What Have You Done For Us Lately?

[jake-the-peg]

David Cameron has hit back at Russian claims that we are 'a small island nobody listens to anymore'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24000421

His list almost seems to validate this claim by concentrating on historical events

"clearing the European continent of fascism" - with the Americans 70 years ago
helping to "abolish slavery" - 200 years ago
inventing "every sport currently played" - most at least 100 years ago
The Beatles - 50 years ago,
Shakespeare - 400 years ago

Oh hang in there's boy band One Direction!

Can we help him out?

What would you put in the list of the last 20 years?

I'll start with the obvious: Tim Berners-Lee : The Web - Oh heck that was 22 years ago!

[ichkeria]

Just to put this in context: it was one daft remark that the UK is a small island 'that no one listens to' by one obscure official at the G20 probably said when he thought no one was listening to him :-)
All it needed in reply, if it needed anything, was a terse reminder that the US President was obviously listening when deciding to go to Congress over Syria.
Stuff about inventing the WWW, defeating fascism etc while great to hear is all very well but just a case of dignifying something with an importance it doesn't deserve.

[Gromit]

// In fact I think I am right in assuming that you could be prosecuted for the latter comment //

You can't be prosecuted for having a wrong opinion in Britain. Perhaps you are getting us mixed up with Russia AOG.

[anotheoldgit]

jim360

Aim your criticism at the person responsible for making those accusations.

I await your apology.

[jake-the-peg]

Actually I only partly agree with the Russians

We are limited in size and that is an issue in today's world.

However as a Leading player in Europe we are tremendously important - when Europe speaks with one voice.

Right now we're divided and that's a pity.

RR aero engines are a good example AOG definately first division!

The AIM chips are important for tablets and phones but in the overall silicon market they're not that big and as Blackberry have shown us it can be a fickle market - too early to say.

We are important internationally when we are united with the US or Europe but when we are on our own nobody cares

That's the lesson I take from this

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// You can't be prosecuted for having a wrong opinion in Britain. Perhaps you are getting us mixed up with Russia AOG. ///

It was not simply 'a wrong opinion', it was a direct accusation of murder by the state.

[dr b]

Britain invented basketball?

[Gromit]

AOG

The Tomlinson case has been investigated and a judgement has been made. If someone chooses to ignore the judgement or believes it is mistaken, they can do. Because we are a free country. What you seem to be wanting is a totalitarian State. Like Russia.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

So if you were to be accused and later found not guilty of murder, and then someone went around accusing you of committing the murder, that would not be a case for the courts?

[weecalf]

Won little never to for gotten soccer kick about 1000years ago 1966

[Gromit]

AOG

It may be libelous to write it, but the state as an entity, cannot be libeled. We usually tolerate the general public writing or saying false statements about the Government (thankfully for AB). Retractions to avoid litigation can be sought if the false statement is said by someone in an official capacity, and the remark affects the reputation of another.

[jim360]

You'll be waiting a long time, then, AOG, because you did over-react and I don't therefore have anything to apologise for.

[craft1948]

I'm just pleased I live in a country that doesn't contain Putin..........he's scary.

[tonyav]

I believe he is an ex KGB colonel, crafty ! now that is scary.

[doctordb]

Canary /and before you also embark on a fit of outrage/

What a weird thing to say.