Little Britain in New York

[Munish]

http://www.campaignforlittlebritain.com/

This just came on BBC breakfast news. I'm all for putting Britain officially on the US map.

But there is another point. If the website is able to put together a campaign video, and have it broadcast and its website named on the BBC breakfast, there is no reason why forum.expatsvoice.org cannot get at least the same results with its own web short film.

May be there is scope for cross-collaboration here Susie with both websites touting each other's causes. There is power in numbers after all.

[SHEILA 13]

Hi Mun,I have just had a quick look at this,I think it could be a good idea to join forces with these and get some major company of interest like they have Virgin as a lot of peole here have used this airline at some time or another.
More publicty for the site is a plus in my book.
Sheila:)

[Munish]

That is a really good point. I happen to use that airline for my frequent trips. It makes sense for Virgin to be supporting its frequent customers.

[Kriz1]

I really do like having Brits around....but a little Britain...it just sounds like we can't fit in and have to club together...very old immigrant...
Saying that this site could benefit from a join up...but I would not put myself out to go anywhere that was called Little Britain its bad enough that FL has the name...

[Munish]

When I think of little Britain, Matt Lucas and David Walliams comes to mind. It is just amusing to have "little Britain" officially in NY. May be we could do a vote to gauge opinion of the members like on the other thread.

[SHEILA 13]

Mun,I still think any publicity for the site is a good thing,at least we can be seen and try and get our "message"across,its not a "them (americans) and us (brits)"situation far from it.
At the end of the day we just want to help people and I think any suggestions should be considered.
Sheila:)

[Munish]

Yes, I totally agree and, furthermore, shouldn't this be the approach of any potential sponsors/associates so the intent of this site is not misinterpreted?

Regardless of whatever happens with this other site, perhaps we should consider under what circumstances being associated with external parties would be beneficial or detrimental, bearing in ming the repercussion to expats voice. Perhaps something for discussion at a future committee meeting.

[Kriz1]

I can't see anything harmful to this site coming from being associated with any other Brit site...most people will take the little Britain thing as just a bit of fun...it could be a place to find new members...

[Munish]

... and sites with migrants generally in addition to Brit expats.

[DEE F]

Could this not be construed though, as segregating ourselves, when really we want to be integrating!!!!!!!!Just a thought.

Dee xx

[Munish]

You're right Dee, many will see it that way I'm sure.

Personally, I like the fact there are Chinatowns, Little Italys etc. But with such places what's always important (for the one's I have been to) is that everyone is made to feel welcome and so I never really see them as segregated communities (but that is just my opinion as integration means so many different things to different people). This starkly contrasts to areas in the UK where you certainly don't feel welcome unless you are from a particular background.

I think a Little Britain would be good for the US tourist industry personally but I could be wrong. Think of all the Americans who could not afford to meet the Queen. There could be a statue for her in Manhattan. There could even be special mini cooper taxis with the union jack on the roof on display. LOL

[DEE F]

You're right Dee, many will see it that way I'm sure.

Personally, I like the fact there are Chinatowns, Little Italys etc. But with such places what's always important (for the one's I have been to) is that everyone is made to feel welcome and so I never really see them as segregated communities (but that is just my opinion as integration means so many different things to different people). This starkly contrasts to areas in the UK where you certainly don't feel welcome unless you are from a particular background.

I think a Little Britain would be good for the US tourist industry personally but I could be wrong. Think of all the Americans who could not afford to meet the Queen. There could be a statue for her in Manhattan. There could even be special mini cooper taxis with the union jack on the roof on display. LOL

I can see where you you are coming from here,however when you get a bunch of the same people ,backgrounds riligious beliefs and even lifestyles,they do tend to segregate themselves,it happens all the while,so much so that people other than them stop going there,where I am from in Manchester there is a big Gay Section(and no i am not homophobic ,just making a point) and they have their own soliciters barbers food places clubs and bars,so therefore they segregate them selves,same as muslims they do it,same as a lot of Brits in Spain do you see where I am coming from,so therefore is it not fair to say that if there becomes a "Little Britain" then the same thing will happen there as well,anyone other than Brits will start to feel like an outsider,and once the curiosity factor as worn off, they will then segregate themselves,dunno I am a bit on the fence with this one,but of course this is just my humble opinion for what it is worth;)

Dee xx

[Munish]

Personally I am not convinced a Little Britain in NY would come to that, particularly because its in a very touristy area, but I could be wrong, for example, I remember someone posting how Irish Amercians maintain their own community.

In terms of the segregation thing generally I think there are two ways to be an outsider. The first way is when others make you feel like it and don't want you there at all. Totally against that. The second way is when a person becomes overly sensitive. I am about to use a totally extreme example here too, but when I was in Washington DC, a friend of mine took me to a very large gay nightclub (at some point 90% of the men were topless all in one go). I know many good friends of mine would never even contemplate going to a gay club - because they just would not feel comfortable in those environments. Personally I think there is a little prejudice there although they would never admit to it. There are definitely people who within communities who are going to be like, 'what are you doing in our area, you don't belong,' but my general attitude is 'who cares what you think, I'm here so deal with it.'

I am not saying Little Britain is really an analagy for a gay nightclub (although that would be a great name for one - okay that's mine people), but a Little Britain in Manhattan would be nothing more than a tourist area, and might attract more Brits for a holiday.

[SHEILA 13]

Hi Mun,I see where you are coming from.
We dont want to be "different" we just want the Americans to know what a lot of Brits have to go through and how much we sacrifice to come and live and work here.
I know we have a choice(before anyone jumps on me)
I dont think it is asking for too much !!!
Sheila:)

[Munish]

I defintely agree with wanting Americans to know what a lot of Brits and other migrants have to go through (not just when you're there but to get there in the first place).

The media attention is on illegal migrants and not on legal migrants is a fundamental issue. The general perception is we're Brits so everything must be hunky dory. That takes us back to the whole in house documentary point.

[DEE F]

Point taken Mun,you are correct in what you say,but as they say there is nowt queerer than folk,oh and speaking of gay clubs i absolutely luv em,best night out ever ,and all them young hunky blokes, all totaly untouchable,used to drive me mad hahaha but my gay mate Barrie loved it ,he is such a tart lol, must admit though a lot of the clubs you went in would not let you in if you were straight, I always had to go with him,sort of segregation I suppose, take care.

Dee xx

[Munish]

Thinking about it, the friend who took me out is such a tart too. LOL

[Susie]

Hi


Thanks for sharing Mun .

At our committee meeting last night we discussed the possiblity of making a serious recording with a famous person backing us. I will post more details once the minutes are typed and over the weekend


I cannot believe that Virgin would put their name to a site like this, whilst trying to be humerous I unfortunately I see it as making a joke out of the serious issues we all face

Have tried to contact Virgin about the website but apparentley it is not possible to speak to anyone and everything has to be put in writing, which I shall be doing. Will post back any replies.

[SHEILA 13]

Hi Susie,All we can do is try and try again !!!!
Sheila:)

[Susie]

Hi Shelia,

I agree and the reason I feel the need to contact Virgin is to see if they would be parepared to back a serious site such as ours.

Guess it shows I am having a bad day and lost my SOH, boo hoo

[SHEILA 13]

Susie,Your not alone,I am having a bad "hair"day gone on the vodkas to soothe the stress !!!
Take Care
Sheila:)

[britcan]

Well I have just watched CNN- and Lou Dobbs had a Hispanic Senator on who is behind giving 'citizenship' to 20 million illegals, and fining them $2000 for breaking the law...
We need to be jumping up and down about this and making a very strong point, that we are here legally...giving jobs and not getting a path to citizenship and I know its been mentioned before (even though we know E2 is not a path, why are most people renewing E2 if they don't want to stay in USA long term?) but come on this is taking the P*SS out of law abiding Brits and the so called 'special relationship'.

[SHEILA 13]

Hi,Will this be on their website???
It is disgusting,I sometimes wonder why bother trying to be legal when you just get penalised every way.
Sheila:(

[Susie]

Hi

We have beeb trying to get on Lou Dobbs program for months. Many of you are aware of the fact the program makers did not reply to any of us so why not all call or e-mail him again ?

[SHEILA 13]

Amnesty Agenda

The amnesty movement is gaining momentum in America. Some lawmakers want to give amnesty to as many as 20 million illegal aliens living in the United States. One of those lawmakers, Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez.

[SHEILA 13]

I got the above post off the Lou Dobbs website.
I think it will be a good idea if we all email him,surely if he gets a couple of dozen emails from the members he should take notice ???and want to take it up.
All we can do is try !!!
Sheila:)

[britcan]

Dear all just emailed this to Lou Dobbs- so come on all, lets blitz him again, Susie, perhaps you could include a number he could call you on?


Many of our members emailed you from expats voice .org. We are a non profit members organisation for primarily British Expats living in the USa , mostly under the E2 investors visa, whcih by the way and we have all told you this before, does not lead to citizenship. We create jobs for US citizens( not illegals) and our US friends are horrified at the hoops we have to jump through to stay in the USA. We all love the USA and feel that the 'special relationship' between USA and the UK does not exist anymore. the web site is www.expatsvoice.org and the lady who started the group is called Susie Ward.FYI the TV company from the UK- ITV did a documentary the other night in the UK on the way that Brits are being treated in the USA and its having an tremendous effect and outcry in the UK. We are furious that the illegals are getting a path to citizenship when our members are being treated less than dirt by the US Government- and we are creating jobs for goodness sake. Please visit the web site and take a look and I know that Susie has contacted your program folk before but no one has bothered to come back to us

[Dustin]

great idea guys!
go for it.:)

[SHEILA 13]

I am going to forward my email to the programme this evening.

[britcan]

Also email Jack Cafferty at CNN...the more the merrier!!

[Munish]

Excellent people, excellent!

[SHEILA 13]

I think it might be a good idea to contact The Glenn Beck Show also as he is very good at getting the message across.
I will contact his show later today.
Sheila:)

[DEE F]

E mailed Lou Dobbs and Bill Meyer last night asking them to look at expats,and gladly await their comments,we will see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dee xx

[SHEILA 13]

All we can do is try and try again.
Sheila:)

[debd]

Just to make it a little easier for the illegals wanting amnesty, there is also a link where they can sign up for amnesty details via email

[DEE F]

Oh Deb, pleaseeeee dont get me started!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dee xx

[Sharon]

Lets go for it, come on friends