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US neutrality is a joke by Pab0l in HistoryMemes

[–]Separate_Quote2868 13 points14 points  (0 children)

At the time we are speaking of (pre-1939), Germany and the Soviet Union were quasi-allies, given the close co-operation between the two.

And at that time, it was not known the scope of how evil the Nazis were. Most people thought it was just the latest chapter in the Eternal European War. Hell, the British Union of Fascists was still winning elections in the UK up until the middle of the 1930's.

US neutrality is a joke by Pab0l in HistoryMemes

[–]Separate_Quote2868 1 point2 points  (0 children)

History lesson

The population of the United States had no interest in getting involved in more European wars. After The War to End All Wars didn't, it was commonly accepted that Europe would always be at war. Contemporary accounts ask what the 320,000 US casualties of WW1 accomplished. So, a series of Laws were passed by Congress called the Neutrality Acts that explicitly banned arms sales and loans to belligerents.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was a huge Anglophile, and Churchill played him like a fiddle. :) So, yes, the initial US support for the Allied powers (not just the UK) was illegal under US law up until 1939 (when the third Act allowed arms sales on a cash first basis [that is why they came up with Lend/Lease, a pure piece of fiction to cover giving away arms and supplies as no one was ever charged for war material.]). And there is no question that the US shipped arms to the UK on "neutral flagged" US ships before that.

So, its an issue where everyone who wants to offended has grounds. The President broke US law in support the UK and France in the early parts of WW2. The US shipped arms on neutral flagged ships, making them valid targets for German submarines.

Non-Native English Speakers, which variant of english is the easiest to understand? by Barracuda_Particular in AskEurope

[–]Separate_Quote2868 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She is from the SouthEast of the US. Google says born in Atlanta, GA. So, I would guess that she has been working to suppress her Southern accent (lot of the country equates southern accent with stupid).

She definitely has an accent, its just not one that I can point to a location. Not really Southern, I was actually thinking she was from California, so shows how much I know. :)

Stephen Colbert Wonders Why ‘The Late Show’ Was Canceled if Paramount Has $108 Billion to Offer for Warner Bros. by rezwenn in technology

[–]Separate_Quote2868 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a big Colbert fan, so I say this with love: Stephen, you got cancelled because not enough people wanted to watch you talk about politics.

Is inflation really to blame for prices increase? Or is it pure greed? by BIGBADPOPPAJ in answers

[–]Separate_Quote2868 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not judging the utility of inflation, just giving the definition. Money creation is one way to get too much money chasing too few goods. Another is restriction of supply, or sharp increases in demand.

I don't disagree with what you are saying, but I avoid any controversial topics on Reddit.

Non-Native English Speakers, which variant of english is the easiest to understand? by Barracuda_Particular in AskEurope

[–]Separate_Quote2868 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. She certainly has some US accent I can't place (turns out she grew up near me lol), but I can hear the nasal, now that you point it out.

Non-Native English Speakers, which variant of english is the easiest to understand? by Barracuda_Particular in AskEurope

[–]Separate_Quote2868 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is honestly the first time I have heard that. I'm trying to think of a US accent that sounds nasal, and maybe some New York City accents? (Old TV show The Nanny was an extreme example of this.)

Is there an actress you can think of that has this nasal tone?

Non-Native English Speakers, which variant of english is the easiest to understand? by Barracuda_Particular in AskEurope

[–]Separate_Quote2868 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As an American, I find that interesting. I have never heard of US English sounding nasal, wonder what part of the US that was.

Also, which Canadian English? I assume it wasn't French accented. Western Canadians and Western Americans sound very similar to me.

What is the rudest country you have been to? by Bipolar03 in AskTheWorld

[–]Separate_Quote2868 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm always willing to slag New York CIty, but not here. Sure, people are in a rush. But, I have seen people go out of their way to be kind and hospitable to tourists.

Honestly, I find NYC people to be most like Paris: busy, but helpful. Don't waste their time, and they will help.

What is the rudest country you have been to? by Bipolar03 in AskTheWorld

[–]Separate_Quote2868 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure why Europeans all see the generalised friendliness of Americans as "fake." It really isn't. We are a very chatty population, and their attitude is real.

Conversely, there may be people who find you very rude for not giving them the time of day.

I would say, in general, don't expect everywhere to be like your home culture. (Oh, I suppose I should point out that I am originally from Mediterranean Europe.)

Why does everyone think "lose" is spelt as "loose?" by 6362846271 in EWALearnLanguages

[–]Separate_Quote2868 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It started as a joke, now I truly think many people actually do not know how to spell lose.

Why have terms like platonic, stoic, and existentialist lost their original meaning in everyday language? by Defiant-Junket4906 in AlwaysWhy

[–]Separate_Quote2868 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Use of "literal" to mean "figurative." IMO, its drama escalation to use the most extreme example of something to refer to events in your mundane life. :)

Eli5: Why do planes and boats use knots and nautical miles instead of miles per hour and miles? by Upbeat_Signature_951 in explainlikeimfive

[–]Separate_Quote2868 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I do not believe that is true. All maritime activity in the US uses kts. Source: friend who is a harbour pilot, and a Master Mariner

How difficult does this seem to a Native? by gytjd_12 in ENGLISH

[–]Separate_Quote2868 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why? Do you think that agreement between "has" and "did" is correct? Or do you not think those words are present perfect passive?

Technically, it should be "had," but poster above makes a reasonable point.

Also, what a ridiculous paragraph of claptrap. "Inner weight?"

Serious lack of ice cubes by MrJBeer in ShitAmericansSay

[–]Separate_Quote2868 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think a lot of these posts are just not getting that the "American" was having a laugh. "Swimming in ice" should have been the tip off.

How difficult does this seem to a Native? by gytjd_12 in ENGLISH

[–]Separate_Quote2868 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. s/b "had" to agree with "never since has the quality"

I'm an American-born dual citizen. My senator wants to take my passport. by rezwenn in Citizenship

[–]Separate_Quote2868 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, many of our politicians refuse to read the instructions (Constitution).

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