Greatest Ally or Lapdog?

[Divinus Arma]

Britain:


The greatest ally to the United States?


or


A pet?

[JAG]

Gah!

Although we can toe the US administration line a bit too much at times - we do have stark differences on certain issues, such as climate change, and we let that be known. So most definitely not a complete lapdog.

We are a strong ally to the US and I think almost all in the UK - even when there is a US administration in the white house we loath almost universally like there is at the moment - want and are grateful for that. Everyone in both countries benefits from the strong alliance and I also think it has proved good for both nations, I wouldn't want to see it broken. However, we do have other big allies, it isn't soley the US.

[t1master]

is it tow or toe? it could be both ~;)

i think we are like brothers, along with the aussies, we might not agree with each other all the time, and like to bicker and argue, but when push comes to shove we basically value the same things, and have each other's back...

edit: gah!

[JAG]

To toe the line is perfectly fine english, it does not have to be spelt tow. :p

[Byzantine Prince]

I don't think Britain is a pet of the US. That role is taken by Canada. ~;)

[bmolsson]

UK is waiting for the opportunity to get the renegade colony back in line. Just wait to when the guard is down..... ~;)

[PanzerJaeger]

I don't think Britain is a pet of the US. That role is taken by Canada.

Hardly! ~D

Britain is a strong country, even though they seem to be dismantling their military( ~:eek: ), and definately not in America's pocket.

The Anglo-American alliance (which includes Australia and Canada) is a huge force for good in the world.

[Efrem]

Its an Alliance most definetly. Same with Aus.

[Tribesman]

Woof Woof .

[Samurai Waki]

Living in the Caymans, it's always funny seeing an American and British person meet and talk for the first time... they seem to disagree on everything until they go to a pub or Cantina for a few drinks, you'd swear they were brothers with different accents. No matter where you come from, if you speak english and are drunk, everyone sounds about the same. I like the British as much as the Americans, both are good to hang around given in adequate portions.

[King Henry V]

Really it depends who's in power. Blair is quite the lapdog on most issues.

[doc_bean]

Blair's a lapdog to Bush. The countries are allies.

[InsaneApache]

To toe the line is perfectly fine english, it does not have to be spelt tow

Wrong. It should be to 'tow' the line. What you wrote made no sense in English.

It does seem at times as though the UK is in the wake of the US as she blunders around the world upsetting everyone. But as JAG said, it is a misconception. There are many areas that we dont agree on, hell just look at these boards.

We do have a lot in common. A shared history, a love of freedom and democracy and the English language. I believe that the English speaking world generally gets on well with each other, is that the same for Francophones and Spanish speakers?

[JAG]

toe the line/mark

1. To adhere to doctrines or rules conscientiously; conform.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=toe%23

Perfect English....

[KukriKhan]

JAG wins this one:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-toe2.htm

It is 'toe the line', as in meet expectations, perform to standard. To 'tow the line' would imply pulling a rope, presumably to move a load affixed to the opposite end of said rope. Interesting imagery, but not the intent of the spoken phrase.

[King Henry V]

I think Britain knows that America is and always will be our most important ally.

[Stefan the Berserker]

Britain can choose between two Alliances: France-Germany or USA.

But they don't recognise that by their lingual based favor for America, which makes them defacto Pets by volunteer.

[Auctoritas]

I think Britain knows that America is and always will be our most important ally.


If only to ensure that there are some places that don't use the metric system exclusively. ~;)

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

France-Germany
Arguably the UK's two favorite nations. ~;)

[ICantSpellDawg]

is it possibly that "Tow the line" is a corruption of the original phrase - even thought it makes more sense in the colloquial?

[Craterus]

Heres another proof that JAG was correct. (http://www.grammartips.homestead.com/toetheline.html)

I voted ally, reasons have already been mentioned.

[Uesugi Kenshin]

A mix, after WWII the British PM Macmillan iirc chose to remain powerful by becoming close to the US. The UK became a mix of US pawn on certain issues and advisor on others. Though they still cannot take unilateral action for the most part they still have the power to influence American policy, so a mix of ally and lap dog.

[JAG]

Well it seems I know my English grammar! ~;)

[InsaneApache]

Well it seems I know my English grammar!

Obviously more than I. I stand corrected. :bow:

[KukriKhan]

Well it seems I know my English grammar! ~;)

And I'm sure she makes excellent Yorkshire Pudding. ~:)

[InsaneApache]

Now your talking KuKrikhan...

Now we have onion filled gavy Yorkshire puds.

Beef in black bean sauce Yorkshire puds.

Rogan Josh Yorkshire puds.

Chilli and Coriander Yorkshire puds.

Stilton Cheese with chicken Yorkshire puds.

...................................................................

Now you have to try the 'Black'* puddings

*made from pigs blood and may i say delicious ~;)

I shall come onto tripe (ooohhh missus) another time ~:)

[Tribesman]

I shall come onto tripe (ooohhh missus) another time
Tripe ? With onions ? oh you sophisticated young devil .
Lambs tails , thats the thing , who needs a kebab when theres a bucket of greasy crap simmering on the stove ~:cheers:

Now you have to try the 'Black'* puddings
Yes but its a bugger of a job holding the bucket (especially if the pigs still kicking like hell) , and its even worse rinsing the intestines , and all that before you chop and salt it . Still its worth it when you finsh and fry the greaskins at the end of the day , fresh is the only way to have it . ~:cool:

[English assassin]

One word. Basra.

Woof woof.

[ShadesPanther]

Pet.

AFAIK I havent seen anything in American press or anything about Britain's involvement in Iraq. Have any Yanks seen much about it?

[Divinus Arma]

From this American,

I am stunned by Britain's relationship with the U.S.

When most of Europe has turned their backs on us, Britain stands by our side. I consider the British to be true friends in this world. If it came down to it, I would give my life for a Brit just as I would one of my own countrymen. When the British are spoken of by those in my little sphere of influence, it is always with respect and esteem. My thanks. Our thanks.

Divinus Arma

[|OCS|Virus]

The British are good allies, hell it's my second favorite place in the world, they speak English and are exelent military figures. {they did after all own a quarter of the globe at one point{A shame they didn't keep their influence on most of Africa}} Only one place in the world I would rather be and I'm living in it {america people please try to keep up ~;) } If it wasn't for british policies on guns I would have a second home in London. I'm something of a gun nut.

[Redleg]

Those who think Britian is just a pet of the United States - why don't you attempt to explain it better. A pet would entail that the British government always does exactly what the United States wants them to do, it would also entail that the citizens of that country vote along a majority line with how the United States would want them to vote.

If your basing your opinion soley off of what one event - the war with Iraq - when your opinion is highly baised. During the Falkland War - if my memory serves me correctly the United States attempted to use diplomacy to prevent Britian from going to war. A lapdog would of complied - in which the British did not.

Britian is a true ally in all sense of the word. A lapdog country it is not.

[Revelation]

is it tow or toe? it could be both ~;)

i think we are like brothers, along with the aussies, we might not agree with each other all the time, and like to bicker and argue, but when push comes to shove we basically value the same things, and have each other's back...

edit: gah!


Not all Aussies mate, not by a long shot!

[King of Atlantis]

England is definatley an ally. If america was attacked by some country, i would know that the british would be right there for us. Cant really say that about a lot of other countries.

~:cheers:

[Samurai Waki]

In a lot of senses it almost makes you a little happy that we became such close nations during WWII. My Grandfather on my Mothers side of the Family was an RAF Pilot in Myanmar (Burma) and my Two Great Uncles and Grand Fathers were US Marines who served in the Phillipines (one was captured and put on the Baataan death march). When they talked to each other they would always mention war stories, and they'd never really compare themselves to one another, but it was really amazing that Four Very Different People could be brought together and be nearly best friends by one event.

[ShadesPanther]

Those who think Britian is just a pet of the United States - why don't you attempt to explain it better. A pet would entail that the British government always does exactly what the United States wants them to do, it would also entail that the citizens of that country vote along a majority line with how the United States would want them to vote.

If your basing your opinion soley off of what one event - the war with Iraq - when your opinion is highly baised. During the Falkland War - if my memory serves me correctly the United States attempted to use diplomacy to prevent Britian from going to war. A lapdog would of complied - in which the British did not.

Britian is a true ally in all sense of the word. A lapdog country it is not.

Back then Britain were allies. Blair is the lapdog. Britian did not really want to go to war.

"woof yes Mr Bush!"

[InsaneApache]

Back then Britain were allies. Blair is the lapdog. Britian did not really want to go to war.

Controversial ~:)

[Redleg]

Back then Britain were allies. Blair is the lapdog. Britian did not really want to go to war.

"woof yes Mr Bush!"

That goes to prove that Britian is not a pet now does it not?

[ShadesPanther]

maybe not but Blair is and he's in charge for 4 years now (unless he quits but thats unlikely, hed have to be forced out.)


Controversial ~:)

maybe. But the whole Lapdog/ally thing is controversial as well ~;)