I always find it intriguing that the two countries that created and dominate the EU, France and Germany, are the same two countries that have tried, in the past, to conquer the continent by force of arms....

Sorefingers - if there really was a majority in Britain for joining the Euro, Blair would have held a referendum on it already. There isn't a majority for joining as every opinion poll ever taken on the subject has shown, hence no referendum and no membership.

Finally, the comment about mental arithmetic when converting pounds into dollars - it can't be that difficult. With almost two dollars to the pound, visiting Americans have only to double the sterling price they see or are quoted.