Re: [FT][SG][DS] Canada, the US Civil War II, and the structure

Thomas spake thusly upon matters weighty: 

> 
> Quebecois. in english it is Quebeckers. Chretien pronounces this
> QuebeckeRRRs.

Kaybeckers to the Anglos of Ontario Backwoods. 
 
> currently, if you want to move cargo from the north atlantic (usa,
europe
> + suez traffic) to the north pacific (usa, far east), you really have
to
> go via the panama canal. this puts a limit on the size of shiup you
can
> use - the so-called Panamax size, of ~ 70 kT. however, this is all set
to
> change. global warming will melt some of the polar caps; this would
open
> up the northwest passage (round the top of canada) all year round,
free
> from the risk of icebergs. this is a deep-water route, so even the
biggest
> ships can go through. the route is about the same length as the panama
> route. thus, there is suddely a better route around north america;
this
> will become one of the main arteries of world ocean trade. this has to
be
> figured into the analysis - halifax and vancouver will become
endpoints of
> a huge trade route. this would strengthen canada's trading position.

Very cool. This justifies Halifax and Vancouver as more powerful 
centres of commerce, and may justify giving Canada a tad more 
economic and military horsepower to help out the States.
 
> a house of lords made up in this way would be relatively stable - it
would
> not change with every election 

Is there any accountability or recall? This is a Senate problem 
today.

> the problem here is one of differing sizes. england has a much larger 
> population than scotland or wales. i think it makes sense for britain
to
> join as a whole, 

Well, maybe. Or maybe Ireland, Scotland and Wales Join together. 

> > All founding members of the NAC remember the results of
> > racial/cultural/religious conflict seen in the radioactive ruins of
> > American cities - and there is a broad based support for greater
public
> > tolerance.	This is enshrined in the NAC Constitution
> 
> a constitution? never! the nac would have no real constitution, just a
set
> of treaties on which everything is founded. no-one is really sure what
the
> legal basis of the state is.

Sorry, that won't work in something modern invented to include 
Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, South and Central America, 
and the USA. Too many of us know about Consitutions and wouldn't be 
happy living in a place without one.  

> i think avalon would gain member-state rights, with its own palace,
> parliament, first minister and peers in the house of lords. the other
> worlds would be governed as dependent territories, like the falklands.

Avalon, on behalf of all the outworld colonies (till others get big 
enough to separate from this block).
 
 
/************************************************
Thomas Barclay		     
Voice: (613) 831-2018 x 4009
Fax: (613) 831-8255

 "C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot.  C++ makes
 it harder, but when you do, it blows away your whole leg."
 -Bjarne Stroustrup
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