What is wrong with Britain? (and how can we fix it?)

[sunnysan]

yet interestingly Aussies and yarpies have always got an opinion about the UK

Nice phonetic spelling DA, the word you are looking for is "japie" although pronounced as you spell it.

Although I am the first one to admit that South Africans and Australians/NZ are not exactly sensitive to cultural differnces, you have ignorant opinionated tw@ts in all cultures

I have just as much of an issue with Brits formulating an opinions on SA based on a European set of values.

[DodgyAgent]

Clive Woodward

Sometimes sport can be a barometer of a society.

Todays Lions V All Blacks game was a graphic reminder of that.

[

Nope looks to me more like a a game of rugby between two teams, with the better team winning.

I also see that the aussies, true to form, are still venting their fury against Sir Clive Woodwatd for having the cheek to win the rugby world cup on their own doorstep

The very fact that the Aussies hate him so much just makes him more of a hero. If Australia cannot win at sport what on Earth is Australia for other than a dumping ground for all the scum of Britain?

Thank you sunnysan for that information.. Just goes to show how little interest there is in South Africa

I have just as much of an issue with Brits formulating an opinions on SA based on a European set of values.

Fair comment sunnysan. This thread was posted by a UK descendant of the criminal classes from the other end of the planet. So quite what the UK's political and social situation has to do with him I do not understand. As a proud Brit I am flattered that this twerp is sufficiently interested in our great country to afford it his attention.

Obviously if the UK was such a dull country, then someone such as him living in such a great country of his own would have better things to do.

[WageSlave1]

Re: Clive Woodward

because Seth Efrica and Oz/NZ are full to bursting with pommie bastards Please take them back.

I suppose someone has to live in these countries, and as the all the SA, Aus and NZ nationals are living in London, it might as well be the Brits.

What's wrong with this country?
Comprehensive education, the working class, tabloid journalism and a love of Americana.

What wrong with this country in sporting terms?
A dislike of success and greatness. I'll give an example from boxing. Without doubt, Britain's most popular boxer has to be Frank Bruno. This is a man who still receives applause from the public despite being exposed as a wife beater. Frank played his image for all it's worth; warm hearted but stupid. Frank was great at whacking out B grade opponents, but each time he stepped up to tackle someone with real class he was found wanting (and found polishing the canvass with this backside). However, his ‘glory days’ coincided with a period in English history during which we were struggling to accept that our empire had collapsed and we were no longer a super power (only the Americans and Russians could win things). Frank matched that inferiority complex; he was plucky and wore his heart on his sleeve, but always failed against the big Americans.
Now, contrast Frank’s story with that of Lennox Lewis. Lewis won gold at the Olympics and became a genuine world champion, beating truly class opponents along the way, and can make a genuine claim to being included in the Top 10 greatest heavyweights of all time. But do the British public love their true champion? No, he has always been distrusted for being good, intelligent (for a boxer), reserved and having a strange accent (due to spending part of his late childhood in Canada). Just look at our beloved Tim Henman in tennis; won bugger all, but always tries his best.

In order for this country to produce great sportsmen, we need to develop a culture of recognising, rewarding and admiring genuine talent. We need to invest in development and instil a winning mentality (something the Americans have). This leads to a larger cultural problem; a dislike of intellectuals. We mock anyone who speaks in a ‘proper’ way and being intelligent at school is an invitation for a beating. As a nation we have gone from Bertrand Russell to Ali G; that’s not a coincidence.

[expat]

optimism, definition.

with the hope of mistakes from the All Blacks back division.

[DimPrawn]

Re: optimism, definition.

What is wrong with this country?

Socialism and bleeing heart liberals.

What can we do about it?

Get a strong right wing government in power.

What are the chances of this happening?

Zero.

What are you going to do about this?

Leave.

What will everyone else do?

Celebrate my departure and then carry on being screwed over in a slowly dissolving "Great" Britain.

[Cojak]

Re: optimism, definition.

Chavs come from anywhere...

Kath & Kim. Love it...:lol

[WageSlave1]

Re: optimism, definition.

What's wrong with the nation?

Carol Vorderman is considered an intellectual. It's like I always say; standards!