I don’t know if you’re reading what it is I’m writing:
I didn’t “imply” anything, nor did I address Nationalism - that seems to be your thing. I spoke of overcoming stereotyping by treating people as individuals:
Of course, there will always be ignorance and it is there (as a kind of tribal emotional reaction under the surface- and probably always will be) but in the rational, reasoned world, I don’t think Europe is any different to the States.
I’d agree that the variety of Nations in Europe makes the whole environment potentially more volatile but while affluence, democracy and capitalism (or at least a mixed econmy) are maintained, there is no problem. The European Union (socially and politically) and NATO (militarily) are designed to ensure that remains the case in all circumstances.
The idea is to break down barriers, not perpetuate them by invoking drunken examples of Nationalism, IMHO.
Sorry about that, interrupted at the crucial moment…………
That’s the second reference to gay Europeans I’ve read today. This morning it was the ‘hot’ London lesbians. Well, you learn something every day.
goboy - smug perhaps, even naïve. I certainly feel a little more aware of how quickly things can fall apart after this week of petrol (gas) blockades.
There is a thread at the moment that discusses (in part) the origins of WW2 and it seems to be accepted that the harsh terms laid out in the Versailles Treaty post WW1 created the unique circumstances that allowed Hitler to rise.
The Balkans aren’t part of NATO nor of the EU and the particular problems of that region clearly lie in the break up of the Soviet Union. It was NATO in its first aggressive action, not the UN, that interceded – I view that as a positive step for European stability.
Algerians / Africans – this isn’t either about how European nations interact. It’s old fashioned racism with a strong Nationalistic influence. Worthy of another thread but not, in my opinion, relevant to on going European security.
Hell yes. If your Dutch friends routinely refer to Germans as Nazis, then they’re as dumb as they come. If you wish to interpret this as some sort of elitarian statement, so be it.
I’ll just rely on the fact that I probably know a few more Dutchmen than you do.
You get your gun right after you pledge allegiance.
“Cungradjulashuns, you’re a Merkin. Here’s yer gun.”
They usually start ferriners off with a little .25 caliber and a learner’s permit. Once you’ve completed a year without either losing it or shooting yourself in the foot, then you’re allowed to move up to a .38. One more year and you can get a grown-up’s gun–say like a 44 Mag or a .45 auto. After five years (and a clean record) you’re then fully qualified, and you receive your certificate allowing you to purchase a fully automatic assault rifle. Also, at this time, you can participate in the national lottery for heavy weapons. The winners get their choice of either an anti-tank rifle or a grenade launcher.
What, you may ask, do we need all these firearms for? Why, hunting, of course. Those damn pheasants and raccoons are tough little bastards. And who hasn’t heard what an enraged, wounded mallard is capable of doing to an unwary hunter?
Ah, yes…nothing brings a family closer together than slaughtering a few dozen squirrels for Sunday dinner. I remember how it was way back then…my dad and I firing away furiously, little sis running to and fro scooping up the carcasses, and mom gutting the still-warm kills.
Real Merkins never mix alcohol and firearms. It makes the sight picture blurry. The proper thing to do is smoke a few rocks of crack first in order to speed up your reaction time.
Well, I don’t know if they’re married, but England has been screwing Ireland for quite a while now . . . whoops, I don’t want to get myself in trouble again . . . pls forget I said that.
