In article 1081885275.894507@sj-nntpcache-3, John Harper wrote:
Since when has it been a nation? Doesn't it have much the
same obscure protectorate status as the Channel Islands?
Is it part of the EU?

The Isle of Man is neither part of the UK nor part of the EU. It has its
own laws, its own parliament (the longest running democratic parliament
in the world, and the first one to allow women sufferage), its own civil
service, health and immigration policies, vehicle registry and ship
registry (plus talk of an aircraft registry coming some time in the
mysterious future). I travel on an Isle of Man passport, not a UK one.

It's not quite a sovereign state (yes, an obscure crown dependency) but
it's much more of a nation than, say, Scotland. Try telling a Scottish
person that Scotland isn't a nation!

--
Dylan Smith, Castletown, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
Frontier Elite Universe: http://www.alioth.net
"Maintain thine airspeed, lest the ground come up and smite thee"