European myths and propaganda
SO Mr Goodyer now returns to the EU and gives us the old Euro-propaganda line of "peace" (Your Views, July 16).
Following the Second World War, France and Germany were war-weary, and Germany divided. It was a virtual impossibility that they would go to war again.
Meanwhile, in the East, the dominant power was the USSR, with a string of unhappy satellites.
The West was worried about future Soviet expansion: NATO was formed as the defensive shield and remained so throughout the Cold War years.
So where was the EU peacekeeping? In the land of Euro-mythology, perhaps.
During those long years, the real unrest occurred in the Soviet empire – East Germany, Hungary and Poland. Precious little EU peacekeeping here, either.
Finally, no, the EU is not just about money, highly important though that is.
It is about a project of ever-closer integration, of political and economic union, a super state by any other name.
It is about a top-down, authoritarian system which only recognises "Yes" votes and ignores "No" votes.
This addiction to integration is a real danger to stability, even peace.
Yes, it will probably fail, but by prolonging the process it will make matters even worse.
IVOR R JOHNS
Heanor Road
Smalley
Derbyshire
8 Comments
by Disillusioned, UK
Friday, July 30 2010, 8:54PM
“Why MadBadger, they were all here...based on the fact that most of the USA is made up of European immigrants, mainly from the UK, Italy(the Romans) and The French (Napoleons people).
Of course, Eric Goodyer, the great historian, will probably argue that the black Africans walked across the America`s long before the native Americans, or that the Romans took mass immigrants out there before we Europeans and that the USA was really ruled by Philip of France and that the Dutch successfully invaded it in 1646.
Anyway, nice to see you back Badger, I thought you may have had a breakdown or been kicked off the site.”
by Gaffers, .
Friday, July 30 2010, 7:40AM
“Ha! Very good!”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:37PM
“Gaffers, you really are a tool!
Where was the US of A when Napolean was marching all over Europe, eh, eh?
And the Romans for that matter!!
Some people have very short memories indeed!!!”
by Gaffers, .
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:41PM
“Madbager - back in your sett you yankee hater. Get over it!”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:29PM
“Gaffers, you tool. Read a bit more relevant history.”
by Gaffers, .
Thursday, July 29 2010, 9:24PM
“Give me America any day. When the going gets tough they act while Europe watches.”
by john armstrong, Newthorpe
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:45AM
“"Where was the EU peacekeeping" In NATO Ivan as you just stated,a cooperation of Europian states.
Talking about war in Europe dont forget the first world war,crimean war. Napolian. Thankfully we have moved on from these silly wars and realised that cooperation between historically close neighbours is beneficial.
Personnally ill take my chances of peace in a integrated Europe instead of the British model of acting as America,
s Jack Russel and getting pats on the head or boots up the posterior.”
by doug, munich
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:28AM
“like the UK is no longer fit for purpose?”