The Dark Knight Review

[phil]

Mash as in beating down a subterranian vegetable, not the war show M*A*S*H*.

[RingMaster2001]

fyi guys, its mashed potato.

What do you know about English, coming from Canada.

[CanaMatt]

No its not. People only think that because when they are little children they don't understand the subtleties of the language, and simply hear it as mash. Lots of people grow up never learning the difference I guess. But think about it, does "Mash Potato" make any sense at all?

[takersfan]

Anyways Mashed potatoes are good with chicken. And gravy.

[Aero]

i didnt fucking say mash potato, i said MASH!!!!!!

[jitz]

Mash is just apart of old time slang that is simply past it's "cool" use by date, it left common use with it's partner in crime "Bangers" about two decades ago.

[phil]

Anyways Mashed potatoes are good with chicken. And gravy.

Sans the gravy and I agree.

[takersfan]

How can you not like gravy. Its AWESOME!

[phil]

It tastes disgusting to me and I want a heathy heart, so it's a win / win for me.

[RingMaster2001]

i didnt fucking say mash potato, i said MASH!!!!!!

Nobody said Mash Potato. I even said Mash.

The colonies just have a chip on their shoulder.

[phil]

The colonies just have a chip on their shoulder.

I assume you mean America, right Ming? If so, that chip went the way of the Dodo about 5-6 years ago when a big "Mission Accomplished" banner was unvailed by Dubya.

Edited August 19, 2008 by phil

[jitz]

Huh? What?

No he means Canada and Australia, we're both still apart of the Commonwealth.

[RingMaster2001]

Chris is correct.

[phil]

Huh? What?

No he means Canada and Australia, we're both still apart of the Commonwealth.

My bad, Jitz. Whenever I hear colonies, my first thought is about the 13 colonies of America.

Edited August 21, 2008 by phil

[RingMaster2001]

You Americans, everything has to be about you doesn't it.

[phil]

To a degree, yes.

[takersfan]

And Canada of course! Everything has something to do with it.

[RingMaster2001]

And Canada of course! Everything has something to do with it.

No, you are just a colony. Shush.

[takersfan]

Damn the british give us our freedom!

[Spectre]

Commonwealth? Does that mean AU/CA are under the British rule?

[RingMaster2001]

Not anymore.

The elect their own Prime Minister, but have the Queen as their Head of State and a Governor-General who is appointed by the Queen to sit in their government. Australia still has the Union Flag in the corner of theirs. Any British subject can vote in Australian/Canadian elections, and in the same token, they can vote in British elections.

Also, since they became democratic, there is a treaty dictating that all Commonwealth countries would support Britain if needed in military actions.

[jitz]

Damn the british give us our freedom!

Britain doesn't stop you from leaving the Commonwealth. As Ming explained, neither country is actually under British rule, it's all got to do with a treaty system. It's believed that for many reasons like finance, military, and world power, the British nations are better off siding with Britain, so the Commonwealth was formed for common - wealth. It has and hasn't worked out so much that way, a lot of countries have left and become republics because they've outgrown the system.

A country can leave the commonwealth at any time, a bill for a referendum on the matter just has to pass parliament and your country votes on it. I do think you need more than just the majority though, you need a certain percent higher for it to pass, I think.

Australia held the republic referendum in 1999, about 45% voted yes despite all national polls on the matter before hand showing overwhelming support for a republic. The reason why the referendum failed? Australians always though that a republic meant essentially the US voting system of the public voting for a president. The system that was put forward by the government was that Australians still voted in the system they do, voting for local representatives, and then those elected representatives voted for a president. A shit system.

Australia's new Prime Minister though is essentially a devout republican. While he might not try to pass it during this 4 year term, I'd say he'll try to get through another referendum in his next 4 years if re-elected, with a more US voting system up for vote.

Also, since they became democratic, there is a treaty dictating that all Commonwealth countries would support Britain if needed in military actions.

And Britain would support Commonwealth countries in military action if needed.

EDIT - Also countries in the Commonwealth have their own treaties with other nations. Like Canada and Australia have agreements with USA on military. They're obliged to come save our arses if we get into trouble, in return they ship us out to wars that they've started for no good reason.

[RingMaster2001]

Yes Jitz, I implied that bit.

I think it is a two thirds majority to leave the Commonwealth.

I don't think any country like yourselves or Canada will leave until this Queen dies.

[takersfan]

Dude i live in this country i know whats going on. No need to explain.

[jitz]

Firstly, I don't think you know a fucking thing about how your country works. Secondly, you made the comment about wanting the British to give you freedom, when it's there for the taking if your country wants it. So yeah, once again, I don't think you know a fucking thing about your country's government. Clearly you needed it explained to you, otherwise you wouldn't make such ignorant comments.

Oh and before you start claiming that it was a joke; it wasn't funny.