On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:41:28 +0100, Chris  wrote:

>Greg Procter wrote:
>> Chris wrote:
>>> Greg Procter wrote:
>>>> Larry Blanchard wrote:
>>>>> On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:08:11 +0000, beamendsltd wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> My perception is that the Americans view the difference between a State
>>>>>> and Federal US as a much more significant divide than we do between
>>>>>> English, Scots etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Interestingly, some years back (early 1900's?) Texas threatened to
>>>>>> acceed from the Union and apply for membership of the Commonwealth.
>>>>>> Still apparently technically possible.
>>>>> The last time some states did that we went to war to stop them.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So the "United" actually refers to application of force rather than
>>>> general agreement!
>>>> Don't they have a similar situation in the "United Kingdom"?
>>>> =8^O
>>>>
>>>> Greg.P.
>>> The Southern Irish were allowed to leave the union in the 1920's and
>>> then had their own civil war.
>>>
>>> Chris
>> 
>> Hmmm, so basically you're agreeing with me!
>For the US maybe for the UK the Northern Irish chose to stay in the 
>union and were not forced to.

A point which escapes most Americans.

>Chris