E.U.

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yes

5 (15.2%)

no

28 (84.8%)

Total Members Voted: 30

[Paddy134]

I personally think it should, but i'm just curious what other people think.

[mvsmith]

That depends upon who gets to run the place.
If it’s the Welsh, I say OK. Most Europeans use far too many vowels.

[Paddy134]

what do you mean?

[mvsmith]

The Welsh know that the key to conserving our language is by practicing vowel economy.

[Paddy134]

by "our language" do you mean welsh or english? i dont understand what you are on about

[mvsmith]

Someone from Cwmbran should be able to figure that out. Hard to believe: a Cymro with neither a sense of humor, nor a desire for independence.

[Paddy134]

weve been part of england for nearly 1000 years wales could never be indipendant its pointless, besides im proud of being British not Welsh.

[mvsmith]

I’m sorry, I misunderstood. When you said “Europe”, you didn’t mean to include the UK?

[LucAtC]

Hello  ,
Great Britain is the largest island in Europe. "Great Britain" is the collective name for the three countries of England, Scotland and Wales. It also includes the small adjacent islands but it does not include the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
British.....Of or relating to Great Britain or its people, language, or culture...
So, logically, being British but not Welsh means being Scottish or English?
I wonder if there is any particular fame to be not Welsh? Aren't people living in Wales called Welsh (Welshmen)? And how are inhabitants of the United Kingdom called?
Europe could be one country, indeed, but who (or what) would rule it still remains to be elucidated.
Perhaps would it be better to keep these considerations confined to serious forums, not humoristic ones as this one?
Regards,
Luc

[Stuart2007]

Oh dear... here we go

Great Britain is/was a teamwork of 4 main components- England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. (in no particular order).

Each has its own characteristics and traditions, yet we come together with a common aim.

Quite like USA- each state has great autonomy, yet is part of a bigger institution- GB is a bit like that.

The EU on the other hand? If the EU was run along the lines of USA, I wouldn't be quite so concerned. But it's not, so I am. We are more bothered about political correctness than anything else here- competiveness is a dead duck in the EU and business are being strangled. Potentially was a good idea, but anyone who has travelled in Eastern Europe or USSR before 1989 will know why I'm so anti EU.

(NOTE: NOT anti European, just the Union of Euopean Socialist Republic - (UESR)

[Stuart2007]

Hi Luc,

Belgium has a similar issue does it not? I once made the mistake of speaking French in Flanders, and being frowned upon somewhat.

Belgium seems to be fragmenting along its Flemish/Walloon/German lines. Are you Flemish or Belgian? It's an interesting point and can be seen all around the world. A good one is Iraqi Kurds- are they Iraqis or Kurdish? Answer really is both.

Stu

[LucAtC]

Yes, I was reading this http://www.know-britain.com/general/great_britain.html as a source of info about these denominations. Interestingly rnough, it is said that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, not of Great Britain! Haha!
Well, in Belgium, our great statesmen invented a federal Kingdom based on

• three "Regions" ie topographical: Flanders, Brussels, Wallonie.
• three "Communities" ie linguistic: Flemish, French and German

each entity having its own Parliament, Ministers, etc...
[/list]
Positive was that all politicians were sure to find somewhere a job,
Negative that all problems were postponed.
Positive again, the separation lines were not religious like in Irak (although being a Kurd is not a religion..) or between catholics (south of the border) and protestants (north of the border).
For instance, I am french speaking, from Brussels, living in Wallonie, half my family as of my wife coming from Tienen and Hasselt (Kempen, not quite Flanders). Aaarrgh  , nowadays I am more like a "Sunnite"? Kurds are also often Sunnite?
But indeed the (d)evolution in Belgium is such that mixed families tend to disappear (as do also families...) and history is being rewritten by journalists or self-called historians. Belgium not being so special, I just read a paper describing the (supposed) linguistic origins in America (of natives), as seen in XVIth and XVIIth centuries. It would be hilarious, if there were not so many deaths, so much greed.
For people who read French, here (http://www.ulb.ac.be/philo/spf/linguis/esplingam.htm) it is.
Personally, I dont like the "European" bureaucracy, but you know, the "motto (?)" of Belgium is "Eendracht maakt macht - L'union fait la force", so I agree with Paddy, but I think that some countries would have to abandon ship.
Regards,
Luc

[Traddles]

Our British??? government has progressively tried to break up the United Kingdom, and pretty well succeeded up to now. I fail to see how Europe could possibly become one Country. There are far too many cultural differences, quite apart from a multitude of languages. My Country is part of Europe but the concept of one Country of Europe can never work I feel. We are all so very different. The Common Market was a brilliant idea, but political union is not feasible. Those Countries who have voted are mainly against it, and it seems that the only big advantage is for a mass of politicians to jump on the gravy train. Surprise, surprise. Of course on huge salaries paid for by we who are not allowed to say yes or no. Up to now the voting in this post seems to be in a definate NO trend.

Paddy,
If you were in USA you would be in trouble for defacing the flag, however at least you have it the right way up. I was watching a TV programme the other night about our Queen visiting Estonia. Oh dear there were four flag poles flying two Union flags and two Estonian flags and both Union flags were upside down.  The worst part was that HMS "Liverpool" was alongside the quay in Tallinn right beside said flag poles. Tut, Tut.

[Captain Davies]

I do not agree with the creation of a European State and I do not agree with increasing powers to the EU, unlike this ridiculously stupid government.  They decided against a referendum on the the vote to increase EU powers because they beleived the answer would be 'no'.  I just can't believe the stupidity in that, if the answer was likely to be 'no' then surely the obvious thing to do would be to also vote no.

As it is I feel that centralised governments aren't in touch enough with the huge area they control to be effective.  It is also difficult to make legislation that applies to all areas.  It's bad enough in this country with our government, let alone with one in Brussels.  It would be so inefficient, our politicians bicker enough as it is, can you imagine British, French, German, Italian, Spanish etc. politicians all trying to decide what will happen in the other's country?

I realise of course that central government is sometimes needed to act as a check on the smaller governments, to stop them becoming too extreme.  For instance when the Supreme Court in the US stepped in to reverse a previous desicion and outlaw segregation for all states.  Even then, that was the Judicial branch, an UNELECTED body!

[Captain Davies]

If you were in USA you would be in trouble for defacing the flag, however at least you have it the right way up.

Actually I think the act to outlaw flag desercration in the US was overturned...just.

[mvsmith]

You are not allowed to deface it, or show it disrespect. You must burn it instead!
Actually, burning is the only correct method for disposing of a flag that is worn or damaged to the point that it should not be flown.
Marty

On the original topic, I think it is sheer arrogance to suggest that other countries should surrender their nationhood to become a country, like Iraq, of disparate tribes.

[Stuart2007]

The EU would be funny, if it wasn't so damned big and powerful.

Stu

[Sam]

Well, I think it will never turn out well.

Our gouverment even doesn't succeed to keep the country together.

Just for a little bit more of power.
Why does a country need power? To be a world dominating force?

Where do you need a world dominating force for?


I think there allready is enough colaboration in Europe, so it doesn't need to be one country.

[Captain Davies]

The only thing a United Europe would acheive is the largest superpower in the world, and seeing as we are no longer living in the Cold War there is simply no need.  If such a war ever were to break out then the countries of Europe would fight together anyway.  That's why we have NATO.

[Paddy134]

It is pretty essential that europe becomes one country because if we didnt it would allow countries like the usa china and probably india in the future monopolising the world.

[mvsmith]

Given the current state of mutual trust, respect, interest, and cooperation between members of the E.U., I’d put the chances for the “Country of Europe” becoming a global power somewhere below those for the I.C.C.

It would, however, guarantee that all future European wars would be civil.

[marcstrat]

Like it goes now,at the moment.I hope we get a goverment soon.
Because,all the trouble now is that NO one can take any dissisions.Now even afther more than 180 day's afther the elections,still no goverment,which scarres new investors to invest in our economy.
Also the prices of the basic products,are reaching atmospheric hights.People get into trouble,just to buy some food.
Well,since have one currancy(euro),all prices went up.reason they said was to make the price not making odd.
We should split this country,and flanders run on it's own.
marc

[Captain Davies]

Like it goes now,at the moment.I hope we get a goverment soon.
Because,all the trouble now is that NO one can take any dissisions.Now even afther more than 180 day's afther the elections,still no goverment,which scarres new investors to invest in our economy.
Also the prices of the basic products,are reaching atmospheric hights.People get into trouble,just to buy some food.
Well,since have one currancy(euro),all prices went up.reason they said was to make the price not making odd.
We should split this country,and flanders run on it's own.
marc

You're reffering to Belgium, right?  Not the EU?

And Paddy, I don't think anyone should be monopolising the world, let alone us.

[LucAtC]

Well, I heartily support the suggestion of no monopolising of the world, particularly for our european and american empires, although the belgian one didn't really stretch over the world, like other ones.
And I am also not sure if imperial adventures or wars would be possible by the EU, even if some countries would be tempted by wars or bombings of all kinds, as they are now.
Also, the probabilities are increasing of Belgium being separated in two parts along linguistic and topographic separation lines, Flanders becoming independant, the rest (Brussels and Wallonie) becoming French territory.
There are many ties indeed with the northern french departments, but that would be a bizarre comeback to 1830, although it would probably satisfy some (most?) flemish parties.
That european countries would fight together, well..., the past even very recent, demonstrates that NATO has no particular feelings for european lives. So no, NATO has nothing to do with peace, but everything with war.
And not necessarily civil wars, insofar Europe is not only the EU.

Regards,
Luc

[Stuart2007]

STOP PRESS:

Not content with making sure that all bananas conform to a specific curvature, +/- .1 degrees. Not content with puposly destroying lots of food whilst the rest of the world starves to death, the EU has done the worst now:

"All Marmite samples must conform to EXACTLY the right shade of brown and must, repeat MUST be exactly the same viscosity". All non-conforming jars will be sent to Marmite mountains to maintain the price that the Marmite Farmers of FraMarmitence get for their crops.

Thanks again Gordon.

Stu

EDIT: This is due to the Common (real) AgriMarmitecultural Policy or C.(*).A.P. for short