Prime Minister Tony Blair's words

I think that he's got that right!

quote:

Originally posted by accobra:
Pretty profound...

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American Sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview.
When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America, he said:

"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in... And how many want out" Only two defining forces have ever
offered to die for you:

1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

AMEN

What a nice comment. Thak you Mr.Blair.

For me it hit home ... my Dad was veteran of the Korean War ... and yes as family we understood the sacrifice he endured for some country we had no understanding of .... he passed away last month ... the funny thing his job as a GI he was a Master Cook ... he used to say to my MOM " I can only cook for 300 people " that was his excuse for patiently sitting at the dinner table awaiting a meal. LOL

Ron

I am very sorry to hear this Ron.
When I first read about the comment, I too thought of my late father.
Perhaps that's why it seems so flattering to me?

Hmm ... what was the last guy who thought he was GOD ... started with an " H " ??? LOL

Ron

Franklin Roosevelt was president when american GIs were sent to Europe to aid Britain and other nations, which is what Tony Blair alluded to.

Roland of course alludes to George Bush, who everyone knows is not very popular internationally. His ratings in this country are rather dismal as well.

Please keep things on a positive note. If you have nothing positive to write, write nothing at all. It would be a shame if I have to delete posts & lock this topic up.

cowboy from hell

Well put George. This is not a political forum, let's keep it a Panera lovers site.
Glenn

It was meant as a compliment (Blair's statement) t o the American GI's.
I got it and appreciate it.
If you aren't American you probably won't appreciate it.
I would like to think that Roland just didn't understand it and leave it go at that.

Hmmmm ... its was a patriotic statement not meant to be a big political debate .... I thought this was "Alejandro's Nieghborhood Pub " ??? " and thoughts about any topic; non-automotive content is welcome."

A little harsh !!

Sure this is a Pantera forum, but it isn’t totally out of line that we occasionally share some cultural and political exchange.

After all, we share comments and opinions about dishonest vendors and phoney ebay sellers. Since we're located all over the globe and all share at least one common interest, maybe we can learn something.

Even though I consider myself a typical, very liberal Canadian, I recently was suprized to learn that I agree fully with the following (edited) comment I found on (of all places) Bill O'Reilly's website:


<< With the nation about to vote on the Iraq war, and don't kid yourself — that's exactly what the upcoming election is all about, it may be interesting to examine the emotions in play.

Most Americans, I believe, have turned against the Iraq campaign because the USA is not winning it. We're not losing either, but a bloody stalemate halfway around the world is no sane person's idea of a success story.

And so all the polls show a deep disenchantment with Iraq, but it is based on performance, not a moral objection, as we saw in the Vietnam era.

There comes a point when American blood and treasure is exhausted, and that point has been reached in Iraq. If those people will not step up and stop the chaos themselves, then they will have to live the result. The United States cannot absorb much more punishment on behalf of a population that, at this point, doesn't seem entirely committed to fighting for freedom.

Predictably, the far-left in America has seized upon the Iraq situation to once again paint their country as villainous. That is both sad and infuriating.

There is no question that if Iraq and Afghanistan become functioning democracies, Al Qaeda and Iran will suffer major blows. That's why Iran is actively fostering violence in Iraq and why Al Qaeda continues to murder people in both theatres. Freedom is the archenemy of Jihad. At this point, even the dimmest among us should realize that.

Any success now in Iraq would help the beleaguered Bush administration, and that is intolerable to the far-left. Thus, hurting the President and his crew has become more important to some Americans than seeing a victorious Iraqi campaign. That kind of thinking is damaging to the country because, in the long run, Americans are going to have to confront the jihadists and defeat them. The terrorists are not going away even if we do pull out of Iraq.

That doesn't mean Americans should support "staying the course." The course must be shown to be smart and effective because lives are at stake. There is nothing wrong with believing the Iraq war has been ineptly waged. That debate is certainly valid.

But pulling against your country in Iraq is simply not acceptable. The American military has fought long and hard to defeat terrorism and oppression there. We are the good guys, and all the twisted ideology in the world is not going to change that. >>

Bill O'Reilly makes a good point. Unfortunately, politics being what it is makes it almost impossible to debate the issue since it has been so wrapped up in the American Flag. As a result, it seems to me that the only way to get in what debate there is is to take an extreme position.

I find it interesting that the world view is so different from our own. When Tom Tjaarda was in town we discussed this; he was in the Roland camp in terms of how he viewed America. And he felt that was he pretty representative of his part of the world. I don't mean to cast aspersions on Tom but it demonstrates the point that we are pretty much fighting the battle all by our selves, good or bad.

quote:

I find it interesting that the world view is so different from our own. When Tom Tjaarda was in town we discussed this; he was in the Roland camp in terms of how he viewed America. And he felt that was he pretty representative of his part of the world. I don't mean to cast aspersions on Tom but it demonstrates the point that we are pretty much fighting the battle all by our selves, good or bad.

I guess I can understand that to a degree, but all I ask is the next time there's an earthquake, a tsunami, a flood, etc; these folks should remember how much they despise the United States and don't look for a handout, or even accept one when offered.

we are pretty much fighting the battle all by our selves, good or bad.... I agree with the UK.

But the world will benefit as usual .. at the expence of the US people ..

I do respect others opinions ... but I think every countries hands have been dirty at one time or another ??

cjjtulsa .... you hit it on the head ....

It is my opinion that this is an American issue and we are discussing this in an international forum.
My reaction is, what do you expect, it's not thier issue?

quote:

I guess I can understand that to a degree, but all I ask is the next time there's an earthquake, a tsunami, a flood, etc; these folks should remember how much they despise the United States and don't look for a handout, or even accept one when offered.

The world does not, I believe, despise the United States. Far from it. It is, and has been, a beacon of all that can be good about a country.

Sadly, are actions have strayed far from our ideals. America still talks the talk, but fails miserably in walking the walk; both here and abroad. THAT is what is despised, by those abroad and many of us here at home.

I don't have to like Bush, his cronies or their actions, to love my country.

Larry

I'll agree with that too, although "straying from our ideals" didn't start with the Bush administration. Our politicians haven't been very good at that for decades. Sad thing is, the next round of losers we get stuck in front of us and called candidates won't be any more upstanding than what we have now. We need a Congressional/Legislative/Executive enema.

One last thing and I shut my mouth ... I know I'm not FBI material .. but what most are not aware of is ... Bush Sr. was almost .. assasinated by Suddams hit men ... this is a personal and a personal vendetta of the BUSHES ... well if you tried to kill me father and also threatened my OIL interest in the Middle east I too would make sure you were sentnenced to DEATH ...
So what we have here is a lotta reasons to cure a long history of problems in the middle east which all of a sudden HIT HOME..

For me as I said from the begining it only starts and ends with one man ... my Dad.

Ron

Roland I apologize if I offended you !

Sincerely,

Ron

Yikes!

I like when people speak there minds. It's very American.

The new age men ... they are very sensitive .... LOL

YOU CAN NEVER SAY I DON'T SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. I SUPPORT THEM ANYWHERE THEY ARE IN THIS WORLD, BUT AS SAID BEFORE THIS IS THE BUSHES WAR, BUT NONE OF THE 30 TO 40 BUSH RELATIVES THAT ARE OF MILITARY AGE ARE IN IRAQ OR AFGANASTAN. I GUESS OUR RELATIVES WILL HAVE TO FIGHT IN THERE PLACE. MY DAD FOUGHT IN WW II, BATTLE OF BULGE, OTHER PLACES. LOST A LOT OF FRIENDS IN VIETNAM. I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS TODAY, I SUPPORT BRINGING THEM HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES!!! TODAY!!!!! LET THE IRAQIES RUN IRAQ!!!

quote:

I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS TODAY, I SUPPORT BRINGING THEM HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES!!! TODAY!!!!! LET THE IRAQIES RUN IRAQ!!!

Ditto that!

So sorry (yea right) to see Rumsfeld go.

And come January the new Congress can start impeachment of the bastard that sent them over there.

With Cheney next after Bush.