New Sports Bar

[TomUK]

This is all getting a little bit too serious for me!
Suffice to say that my comment about the SOME Americans not being too aware of goings on outside America is based upon the fact that when you get in conversation with them, they don't seem to have a great knowledge about what's going on in other countries of the world, apart from wars and natural disasters. Perhaps it's the stuff they are fed on TV and the like, but all they seem to want to talk about is Windsor Castle, Princess Diana, Sarah Ferguson, et al. One lady at a party was surprised that we had Chrysler Voyagers, Hummers, stretch limos, etc. over here. She thought that with our 'narrow winding lanes' we wouldn't have anything bigger than a Honda Civic available. Yesterday, Tony Blair faced a special committee giving his reasons for invading Iraq. The two US channels, Fox and CNN didn't even mention it, whereas other country's channels such as France 24, Al Jezera, etc. all gave full reports.

I think most of us know more about the USA than they do about us, but perhaps that's because they are a massive country with influence worldwide.

[laserblazer]

Without generalising, I've found a lot of Americans and South Africans who have limited local geography let alone knowing anything about the world. Mind you, I couldn't draw a map of New York showing Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens etc. I've been there once and it is a great city.

[shanagarry]

Laserblazer - you are probably very right with your assessment - the point I was making is that the Brits will be conspicuous by their appalling behaviour (as per all previous World Cups - where they qualified) whereas the majority will be conspicuous by their well behaved supporters being set upon by drunken Brits

[dodger]

Laserblazer - you are probably very right with your assessment - the point I was making is that the English will be conspicuous by their appalling behaviour (as per all previous World Cups - where they qualified) whereas the majority will be conspicuous by their well behaved supporters being set upon by drunken English

Errrrr,fixed that for you.

[laserblazer]

Fixed what? I wasn't aware anything was broken

[shanagarry]

Dodger - apologies - it's unfair to 'tar' all Brits with the English brush - how careless of me to get that wrong

Incidentally - will Andy Murray be Scottish or British in the morning

[shanagarry]

Tom - I believe the average American has little time for the events that surrounded the Bush presidential years and probably treat anybody who sided with him as a pariah - Blair in this case - and of course they are 100% correct. A bigger example of a lying, conceited, selfish bigot it would be difficult to imagine exists - but he is living proof of all that is wrong with politicians and their self-aggrandisement - to the detriment of the rest of us. Aren't the American public the lucky ones to be saved from having to watch him.

I spend a lot of time in America and agree that geography is not the average American's strongest suit and don't appear to be too bothered where the rest of us are either. I guess they have enough to contend with as their hopes that Obama was to be the new 'messiah' hasn't worked out as they hoped as he ends his first year in office. The one good thing he (Obama) appears to have done is to 'ditch' Brown - putting the 'special relationship' nonsense in its rightful place. As Brown clings 'limpet-like' to power it is clear to see that the rest of the civilised world is at long last distancing itself from the total waste of skin he is - that is apart from the equally despicable and unelected Hamid Karzai - peas in a pod - both long past their sell by date.

[campos]

To everyone who reply to the new Sports Bar advert
only ask as a joke for memorabiliar not to a few of you to having a go at me and each other sorry you all are welcome to come for a drink next month to the bar and them make youre opinion!

[Gary/Gaynor]

As said in my previous emails, I hope it\s a great success as CVO can do with all the business it can get. Also if Pompey go bankrupt, there's a few of my Gary's shirts and scarves that I can donate
When we are out in June I'm sure Gary will take a wander up and you never know maybe I will just pop head around the door too.
GOOD LUCK!!
The Ingrams

[SJ & RE]

You will hopefully get used to us Campros.
None having a go at you, all think its great you are giving it the go ahead, and I am sure a lot of us will visit to help boost the coffers for you and your enterprise.
We, well some of us were just saying that the bar where you went to chat and have a drink are far more becoming themed, tv ,sports etc orientated places and not to our cup of tea. But for some it is.
Good luck, we will visit.

[shanagarry]

Campos - Don't let any of the exchanges on here deter you - they are not directed at your business - they are expressions of our individual preferences - go for it - I wish you every success with your new venture - I will certainly come by to support you.

[cereza]

Tom - I believe the average American has little time for the events that surrounded the Bush presidential years and probably treat anybody who sided with him as a pariah - Blair in this case - and of course they are 100% correct. A bigger example of a lying, conceited, selfish bigot it would be difficult to imagine exists - but he is living proof of all that is wrong with politicians and their self-aggrandisement - to the detriment of the rest of us. Aren't the American public the lucky ones to be saved from having to watch him.

I fully agree with your second sentence but differ on your first one. Because of their lack of knowledge of world affairs the mainstream US public bought the story that Iraq was connected to 9/11 and backed the war. They see Blair as a bit of a hero because he supported Bush and they don't understand why we continue to have enquiries - they even decorated him for it!. Blair himself has said that he is feted in America but hated in his own country. In Fridays questioning Blair even tried to make a link between Sadaam and 9/11 but this won't wear in the UK as most people are too informed to believe it.

On the sports bar theme - good luck to them - anyone who opens a bar without TV sport is facing an uphill struggle.

[shanagarry]

Cereza - the Americans I am involved with are certainly aware of the difference between 9/11 and and Iraq - as they are Afghanistan, The Taliban and Al Qaeda - any connection is remote - in all cases. As far as they are concerned - Bush took them into a war and it must have been right because his 'mate' Blair backed him. They despise Bush and all he stood for - they are not too enamoured with non-entity Blair either - but given a choice they prefer him over Bush. The way things are over there just now - they prefer him over Obama.

Teflon man (Blair) has every justification to feel vilified in this country - his policies put us on the slippery slope which Brown has continued sliding down since he inherited the poison chalice. The problem being there is 'no grit' on that slope and the sliding will continue for some time yet.

You are probably right about the TV Sport - it doesn't mean we have to like it.

[cereza]

Cereza - the Americans I am involved with are certainly aware of the difference between 9/11 and and Iraq

You obviously are involved with far more intelligent Americans than I am

[EMM]

We spent a fair amount of time in the states during the lead up to both gulf wars and can assure you that certainly after 9/11 the average ( and they could be regarded as well educated ) americans that we came into contact with drew no distinction between Saddam and al quaieda.

Neither did the popular american media.
The americans were paranoid on the day of the 9/11 attacks on new york and washington in central colorado which we know well, supermarkets had a run on food as did petrol stations, local dams had military patrols placed on them.

They were amazed at how relaxed the Brits they came into contact with are about such things and how distrustfull we are of goverment.