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special relationship - 3/9/2007 12:09:22 PM

babyboyk

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Joined: 5/9/2006
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hi, im just a little curious, i was wondering the so-called special relationship between the US and the UK is held on equal terms. i mean, is it seen as important to the Americans as it appears to be to us Brits? i dont know if its still the case, but certainly between the 1st and 2nd world wars, the Americacns were very isolationist, ie, not wishing to get involved in a European War, but after a bit of arm twisting by Churchill, the Americans came on board (probablly after Hitler declared war)

i was wondering, though, with the current situation in the Middle East, if the Americans see the British as equal partners, or as a junior partner? as Tony Blair seems to hold the relationship in high regard, but its my impression that Bush sees Blair as a more junior partner, even more so after the infamous 'yo, Blair' meeting last year, lol it was cringeworthy.....

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RE: special relationship - 3/9/2007 12:51:52 PM

fergus

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Joined: 6/22/2005
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I can not speak for policy, reality, tactics or the like.

But emotionally I will say this, and I am a staunch patriot who is proud of our county having won it's independance from England - also, being Irish decent, I sometimes have difficultiy with how England treated the Irish people over the long centuries .... with all that in mind, I feel this way about it ....

England and the US, we are like brothers. When we were younger, England, like a tough older brother would beat us up a bit, and we would wrestle in the yard quite often. As we grew to become big and strong, we do not fight. Now, as adults, we trade good natured barbs over the dinner table at family functions. But ... we know England is ALWAYS there and will ALWAYS back us up no matter what. I would like to think we would certainly do the same.

Junior partner? I can not say ... but I am glad England stands with us, even when it seems no one else will!

fergus

(in reply to babyboyk)

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RE: special relationship - 3/9/2007 1:13:23 PM

popeye1250

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Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
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quote:

ORIGINAL: fergus

I can not speak for policy, reality, tactics or the like.

But emotionally I will say this, and I am a staunch patriot who is proud of our county having won it's independance from England - also, being Irish decent, I sometimes have difficultiy with how England treated the Irish people over the long centuries .... with all that in mind, I feel this way about it ....

England and the US, we are like brothers. When we were younger, England, like a tough older brother would beat us up a bit, and we would wrestle in the yard quite often. As we grew to become big and strong, we do not fight. Now, as adults, we trade good natured barbs over the dinner table at family functions. But ... we know England is ALWAYS there and will ALWAYS back us up no matter what. I would like to think we would certainly do the same.

Junior partner? I can not say ... but I am glad England stands with us, even when it seems no one else will!

fergus

Fergus, likewise on the Irish part.
When I was a boy my grandmother who was from Moeville, (Bredagh Glen) Donegal came back from a visit to Ireland with one of those big rubber bullets that the Loyalist Coppers would shoot at protesters that she got in Derry, shell and all! I think it was a live round! I don't know where the hell she got it!
But, we are both English speaking countries and most of the cities and towns in Massachusetts where I grew up were named after cities and towns in England. (Woburn, Winchester, Cambridge, Arlington)
And we've always had trade with one another.
Oh, and I believe the English and the Dutch have always been the biggest foreign investors in the U.S. swapping the number 1 spot every few years.
And, Great Britain has always been a good allie to the U.S. and as an American I can say that it is much appreciated!

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RE: special relationship - 3/9/2007 1:20:33 PM

SirKenin

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Joined: 10/31/2004
From: Barrie, ON Canada
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Between the two, England dominates financially, the US dominates militarily. I think they make great partners. Not to mention that England has a pretty formidable military force of their own right. England is too small to maintain control of key financial interests on their own. They need the US. The US needs to be good buddies with England for their cake. Win-win for both of them. Do not knock it as far as I am concerned.

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