Is there a special relationship between the US and UK?

[Papewaio]

I always thought the special relationship was like a prostate exam , necessary for the recipient but leaving them feeling less then special ...

[Don Corleone]

Wow. Just plain wow. We engage in joint tactical maneuvers. The US and the UK share military secrets on an unprecedented level. We share technology, we have preferential trading relationships. And because you don't like George Bush, you think the UK should turn its back on the US?

Sorry, BG, Pape, I thought the two of you were more rational than that.

[Odin]

Wow. Just plain wow. We engage in joint tactical maneuvers. The US and the UK share military secrets on an unprecedented level. We share technology, we have preferential trading relationships. And because you don't like George Bush, you think the UK should turn its back on the US?

Sorry, BG, Pape, I thought the two of you were more rational than that.

Come on Don, let them have thier anti U.S. banter, its to the point of reduntancy and amusing

Yet again, more opinion pieces of why they should move on look for another direction in thier alliance structure, perhaps its best for all concerned to encourage them to do just that.

I mean wasnt the EU Mr Churchill's idea in the first place? Lets see them have a go at getting it done, and we can post our newspapers op ed pieces that dress them in glory for thier efforts in that vein.

[Papewaio]

Sorry, BG, Pape, I thought the two of you were more rational than that.

Have you seen the free trade agreement between Aus and the US? It really is a prostate exam, but with both hands on the shoulders. I'm sure some of the Aussie posters will be able to quote a few of the choicer parts.

Little more seriously. The relationship is not exactly two way and sometimes the US can act more as a bullying big brother then a protective one. There are quiet a few issues that Australia could have done with a more active and outspoken US behind them... Zimbabwee has been a major issue lead by our PM for awhile now with not a lot of enthusiastic support, East Timor was a bit more then a token effort but not exactly enthusiastic (I think we will paint the ceiling beige moment)... and that did highlight at the time the lack of major two way effort... Australia is in Iraq and Afghanistan at the moment...not many but for a small country with a relatively by capita small military we are doing ok... particulary when East Timor, Solomons and potentially Fiji are all added into the equation for local trouble spots needing troops and federal police... and then Indonesia/South East Asia with Tsunamis and other natural disasters... not to mention the Bali Bombings and a few other issues that are diverting our attention from commiting more to Iraq/Afghanistan. Also if the relationship was special and mutual we would expect more backup over Japan's whaling efforts... particlularly their bribing of small 3rd world countries to swing the vote.

Britain hasn't exacly had a relationship of mutual respect either... after all if it existed I doubt that special relationship would have allowed fostering of the IRA in the US now would it.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Have you seen the free trade agreement between Aus and the US? It really is a prostate exam, but with both hands on the shoulders. I'm sure some of the Aussie posters will be able to quote a few of the choicer parts.

Little more seriously. The relationship is not exactly two way and sometimes the US can act more as a bullying big brother then a protective one. There are quiet a few issues that Australia could have done with a more active and outspoken US behind them... Zimbabwee has been a major issue lead by our PM for awhile now with not a lot of enthusiastic support, East Timor was a bit more then a token effort but not exactly enthusiastic (I think we will paint the ceiling beige moment)... and that did highlight at the time the lack of major two way effort... Australia is in Iraq and Afghanistan at the moment...not many but for a small country with a relatively by capita small military we are doing ok... particulary when East Timor, Solomons and potentially Fiji are all added into the equation for local trouble spots needing troops and federal police... and then Indonesia/South East Asia with Tsunamis and other natural disasters... not to mention the Bali Bombings and a few other issues that are diverting our attention from commiting more to Iraq/Afghanistan. Also if the relationship was special and mutual we would expect more backup over Japan's whaling efforts... particlularly their bribing of small 3rd world countries to swing the vote.

Britain hasn't exacly had a relationship of mutual respect either... after all if it existed I doubt that special relationship would have allowed fostering of the IRA in the US now would it.

I'd say our current extradition treaty with the US is more like full blown anal rape than a prostrate exam, to be honest.

Oh, and Don: Consider this; our Subs are our only nuclear detterent. No ICBMs.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

This notion is almost universally considered to be offensive in Britain. If you're ever on a visit don't even hint at it.

You are offended we consider you to be the same as us, almost a father figure? I was joking about the another state part. That I can understand you being upset about.

You missed the point, we gave you our armour, then you didn't give us your missile. It's one way and has been since before WWII.

Your right we havent done a thing for you since WW2 . Its been a one way street. And you really believe this? We havent done anything for you in over 60 years but leech of you?

Sorry? When we first took Basra we were walking around with our berets on whilst US soldiers were calling in Air Strikes.

Im talking 60 years ago you ran out of steam not now.

[Don Corleone]

Right okay, stay away from Australia and the UK. Got it. I think I'm done here.

[InsaneApache]

Right okay, stay away from Australia and the UK. Got it. I think I'm done here.

I'll buy you a pint if you ever get to Yorkshire.

Let's consider this; If two of the USA closest allies (Aus and the UK) are feeling gypted by the US, then it does not bode well for the future. As it's been said before on here, the problem is one of the US governments foreign policy (if it has one!) and the nature of your political system. Very extreme to UK eyes. Your left wing, the democrats, are more right wing than our conservatives, and the current admin goes right off the right wing scale over here.

That apart, person to person, I would be more than happy to have American friends, blimey, we have two in the family.

As for a special relationship? I thought we'd sorted that one out in 1812.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

You are offended we consider you to be the same as us, almost a father figure? I was joking about the another state part. That I can understand you being upset about.

Oh, don't get me wrong, the idea that we're part of the same family has currency over here too. Plenty of Americans do see Britain as "The 51st State" though, so you have to be careful about saying it in jest.

Your right we havent done a thing for you since WW2 . Its been a one way street. And you really believe this? We havent done anything for you in over 60 years but leech of you?

Yes, I do believe this, certainly the balance goes that way. As you can see IA agrees with me. What have you done for us since WWII? In fact, lets be honest, WWII was better for you than for us. Hitler was never going to invade the US but the war was used to presure us into giving up our Empire, if it didn't actually nail the lid on the coffin it certainly speeded up the process.

Im talking 60 years ago you ran out of steam not now.

Well for some reason we were on the wrong side in the Great War, no idea why. Pity the Kaiser didn't go in for that wrestling match, would have saved everyone a lot of grief.

In any case were learned counter-insurgency in Northern Ireland, not in the colonies.