Ronald McDonald gets le boot

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Originally posted by Patoooey
Well.....even with the euro, Europe is still just a collection of countries. Not exactly fair comparing to any individual one. If combinations are allowed, then North America(Canada, USA and Mexico) would hold the top spot.

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The US (as the name suggests) is effectively a collection of 50 countries. You call them states, but a rose smells the same with any other name. Yes they share the same currency and the same president, yes they share the same congress, but the EU has a president, and a single currency, and a parliament. The US states don't share the same laws, neither do the EU states.

It is perfectly fair to compare the US to the EU because of that strikingly similar structure.

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Where the **** would we be without real soldiers who go in and do the job this all began for, rather than flying by dropping bombs on everyone...

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We have plenty of brave and valliant special ops forces.

I'd rather be smart than brave, though. We're the smartest country in the world, which translates to the best technologically equipped military in the world. Why the hell would we want to risk more lives than necessary???

More jealous B.S. from rjlohan

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Originally posted by rjlohan

No, but their friends, family, and 'colleagues' all can. So then what? We kill them, well ****, look more friends, family, colleagues, and now they're coming from other countries, and so on and so on, etc, etc.

(A completely serious reply by the way!)

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Whoa....what planet are you living on ??

Violence is the ultimate solution. A dead enemy can't hurt you and most/all of his "friends, family and 'colleagues'" will go back to work like nothing happened.

If your belief of constant revenge was even remotley valid, then how do you explain Sadaam Hussien(or any other dictator over the centuries)?? He's killed a ****load of his own people and he's still there. Leaders have proven countless times that control thru violence works just fine.

Not to mention all the killers/rapists who have been freed un-punished by our flakey legal system. Your belief would have our streets filled to capacity with vigilantes seeking an eye. This doesn't happen because most people only have the heart to kill at extreme times. The ability to hunt someone down eludes most of us.

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
We're the smartest country in the world

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dude, you know that isn't true.

Apart from anything else, how can a collection of random people who happen to have been born in one human-defined section of land (e.g. a country) be smarter than other random people from another human-defined section of land.

Is it your education system? No, judging by what some americans have said on this site. Why the hell is daughter of ex-pres clinton studying at Oxford University?!? For fun? I don't think so.

>The US (as the name suggests) is effectively a collection of 50 countries.

This is the most outlandish statement yet! The states are bound by a federal government, federal laws, free trade between each state.

C'mon, do the countries of the European Community all vote for the same leader?

That's just wrong and I can't imagine someone as smart as you could say something like that.

If other countries had the knowhow, they'd have created the first A-bomb, or put a man on the moon, or invented the space shuttle or the stealth bomber.

If other countries had the knowhow, they'd certainly have the most technologically advanced military and not us.

mikey..I couldn't agree with you more but the US Is not the smartest country. Of course I am not saying australia or britain is any smarter and i'm not saying we are stupid but there are stupid people in the US (many of them, just like all over the world) and there are geniuses in the US..

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
This is the most outlandish statement yet! The states are bound by a federal government, federal laws, free trade between each state.

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I admit there is some way to go, but the EU is becoming more centralised.

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C'mon, do the countries of the European Community all vote for the same leader?

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Yes, the European President. There is one.

The countries of the EU are bound by a central "core" of laws, just like the States.

If you think about it, they're not too dissimilar, which is the point I was trying to make. Almost an identical system is in place, yet because the EU "states" are countries, we are not allowed to compare the EU to the US...?! C'mon, I don't think so.

BTW, jpb, love the avitar. I find it even more funny that I'm on AOL right now!!! I popped in one of those free 45 day trials, and cancelled on day 44, but they begged me to stay on another 30 days. I told them I don't like having the Internet spoonfed to me, but they insisted on giving me another 30 days. After 29 more days, they gave me ANOTHER TWO MONTHS. I can't even believe how long it's been now.

I can promise you though that the day before my trial is up (for the third time) I'll say "Goodbye".

>Yes, the European President. There is one.

I know this, but come on, who has a bigger impact on the lives of British citizens, the E.U. Pres or Tony Blair?

Open an encyclopedia or whatever resource you want. The U.S. is one nation, Germany is one nation France is one nation, etc., etc., etc.

It's not even worth debating. The US is the largest economy in the world.

well no it's not worth debating if you're not going to listen.

Has your state got a governer...yes?
Has my state (they are called member states of the EU BTW) got a governer?...Yes, he's called Mr. Blair

So my governer has more power than your governer...so what?

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The US is the largest economy in the world

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I keep telling you, the EU is.

How many times have you asked someone what country they're from only to hear them answer "Europe"???

C'mon, most Americans wouldn't even make the mistake of calling Europe a country.

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
How many times have you asked someone what country they're from only to hear them answer "Europe".

C'mon, most Americans wouldn't even make the mistake of calling Europe a country.

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these are mere technicalities. The fact everyone views the member states of the EU countries doesn't make a blind bit of difference

We're talking economies and trading blocks here, and the EU is the biggest one. There's no two ways about it.

>these are mere technicalities.

Technicalities are what makes an apple an apple and an orange an orange.

Ask a Californian what country he's from and he'll tell you he's from the good ol' USA.

>The fact everyone views the member states of the EU countries doesn't make a blind bit of difference

Wha? We're talking about the country with the biggest economy, not the continent!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally posted by chrisjk
The US (as the name suggests) is effectively a collection of 50 countries. You call them states, but a rose smells the same with any other name. Yes they share the same currency and the same president, yes they share the same congress, but the EU has a president, and a single currency, and a parliament. The US states don't share the same laws, neither do the EU states.

It is perfectly fair to compare the US to the EU because of that strikingly similar structure.

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Using the word state is more confusing here. We have our collection of states but call other nations by the word State as well. All depends on the usage.

Our collection of states is no different then your collection of "47 boroughs, 36 counties, 29 London boroughs, 12 cities and boroughs, 10 districts, 12 cities and 3 royal boroughs" (from CIA world fact book....if it's wrong, call them) I'm sure India has a ****load of counties/states/boroughs, etc, that could offer you the same arguement as above, but it still doesn't work. Our roses smell different.

I've always considered the UK to be part and parcel when speaking of Europe but your country didn't join in on the euro ??

We need to wait atleast a few years to see how well the "single currency" works out for the EU.

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
BTW, jpb, love the avitar. I find it even more funny that I'm on AOL right now!!! I popped in one of those free 45 day trials, and cancelled on day 44, but they begged me to stay on another 30 days. I told them I don't like having the Internet spoonfed to me, but they insisted on giving me another 30 days. After 29 more days, they gave me ANOTHER TWO MONTHS. I can't even believe how long it's been now.

I can promise you though that the day before my trial is up (for the third time) I'll say "Goodbye".

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Dude, AOL has the BEST selection of porn ever. and i'm not joking. Get it while you can...

This is silly. I like you jk and usually I'm a very tolerant person, but right now I simply have no tolerance for this anti-American bullsheet I'm hearing around here.

Porn on AOL? Hmmm . . . I'm actually doing a report on pornography for school and I need to do a little research. What kind of porn can AOL offer that I can't get on the Internet, and how do I get to it? (For purely educational purposes, of course.)

It's not that you can't get it online but it's free and it's right in front of you.

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Geez, so simple..of course the US has the biggest economy. Is there a European stock market? no there is a british one, a german one, etc...the US Has ONE stock market...well actually 3 but they all cover the whole US..

Like I said, we haven't got to the stage of saying "I'm from Europe", but I doubt every single californian would say "I'm from the US". Some would say from california, because it's a well known state.

This country is a member state of the EU, if the word "state" is what you're looking for, there it is. It's written in law, countries of the EU are always referred to as member states. The terminology is the same, the system is very similar, so I fail to see why the EU cannot be compared to the US.

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
This is silly. I like you jk and usually I'm a very tolerant person, but right now I simply have no tolerance for this anti-American bullsheet I'm hearing around here.

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man, I am in NO WAY being anti-american

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Originally posted by chrisjk
Like I said, we haven't got to the stage of saying "I'm from Europe", but I doubt every single californian would say "I'm from the US". Some would say from california, because it's a well known state.

This country is a member state of the EU, if the word "state" is what you're looking for, there it is. It's written in law, countries of the EU are always referred to as member states. The terminology is the same, the system is very similar, so I fail to see why the EU cannot be compared to the US.

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It can, seppos just get toey when anyone else seems to be bigger or better than them...:rolleyes:

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Originally posted by chrisjk
man, I am in NO WAY being anti-american

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Yeah, he's not...he's being very mature actually..i think he's wrong but he's not insulting us as people

rjlohan on the other hand...:rolleyes:

One more thing on this Europe is the biggest economy crap. If a Frenchman commits a crime and it's appealed to the highest court is that court:

a) the French Supreme Court (or whatever the hell the frogs call it)

or

b) The European Community Supreme Court


If you answered a, then you know that chrisjk's analogy sucks!

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Originally posted by Patoooey

Violence is the ultimate solution. A dead enemy can't hurt you and most/all of his "friends, family and 'colleagues'" will go back to work like nothing happened.

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Well, I guess we'll just wait a few years and see, won't we?

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Originally posted by Patoooey
[B]Our collection of states is no different then your collection of "47 boroughs, 36 counties, 29 London boroughs, 12 cities and boroughs, 10 districts, 12 cities and 3 royal boroughs" (from CIA world fact book....if it's wrong, call them)[B]

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What are your states made up of?

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
One more thing on this Europe is the biggest economy crap. If a Frenchman commits a crime and it's appealed to the highest court is that court:

a) the French Supreme Court (or whatever the hell the frogs call it)

or

b) The European Community Supreme Court


If you answered a, then you know that chrisjk's analogy sucks!

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I can't see how that analogy has anything to do with it...:confused:

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Originally posted by rjlohan


Well, I guess we'll just wait a few years and see, won't we?

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Indeed we will.

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Originally posted by jpbtennisman


Indeed we will.

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Yes, yes we will.

rjlohan, tell me, would you rather be brave or smart? I happen to think this country has the best of both, but just in case you didn't catch it the first time:

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Where the **** would we be without real soldiers who go in and do the job this all began for, rather than flying by dropping bombs on everyone...

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We have plenty of brave and valliant special ops forces.

I'd rather be smart than brave, though. We're the smartest country in the world, which translates to the best technologically equipped military in the world. Why the hell would we want to risk more lives than necessary???

More jealous B.S. from rjlohan

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Originally posted by rjlohan


I can't see how that analogy has anything to do with it...:confused:

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What he's saying is, if the highest court is considered to be the French Supreme Court (or whatever it is called), then that would make Chris's comparison of the US to the EU, calling them both whole countries, invalid.

If the EU were a separate country then the EU "Supreme Court" would be the highest court, just as the Federal Supreme Court is the highest court over in the states.

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
One more thing on this Europe is the biggest economy crap. If a Frenchman commits a crime and it's appealed to the highest court is that court:

a) the French Supreme Court (or whatever the hell the frogs call it)

or

b) The European Community Supreme Court


If you answered a, then you know that chrisjk's analogy sucks!

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You can hardly blame me for trying to highlight the similarities.

That French dude will go to a French court (the same as a californian would go to a Californian court or whatever county counrt he was in). That Frenchman could appeal to the European court, because there is one. Could that californian do the same?

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
rjlohan, tell me, would you rather be brave or smart? I happen to think this country has the best of both, but just in case you didn't catch it the first time:



We have plenty of brave and valliant special ops forces.

I'd rather be smart than brave, though. We're the smartest country in the world, which translates to the best technologically equipped military in the world. Why the hell would we want to risk more lives than necessary???

More jealous B.S. from rjlohan

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I got you the first time. I was just stirring with that one (worked a charm apparently) - take a chill pill phil.

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Originally posted by chrisjk
Like I said, we haven't got to the stage of saying "I'm from Europe", but I doubt every single californian would say "I'm from the US". Some would say from california, because it's a well known state.

This country is a member state of the EU, if the word "state" is what you're looking for, there it is. It's written in law, countries of the EU are always referred to as member states. The terminology is the same, the system is very similar, so I fail to see why the EU cannot be compared to the US.

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Last post on this....one question.

If the EU passed a law and Blair and all the other UK politicians said No to it....would the EU have the right to send police/troops in to enforce the law ??

If the answer is no, then the EU can not be considered a country.

The buck must stop somewhere.

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Originally posted by jpbtennisman


What he's saying is, if the highest court is considered to be the French Supreme Court (or whatever it is called), then that would make Chris's comparison of the US to the EU, calling them both whole countries, invalid.

If the EU were a separate country then the EU "Supreme Court" would be the highest court, just as the Federal Supreme Court is the highest court over in the states.

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Sounds to me like he's trying to say that Europe has a bigger economy, and based on the numerous comparisons, comparing the Euro economy to the American one is perfectly valid. I don't think he saying they are both countries, just that the economic structure is so similar, they can be compared.

Originally posted by mikeycorn
One more thing on this Europe is the biggest economy crap. If a Frenchman commits a crime and it's appealed to the highest court is that court:

a) the French Supreme Court (or whatever the hell the frogs call it)

or

b) The European Community Supreme Court


If you answered a, then you know that chrisjk's analogy sucks!


I can't see how that analogy has anything to do with it...


Okay, let me get on preschool level so perhaps you'll have a chance of understanding this.

If you ask who has the biggest economy and you try to lump a bunch of countries who have different constitutions, different laws, and different judicial systems, YOU'RE CHEATING!

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Originally posted by rjlohan
Where the **** would we be without real soldiers who go in and do the job this all began for, rather than flying by dropping bombs on everyone...:rolleyes:

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Tell that to my fellow moderator at PCTS online who has served in the Air Force for the United States. If the two of you were face to face, he would probably laugh at you and kick your ass.

Don't trash our military forces, flying a plane to bomb someone/something requires bravery even if it's not ground fighting, if the country has sufficicent military force they could shoot down your plane...

:mad:

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Originally posted by Patoooey
If the answer is no, then the EU can not be considered a country.

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Says who, you?

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
Originally posted by mikeycorn


Okay, let me get on preschool level so perhaps you'll have a chance of understanding this.

If you ask who has the biggest economy and you try to lump a bunch of countries who have different constitutions, different laws, and different judicial systems, YOU'RE CHEATING!

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I don't think a preschooler would understand all those big words...:rolleyes:

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Originally posted by jpbtennisman


Tell that to my fellow moderator at PCTS online who has served in the Air Force for the United States. If the two of you were face to face, he would probably laugh at you and kick your ass.

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Yes, yes, we can all talk big though can't we?

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Originally posted by jpbtennisman
Don't trash our military forces, flying a plane to bomb someone/something requires bravery even if it's not ground fighting, if the country has sufficicent military force they could shoot down your plane...

:mad: [/B]

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Well they're hardly gonna have much strikepower after you bomb them with guided missiles from warships in the ocean, now, are they?

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
If you ask who has the biggest economy and you try to lump a bunch of countries who have different constitutions, different laws, and different judicial systems, YOU'RE CHEATING!

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But that lump of countries are controlled by the same laws and harmonised judicial systems.

European Law is a real thing, it does exist.

Calling Europe a country is far fetched, but I never tried to do that. I merely tried to point out that because the structure is so similar, why can't they be compared?

Oi Chris go to bed!

Truth be told, I could really care less about who has the biggest economy. You ask a representative sample of 1000 citizens of the world and 980 of them will tell you the U.S. I guess we found some of the other twenty here.

Like I said though, I could really give two sheets about this whole thing. I really am just so furious with the people who are coming out of the woodwork with all their snide comments and anti-American sentiments that I just want to argue with these people over anything at all.

Losers.

You should be greatful that the U.S. was the country that became the unchallenged world superpower at the end of the 20th century. Had it have been the Nazis or the Commies, you wouldn't even be able to air your petty little gripes.

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Originally posted by rjlohan


Yes, yes, we can all talk big though can't we?

Well they're hardly gonna have much strikepower after you bomb them with guided missiles from warships in the ocean, now, are they?

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Yes we can, which makes you pretty damn lucky that it's how the world works.

So you take the US's military power and you label it as a weakness. You bore me. :o

My Alg 2 homework is more exciting than you, see ya.

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Originally posted by Pix
Oi Chris go to bed!

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:p

Nah I'm having a debate with these fine gentlemen about the why's and wherefores of the EU.

How come you're not in bed? ;)

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
I really am just so furious with the people who are coming out of the woodwork with all their snide comments and anti-American sentiments that I just want to argue with these people over anything at all.

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WORD.

Although Chrisjk is not really the person to argue with as it's rjlohan who is commenting like that mostly...

Chrisjk = :cool:
rjlohan = :rolleyes:

Fair enough :p

I was in bed but couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd come back here for a bit :)

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Originally posted by mikeycorn
I really am just so furious with the people who are coming out of the woodwork with all their snide comments and anti-American sentiments that I just want to argue with these people over anything at all.

Losers.

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I hope you're not including me in that because I have deliberately sidestepped all snipping and anti-american comments.

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You should be greatful that the U.S. was the country that became the unchallenged world superpower at the end of the 20th century. Had it have been the Nazis or the Commies, you wouldn't even be able to air your petty little gripes.

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Had it been the Nazis and not the US, then frankly neither would you be able to.

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Originally posted by chrisjk
Had it been the Nazis and not the US, then frankly neither would you be able to.

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:p

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Originally posted by Pix
Fair enough :p

I was in bed but couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd come back here for a bit :)

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well good to see you.

Is your bed compy enough, sounds like you should demand a new one

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Originally posted by chrisjk
What are your states made up of?

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Same thing....so you don't any division in your country that have the word State in it. So what ??

UK is a country, France is a country, etc. Recently combining them under a single banner may be a wet-dream for all the "one world, one prez" people but if that is the wave of the furture, then all comparisons need to be changed. Lumping 12 or so existing countries together for whatever reason and then comparing them to a single existing country is asinine at best, *****-envy at worst.

hehehehehehe

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Originally posted by jpbtennisman


WORD.

Although Chrisjk is not really the person to argue with as it's rjlohan who is commenting like that mostly...

Chrisjk = :cool:
rjlohan = :rolleyes:

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thank you!

JK is OK in my book, too.

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Originally posted by chrisjk
well good to see you.

Is your bed compy enough, sounds like you should demand a new one

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Hee hee, my bed is ok I think, I've just got a lot on my mind at the moment. Oh and I've had a lot of caffiene recently so that might have something to do with it :p

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Originally posted by chrisjk
Says who, you?

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Uhmmmm....obviously.

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Originally posted by Patoooey
Lumping 12 or so existing countries together

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It will happen, whether I or any other euro-sceptic Briton wants it or not.

So the member states of the EU are existing countries, oka, they are, fine. But, wait, wasn't Florida a country owned by the Spanish before they sold it to the US? I'm guessing there are more states that were in a similar position.

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Originally posted by Pix
Hee hee, my bed is ok I think, I've just got a lot on my mind at the moment. Oh and I've had a lot of caffiene recently so that might have something to do with it :p

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tut! Caffiene is bad for you! :p

It probably will happen, I doubt in our lifetimes, though. I mean, having your whole country's identity overshadowed by merging into one giant European country is the kind of idea that will take more than a few generations of brainwashing before people will accept it.

Who do you think will be the last European country to hold out on the deal?

I know it is but it keeps me awake during revision :p