OT:US don't qualify for EU membership, don't spank children, WW2 history.

[Ruatha]

Reading some Posts here about Australia becoming the next US state, and some other threads about other topics about other issues I started thinking.
Turkey really want to enter the EU but still hasn't qualified.
A lot of the former east states in central europe has qualified and will soon become members.
But the US wouldn't qualify neither by the economical criteria nor the human right criterias.

What are the thoughts on this from you US fellows, are we Europeans squemish about human rights? (I don't think so), aren't you worried about your federal budget defeceit?

[ July 26, 2003, 08:35: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

[Loser]

What are the details of exactly how we won't qualify?

Please detail both the requirements and how we don't meet them. Or link to something.

I know about the capital punishment thing and no, I don't think you all are squeamish. Having heard of French and Italian prisons I just think you lack follow-through.

[ July 25, 2003, 17:08: Message edited by: Loser ]

[General Woundwort]

An American commentator was in Bratislava July 3, giving a speech to the Hayek Foundation. His speech was interesting in that it layed out the cultural and societal differences between Europe and the US today, along with the similarities. The differences go a long way toward demonstrating why a close US-EU relationship (to say nothing of union) would probably not work...

[EvilGenius4ABetterTomorro]

I really wouldn't mind being a member of the E.U. If it means maintaining a higher standard of living and less seperation between the rich and poor, well sure! The E.U. isn't squeamish on human rights issues, It's just that you don't do anything about them when human rights are being violated. The Europeans whine about the conditions at camp X-Ray, but turn a blind eye to Mozambique, Croatia, Solomons, E. Timor, Kosovo (initially), They wine about air strikes in Iraq but everyday Russia bombs the hell out of Chechnya. Heaven forbid the Europeans should criticize Russia!
I really would like to see the Europeans taking more of an active role in the world and intervening in the worlds hot spots instead of letting the U.S. do it and gripe about it afterward.
Oh gawd was that a rant? sorry! Did I go O.T.? Hey I really am for this one world government thing, even if it does sound kinda scary.

[General Woundwort]

Hmmm... well, maybe we could arrange for just Oregon to join the EU.

Would they take California too? Nah, that's too much to wish for.

[EvilGenius4ABetterTomorro]

Actually Northern California?....Sure! Welkome Komrades!