"Europe regards Britain as a joke and I'd rather side with real friends than join with insincere countries who only want to take us for a ride." I don't think that's true. I think most Europeans are bemused at why exactly Britain is so anti-European. You're in a club, but won't wholeheartedly join in, your newspapers are viciously anti-European, your newspapers and media are constantly insulting to the French, and insult the integrity of the Prime Ministers of other countries (as if corrupt politicians isn't a world-wide phenomenon) - you have one toe in Europe, but only in case something goes on that mightn't be to your advantage. It's been enlightening to see how much influence TB has on your 'real friends'. What's that saying in the bible about selling your birthright for a mess of potage? "We fought 2 wars to free Europe and the least we should be given is a little respect." Every country in Europe was involved in those wars, on one side or the other, and the European community is an attempt to focus on our common interests, to prevent wars like those happening again. Last year we heard all the rhetoric about New Europe (led by the UK, of course ;o)), and how Old Europe (anyone who doesn't agree with the UK) was a spent force. That was insulting and divisive, and constant jibes like that are forgotten in the UK once they've disappeared from the tabloid front pages. That constant sniping and insulting is so childish, and contributes to a general perception elsewhere that the British media leads the public by the nose. I don't know of any other country in Europe whose newspapers would insult other nationalities the way your newspapers do. Let me say here that, contrary to what might appear, I really like and admire British people. But not their newspapers, still beating the same drum as in the days of rivalry between empires. The empires are gone.......