Yet countries such as Britain, Denmark and Sweden have perfectly understandable political and economic reasons for holding back for the time being.

ECONOMIST: Euro-apartheid?

English is now a truly global one and, backed by the weight of American culture and money, is widely for understandable reasons seen as a threat to French culture even in France.

ECONOMIST: Globalisation through French eyes

Bear in mind, too, that the Chinese have a deep pride in their own cultural achievements, many believing that, for understandable reasons, their civilisation, and their history, is greater than all others.

BBC: A Point Of View: How China sees a multicultural world

The British and French were less than enthusiastic -- for understandable historical reasons -- but Kohl's decisive, persuasive ways won over the U.S. With our backing (and the reluctant support of Britain and France), Kohl cut a brilliant deal with the Soviet Union, making it possible to unite the two Germanys within 12 months of the Wall's collapse.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

For all these reasons and more, it's understandable to wonder why, with two first-round picks in this year's NFL draft, the Jets didn't select an offensive player Thursday.

WSJ: Jets Get a QB, But Remain on Defensive

Their decision to switch the tie to Highbury for financial reasons was understandable, however, and Boro could at least say they had tackled some of the world's best players as Arsenal fielded the likes of Robert Pires in their starting line-up.

BBC: Arsenal cruise through