Don't get me wrong. I realise there's good and bad in every action. Had there not been a British Empire, the many people that currently inhabit the UK successfully would not have had that chance in life being born in other parts of the Empire. But then there would not have race riots here, as there have been, nor would there be the current Muslim angst, as the majority of Muslims are of Asian ir Indian subcontinent descent, and there would be few Muslims... Whose to say what would stand in it's place or how history would have panned out? Without the civilising influence of Rome, and the Norman conquest, Britain itself may not have developed to gain it's own Empire. <br><br>But that's history and perspectives on history can differ wildly. There is never an excuse for agressive action unless it is defensive and, like a lot of people, I don't feel the US actions since 9/11 have been justified.<br><br>So I'm not as cut and dried as to have a fundamental nationalism at heart. I don't need to see my nation differently. It just angers me to see the injustices being perpertrated here in the name of the "war against terrorism" and the economy being driven into the war machine when as rich as we are, the money could still be better used improving the lot of the poor.<br><br>And my Japanese friend is just a product of her own experiences and frustrations, but immensely intelligent and good at heart. I find her nationalism unpalatable at times but I try to take a few steps in her shoes and understand where she is coming from. <br><br>You seem to be one of the good guys here. Celadine and you could be the Lone Ranger and Tonto, in this Wild West of a forum. Can you afford silver bullets?<br><br>

That's it for you, isn't: slanging. You have nothing of any real substance to say. Hey, if you're really bored I know some punctuation games you could amuse yourself with! :)<br><br>

Where's the time for the soapbox? (Holding hand up) But yes, I made an arse of myself because I didn't realise what I was doing. But I think that a lot of the reactions here were also so 'arseworthy' as to make me think twice about posting again. But there's a few people here (and I emphasise few) who are actually interesting and who might be good to know if they could get past their extravagant use of slanging.<br><br>

It's good. <br><br>Hang on a minute here guys (said the newbie): You are two of the nicest people here and you don't get on????? Am I in some kind of online Dante's Inferno? It has to be hell when the decent folk don't get on. I had you both pegged as the Lone Ranger and Tonto. You two were like my Mum and Dad here... (sobs).<br><br>

Oh and Americans are such good guys they have never stolen anything in their lives! HAHAHAHAHA!<br><br>US citizensare constantly illegally downloading stuff. I would hazard a guess that simply becasue your nation is large that the problem is bigger there than anywhere else. But I wasn't talking about the American people as such, I was talking about your government, which is why I brought up all that empire stuff.<br><br>You bang on about the theft issue of piracy way after I said what I did was stupid if a little naive. But you can't let it drop. You accuse without even trying to find out who I am, which is your biggest negative. You would absolutely useless on a jury, full of bile and unable to get past your own anger. It's like you are some kind of Avenging Angel way after the problem has been diagnosed and cured but no you have to keep jumping up and down on the issue, keeping it going. Your posts are full of hate and that's the real problem isn't it? maybe you have nowhere else to go and be hateful except online. <br><br>Most people discuss a problem, make up or break up. But you just have to keep the problemn alive. Get over it and have something interesting to say, even if it does mean bringing in the Roman empire. What's wrong with intelligent discourse? <br><br>Here's a tip: You don't have to respond at all you know, let alone make a comment about reponding. You sound like you are 12 years old. Apologies, maybe you are and that's why you can't handle interesting discussion. I'd say around now adolescence must be kicking in whcih explains all the anger and the dog-with-a-bone attitude. Sorry, if I'd known this was the case, I'd have kept the language simpler and the metaphors out.<br><br>

A couple of us were willing to move past this thread — sorry Paul, it IS a stupid thread AFAIC — and your ill conceived request, and invited you to participate in the Political Soapbox so you could give vent to your opinions. 'Nuther words, a fresh start. <br><br>Yet you continue to whine incessantly about how you've been set upon by all the Ugly Americans here. Fact is you were way out of line and got hammered for it. Just as you did in the Adobe forum (and I might add that if posting a link to this thread wasn't an example of bad form and a juvenile attitude, I don't know what is).<br><br>So here's a few tips for you, Zugzaroo: Stop trying to justify your mistake. Stop making blanket assumptions. And especially stop accusing others of being childish when you evidently aren't mature enough to take your lumps and move on to more relevant issues. <br><br>Either bring your political opinions to the proper forum, as has been suggested several times, or STFU! Is that simple and metaphor-free enough for you?<br><br>

Maybe we ALL need to step back & take a (few) deep breaths here.<br><br>If you wish to join in a more non aggressive venue, and try to start over<br>and see where it goes from there.... join in on the conversations in "the<br>Lounge area".... get to know "the natives" and let us get a better look at <br>you, BEFORE jumping into "THE PIT" (aka "The Political Soapbox") where<br>things can RAPIDLY get out of hand over domestic politicing, let alone<br>foreign (outside) opinions of our domestic politicing . <br><br>As you may well imagine, it can be a trifle touchy, and about as welcome<br>as any stranger taking sides in a any domestic squabble, particularly since <br>you don't know us as individuals, or who and what we individually support. <br>Let me be the first to assure you that NOT All Americans are entirely alike. <br><br><br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>But I think that a lot of the reactions here were also so 'arseworthy' <p><hr></blockquote><p>Get to know us! <br><br><br><br>

He has already figured out most of us are arseworthy (except for Steve blushing). <br><br>Sounds like he as already gotten to know us quite well. He certainly has figured out I am the designated JackAss.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

"He certainly has figured out I am the designated JackAss"<br><br>We're taking shifts aren't we? Think I'm next in the rotation....<br><br>We are what we repeatedly do. -Aristotle