# The U.S.A and the British Commonwealth of Nations. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 2, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040 "2006-10-02T22:27:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/21 "2006-10-07T14:42:59Z")
[QUOTE=Lust4Life] Huh!You need us Brits Skald , you need us !We buy your sitcoms AND pretend to enjoy them!Our population as a whole genuinlly suffers for the Anglo-American “special relationship” but we can take it ! [/QUOTE] People who help keep sitcoms on the air are ALSO getting guillotining once I am God-King. This does not apply to My Name is Earl. or Scrubs. Or Arrested Development. Or The Office. But otherwise it’s a head-chopping. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/22 "2006-10-07T15:20:32Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] Am I the only one who wondered if this was gonna be a discussion of Armstrongist Anglo-Israelite teaching? [/QUOTE] Yes. I’d completely forgotten about Armstrong and the lost ten tribes. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/23 "2013-06-24T06:49:20Z")
Well, far be it from me to try to resurrect a dead thread. But I was recently doing an internet search, and found that there actually are some people (British, mainly) who seriously ask this very question (cf. [this](http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090423083047AAYkufb) thread, for example). Also, I just wanted to make clear this was just a hypothetical question. I am proud to be an American, because I think our principles have stood the test of time. [NO MORE KINGS!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-9pDZMRCpQ) (But, of course, I am sure Britain has its own share of honorable and good institutions too:).) P.S. Mods, what is the rule of resurrecting old threads? As I said, I went back to this one because I just recently got the (above) new information. :):)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/24 "2013-06-24T10:33:30Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > P.S. Mods, what is the rule of resurrecting old threads? As I said, I went back to this one because I just recently got the (above) new information. We tolerate it as long as there reviving the thread is not reviving long-dead feuds or feeding trolls. ---
**Author:** ![Norvaal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d9b06d/32.png) [@Norvaal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norvaal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/25 "2013-06-24T21:32:51Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Because, despite the superficially convivial relations between the two countries, Americans HATE the Brits. It’s a littlle-known fact that the last eight of the last 9 US presidents (excepting only Carter), all asked, on their first day in office, “So is there any reason we shouldn’t just wipe Britain off the map? I mean, we’ve got a NEW England over here; it’s not like they’re contributing anything.” Speak for yourself, man! I mean, I’m not fond of their politics, but I know I am far from being the only American who enjoys aspects of British culture beyond the stereotypes. …Oh yeah, and I read BBC like every day. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/26 "2013-06-24T21:36:09Z")
> [@Norvaal](#): > > Speak for yourself, man! I mean, I’m not fond of their politics, but I know I am far from being the only American who enjoys aspects of British culture beyond the stereotypes. …Oh yeah, and I read BBC like every day. Do they not have jokes where you live? ---
**Author:** ![Norvaal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d9b06d/32.png) [@Norvaal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norvaal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/27 "2013-06-24T21:49:33Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Do they not have jokes where you live? Well evidently, I wasn’t the only one who took you seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Norvaal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d9b06d/32.png) [@Norvaal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norvaal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/28 "2013-06-24T21:50:53Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Do they not have jokes where you live? Besides, we both live in America, so there! ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/29 "2013-06-24T21:56:43Z")
Yeah, this is just what we want to do–join the Commonwealth so we can get our ass kicked at rugby, cricket, and lawn bowling. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/30 "2013-06-25T00:02:53Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > While some members of the Commonwealth are indeed republics, what might be a sticking point would be the US recognising the Queen as the head of the Commonwealth. I suspect that would be recogising hereditary monarchy in a way unacceptable to many Americans. > > In addition, you have to ask, what would the US gain from joining? Very little to compensate from the strong opposition that you would get from many American citizens, both from belonging to a monarchical organisation, and from belonging to another international organisation where the US would be regarded as the equal of lots of small third-world countries. Good points. > [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Further, the Commonwealth of Nations serves as a club for English-speaking countries that is NOT dominated by the US. It is a place where Canada and Australia can lead. Allowing the Big Guy into the club would ruin it. Good po- waitaminnit, Yanks not **good** enough for you fuckin’ pseudoBrits, are we?! **WE WANT IN!!!** :mad: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/31 "2013-06-25T00:04:10Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Am I the only one who wondered if this was gonna be a discussion of Armstrongist Anglo-Israelite teaching? Yes. Go now and do some soul-searching. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/32 "2013-06-25T00:05:21Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Because, despite the superficially convivial relations between the two countries, Americans HATE the Brits. Well, so do the Australians, don’t they? It’s practically a CoN membership requirement. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/33 "2013-06-25T00:07:15Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > You mean our American colonies are now independant? Well, sort of. Actually, a couple hundred years ago, no one’s sure how or why, the royal tax collectors just kinda forgot about us and stopped coming around. Don’t say anything. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/34 "2013-06-25T00:11:14Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Yeah, this is just what we want to do–join the Commonwealth so we can get our ass kicked at rugby, cricket, and lawn bowling. But Baseball and American Football (pronounced with no audible implication of quote-marks) will have to be Commonwealth Games events henceforth! (Basketball is already.) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/35 "2013-06-25T00:55:26Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > (Basketball is already.) Of course—it’s a Canadian sport. [Cite](http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blbasketball.htm) (this is also the logic by which Canadians claim the invention of the telephone: [cite](http://atethepaint-canadianbacon.blogspot.ca/2010/08/invented-in-canada.html). Oh, and we totally won the War of 1812). ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/36 "2013-06-25T01:45:37Z")
Wouldn’t we Americans have to stop pronouncing "h"s if we joined the British Commonwealth? And we’d have to start calling real football “American Football”. And start caring about Manchester United? ---
**Author:** ![Weeping\_Wyvern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@Weeping\_Wyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weeping_Wyvern)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/37 "2013-06-25T04:10:37Z")
I think the USA should absolutely join the Commonwealth. It would be an admirable gesture of humility. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/38 "2013-06-25T04:36:26Z")
It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our children from being someday citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes. — Sherlock Holmes ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/39 "2013-06-25T05:16:34Z")
Noooo!!! Metric units will just be the start of what they force us into! After that, they’ll force us to also use other obscure measurement units, like stone and imperial gallons! Where will the madness stop!?!! ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2013, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040/40 "2013-06-25T10:58:25Z")
> [@Civil\_Guy](#): > > Noooo!!! Metric units will just be the start of what they force us into! After that, they’ll force us to also use other obscure measurement units, like stone and imperial gallons! Where will the madness stop!?!! All your sitcoms shall have six episodes only per season, or “series” as they will henceforth be known. Furthermore, the better the sitcom, the fewer series it will have. I’m sorry, but Her Majesty is pretty insistent about this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040.md?page=3)