Fairplay - A New Forum Concept ?

M

Mike H

New member
Gentlemen,

I felt the need to pen an open letter to all concerned about the application of forum policies, and explore if there is any bias at work here.

I have just got through reading the closed thread posted by one mischevious individual named "Dirty Birty" or some such. This was a posting, quite plainly from a fellow Englishman (or Brit if you insist) poking fun at the admittedly shambolic US presidential elections, yawn, I could care less. Now while I have no interest whatsoever in tugging your respective beards about that subject, I have recently had to sit through post after post in this forum about England's joke judicial system, Englands joke crime reporting system, England's Big Brother video surveillance sytems etc etc etc, all posted in a very sarcastic and derisory tone. Now here is a British guy having a little fun at America's expense and suddenly he's called a troll by the "Administrator" and the thread gets closed.

To me, this hardly seems fair. One of the more unfortunate national stereotypes that the English have of the Americans is that you have no moral fibre and will cheat to win at any cost, your elections and alleged wrong doing in Florida is not helping that misconception over here, nor is your administration of this forum. If you are happy to poke fun at the systems of other nations, you should be big enough to tolerate a little leg pulling of your own.

Mike H
 
You mean everyone missed dissing Tony Blair? Or does he spell it Toni? I saw him on TV the other night- talks like a girl, walks like a girl, acts like a girl. He had a nice pink shirt on with the prettiest pink carnation to match. With all his girly ways, I'm surprised that he and Bill Clinton haven't spent more time together...
 
Mike,

This personal opinion does not necessarily reflect the policy of TFL or opinions of our Members.

You say, "...you should be big enough to tolerate a little leg pulling of your own."

Quite true, old chap! (<-- Sorry, couldn't resist! :o )

A large part of the election controversy would be quite funny if there were
not so much at stake - something we hold dear but the rest of the world has
had bred out of them.

Many people feel they are free even though they are not permitted to have
firearms or they have other restrictions upon their lives. Germans, for
example, believe it is proper for the Post to open their letters or for tax assessors to come into their homes to count rooms for taxation purposes.

Our heritage is as dear to us as yours is to you. What many other nations
consider appropriate, we find truly offensive - much more than you folks can
comprehend.

As for our election. The utter stupidity of people who can not fathom a ballot
which would be clear to a sixth-grader is beyond my comprehension.
Therefore, rather than humor, I fear fraud is afoot. And, regardless of your
nationality, voter fraud is no joke.

Remember, Mike, the infamous "butterfly" ballot was approved long before
the election by both major parties. Examples were in the local (appropriate)
newspapers. Nobody had a problem until Gore fell behind - only after the votes were being counted did they claim they were "confused".

Thirdly, every time there is a recount, the same candidate loses votes and
the other candidate gains votes - consistently. It doesn't pass "the smell
test".

Also, although we argue among ourselves, we expect "outsiders" to stay
"outside". Now hang on, let me explain.

In no way can you say all of us Americans have bad mouthed your way of
life. I have, I do, and I will consider the concept of being a “subject” to be
lower and less individualistic than being a “citizen”. I am amazed, puzzled,
and somewhat frightened that British fighting men with whom I drank,
caroused, and chased skirts are so willing to leave themselves powerless and
subservient subjects before those who supposedly represent them.

If I believed my guns caused crime, I would understand; but my guns, to the
best of my knowledge, have been *good* guns - always home by curfew, etc.
;)

If you tell your wife that a dress doesn't flatter her - that may be acceptable.
But for me to do it would be crass (at best).

Few of us bad-mouth you folks - and when we do, it is truly in poor taste.
However, we will bad mouth your subservient attitude, your eagerness to
seek out subservience and, quite frankly, I will continue to disrespect that
single aspect of your civilization while I admit to having great affection and
respect for many British individuals.

As far as being one-sided, you are being remarkably selective.

When Nixon was forced to resign, I listened to members of your Parliament
say things about America, Americans, our way of life and our government
that would have got their butts whipped if they had the nerve, gall, or
stupidity to say things like that in front of most Americans.

When WWII threatened Britain, you called for help. We sent you our
personal weapons, heirlooms, working guns, etc. Our thanks consisted of
jokes such as three things wrong with Americans, “You’re overpaid,
oversexed, and over here.” Many Americans gave their private possessions
and even their lives so that you would not have to learn German. We don’t
expect eternal thanks, but it’s remarkable how soon you forget.

Therefore, my accusatory friend, I feel little remorse when we respond poorly
when denigrated by a proponent of subservience who, in a moment of great
glee, jumps upon a true but temporary anomaly of our republic which is, in so
many ways, more free than any Brit now alive can remember or even fathom.




[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited November 12, 2000).]
 
Great post and right on the money.

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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
 
The thread was closed not because of a little leg pulling from Brits but because of poor responses from us Yankees. Hill closed with a comment of "...dissappointed in you guys".

Shok

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"In 1789, when used without any qualifying adjective, 'the militia' referred to all citizens capable of bearing arms."
Akhil Reed Amar, Yale University
 
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