Europe pathetic freeloaders

Sue next time you go do ask about our much talked about ‘special relationship’ with America.
I am not a gambler but am willing to bet that none of them have a clue or even heard of it.
Or if you are in touch online ask. Would be interesting to find out.

With US tariffs now threatening the UK and the opinions of Trump and his cronies a matter of record with regard to Europe and the UK, I can only hope that Starmer and European leaders are getting together at every opportunity to discuss a future without the US and unfortunately facing years of opposition to the US which will have to be treated as a hostile nation.
Is no good saying we can’t do this without the US, that decision has already been made.

SueDonim

petra

Norah
You’re not wrong. America has never given, lent, helped any country unless there’s something in it for them.
Nothing personal against the American people.

That’s the strangest thing. I’ve been going to the US for over a quarter of a century now and Americans as individuals are just the most generous hearted people (apart from their airport immigration staff) you could wish to meet. It clashes horribly with America as it is depicted in the media now.

I also must say that I’ve never had cause to mention the ‘special relationship’ in 25+ years of visiting the States! On the other hand, strangers have expressed their condolences for Brexit and for the queen dying while others have extolled how they love all things British. We’ve never had an adverse reaction to our Britishness.

I don't believe Americans dislike us. Not at all.

They merely have no notion to our history, what we think, how we live - apart from perhaps what they see on TV. 'Special relationship' - no.

Been watching some USA guys on UTube looking at British and European stuff and being amazed at our history. Some of them have been astonished by some of the USA’s population’s knowledge about world geography and history. It seems that many USA citizens are parochial and practicing some extremist political and Christian beliefs.

The current Trump administration is unpleasant and rude in the extreme.

I feel sad for all those USA citizens who didn’t vote for this administration.

Babs03

With US tariffs now threatening the UK and the opinions of Trump and his cronies a matter of record with regard to Europe and the UK, I can only hope that Starmer and European leaders are getting together at every opportunity to discuss a future without the US and unfortunately facing years of opposition to the US which will have to be treated as a hostile nation.
Is no good saying we can’t do this without the US, that decision has already been made.

I completely agree

Dogwalkingnana

I'm an American and did not vote for Trump. Our grandchild will be going to college in Canada. The Republicans are despicable. Trump, Vance, Musk and the horrible cabinet members are domestic enemies. We are enraged and sickened by what is happening and getting worse every day.

I feel for you

Norah I am not saying Americans don’t like us, I am sure most do, but am wondering if they all know about our very special always talked about British American relationship which we have heard constantly for years, from politicians of all colours.

Dogwalkinnana I can imagine just how upset so many are.

I'd like to recommend very strongly that if you can, watch the channel 4 series, just 3 episodes, fascinating.
"School Swap"

"UK big-city diversity collides with small town America, as teens from London switch lives, and schools, with high school students in rural Arkansas"

Its an all white quiet small town with just one black girl in the High School, with a big London comprehensive (clearly one thats doing pretty well, and very multicultural).

In terms of the "Special Relationship" I doubt any of the US kids had heard of it but they were very aware of the UK being the only English speaking country across the pond and that having significance.

It didn't deal with political issues at all - its quite light on the sunny side - there were a couple of uses of the N word from US students but not a lot made of it - but it was fascinating to see the cultural differences, some quite subtle.

But what also struck me is how very different it would have been to say swap with an inner city Chicago school or one of the other many "americas' there are - huge country, lots of differences.

Details of the programme

www.channel4.com/programmes/school-swap-uk-to-usa#

Willow3
I’ve watched it. My reaction when we were told that the Americans were going to Brixton ( an area I know well) was oh my lord this is going to shock them ridged and it did. 😂

Makes you think tho - I gave the example of Chicago above being different from this small town situation

.....there are inner city schools in the US where to go in they have to pass security like in Airports, knife and gun check and police a constant presence - it looked a lively and well run school in Brixton.

the other things of interest - obviously gun culture, and also different attitude to mobile phones in the schools.

I followed the only non white student from the US school with interest as she loved the UK school, at last wasn't the only one, and didn't want to leave.

I have never in my life heard about a special relationship between the US and the UK.

Thanks for the recommendation on the show. I am sure that Arkansas to London was a huge culture shift for those kids.

I saw an article years ago that interviewed a girl whose mother enrolled her into the majority black neighborhood school. She ended up being one of the only white students.

I'll see if I can find the article.

You are American imaround? If so you prove my point.
Thanks for responding.

I don’t think it’s preparation for war, but it is preparation for being attacked. Only today European countries have issued preparedness guidance for citizens to ensure people are ready for untoward events requiring them to rely on supplies at home.

Casdon

I don’t think it’s preparation for war, but it is preparation for being attacked. Only today European countries have issued preparedness guidance for citizens to ensure people are ready for untoward events requiring them to rely on supplies at home.

It's sensible preparations for defence.
Unfortunately, cutbacks over years have meant we would be ill-prepared if we were attacked.

Agreed - the guidance today was for ordinary people, similar to what we have been told about keeping 72 hours supplies, including water at home and enough stock of prescription drugs etc.

In the UK we like to think of the “special relationship” with the US and we have supported them more than most other countries in their military campaigns - for better or worse.
I’m sure schoolchildren in both countries don’t really give it much attention, adult in the US are far more absorbed in the Republican v Democrat and other domestic issues than anything overseas.

A special relationship is one where both sides are aware and feel the same. A one sided relationship cannot be special.

We need to get closer to our European allies as soon as possible regardless of what the Brexiteers think.

Grantanow

We need to get closer to our European allies as soon as possible regardless of what the Brexiteers think.

I agree Grantanow..the EU was originally set up with the purpose of avoiding another world war, and we certainly need that now..

I do agree Pascal and Grantanow. This was to be the subject of my question last week on Question Time but my question wasn’t picked.

silverlining48

I do agree Pascal and Grantanow. This was to be the subject of my question last week on Question Time but my question wasn’t picked.

Oh what a shame Silverlining.. I always watch Question Time
and what a good question.. an opportunity lost sadly..

I was disappointed yet relieved when my name wasn’t called. It was interesting, especially as I watch it too.
And Fiona Bruce was very friendly and we all had a cup of tea/ coffee with biscuits prior to filming. This week it’s Cardiff.

Sorry edited didn’t check and began a sentence with an And.

silverlining48

Sorry edited didn’t check and began a sentence with an And.

One of the rules of grammar to ignore!