Quote from: ducktapehero on November 16, 2009, 05:07:06 PM but it's like saying that one prison is nicer than another. Some are here you get no congenial visits
but it's like saying that one prison is nicer than another.
Quote from: John on November 16, 2009, 05:18:46 PMQuote from: ducktapehero on November 16, 2009, 05:07:06 PM but it's like saying that one prison is nicer than another. Some are here you get no congenial visits Here in the US we get our conjugal visit by Uncle Sam every April 15th.
Quote from: DaveK on November 16, 2009, 12:06:28 AMAs soon as I read that, my first thought was. Yeah, right - of course that's what happened.We don't live in a police state, and I firmly believe that we live in the most democratic and free environment in the civilised world, here in the UK. We invented the concept in fact. I've lived abroad and couldn't wait to get back.You think?I'd argue that the US, Canada, Australia or even Switzerland are more free and equally democratic. Y'all have a lot of leftovers from the monarchy. Land access, right to weapons, freedom from government intrusion into your life. (And the Swiss have been Monarch free for a VERY long time...)
As soon as I read that, my first thought was. Yeah, right - of course that's what happened.We don't live in a police state, and I firmly believe that we live in the most democratic and free environment in the civilised world, here in the UK. We invented the concept in fact. I've lived abroad and couldn't wait to get back.
I don't think any of us are TRULY "free". Some may be more free compared to others but it's like saying that one prison is nicer than another.
Quote from: Mr. Whippy on November 16, 2009, 04:55:02 PMQuote from: DaveK on November 16, 2009, 12:06:28 AMAs soon as I read that, my first thought was. Yeah, right - of course that's what happened.We don't live in a police state, and I firmly believe that we live in the most democratic and free environment in the civilised world, here in the UK. We invented the concept in fact. I've lived abroad and couldn't wait to get back.You think?I'd argue that the US, Canada, Australia or even Switzerland are more free and equally democratic. Y'all have a lot of leftovers from the monarchy. Land access, right to weapons, freedom from government intrusion into your life. (And the Swiss have been Monarch free for a VERY long time...)You know the Queen has as much to say about the running of the UK as she does Canada and Australia, right? I'm going to tread very lightly here as this is awfully close to a political discussion and you know what Grant gets like when we talk politics.(Image removed from quote.)
Freedom is an unusual condition in human society. Tyranny, oligarchy, and autocracy are much more common.Throughout history most people have tended to prefer strong, somewhat repressive governments over freedom.Even today, many people will gladly trade away their freedom for govenrment health care, welfare benefits, tougher policing, etc.
Quote from: ringzero on November 16, 2009, 05:44:30 PMFreedom is an unusual condition in human society. Tyranny, oligarchy, and autocracy are much more common.Throughout history most people have tended to prefer strong, somewhat repressive governments over freedom.Even today, many people will gladly trade away their freedom for govenrment health care, welfare benefits, tougher policing, etc.Yep, and it's sad that we're living in a period that true freedom is dying. It's just like the Rome in its dying days, the citizens don't care about the declining moral values or the "barbarians at the gate". Just give us our gladiator games and make sure we have it easy.
Quote from: Gareth on November 16, 2009, 05:36:10 PMQuote from: Mr. Whippy on November 16, 2009, 04:55:02 PMQuote from: DaveK on November 16, 2009, 12:06:28 AMAs soon as I read that, my first thought was. Yeah, right - of course that's what happened.We don't live in a police state, and I firmly believe that we live in the most democratic and free environment in the civilised world, here in the UK. We invented the concept in fact. I've lived abroad and couldn't wait to get back.You think?I'd argue that the US, Canada, Australia or even Switzerland are more free and equally democratic. Y'all have a lot of leftovers from the monarchy. Land access, right to weapons, freedom from government intrusion into your life. (And the Swiss have been Monarch free for a VERY long time...)You know the Queen has as much to say about the running of the UK as she does Canada and Australia, right? I'm going to tread very lightly here as this is awfully close to a political discussion and you know what Grant gets like when we talk politics.(Image removed from quote.) House of Lords still gets a say though, right? That's a remnant of the monarchy.Plus, I was under the impression that much of the rural lands are in private hands in the UK.
One thing, in you're in the US and you think you truly own land, skip paying "rent" (property taxes) and see how long it belongs to you.
And I thought it was bad here. All hail the USSUKR!!
Quote from: Gareth on November 16, 2009, 05:36:10 PMQuote from: Mr. Whippy on November 16, 2009, 04:55:02 PMQuote from: DaveK on November 16, 2009, 12:06:28 AMAs soon as I read that, my first thought was. Yeah, right - of course that's what happened.We don't live in a police state, and I firmly believe that we live in the most democratic and free environment in the civilised world, here in the UK. We invented the concept in fact. I've lived abroad and couldn't wait to get back.You think?I'd argue that the US, Canada, Australia or even Switzerland are more free and equally democratic. Y'all have a lot of leftovers from the monarchy. Land access, right to weapons, freedom from government intrusion into your life. (And the Swiss have been Monarch free for a VERY long time...)You know the Queen has as much to say about the running of the UK as she does Canada and Australia, right? I'm going to tread very lightly here as this is awfully close to a political discussion and you know what Grant gets like when we talk politics.(Image removed from quote.) House of Lords still gets a say though, right? That's a remnant of the monarchy.Plus, I was under the impression that much of the rural lands are in private hands in the UK. A significantly different situation in the US, Canada, Australia, etc where the land belongs to the people.
I heard that in the UK you don't vote for your prime minister you just vote for a party.
Quote from: Mr. Whippy on November 16, 2009, 05:48:17 PMQuote from: Gareth on November 16, 2009, 05:36:10 PMQuote from: Mr. Whippy on November 16, 2009, 04:55:02 PMQuote from: DaveK on November 16, 2009, 12:06:28 AMAs soon as I read that, my first thought was. Yeah, right - of course that's what happened.We don't live in a police state, and I firmly believe that we live in the most democratic and free environment in the civilised world, here in the UK. We invented the concept in fact. I've lived abroad and couldn't wait to get back.You think?I'd argue that the US, Canada, Australia or even Switzerland are more free and equally democratic. Y'all have a lot of leftovers from the monarchy. Land access, right to weapons, freedom from government intrusion into your life. (And the Swiss have been Monarch free for a VERY long time...)You know the Queen has as much to say about the running of the UK as she does Canada and Australia, right? I'm going to tread very lightly here as this is awfully close to a political discussion and you know what Grant gets like when we talk politics.(Image removed from quote.) House of Lords still gets a say though, right? That's a remnant of the monarchy.Plus, I was under the impression that much of the rural lands are in private hands in the UK. A significantly different situation in the US, Canada, Australia, etc where the land belongs to the people.Well the House of Lords is a body that has very limited power, at most that can delay some bills by up to a year but no more and often less. But I will concede that the notion is outdated.I'm not quite sure I understand the difference you are making in land ownership? Yes someone owns pretty much every bit of the UK, but then we are a very small island and most of our rural land is given over to farming of one kind or another. That's not to say we have no access to the majority of the land it's just that we need to be respectful of the fact it isn't ours. I know that I wouldn't be at all happy if someone walked through my garden, had a fire and broke my fences, all the while claiming they had the right to be there. I'm pretty sure this would hold true in the US as well.
Quote from: Gareth on November 16, 2009, 06:27:14 PMQuote from: Mr. Whippy on November 16, 2009, 05:48:17 PMQuote from: Gareth on November 16, 2009, 05:36:10 PMQuote from: Mr. Whippy on November 16, 2009, 04:55:02 PMQuote from: DaveK on November 16, 2009, 12:06:28 AMAs soon as I read that, my first thought was. Yeah, right - of course that's what happened.We don't live in a police state, and I firmly believe that we live in the most democratic and free environment in the civilised world, here in the UK. We invented the concept in fact. I've lived abroad and couldn't wait to get back.You think?I'd argue that the US, Canada, Australia or even Switzerland are more free and equally democratic. Y'all have a lot of leftovers from the monarchy. Land access, right to weapons, freedom from government intrusion into your life. (And the Swiss have been Monarch free for a VERY long time...)You know the Queen has as much to say about the running of the UK as she does Canada and Australia, right? I'm going to tread very lightly here as this is awfully close to a political discussion and you know what Grant gets like when we talk politics.(Image removed from quote.) House of Lords still gets a say though, right? That's a remnant of the monarchy.Plus, I was under the impression that much of the rural lands are in private hands in the UK. A significantly different situation in the US, Canada, Australia, etc where the land belongs to the people.Well the House of Lords is a body that has very limited power, at most that can delay some bills by up to a year but no more and often less. But I will concede that the notion is outdated.I'm not quite sure I understand the difference you are making in land ownership? Yes someone owns pretty much every bit of the UK, but then we are a very small island and most of our rural land is given over to farming of one kind or another. That's not to say we have no access to the majority of the land it's just that we need to be respectful of the fact it isn't ours. I know that I wouldn't be at all happy if someone walked through my garden, had a fire and broke my fences, all the while claiming they had the right to be there. I'm pretty sure this would hold true in the US as well.It does hold true.For most of the US east of the Mississippi, almost all of the land is in private hands. There are state and Federal parks, National Forests, a few Federal Wilderness areas, but most people have to travel to reach those.West of the Mississippi there is much more government land so residents may have public lands closer to home..
Quote from: american lockpicker on November 16, 2009, 06:25:04 PMI heard that in the UK you don't vote for your prime minister you just vote for a party.Correct, this is because the Prime Minister isn't the Head of State (unlike a President). The strong emphasis here (in theory) is voting for the Party not the person.
But that's it Gareth we don't vote the person but the party
Quote from: Gadget Guy on November 15, 2009, 03:14:58 AMAnd I thought it was bad here. All hail the USSUKR!! I hope you guys understand that I mean no disrespect to the people of the UK, but what was posted was USSRish. Heck, they call California "The Peoples Republic of California".
Luckily we do have some national parks and also the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (England and Wales) plus the Land Reform Act 2003 (Scotland). These bits of legislation went a long way to clarifying what had long been the case anyway (at least here in Scotland). http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/http://www.ramblers.org.uk/Resources/Ramblers%20Association/Website/Freedom%20to%20Roam/Documents/Ftr_guide.pdfhttp://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/access/KnowCode.pdf
To be fair, proper laws or not, Public Footpaths have been around since long before I was born. There aren't many places I can't go if I wanted to.This is an organisation that I am passionate (and very patriotic) about:http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/
Quite right too. See what you get if you come on my drive without being invited