1 hour ago, harvardgrad said:

Not sure if you realized this but life expectancy worldwide has probably peaked. Technology has improved but trust among humans is declining. Unless AI can start diagnosing and treating us it doesn't matter what your Healthcare is like because the hospital staff you rely on these days are all incompetent and chronically of the opinion they are all underpaid all the time. Healthcare is a mess everywhere who are you trying to kid

Things are getting worse all over, Australia included, especially the housing market, wealth inequality, long time waits for surgeries,pressure on the public hospitals, species extinctions, inflation, land development for increasing population and droughts. This is happening all over, populations increasing causing many of the problems. The US has these problems for some of the same reasons, the population of course being a major concern.

7 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

The British here seem to really hate the U.S. so much. From my observation, ask a British about America and they will go into a emotional charged anti America hate rant. Ask an American about British and they seem to just shrug their shoulders with no real opinion otherwise. Aren't they suppose to be some of the strongest allied countries in the world? Sad.

Theres a lot of jealousy. America, for all its faults gets all the attention.

The Brits got squeezed out by their own government and the rest of Europe. Its agonizing for the Brits and us Anglophiles.

5 hours ago, Wingate said:

I'm not sure the US remains one of those democratic nations where any topic can be discussed freely. Ask Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert.

Or ask university students or faculty that support a free Palestine and an end to illegal Israeli occupation...

@harvardgrad Im wondering why this forum only talks about USA

Have a look at the news in your own country and notice how all the foreign news relates in some way or another to the USA. A ferry sinks crossing a river in southern Africa and 150 people drown. None American. Think that would make Fox News? A local newspaper? The president of Tajikistan is re-elected by a narrow margin. CNN? ABC? Maybe the back pages of the NYT.

Why don't the US media report thesse things? They know their populace is globally ignorant, wouldn't know where most of these place are - and wouldn't care anyway - because there is no US connection.

One has to admit, the USA might as well be a three ring circus these days. The economy is on thin ice and could plunge the world into depression at any time, the US President seems to be under the spell of Benjamin Netanyahu and is now bogged down in a war the US can't win, and the war in Eastern Europe may well be the start of WWIII, thanks to Trump. There's no shortage of interesting news.

What happens in the USA really does affect the rest of the world.

2 hours ago, harvardgrad said:

Not sure if you realized this but life expectancy worldwide has probably peaked. Technology has improved but trust among humans is declining. Unless AI can start diagnosing and treating us it doesn't matter what your Healthcare is like because the hospital staff you rely on these days are all incompetent and chronically of the opinion they are all underpaid all the time. Healthcare is a mess everywhere who are you trying to kid

I am already past the average life expectancy of an Australian male. I put that down to ensuring I stay mentally and physically fit, and also take heed of warning signs. My mantra is if you don't measure it, you can't control it. Most people don't even measure their blood pressure and heart rate regularly.

Bashing the US huh, that's mostly Trump hate as it triggers so many on here, but certainly a bit of a change of pace from bashing the bad old Brits at any opportunity... haha.

1 hour ago, FinChin67 said:

Nice rhetoric "MAGA hatred of anything left of Genghis Khan”.

Australia has not had continuous leftist governments since Federation. Non-Labor/conservative parties (Liberals and predecessors) have governed for the majority of the time. You can of course correct me if you think I'm wrong.

The PBS and Medicare deliver advantages. That is true in form of lower patient drug costs and broader access. However they were built and maintained by both Labor and Coalition governments and not “leftists alone.”

Commies are always eager to take credit but the results and track record is something else... I wonder when they take credit for open borders and rising crime?

It's true that Australian medicines are cheaper at the pharmacy counter because of national negotiation and fixed co-pays. U.S. system still has higher average prices though recent data show the largest measured drop in prescription-drug CPI in over 60 years under current policies.

Life expectancy is higher in Australia (roughly 4 years). That gap is real and longstanding driven by multiple factors like violence, overdoses, obesity, coverage, lifestyle and not simply “leftist governments.”

If you take out black on black crime, leftist and BLM riots (leftist policies like letting repeat offenders go) it would be close.

Calling the current U.S. health leadership an “imbecile” is just name-calling and measurable price declines undercut the claim that nothing can improve.

Cold War “hide under desks” drills faded with the end of the nuclear threat in many countries not because one Australian conservative magically ended them...

Modern lockdown drills still exist in Australia for other threats. Oh and there's something brewing in Melbourne too and maybe related to this "other threats".

Yes, Australia has not had continuous leftist governments since Federation - please show me where in my post I claimed it did.

Correction - conservative governments have done their best to dismantle Medicare. Every time they try it on, they get a bloody nose from voters.

As far as taking out BLM, black on black etc. goes, if my auntie had balls, she'd be my uncle.

A recovering heroin addict who stated he had a worm in his brain. Antivaxxer, anti-fluoridation in the face of indisputable evidence vaccines and fluoride are successful health measures. Of course he's an imbecile. Take a trip to Afghanistan without vaccines if you think he knows what he is doing.

The Cold War comment is misdirection. American kids are trained to hide under their desks due to disgruntled current and former students going berserk with readily available firearms, thanks to America's Second Amendment. Which is an ongoing risk in the USA.

Yank's mm where to start ? Obesity rampant due to lack of Salads, They think there best at everything , exept shooting kids in Schools there the best at that. Most live in a bubble outside that bubble there lost. There the most hated Country in the free world , thanks to there arrogance. America was built on the backs of Slavery, and if i ever found myself in the trenches with a Yank id be worried for my own life with them at my back.

29 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

Yank's mm where to start ? Obesity rampant due to lack of Salads, They think there best at everything , exept shooting kids in Schools there the best at that. Most live in a bubble outside that bubble there lost. There the most hated Country in the free world , thanks to there arrogance. America was built on the backs of Slavery, and if i ever found myself in the trenches with a Yank id be worried for my own life with them at my back.

Obesity is high in the US from all the junk foods, but most other countries, especially in Europe, are also very high in the obesity and overweight index. Thailand has itself increased in a huge way since western junk has been introduced, and this will continue. The whole world is getting fatter, and this won't stop anytime soon, and will likely increase in all of SE Asia also. Some Pacific islands are higher than the US in obesity,The US is 11th in rank. many countries are very close to it, as this link shows.............https://data.worldobesity.org/rankings/

Yes, America is hated, alongside North Korea, China, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia and Israel.............https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-worlds-most-and-least-liked-countries/

Most people in the world live in a bubble of sorts. This is shaped by traditions, cultures and technology.

Most countries were built on violence and many on slavery, especially the US and the UK.

If you saw how the US military works, especially the Marines, you would be safer with them than most other countries.

Only when you actually live in America can a person know how life is there, as media is biased, prejudiced and outright ignorant many times, and others are quick to blame the US while their own countries are suffering from many of the same problems.

Yes, there are school shootings in the US, which is a disgrace, but mass shootings and mayhem happen everywhere, with more violence in many countries worse than the US. This violence is going to increase, especially here in Thailand, where enforcement is severely lacking.

Edited August 26Aug 26 by fredwiggy

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

Obesity is high in the US from all the junk foods, but most other countries, especially in Europe, are also very high in the obesity and overweight index. Thailand has itself increased in a huge way since western junk has been introduced, and this will continue. The whole world is getting fatter, and this won't stop anytime soon, and will likely increase in all of SE Asia also. Some Pacific islands are higher than the US in obesity,The US is 11th in rank. many countries are very close to it, as this link shows.............https://data.worldobesity.org/rankings/

Yes, America is hated, alongside North Korea, China, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia and Israel.............https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-worlds-most-and-least-liked-countries/

Most people in the world live in a bubble of sorts. This is shaped by traditions, cultures and technology.

Most countries were built on violence and many on slavery, especially the US and the UK.

If you saw how the US military works, especially the Marines, you would be safer with them than most other countries.

Only when you actually live in America can a person know how life is there, as media is biased, prejudiced and outright ignorant many times, and others are quick to blame the US while their own countries are suffering from many of the same problems.

Yes, there are school shootings in the US, which is a disgrace, but mass shootings and mayhem happen everywhere, with more violence in many countries worse than the US. This violence is going to increase, especially here in Thailand, where enforcement is severely lacking.

The last time We had a mass shooting in a School in the UK was over 30 years ago fred the US has 2-3 a Month it happens that often its common now. As for the Marines well they might have the best kit but they are not that good at using it. Have they ever defeated an Army one on one ? without the Aid of other country's backing them up, you seem to be struggleing against Iran because most Country's failed to support you. Now we see why ?

8 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

The last time We had a mass shooting in a School in the UK was over 30 years ago fred the US has 2-3 a Month it happens that often its common now. As for the Marines well they might have the best kit but they are not that good at using it. Have they ever defeated an Army one on one ? without the Aid of other country's backing them up, you seem to be struggleing against Iran because most Country's failed to support you. Now we see why ?

I know about the school shootings and I'm as upset as anyone, especially seeing i sold guns for a living for years. Regulations are needed to stop them from getting in the wrong hands, and AI knew this years ago. The US could defeat any army it wanted to, but it's motives aren't just military, as they excel in that category. they get involved in things they shouldn't sometimes and don't stay long enough to finish the job. They could wipe out Iran easily if they wanted to but it's not about the military there either but money and politics, along with nuclear capability and terrorism. If we didn't have help in wars we would still finish them military wise. It would just take longer and more lives would be lost. Too many news reports and many aren't valid on what really goes on in this world.

6 hours ago, advancebooking said:

do you mean septic tank yank?

Times are a changing. I used to get suspended for using rhyming slang to describe them. The question is the origin, Cockney or Australian.

9 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Yes and especially after 1776?😄

We let you have it, there was nothing worth nicking there at the time.

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

If you saw how the US military works, especially the Marines, you would be safer with them than most other countries.

You do know why the US marines were formed dont you?

Edited August 26Aug 26 by sungod

4 minutes ago, sungod said:

You do know why the US marines were formed dont you?

Revolutionary War, preventing mutinies, sniping from masts to other boats, and like now to secure beaches. Originally to help the Navy.

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Revolutionary War, preventing mutinies, sniping from masts to other boats, and like now to secure beaches. Originally to help the Navy.

After seeing the Royal Marines and modeled on them. still great friendship between the 2 Corps

3 minutes ago, sungod said:

After seeing the Royal Marines and modeled on them. still great friendship between the 2 Corps

As it should be in all countries.

12 hours ago, Wingate said:

I'm not sure the US remains one of those democratic nations where any topic can be discussed freely. Ask Jimmy Kimmel or Stephen Colbert.

As for content, it seems the OP does have an internet connection, so he is perfectly capable of writing and posting anything he wants, rather than bemoan what he thinks is limited content focus. Other people do that, but that fact seems to offend him, if folks seems to focus on one nation.

If, as the saying goes, an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of laptops would eventually have one monkey write Macbeth, I'm sure a "harvardgrad" can come up with a topic.

What exactly are we supposed to “ask” Kimmel and Colbert?

CBS said Colbert’s show was canceled for financial reasons and is ending the entire Late Show franchise, not merely replacing Colbert. The timing understandably caused suspicion because Colbert had criticized Paramount’s settlement with Trump, but suspicion is not proof that Trump ordered CBS to fire him.

Kimmel is a somewhat different case. ABC temporarily suspended him following his comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing, and the network and its affiliates said they made their own programming decisions. However, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s public pressure and talk of regulatory consequences was inappropriate and deserves criticism. Kimmel was nevertheless back on the air within days and continues to criticize Trump.

That is hardly proof that Americans are no longer free to discuss political subjects. The First Amendment prevents government censorship; it does not guarantee a television personality permanent employment or freedom from an employer’s programming decisions.

And if government pressure on private media companies is the standard, we should apply it consistently. Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that senior Biden administration officials repeatedly pressured Facebook to suppress COVID-related content, including humor and satire, and said that pressure was wrong. Therefore, concerns about political interference with speech did not suddenly begin with Trump.

There are legitimate questions about government pressure in the Kimmel matter, but Colbert’s cancellation has never been proven to have been ordered by Trump. Turning two corporate television decisions into proof that Americans cannot speak freely is a considerable exaggeration.

8 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Things are getting worse all over, Australia included, especially the housing market, wealth inequality, long time waits for surgeries,pressure on the public hospitals, species extinctions, inflation, land development for increasing population and droughts. This is happening all over, populations increasing causing many of the problems. The US has these problems for some of the same reasons, the population of course being a major concern.

Populations in Russia, Ukraine, China and Thailand are in decline. The main increases are in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, the places which can probably least afford them.

Those population increases are contributed to by the Roman Catholic Church, which still frowns on contraception. So your concern is a bit weird, coming from a believer.

12 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

I think 1776 is an American thing Brits don't really care. Not sure if it even in their history classes. Seems recently they are more concerned about the Hemsworth Barn a wooden structure build in 1426

From what I can gather 1776 for the Brits was a choice between the sugar revenues from Jamaica versus some beaver pelts from the 13 colonies.

It is a bit like the 1966 World Cup. Brits waffle on about that but the Germans don't really care. Their soccer nemesis is the Netherlands.

1776 I had to look that up

2 hours ago, ericthai said:

What exactly are we supposed to “ask” Kimmel and Colbert ?

Are you aware that these two, according to progressives, are considered oppressed wealthy individuals with no freedom of speech?

15 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Everyone either looks up to the US as a world leader, or looks down on them when things go sideways, as they are a world leader and there are expectations. Some of those are legitimate and some aren't.

The US is all countries in one place, so the world's people expects them to act like they do where they live, which is reasonable to an extant. All cultures and thinking in one place, and that makes a lot of good ideas and stupid thoughts, depending on who makes them.

A world leader because of all these minds together, with some of those minds making major decisions that can hurt or help others. One president after another, all making promises and changes, some of which have helped tremendously and some that have hurt both our economy and that of others, as the US is a major trade hub.

Our leaders are responsible for helping Americans and all other countries to keep peace and that world trade going, but sometimes certain leaders make a decision that angers not only other countries, but the citizens of the US also.

Every country has problems, and the leaders are a major part of them, and all we can hope for is the next one making decisions that will fix the prior one's mistakes.

“we can hope for is the next one making decisions that will fix the prior one's mistakes.”

Exactly what Trump is currently doing.

Fixing the F-ups of Obama and Biden.

Not an easy task. After Carter, Obama and Biden are the worst.

4 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

“we can hope for is the next one making decisions that will fix the prior one's mistakes.”

Exactly what Trump is currently doing.

Fixing the F-ups of Obama and Biden.

Not an easy task. After Carter, Obama and Biden are the worst.

Dream on...Talking about the worst, it'll take 10 more Presidents to fix the screw ups of Trump.

6 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

The last time We had a mass shooting in a School in the UK was over 30 years ago fred the US has 2-3 a Month it happens that often its common now. As for the Marines well they might have the best kit but they are not that good at using it. Have they ever defeated an Army one on one ? without the Aid of other country's backing them up, you seem to be struggleing against Iran because most Country's failed to support you. Now we see why ?

How many stabbings, slashings and beheadings has the UK had?

By your immigrants who have the best assimilation record, the Muslims.

9 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

Yank's mm where to start ? Obesity rampant due to lack of Salads

You sound like you are British. People from the UK cannot boast about their BMI status.

2 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

Dream on...Talking about the worst, it'll take 10 more Presidents to fix the screw ups of Trump.

Who is on your “10” list?

9 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

America was built on the backs of Slavery, and if i ever found myself in the trenches with a Yank id be worried for my own life with them at my back .

European settlers brought enslaved people to the North American continent in 1619. People like you seem to want to forget about all the countries that your government enslaved through colonization. Shall we chat about the countries that the UK colonized?

Also, slavery held back the economic development of the South.

9 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Populations in Russia, Ukraine, China and Thailand are in decline. The main increases are in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, the places which can probably least afford them.

Those population increases are contributed to by the Roman Catholic Church, which still frowns on contraception. So your concern is a bit weird, coming from a believer.

Birth control is a major problem in Africa, along with diseases, so it's something that needs to be constantly addressed. I was a Catholic, but just a Christian now, as some of the things the Catholic religion does aren't necessary, along with some mistakes they've made.

The main problem worldwide is the population, and being in decline anywhere is not a bad thing, as the food in this world will eventually run out if it keeps increasing.

Young marriage ages in Africa along with better health care , vaccinations and better insect netting is also increasing the population there, and not just because there are many Catholics there. The more children that survive their younger years, the higher the population. Because of this, more younger people are having babies as the population is a younger one by percentages.

6 hours ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

“we can hope for is the next one making decisions that will fix the prior one's mistakes.”

Exactly what Trump is currently doing.

Fixing the F-ups of Obama and Biden.

Not an easy task. After Carter, Obama and Biden are the worst.

As the next one will try to fix mistakes Trump is making. Carter and Obama, along with most other presidents, did some good and bad. Carter helped with foreign relations and environmental issues, and Obama helped many Americans with healthcare and did get rid of Bin Laden. They all do many minor things that are necessary, but do some things that hurt, like all other politicians worldwide.