My fellow Americans

In article , (Email Removed) writes:
[nq:1]The traditional USAn political speech opener is "My fellow Americans".[/nq]
Have any of them realised how twee and patronising that sounds?
[nq:1]What do the pols in other countries use?[/nq]
When I can be bothered to get within earshot of a UK politician, or a UK politician can be bothered to get within earshot of me, I'll let you know.

[nq:1]The traditional USAn political speech opener is "My fellow Americans". What do the pols in other countries use?[/nq]
I don't know about the political angle, but a traditional Brit opener was "Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking...".

But now, thinking about it, I'm not sure if this was really a common opener, or merely some well-known radio comedians's stock phrase.

(Email Removed) (Sam Nelson) burbled news:bf15o9$t57$(Email Removed):
[nq:1]In article , (Email Removed) writes:[/nq]
[nq:2]The traditional USAn political speech opener is "My fellow Americans".[/nq]
[nq:1]Have any of them realised how twee and patronising that sounds?[/nq]
Maybe to you, but then American politicians do not usually address the nationals of other countries as "my f

[nq:1]The traditional USAn political speech opener is "My fellow Americans". What do the pols in other countries use?[/nq]
Were Tony Blair really the Vicar of Albion (as he is satirised in the magazine "Private Eye"), then he might try: "Dearly Beloved".

I think that US politicians (particularly presidents) are lucky in having such a phrase which clearly unites their listeners, whate

In article (Email Removed), CyberCypher (Email Removed) writes:
[nq:1](Email Removed) (Sam Nelson) burbled news:bf15o9$t57$(Email Removed):[/nq]
[nq:2]In article , (Email Removed) writes: Have any of them realised how twee and patronising that sounds?[/nq]
[nq:1]Maybe to you, but then American politicians do not usually address the nationals of other countries as "my fellow Americans"

In article (Email Removed), Mike Ellwood (Email Removed) writes:
[nq:1]I don't think anyone would say "Ladies and Gentlemen" on a TV broadcast these days, although they might at a public meeting.[/nq]
There are politicians in the UK that still do public meetings, are there? -- SAm.

[nq:1]The traditional USAn political speech opener is "My fellow Americans". What do the pols in other countries use?[/nq]
I've heard that Mr Blair asked how to start a speech and Mr Campbell replied "My Fellow Americans?"

[nq:2]The traditional USAn political speech opener is "My fellow Americans". What do the pols in other countries use?[/nq]
[nq:1]I think that US politicians (particularly presidents) are lucky in having such a phrase which clearly unites their listeners, whatever their ethnic origin.[/nq]
We should not forget the origin of the phrsae, at least its popularity in political oratory. It was f

[nq:1]The traditional USAn political speech opener is "My fellow Americans". What do the pols in other countries use?[/nq]
They usually call us Jelly Doughnuts -- John Dean Oxford De-frag to reply

[nq:1]In article (Email Removed), CyberCypher (Email Removed) writes: It's twee and patronising because it assumes that the entire audience is ... but it fails to take into account the notion that much of the audience may not wish to be gathered.[/nq]
No. It assumes that the entire audience of ANY CONSEQUENCE are voters, and that the president is at one with them in their common goals and asp