I'm a long time Anglophile. Everything from the old Book of Common Prayer to punkers, from lawn bowling to bangers-and-mash, warm beer and Scots whisky without the "e", the British Museum, the Tate Gallery, and the Tower of London, from the Highlands and the Isle of Bute to Cornwall and Dover.. Well, everything but their dumber econ ideas (roughly everything since Adam Smith died, but especially the idiocies of Keynes). (Oddly, I've also had a sort of thing for the Bloomsbury Group; would loved to have hung out with Woolf, Keynes, et al.)

As for the rest, well I'm a historian so Europe's got a lot going for it. And I've almost enjoyed Europeans whenever I've found myself hanging out with them -- give me a European of any class over your average USA academic, yes, please. Even the French (sorry, foster).

On the other hand, IMO, I think the last place we should be looking on economic matters is Europe. The fact that they like Obama's idiocies reminds me that they're as out of touch as we are on this side of the pond.

If I were independently wealthy, I'd spend lots of time in Europe. If I were young and seeking to become more prosperous, I'd avoid much of it save as places to spend some discretionary income.

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Lovely people, and the place is rich in history...which is the one course I could never get enough of during my entire scholastic years...so it is quite appealing as far as a place to visit, and people with whom to discuss issues for an alternate take on things. Never had a bad experience visiting the place.

That said, Europe's glory days are getting smaller in the rear view mirror, and it will soon be lost entirely as the nations, and continent as a whole, continue to accomodate and kiss ass to a immigration wave that does not wish to mingle nicely. Add to that an economic structure that stifles investment, productivity and innovation, and the problem accelerates. And finally...we saved their ass twice in the WWs...you would at least think their "mighty leaders" could summon the stones to handle the Kosovo matter some years ago (oh, by the way...did you get from the news that the ugly response of the locals was predicated on Muslim aggression? Didn't think so...), but no...once again, the good ol' U.S. of A. must clean up their mess.

Europe is like the little brother who wishes to hang with the big kids.....sounds good until the big kids play rough and junior runs home whining how mean and nasty big brother is. Lots of wishing and envy...but not the means to back it up.

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Well having lived in wisconsin for most of my life (37 years old)(and if not there the midwest) ... Ive lived in london the past 2.5 years and it has been an eye opening experience.

Very glad I came here; I can meet peopel from all over the world just going into central london and striking up conversations.

IMO both countries ie britain and the US have thier pluses and minuses. IMO we should have people with politcial power with experience to combine all the good from different places into one.

Ive only been to the netherlands on a short trip so far since being in the UK - work has me tied down pretty good. So cant make too many comments on other european countries.

Majorca, Spain can stay too. We counting that?

Palma de Mallorca is a hell of a nice place.

If any of you get a chance to go there, that would be amongst my recommendation for one of the top spots on this here planet.

Spain is next on my list...thanks for the heads up on Majorca, dfosterf.

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I'm pretty sure this is the tour I took. I don't remember anything about any damn lunch, either. Free Booze 

Oh, they can CALL it a wine-tasting tour if they want to, but let me tell ya...

Every single one of those wineries had barrels of hard-liquor to sample as well.

I bagged the wine mid-way through the first winery, which is why I don't remember any 3 course lunch, lol

The bus started out with everyone quiet as a mouse, taking in the scenery, whispered conversations between couples, etc.

By the time that bus got back to Palma, I think we had wet t-shirt contests going, people hangin' on the bus driver (and one another, lol)

I don't remember how much it was, but it was damn close to free. (They are trying to get you to buy the pluck, not in a time-share pitch kinda way, just a "spiel" ) Supposedly some of the best wine to be had anywhere. I wouldn't know, I was bellied up to the real booze...lol started out with a winery-supplied itty bitty thimble lookin' "sampler" glass...vaguely recall buying either a stein or a carafe somewhere along the way...

Sorry to go off on one of my (many) tangents, but it would be a SIN to go to Majorca and not take that tour, imo. :thumbleft:

The last time was on vacation. I had been there many times before, it is a port of call for the US Navy.
<---- see that rotating globe on the avatar? Throw a dart at it. Odds are good I have been there. I am a retired US Marine, we ride on their (The US Navy's) boats and tell them how good they look in their cute little outfits. (This is a bit of humor directed at another member of this forum)

I have been on 5 "Med Cruises" in my career. You hit all the ports on the Med. I have also been on two "NATO" cruises, which takes you to points north, mostly the North Atlantic...(What is your city---Oostenda?)that and taking some leave are the European experiences...there are more, but not germane to this thread.

In the event of WW3, hopefully with the Russkies, I seem to recall it will be the U.S. Marines that are partly responsible for the Flanders part of your little neck of the woods....That's you guys, right?

I could come visit. We'll try and not blow your country up when we get even with those commie bastards, but collateral damage is always a risk.


j/k

:thumbleft:

What any 'JarHead' won't admit though is the following..




In other words.. they are the Navy little b....... ahh.. I will just leave it at that.. :lol:

J/K...

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never been...would love to hit Ireland before i die. other than that, i really don't have much of an opinion. although, we met TONS of europeans on our honeymoon in mexico - all were very nice people.

I have nothing against Europe. But the "one world government" that is taking over Europe that will be here soon has me worried.
Of course i'm not surprised.....God said it would happen.
As far as us being involved in wars. Unfortunately there are bad people out there, which if they are left alone, will try to take over the world. Just think along the lines of Adolph Hitler. There were plenty of "bleeding hearts" that didn't want the U.S. to get involved in WW2 either. They protested just like they do now. Yes, it would be great if everyone got along and "played nice". But truth is, it will NEVER be that way. Just look at North Korea and the nut job running that place, with nukes.
SOMEONE has to fight back against the bullies of the world. It's always been us. And everyone wants to turn their backs on us, and act like they are better then us...........of course until one of those nutjobs attacks them, and THEN who do you think they come to begging for help? Yup....the United States.
Lets see what France does when some country decides to attack them.


We get looked down at.....till we are needed. Then all of the sudden we are loved again.
Thats how i feel, at least.

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