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.

[BigSkyFreeper]

If you're referring to the Guardian pleading citizens in Ohio to vote for Kerry, that ploy backfired. Every citizen who was contacted voted for Bush.

[Cogadh na Sith]

I've visited there more than a few times. I've got great respect for the culture and history...

but I don't like being called 'stupid', 'xenophobic', 'a right-wing nut', 'a gun nut' for honestly voting in favor of my own country's culture and history.

I am not a Citizen of the World. I'm an American.

I am a proud American and I won't stand for having my country gratuitously insulted--and personally insulted--by a narrow-minded group of indoctrinated sheeple of a once-great island nation.

[sierrahome]

We didn't like The Guardian's meddling in the election. We didn't like that column suggesting that someone step forward and do the world a favor by assassinating GW. That's been the nub of Brit bashing lately, and it doesn't seem outre. So take heart, pull up a chair, and make yourself at home.

EXACTLY

[Bahbah]

I think any Brit bashing is specifically targeted at the American haters at The Guardian, The Mirror, the Beeb and their ilk. People just don't preface every reaction with a disclaimer about all the rest of the Brits who are not represented by their remarks. Just my 2 cents.

[Mears]

I haven't personally seen any Brit bashins-----I love the UK and have visited 5 tomes.

But,and it's a big but,I resnted the Guardian trying to influence the Ohio vote,I resented Brooker of the Guardian wishing for the assassination of Bush,and I resented the headlines of one of your tabloids calling the American voters idiots.

[hershey]

Bulldogs are cute.

[FreedomCalls]

It's because of this kind of stuff coming from your side:

And the unrelenting attack on the US from the Guardian (too numerous to list).

Will you apologize for the actions of your press corps?

[tiamat]

After the Guardian pen-pal thing, there were a LOT of nasty posts and pics, depicting "Yellow-Toothed Limeys", "Tea-Sipping Pansies", etc.


He's got a point.

[IWONDR]

MEGA DITTO!

[Arkinsaw]

I love Margaret Thatcher, the Black Watch, the guys who stormed ashore on D-Day, Tony Blair, Winston Churchill, and thousands more. I work with a lot of Brits and they are great.

I don't like most members of Tony Blair's party, I don't like the Daily Mirror, and I don't like Neville Chamberlain.

I like the Queen and William, but not Prince Charles so much. My favorite is Prince Andrew. I admire the Royal Navy, the SAS, and the Royal Marines especially.

So, its a mixed bag.

[Centurion2000]

It's not the British people .. they seem mostly decent (if a bit boring)

The British LABOR party on the other hand ......

[Final Authority]

You haven't read anything I said about "Page3" have you? I love the Brits, especially all of those on Page3.

[6ppc]

Any bashing is in response to the outrageous views published in your liberal press, i.e. Guardian etc.

We have the greatest respect for Tony Blair (despite his being a liberal) and your armed forces, as well as the sensible folks who support the war on terror.

[myself6]

Its NOT England or YOU that we are pissed at.

Ill ask you a question in return that might help clear this up.

Is the anti-american anti_bush CRAP coming out of GB only a VERY LOUD minority or is it indicative of the entire country?

[Straight Vermonter]

Don't run. I think the usual anti-Brit sentiment on here is just a reaction to the obnoxious lefty media in your country.

Hey, it could be worse you could get all of the hassles I get by being from Vermont.

[quadrant]

A few random thoughts about American complaints.
We know the British government and people stand beside us, as we stood beside you when you invaded the Falklands Islands.
Unlike the French government, the British government has never attempted to sabotage US policy.
If memory serves, the British government backed the US during the Vietnam War, even though the war was opposed by millions of Britons.

[larryav8r]

I haven't seen any brit bashing either. However, recent headlines in the Mirror and other Brit tabloids definitely have been bashing America (at least the 52% who voted for Bush).

I don't for an instant think those tabloids represent all of British opinion, much like the mainstream US media doesn't represent all of US opinion. You might simply have seen a few responses to those tabloids.

Whatever the case, stick around.

[jwalsh07]

Don't act like a poodle Bulldog.

I'll speak for myself and my family. The British have been steadfast allies since the inception of the 20th Century. We honor those of your soldiers who have served with ours and always will.

We despise those in your country who worship at the altar of socialism and we laugh at the Euro view of the unsophisticated American with our Luddite views.

In short there are Brits we can't stand and those we feel a kinship to. But that isn't Brit specific, its ideological.

I do have a question for you though. What ever possessed the citizens of your country to allow the government to disarm them?

[Dogrobber]

Ok, there has been some Brit bashing - all of it in response to the anti-Bush, anti-American ranting of the Guardian and the Mirror. Attack Americans, call them idiots and the like and the rest of us are going to turn on you like Dobies on meat.

Hell, we can't actually be too anti-Brit; Maggie Thatcher came from your little isle. Any place that elected the Iron Lady to be Prime Minister can't be all bad (although you still drink your beer too warm and drive on the wrong side of the road).

[Michael Goldsberry]

You can be revolting at times, true, but I'm still going to think of you as a good kitty.