belushi you can put any kind of spin on it you want but had it not been for the U.S. involvement you would be goose stepping today. And as a matter of reference the only country to ever repay it's war debt to the U.S. in full was Finland. The rest were written off. And for the nuking of Japan, if it saved one American life it was worth it. Don't expect me or any American to apologize for defeating an enemy. We didn't start that war but we sure as hell ended it.

I think the possibilities of us all speaking Russian are far greater than German.
The situation with Finland is unique in a few ways. I still don't understand why they paid the US a thin dime. They were in a tough spot fighting the Russians when Germany "offered" help to fight a common enemy.. What choice did they have seeing as how they were outnumbered 10 to 1 and with very little for arms.
Why is it that the American Gov. profited from this? Did someone get greedy? Certain people in the US made huge profits from that war and likely from others before and definately from ALL others since.
Funny thing about history, it depends on what rhetoric or propaganda you want to listen to. The truth is out there if you want to find it.

If 85 % of Americans dont have a passport, and I dont doubt that, its because they dont want one and have not needed one.

That will probably change though now out of necessity since if we go to Canada or Mexico we will need it to get back in country!

For years that wasn't the case however. All we had to do was state our Nationality at the border to travel back and forth to Canada or Mexico! We were able to take inexpensive tours to many exotic caribbean Islands as well without a passport! I'm not sure now though!

Hell I can still go to California without a passport. That's like the British traveling from London to Greece or better. How many times do you need to show your passport to do that?

Along the way I will see vast areas rich in Agriculture, history, and natural wonders that would make your head spin! Strange and beautiful wildlife, Prairies, deserts, and the majestic Rocky mountains! The Gulf coast, the Mississippi River, the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon, the Black hills of South Dakota, Las Vegas, and finish up with bikini clad babes on beaches by the Pacific Ocean, and that's only a small part of the lower 48!

Still, thousands if not millions of us have been to Europe in Military service guarding the border to the Eastern bloc! Forty some years of maintaining the backbone of NATO during the cold war begins to add up! I was there for 28 months and could go anywhere in Europe with nothing more than my military ID. I could even drive with no license, just my military ID!

Americans and the British will never agree on WWII. I believe it goes back to Patton, Bradley and Monty, when to appease Churchill, Ike gave too much Authority and responsibility to Monty. (EGO)

Everyone knows that when Monty floundered the forces in Normandy with his apprehension, it took Patton to make the break out! Seriously though!!!

Yep...we dont exist.....interesting...

A number of international posters acknowledge different countries, share perspectives....even open to other perspectives....but hmmmm....not much ackowledgement for them from the US posters to these forums...


Oh unless it's lifestyle and beaches, and barbeques....insignificant really...

SO what is outside your county's door?...

Less surprises for the common man, if they do look.

Well, you have to fiqure too. What is 15% of say 350 million? Thats like 52.5 million! Thats a lot really!

Is that county, jess or country?

Country, Fanta...however , County is a great place to start for some..

England-50,431,700 total population!!

Oh wow, I just looked it up from London to Tel Aviv is 2219 miles, From here to los angeles is 2429 miles!!

Does the average American have any idea how vast their own country actually is? Or how big any nation in Europe is. Or how big Australia or Canada is? Has the average American ever left the state they live in? Have they even travelled around in their own country? Serious questions! I'm not trying to poke fun at anyone.
I feel there's a serious lack of education about the rest of the globe in the US.
I'll never understand why it is that any nation on the planet would want to keep the population of their own country in the dark.
Is this happening in America or is it just an ill concieved perception?

Fun Facts--Land area comparisons:

UK---slightly smaller than Oregon

France---slightly less than the size of Texas

Germany---slightly smaller than Montana

Netherlands---slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Spain---slightly more than twice the size of Oregon

Italy---slightly larger than Arizona


This is an interesting one!

European Union---less than one-half the size of the US!

Now when you think of immigration, think of how many people from Florida immigrate here to NC, or Kansas to NY!

When you think about comparing Education, think about One US state to another. Im sure theres a difference, sometimes a major difference!

Put things in perspective when you talk about America!

Yep, Australia doesn't exist...thanks fanta....lucky I don't take things that personally..

Ill concieved perception kid. S. Carolinians knowing about Michigan is the equivalant to someone in London knowing about Germany!

Its not just ill concieved it down right wrong. I am familiar with 50 countries here in the US, and 20 maybe more World wide!

Americans, many at the age of ten can name the state and capital of all 50 states, the equivalant of 50 countries. How many Europeans can claim that!

It does!!! Australia does exist!! You're living proof of it too!

Australia at a glance:

* 770 million hectares total land area (or 7.7 million square km)
* 5% of the world's land mass
* 6th largest country
* 20 million people




Pretty insignificant really...nothing much to mention....

Sorry Fanta
I'm not buying it. I've spent months in the US and met too many people that didn't have a clue. They might be able to name all the capitals of the states but outside of that it's pretty slim.
I know that your average European DOES have more education about the rest of the planet than your average American. I was just curious as to why.

Australia is huge jess. slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states!

I dont know a single American that doesnt relate to Australia. That may not work both ways though, but I suspect it does for the most part!

Generally speaking, Americans dont talk about or put down European Nations!

They do us though, but I call it the Elvis effect!!

I find that so very interesting Fanta...Americans relate to Australians, and visa versa..not dnying nor agreeing, I can only speak for me...I try to relate to EVERYONE.


And yet our modern, (1770 - 2007) heritage is British...we are part of the Commonwealth...part of the Motherland...yep...Queen Elizabeth II is our monarch, too..

and also as vastly multi-cultural and the UK..

Thats bull**** kid! Ive been there and I dont buy it. Languages are not a true test of intelligence! If anything they are a great divider, look at what they've done for Europe! Two major wars should come to mind!

How many Europeans can name 50 countries and their capatial?

Who leads the world in technological and medical advances?

Japan?

Jess, like us you were an oppressed people seeking a better life! A new start only we fought for our independence and Australia was a giant Prison where people were sent to live or die!

Not!!! Japan!!! Although McArthur did do a good job rebuilding them! Most of the technology coming from there is ours!