Britain in Europe

[imported_Reaganomics]

PS: I wonder if hypothetically only Britain and Ireland were part of the EU, if Reaganomics would feel very comfortable.

The reason Ireland joined the EU or EEC as it was then was to breakaway from it's over dependence on the British market. I find you suggesting a union of Ireland and Britain alone highly offensive in regard to the history between the two countries. You also referred to me as a bigot, I'm not I just call a spade a spade. Your final comment is more bigoted then any I have (or will) make on this forum. In short I'm mighty pissed off at your disregard for the tensions that still remain between my country and the UK.

[Rock the Casbah]

Tensions ? What tensions are you refering to Reaganomics ?

[Snake007x]

"I find you suggesting a union of Ireland and Britain alone highly offensive in regard to the history between the two countries."

You've proven my point that you wouldn't feel that good ceding power to the British. My comment wasn't made of ignorance or bigotry. Why should the people of the UK cede power to the Irish, the French, the Germans, or anyone else who has stood in their way in recent history? There's real tension there.

You just want to see a weaker Great Britain that's put on a leash by the rest of Europe.

You get offended way too easily. It would be hilarious if your reaction truly weren't so pathetic.

[Ard Ri]

Dia duit a chairde,

Gabh mo leithscéal. I could not but notice the discussion on the UK and its miserable role in the EU to date. I would contend that the Labour Government will, if their time in power continues, inevitably adopt the Euro currency and take a more leading role in the EU. However I doubt that the UK will be around for very much longer.
The regional powers that have been granted to Wales and Scotland (a process known as devolution) will ultimately result in full independence of those countries. The 'UK' will cease to exist in its current incarnation. What will emerge will either be a more inclusive UK or a complete seperation of the Celtic nations from their English overlords. I, without apology, favour the latter scenario as the English dominated UK has ultimately failed to live up to its name; in short it is in fact dis-United.
For too long the terms 'British' or 'Briton' have been used synonimously with 'nation'. A 'nation' is a people of similar linguistic or ethnic origin. 'Britishness' was invented as an excuse for empire and as such it failed to include the Manx and the Irish, simply because they did not come from the Island of Britain. Therefore the only acceptable use of the term 'British' is when referring to objects, places or people 'of that Island'.
[Also as an aside, the so called 'isolationist' period in 'British' (I would argue, English) history was one of world conquest and oppression.]
Britain is an island, not a nation and therefore 'Britishness' is not a nationality. You can be of Scottish, English, Cornish or Welsh descent, but unless you are from the island itself, you cannot be 'British'. Ethnicity it is not and as such the Celtic-descended minorities in Britain, Mann and Ireland have no real future in an English dominated UK. The EU will guarantee their rights as independent soverign regions and thus, the EU is the future of those regions.
Perhaps a union of Celtic countries - along the same lines as Scandinavia - will emerge between Alba (Scotland), Eire (Ireland), Mannin (Mann), Kernow (Cornwall) and Breiz (Brittany), but under the UK (or France); as history has shown; no such freedom can be assured.
Slán go fóill,
Ard Ri

[Liberty]

A 'nation' is a people of similar linguistic or ethnic origin.

Then by your definition neither the United States nor Canada are "nations".

It would seem that history has already proved your assertion to be in error.

.

[The Finman]

Originally posted by Ard Ri:
Dia duit a chairde,

Gabh mo leithscéal. I could not but notice the discussion on the UK and its miserable role in the EU to date. I would contend that the Labour Government will, if their time in power continues, inevitably adopt the Euro currency and take a more leading role in the EU. However I doubt that the UK will be around for very much longer.
The regional powers that have been granted to Wales and Scotland (a process known as devolution) will ultimately result in full independence of those countries. The 'UK' will cease to exist in its current incarnation. What will emerge will either be a more inclusive UK or a complete seperation of the Celtic nations from their English overlords. I, without apology, favour the latter scenario as the English dominated UK has ultimately failed to live up to its name; in short it is in fact dis-United.
For too long the terms 'British' or 'Briton' have been used synonimously with 'nation'. A 'nation' is a people of similar linguistic or ethnic origin. 'Britishness' was invented as an excuse for empire and as such it failed to include the Manx and the Irish, simply because they did not come from the Island of Britain. Therefore the only acceptable use of the term 'British' is when referring to objects, places or people 'of that Island'.
[Also as an aside, the so called 'isolationist' period in 'British' (I would argue, English) history was one of world conquest and oppression.]
Britain is an island, not a nation and therefore 'Britishness' is not a nationality. You can be of Scottish, English, Cornish or Welsh descent, but unless you are from the island itself, you cannot be 'British'. Ethnicity it is not and as such the Celtic-descended minorities in Britain, Mann and Ireland have no real future in an English dominated UK. The EU will guarantee their rights as independent soverign regions and thus, the EU is the future of those regions.
Perhaps a union of Celtic countries - along the same lines as Scandinavia - will emerge between Alba (Scotland), Eire (Ireland), Mannin (Mann), Kernow (Cornwall) and Breiz (Brittany), but under the UK (or France); as history has shown; no such freedom can be assured.
Slán go fóill,
Ard Ri

I'm impressed. Do you actually speak fluent Gaelic or only certain phrases? Being from Irish ancestory, I love Ireland and it's people. However, you are the first person from Ireland that I have ever strongly disagreed with.

Slán agus beannacht leat!

FIN