Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

John Evans wrote:

"But actually we Brits are all legally "citizens of the European Union" and all the tattered flag waving in the world won't make any difference to that unless/until we leave the European Union...."

John, the European Union does not make anyone European, it is simply a membership club the respective countries have all signed on to be a trading partner in. It has absolutely nothing to do with making anyone European. I find it hard to believe you actually thought that.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

SteveR wrote:

"Without primogeniture, however, the large estates never would have developed."

Actually Stever primogeniture had nothing to do with estates developing at all. What it did ensure is that the estates remained in tact rather than get divided up, it did not enlarge them. In fact these estate large and small, had to become established prior to primogeniture in order for there to actually be something to pass along.

With that said, primogeniture is much less prevalent today yet large estates still flourish and also grow in size. And anyway, what in the world does that have to do with what we have all been discussing here? Possibly it was your "new word of the month club" latest listing and you just had to find somewhere to show it off. (no disrespect meant)

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

John N wrote:

"LUCIAN - EFTA was never a part of the Common Market / European Union (or any of the guises in between) but a separate trading body comprising mainly of the U.K. and Scandanavian Countries."


Ummmm John N, I did not state that EFTA was part of the common market, go and have another read please. What I said was before the Common market we had EFTA in Europe and I believe Austria was also part of EFTA, not just the "Scandewegians". I had stated we had EFTA then we had EEC and then it changed to simply the EU.

Morty

Hi Rt
Can't be bothered to read all the threads. I'm Australian, born in Italy and totally agree with you. I'd prefer it that you weren't European.
Cheers mate

sloane Loc: Congleton, Cheshire

Soory for the delay - Great speech - I can see why he is so popular. Shame that Cameron believes they are all fruitcakes. Could be a very big mistake allowing the two Ed's, so whats the strategy for the next G/Election?

brianclark4 Loc: Beverley,East Yorkshire,UK

Not a great speech but a brilliant speech, he told the truth as it is

lateron Loc: Yorkshire, England

Well said John!!!!

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

The British policies have long been anti-Europe or more precisely anti-dominant country. When the German (or Teutons/Prussians) were dominating they allied themselves with the french and or Spain. When the french were more powerful they allied themselves with their former enemies and Austria. Their wars with Spain, Portugal and Italy were about their colonies and their dominance on the sea.

It is no rocket science to understand that it was about staying independent both politically (monarchy claims) and economically. Any dominant countries could have strangled England and killed any and all desires of independence.

Now that the UK is not a powerful naval entity, does not have the economic pull due to its extinct colonial empire they have to adapt to a brand new world that is not exactly friendly toward the roast-beef. Europe is now a dissonant block that does not inspire ANY confidence as it not a democracy nor even a representative republic. With that how can the in-bred Brits want to become of it?

Charles De Gaule was right when he said that the UK should be invited only once when Europe is strong and mature enough to let them in. (Note that De Gaule version of Europe did not include any of the states called democracies in Eastern Europe. His vision was limited to Germany, Luxemburg, Denmark, Italy, Spain and Austria. Had this been respected Europe would have been something else than the utter mess that it is now. It also would be likely democratic. The whole damned thing started with the 'Serpent European' which was a monetary alliance between the a fore mentioned countries).

Europeans, especially the legless frogs are complaining of the US push toward economic globalization when in reality they started spreading it in cahoot with Germany. (For the little story, the first global company was a US tobacco outfit (1880s), jump started with the invention of a machine to create pre-rolled cigarettes).

In short, the Brits are just squeezed out and they don't like it. What better way to prevent their exclusion than mess with Europe?

The claim made earlier about the language is as dubious as Quebec claiming to 'speak' French. They do speak something that sound like French but the meaning of the words are different. In this case, they have preserved the old meaning and never created new words that follow progress. In the case of the UK this is the reverse, the quaint terms used in the UK are all good and true but do not reflect the need for linguistic progress as made in the US. Instead they had to include 'Americanism' in their dictionaries.

This is another thing that really bugs the Brits, being squeezed out of their own language by the fat ugly Americans.

What is left? Their self depreciating humor. This is unique, and as Basil said: "You just don't get it!!!'

(sorry about the misspellings and grammar blunders but I am a frog and some roast-beef is boiling my legs somewhere)

John Evans

Hi English Wolf,

Some of what you say is correct - much is not ! I worked for a Japanese Company and was amazed to find that the supposedly po-faced Japanese have a sense of humour (there goes this bloody machine trying to tell me how to spell HUMOUR when I know it has two "u"s ) very similar to our own. Above all they have the grace to be able to laugh at themselves and their misfortunes - just like the Brits, and the Canadians, and the Australians, etc., Even the Germans have a sense of humour (if you dig deep enough) although I do have my doubts about the average American.

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

European history is not subject to interpretation so, enlighten me...If you take the sitcoms as proof of the US capability to joke about themselves, you are right. Yet the Americans are able to joke about themselves too but like every humor you have to be 'born' into it to understand what the heck is going on.
I do not know of any nation who cannot joke about their own foibles yet the Brits do it in such a way that not only you have to be (as said before) born into it but also you have to develop a taste for it EVEN if you are a Brit!!! (That is the hard part - I sadly have the sad duty :shock: to report that I know a few Brits who find it too demeaning and exaggerated!)

Nikonman Loc: Harrogate. North Yorkshire. UK

It doesnt it stands proud and yet despite its small physical size still stupidly supports overseas countries and europe which are much larger

brianclark4 Loc: Beverley,East Yorkshire,UK

Dont know why your handle is 'English Wolf' because your clearly American, with a huge chip on your shoulder. If you class the American sitcoms as humor, with the canned laughter, then I'm pleased to say I enjoy the British sense of humor, at least the laughter is genuine

G.Feduccia Loc: Paradise in Florida Panhandle

Darn, and sorry I may have have opened a rely. Gosh, I LOVE England for all it's up-goings and I also love Canada for it's stuff. Heck, I do not give a friggin' flip for the politics!!!!

I do love England and every other Nation in the World who can just get along!!!!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

The Normans brought primogeniture. Prior to that, the Saxons divided land equally among the heirs.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Just saying, Lucian, you Brits have not been as isolated as you'd like us to believe. While Brits are Brits, the French are French, Italians are Italians, and Germans are Germans, you have all participated in European history. Sorry, you're European. That 26 mile channel did not keep you from being involved in European affairs.