Deep Thoughts

[GreyWanderer]

Alright you bunch of malcontents, lets keep this on the QT for a while. You wanted a thread to talk about world events, here it is. Maybe, just maybe, by showing how well thought out and constructive we can be, a seperate area can be made for just such a thing, seeing as this is what some of you have been crying for. (That means no smart ass remarks or quips. the majority of you are under 30 here, I want to see serious well thought out posts here.

Let me remind you. This is NOT going to turn into a flame thread because you dont like a presidential leader. This is not going to turn into a simple hate fest because "person x doesnt like this or that". Lets face it. Opinions do not count and you cant do anything to stop whats going on in the world. However, theres nothing to be said that one cannot CONVERSE about such. If I see AOL or Elite speech being used, I'll delete your post and not give it a second thought. This is not a warning and none will be given. Lets show the Admin by example just how civilized this board can be.

Floor's open people. Lets see some minds.

-Grey

[UberChad]

Couldnt find a world affairs forum or anything on this site, so I guess this is the best place to put this topic at..

But let me get down to bussiness,

What are your thoughts or opinions regarding the European Union and its activities throughout Europe? I'm still working on my "Official Opnion" but I'd like to see what everyone else thinks.. It'd be interesting to see the different opinions and ideologies that come about within this topic..

Lets Begin,
+U.C+

[RavenJelly]

I wish I could offer some input on this, but I have been so involved with the United States as of late and where we're headed as a nation, that I haven't really paid much attention to the EU. Perhaps I will do some reasearch and will offer up some answers at a later date.


Dallas-I think this is a well-thought out approach to this *forum*. Being one of the ones who IS over 30, I am interested to see where the youth of today stands on politics and what can be done to erect a more peaceful union between nations. The youth of today is our future...

[adogcalledbleep]

Save yourself the bother Raven and avoid the whole EU issue....*yawn*

I'm all for it but i guess it's because i first off feel Scottish, then European and British last. I am also lucky enough to have lots of European chums and I've spent a little time on the mainland. I would welcome us becoming full member of the EU, with the Euro being our currency. What puts me off will be the inevitable increase in the amount of bureaucracy that a central government will bring with it. If that's done right it might not be so bad but who on earth would expect a bunch of politicians to do anything that right : D

[UberChad]

Hmmm

The only thing that makes me uneasy about it is that will nations that join the EU have the abillity to still keep thier consitutions and laws active and be allowed to self govern.

Though if I have heard correctly that might not be the case, for instance if Brittian becomes part of the EU documents such as The Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights and other important documents would become void.

Though don't take my word for it, check out this video made by a Brittish political party that takes a detailed look at the structure of the EU and its history. As far as I can tell it is unbiased it merely tells the facts.

The video is known as "The Real Face of the EU" follow the instructions bellow if you wish to view it.

By the way this was distributed freely in Brittian if I'm not mistaken and I do not accept any ownership to it... in other words, this is not my work, don't sue me.. if theres any problems inform me, and I'll do my best to make it right.. but in the meantime, check it out.

Here is the link to the video you would like, its in the nsv format, so you'll need to use winamp to play it.

http://www.alyxa.com/get2346234231/TheRealFaceOfTheEU.nsv

Try clicking on the link and do Save As..

If not,
You might have to copy and paste this link into a browser and then save the page as because it may attemp to load the file into your browser as text.

Cheers,
+U.C+

[Loosifah]

I hear Israel PM Sharon has gone back into hospital, his brain started bleeding again.

I hold grave concerns for Israel, and the stability he was trying to accomplish there. Just what the middle east needs, more upheaval.

*shudders*

[Dismal Dollie]

. . . as for someone under 30 and unfamiliar with anything political over seas (and hardly educated properly about her own country's political affairs)--what's the EU?

[adogcalledbleep]

It's the European union.....All the countries in Europe have a central government that will make laws that govern us all. They are also slowly allowing the old Soviet States to join and turkey are also hoping to join soon. We will have one currency instead of separate ones also......

[Rose]

Yup, it's all eauro's all way around.

Except in Norway, though. We've voted no two times in the past, and I'll guess it'll be a third no if it comes to it. Me? In not sure about EU. Im afraid it'll turn out in the end to be a "second USA", where each country is simply a state. I refuse to be only "european". I am first and foremost Norwegian, second English (because of my genes), and Europe can go to hell for all I can, Im moving to the states in protest if it happens.

Im also against it becaue I know alot of people who have farms. If Norway joins the EU, they'll probably go brankrupt, every one of them. Because the new export/import system will make so that the local Norwegian farmers don't make enough money.

[adogcalledbleep]

Yup, it's all eauro's all way around.

Except in Norway, though. We've voted no two times in the past, and I'll guess it'll be a third no if it comes to it. Me? In not sure about EU. Im afraid it'll turn out in the end to be a "second USA", where each country is simply a state. I refuse to be only "european". I am first and foremost Norwegian, second English (because of my genes), and Europe can go to hell for all I can, Im moving to the states in protest if it happens.

Im also against it becaue I know alot of people who have farms. If Norway joins the EU, they'll probably go brankrupt, every one of them. Because the new export/import system will make so that the local Norwegian farmers don't make enough money.


Your farmers might get subsidised like ours do here. Like your self the UK still has sterling although it might be voted on again soon. I enjoy being European and Scottish. Never really felt British though and i never ever use that when abroad when asked where i come from. Europe will have to do something soon i feel to become more of a combined force to compete with the likes of China and the USA for trade. So if it means we are too become more akin to the USA (States and such) then that's what we might have to do.

[Rose]

Speaking of the US...

Did you know, that the USA spends half of the globe's military budget every year? About 500 million dollars they use on weapon, "killing sprees" and military.. Yup. And some mathemathicsdude calculated, with help of charity organizations, that to get rid of the worlds 10 biggest hunger/povert problems, we need 60 million dollars.

What I don't understand, is why can't USA spend 60 mill less on weapons just one year, and do some REALLY good things to the world? Imagine, the ten BIGGEST poverty/hunger problems.. And we could get rid of it, if the American goverment wasn't so keen on war and control all the time... (this si not an attack in general, but my view on the american goverment on this one case).

It wouldn't make the world perfect or fix every crisis, but it would help a long way.

[adogcalledbleep]

Thats quite right Rose, they really could end all poverty. It's just a shame that sh*ts like Donald Rumsfeld get into power so there will be very little chance of the military budget being reduced.... And the sad thing is that the spending will pretty much have to continue as i think their economy would be in trouble if they stopped....

Budget for 2004

The military expenditure of the Department of Defense for 2004 was:

Total $437.111 Billion
Operations and maintenance $174.081 Bil.
Military Personnel $113.576 Bil.
Procurement $76.217 Bil.
Research & Development $60.756 Bil.
Military Construction $6.310 Bil.

Quite a lot then!!!!! :D

[Anagaharad]

I am first and foremost Norwegian, second English (because of my genes), and Europe can go to hell for all I can, Im moving to the states in protest if it happens.


thats a bit drastic.

[Rose]

European Union


I don't think so. Europe is buildt up by seperate countries. They have always been separate countries (well, some unions and wars here and there, but let's not count them). To squeese them into one "country" (if it goes that far); to rib them of all their uniqueness (like i.e. kings and queens, language, their own money; jsut imagine England without pounds!)

I don't even think I'll move to the states, as that is what the EU will try to be. Nah, maybe australia or something.


Suggestion: People should write a header on their post, because I sense there will be going on several discussion at the same time here.

[Dismal Dollie]

Well if Europe becomes one big country . . .that's scary. Think then, maybe Europe and Asia some years off will become one big country, and then they'll absorb America . . .

I don't know. Having trade allegiances in order to compete with bigger nations sounds safe, but becoming one actual nation is very frightening.

The size of America helps nothing in it's politics as each state is so individual. I don't know how that would work with Europe, because atleast in America each state is united in it's American spirit. Europe doesn't have that sort of thing.

[adogcalledbleep]

I doubt that we in europe will ever become as united as the States. We have too much history for that. We do need to compete within the world stage and thats why were better as a continent to do that....But i don't think we'll ever see a presidential style leader here that weilds the same sort of powers.....

I cannot say what it's like in the USA but we have long running fueds with some of our neighbours!! :D

[WingsofFire]

I will state here, not being one tracted minded, but just a small joke: Bleep, your Scottish, I've never known a Scotsman ever want to be English (British making us related!).

Right to the topic, as I'm employed by Her Majesty, and my Government, I'm not actually meant to say my views or opinions, its a one way system for getting out the RAF, (And one I'll use if I need to get out in a hurry).

I'd simply like to ask, why did so many countries say 'NO' to joining fully into the E.U.? One part the fact we do have a lot of history with one another, The Cival War in USA may have only lasted a few decades, but I think there is one thing you can never take away from any American, and thats the United Pride and Spirit, thats why, an United Europe would have so many issues, it would take time, and the only way forward would be an United World.

History, Politics, Religion, Culture all play a major part in one reason the E.U. might not happen (I'd like to add at this point, if you've done some studying like I do, and follow the history behind the French Revolution, the change of the religion at the time and also the sister revolution in America, there just might be a bigger part being played that people didn't know about).

Now who here would be willing to give away their Heritage, their ethics, culture and nationality to be one with everyone else, to me its slightly mad, I'm English, I was born in England, I might not be proud of what happens these days here, (hence I want to move to New Zealand) but I'll always be English by country, British by United Nation.

I'll add more later when I actually dig out the information I'd like to add.

Wings

[nacken]

When the EU members accepted having a common currency, they gave up most of their sovereignty. The national leaders have a much diminished role today. When you give up control of your currency, you give up most of your power.

[WingsofFire]

When the EU members accepted having a common currency, they gave up most of their sovereignty. The national leaders have a much diminished role today. When you give up control of your currency, you give up most of your power.

How very true, its like that with countries who have royalty, and there aren't many of those these days.

Wings

[adogcalledbleep]

I will state here, not being one tracted minded, but just a small joke: Bleep, your Scottish, I've never known a Scotsman ever want to be English (British making us related!).


..........rofl...............

How true......My two best mates in the world are from Kent (which is bad as thats almost in France! :D) so i can say this without fear of being branded racist (i hope!) but i would rather be bummed by a herd of angry policemen, have my toes removed one by one and be know as Susan "she sucks nobs for parma-violets" Slapper-Smythe than be an Englishman.....


It's just not something i would feel comfortable being.....Not to mention all you get from the age of zero and on is how our country was stolen, remeber Culloden, Flower of Scotland etc etc.... I do find it funny that i was brought up in a liberal house and was told never to worry about skin colour, religion and all that lovely politicaly correct way of thinking about people except when it's the English of Rangers F.C!

:D

[bracken]

America is on the same path as the EU, called the NAU- North American Union. Coverage was on the news channel CNN, but I never even heard about it from anyone. The US lets herself be so retartedly distracted it's simply unbelievable (I am American, I can say that. Plus, I'm rather cynical sometimes). You can find the topic easily on the web (I heard about it I'm sure in the web documentary Zeitgeist- which is also interesting to see), but here is the Youtube link of the CNN broadcast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T74VA3xU0EA

...May I hypothosise that since many Masons were founders of the USA (this is open knowlege to those who search, granted no such societies were ever mentioned in history class), coming from Europe, that a world-government is their goal? I've lost hope for the "freedom" of the public knowing that many, many American presidents were Masons and fellows in Skull and Bones and other politically minded societies. Meaning I think that the public has a say only to a certain extent, for these are people with the power to move hundreds of thousands of soldiers to a never-fully-explained war for the better part of a decade. The ultimate goal of a world leadership is the only thing that seems to make sense from this perspective.

And, Rose.. I was going to move to Japan. (If it weren't a serious topic, I would chuckle).

[PrincessParadox]

Zombie Thread!!

[WingsofFire]

The question is, is it better to start a new one, take up space on the board with this here too, or just use this old area? I come down on people with a sledgehammer so often on the other forum, for creating the same meaning threads over again, granted I merge at times when two of the same happen and do a little editing, but thats just to clear one of the many bad habits members do have.

[PrincessParadox]

Very true. I don't usually mind if it's a few months, but it's been a few years now. And didn't Rose get banned or something?

[WingsofFire]

I know Michelle came back here under another name.. Did it get banned?

Also another weird question for all, if I say '4chan' what does everyone else say?

[PrincessParadox]

Also another weird question for all, if I say '4chan' what does everyone else say?

Memes? LolCats?

[Dismal Dollie]

I know Michelle came back here under another name.. Did it get banned?

Also another weird question for all, if I say '4chan' what does everyone else say?

That I don't know what you're talking about, because I don't like breaking the first rule.

[durgarox]

mad bloody bollocks and all available accessories!

[vinial]

nice comments from you all. nice topic. thanks for sharing this information with us.

[bebekkoleng]

bangkok is in red alert... and that make us not comfortable living there. i think goverment should be more repressive... any outlaw must go to jail...

http://expressdiet.mobi/