Add the Aborigines to that

What english colony didn't oppress it's indigenous people?

*And don't say the maori's because they just pwned the crap out of them

...says an Australian.

It's got the worst record, because it was the best and biggest Empire...

<ducks for cover>

A bit of opression never did anyone any harm, its motivational .

I was a Zimbabwean first......till Mugabe opressed everyone and we made a getaway!

True! too bad you couldnt fight germans in ww1 as well as you fought indiginous peoples with spears, you might still have it!

"Cmon lads, fix bayonets, now, walk forwards slowly towards the flashing lights!"

As a German, I happen to get "this sort of thing" for the Nazi-history quite regularly...

I do not think you can give a one-size-fits-all respond, it really depends on who is saying it in which context. It can range from an honest discussion - because there are things in the Swiss history and politics today that are worth to be discussed when it comes to "taking advantage of other countries, especially financially".

My personal experience is that most who come up with an topic in the way you describe it are not smart enough to get the "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." response anyway. They'll get first defensive and then aggressive about their own countries past. You can see it in the responses so far... Can be fun to do (I once mentioned the "crevettes Bigeard" to some French guy of North African origin after he tried to give me some Nazi-shit... he went off like a fire cracker), but it will not solve anything or make anyone give in. So by default, better ignore it.

A colonial, or an indigenous African?

You see, the thing is that I'm English. Just English. My ancestors were English, and spent most of the time being treated pretty harshly by their employers, no doubt, as they worked down mines and made nails, while your ancestors (if you are a colonial) were busy building lovely lives in the sunshine at the expense of the indigenous population.

I always find it amusing when Americans, Canadians, Australians, South Africans and Rhodesians point their fingers at Brits and claim that "we" did this or that. No we didn't. Your ancestors did that, not mine.

Mine were too busy just trying to live long enough to pay for their own funerals.

But it's always so much more satisfying to blame someone else, eh?

By you DB i think we are referring to your government. I recon id like you and your ancestors. No doubt they were top gentlemen and lovely ladies

But the scum that comes out of most parliaments wouldn't be fit to grow fungus on. As the Australian government worked out a few years ago, current governments (as a representative of the institution that came before them) still hold blame for things that happen a long time ago. So Daveo coming out and complaining about the oppression of people in another country is more than a little silly

Anybody asking that question is too ignorant to be taken seriously.
My answer was: "So! What ya gonna do about it?"

this is a great quote.

He probably stole it

"The public get the government they deserve" used to be touted around as quote - but I am not sure that holds 100%
Sensibilities change - it's just the way life is. If you want to look the biggest wrecker of harmony, unfairness and the mass mistreatment of the little people don't pick on governments, pick on religion ....

Ah, so the Tunisians can still hold Berlusconi responsible for the sack of Carthage, then?

According to paleontology, all humans originally came out of Africa. Therefore Africans are the ultimate colonialists and the ultimate cause of all these problems.

When European powers went into Africa it was only to seek redress for what was rightfully theirs.

Blimey, I thought he liked under-aged woman. What did he do to Carthage's sack ....

Well, you know that facelift he had a while back...

Thought that beard he had looked a bit wiry...

That I don't doubt

My kids still hate me for the Opressive part but like me fore the Motive one