"No" to Euro currency.

[Edric O]

I don't see how patriotism includes hate for one another. That's nationalism you're talking about.

Nationalism and patriotism are the same thing. Basically, patriotism is a more dilluted form of nationalism.

You have to put things into perspective. Compared to what we had in Europe before 1945, today's "patriotism" is a joke. And that's the best thing that ever happened to Europe, because our patriotism/nationalism caused the two greatest wars that Humanity has ever seen. We don't need a third one.

[Dunenewt]

We do if they are going to try and put clauses in the EU which prevent us leaving whether we want to or not.

[Duncan_ghola]

i wish the USA would declare war on Canada and turn Canada into the 51st State

that way me and all Canadians would no longer have third-world currency. best possible thing for Canada would be if the USA took it over and force their currency upon Canada

i dont know much about much, but if the US took over Canada what would happen to the universal medicare? and those free and limitless laws correct me if im wrong, which i probably am

[Sneakgab]

''You have to put things into perspective. Compared to what we had in Europe before 1945, today's "patriotism" is a joke. And that's the best thing that ever happened to Europe, because our patriotism/nationalism caused the two greatest wars that Humanity has ever seen. We don't need a third one. ''

Patriotism also ended WW2, it was more insanity that caused WW3 than patriotism anyway

From what I've heard, the people who put Hitler in power did so more for security,power,e.t.c and perhaps also out of vile emotions such as hate (apparently the Jews were disliked at the time)

Of course if you're saying pratriotism caused WW1 which caused WW2 then that's a different story

About newts comment on what the Netherlands people were likely doing during the invasion of their country in WW2:

Last I heard, stats do seem name the Netherlands as one of the country with the most drug trade going on in the world j/k ;D

Somebody mentioned that it would be of great benefit for Britain to join the American trade block (although it would be of great damage to the European economy). I unfortunately don't know much about economics, but if this is ture, then it wouldn't be best for Britain to join this block instead of the EU, which would most likely have a negative effect on the British economy? Of course this would damage the European economy in the name of Britain's self interest, but if the British goverment is so corrupt why would they care?

[Sneakgab]

BTW: If there were no channel, I would imagine that Britain would focus more on their ground forces than on their air forces and navy.

Although if their were no channel, Napoleon would probably own all of you anyway:D

Although, if the channel were to suddenly magicly dry up, the netherlands would be flooded... that water has to go somewhere right:D (Ok, maybe the Netherlands wouldn't be flooded, but you get the idea...)

[Acriku]

You're obviously blindfolded to the world Edric, if you think patriotism is dead. If by dead you mean that its use has left any significance, and might as well be dead, then I'd have to disagree here as well. Your game of communism has shadowed you from the real world, and a reality check is in order.

[Dunenewt]

Napoleon would still have been defeated by Nelson and Wellington.

Patriotism is by no means dead and infact if anything is probably growing.

[Edric O]

You're obviously blindfolded to the world Edric, if you think patriotism is dead. If by dead you mean that its use has left any significance, and might as well be dead, then I'd have to disagree here as well. Your game of communism has shadowed you from the real world, and a reality check is in order.

I should have thought about writing a disclaimer for Americans...

Patriotism is very much dead and buried in continental Europe, or at least it has grown so weak that it might as well be dead. This is what I see all around me, Acriku, and it has nothing to do with communism. I think I can say for certain that I know the people who live here better than you do.

However, on the other side of the Atlantic, things are extremely different. From what I understand, patriotism is not only alive and kicking, but actually on the rise in America. This is generally seen as a very dangerous and worrying development by Europeans (or at least by the ones I know).

So, basically, what I forgot to mention was that I had only Europe in mind when I talked about patriotism...

[JB]

Did anyone notice, that just before the latest Iraq war, that TV stations in the UK, started showing old war films,especially channel 5.

Belgium television showed The Three Kings, and a few other anti-war movies. I liked that attitude :)

Unfortunately, Dutch television did not dare to make such a critical statement.

And Edric, I agree on the patriotism thing; Also, one has to separate being proud of your (country|state|continent|hometown) from feeling superior to others. Different sentiments all together, and the latter actually causes problems while the former is generally a positive thing (IMO).

[Acriku]

The latter would describe nationalism more than patriotism, which some say are alike but they are not.

[Dunenewt]

However, on the other side of the Atlantic,

And the other side of the Channel

[Edric O]

However, on the other side of the Atlantic,

And the other side of the Channel

Well, if you keep up your anti-EU attitude, the other side of the Channel will soon be the same thing as the other side of the Atlantic, seeing how you will become the 51st State of the USA.

[Apollyon]

Yeah that's right, I forgot that the USA and the EU are the only 2 powers on the planet and that no country can exist independently of them. :P

[Dunenewt]

Can't you count? Canada is the 51st state :D

You contradict yourself. If we keep up our patriotic attitude we will become the 51st state? How does that work?

[Edric O]

You're caught between Europe and America. Staying neutral will be insanely difficult, especially if you want to play an active role in world politics. If you withdrew from international affairs (like Switzerland), then yes, you could keep your independence. But if you still want to be a major player, sooner or later you'll have to choose sides. And if you delay it for too long, someone else will make that choice for you.

[Acriku]

Puerto Rico will be the 51st state if we do add on.

[Dunenewt]

Really?

UK can be a stand alone power. Why else does it have nuclear weapons and a permanent seat on the Un security council? It also has one of the best Armed Forces in the world and by far the best Special forces in the world.

Add to that the Fourth largest economy in the world....

[Timenn]

Really... Military is of nu use once your country has a economy breakdown. And don't say that that won't happen, because such things are as unpredictable as Edric O's flashing eyes.

Even worse, the military costs alot of money, and if you don't have enough, then some bad things must happen to restore the economy.

Can you show me a statistic about the UK being the fourth world economy?

Besides, there are alot of things that the UK misses for being a large country qua economics. What about the railway problems, and many places which are very inaccesible? I know countries which don't have such problems. So how would you then define what the largest world economy is?

[Dunenewt]

Many places that are inaccessible? I don't know of that many?

[Timenn]

I can see I have spent more holidays in England then you :)

Lake District for example. There were villages which had a buss twice a day.

[Edric O]

UK can be a stand alone power. Why else does it have nuclear weapons and a permanent seat on the Un security council? It also has one of the best Armed Forces in the world and by far the best Special forces in the world.

Add to that the Fourth largest economy in the world....

That sounds a lot like a description of the Soviet Union during the cold war. And look where they are now.

In the end, economic power is all that matters. Russia has a fearsome military even today, but with its crippled economy it can barely account for the locations of its own nukes.