LadyEllen
Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006 From: Stourport-England Status: offline
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Like MC, (I believe), I am a fan of the EU, and I think its time it got a common foreign and defence policy and stepped up to the plate in terms of producing armed forces capable of making a significant contribution in the general western alliance. I dont see this as competing with the US - merely taking a fair share for once, of the burden. I also dont see it as any reason whereby the general western alliance should be prejudiced. BUT. The problem with the EU is, and always has been for us in the UK and I believe for many of the new member states, France, which seems to feel that EU policy and presumably would also think EU forces, belong entirely under their remit, just as they now seem to feel that they are permitted to breach any EU law they like and get away with it, whilst prosecuting others for lesser offences and maintaining a strong grip over agricultural subsidies for their inefficient farmers whilst denying dirt poor farmers in the new states of the money. This French grip on things, is one definite reason why there cannot be a common EU defence and foreign policy, for the French view seems to be, if it doesnt affect France then it doesnt matter, and that almost anything is nothing to do with them. Imagine then, a whole EU policy and a sizeable armed forces with the same basis. There would be no point in either, since the policy would be one of disinterest (gallic shrug) and the forces would be impotently sitting in barracks unless French interests were threatened. For conspiracy theorists out there, one could perhaps also propose that the US likes it the way things are now, since the EU relies so heavily on the US via NATO, that it guarantees ongoing US presence and influence. I say thank goodness the US forces are here, as otherwise we'd all be singing the Marseillaise. But in the end, the US are our allies and it would be only natural to have some of their troops here, (and our troops with them), and overall I am sure the US would rather forego a little influence in favour of saving some of the considerable expense of making up for the EU states' lack of interest in providing for their own defence? E
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In a test against the leading brand, 9 out of 10 participants couldnt tell the difference. Dumbasses.
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