Your Preferred Solution to the Crimean Crisis?

[Beenherebefore]

Because we can, that's why!

[Sheilbh]

I have never, ever, heard anyone who supported european integration say that the ultimate goal was to make Europe a "great power".

That used to be my view, it's part of the French view.

Few combine it with physiocracy though

[Beenherebefore]

Some combine it with massive amounts of whisky and call themselves Winston, though.

Europe's time is over. Gone. You Brits, the Spaniards, the French and the Dutch had your moments.

And look where it got us. Global warming, unemployment, an independent America and decolonisation. Useless bunch of grafters you were.

Now it's all China taking over. And communism and Hitler are probably on you as well.

[Barrister]

I have never, ever, heard anyone who supported european integration say that the ultimate goal was to make Europe a "great power".

That used to be my view, it's part of the French view.

Few combine it with physiocracy though

That's a new word for me today.  Thanks.

[Siege]

Inspired by OvB being puzzled by my response.  Going for #5.

Which is number 5?
You didn't place numbers in your choices.
You don't understand the 1st Law of Polling.

Anyway, my choice is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNG-gYjneeA

[DGuller]

Ukraine should sell Crimea for cash. Perhaps be made to, since Ukraine is nearly bankrupt.

That was my idea! 

But then it's hard to sell something that's already been stolen from you.

Mexico managed it.

[Josquius]

I have never, ever, heard anyone who supported european integration say that the ultimate goal was to make Europe a "great power".

That's (very) old fashioned round hole thinking right there

[LaCroix]

But the Cold War didn't end because both sides fell in love with one another.  It ended when one side just fell apart.

i know. i wasn't trying to say otherwise. that in the end neither side really reconciled their differences, and in part the old cold war mentality remains to this day, makes it even worse

[garbon]

Is that really true outside a few small circles in each country?

[jimmy olsen]

Ukraine should sell Crimea for cash. Perhaps be made to, since Ukraine is nearly bankrupt.

That was my idea! 

But then it's hard to sell something that's already been stolen from you.

We paid for California after we stole it, but the Russians just aren't classy enough to do that.

[grumbler]

No, it's not 'perfectly fine'.

Remember, we are trying to build a strong Great Power, that can represent European interests in the world without being under the shadow of Washington or Moscow. It wouldn't show great strength to the european peoples if our 'power' resulted in a change of eating habits (like 'less meat' and 'less of a lot of stuff'), even in peacetime. In fact, it would probably anger many people about why are they in the EU in the first place.

Also, we can't be dependent on imports from the other powers if we want to be influent. Otherwise, when we have trouble with Russia, we'd be very dependent on the US. And if we are in a dispute with the US, we'd be at the mercy of Russia. Not a way to go if we want to take our place as a Great Power.

Americans know their country can put food on their table. Russians know this as well. Europeans cannot be sure of it. And that just won't do.

I think the latest patch makes agricultural self-sufficiency much less significant for National Morale.

But I still think you need to start as another power if you want to fulfill the victory condition of "become a Great Power."  That's probably not a realistic goal for the EU player.

Also, this is just one problem. We have a lot more, besides the political and economic ones (like need of access to oil, gas, rare minerals and other stuff), and they won't go away soon.

The China player has it even worse than the EU player.  Watch what he does.

[MadImmortalMan]

Which is number 5?

You are number 6.

[grumbler]

Which is number 5?

You are number 6.

I am not a number, I am a free man!

[Caliga]

Thanks, I now have Iron Maiden on the brain.

[Barrister]

Thanks, I now have Iron Maiden on the brain.

You're supposed to have The Prisoner on the brain after that exchange.