Post by Sea Eagle on Oct 18, 2004 10:39:47 GMT -3
Gabriel,
I agree that the same rules should be applied to China. Tibet should be free just like the Falklands will be when it comes to make the choice (which just happens to be my personal interest, but a very small matter in comparison). In my estimation Kurdistan also, in spite of the fact that I love to visit Turkey and love their country very much, they have a lot to learn about freedom of choice. I also personally welcome Turkey into the European Union when they have fulfilled the Human Rights criteria etc,. No doubt there are many other regions that deserve or desire autonomy also.
In the UK we are evolving mechanisms to extend more and ultimate freedom of choice to our regions and Countries, not before time. Not everybody wants this freedom of course, which in itself is a kind of freedom of choice of course.
Scotland for instance could choose independence if it wanted to, but it is unlikely. They might of course like to take their Royal Family with them for all the good they do here. They have presided over us since James VI of Scotland took over the English throne and became James I of England in 1603. (Sorry John!)
Seriously though, all men are only created equal under the reckoning of the USA Declaration of Independence. In every other country they find themselves in the actual circumstances in which they are born.
Countries of course are not equal. If my memory serves me correctly the UK created the modern Iraq in its own image, putting a King on the throne as it did in Jordan etc. In fact Basra International Airport was once an RAF Base as indeed it is now again temporarily. But since then they have, like all countries had a certain amount of choice in their own destiny, whether they managed it well is another matter.
Argentina has had a choice in its own destiny, look what a b---s they have made of that. From potentially one of the richest countries to who knows where they are going. Now they want to run my country in their own image. I don’t think so.
The USA, well they are just like all World Powers whether Roman or British, they only know what they want and have little concept of the rest of the world. The UK is supposed to be one of their closest allies and of course we do owe them big time when they finally came to our aid as the only bastion left in Europe prepared to Fight Adolf Hitler. We were left bankrupt by what we owed them and others and believe it or not our recovery is still progressing even as the fourth largest economy in the world much of it is done on American investment. However we mostly have a good standard of living (Not quite up to Falklands standards on per capita income!!!) so where it comes from is not a great concern to most of the population.
The USA is a very parochial country knowing little about others outside its own confines.
Interesting figures from this Sunday’s Observer Newspaper and a column written by Paul Harris:
Only 13% of Americans knew where London was.
20% knew who David Beckham was
76% knew of Paul McCartney
91% knew of Prince William
16% knew the name of the Ruling Party in Great Britain
25% believe that the USA is Gods chosen country as evidenced by their wealth and superior democracy
12% believe that Elvis is alive
20% or fewer Americans have a passport.
Reasons for not wanting to travel 51% are afraid, 26% have no desire, 7% wont fly,
70% have been to Disneyland
Preferred world destinations for those few who do travel; Britain, just above France and then Germany.
10% of US soldiers in Iraq are Latino and they are prepared to die for their country.
Not sure what all that tells us. I will let you make your own interpretation.
Best wishes,
Ernie
I agree that the same rules should be applied to China. Tibet should be free just like the Falklands will be when it comes to make the choice (which just happens to be my personal interest, but a very small matter in comparison). In my estimation Kurdistan also, in spite of the fact that I love to visit Turkey and love their country very much, they have a lot to learn about freedom of choice. I also personally welcome Turkey into the European Union when they have fulfilled the Human Rights criteria etc,. No doubt there are many other regions that deserve or desire autonomy also.
In the UK we are evolving mechanisms to extend more and ultimate freedom of choice to our regions and Countries, not before time. Not everybody wants this freedom of course, which in itself is a kind of freedom of choice of course.
Scotland for instance could choose independence if it wanted to, but it is unlikely. They might of course like to take their Royal Family with them for all the good they do here. They have presided over us since James VI of Scotland took over the English throne and became James I of England in 1603. (Sorry John!)
Seriously though, all men are only created equal under the reckoning of the USA Declaration of Independence. In every other country they find themselves in the actual circumstances in which they are born.
Countries of course are not equal. If my memory serves me correctly the UK created the modern Iraq in its own image, putting a King on the throne as it did in Jordan etc. In fact Basra International Airport was once an RAF Base as indeed it is now again temporarily. But since then they have, like all countries had a certain amount of choice in their own destiny, whether they managed it well is another matter.
Argentina has had a choice in its own destiny, look what a b---s they have made of that. From potentially one of the richest countries to who knows where they are going. Now they want to run my country in their own image. I don’t think so.
The USA, well they are just like all World Powers whether Roman or British, they only know what they want and have little concept of the rest of the world. The UK is supposed to be one of their closest allies and of course we do owe them big time when they finally came to our aid as the only bastion left in Europe prepared to Fight Adolf Hitler. We were left bankrupt by what we owed them and others and believe it or not our recovery is still progressing even as the fourth largest economy in the world much of it is done on American investment. However we mostly have a good standard of living (Not quite up to Falklands standards on per capita income!!!) so where it comes from is not a great concern to most of the population.
The USA is a very parochial country knowing little about others outside its own confines.
Interesting figures from this Sunday’s Observer Newspaper and a column written by Paul Harris:
Only 13% of Americans knew where London was.
20% knew who David Beckham was
76% knew of Paul McCartney
91% knew of Prince William
16% knew the name of the Ruling Party in Great Britain
25% believe that the USA is Gods chosen country as evidenced by their wealth and superior democracy
12% believe that Elvis is alive
20% or fewer Americans have a passport.
Reasons for not wanting to travel 51% are afraid, 26% have no desire, 7% wont fly,
70% have been to Disneyland
Preferred world destinations for those few who do travel; Britain, just above France and then Germany.
10% of US soldiers in Iraq are Latino and they are prepared to die for their country.
Not sure what all that tells us. I will let you make your own interpretation.
Best wishes,
Ernie