It’s pretty bad when the newest and poorest members feel that they have to give up some of their aid so that the richer members (old Europe) could keep their perks.

Sauron

The EU has been able to keep peace in Europe for the past 50-years, together with NATO. NATO was to keep the Russians out, the EU to keep the Germans in. I thing it succeeded well doing that.

No mention of the long series of wars in the Balkans and other such places west of the Urals all of which are in Europe the last time I looked. I especially liked the part about keeping Russia out.

Sauron

Appears the Dutch are even less enamoured with the idea of handing their soverneignty over to a bunch of eurocrates than the French. Over 60% no. Will the leaders take note or bull ahead?

Looks like Tony is off the hook.

Sauron

It dosn’t cost much to stroke a few egos by giving the other side a win. This seems to be the standard when US aircraft participate in these exercises. No harm in agreeing to poor odds during an exercise. The other guy goes away thinking he is better (for a short time at least). You learn more than you otherwise would have without giving away very much.

Given the fact that the U.S. always seems to loose these events, you have to wonder who is fooling who?

Sauron

Sauron

Dubya

Maybe the bribes are figments of your imagination?

Sauron

I can’t believe it! :rolleyes:

Sauron

Based on the number of threads on this forum during the last few years that were political in nature or context or had political overtones, I believed there was a good level of understanding about the basic election process of both the U.S. federal government and the British parliamentary systems on this forum, but now I am not so sure.

Sauron

Paul

I check out the Cloudy Nights forum occasionaly but I do not contribute, I just lurk.

I see you are also a Heavens-above user. A great site from which I learned just how many man-made objects are visable. I am always surprised at the number of times something passes throught the narrow field of view of my scope. The other night, two tracked through while I was looking in Lyra.

You are probably already aware, but one or two of the May 31-June 3 and June 9-10 transits of the Jovian moons would make interesting photos for your big Cat. Quite a number of transits are at timed for decent viewing.

Regards

Sauron