[a_Turk]

>> hate to see Turkey join the EU, an organization I despise

Here's our chance to transform the EU. Erdogan is already shoving his wedges in the cracks.. The EU could be turned into an asset for the USA. THat would be easier and more practical than to destroy, or ignore it..

[Dog Gone]

The EU would be worth saving if it expelled France, perhaps. But they are the driving force behind it, and it's pretty clear from Chirac's tirade this week that he sees the EU as an extension of French foreign policy.

That foreign policy included a prolonged attempt to deprive Turkey of NATO defensive equipment, which ought to give the Turks some pause for thought.

The EU also seeks to control social policy in the member nations. I believe I read that Turkey abolished the death penalty in an attempt to comply with EU requirments. Caving in to the EU while standing up to the US on troop transit sends mixed signals, from my perspective.