Cold Ale - The Blokes' Thread!

[The Atheist]

lol go up to your average American and tell them that we owe our freedom to the French. You won't get the best reaction

Yeah; pity really. Shows a distinct lack of appreciation.

Not that the French are all that thankful for bailing their asses out of two World Wars. Next time they have any problems with the Germans we should all just sit back and watch.

Um, let me just note that the asses bailed out - if that expression even suits - certainly weren't French. While the Yanks fought mainly in France in WWI, the British Commonwealth had long since covered France's bottom, and in WWII, France didn't even exist by the time your mob joined up.

Oh dear, we're delving dangerously close to a forbidden political discussion here...

Surely that's history rather than politics?

Would anyone like a Sam Adams?

The Mayor of Prtland?

Now that's definitely politics!

[prendrelemick]

Stlukes: Are you sure "Imperial Stout" is the patriotic thing to be drinking on the 4th?

A good Yorkshire beer though.

Jocky: It is impossible to exaggerate the value of a comfy pair of slippers at the end of a long day.

Stargazer: Cheers. God bless A-mhur-ika

[MANICHAEAN]

Come on chaps. Lets not be too beastly to the French.
After all in my parents generation they used to complain about the American forces stationed in the UK during the war:
"They were overpaid, oversexed & over here".

[stlukesguild]

Um, let me just note that the asses bailed out - if that expression even suits - certainly weren't French. While the Yanks fought mainly in France in WWI, the British Commonwealth had long since covered France's bottom...

But for some reason they just couldn't get the job done, eh?

...and in WWII, France didn't even exist by the time your mob joined up.

Thanks to the great job your mob pulled at Dunkirk, no doubt.

Stlukes: Are you sure "Imperial Stout" is the patriotic thing to be drinking on the 4th?

Well I sure as hell can't picture myself drinking a Budweiser... no matter how patriotic I may or may not be. The only possible alternative would be a good micro-brewery... (or some California wine)... and good luck on finding one of those on a holiday. Perhaps I shoulda gone the true patriotic route and bought some good Kentucky whiskey or bourbon? Hmmm...?

[jocky]

Stlukesguild, you are not having a go at the British army are you? We have never retreated in our history, a good few strategic withdrawels, but retreat, never.

[Stargazer86]

Surely that's history rather than politics?

Perhaps. Too fine a line though as it can quickly turn into Vietnam and Iraq and all that. Recent history/current events

It seems that Stlukes and I possible see it differently and since I've not spoken to this lit netter before, I would not like to get off on the wrong foot.

I love everyone

[stlukesguild]

We have never retreated in our history, a good few strategic withdrawels, but retreat, never.

What happened at Hastings? Of course we have that decisive victory at Pearl Harbor to brag about. I don't imagine too many admirals lining up the entire navy in a shallow harbor any more.

[prendrelemick]

We didn't retreat at Hastings, we were slaughtered, perhaps there's a lesson there !

[jocky]

Prendrelmick, you have brought this circular argument to a successful conclusion. Never trust the French. Many a Scotsman died at Hastings, assisting the Normans

[The Atheist]

I don't think there was a "British Army" at Hastings...

[jocky]

Athiest, as always, you are right. The concept of a British army has always been complex and problematic. There are Englishmen, Scots, Welsh, Irish,and Ghurkas to name but a few all under the same flag. You will probably be aware that there is even a territorial branch of the Black Watch in your country. There has always been more casualties suffered in barrack room brawls between different ethnic groups than inflicted on our, so called enemies.

[stlukesguild]

We didn't retreat at Hastings, we were slaughtered, perhaps there's a lesson there !

Ah... a clear distinction, there... and one that General Custer might have done well to have considered before Little Big Horn.

[Emil Miller]

Athiest, as always, you are right. The concept of a British army has always been complex and problematic. There are Englishmen, Scots, Welsh, Irish,and Ghurkas to name but a few all under the same flag. You will probably be aware that there is even a territorial branch of the Black Watch in your country. There has always been more casualties suffered in barrack room brawls between different ethnic groups than inflicted on our, so called enemies.

Sorry to upset your self-congratulatory thinking laddies, but field marshall Sir John Harding, former Chief of General Staff, is on record as saying that the best troops he ever encountered were those of the Wehrmacht.
I might also remind you of General Sir Brian Horrocks assertion that "the British army was a peasant army led by aristocrats while the German army was a military machine led by technocrats." The machine didn't win but only by the narrowest of margins.

[jocky]

Sorry to upset your self-congratulatory thinking laddies, but field marshall Sir John Harding, former Chief of General Staff, is on record as saying that the best troops he ever encountered were those of the Wehrmacht.
I might also remind you of General Sir Brian Horrocks assertion that "the British army was a peasant army led by aristocrats while the German army was a military machine led by technocrats." The machine didn't win but only by the narrowest of margins.

Aye Brian, but we still humped them, a wins a win

[Emil Miller]

Aye Brian, but we still humped them, a wins a win

Who's we?