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EU chief opens door for Canada to become 'associate member'

693 points · 905 comments · hackernj

  1. Barrin92 · · focus · HN ↗
    I'm proud to live in the EU because for all its faults we have one thing going for us, we seem to be the only large institution that countries still want to voluntarily join, and can voluntarily leave.

    In a world in which the other great powers revive the Monroe Doctrine or threaten their magnitude smaller neighbors with annexation we're not doing so badly. There is an inherent pettiness, weakness and fake strength in autocracy and force and it's often why I think the EU receives so much disproportionate hate.

    1. graemep · · focus · HN ↗
      The UK left, Iceland just voted not to join.

      The EU does not have a military to annex any neighbours with. Individual states do, but non are really great powers any more.

      1. penguin_booze · · focus · HN ↗
        > The UK left

        Yes, you can read all about how that came about, and how it's going.

        > The EU does not have a military to annex any neighbours with. Individual states do, but non are really great powers any more.

        You're projecting an American ideal. Not all nations are--nor want to be--America, and we're thankful for that.

        1. graemep · · focus · HN ↗
          > Yes, you can read all about how that came about, and how it's going.

          Yes, it seems to have made no difference. economically - economy performing much the same as France and Germany. Lots of lives saved by the faster covid vaccine rollout which is a plus IMO.

          > You're projecting an American ideal. Not all nations are--nor want to be--America, and we're thankful for that.

          You are missing my point. Not annexing anyone when its not an option because you cannot does not prove anything.

          I have never even been to America - why would I project an American ideal?

          1. khalic · · focus · HN ↗
            Do you seriously consider invasion of other countries a good thing??? What the hell is wrong with people
            1. graemep · · focus · HN ↗
              > Do you seriously consider invasion of other countries a good thing

              No, of course not.

              Can people please read what I said in the context of the comment i replied to!

              1. khalic · · focus · HN ↗
                Sorry, corrected
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