Display:
European Tribune - Comments - Iraq Lesson: "I now realise that I am a European"
I always viewed Britain's Special Relationship as a grand delusion, and Britain as an integral part of Europe, only in denial.
Indeed...

Hostility between British and American military leaders revealed - Telegraph

"Despite our so-called `special relationship,' I reckon we were treated no differently to the Portuguese."
Poor British, they're no better than the Portuguese...

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 at 05:09:08 AM EST
I wondered about that one. It could be simple superiority complex, but it could also be an out-of-context quote, leaving out some specific incident involving the Portuguese. (Note: Portugal was one of the first to consider withdrawal.)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 at 05:17:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]
A widespread belief in military and diplomatic circles that, because the British are first and most enthusiastic supporters of US military policies, our opinions carry greater weight.

As I've mentioned previously, kings do not consult with vassals over policy. We are merely a Foreign Legion, there to do their bidding, but otherwise keep out of the way.

It is regrettable that belief in this special relationship and consequent extra clout persists in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. As Paul Simon said;-

I am just a poor boy
Though my story's seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocket full of mumbles such are promises
All lies and jests
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest


keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 at 05:32:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]
One of my favorite quotes from song lyrics.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 at 06:04:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Display:
Login
. Make a new account
. Reset password
Recommended Diaries
Clipping the wings of a judge
by Migeru - Feb 10
24 comments

Hunger March wins PR battle
by DoDo - Feb 9
3 comments

Romania: protests change government
by DoDo - Feb 8
6 comments

Murdoch - Outsourcing and Hubris
by ceebs - Feb 3
18 comments

Obama wins GOP Primaries (to date)
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 8
8 comments

LQD: Unsustainable irrigation
by Melanchthon - Feb 9

Bristol Pound
by ChrisCook - Feb 7
14 comments

Strange Fruit
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 4
14 comments

Recent Diaries
Sarkozy: Enemies Ahoy!
by afew - Feb 10
5 comments

Clipping the wings of a judge
by Migeru - Feb 10
24 comments

LQD: Unsustainable irrigation
by Melanchthon - Feb 9

Hunger March wins PR battle
by DoDo - Feb 9
3 comments

Obama wins GOP Primaries (to date)
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 8
8 comments

Romania: protests change government
by DoDo - Feb 8
6 comments

Answers to the Renewable Energy Consultation
by Luis de Sousa - Feb 7

Bristol Pound
by ChrisCook - Feb 7
14 comments

The Imitation Of Germany
by afew - Feb 4
31 comments

Strange Fruit
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 4
14 comments

Murdoch - Outsourcing and Hubris
by ceebs - Feb 3
18 comments

Mismatch with the Natural Gas Market
by Luis de Sousa - Feb 3
22 comments

The Future of Economics
by ARGeezer - Feb 2
191 comments

Desert Island Discs - Helen's distortions
by Helen - Jan 31
48 comments

Gorila
by DoDo - Jan 29
14 comments

Rail News Blogging #7
by DoDo - Jan 29
15 comments

Obama's State Of The Union: LQD
by Crazy Horse - Jan 25
74 comments

Democracy Technology
by gmoke - Jan 24
1 comment

The Hydrogen dream
by Luis de Sousa - Jan 24
49 comments

ET Paris Meet-Up 2012 (2 UPDATE)
by afew - Jan 23
113 comments

More Diaries...
Occasional Series