OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Or redicoulous, rediculous future works too.

I'm guessing the Postal Code would be OZ.

[ July 17, 2003, 14:22: Message edited by: Loser ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

It isn't that ridiculous if you think about it. Hawaii and Alaska are states and they're non-contiguous with the other 48 states. Texas was an independent, sovereign nation before joining. There is no language barrier. Cultural differences are not a barrier (see Hawaii again). The US allows plenty of latitude in its state laws, so local legislation is not much of a barrier.

It's comes down to holding a national referendum and asking everyone, 'do we or don't we' ?

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Hawai'i is small and was taken from another Country (Spain I think, unless you count the Hawai'ian Monarchy). Alaska is sparsely populated and has been the territory of someone distant for a long time. Texas, as a country, was founded by Americans who really just wanted to take the land for Mexico (or was it New Spain at that time?) so that doesn't make a good parallel.

Add to this Australia's isolationist immigration laws, usage of the Metric System, Socialist government (compared to the U.S. anyway), and whole mess of other laws that differ widely from U.S. Federal Law and you have a long and awkward digestion process.

Not to say it isn't possible, but it sure would be uncomfortable.

[ July 17, 2003, 19:41: Message edited by: Loser ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Right, this will happen. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

If it does we should insist they set their clock at least to Hawaii time. It's bad enough that Hawii is hours behind everyone else in the country, the state of Australia being a day behind would be just wrong. You guys have your summers and winters mixed up anyway, whats the big deal if you have you days and nights mixed up too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Well from what I have seen, it could happen, given the right catalyst. But it would be a long shot. I have family that are Australian citizens, and they would like me to move down under. After a few weeks down under, I was glad to be back up over. America is a mess, but Australia is well on the road to being a second tier third world nation. A free trade agreement with the UsofA would help them a lot, but distance will limit the amount of income that will be created. IMHO based on my observations, Australia is two countries joined by a common government. On one hand you have the cities and on the other hand you have the vast rural areas. And both compete for limited resources. The cities are nice, but the standard of living is not what it is in the US. And in the country, the gap is even wider. If it were not for the low cost of living, people would be complaining very loudly. And if they were voted into the US, it would be as four or five states prolly, not one. That would give them 8 to 10 senators and 25 to 75 congressmen depending on population. Washington will think long and hard about bringing that many new votes into the game that is national politics here in DC. In the climate as it is today, I don’t see Australia being allowed in. It would take a shake up along the lines of a world war or planet wide disaster/event to alter this.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Well, I don't remember the exact rule for House of Representatives. California has a population around thirty-five million, and has around fifty-three Congressional Districts. Australia has, as a whole, a population under twenty million, so if the proportion is simply the same Australia would end up with thirty representatives. Not exactly a powerful bloc, but a bloc nonetheless.

And would the Australian political parties join an already established American political party, or would they just support a U.S. party on national issues (like presidential campaigns, Federal Bills, or Federal Court Justices) as it suited them?

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What exactly is so bad about this? I find it much more cumbersome that almost all the other states use daylight savings time. Now there's an idea from the shallow end of the gene pool... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slick.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What exactly is so bad about this? I find it much more cumbersome that almost all the other states use daylight savings time. Now there's an idea from the shallow end of the gene pool... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Slick.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have never understood people's problem with daylight savings time. It only affects you twice a year after all. But being in a different time zone, that cause problems 24/7, 365.

If I trying to do business with someone in Hawaii and I call them at 9 in the morning, they are still sleeping the lazy bastards. And then they have the audactiy to call me at dinner time and try to do work.

Australia would be even worse. If I needed something done at the Last minute on a friday afternoon they would be all like, "But now? It's the saturday! You want me to work on the weekend?"

It's unatural I tell you. Everyone should be on the same time zone as me so I am not inconveienced. And if they whine all the time about it being dark during the middle of the day, well that's what lightbulbs are for aren't they?

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Now there's an interesting dilemma. It reminds me of the Quebecois 'secession' movement in Canada of the past few decades. If it had succeeded, the 'Maritime' provinces of Canada would have been isolated and probably ended up joining the US. AND... several of Canada's western provincial governments at the time (Alberta and Saskatchewan) had contacted the US State department and asked about the process of joining the US if this happened, so British Columbia would also have been cut off from the 'central' part in Ontario which would probably have led them to join the US within a few years. After that, what happens to the Yukon and NW territories? In other words, if Quebec had succeeded in mustering the political will to break out of Canada it would have shattered and in short order Canada = Ontario and maybe the 'Eskimo' province of Nunavut. Though they'd probably have declared independence by the time B.C. and the Maritimes had joined the US. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

At the time I pondered the political ramifications for the US much as you have been discussing the Australia issue. By US political standards most Canadians are outright socialist. Adding a dozen or more 'far left' senators to the US senate would be an incredible earthquake in US politics. Lots of things that conservatives have been just barely staving off would get enacted, like national health care. Yet... it's precisely those 'conservatives' who would be most disadvantaged by this who are the most 'nationalistic' and would be in favor of extending the US anywhere and everywhere they can. It would be really fascinating to see how they would deal with a major movement to add something to the US, whether a province of Canada, a part (or all) of Australia, or perhaps Cuba after Castro (another very real possibility). All of these territories have populations that would be mostly in opposition to them once the 'conservatives' got them into the union. How would they react to this situation?

At present I think this 'Statehood for Australia' movement far less serious than the Quebec secession movement and that was only half serious. The other half was just seeing what they could get out of the Federal government by rattling the bars of their cage. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif The author is correct that (much like Canada) Australia just doesn't have a very strong positive sense of national identity, so they tend to daydream idly about 'changing' things even if they don't really want to. Being in fact a distinct nation, if not a confident one, they would have many issues with just adopting the US political/legal/cultural world wholesale. So unless there is a major economic collapse or some other situation that would make Australians seek 'rescue' by the big, powerful US I don't think you need to worry about it too much.

It would be kinda cool to have US Interstate highways running all the way from Washington, D.C. to Nome, Alaska with no border crossings, wouldn't it? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif And maybe we would build a 90-mile suspension bridge to Cuba if they joined? Or a tunnel? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Australia would have to be happy with air links, I'm afraid, but we could build a really cool space port or two on the northern side near the equator and have sub-orbital shuttles for quick high-priority transit. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ July 17, 2003, 17:39: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Personally I think the whole issue laughable and is just this historians way to drum up speeking fees and book sales by expoloiting the current anti-american sentiment abroad. His 20% chance in 50 years is patently ludicrous unless as some of you have said there is some global economic or political catastrophe, and noone can predict those sorts of things. Even if it does who's to say Australia will need us? As the nation more hevily dependant on technology and the current economic status quo perhaps we would be seeking to become part of Australia. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Either possibility is just as likely, as in neither will happen.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

This has more of a chance of happeneing then Australia becoming part of the US...
LINK http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Point A : An overwhelming majority of politicians the world over would be considered 'socialist' if they entered US politics.

Point B : The Australian people won't go for it. That's why it isn't likely to happen.

Point C : But if they do, I'd say it's a 50/50 chance that the US Congress lets them in. The European Union grows larger every day and the US is looking for a way to counter that. Latin America isn't buying into ALCA, so that avenue isn't working too well.

It could happen. Not likely, but not impossible. I give it a 5% chance in the next 30 years. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Loser : Texas sets a legal precedent. That's all that's needed.

Geo : Our seasons are just as God intended them to be, it's yours that are mixed up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, if God had intended Christmas to be in summer he wouldn't have put Santa at the North pole.

There is a reason the Northern Hemisphere is on top Erax. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Baron Munchausen the maritimes hates the usa as much as Western , Central , Nothern , Southern Canada.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Culturally Australia is almost like us. I went there for my Honeymoon and was surpised at all the American T.V. shows. I wanted to watch an Australian news broadcast in Brisbane Airport and I got NBC (u.s.) They watch U.S. football, They love U.S. Basketball, I saw Aboriginies acting like gang members in Cairns. Well actually that's all pop culture. But I was looking for somesort of Australian cultural experience and all I got was really nice people eating vegimite and driving on the left. They even have those obnoxious "Sunday! Sunday!" drag race commercials just like us. Boo hoo!

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Geo, Santa lives in Rovaniemi, Finland, not at the North Pole.

[ July 18, 2003, 19:02: Message edited by: Erax ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

You guys are just trying to get me to bite, aren't you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

I can't believe this stupid article made it out of the country... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif
The article was published in our papers mostly as a humorous piece, and I doubt that any Australians took it seriously.

Australia DOES NOT want to join the US. We have many similarities, but not enough to join as "just another state". Our country is better than that... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Australia is also part of the Commonwealth and I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be legal to be an American State, while being a Commonwealth nation.

Becoming a republic has been brought up a few times, and support is growing for it, but it will still take a few years (decades) for this to happen. This would enable us to form good bonds between the UK, US and our neighbours - Asia.

To correct a few mistakes and inform you guys better.

1. Australia's population is 19.9M. The quota for Immigration is 110,000 per year. Estimated visitors to Australia is 5M per year, mostly from UK, USA and Asia.
2. Australia's isolationist immigration laws? We have a decent immigration policy, which may be small compared to the US, but the numbers are realistic as to what the country can handle. More effort is on trying to stop immigrants moving into their local community and getting them into the rural areas.
3. Metric System is the way of the future. One day (Century?) the US will change...
4. Australia is GMT +10, which in effect means we are about 20 hours AHEAD of the USA, depending on where you are.
5. Christmas is better during the summer anyway. I've had 2 "White Christmas". How can you enjoy it, when you are stuck in doors, while a blizzard is raging outside. Give me a Xmas BBQ on the Beach, going surfing while waiting for the food to cook, and looking at beach babes while eating... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
6. City vs.. Country living. Yep, there is a difference, I have friends and family living in both areas, but I am sure many other countries are having the same problems, including the USA.
7. Thermodyne - your family was just being nice, being a small country, I asked them, and they like you living on the other side of the world... (Joke) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
8. Culturally Australia is almost like us? Yes and No. Yes, because both countries have English history and we do get a lot of American TV shows, but we still have a strong influence from the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. I like to think that our culture is somewhere between the US & UK, with our own mix thrown in their too.
9. People at airports want to know what is happening in the world, because that is where they are heading, which is was most airports have CNN on.
10. The only US Football game on Australian TV would be the Superbowl. I think I can safely say that less then 1% even know the rules, let alone want to watch any matches. Possibly their is a cable channel that shows matches.
11. US Basketball. The game is played widely here, but Australian matches are rarely played on commercial TV, and US Games never. I only heard the results of the US Basketball finials here, can't say I even saw them in the papers.
12. EvilGenius4ABetterTomorrow - you went to Cairns, a tourist city to get Australian culture?
You should have been in Melbourne or Sydney and checking out the ally Cafe scene, or the live band scene at the Pubs, or the back beaches. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Do you want to pay for that change? The biggest thing stopping the US from converting to the metric system is the extremely high cost of doing so. Think of all of those billions of road signs that have to be changed, for one thing.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The terms Xmas and BBQ just don't go together. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ July 18, 2003, 01:26: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

I agree. It was obvious that the original article was a joke. The idea that Australia would join the U.S. is so ludicrous that it doesn't bear mentioning.

In the meantime, here's something for you to ponder:

What is the likelihood of California breaking away from the U.S. to form its own country? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sorry guy, no correction was needed on this one. I had it right to begin with. I said Australia was ahead of continental US time, Hawaii is behind. The point is you're both wrong though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ July 18, 2003, 01:34: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sorry Fyron. You are wrong on this one. US manufacturing and the scientific community has already switched to metrics. They only keep the old system around in customer facing areas because of our cultural stubborness. Actually I think you would find the cost to totally convert would be less then the cost of maintaining the two systems like we do now. Not to mention the money we'd save by not blowing up our Mars missions. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Geoschmo

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Perhaps I just read this wrong, but it looks like you said behind, instead of ahead. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Edit :- Looks like the US is closer to the metric system than I thought...

[ July 18, 2003, 01:35: Message edited by: Baron Grazic ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Perhaps I just read this wrong, but it looks like you said behind, instead of ahead. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Edit :- Looks like the US is closer to the metric system than I thought...</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">DOH! Man do I feel stupid. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

I must have had a mental cramp there. I had it right in my other post...
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sorry Baron. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Number one reason why Canada joining the U.S. would be problematic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

That's Cools Geo.
Its Friday here anyway, so I'm in a good mood, just counting down the hours to the weekend. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

*looks around*

Lots of road signs in english measurements with none metric here, even brand new ones by the new freeway.

I did not say that the scientific community had not switched over, or that most products have both measurements on them.

There are a lot of permanent items around the country that would have to be switched over, which is where the costs comes in. Printing food labels and such in just metric would not cost anything extra, and that is not what I was talking about at all. You also have to pay costs in reforming the education system to totally phase out the english system and do everything in metrics. Metric measurements are covered, yes, but not well until the higher grade levels (high school science classes and such). New text books, new lesson plans, etc. Have to totally revise real estate and such too, as that is all done in the english system. Road building is done in the english system. There are a huge number of objects and concepts that still have to be converted over to metrics.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Road signs get repainted all the time anyway. There is no reason that stuff couldn't be done gradually. The education system has been out front on the issue and teaching both systems for years, so only teaching metrics is actually easier. I had metrics all through grade school. What was wrong with your school. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif There is no reason to learn any sort of conVersions anyway. You don't need to know how many miles in a kilometer, you only need to know how many kilometers to your destination.

I am not saying it wouldn't cost some money, but most of the costs could be done gradually and would have been spent as normal upkeep anyway, and the general increase in efficency would more than make up for it in a very short amount of time.

Geoschmo

[ July 18, 2003, 01:52: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Not a new idea - my world regional geography textbook in college actually asked the same question. Language, culture, resources, %GNP, etc make a case that California could go it alone and thrive. Kinda sci-fi, but a fun mental exercise.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

You know it just occured to me Australia can't be the 51st state anyway. That one is slated for Iraq. Australia can be number 52 though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No no no...

51st state - Puerto Rico
52, 53, 54, 55th states - England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
56th state - Iraq
57th state - Kurdistan
58th state - Australia

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Sure, the costs of switching over would be great, but at least it would be a one-off cost. Once it's done, you'd get savings from not having to maintain dual-measurement systems.

I think the main obstacle isn't economic but cultural. Suggesting the change to the American public would probably be political suicide to any U.S. politician. This isn't an issue championed by any large voter base, so no one would want to expend precious political capital on it.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"><Snerk>...

Well, then they could apply to the IMF for help with their approaching backruptcy. They sure aren't gonna get any help from the Federal govt. while a Democrat is governor and Republicans control both the US Congress and the Whitehouse.

More than a few Americans might like to see that seperation, though. Some because of all the 'liberal politics' weirdness, and some just to get rid of Hollyweird. (Yeah, the two are linked to a certain extent...)

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Slim and none. They can’t even make the sacrifices needed to balance the budget. How would they be able to suffer the cost of becoming a nation? But if they move to recall the governor, I think the north will again call for a partitioning of the state into two separate states.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, unfortunately the US vision of Xmas, with the Coca-Cola Santa Claus, dominates our holiday down here. I feel sorry for the old Santas, wearing that heavy winter clothing and fake beards in 36 degrees (Celsius).

However... having New Year's Day at the height of summer really rocks. Throw a party at home, then as midnight approaches, walk out to the beach to see the fireworks, have your first swim of the new year in the warm tropical waters, then party on the beach until dawn. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">WHAT??? you live in Southern California, for cryin' out loud! The hot, inland portion, no less! BBQ Christmases should be a common occurence there. I live closer to the beach than you, and I'm used to it... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Actually, what's wrong with BBQ for Christmas? I love cooking out on the grill in the cold, even when it's snowing. As long as it's not raining so heavily that you can't keep the grill lit any time is BBQ time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Geoschmo

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have it on good authority that we should leave Wales alone.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Oh ya, nothing like grillen on the fire barrel

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have it on good authority that we should leave Wales alone.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hmmm..... Canada is off the list. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

For most of it's history, the US has eyed Canada.

If Quebec is about to separate, I would be willing to seriously consider amagation with the US.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's because Canada is already american. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ July 19, 2003, 21:57: Message edited by: TerranC ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

This starts off with a little truth, and then takes a lot of liberties. So no hate mails please it just a little fun with statehood.

The 51st state will probably be the District of Columbia. They are on their way to the Supreme Court with the issue of representation, or lack there of. Now it is probably a given that they will win. And it is a given that the majority of Maryland counties will not vote for the city to become part of Maryland again. We already have an urban challenged city to support. Virginia wouldn’t touch it with a stick. And the powers that be have no intention giving two senators to so few people. So, DC needs to come in with another territory or protectorate. Puerto Rico already said hell no to that. And the US Virgin Islands are not interested. So whom does DC bring in with them? Perhaps Israel? Israel would be cheaper to keep as a state. They already have lots of representation in both houses. It would give the US a base of power in the region. Wouldn’t have to worry about all of the illegal cash transfers anymore. And it wouldn’t cost them much to change their name; they are already the “State of Israel”. Also, it would allow them to thumb their noses at the rest of the Arab world. Not to mention the debts to the US that would be forgiven, never knew those guys to pass up on that kind of a deal. Then after they were in, we could pull off a few Texacan switch-a-roo’s and bring a few oil rich Arab states into the Union. Then when the rest of the world sees the advantages of being a state, some of our Asian friends will apply, then Cuba will prolly want in after Castro is gone, before long there will be a shortage of stars for the flag. But we’ll keep the state quarter people busy

[ July 19, 2003, 22:24: Message edited by: Thermodyne ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Whatever happens, there will be a 51st state (and possibly 52nd, etc.) within the next 10-20 years.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

And after what thermo described happens, the United States of America will formally change its name as the Earth Alliance and create a massive structure called the Earthdome in Geneva... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Edit: Minor grammatical errors

[ July 19, 2003, 23:02: Message edited by: TerranC ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The way things work on the hill; it will be built in Arkansas or West Virginia.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Heh... I've just read Thermo's post and I can imagine a map of the world, with every single landmass painted in the stars and stripes... except for the UK, with the same bunch of flag-waving old imperials that currently keep us out of Europe keeping us out of the USE (US of Earth).

Oh, and probably France as well.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

You all do realize that the USA has no interest in taking any of you in as new states don't you? We want to sell you our goods and services, exploit your natural resources, send our coporations over to set up sweat shops, and finance it all by loaning you back your own money at interest. All the while we will be secretly replacing your own indiginous culture with our special blend of freeze-dried pop-culture. To do all this we need you to officially maintain your status as an independant nation. Allowing you to join us as a state would give you too much protection and equality under our laws, and we can't have that can we? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo

[ July 21, 2003, 13:53: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

Awwwwwwwwwwww.....

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">HAHA, I like that one, though I disagree about the addition of more states other than the comment on DC, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. As I think about it, after Castro, Cuba could though I wouldn't think it would happen, but if it did, the cuban's would know real freedom.

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No no no...

51st state - Puerto Rico
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hate to break this to you, but statehood has been put up to a vote in Puerto Rico. They said "no". (Same with independence.)

Re: OT: Strange future for down-under?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Umm, it was a joke. It wasn't meant to be a real comment.