Maybe we should be very glad that Obama is going after all?

[Jupiter2Mars]

.. and is being replaced with someone with a very different outlook.

This is what Obama said yesterday:

" And then, in Germany, I’ll visit with Chancellor Merkel, who’s probably been my closest international partner these past eight years. I’ll also signal our solidarity with our closest allies, and express our support for a strong, integrated, and united Europe. It’s essential to our national security and it's essential to global stability. And that’s why the Transatlantic Alliance and the NATO Alliance have endured for decades under Democratic and Republican administrations. "

Smug Face.

And actually, Rawsienna if you're going to bring up that period of modern history, I would agree that its very important to remember it now more than ever . I probably disagree with you on what the lessons learned should be though.
Those that don't learn from the past are condemned to repeat it, etc....

Absolutely squishy cos it ain't the Germans who are spouting divisive rhetoric about ethnic minorities. Watch this space because he'll be building "work camps" as well as walls.

Germans * German government, I mean. Far Right Twats are also there.

Exactly. No nation has a monopoly on, or immunity to, would-be-dictators and racist fanatics.

Well this thread is confirming my suspicion that many of those who voted for Brexit were under the impression that Britain still had an empire. And suddenly Germany is a war enemy, not the biggest economy in Europe.

Actually, hold that last bit. I don't think people really understood that Brexit means the EU will be a foreign power.

And when the UK gets invaded by Russia, everyone will be surprised that Europe won't come to our defence

redpeppersoup - I guess there's no point trying to address someone like you but here goes:

I am not jealous of Germany and I was just surprised that Lwelj could be so sure of Cameron's political positioning given that Uk politics isn't that interesting to anyone else.
She said he was right wing, i said centre. It didn't really get any further than that sort of yes. no. yes. I thought to start trying to prove my case but pointing out various policies but then I remembered - or thought I remembered that Lewlj is American. So, I realised that it would be difficult to explain to someone who isn't familiar with British politics (given that what passes for left wing in US politics doesn't carry the same categorisation in British politics).

I am not "jealous of Germany". I am not even sure why anyone would say that. I just think Obama singled out one national leader, from a field of what? 200? and that he should not have done that. The argument that he is about to go to Germany doesn't hold water as he was also just about to go to Greece and he didn't see fit to describe his relationship with their leader in such warm terms. In fact, he didn't comment on it at all. Maybe it was because he was expecting protests in Greece, but then again maybe it was just because Merkel reflects Obama's politics and he knows she's very likely to lose the upcoming election.

VanillaSugarCandyCanes - there is a difference between NATO and the EU. I think you are conflating the two.
However, its probably worth noting that Russia will have to come through quite a few other countries to launch an invasion on us.

Or they could swim?

The Russian army would have to walk through Finland, Sweden and Norway and then start swimming to reach Britain (BTW the North sea is quite cold)

Alternatively, it could cross the Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France and then get the train at Calais.
I'm sure none of those countries would mind the imposition.

Or maybe they could just launch some missiles without setting foot outside their cosy Moscow HQ....

What a very bizarre thread.

Why would Obama mention us when he's visiting Germany and has worked with Angela Merkel for years. I don't think he's met Teresa May whilst she's been PM.

It was winston Churchill who first mentioned the 'special relationship' between the US and the U.K., but this has been stronger and weaker at various times since, depending on who has been PM and President.

The phrase certainly wasn't invented by Obama!

Why would Obama mention us when he's visiting Germany

I can't think of a reason why he would, but that wasn't my point (sorry if that's not clear from what feels like the hundreds of times I've written it now!). My point was he should have said nothing.

I can well believe it was Churchill. he was desperate for America to either enter the war or even just help a bit, but the US was determinedly staying out of it until their own interests in the pacific were threatened. (Or as Vanilla would have it, until the UK bought the US services on a HP agreement).

My point was he should have said nothing.

Give the guy a break.
He's just had to bite his tongue about the Trump new presidency.

He had to lash out somewhere.

But he probably meant what he said. I don't think it was a mistake on his part.

I realised that it would be difficult to explain to someone who isn't familiar with British politics

You really have no idea about me, anyway.
Why would you assume I'm not familiar with British politics?

In fact, your knowledge about my background seems hand in hand with your assessment of British and international politics.

Uk politics isn't that interesting to anyone else

What an odd, narrow minded view.

Or the Russians could invade us from the North Sea by boat. No clambering over mountains that way.

Unless you think Putin is a modern day Fitzcarraldo

Good morning y'all

Jupiter - Pearl Harbour was v Japan. Why would the USA drag themselves off to France unless they had a real motive? 💲💲💲💲💲💲

It's not narrow minded. Britain thinks that it is more important than it actually is. I dont have a comprehensive understanding of the political situation in Norway, I am not sure that makes me narrow minded.