by besty 90 Replies latest jw friends
very profound Aligot
Give credit to Winston CHURCHILL, de GAULLE, political analyst André SIEGFRIED, German poet Friedrich VON HARDENBERG, they all emphasized the insularity that permeates Britain's politics. The latter added that every Englishman is, himself, an island.
The latter added that every Englishman is, himself, an island.
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Britishers like their space, their own little gardens. This is one of the reasons London is so big compared to other capitals where people are happier to live more congestedly.
I do not agree with Aligot at all, we are not all insular, at all far from it An indication of this is the London itself which has many nationalities residing there, it is the 6th biggest French City!
Regards David
I agree with you, David, most of these opinions were expressed decades ago and were dealing with traditional England that existed, say until the early sixties, before the immigration wave. Now many elderly English people whom I know don't recognize the society they used to know, that's part of the reasons why some of them have elected to settle in a quiet retirement place abroad, for example in Dordogneshire, well as long as the rate of the £ would allow them to afford it.
Hey aligot,
Thanks for your support, i have been to France many times and found French people courteous and kind, my kids love it too. Mind you driving in Paris is strictly for the brave!
I am one of the many,often silent, Brits who think we should be more Euro centric.
Regards David
Of course, if you can't beat Europe, join it !
Of course, if you can't beat Europe, join it !
The French and Germans alternately tried to control Europe by military conquest, they now realize it is easier to do through the EU. Joining the EU to place one's nation under their thumb.
BTS
Using this thread to ask Americans something.
On the BBC News this evening there was a hilarious clip of a US news presenter tearing into John Thain of Merrill Lynch over bank bonuses. Thain was saying if he didnt pay the good people he'dlose his franchise,and the interviewer shouted "YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD PEOPLE!" Anyone know who the interviewer would be and on what network it was shown?
Clam
The French and Germans alternately tried to control Europe by military conquest, they now realize it is easier to do through the EU. Joining the EU to place one's nation under their thumb.
Sorry, BTS, but my point was not about any conquest of Europe by large european countries. It was rather referring to the numerous opportunities England has had in the latest 50 years to have its say in european undertakings, which it lost because of its insular spirit, as its leaders thought that the country would manage better if it were going on its own or in structures which it set up as rivals of the ones that were created around France and Germany. Later on Britain has jumped on the european bandwagon but did so cap in hand, not in a controlling position. I'm referring to the Common market in 1957 but also to Ariane project, Airbus and, of course, to the euro, not to mention its numerous "opt out" stands in various EU regulations. As far as European construction is concerned Britain dwelt for too long a time on its past imperial grandeur or on its supposed privileged relationship with the US and has failed to grasp the sense of history. True, that is changing now, but slowly.
