Re: Stopping the boats

Ahem A Rivet's Shot <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:24:01 +0100
> Citizen Smith <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> > And I reckon apart from the wanting to "take back control of our
> > borders", a lot of people that voted Brexit did so because of the
> > attitude of the French. For example, Charles De Gaulle twice vetoed
> > Britain's entry into the EEC. Null points in the Eurovision Song
> > Contest ;-) They don't like us. We don't like them. Simples.
> >
>
>       Nobody in Europe likes anyone else in Europe! That's why the EU was
> preceded by a thousand years of war. The original core of the EU is
> essentially an agreement between Germany and France not to go to war with
> each other - heartily endorsed by the nations between them! Not because
> everyone liked each other but because war had become unacceptable.
> 
>       The biggest problem the EU as a whole had with the UK was the way
> the UK kept on demanding special treatment - and getting it.
>

IMNSHO the big problem with the European "Union" is that it's riven 
top to bottom, side to side.  One size definitely doesn't fit all.  

Look at the tension between the Mediterranean nations and the 
"hard-working, prudent, northern ones".  Likewise, between the 
eastern bloc still nostalgic for life under communism who prefer 
Russia to the westward-looking Atlantic side of Europe. 

When it comes to defence:  can you imagine a European Army?  
Who would organise it?  How many generals would there be?
Which nations would prefer to shelter under the NATO umbrella 
so kindly provided by the US and its generous funding?  Which 
would prefer to cosy up to Putin?

Freeing ourselves from being shackled to the wounded elephant 
is the best thing Britain ever did.

-- 
^Ï^.       Sn!pe, PA, FIBS      -      Professional Crastinator 

My pet rock Gordon just is.