First, my hand's up. I for the most part have resisted the temptation to post spur-ious stuff, but thought, ah, what the hell, with that one. I think I'm happy I did, because it got a reasoned attack and a defense I'm grateful for, though one I'm not sure my post deserves. What Spurs posters have to say is as a general rule interesting to me, well written and coming from a point of view I don't know and usually don't expect, so every once in a while I indulge myself in seeing what you think about non-football issues. A response to just a couple of the many interesting points raised: People certainly act more freely in the UK (from what I just saw) than in the US. The idea that we're in thrall to a nebulous and contradictory concept seems a good call--but we'd be even worse if we weren't. On top of that, freedom has really taken a beating in the US for the last fifty years, from both the left and the right. As a leftist semi-libertarian, I'm apalled to see my tribe nearly extinct, and the few politicians talking sense about not launching doomed wars overseas or violating due process of law for anyone are now right wing semi-libertarians. Franklin was born in Boston, I believe, certainly in Massachussets, and listened to Cotton Mather preach as a child. He made his fortune in Philadelphia, and saw to it that Pennsylvania, unlike Virginia, supported the troops (both he and they were British) properly in the French and Indian war. Anything but a beacon of virtue, he was a wily and self-serving hypocrite who somehow also had a keen moral compass about the largest issues. It's easy for me to forget that the cause of US independence was essentially the case of a local mafiosi breaking free, and had no moral case over those who wanted to stay loyal (maybe just the opposite). The United States was first, last and always a business proposition, though one with a remarkable ability to create a government. If we did nothing else right, we were among the first, if not the first, to grant equal rights to all religions. Washington wrote to a synagogue: "We are fortunate to live in a country which finds no place for prejudice, and makes no compromise with bigotry." (Though only so far as freedom of worship went; those of African descent, particularly those who Washington "owned," would have found that a bitter joke.) As a man raised in journalism, Franklin also had a knack for the ringing phrase, and the one I repeated is the one Americans most need to be reminded of, IMO. The Pennsylvania is nearly the size of England was just a piece of trivia I ran across when I wondered what country Pennsylvania is the size of--I guess it would be easy to take as a wind-up, though... While I think the US has its points, on balance I like the UK more, mostly because it's freer from group think and writes and speaks English much better. On the issue, I decided it was possible to agree Lloris should have been removed, that not removing him was embarrassing--but that while I'm willing to go along with Medicine on this one, the whole safety-first culture makes me sick. I've come to the conclusion that almost everyone who talks about safety is concerned with taking away freedom, whether they know it or not. Anyways, thanks for the very interesting responses, I've really enjoyed them... and I won't go completely off-topic for some time....
I think you speak for most there, Health and Safety has gone mad over here, so has this culture of suing employers and 3rd party's, though i think that crept over here from your side of the pond! Lloris as it turned out was ok to carry on, fine, but if he'd had a relapse his agent would be ready to cream THFC for it. Never mind all the coulda, woulda, shoulda, Lloris was technically at work, and I can only think of an engineering analogy, had he been an operative of a million pound machine, I can guarantee his employer would not let him back on it within 10 minutes, however briefly unconscious he was.
I like useless facts, and alternate viewpoints...especially those from people that seem intelligent, sit 6000miles away and suffer just as I do when watching Spurs! I say keep it coming my friend (and for anyone that doesn't like it, they can just ignore it and move on to the next post)
Going even more off topic, I certainly know where Pennsylvania is, and have even touched the Liberty Bell (which by coincidence was manufactured in Whitechapel, just like me!) The Americans at their best certainly do two things as well or better than us (1) You can touch the Liberty Bell, in the UK I think it would be behind several layers of security. You can't normally touch Stonehenge for example. Similarly it would be normal for a tall building to include a viewing platform. The Shard is the (expensive) exception to the rule now, but it seems to me that all tall buildings over a certain height should legally be obliged to include a public gallery. But of course they weren't until recently because of the security excuse (another discussion about that) and perhaps the developers just don't care. (2) People that don't know you being rather nice to you. After touching the Liberty Bell I was talking to a group of Americans that then gave me a tour of Philadelphia in their own car and bought me lunch. Decending into the Grand Canyon, every single person or group I met on the way up said something along the lines of 'hello have a nice day' (which sounds very genuine in an American accent when meant genuinely). Very interesting stuff here about the contradictions in American independence in the sense that clearly not everyone wanted it, much is made of the freedoms demanded, yet many of the leading figures were slave owners. Even as late as the Second World War, Roosavelt was skeptical about Churchills associations with empire, and how Britain treated its 'subjects', yet at the same time being President of a country that treated its black and indiginous peoples appalingly.
To be fair, Stonehenge is internationaly recognised, is a herritage site and is important due to the fact it is still not fully understood. Add in the fact it is being worn away by exposure to the elements and it does need more protection than a metal bell.
Fair enough, Stonehenge I'm sure has more international recognition than the Liberty Bell, although the Liberty Bell is very iconic for Americans. In 1996 Taco Bell (the mexican fast food chain) announced that they had bought the Liberty Bell and renamed it Taco Liberty Bell. Of course this caused outrage and thousands complained - not realising that the announcement had been made on 1 April. Another bit of trivia is that the theme to Monty Python is actually called "The Liberty Bell" (by Souza).
Something has always got me about the American Revolution.Firstly the French,I strongly believe,were the thorn in Britain's side by siding with the Revolutionaries by assisting them in many ways.One being blocking the ports (no Admiral Nelson then!).I don't seeing much recognition regarding the French on the 4th of July celebrations.Seems to be forgotten! The ironic thing was that the French wanted the Americas for themselves.After the war was lost/won the French went home to a bankrupt nation (serves 'em right!) and THEIR own Revolution. Then the "Americans" tried to dislodge the Brits from Canada,which this time,did not work. Amazing thing was Britain allowed the French to stay in Canada.I wonder if the French would have allowed the Brits to stay there if they had won Canada?
There it is tots. Somebody has already tripped over it and cracked it. please log in to view this image
The French were smarting over their defeat in the Seven Years War , as they lost Canada . Without their naval support the war would have been a stalemate but their Fleet blocked British General's Clinton's re-enforcements to Yorktown which led to the surrender of the Cornwallis forces under siege by the Franco-American Army . On Canada , the Americans invaded twice and both times failed. First time 1775 and ended in defeat at the attempt to take Quebec. Second time in 1812, as Britain was diverted in Europe fighting Napoleon . On Smithy's question would they have allowed the Brits to remain in Canada if they had won ? Canada or really Quebec we are talking about was nearly all French settlers at this time , so there was very few Brits to kick out. After the American Revolution many Loyalists from the 13 states resettled in Canada/Ontario . They formed the backbone of the Canadian Militia and along with the British infantry that repelled the American invasion . In revenge the British burnt the original White House in Washington.
I see our manager has made a big tit of himself and our club with his comments to the media today. We all saw what happened and we all know he is covering his backside with his comments. Not impressed one little bit.
I've been to Philadelphia a couple of times, once while backpacking across the US and once when my cousin married there. The Liberty Bell centre is an interesting experience, but my favourite thing about Philly is the much under visited Penn State Penitentiary, one of the few attempts to instigate principles of Bentham's Panopticon, and with Al Capone's luxury cell still in tact. The other great thing is the art gallery, with it's famous 'Rocky Steps', and of course the irresistable Philly Cheese Steaks.
SC Can't believe they are considering playing Lloris V Sherif. Big smack of no confidence for Brad,also not impressed.
I'll be very surprised if Hugo plays tonight. Even if he's fully recovered it's not ideal to be playing someone who got knocked out just 4/5 days ago.
From what I've read it looked like he was making a good point, not one person in the media has questioned whether Lukaku could've got out the way. I said at the time that I felt he would've realised he was going to clatter into Lloris and there wasn't even a single sign of him trying to slow up or avoid him. It'd be stupid to play Lloris though, the game really doesn't even matter so he might as well play it on the safe side.
