Oh! How the Mighty Have Fallen

[Roger Dyer]

A few days ago I received an email entitled '40 Maps that will help you make sense of the world'. It featured maps of the world dealing with all manner of subjects. My attention was drawn to a map which, in red and white, showed all the countries that had NEVER been invaded by Britain. This, of course, included countries with which Britain had been engaged in war and the many others that had the been gathered under the huge umbrella that was the British Empire. The number of countries were surprisingly few, a mere 22. For the benefit of those members who may be interested, the countries that escaped the attention of Albion are :-

Andorra, Belarus, Bolivia, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Kyrygzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mali, Monaco,
Mongolia, Marshall Islands, Paraguay, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Sweden, Tankistan, Uzbekistan and Vatican City (which should keep the Pope happy).

For we who are British, it is a stark reminder of how, for reasons good or bad, our forbears left such a huge footprint on the world map. It is hardly surprising that even now when the once mighty empire is no more, most of us still have an inner sense of great pride in who we are and what our nation has acheived upon the world stage. Yes, there were times when, in seeking to profit from it's global explorations, tiny Britain subjugated many millions of people. However, it also sought to extend the boundaries of civilisation and in so doing introduce stable government, law, education and a developed infrastructure (roads, railways and hospitals, etc) to many who, otherwise, would have continued their primitive existence. At the peak of it's power it was the largest empire the world had ever known ( and may ever remain so, who knows ?). Now, for those of us who have witnessed such rapid decline, it is hard to swallow the bitter fruit that has been left by the withered vine of British Colonial policy. Unsurprisingly, many of the people from those former colonies now seek a better life which they believe can still be found in Britain, a Britain that has neither the room or finances to accomodate their dreams, a Britain that is being swamped by illegal aliens and citizens of the European Union, about which, it seems, they can do little. Small wonder that indigenous Britons are so angry. Evident by the many comments of discontent posted on these forums, British folk are sick and tired of being increasingly disadvantaged by their own Government in favour of the incoming hordes.

If the referendum next September should succeed and allow the long-suffering Scots control over their own destiny, I say good luck to them. If it were possible for the rest of Britain to escape the insidious tentacles of the European Union (my opinion) and once more gain full sovereignty, then I would say hoo (bl--dy) ray, for only then can peace and tranquility return to the green and pleasant land we once knew.

...........Roger

[j.sabourn]

Roger most of those listed as not being invaded by Britain, most of them were by British merchant seamen. We went to places no white man had been seen before let alone British. Cheers John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

Roger slightly off the beaten track. As an ex police officer, does someone in the higher regions of the martial arts have any recourse to register with the police. Cheers John Sabourn

[Roger Dyer]

I hope that by answering your question, John, it will not trigger a sudden urge by others (who shall remain nameless ) to have discourse about Bruce Lee et al.
Should hate to think that I was party to the demolition of my own thread. However, mate, to answer your question, here in Oz, regardless of what level you attain in any of the many different martial art disciplines, there is no requirement for Police to be notified.

...............Roger

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Roger
That I think applies in many Countries,but there is the issue that if you are a Martial Arts Expert and use it indiscriminately you can be charged under the (usage of Dangerous Weapons) ,that is what we were taught in the Traffic Force in Cape Town,which was then part and parcel of the Police Force!
So just beware here as well as in other places!
Cheers

[j.sabourn]

When you think about Britain and the great colonisation of a great deal of the world, and later these countries demanding independence, the present situation could be likened to that of a divorced man having to pay subsistence for the rest of his life to his wife(s) estate and family. As the same of today may have been better not getting married in the first place. Should have used the old maxim of Find them F..l them F..k them and forget them. I don't think the UK has any legal obligation to some of these countries so what is it, a guilty conscience perhaps on the behalf of the politicians grandparents. Far far too much money giving away gratis. John Sabourn

[happy daze john in oz]

One thing about all the countries England had at one time. Under English control most of them worked very well, had good economies and contributed to the world in general. Then came indipendence and with it the hand in the till, the hand of the new president or govenor. Now those same countries are a drain on the British econmy as now they require massive annual hand out to keep even the simplest of facilities working, not forgetting of course that most of the new presidenst of these countries require to be kept in a life of luxury. When will the British people take up arm against against a sea of trouble and by opposing end them, ...........................there is certianly something rotten in the state of Denmark now.

[Jim Brady]

I remember seeing a show on TV maybe it was on a history channel.The scene is in parliament an MP is putting the question to some cabinet member " We are raping these countries all over the world of their assetts what are we giving them back" or words to that effect.The person replying in his wisdom said."We will make them British and give them British passports".It was then pointed out to the guy who made this statement that this would give these people all over the world the right to come into Britain."Rubbish " he said "These people wont leave their lovelly warm climates to come here".That is just the basics of it I have tried to find this on Hansard but no luck.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[John Pruden]

the empire as we call it was mostly made up of the jolly boat landing flag raised and this is ours? at that time the French spain Holland was all doing the same a land grab on a global scale!!!then countries wanted independence from empire builders. on the other hand most in the british empire has fought by great Britain in wars so we do owe a lot to people who's fathers and grand parents stood along side in conflicts all over the world we are paying the price for greed?just my view jp

[Captain Kong]

Now we are reduced to being a small province of europe, ruled by germany and france.