogs are German. Pizza Italian. The Blues was born from African influence and you aint palming the Muppets off on to us.

Monty

[Robert]

Well, when we look around the world at names like Leonardo, Mozart, Shakespeare, Einstein and Newton, then OK, the US haven't produced anyone of comparable stature in those fields, but then they've had less time.

However, they did give the world Oliver Hardy. Britain supplied Stan Laurel. That's rather like Mozart and Beethoven sitting at the same piano together. Pure genius.

On the negative side, the Americans never seem to say goodbye on the phone. In all the films, someone will be taking down information on the phone, say "Right" and hang up. Yet the person at the other end may have had more to say.

And US TV is pretty dire these days. I'd rather have a tooth extracted than watch it.

[Limehouse]

It's a bit worrying that so many events have empty seats - evidently allocated to members of 'the Olympic family' but not being used.

[Limehouse]

Graham, in the event you spend the next hundred years posting at great velocity, you won't write a bigger pile of nonsense than the above.

The United States may have a short history, but it's a fascinating history - and one which has laid down markers for the rest of the world. From its focus on individual representation, to a democratic system which far outstripped the European systems in its democractic approach, to the trend of isolation, which, quite rightly advocated sovereignty of nations. All of which led to a highly politicised and comparitively wealthier, healthier and better educated American population/middle class.

The United States has lost it way a little bit in recent times, but on the whole, it has had a hugely positive influence on the world.

I think there is quite a lot to be challenged in this post - even by many Americans - but this is not the right thread.

[Errata]

Hey, until you have spent three years and filled out literally more than 500 forms in pursuit of trying to get some kind of health insurance that by law you already qualify for, you don't know what fresh hell the US can inflict.

But we have Tex-Mex, which makes up for a lot. Not to mention we gave the world hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and buffalo wings. And the Blues. Oh and Shark Week. And the US and UK together produced Star Wars and the Muppets...

But on behalf of the nation, I really do apologize for Twilight. That was uncool.

[Rubyretro]

[QUOTE]

Doesn't make up for Barbara Streisand's singing, though.

Nor KFC

[Robert]

Doesn't make up for Barbara Streisand's singing, though.

[Robert]

The US has given the world many good things and one of the best things about the country is that the citizens have a deep, abiding distrust of their Government. Other countries please note.

[Rubyretro]

Johnny Rotten is famously opposed to any form of 'establishment'.

[/QUOTE]

Hmmmn -I thought that he was a 'National Treasure', now ?

[Carol]

Hi everyone,

Per-Åke and I watched the Opening Ceremony from start to finish and were very impressed. The lady singing 'Abide with me' in honour of the 7/7 bombings was the most moving for us. My husband said 'You couldn't do that here in Sweden. Sweden is too secular'. That made me feel really proud to be British.

I think it was 'Norway Phil' who said the ceremony made him feel homesick. Me, too! Sometimes it really hurts to be an ex-pat.

We loved the Queen's participation as a Bond girl! She'll never live that down!

Also, I really appreciated Paul McCartney singing 'Hey Jude'. That was a first-class finale that everyone, both at the Ceremony and at home, could join in with. I thought it really felt that the world was 'at one', even if we know it was only for a short time. A little foretaste of heaven.

Just one more thing - Rowan Atkinson was great. Only problem was that in looking at his sketch I 'missed' one of my favourite film theme tunes. (At my advanced age I'm getting more and more unable to multi-task!).

Take care of yourselves.
Carol xxxx

P.S. Wasn't it a wonderful idea to have the seven young athletes light the Olympic 'cauldron'? And that the cauldron was composed of the copper leaves that accompanied each country around the arena? Another great 'uniting' theme! I could go on and on really.

[Fleetwood Mac]

Still, at least we have a history. I once did a degree course in American History. It began at 9.00am one foggy morning, and I was all finsihed at just before lunchtime, and I got a first.

This, I feel, is going off-thread again.....

Graham

Graham, in the event you spend the next hundred years posting at great velocity, you won't write a bigger pile of nonsense than the above.

The United States may have a short history, but it's a fascinating history - and one which has laid down markers for the rest of the world. From its focus on individual representation, to a democratic system which far outstripped the European systems in its democractic approach, to the trend of isolation, which, quite rightly advocated sovereignty of nations. All of which led to a highly politicised and comparitively wealthier, healthier and better educated American population/middle class.

The United States has lost it way a little bit in recent times, but on the whole, it has had a hugely positive influence on the world.