[Space Needle]

The USA does trump the UK when it comes to freedom of speech.

[lowri]

No way, worst idea ever. I would much rather be part of the EU than USA. I don't want to be just a 'state' in a vast empire. Although, that could also happen with Europe...

[Lewis :D]

(Original post by Space Needle)
The USA does trump the UK when it comes to freedom of speech.

I agree, but the US freedom of speech seems to be 'you have the right to do/say whatever you want without responsibility for what you've said'.

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by Lewis :D)
1) Burning the Koran serves one purpose, to insult Islam.
2) Holocaust denial is legal in the UK.
3) It's not illegal to insult the royal family in the UK.

[B]Note I said UK, not England. Learn the difference.

Perhaps, but where does banning book burning stop? Richard Dawkins? Communist Manifesto? The fact is it is a slippery slope and it could lead to other books being protected from burning. Restricting freedoms like that is the start of the end.

England/uk can't u just accept I mean the island?

[Lewis :D]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
Perhaps, but where does banning book burning stop? Richard Dawkins? Communist Manifesto? The fact is it is a slippery slope and it could lead to other books being protected from burning. Restricting freedoms like that is the start of the end.

England/uk can't u just accept I mean the island?

Richard Dawkins book and a Communist Manifeso are completely different things to a sacred holy book though. I'm an atheist and I wouldn't be bothered by the burning of Richard Dawkin's book and I'm sure he wouldn't be bothered either.

No, if you want to have an intellectual debate use correct terminology or it just makes you look stupid and uninformed.

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by Lewis :D)
Richard Dawkins book and a Communist Manifeso are completely different things to a sacred holy book though. I'm an atheist and I wouldn't be bothered by the burning of Richard Dawkin's book and I'm sure he wouldn't be bothered either.

No, if you want to have an intellectual debate use correct terminology or it just makes you look stupid and uninformed.

In my opinion the Koran is not a holy book. It is a badly written, bigoted book which encourages at least discrimination against non-Muslims and at worst outright killing of them. I fail to see why that book should be given different treatment from any other book.

[Lewis :D]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
In my opinion the Koran is not a holy book. It is a badly written, bigoted book which encourages at least discrimination against non-Muslims and at worst outright killing of them. I fail to see why that book should be given different treatment from any other book.

I believe the same thing about all holy books, still don't think that you should be allowed to burn it though. If you think it's so bad don't get a copy in the first place - the only reason you'd burn it is to get a reaction.

[arra]

In my opinion the Koran is not a holy book. It is a badly written, bigoted book which encourages at least discrimination against non-Muslims and at worst outright killing of them. I fail to see why that book should be given different treatment from any other book.

And I'm guessing you'd be one of the idiots who'd vote for a referendum that makes the Sharia illegal (even when it's not legal matter to begin with?)

Also, can you please tell me where it says non-Muslims should be killed?

[tehFrance]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
England/uk can't u just accept I mean the island?

It is not the same as you are recognising one country (England) and ignoring the other three (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales).

It is not right to recognise just one (England) of the countries when outside the UK it is in itself not even recognised as a separate country (likewise with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales which are not recognised as separate countries outside the United Kingdom's borders but are within the borders as Home Nations).

If you don't like saying the United Kingdom say Great Britain and Northern Ireland instead as it means the exact same thing.

I honestly do not understand why American's cannot understand the differences at all, do you not do geography in the United States of America?

[Tudball]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
Perhaps, but where does banning book burning stop? Richard Dawkins? Communist Manifesto? The fact is it is a slippery slope and it could lead to other books being protected from burning. Restricting freedoms like that is the start of the end.

England/uk can't u just accept I mean the island?

Americans.

Here. I'll spell it out for you.
England is a nation occupying the southern and middle regions of the island of Great Britain.
Scotland is a nation occupying the northern regions of the island of Great Britain.
Wales is a nation occupying that little sticky-out-bit in the west of the island of Great Britain.
Great Britain (or just Britain, although that normally only refers to England and Wales) is the island. England, Scotland and Wales are nations on the island.

Northern Ireland is a nation occupying the northern regions of the island of Ireland.

Now, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the country that rules over the four aforementioned nations. When discussing our country on the international stage, it is wrong to say anything other than the United Kingdom (although even Britain tends to suffice). If you just say England, you sound ignorant and dumb.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by Tudball)
Great Britain or just Britain... ...even Britain tends to suffice.

Britain is not technically correct though, it is Great Britain and Northern Ireland (or just Great Britain when referring to England, Scotland and Wales).

Just my 2¢ on the Great Britain versus Britain debate

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by Lewis :D)
I believe the same thing about all holy books, still don't think that you should be allowed to burn it though. If you think it's so bad don't get a copy in the first place - the only reason you'd burn it is to get a reaction.

That's the same with any book though. I still think we should have the right to freedom of expression.

(Original post by tehFrance)
It is not the same as you are recognising one country (England) and ignoring the other three (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales).

It is not right to recognise just one (England) of the countries when outside the UK it is in itself not even recognised as a separate country (likewise with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales which are not recognised as separate countries outside the United Kingdom's borders but are within the borders as Home Nations).

If you don't like saying the United Kingdom say Great Britain and Northern Ireland instead as it means the exact same thing.

I honestly do not understand why American's cannot understand the differences at all, do you not do geography in the United States of America?

I did some basic geography, yes. I can point to all 50 states and used to be able to name their capitals. As for the rest of the world, I admit that I'm not too knowledgeable, I think I can do a few countries in europe - west europe's ok. E-europe seems to change every other year so I've no idea about all the old communist countries.

(Original post by Tudball)
Americans.

Here. I'll spell it out for you.
England is a nation occupying the southern and middle regions of the island of Great Britain.
Scotland is a nation occupying the northern regions of the island of Great Britain.
Wales is a nation occupying that little sticky-out-bit in the west of the island of Great Britain.
Great Britain (or just Britain, although that normally only refers to England and Wales) is the island. England, Scotland and Wales are nations on the island.

Northern Ireland is a nation occupying the northern regions of the island of Ireland.

Now, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the country that rules over the four aforementioned nations. When discussing our country on the international stage, it is wrong to say anything other than the United Kingdom (although even Britain tends to suffice). If you just say England, you sounds ignorant and dumb.

Geez, calm it. Thanks for the explanation. I doubt I will remember it - there are just way too many names for combinations of 'your country'.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
I did some basic geography, yes. I can point to all 50 states and used to be able to name their capitals. As for the rest of the world, I admit that I'm not too knowledgeable, I think I can do a few countries in europe - west europe's ok. E-europe seems to change every other year so I've no idea about all the old communist countries.

To put it plainly you are ignorant of the world outside of the United States of America? no wonder people hate the country when it comes to talking about other nationalities.

And what do you mean Eastern Europe changes every year? what a stupid statement to make!

[Lewis :D]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
x

Look, if you're not going to learn the probably most basic thing about our country, don't bother coming to study here. Eastern European names don't change often, the only one I can think of was places like St. Petersburg which changed ages ago.

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by tehFrance)
To put it plainly you are ignorant of the world outside of the United States of America? no wonder people hate the country when it comes to talking about other nationalities.

And what do you mean Eastern Europe changes every year? what a stupid statement to make!

Not at all. I know where the big countries are: india, china, brazil, china, russia, france, japan etc etc. I just couldn't do all the small ones in europe. I mean, sure I know that norway and sweden are in the north of europe but i don't know which is which.

Eastern europe is full of loads of countries. It's very easy to confuse them. And they are always splitting up and merging.

[Lewis :D]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
Not at all. I know where the big countries are: india, china, brazil, china, russia, france, japan etc etc. I just couldn't do all the small ones in europe. I mean, sure I know that norway and sweden are in the north of europe but i don't know which is which.

Eastern europe is full of loads of countries. It's very easy to confuse them. And they are always splitting up and merging.

No they're not. There's probably a merger/new country formed every three or more years. Surely that's not too difficult to keep up with?

[DYKWIA]

(Original post by Lewis :D)
No they're not. There's probably a merger/new country formed every three or more years. Surely that's not too difficult to keep up with?

Anyway, why does my admittedly thin knowledge of geography matter? I can always look at a map if need be.

[Lewis :D]

(Original post by DYKWIA)
Anyway, why does my admittedly thin knowledge of geography matter? I can always look at a map if need be.

Because you know zilch about the geography of the United Kingdom, one of the countries this thread is about.

[Darkbling]

If we where to join we wouldnt have the NHS, but the good side is that the U.K would be one of the most visited as its unique.

[ifstatement]

DYKWIA = Reason why Brits hate Americans and don't want to have anything to do with the US.