France almost joined the UK in the 50s

KhanNoonienSingh · January 15th, 2007, 07:23 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6261885.stm

lolz.

In the 1950s, in response to a conflict with Egypt over the Suez Canal (which spread into French-controlled Algeria), the French thought about joining the UK.

So much for all that hoopla about nationalism, sovereignty, and the like. When the shit hits the fan (only a decade or two removed from WW2), the Europeans stick together. This is just another example.

Yet when Latin American, Communist, or 'Islamic' nations try to maintain any sort of cohesion, they're met with the same pro-nationalist garbage from the 'West'. The Brits eagerly carved up Africa and the Middle East into seperate nations for the good of the individual peoples right? Jordanians should have a seperate identity than Iraqis or Saudis, right? Lmfao at anyone who believes that. Lines were drawn up out of convenience for governance. When they had the chance to respect ethnic boundaries (so many cases in Africa), they failed.

And the entire time, all these people worry about nationalist identities. I'm Canadian! I'm American! Afghans are not Pakistani! Syrians are not Jordanian! Iraq needs to be split into three because these people just can't get along. But the same people who taught you all that stuff didn't really give a damn about it themselves.

Of course it no longer applies. The nationalist seed has infected Europe, and the EU was a fix for that. As united as the West once was, and is trying to be again (the current Canada/USA/UK alliance for instance), it's weakened. The West had at one point, no trouble occupying a lot of the world. Now they can't even stick it out in Iraq or Afghanistan. They resort to extreme measures of disrupting local populations (economic war). China is running away unchecked. All these things spell doom for Western dominance of global affairs. Secularism and US-style Capitalism will fail. I just wonder if it will go quietly.

What we have seen in the 20th century as sovereign nation-states were nothing more than idealogical satellites of Western civilization. People will now see REAL independent sovereign states. They won't be democratic. Some might be socialist, communist, islamic, military dictatorships, but for the first time states will be truly independent. And again, I wonder if the West's meddling will go away quietly.

KhanNoonienSingh · January 15th, 2007, 07:35 PM

yes i realize this is a very opinionated post/interpretation of events. feel free to add your own.

January 15th, 2007, 07:23 PM	#1
KhanNoonienSingh Should I Consider Retiring??? Join Date: Dec 27 2005 Location: Gotham Posts: 12,820 Reputation: 332337 --> Rep Power: 33300 Casino cash: $1101	France almost joined the UK in the 50s http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6261885.stm lolz. In the 1950s, in response to a conflict with Egypt over the Suez Canal (which spread into French-controlled Algeria), the French thought about joining the UK. So much for all that hoopla about nationalism, sovereignty, and the like. When the shit hits the fan (only a decade or two removed from WW2), the Europeans stick together. This is just another example. Yet when Latin American, Communist, or 'Islamic' nations try to maintain any sort of cohesion, they're met with the same pro-nationalist garbage from the 'West'. The Brits eagerly carved up Africa and the Middle East into seperate nations for the good of the individual peoples right? Jordanians should have a seperate identity than Iraqis or Saudis, right? Lmfao at anyone who believes that. Lines were drawn up out of convenience for governance. When they had the chance to respect ethnic boundaries (so many cases in Africa), they failed. And the entire time, all these people worry about nationalist identities. I'm Canadian! I'm American! Afghans are not Pakistani! Syrians are not Jordanian! Iraq needs to be split into three because these people just can't get along. But the same people who taught you all that stuff didn't really give a damn about it themselves. Of course it no longer applies. The nationalist seed has infected Europe, and the EU was a fix for that. As united as the West once was, and is trying to be again (the current Canada/USA/UK alliance for instance), it's weakened. The West had at one point, no trouble occupying a lot of the world. Now they can't even stick it out in Iraq or Afghanistan. They resort to extreme measures of disrupting local populations (economic war). China is running away unchecked. All these things spell doom for Western dominance of global affairs. Secularism and US-style Capitalism will fail. I just wonder if it will go quietly. What we have seen in the 20th century as sovereign nation-states were nothing more than idealogical satellites of Western civilization. People will now see REAL independent sovereign states. They won't be democratic. Some might be socialist, communist, islamic, military dictatorships, but for the first time states will be truly independent. And again, I wonder if the West's meddling will go away quietly. __________________ Y HALLO THAR. WHATS GOING ON

January 15th, 2007, 07:35 PM	#2
KhanNoonienSingh Should I Consider Retiring??? Join Date: Dec 27 2005 Location: Gotham Posts: 12,820 Reputation: 332337 --> Rep Power: 33300 Casino cash: $1101	yes i realize this is a very opinionated post/interpretation of events. feel free to add your own. __________________ Y HALLO THAR. WHATS GOING ON

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