Curiosity

Roke · Post by **Roke** » Wed May 07, 2003 2:32 pm

Thanks Martin,. But it is interesting that their literacy rate is so high with all the restrictions they have had on trade or such.

paul laffing · Post by **paul laffing** » Wed May 07, 2003 9:23 pm

Bumbol Woodstock wrote: The "scape goat" Osama Bin Laden was the first to successfully attack America. Of course we will kick his ass and everyone elses' who attacks us.

Not quite true... the japanese successfully attacked the country once at Pearl Harbor and unsuccessfully in Washington state, I think.

Roke · Post by **Roke** » Wed May 07, 2003 9:48 pm

The war of 1812 is, in my oppinion and as far as I know, the last time the US has faced a major defeat on their soil.

Crocket · Post by **Crocket** » Wed May 07, 2003 10:26 pm

Roke wrote:The war of 1812 is, in my oppinion and as far as I know, the last time the US has faced a major defeat on their soil.

Better check your history. The US has NEVER faced a defeat on it's own soil. I would call the war of 1812 a tie.

Here is a quote from http://encarta.msn.com

VIII The Results of War
print section

Almost overnight the War of 1812 became a glorious triumph. On February 20 President Madison sent a message to Congress transmitting the treaty of peace. He congratulated the nation on the close of a war "waged with the success which is the natural result of the wisdom of the legislative councils, of the patriotism of the people, of the public spirit of the militia, and of the valor of the military and naval forces of the country."

More realistically, the fledgling nation had the extraordinary good fortune to escape the consequences of a war that it had badly mismanaged from the outset. The Battle of New Orleans, fought after the two sides had already signed the peace treaty, ironically became the war’s most famous event. The navy enjoyed well-deserved popularity for many years after the conflict, but the decisive results of the Battle of Lake Champlain did not receive full recognition for another generation.

The principal gain for the United States was a renewed self-confidence and faith in the ability of its military to defend the nation’s freedom and honor. Although neither side came away from the war with a clear-cut victory, the American people saw the War of 1812 as evidence of the success of the democratic experiment. The war ushered in a period of American history that has frequently been called “the era of good feeling,” a time when, at least on the surface, most Americans felt unified behind a common purpose. The War of 1812 convinced the country that it could now fend off any foreign threats and that its focus should be on expansion at home.

Roke · Post by **Roke** » Wed May 07, 2003 10:43 pm

Aargh, wrong again. I think I will just stay out of the discussion for everyone's benefit

.

paul laffing · Post by **paul laffing** » Wed May 07, 2003 10:45 pm

Madison was the shortest president, by the way...

The Japanese launched balloons with bombs in them toward America from Japan, and were extremely accurate for the distance. They slammed into mountains in either Washington state or Oregon, but I think it was Oregon. If they had hit their real destination, the damage could have been enormous.

Hitler would have had the V2 rockets by the beginning of World War 2 if he had not wasted many scientists to see if we were on the inside of a planet.

And you're all wrong about the last battle lost on American soil. You have all never heard of the American Civil War, I suppose?

Hermie · Post by **Hermie** » Wed May 07, 2003 10:49 pm

Heh, I was going to mention the Civil war. But think about it, it was Americans vs Americans and the Americans that won made the America you live in today so I guess it was a victory, just look at what a nice country America is!

paul laffing · Post by **paul laffing** » Wed May 07, 2003 10:50 pm

Yes, it was a victory, but there were also Union losses, and Southern losses. So those were the last defeats on American soil.

Gro'bul · Post by **Gro'bul** » Wed May 07, 2003 10:58 pm

well as for the cuban higher literacy rate, its easier to supply some millions with the things they need rather than the almost 300 million in the usa. I wouldnt doubt if we have a lower literacy rate, but its only because there are mexicans and cubans entering the country

paul laffing · Post by **paul laffing** » Wed May 07, 2003 11:00 pm

Yes, the illiterate Cubans flee Cuba to go to Florida. Look at Elion Gonzalez! You think that the "dolpins" saved him?

martin · Post by **martin** » Wed May 07, 2003 11:23 pm

Hermie wrote:just look at what a nice country America is!

Compared to WHAT country?

Martin

Hermie · Post by **Hermie** » Wed May 07, 2003 11:25 pm

Compared to England!

Gro'bul · Post by **Gro'bul** » Thu May 08, 2003 1:21 am

ide rather live in england anyday, not necessarily london.....scotland probobly. im part scottish

Crocket · Post by **Crocket** » Thu May 08, 2003 1:50 am

I think England is just as great a country as the US.

My family comes from Scotland also. But it was so long ago that I wouldn't consider myself part Scotish. There are names in my family such as Kilby and Brown. I think Brown might be German or English though. I'm pretty certain Kilby is Scottish.

Out of all the countries I would like to visit, Scottland and Australia are at the top. I would like to see the castles in Scottland and the Australian outback.
I would also like to see the great wall of China.

martin · Post by **martin** » Thu May 08, 2003 7:21 am

@Hermie:
Why are the US so much nicer than e.g. england?
Could you name some reasons? I'd really be interested.

Martin

Drogla · Post by **Drogla** » Thu May 08, 2003 7:24 am

i shal answer for hermie, since i have been to england. he says that probly One: the english food is pretty bad, no offence, and Two: england is so crowded compared to the US. england has a bery good public transportation system though, better then the US i think. all jsut opinions-=)

Gro'bul · Post by **Gro'bul** » Thu May 08, 2003 7:58 am

just depends on where in either of the countries.

martin · Post by **martin** » Thu May 08, 2003 9:01 am

But american food isn't really something to write home about.
Just junk food.

If it's that that makes a nice country, how great must france, italy or china be then?

Martin

Gro'bul · Post by **Gro'bul** » Thu May 08, 2003 9:35 am

well, america doesnt really have a backround, there are plenty of good restaurants. there really isnt a place that serves "american" food. the only truly american food i can think of is maybe the corn dog.

Mishrack · Post by **Mishrack** » Thu May 08, 2003 12:10 pm

england has a bery good public transportation system though

Wouldn't want to burst your bubble, but Service wise, England s the worst countryu I've been in so far... Just look at the NHS...

Galdriel · Post by **Galdriel** » Thu May 08, 2003 12:36 pm

erm... spare ribs??
dont know if they are native american, but they are quite good.
mhmm i suppose there is no Indian kitchen over there??

Senk Kluuspointe Gren · Thu May 08, 2003 4:14 pm

Mishrack wrote:Wouldn't want to burst your bubble, but Service wise, England s the worst countryu I've been in so far... Just look at the NHS...

At least Britain has an NHS, granted it's not great, but compared with the US medical care!

Drogla wrote:england has a bery good public transportation system

I can't belive you just named Britains worst attribute and said it was good. I've lived here for 18 years and there have been a total of ZERO trains or buses that I have used that were on time!

Mishrack · Post by **Mishrack** » Thu May 08, 2003 4:22 pm

Senk wrote:At least Britain has an NHS, granted it's not great, but compared with the US medical care!

True... at least here know we will be treated if one of those damned Arriva busses run us over

Senk wrote:I can't belive you just named Britains worst attribute and said it was good. I've lived here for 18 years and there have been a total of ZERO trains or buses that I have used that were on time!

Arriva actually recieved a charter to operate in some parts of Denmark. They didn't know Danes aren't as forgiving as brits though... they went out of business after 3 months...

Drathe · Post by **Drathe** » Thu May 08, 2003 7:09 pm

Its all relative to where in the country you live and work as to how good the gernal qulaity of life is. As a country as a whole tho England is going down hill. Privatiseation, fat cats and lawyers are degrading, draining and destorying all that we once were. England in most part is a good country and racialy tolerant to a point of us being taken liberty of. Its just a shame about the people who run it..and if you think its the government..think again.

Gro'bul · Post by **Gro'bul** » Thu May 08, 2003 7:50 pm

bar-b-q i guess is american, not really native american. no, im afraid there arent any native american restaurants or places to eat exept for maybe on indian reservations.

Hermie · Post by **Hermie** » Thu May 08, 2003 9:18 pm

Okay, Gro'bul would like to live in England, you know the bit called Scotland, which happens to be it's own country!

My ancestors are Scottish, I have been there many times, its quite nice.

Martin asked:

Why are the US so much nicer than e.g. england?
Could you name some reasons? I'd really be interested.

The US is a patriotic country. You go to the US and become an American.
England is not a very patriotic country. You come to England and enforce the ideas of where you came from, if the English don't like it you shout 'racism' and the government bends over backwards to patronise you. If you don't like our country stay out, but no, Even on St George's day, (the Saint of England) we cannot sail our English flag, it might alienate the immigrants. This makes me so ********* mad

So screw 'our' countrym, it's becoming 'theirs' and everything we had will be banned. I'd rather pledge my allegiance to the Stars and Stripes and become an American any day of the friggin week!

Roke · Post by **Roke** » Thu May 08, 2003 11:06 pm

Yes, but aren't all the foods made with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) labeled in England? I saw a educational movie about foods made with GMOs and they said in England a product was labeled because there was a huge public outcry. In Canada and according to the movie, the US such foods are not labeled although there may be problems with GMOs that may harm people and their health.

Mishrack · Post by **Mishrack** » Thu May 08, 2003 11:15 pm

hmm... I thought the EU banned GMO's

Gro'bul · Post by **Gro'bul** » Fri May 09, 2003 12:56 am

im not sure if its mandatory to lable but most that use them do. all gmo's must be approved by the fda, food and drug administration, before they are sold commercially to the public. I hear germany is famous for their sausages.

Callith · Post by **Callith** » Fri May 09, 2003 1:00 pm

GM crops have to be labeled, they are not illeagle, but GM protesters, have an annoying tendacy to burn Genitically modified crops, so most people don't bother.