Quote:
Originally posted by MagiK:
Skunk? is this flame bait? Considering how no "reasonable" person can claim that either the UK, the US, or the UN for that matter are embarked on any kind of colonialism.
Edit: You could however make a good case for hegemonism..
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Baiting? No, not at all.
As a Brit who was brought up on a diet of
Great Britain's Glorious and wonderful past (ever heard the lyrics of
Rule Britannia?), I think that I am more than qualified to put Britain's part into perspective. Just a few kilometres away from where the British are stationed is an 80 year old cemetary where British soldiers are buried after dying in an uprising against the (then) colonial administration. Some things don't change with the passage of time - and history seems to repeat itself - check out the text below.
What is different about the reasons for launching an empire? Overthrowing tyrants and freeing the people from their wealth? That's as old as the hills...
Rule Britannia
When Britain first at Heav'n's command, Arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter of the land, And guardian angels sang this strain;
CHORUS:
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never shall be slaves.
Rule Britannia
The nations not so blest as thee, Shall in their turns to tyrants fall;
While thou shalt flourish great and free, The dread and envy of them all.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never shall be slaves.
Still mor majestic shalt thou rise, More dreadful from each foreign stroke;
As the loud blast that tears the skies, Serves but to root thy native oak.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never shall be slaves.
Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame, All their attempts to bend thee down;
Will but arouse thy generous flame, But work their woe, and thy renown.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never shall be slaves.
To thee belongs the rural reign, They cities shall with commerce shine;
All thine shall be the subject main, And every shore it circles thine.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never shall be slaves.
The Muses, still with freedom found, Shall to thy happy coast repair;
Blest Isle! With matchless beauty crowned, And manly hearts to guide the fair.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never shall be slaves.
Thomas Augustine Arne, 1740
Britain's history for the following 160 years after the publication of this song speaks for itself. Oh! and I shouldn't forget the following lyrics from our national anthem,
God Save the King
Lord, grant that Marshal Wade,
May by thy mighty aid,
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush and like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush,
God save the King.
Thomas Augustine Arne, 1745
[ 01-06-2004, 05:08 AM: Message edited by: Skunk ]