The questions-not-worth-their-own-thread question thread XIII

[Tani Coyote]

Random thought occurred.

It's common in conversation - at least over here - when, on the topic of European nations critiquing the US, or at least France in particular, to say, "They should be grateful; if not for us, they'd be speaking German."

Just came to me. Would a more accurate - more, not accurate in itself - statement be, "If not for us, they'd be speaking Russian?"

 

[Arakhor]

Half of Europe was still Communist for 40+ years, despite the Americans.

 

[Karalysia]

And the other half was socialist or social-democrat.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Half of Europe was still Communist for 40+ years, despite the Americans.

And the other half was socialist or social-democrat.

So in conclusion, it would indeed be more accurate to say that without Anglo-American forces pushing in from the West, the USSR definitely would've made much more of Europe communist, right?

 

[Cutlass]

Random thought occurred.

It's common in conversation - at least over here - when, on the topic of European nations critiquing the US, or at least France in particular, to say, "They should be grateful; if not for us, they'd be speaking German."

Just came to me. Would a more accurate - more, not accurate in itself - statement be, "If not for us, they'd be speaking Russian?"

There is some debate about whether the USSR could have actually full beaten Germany without the US. And also some debate about whether Germany's late offensive and unrestricted U-boats could have won WWI. So a perception, not universal, but common, is that the US saved Europe from the Germans twice.

 

[Arakhor]

Based on my microscopic knowledge of WWII, Tanicius, that sounds fair enough.

 

[Flying Pig]

There is some debate about whether the USSR could have actually full beaten Germany without the US. And also some debate about whether Germany's late offensive and unrestricted U-boats could have won WWI. So a perception, not universal, but common, is that the US saved Europe from the Germans twice.

Pet hate here I'm afraid. The idea that the US 'saved' Europe is a misconception. What I tend to think is that the allies all had pretty important roles to play. Definitly during the Great War the predominant effort of actually defeating Germany was British (the most successful campaign the British have ever fought, not to mention the only one they have ever fought head-on in Europe engaging the main enemy force themselves, was the Hundred Days of 1918); the French and Russians forcing the Germans to use up huge numbers of soldiers while the US paid for things but for the amount of credit they take did very little and managed to make jackasses of themselves a great deal (mostly due to lack of experience; their tactics in 1918 were similar to the British and French in 1914).

During the second world war the USA played a much larger part but it's worth remembering that the King's troops landed on three of the five beaches on D-Day, and the British contributed huge amounts of men to the diversionary attacks behind the lines; not to mention the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. Even so, it's definitly not the case that they came over and saved the day where everyone was going to lose the war.

While technically the King's troops, we're not letting you take credit for Juno Beach.

What the hell do you mean technically? But you're right I was dressing it up; Juno was a Canadian effort.

 

[Zelig]

During the second world war the USA played a much larger part but it's worth remembering that the King's troops landed on three of the five beaches on D-Day, and the British contributed huge amounts of men to the diversionary attacks behind the lines; not to mention the campaigns in North Africa and Italy.

While technically the King's troops, we're not letting you take credit for Juno Beach.

 

[Cutlass]

Pet hate here I'm afraid. The idea that the US 'saved' Europe is a misconception. What I tend to think is that the allies all had pretty important roles to play. Definitly during the Great War the predominant effort of actually defeating Germany was British (the most successful campaign the British have ever fought, not to mention the only one they have ever fought head-on in Europe engaging the main enemy force themselves, was the Hundred Days of 1918); the French and Russians forcing the Germans to use up huge numbers of soldiers while the US paid for things but for the amount of credit they take did very little and managed to make jackasses of themselves a great deal (mostly due to lack of experience; their tactics in 1918 were similar to the British and French in 1914).

During the second world war the USA played a much larger part but it's worth remembering that the King's troops landed on three of the five beaches on D-Day, and the British contributed huge amounts of men to the diversionary attacks behind the lines; not to mention the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. Even so, it's definitly not the case that they came over and saved the day where everyone was going to lose the war.



What the hell do you mean technically? But you're right I was dressing it up; Juno was a Canadian effort.

I'm not questioning that the British payed a far higher price, and a greater role, in both wars. I'm just answering where the perception comes from among a number of Americans that we saved your bacon. Certainly I can see the argument that the US was unnecessary to WWI. But I can also see the opposite argument.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

what is a "long form home video"? I googled it with no luck on saying what it is

 

[Karalysia]

It's like Obama's long form birth certificate. It doesn't exist.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

It's like Obama's long form birth certificate. It doesn't exist.

Actually, it (the video) does, according to this "media release" thing I got. (Im not exactly sure what a media release is either, I think its something they send to the newspapers and TV shows)

EDIT: Arrrrgh!!! The media release got a fact wrong!!!!!

 

[Atticus]

There's this instrumental song with playful feel, and that pauses few times and a woman laughs. Couple of friends thought it would be by Henry Mancini, but couldn't remember anything specific about it. To me it sounds too modern to be his work. Does anybody have a clue, what it might be?

I think it played at the background in the garage in Doherty in GTA3 San Andreas once.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I found a harmonica. Which end do I blow into? I blew into one end and my mom yelled at me to stop that racket so I think that was the wrong end but I want to make sure

 

[ParadigmShifter]

You blow into the thinner end. If you make a racket, you probably have the correct end.

 

[_random_]

I found a harmonica. Which end do I blow into? I blew into one end and my mom yelled at me to stop that racket so I think that was the wrong end but I want to make sure

If it made any sound, it was probably the right end. Playing harmonica takes skill, so practice when your mom's not around.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I figured out to make a smaller noise by not blowing as hard and my mom stopped yelling

 

[Arakhor]

Everyone loves a good wind instrument, eh?

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Thanks.

Question: What is a good way to get from Nova Scotia to St. Augustine, Florida? Thats not too expensive, I hope. I can explain in a PM if youre interested but Im not ready to post in public yet.

 

[Arakhor]

Good grief. By plane, I'd imagine. It's a very long way!