@Finn dAbuzz,
Finn dAbuzz wrote:
There has been an argument running through this thread which suggests that only the British can have valid opinions on this subject or if one is not British, one is required to have spent time in the UK before offering an opinion.
I happen to have spent considerable time in the UK and will continue to visit it on a regular basis. This in and of itself doesn't make me an expert on all things British anymore than a Brit's visit to Disneyworld or NYC makes him an expert on the US.
Since no people of any nation are all of the same mind it's pretty silly to assume that simply by living in that nation any of the people are necessarily experts on their own country and fellow citizens.
I don't see anyone here saying that folk are not entitled to put forward their opinions - surely the reason for participating? There's a difference between have an opinion, putting forward a perspective and merely scoffing or taking pot-shots with malice which I feel some folk have done on this thread.
Quote:
Yes, actually living in the nation or city where an event takes place can certainly provide a perspective that enhances discussion concerning the event, but I doubt that you or izzy or anyone not living here in America are prepared to concede that because I have lived here my whole life that my opinions on the events here are more worthy than your own. If, by some miracle, you are, you shouldn't.
Well, IMO, that's just daft.
Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion on any event.
Actually, I believe some of my opinions of the 'events' here are for me, and of course IMO, more worthy than some of yours - simply because of my own personal experiences in this country, which gives me a greater perspective than you, irrespective of whether or not I was threatened by a rioter. So you may have opinions, but I can't honestly say I would value them more than my own on certain issues.
You can have an opinion and your own interpretation about, let's say, parenting issues and the government's role of disempowerment - but, unless you are me and in my circumstances, your opinion is certainly not more worthy than mine based on my firsthand experiences with the government.
However, I'm actually prepared to listen and seek people's views - and having listened, acknowledging other perspectives, my opinion may change on issues. You, from what I can see, appear not to be willing to listen to what other's are saying or pass off the British perspective as being irrelevant.
I'm here on a majority American forum - and it does concern me greatly about the world's opinion of my country.
When other folk, or countries, or people such as Ms Malcolm state
"In a civilized society people would be allowed to defend themselves with guns, not baseball bats."
Well, we (that being the Royal We) the people, disagree with Ms Malcolm.
Hobbits at the bottom of the garden 
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