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Post by Jono on Jul 4, 2009 2:49:30 GMT
Hey Jillian, Lol, I think you are right about the monarchy vs republic debate....now I'm guilty of encouraging politics! But I wasn't giving any point of view on the matter, just saying it's interesting. Oh, looks like we have the same reliable source of information!  Jono |
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Post by Dori on Jul 4, 2009 5:19:18 GMT
Happy 4th July, my fellow Americans!!
Dori xoxox
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Post by Richard on Jul 4, 2009 7:38:09 GMT
I thought I added just for fun to the post. Obviously I didn't. Hello Larry!  I think you said that in the other thread that you started and then deleted. Richard  |
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Post by postscript on Jul 4, 2009 10:08:38 GMT
Happy 4th of July! ... I don't pretend to know much about US history, but I rather gather that the history around the War of Independence has significantly contributed to the US identity in such a way that it would be very difficult indeed to imagine the nation without it... Ha, ha -- the rather tenuous point I'm trying to make is that so much can happen in the blink of an eye so as to make it almost impossible to imagine an alternative. Sorry, I can get a bit carried away with all of this -- I think history is fascinating. Finally in answer to your question, I suppose the closest example would be Canada. I'd like to go to the US one day -- I think it would be very interesting. From what I've read it's a nation of incredible diversity. You touch upon the very point that concerned me, Jillian. Larry was intending light-heartedness but history determines our present and our future, that is where it can be political. By picking up on the point you have independently answered I'm going to try and cover the political aspect without being political! The problem today is that too many modern Americans have forgotten or never knew the true reason for Independence, what was that, Larry? Simply this, one single moment that lasted a few hours caused the Declaration of Independence. The Boston Tea Party. What was that about? No taxation without representation. Modern America is so powerful that what it does affects the rest of the world and the rest of the world does not have a vote on who should be its president! The importance of this is clearly shown by the contrast between the immediately previous and present Presidents of America. There is a parallel which affects the UK today. It is why, since the re-enactment of the Scottish parliament Scottish MPs at Westminster must NOT be allowed to vote on English and Welsh matters alone, since Scotland now prohibits English and Welsh MPs voting on Scottish matters, other than in the context of the UK as a whole. It goes further. So far (and I have Richard's and other Mod's views in mind) I am dealing with abstract matters, not details. In principle, the Queen could be a President but the constitutional structure pressures politicians NOT to embroil the Queen (which were that to be an elected President might not be the case, as in France) in making pro-active constitutional decisions. We currently have a Prime Minister who promised the nation he would give them a vote on the latest European diktat. He then broke his promise. Is such a man fit to be the Queen's First Minister of State? In that moment the Queen is embroiled in politics, quite apart from other matters currently taking place in Westminster. The relations between Queen and Prime Minister are confidential and it may be the Queen is more pro-actively intervening with the PM then we might imagine--another advantage of our constitutional values. All this stems from but a few hours at the time of the Boston Tea Party. It is on those few hours that the entire modern history of the world has been built! To your other point, Jillian, I am privileged, as I have written elsewhere to have toured the US when I was in my twenties. Perhaps more true then than may be the case now, there is no such thing as the 'typical' American. State by state they have their individual quirks but taken as a whole across the country they are widely different people. It is a great country in terms of its scenery, wild life and its people. I know (as at then) the width and breadth of it better than many Americans--it is still unusual for an American to travel outside his own state, let alone to hold an international passport. I would not presume to suggest any one place more than another. Do you have your own ideas on priority? I would advise that in choosing 'a' place you allow time for moving around. Amtrack is very good for that or the Greyhound coaches. Grab the first opportunity you have, you will never regret it. It is indeed a great country. Peter S. |
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Post by Jono on Jul 4, 2009 10:30:45 GMT
Hi Peter,
I'm not well researched in this particular topic....but to say that the Boston Tea Party is the sole reason for independence is extremely narrow don't you think?
Jono
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Post by postscript on Jul 4, 2009 10:38:23 GMT
That's fine, Larry. I didn't wish to drown your thinking. I just saw the potential for it getting too murky. I didn't mean to suggest it wasn't possible to discuss your thread light-heartedly. I speak as a largely pro-American Englishman. Perhaps I was thinking aloud as a warning to myself as much as a warning to others  ! I have never considered myself especially political but I can understand how others may think I am. It's that classification and genre thing again! I will not be pigeon-holed, I believe in 'just being' and letting the wind ruffle my hair but maybe too much of that wind comes from me and I ruffle too many people's feathers. It is a matter of being involved in life and being a part of the whole. There is a time and place to take The Road Less Travelled and a time to be part of the throng. I do not necessarily charge into the fray on instinct but if a platform is thrust under my feet then i will bask in the limes and play to the gallery, for all the world's a stage... Peter S. |
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Post by postscript on Jul 4, 2009 10:42:56 GMT
Hi Peter, I'm not well researched in this particular topic....but to say that the Boston Tea Party is the sole reason for independence is extremely narrow don't you think? Jono Not if you understand the cause of the Boston Tea Party, as I explained and then extend the principles. It is a very broad issue affecting us today as I thought I had explained. Peter S. |
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Post by Paddy on Jul 4, 2009 11:40:40 GMT
Hi Larry and all US colleagues,
Greetings and Best Wishes from Ireland for your special day!
Paddy
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Post by Sandy Wilderness Girl on Jul 4, 2009 11:47:23 GMT
Hey is the 4th of july like independence day....
Sandy
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Post by Paddy on Jul 4, 2009 11:50:52 GMT
Hey is the 4th of july like independence day.... Sandy Hi Sandy, Yes. It's Independence Day for the USA ....... and an excuse to celebrate for days .............. Paddy |
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Post by Nordly on Jul 5, 2009 2:20:24 GMT
Hi everyone,
Happy 4th! I hope everyone enjoyed the day (for once it wasn't raining!) and that tomorrow is as sunny as today was (as it was here at least).
~NL
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Post by Richard on Jul 5, 2009 8:23:14 GMT
Hey is the 4th of july like independence day.... Sandy Hello Sandy! You can read all about the history of Independence Day HERE.  Richard |
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Post by stevemacdonald on Jul 4, 2010 16:33:36 GMT
Seems like the perfect day to revive this thread! Happy Independence Day everyone!
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Post by amptique on Jul 4, 2010 22:55:34 GMT
Seems like the perfect day to revive this thread! Happy Independence Day everyone! USA |
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