Wulfric

Well, there is a feeling amongst some down here that we perhaps a little too keen to preserve ties with a country that is geographically irrelevant to us, and that it would be better to focus more on our own region of the world (Asia pacific). Yes, the shift towards Americanisation is a worrying trend, though Australia isn't the only country experiencing that (Britain herself isn't immune), and I'm not really sure maintaining symbolic links with a country that once used us as a dumping ground for convicts that sits on almost the exact opposite end of the globe is really the best way to stave of American culture. Australia is, at the end of the day, Australia. Not a state of America, not a part of the British isles, but a rather new and as-yet culturally undeveloped country.

I'm not driven by an all consuming hatred of the monarchy, mind, I actually rather like them I just don't think we need them down here. Don't think we need an American puppet-president either. I like the idea of maintaining the British-style of parliamentary government, not that tangled web the Americans call democracy, though

romansh

Hmmmn this sounds (to me) quite pragmatic. How does not being a republic stop you from focussing on the Pacific Rim?
How will you become more cultural? won't you be swapping (albeit slowly) one culture for another? Will it be better and how.

Don't get me wrong, I believe Aussies and Canucks will eventually become republics. It's just that promise of a new something is not necessarily better than the old imperfection. People of course want to make their own mistakes. But there is nothing stop them to do it now.

Regarding more independence for Scotland and Wales ... OK. Though in the UK, Scottish MPs can vote on English affairs but not vice versa? How about more independence for, say, WA and Queensland? Perhaps Melbourne should align itself with Greece? The possibilities are endless....

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411314

What makes someone a "real American"? Are you saying most have only met imaginary Americans or fake Americans?

debdodd

yeah that's what I am saying those fake americans that we send over for holidays ... duh!!!

No Einstein, I meant that for the most part people meet Americans when they travel to their country ... they don't meet the everyday middle class person that cannot afford to travel any further than camping locally or maybe to six flags .... that is what I meant .... Americans who can afford to travel are often different than those that cannot .... silly you!

The last time I went to Europe I said I was from Canada just so people wouldn't pre-judge me as an Amercian ..... heck, everyone loves Canadians!

__________________
"Ubi dubium ibi libertas."

"We are all lone souls. It pays to know humility, lest the delusion of control, of mastery, overwhelms. And indeed, we seem a species prone to that delusion, again and ever again ....."

The An-Jel

laughin here Debs!

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xxkayxx

hehe fake americans....

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If a million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing

debdodd

oh absolutely yes! we send fake Americans over there all the time ... so I suggest from now on all American female tourist breasts must be squeezed to determine if they are fake or not .... that should teach everyone to keep those fake American female tourists at home

Let the booby squeezing begin!!!!!! The Italians will need to leave off the pinching of the bum and go straight for the fake American tatas!!!

__________________
"Ubi dubium ibi libertas."

"We are all lone souls. It pays to know humility, lest the delusion of control, of mastery, overwhelms. And indeed, we seem a species prone to that delusion, again and ever again ....."

The An-Jel

I know you better Debs... um I hope at least. You compromised and belittled Agnosticism on this very forum by admitting you sat down with a religious sympathizer and actually liked her. I have no sympathy for you but I raise a glass and smile knowing that humans like you exist.

__________________
"And let there be Light!" said the Blind man.

Life is simple, people make it complicated - Basilisk

Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti - Royal Gibraltar Regiment

debdodd

Dude ... you know I had to be jerking you around ... right? If you know me so well you know I jest ...... I sought her out ... not she I .... I attempt to show the flip side of us ....


sometimes you guys need to lighten up .... none of us make it out alive so enjoy what time you have here .... Jeez An-jel .... you used to be such a funny guy and would jest as well as the next person ... you go a way for a few months and morph into starched underwear guy!!!

__________________
"Ubi dubium ibi libertas."

"We are all lone souls. It pays to know humility, lest the delusion of control, of mastery, overwhelms. And indeed, we seem a species prone to that delusion, again and ever again ....."

WilliamBlue

I volunteer to squeeze them before they leave so no fake ones are let out of country, wait I have idea, I'll just mark the good ones USDA choice

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When you dance with an elephant it's up to you to not get stepped on.
How can we be so arrogant and egotistical to believe that the whole Universe was created just for us?