Serious question about Brit Bashing on Free Republic...

[BritishBulldog]

Just lately (noticeably since the US election result) there seems to be an awful lot of anti-British sentiment on here (there always was a little but I put that down to a handful of xenophobic kiddies)

What I would like to know is do most Freepers now share the low opinion that some (many) on here seem to have of our nation or is it just a small (but very vocal) minority of morons?

I've enjoyed this forum (for the relatively short time that I've contributed) and have always liked Americans in general, but I now find myself reconsidering my thoughts on both.

If we Brits are not liked or wanted around here, I think I'll probably discontinue my involvement.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

[Doogle]

...perhaps you should read some of our heart felt condolences recently given to the Black Watch and their families... like any other concern person or people who dearly love our military.
The response is not to any bloke...it's usually in response to an article in a british tabloid that has been said about our President or the Conservatives in this country.
Don't take anything serious...I still have friends in and around Newbury Berks AND Leicester that I keep in touch with after 32 years.

Doogle

[Rsgood Dsbad]

I read online a recent article by a female Jewish American journalist who recounted a # of vicious anti-American tongue lashings she had recently been subjected to in Britain. It was not clear to what extent, if any, her religion was a factor. What can you tell us about current British (the regular folks) attitudes toward Americans? As far as participation of Brits in Freeping I ,for one welcome it. I am grateful for British participation in Iraq and admire Tony Blair as a man of great courage, since he participated though the war was not popular in Britain.

[Dead Dog]

Were just a bunch of ignorant, bible thumpin', hick "commoners". No need to acknowledge us "Red Staters".

Really "xenophobic kiddies", after all the crap your media pumps out, and the fact that far greater than 49% percent of Brits buy into it, your offended by American's defiance?

Before you start dismissing your critics, you might want to consider the cultural differences (and common Euro/Brit assumptions there of) that fuel them.

[Bon mots]

(Hey, I was only kidding about the food thing... but I couldn't resist!)

:-)

Viva UK!

[Chesterbelloc]

What I would like to know is do most Freepers now share the low opinion...

No I don't, and I'm sure most freepers don't.

Our left loonies are worse than your left loonies...

[max_rpf]

I think that most of the 'republic respects and values GB. I haven't seen what you are referring to, but I will admit I get a kick out of smashing the Guardian and the Mirror (who doesn't). When I do, it is in the same spirit that I would disparage the NY Times or CNN...

You are probably seeing the reactions to the post election headlines, and the Guardian's letter writing campaign. I am sorry if you have been offended. I have always jumped to protect my friends and allies on the forum... I think that people just get a little hot under the collar and 'go off' and don't consider what they are doing...


I have no doubt that the British will always have good friends amongst in this community of ours

Not to change the subject, but a good example is how people have been treating Spain on the forum. I think it is really sad, given that while the pig Zapatero won with the help of the terrorists, there are thousands and thousands of people (Spaniards) that are suffering from his governance far more than any of us...

Here is how one of those "Cowardly" Spaniards feels about our election... (in the WSJ Thursday)

The Triumph of Hope


By JOSE MARIA AZNAR
November 4, 2004; Page A14

Hope has triumphed.

I know that some may be surprised to read this, but I am convinced of the fact.

Hope has triumphed, and with it the confidence of the American people in the values and principles on which our shared civilization on both sides of the Atlantic is based. George W. Bush decided to respond to totalitarian terrorist attacks with a return to basic principles. He could have chosen appeasement. He could have opted for mere rhetoric. He decided not to do so. He decided to oppose brutality with steadfast conviction. Now a wide majority of his people has backed this policy. It has confirmed that there is hope in our way of life, a form of hope that derives its strength from its essential convictions, a hope that is manifested in the desire to defend freedom above all else.

Many took for granted the fact that Mr. Bush would be defeated. They were wrong. The mistake committed by those who create caricatures is that they believe that normal people are going to substitute reality with caricature. The American people have decided that the best option is to offer a new mandate to Mr. Bush. If not, the achievement of these elections would be inexplicable: an extensive margin between the two candidates, in favor of President Bush, in favor of the popular vote; an increase in the number of his senators; a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives. Mr. Bush has managed to consolidate a movement that has been emerging for some years. He has managed to consolidate a natural conservative majority in his country.

George W. Bush has not only had to face the enemies of democracy but also stand up to a front of rejection made up of various different groups, a veritable negative coalition whose only unifying principle was to ensure that he was defeated. Some observers believed that the majority would now pronounce itself to be against the decision to go to Afghanistan and Iraq in order to prevent the terrorist threat from rising. The temptation of comfort and convenience is a powerful one. Our democracies are not especially well prepared for the idea that they are under threat. They are not well prepared to combat an enemy that is as diffuse as it is daring and lethal.

Following the atrocities of September 11, President Bush did not allow himself to be swept away by an understandable sense of rage. I know him well and I know what I am talking about. Afghanistan was a strategic objective in the war on terror, not an act of vengeance. Iraq has served the same purpose.

Mr. Bush's international strategy includes an active policy in favor of peace throughout the most dangerous region on Earth: the Middle East. He has promoted greater political openness and economic liberalization, not to mention values such as religious respect and tolerance. The status quo of a region that has become a hotbed for terrorists and fanatics is no longer acceptable. Far-reaching change is required. And this is what he is pursuing with his initiative for the Greater Middle East. I would say that it is the only option and hope for millions of human beings who are today lost in a climate of desperation and hatred. It is also the only option for our long-term security. This entire policy has been widely backed by the American people.

I believe that Mr. Bush's re-election ushers in a period of hope for the international community. Leaders all around the world can also play their part in defending our democracies and way of life. We have another four years before us and Western leaders can now join the Allied effort to build a safer and freer world. It is true, primitive anti-American feeling and unfounded hostility will make things more difficult for those leaders who have flirted with these tendencies. But the world is now presented with a clear opportunity.

Over the last few months we have witnessed numerous attempts to introduce and exploit issues that have the greatest capacity to create divisions. Power has been abused and a damaging sense of polarization has set in. Hatred has been promoted in the place of understanding. Unity has been replaced with division. It is comforting to see that this strategy has simply mobilized many more millions of Americans, millions of Americans who went to the polls in order to do exactly the opposite. They have voted for a policy based on principles. They have voted for a sincere policy, for a leadership based on convictions. This policy does not shy away from unpleasant realities, but faces up to them, because it knows that this is the only way of overcoming them. This is the lesson that we can all learn: Attempts to create division can be opposed with a policy based on principles. And this policy can be a triumphant one.

Mr. Aznar is Spain's former prime minister.

[Tammy8]

I can't speak for anyone else of course, but my own personal feelings toward the British are mixed.
I feel that your country has been and is now one of our strongest allies. Your country's military has been a major help in Iraq and I for one really appreciate it.

Having said that I have been annoyed at the protests some of the poeple in your country have held, and some of the America bashing/Bush bashing articles that have appeared in your papers where it seems at times the British people support France and Germany's interests more than ours.

I have to remind myself we are not all in agreement in this country either and I should not expect your country to be any different.

I like to see people from other countries post here on FR, it helps to see how others feel about the issues.

[USF]

IMHO, papers like Al Guardian and Al Mirror are staffed by self-haters who hate the traditional British way of life and much as the US, as Lutonian has pointed out.

What they are trying to do is drive a wedge between the British and Americans with their provocation... basically the same goal Al Qaeda is trying to achieve.

I for one will not fall into this trap. Ignore the short sighted knee jerk reactionaries... I do.

And please stay.

[sierrahome]

The last time I was in London (20030 I was surprised at how rude people were to each other...let alone how I was talked to when they discovered my American Accent. You smile, you can be complimentary, you tip well and even ask if you can help! and still 70% of the folks treat you like dirt. I sure know why my ancestors left.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

That would be like him asking you to apologize for CBS

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I wouldn't take it too seriously. There are a few around here who tend to go off half cocked, i.e. over The Guardian trying to butt in on our election, but most FReepers like and respect our cross-Atlantic cousins and value our friendship with England, as well as Australia.

Also, there are quite a few British, Aussie, and Canadian FReepers that make this site fun to be on. We have arguments, but nothing really serious.

Now if you're concerned about bashing the French, I'm all for it!

[GOP_1900AD]

I think there are some folks here who are simply not all that familiar with the UK. They mistake the rhetoric that comes from London liberal factions, or from unassimilated South Asians in the Mid Lands, with the overall opinions of the country. Also, here in the US, what gets written in the Guardian is passed off, by our own liberal media, as "typical" of the UK. We do not always have access here to some of the more Conservative media sources from the UK. So, given all of that, it is quite natural that some folks might write things, out of frustration, which clearly apply to aforementioned factions in The South, but certainly do not apply to the many, righteous, more Conservative people not only in other parts of the UK, but even as a minority in The South.

I personally have spent quite a bit of time in the UK, and love it. I have travelled the world, but always feel like the UK is a very welcoming and friendly place, sharing many of my values, in the main.

Cheers!

GOP

[mlocher]

If we Brits are not liked or wanted around here, I think I'll probably discontinue my involvement

thanks for the post. i certainly do not want to offend our british allies. i have been to the uk numerous times and truly enjoy the people.

what i have seen is a reaction to the liberal british press about some of the things that they have said about bush winning re-election. to be fair, though, we have said the same things about the french media and most of our own media.

true conservatism is always appreciated and welcome. elitist liberals, including most media outlets, that push a socialist policy should go elsewhere.

it was the magna carta, after all, that got things going in the modern world for us conservatives.

[mdittmar]

You mean anti-British sentiment like this;

my heart goes out to their familys and freinds rip
Rest in peace, honored soldiers. Your sacrifice will not go unrewarded.
Prayers to there family.God bless these brave men and their families.
Prayers for their families. More prayers for all the coalition soldiers bravely fighting all over the world.

[pau1f0rd]

wow. I can almost feel my redcoat slipping off. There has been a LOT (we notice it more) of anti-Brit sentiment on FR the last few days, but you guys are so soft you've won me over again. God Bless the Anglosphere

[EDINVA]

we're not noted as being kind to leftists, regardless of race, color, creed or national origin.

You may have noticed a certain amount of anti-New York/California/Massachussetts comments in here? All conservatives, whether from the UK/France/MA/NY .. wherever .. have our sympathies. That's not to stop us from bashing their locale, generally.

The UK sentiments you detected probably have a lot to do with the Guardian and other Fleet Street rags; the pre-election comments of Cheri (v. Tony) Blair didn't help. But whatever you read wasn't against long-suffering Brits like yourself.

[glennherman]

Britain is far more eurosocialist as it was in the 70s and 80s. A majority of Brits think america is the greatest threat to world stability. Why shouldn't we, as americans, just flip y'all the bird? Hmmmm?!

[weegee]

Much of the venom appears to be directed at the writers/editors at the Mirror and Guardian. Andrew Sullivan also has caught flak for endorsing John Kerry.

There are British FReepers who are in very good standing.