London Olympics

[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.

[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.

[Stephen Thomas]

What are buffalo wings?

[Robert]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_wing

[Errata]

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

We are nothing if not great thieves. But as it happens, most "Mexican" food people eat is it fact Tex-Mex. Actual Mexican food is much better for you. Less meat, more veggies, almost no cheese...

And hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza were all invented here. By immigrants from Germany and Italy, and I think all three of them came from World's Fairs. Evidently, we Americans have a real need to take foreign foods and rework them so that they don't require utensils to eat. And I still don't know why we fry Twinkies, and I am a southerner.

The blues are from an African American influence, post Civil War, mostly 1900-1940. It is distinctly American, but Jazz is highly influenced by African culture, which is why I didn't claim it. I also don't claim Rock and Roll, though many do. I think it started here, but you guys got so much better at it so quickly that it's like comparing cave paintings to the Mona Lisa.

I have a theory about Muppet haters... I think Muppet haters are the first wave of an alien invasion who fear that as long as humans have foam and wire comedians to fall back on, we will never submit to your insecto-cephalapod enslavement tactics. Oh I'm watching you now... My stuffed Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and I are watching you...

[Monty]

Pizza was created thousand years before the US was discovered, let alone when immigrants arrived.

Frankfurters were served in Germany, along with Hamburgerss, and taken to the US.

Heck, you'll be claiming the invention of Computers and the smashing of the Enigma code next.

It seems I shouldn't have been so tongue in cheek after all.

Monty

[Limehouse]

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.

Enlighten me. Which country do you mean?

[Phil Carter]

Pizza was created thousand years before the US was discovered, let alone when immigrants arrived.

Frankfurters were served in Germany, along with Hamburgerss, and taken to the US.

Heck, you'll be claiming the invention of Computers and the smashing of the Enigma code next.

It seems I shouldn't have been so tongue in cheek after all.

Monty

Hello Monty,

Now see what you started?

Cornish pasties, rock salmon, snake and pigmy pie, jellied eels and scotch eggs might help.
All washed down with Real Ale.

Best wishes

Phil

[Robert]

Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies are good for breakfast or at any other time.

[jason_c]

We are nothing if not great thieves. But as it happens, most "Mexican" food people eat is it fact Tex-Mex. Actual Mexican food is much better for you. Less meat, more veggies, almost no cheese...

And hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza were all invented here. By immigrants from Germany and Italy, and I think all three of them came from World's Fairs. Evidently, we Americans have a real need to take foreign foods and rework them so that they don't require utensils to eat. And I still don't know why we fry Twinkies, and I am a southerner.

The blues are from an African American influence, post Civil War, mostly 1900-1940. It is distinctly American, but Jazz is highly influenced by African culture, which is why I didn't claim it. I also don't claim Rock and Roll, though many do. I think it started here, but you guys got so much better at it so quickly that it's like comparing cave paintings to the Mona Lisa.

I have a theory about Muppet haters... I think Muppet haters are the first wave of an alien invasion who fear that as long as humans have foam and wire comedians to fall back on, we will never submit to your insecto-cephalapod enslavement tactics. Oh I'm watching you now... My stuffed Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and I are watching you...

There's nothing wrong with adopting the culture of other countries. In a country full of immigrants its not surprising the US has been so influenced by foreign ideas. Of course this is a two way process. Parisian cafe culture isn't in fact French, it was imported from New York by French intellectuals. Adopting aspects of foreign culture stops a society stagnating. You should be proud of it.

As far as popular music goes the US did kickstart it. Even if I personally prefer British popular music to the US variety.

[Robert]

The Normans brought rabbits to England. Those rabbits are by now English. When they see a ferret coming they think, "Oh, I say! That's torn it! Backs against the wall now, chaps, and no mistake."

[Fleetwood Mac]

Enlighten me. Which country do you mean?

Oh you know, the one where they talk endless **** about 'equality' all the while consigning Algerian job application forms to the dustbin without even reading them.

[Graham]

Oh you know, the one where they talk endless **** about 'equality' all the while consigning Algerian job application forms to the dustbin without even reading them.

Ah, right - you mean Tunisia.

Graham

[Magpie]

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

Yes and no. Network TV is more or less a morass of mediocrity these days--particularly with the deluge of so-called "reality" programming. There are still a few gems to be found on cable channels (like Game of Thrones or Endgame).

One bright spot of recent years has been a slew of entertaining cop shows, like Bones, House (despite being set in a hospital is a cop show), the various Law and Order franchises, The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, Leverage and Grimm, to name a few.

[Magpie]

Hello Monty,

Now see what you started?

Cornish pasties, rock salmon, snake and pigmy pie, jellied eels and scotch eggs might help.
All washed down with Real Ale.

Best wishes

Phil

You forgot savaloys. I would sell my grandmother into slavery for an honest to goodness savaloy...