Pakistan to rejoin the commonwealth.

[Last_Knight]

How can this government allow such a thing? I mean, military coup toppled the government in 1999, we basically kick them out and now we falling back to them again.

This government is weak, very weak.

[voltaire]

Well, yes and no.

Obviously the coup wasn't democracy's finest hour in the region, but it's hardly the first time that the Commonwealth's had a member with a less than rosy record in that area. Couldn't one argue that deeper engagement with democratic nations would actually encourage Pakistani democracy to flourish?

Also, of course, it isn't down to Britain alone to determine membership of the Commonwealth.

V

[Last_Knight]

Good point on the encouragment of democracy, I've never looked on it that way. Then again it never kept democracy there or in Zimbabwae (Rhodesia) so why would it encourage it now?

Don't you think Britain should determine, after all the Commonwealth is Britains Commonwealth. We still have a large say in the matter.

[voltaire]

We should certainly have a say, as a member of the commonwealth. However, it's the "Commonwealth of Nations" these days, not the "British Commonwealth", so it wouldn't be proper for us to have the determining say.

Actually, one of the most vocal advocates of democracy and human rights has been the chair of the Commonwealth, who is a New Zealander.

V

[Last_Knight]

All our people fight for all that over centuries, and we don't even control it anymore.

[voltaire]

Well, we sorta don't need to control it, these days

V

[Ronbo]

I say we bring back the Britush Empire!

Would the Queen take America back into the family?

It would be a popular decision here -- in colonial America the British only levied a tax on tea; whereas, our federal government's tax rates start at least 20% of one's annual salary and 40% for higher incomes!

Under the Empire Americans were taxed without representation; under the Republic Americans are taxed by the federal government without hesitation!

[voltaire]

LOL yeah but could you really handle Tony Blair grinning out at you from the TV every day?



V

[Last_Knight]

I would be willing to sacrifice T.V for Britain being the dominate power again. Or we could just sacrifice Tony Blair to the Gods or beer, which ever takes your fancy.

[voltaire]

Beer. Definitely Beer

[Ronbo]

Originally posted by voltaire
Beer. Definitely Beer

What's your favorite beer?

I like Coors Lite -- lots of alcohol and low calories!

Also, produced by non-union labor....

[Last_Knight]

Stella Artois all the way, it's the best thing the Belgians have made.

[voltaire]

Originally posted by Ronbo

What's your favorite beer?

I like Coors Lite -- lots of alcohol and low calories!

Also, produced by non-union labor....

If it wasn't for my great respect for the Coors brand, I'd make some lowly jibe about cheap garbage that's full of chemicals, made by people who don't know what they're doing and which doesn't even do the job

V

[Shevchenko]

1. Krusovice (Czech)
2. Baltika (Petersburg)
3. Zlaty Bazhant (Slovakia)
4. Staropramen (Czech)
5. Slavutich (Ukraina)

British Empire? I like the songs! At the England games, when the lads start singing "Land of Hope and Glory", you just get the urge to invade somewhere

[Last_Knight]

We finished invading places for the British Empire 200 years ago.