Farage vs Clegg

[SpontaneousOrder]

They aren't mutually exclusive, but Farage isn't suggesting that they are.
I wouldn't consider myself British, just as he wouldn't consider himself European.
It's a shame that Farage's principles when it comes to sovereignty and autonomy only extend as far as the point where the ocean meets the sand.

[mos]

So you do think that European and British are mutually exclusive concepts?

If you are painting the world in manichaean terms then it is exclusive (Vote UKiP!).
By the way, it worries me when pips 'conflate' Europe and EU. We can abolish EU, but we will still remain European.

[DodgyAgent]

Ah, good, so Farage IS talking out his rectum! (Clegg will possibly emulate him on that)

He is probably trying to goad Clegg into defining himself in terms of what has primacy. Clegg sets himself up as being pro European without defining himself what he means. He likes to think that branding himself as "European" makes him sound worldly, fair and virtuous. Able to see the "big picture" and distance himself from the ( perceived) world of petty nationalism and "cultural identity". To be a "right on" man of the future and man of the world.

Which is why I like Nigel Farage.

[Mich the Tester]

In my own interpretation they are not. just as Indians, Australians etc hang on to their national identities yet are British.

Ah, good, so Farage IS talking out his rectum! (Clegg will possibly emulate him on that)

[DodgyAgent]

So you do think that European and British are mutually exclusive concepts?

In my own interpretation they are not. just as Indians, Australians etc hang on to their national identities yet are British.

[d000hg]

So you do think that European and British are mutually exclusive concepts?

They can be depending how you mean it. If you view "European" as synonymous with "Continental", which is one common interpretation.

[mos]

it also means someone who forsakes his own national identity or national interests. This is how I view anyone who calls themselves "European"

That would exclude Germans (and possibly French).

[Mich the Tester]

He is using it in a derogatory manner. I assume he means it as anyone who believes in the integrity and primacy of the EU concept and all of its institutions and practices. it also means someone who forsakes his own national identity or national interests. This is how I view anyone who calls themselves "European"

So you do think that European and British are mutually exclusive concepts?

[DodgyAgent]

So Farage is making a non-statement when he says Clegg is primarily a 'European'?

He is using it in a derogatory manner. I assume he means it as anyone who believes in the integrity and primacy of the EU concept and all of its institutions and practices. it also means someone who forsakes his own national identity or national interests. This is how I view anyone who calls themselves "European"

[d000hg]

What is "European"?

Not shaving your armpits and wearing speedos?

[Mich the Tester]

Unless we define both then I am afraid it is a non question.

So Farage is making a non-statement when he says Clegg is primarily a 'European'?

[DodgyAgent]

Good question, because it can mean almost anything (as can 'British') but you tell me what you understand it to mean, then answer the question; are 'European' and 'British' mutually exclusive (as Mr Farage seems to believe)?

Unless we define both then I am afraid it is a non question. My understanding of a "European" is someone identified by nothing other than the "EU dream" of an EU Utopia where every town in europe is dominated by Tesco or Carrefour and everywhere is homogenised under a single cultural and economic identity.

[Mich the Tester]

What is "European"?

Good question, because it can mean almost anything (as can 'British') but you tell me what you understand it to mean, then answer the question; are 'European' and 'British' mutually exclusive (as Mr Farage seems to believe)?

[DodgyAgent]

Nigel Farage says Nick Clegg is 'European at heart' - Telegraph

Are 'European' and 'British' mutually exclusive concepts?

Go ahead. You probably know what I think anyway.

What is "European"?

[Mich the Tester]

Nigel Farage says Nick Clegg is 'European at heart' - Telegraph

Are 'European' and 'British' mutually exclusive concepts?

Go ahead. You probably know what I think anyway.