[Pera]

Originally posted by kode
interesting though that you're so interested in swedish politics, pera. I thought most finns were ignorant about their neighbour country.

I'm not that interested in politics, and to be honest I haven't been following the campaigns of both sides at all. I just pointed out what I thought about the result.

plus, most swedes are really dissapointed about the EU in total. If the EU actually started doing things, instead of just talking about doing things, things might have been better.

This is just what I mean by emotional reasons. "I don't like that EU, so screw them and their stupid euro".

[kode]

opposed to "wow, eu is great, let's get that euro ****e!" that our politicians are running.

[Pera]

Originally posted by kode
opposed to "wow, eu is great, let's get that euro ****e!" that our politicians are running.

Whatever, I'm not going to start throwing dung.

[Lt.Cannonfodder]

Originally posted by kode

interesting though that you're so interested in swedish politics, pera. I thought most finns were ignorant about their neighbour country.

Most finns are quite interested in neighbours and foreign countries in general. Most likely because nothing ever happens in Finland:) .

[Stealth]

Originally posted by GalacticEmperor

*tries to remember where Estonia is*

doens't give a F*** where Estonia is

[Flipside]

Originally posted by Lt.Cannonfodder


Most finns are quite interested in neighbours and foreign countries in general. Most likely because nothing ever happens in Finland:) .

But it's the country where I'd quite like to be,
Pony Trekking or Camping
Or Watching TV

[01010]

Originally posted by Flipside


But it's the country where I'd quite like to be,
Pony Trekking or Camping
Or Watching TV

Is this wretched demi-bee
half asleep upon my knee
some freak from a menagerie?
NO, it's Eric the Half-a-bee

[Stealth]

...flow?

[IceFire]

Do you have a licence for that half a bee!  You'd better get one!

This is an interesting discussion.  It seems like joining the EU seems to have a host of benefits in terms of economic lobbying power of europe versus the huge economy that is North America.  It also seems to offer a way for some of the eastern european countries to separate themselves from the communist rule that once dominated the area and bring themselves to a more liberal or capitalist style of government/society.

These aren't all good things but they are motivating factors for sure.  Not sure what the impact on the smaller countries is expected to be but I do like some of what has come out of the EU in terms of suggesting a code of ethics or of fair law that perhaps has not existed for some time now.

Its certainly better than hostile take over.  Thats for sure.  Definately interesting to get the person to person european perspective.  I read the BBC website quite a bit and I also watch the BBC News on CBC from time to time to get the English and thus slightly more skewed to Europe perspective.

Fascinating tho!

I want to hear more about the issues

[Ace]

Yeah, we need a strong Europe to knock some sense into us North Americans

[Rictor]

I do like the propsed code of ethics, economics and all that. At this moment, I'm really pro-Europe. I guess I've always been  more or less Pro-Europe, but right now thats especially prominent since you have Europe opposing most of Bush's major blunders.

But whenever I get too swept up with idolizing (or whatever the opposite of demonizing is) Europe, I remember that despite all the "we love peace, look at how fair and wise and just we are" talk, they did bomb my country based on intel that was as shoddy, if not worse (far worse in my opinion) than the false WMD claims in Iraq.

Somehow, no one gives a **** about fake inteligence and civilian casualties, as long as you label the whole operation a humanitarian intervention and make up lies about genocide and the like.

Sorry for ranting, its just that I'm trying to say what I think, and right now my opinions are very mixed.

[Stunaep]

Originally posted by IceFire

These aren't all good things but they are motivating factors for sure.  Not sure what the impact on the smaller countries is expected to be but I do like some of what has come out of the EU in terms of suggesting a code of ethics or of fair law that perhaps has not existed for some time now.
 

Interestingly, one of the main arguments of the anti-EU people here in estonia, was the "We already left a union" statement. They said, that by joining the UN, we are giving away a part of our independence, as well as getting only a minor representation in the the Parliament, Council and and the Comission.

Which is of course bull****. 'Tis better to be in a union and free, than totally independent and isolated. If Finland and Latvia are in the EU, and Estonia is not, we'd be surrounded by the EU on one side, and Russia on the other side. Not a very pleasant position.

Other arguments on the anti-EU side included rise of the price of sugar, (as well as other supplies), the eventual move to Euros (the last money reform - going from rubles to crowns in 1991 - was quite a shock to the economy), the fact that the old and the poor would become older and poorer (blatantly ignoring the fact that the young and the successful would become... older and more successful), and other bull**** like that