Sometimes I truly hate being American. :(

[QUOTE=HeavyRiva]
Who fought in the Battle Of Hastings?
Where is Waterloo?
Where did Cortez land in South America?
Who was the first Prime Minister of Australia?
Which civil war caused the nation of Australia to be federated?
Name 1 significant person from the Crimean war?

I know all these answers, however, I also know a lot about US history that we are taught in schools here in Aus.[/QUOTE]

1.) That, I admit, I don't know.
2.) A town in the Walloon area of Belgium, where Napoleon was decisively defeated by British troops under Wellington and Germans under Blucher (I just read The Face of Battle by John Keegan, so heh).
3.) Brazil, I think. That or somewhere in Central America. I honestly do forget.
4.) Dunno. I do know, however, that the Japanese tried to hide their plan to invade Midway in 1942 by acting like they were going to invade DEFENSELESS Australia. I also know that the Americans were smart enough not to fall for it. :)
5.) Unknown
6.) Leo Tolstoy ;)

Sure, I don't know much about that kind of thing, but I'm far from a historical or even a cultural illiterate. I understand that the different spelling of "color" was Webster's response to an American desire to distance itself from the British Empire by making new definitions and pronunciations. Sure, it was the 1776 equivalent of "liberty fries," but it wasn't me being "lazy" like she was saying. I am well aware of the strife between Ireland and England.

Here are a few questions of my own:
1.) What was Galileo's final response to the inquisition against him by the Catholic Church in Medici Italy?
2.) Who was the former Union general who ran as a Democrat against Lincoln in 1864 (hint: he was the first commander of the Army of the Potomac)?
3.) What was the name of the tsar's secret police, mortal enemy to Lenin's Communists in the early days of the revolution?
4.) What did the USSR call World War II?
5.) What did the British introduce to China in order to enfeeble it to the extent that Britain could successfully colonize it, a measure so effective that the Japanese repeated it in the '30s?
6.) Where is Antietam?
7.) Name a significant person from the Mexican-American War.

Anyways, I did say that I would have agreed with her had she been an American, which makes the experience more of an odd one. Like I said, I felt this strange need to defend myself as an American since she was British. It's weird.

'Tender: I don't remember where she was from. Not from Scotland (or Wales) though.

[QUOTE] Japanese tried to hide their plan to invade Midway in 1942[/QUOTE]

:eek: if they had done that, there would be no Mortal Kombat!


NP-BLAZE-Kill and destroy

[QUOTE=HeavyRiva]Where is Waterloo?[/QUOTE]
In Ontario, Canada. I guess you're looking for a different Waterloo though. :p

Good evening everyone. Is mx being slow for anyone else?

Got my Subterranean Masquerade CD in today :cool:

Anyone heard of Sage Francis? He is my favorite rapper at the moment.

NP: Sage Francis - Slow Down Ghandi

Yep, it's slow for me.

I'm downloading Vornagar right now. Interesting stuff.

[QUOTE=Cain]
4.) Dunno. I do know, however, that the Japanese tried to hide their plan to invade Midway in 1942 by acting like they were going to invade DEFENSELESS Australia. I also know that the Americans were smart enough not to fall for it. :)
[/quote]

Okay, I nearly destroyed our friendship right here, Cain. Sorry, but this is one of the reasons I [i]despise[/i] ignorant Americans.

Australia entered WWI as an ally and former colony of the British Empire. We were assigned to fight in various theatres ranging from Europe and Western Asia.

In almost every instance, Australian soldiers were used as cannon fodder, or shipped off to hopeless fronts (Gallipoli). Not very nice, considering it was our first war as a nation. The one note of distinction was that Australia ground gunners finally shot down Manfred von Richtofen (bah, can't remember the spelling).

Despite this, the second world war saw Australia again standing with the Brits against the Axis. When the war spread to the Pacific, Australia set about fighting the much more powerful Japanese. Of course, we needed help, so the American's kindly offered assistance. Australia was grateful, but I know stories of the arrogance, vile acts and general nastiness of the American soldiery.

And tell me, Lucas, what do you know of the Kokoda Trail, Darwin, or the Battle of the Coral Sea?

The fact of the matter is any US history book talks of the American victories, or at best the Allied victories. It's ignorance and apathy rolled into a patriotic bundle.


[quote=Cain]

Here are a few questions of my own:


[/QUOTE]


1.) What was Galileo's final response to the inquisition against him by the Catholic Church in Medici Italy?

Eppure si muove.

2.) Who was the former Union general who ran as a Democrat against Lincoln in 1864 (hint: he was the first commander of the Army of the Potomac)?

I'm not sure.

3.) What was the name of the tsar's secret police, mortal enemy to Lenin's Communists in the early days of the revolution?

Ohranka

4.) What did the USSR call World War II?

"Not Our Problem?" :p

5.) What did the British introduce to China in order to enfeeble it to the extent that Britain could successfully colonize it, a measure so effective that the Japanese repeated it in the '30s?

Opium, isn't it?

6.) Where is Antietam?

It's in one of the Confederate states, like New York, or something.

7.) Name a significant person from the Mexican-American War.

Davy Crocket? :p

No denying that the perspective of American education is ridiculously ignorant. Everytime someone wants to modify the textbooks for a more global perspective, someone bitches that they're no longer "America! F[size=2]u[/size]ck yeah!" enough.

The best education I got in history was my senior year at private school, but there wasn't enough time in the quarter to make it past the 17th century.

I just had the most interesting conversation with a drunken Ali.

I'm debating posting it to share the laughs. But then again, this is one of those things that I should be selfish and keep to myself :cool:

NP: Kansas - "Fight Fire With Fire"

My APUS History teacher taught us a lot. He showed us a few good videos, including a very good one about the US testing nukes on Bikini Island. Then half a semester later he got arrested for having a relationship with a student. :-/

[QUOTE=HeavyRiva]Okay, I nearly destroyed our friendship right here, Cain. Sorry, but this is one of the reasons I [i]despise[/i] ignorant Americans.[/QUOTE]

I'm sorry for my smart[size=2]a[/size]ss answer, Jason. :(

[QUOTE]Australia entered WWI as an ally and former colony of the British Empire. We were assigned to fight in various theatres ranging from Europe and Western Asia.

In almost every instance, Australian soldiers were used as cannon fodder, or shipped off to hopeless fronts (Gallipoli). Not very nice, considering it was our first war as a nation. The one note of distinction was that Australia ground gunners finally shot down Manfred von Richtofen (bah, can't remember the spelling).

Despite this, the second world war saw Australia again standing with the Brits against the Axis. When the war spread to the Pacific, Australia set about fighting the much more powerful Japanese. Of course, we needed help, so the American's kindly offered assistance. Australia was grateful, but I know stories of the arrogance, vile acts and general nastiness of the American soldiery. [/QUOTE]

Like what?

[QUOTE]And tell me, Lucas, what do you know of the Kokoda Trail, Darwin, or the Battle of the Coral Sea?[/QUOTE] Again, not much, except for the battle of the Coral Sea. As you probably know, my main area of World War II expertise is the European theater, and as you also know, my answer was a rather smart-ass quote of an informative but hyperbole-filled book called "Secret Weapons of World War II" by book-a-month historian William B. Breuer. I really wasn't expecting such a harsh response from you over that, to be honest.


[QUOTE]The fact of the matter is any US history book talks of the American victories, or at best the Allied victories. It's ignorance and apathy rolled into a patriotic bundle.[/QUOTE]

To be honest, I despise American accounts of World War II. The majority of the books I read on the subject are by British historians. Stephen Ambrose's work is quite pedestrian, and I find that the British authors (and German authors) are far more thorough and accurate in their attention to historical detail and analysis. Although I do take issue with your assessment that American history only deals with American victories, or overstates the American involvement. Your average history buff would say the Americans bailed out the Allies, certainly, but such a statement is patently false, as the Russians were by far the decisive factor in every way with regard to the ultimate smashing of Hitler. Any decent history book would say so.

I liked your answers too. :)

And I apologize, although I don't understand why you said that YOU nearly ruined our friendship. Surely that was me? (Besides, it's not as if I've been anyone's favorite poster of late :p.)

And in any case, my ultimate point--that my desire to defend Americans was strange, given that I would have agreed with her criticisms under normal circumstances--seems to have been lost.

EDIT:
I don't quite understand why I'm the recipient of such venom on your part, either. I understand what you say, but surely you know me better than to take a retarded thing like what I said as seriously as it seemed you did? And to lump me in with the "ignorant" Americans you say you despise?

Or perhaps you're not being serious, and I'm just winding myself up for no reason.

But Australia's biggest weapon was not seen in either World War; rather, it was Men At Work, the pop band whose engaging melodies were infectious enough to spread across the entire world in a moment's notice.

I'd swear every time I log into MX this thread has a different name.

NP ~ Wormed - Tunnel of Ions \m/

[QUOTE=Cain]And in any case, my ultimate point--that my desire to defend Americans was strange, given that I would have agreed with her criticisms under normal circumstances--seems to have been lost.[/QUOTE]

It's a natural urge. Being natives, you and I both know the country has its problems, but we've got our good points as well. And it really frosts me when I hear people from other countries putting down America as a whole due to the Chimp In Chief.

The funny thing is, it was mentioned earlier that some Brits will put down Americans for not knowing much about the regions and cultures of lesser-known areas of Europe (i.e. Manchester, et al), but at the same time I'm sure those same elitists would be hard-pressed to tell you anything significant about Pittsburgh, Tampa, or any other smaller US city.

As I mentioned in my spotlight this week, the true American heritage and culture is something not even that many Americans seem to be aware of, which is ironic considering this is the Age of Information.

Americans are bred to not be aware, in a way.

can someone explain to me what tis thread is about

[QUOTE=Kingofdudes]My APUS History teacher taught us a lot. He showed us a few good videos, including a very good one about the US testing nukes on Bikini Island. Then half a semester later he got arrested for having a relationship with a student. :-/[/QUOTE]

That blows. It seems like a couple of my favorite teachers have either gotten fired(they got it resigning, but whatever) or moved to somewhere else. My 5th grade teacher left or something because he got in trouble for telling bad jokes to us. Stuff involving ants jacking off elephants, etc...He was the coolest guy, and I learned a lot from him, but yeah, I suppose he was a little over the top with the whole bestiality jokes...:p

My current history teacher is a trip. He's one of the most sarcastic guys I've ever met, which makes instantly cooler than 95% of everyone, as I am also quite sarcastic, but yeah, he kind of lacks in the whole "teaching" department. :shrug:

NP: Dream Theater- 6:00

[QUOTE=cigaro88]can someone explain to me what tis thread is about[/QUOTE]

It's an irony festival, what do you expect.

I am completely digging DJ Shadow right now. This is very cool.

We've had two teachers fired for making unsavory, sexual comments to students or about students. One of them was the band teacher, he asked a friend of mine to have sex with him over AIM (not cybering, AIM was just how he asked her). And another just made an extremely ill-advised joke: he was helping a girl take a box of sports equipment to the gym, and he said something like "look, I'm touching your box." That got him canned real quick.

The former was a pretty obvious course of action, but the latter...

Yes, this is America, where sex = evil, but we're going to flaunt it to children on MTV anyway.

I still remember my high school music teacher who's sense of humor was every bit as foul as Dave Attel's. And we all thought he was one of the coolest teachers ever.

[QUOTE=HeavyRiva]

In almost every instance, Australian soldiers were used as cannon fodder, or shipped off to hopeless fronts (Gallipoli). Not very nice, considering it was our first war as a nation.

[/QUOTE]

Hmm, pretty much the same situation us Canadians were in. But all we did was take Vimy Ridge after several failed attempts by British and French forces.;)

[QUOTE=HeavyRiva]

The one note of distinction was that Australia ground gunners finally shot down Manfred von Richtofen (bah, can't remember the spelling).

[/QUOTE]

Meh, if your guy hadn't got him, Arthur Brown (Canadian) would have, as he was in hot pusuit at the time.:p

[QUOTE=Cain]And another just made an extremely ill-advised joke: he was helping a girl take a box of sports equipment to the gym, and he said something like "look, I'm touching your box." That got him canned real quick.[/QUOTE]

That seems kind of heavy-handed.

NP Twin Zero - Monolith 004

EDIT: It appears the members list now shows every single member, rather than just those with 1,000 posts and up.

OmgZZ!111oen1!! LOL ITS GOMNA TAKE YOU 5 HOURS TO BEAT SOMEONE UP LOLLL!!!!111one!!!

Well, it didn't. I got really drunk after though and met this girl called Sophia and fooled around abit, then came home and was sick in my bed, but i just turned over and went back to sleep.

Ooops.

[QUOTE]The one note of distinction was that Australia ground gunners finally shot down Manfred von Richtofen (bah, can't remember the spelling).[/QUOTE]

"Red Baroooon!
Blue Max!
He's got you in his siiiiiiighhhts!"


/Iced earth'd

mornin'

Morning, homo.

[QUOTE=I Am Vikingcore]Morning, homo.[/QUOTE]
You Poser fag:p

[QUOTE=I Am Vikingcore]Morning, homo.[/QUOTE]

I don't see why everyone loves Eternal Rest. Its a good song, but the only exceptional bit about it is the 'Dark in their hearts, i can feel it burn inside of me!' part.

Hey, hey.

I cannot believe it's only Tuesday. It feels like I'm hauling as[size=2]s[/size]. I don't know why I'm so lethargic, because I've been eating well.

In other news, I 4.0'd three exams that I thought I bombed \m/

In a similar vein, I finished my child assessment project, and just have to turn it in tomorrow. Hopefully another 4.0, that'd be nice.

In a somewhat-similar vein, I have to finish a lab, two papers, and study for another midterm this week. Rough, heh.

In a completely different vein, I'm still #1 in the "new" Top 100 list in The Pit :cool:

Hey Jelle, how are the tabs looking? I'll want to hear a recording of you and Hanne and your other shlocked-together-at-the-last-moment band playing, just for fun :)

And hello, hello to everyone else.

Working on it, Jom.


Bartender: 22,223, nooooo!

The list in the Pit sucks.

Just because you aren't in the top 12 Joe...

[QUOTE=Arucard]The list in the Pit sucks.[/QUOTE]

I know, hahaha. Rob's were always much better.

But hey, at least I have the number one spot for that MX list :cool:

I never win anything. I got nominated for mock awards in high school, but I never walked away with a #1 spot.

/me waits for Slug to talk about how he was prom king again :p

EDIT: Oh my, TFRH made a Bottom 100 MXer list. This won't go over well, heh.

Was he prom king? Thats pretty badass.

TFRH?

[QUOTE=Superpeer]
Bartender: 22,223, nooooo![/QUOTE]

I remembered to take a picture, though.

[url]http://s62.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3REOP3X9XIMQZ2E6RCAWRVH2YQ[/url]

[QUOTE=Bartender]TFRH?



I remembered to take a picture, though.

[url]http://s62.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3REOP3X9XIMQZ2E6RCAWRVH2YQ[/url][/QUOTE]
That is a lot of 2s.

[QUOTE=Bartender]TFRH?



I remembered to take a picture, though.

[url]http://s62.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3REOP3X9XIMQZ2E6RCAWRVH2YQ[/url][/QUOTE]

The Flabbit etc


H'ray, 2!

/Inserts 2 related comment.

[url]http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318235&page=2[/url]

Best thread ever?

[QUOTE=Arucard]/Inserts 2 related comment.

[url]http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318235&page=2[/url]

Best thread ever?[/QUOTE]
:lol: Me and Bobo were discussing that the other day and the kitty loaf klvt.

Good times :(.

Wow, I totally and completely missed that thread.