(only kidding guys) but all of the countries of which we are citizens have parts of which we cannot be proud. What Americans did in the guise of nation building (e.g. "manifest destiny") to the native Americans and the African Americans are shameful episodes. While we can never forget what happened (let's relegate them to the history books), let us hope that these episodes teach us something for the future.
Yes, that's true. About patriotism, though, in the US I wouldn't say it carries the "zealous" aspect of its dictionary definition--the word is used to the point of cliche in the US, probably due to the terming of the original rebellious colonial Americans as "Patriots." I normally hear it used to mean national pride or love of country.
Yes, that's true. About patriotism, though, in the US I wouldn't say it carries the "zealous" aspect of its dictionary definition--the word is used to the point of cliche in the US, probably due to the terming of the original rebellious colonial Americans as "Patriots." I normally hear it used to mean national pride or love of country.
Back to "my favorite commanders," can I suggest Stephen Decatur for Number 1, and perhaps Commodore Edwin Moore for 2?
These poor guys get overlooked!!!
), I see now I should have worded my original reply as: "The British Empire's dirty work in the Boer war". I certainly do not think every aspect of the British Empire was bad - as you said it was ahead of many countries in abolishing slaves/serfdom as well as introducing certain laws and government systems that were beneficial to the welfare of the people in its colonies. I don't think anyone cries about the fact that Britain wiped out the mythical Thuggee Death Cult in India. If Britain had not colonized many of the countries that it did, then others like the French, Germans, Americans, Danish, Dutch, Portugese or Spanish probably would have, and these Empires could have been even more exploitive - we will never know.
Amen! And no more digging up zombie threads that deserve to be buried where they died!
)That however brave and however wonderfully well our troops fought it was a fraction of what the Russians went through.The cost in lives that Germany and Russia paid was staggering,and after what the Germans did in Russia i think the Russians deserved Berlin.
Having finished the excellant 'Armageddon' by Max Hastings i hope i now have a more balanced and realistic view of some of the personalities involved in the final year of the war.I am still a Monty fan and always will be,he was without doubt tactically gifted in many ways and it must not be forgotten that (admittedly with intelligance assistance)out thought Rommel in North Africa as well as inspiring his men to victory.However he made some truly awful blunders and not just at Arnhem.The airborne crossing of the Rhine was a shambles with so many brave men losing their lives needlessly so near to the end.The huge set piece crossing of the Rhine with huge bombardment was grandiose in the extreme.As far as Patton is concerned 'Hot headed' and arrogant do not really do it justice.Some (including his own officers)considered him mentally unstable and that it was criminal he was not prosecuted and thrown out of the army for the raid to set free his son in law that cost many lives.On the plus side his results were spectacular,his drive across France legandary and he was the only allied general the Germans truly feared.
But what i have learnt most of all is something that i already knew.(if that makes sense!!
However one thing is crystal clear.The troops of the US/UK did not lower themselves to the levels of animals to commit such barborous and savage acts against civilians as did the Russians.Although there were outbreaks of criminality in our ranks the mass rape of every female of any age they came across did not happen.This is where the troops of Great Britain and the United states stood head and shoulders above Germany,Russia and Japan.They did the job they had to do and went home.
Rob
