I can't believe you can calmly recount that story. I would have died of rage. I have the same response as your husband. The health care situation is shameful and inhumane.

1. Anti-intellectualism.

NObody would go bankrupt because of health care in the UK. So automatically nobody is a poor as it is possible to be in the US. Also, 'insular nature of British culture' ? Methinks you might be clueless.

Have you seen British TV stars? They really do look like average people, mostly. I have a standard joke that I'm good looking enough to be on British TV.

Same here. There is just so much 'choice' for all these little consumer products. Pity there's not much choice for most people for the things that really matter.

Have you read his tweets? Dude has water for brains. Hot tho'.

I got an Italian walker. She's competing in the 20k walk. I am happy because I like walking and Italian food. I especially like walking towards Italian food.

THIS. Everyone here is screaming sexism at any mention of 'chivalry' but that's not what this is about. This is about maintaining a social expectation that in a crisis, physically stronger people ( ususally men) won't push weaker people into harms way for their own benefit. Without some sort of social code of conduct…

THIS. Without some sort of order the stronger (men) shove the women and children into harms way in order to save themselves. Without some sort of chivalric code to keep them in check t's mayhem.

I guess she's used to having 3 kids.

she's crazy

And this is why 'women and children' first isn't some sort of unfair anti-men code since given the opportunity, most physically stronger men will push women or children out of the way to get away from danger.

It's already mostly commercials. Americans must be very well trained, they sit there like dogs waiting for a treat of actual coverage.

This, Americans, is what happens when you worship vulture capitalism and give corporations personhood and unlimited blow jobs - you get to watch the Olympics as if it's 1984 and you get told you'll like it. How any American can convince themselves they aren't living under corporate totalitarianism is beyond me.

THIS

Um, no, just no. Luxembourg is one of the BENELUX countries. Most definitely Western Europe.

It's not racism. Chinese swimmers have been caught doping before. Quite a few of them in fact. This sort of radical improvement in performance is unheard of in the sport without doping. It's not the fact that she was fast, it's the fact that she was suddenly much faster than her previous times suggest she can be. Plus…

Um, didn't Michelle Smith get banned for doping 2 years later?

she's had a bunch of plastic surgery

You're proud of London? How nice for London, a world city of 12 million, that lil ole you approves of them. You should write to Boris and tell him. I'm sure you'll get a reply, or even a telephone call.