Did you even know who Tony Blair WAS?

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:26 pm

This is a poll for NON-British readers.

Prior to 11 September 2001 ("9/11" in American) and the British Prime Minister`s support for the war against terrorism, did you even KNOW who the British Prime Minister WAS?

(I only ask because I was on holiday in Oregon up to 1 September that year and 9 out of every 10 Americans I asked just didn`t know - and didn`t seem to care anyway!)

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:56 pm

That's about right. There is almost no interest in British politics here and virtually no media coverage of your country.

Incidentally, '9/11' is known as '9/11' all over the world - even in UK!

koan · Post by **koan** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:07 pm

I'm really bad at remembering names, and even worse at geography. For me to have a political debate...lots of research. I blame my geography teacher. Hated his interior organs. And...I forget who I blame for my poor memory. :wah:

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:25 pm

john8pies wrote: This is a poll for NON-British readers.

Prior to 11 September 2001 ("9/11" in American) and the British Prime Minister`s support for the war against terrorism, did you even KNOW who the British Prime Minister WAS?

(I only ask because I was on holiday in Oregon up to 1 September that year and 9 out of every 10 Americans I asked just didn`t know - and didn`t seem to care anyway!) I knew, as well as the leaders of Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Spain, France, Germany, North & South Korea, Japan, Zimbabwe. Sorry about the others, but us old guys can only remember so much. This is probably not unusual for my age group.

turbonium · Post by **turbonium** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:52 pm

Yes, I knew. I'm a current events, world affairs buff - I like to keep up with all the info I can find.

koan · Post by **koan** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:55 pm

Am I the only one who will admit they didn't know?

I heard his name but, quite frankly, didn't care who he was. If it's politics...he's just another liar with a tie.

turbonium · Post by **turbonium** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:38 pm

Maybe it's because the members who don't follow the news STILL don't know who he is, or know now but don't care, so they can't be bothered to look at this thread!! :wah:

koan · Post by **koan** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:41 pm

:wah: I don't mind not knowing stuff. At least I kind of know what I don't know?

turbonium · Post by **turbonium** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:49 pm

Didn't mean you koan - you do show an interest in things that you hadn't previously followed. Some cannot be bothered though......

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:54 am

How many British people had heard of TB before John Smith died? I must confess I couldn't name the prime minister of Canada or Australia, mexoco, brazil----

pink princess · Post by **pink princess** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:11 am

i think a lot of brits had no idea who tony was either.....

i remember when i was doing my sociology GCSE (!) there was a quiz about current affairs and i was the ONLY one in the class that knew john major was our PM and was a conservative......

i was deeply disturbed! i couldnt believe that noone else knew..... i mean it only takes one watch of the news headlines to work it out and these people are the people who are growing up and having the next generation of kids..... makes you wonder where were headed tbh.....

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:49 am

Eagle, thanks for the point about the annotation of "9/11". However the fact that the attack on the Twin Towers is referred to internationally as 9/11 is slightly different from the fact that us brits have always put day before month, so "9/11" to us actually means just that - the 9th of November! (no big deal, anyhow, and certainly I don`t wish to fall out with anyone over annotation!)