Huguenot

What about Yes

That just sounds like the usual complaint about bureaucracies. If the UK would have generated their own regulation anyway, then as you've said you can't moan about the EU as a regulator. If you accept that a level playing field internationally is better than local conflicts, then that's simply a cost benefit calculation. You can see why the accusation against the EU is poorly founded by plaing the following game: "I would have no objection to the rules being set at national level, if the government seemed to know what they were doing, but the level of procrastination and the poor quality of some of the output is maddening. I've had to trail through consultation papers that are badly written, and seen people struggling to complete some of the government's quantative impact surveys because the spreadsheets sent out to complete were riddled with errors. Things are often issued later than promised too." See? Heard it all before. Or what about the NHS IT system? It doesn't take an EU to be annoying to the industry - it's just a general complaint against regulation. The original question was about being British, so I guess this is evidence that Britishness involves the creation of inappropriate scapegoats, and an illogical hatred of bureaucracy and foreigners ;-)

What's the statute of limitations?

Well, if you had spent your time more wisely than abusing the moderators with nasty accusations and an insulting attitude, you'd have discovered that threads are organised by the date of their last post, rather than priority of whatever Marion OHalloran thinks is so important about her her her. Your last post was on the 22nd February, and you can find it here. May I also suggest that you allocate some of your time at the session to the preventative effect on migraines of not winding yourself up into a tight little ball of fury as a paranoid response to non-existent disrespect? Cheers.

re. the Irish, I suspect they vote 'no' until someone points out 'no more free money' and then they vote 'yes'. re. regulation, the EU is a red herring from the insurance industry. Business needs regulation - it can either be local or it can be international, but it needs to be regulated. The complaint levelled against the EU in this is a misdirection from a pickpocket. The insurance industry is under capitalised. It's run by people who take your premiums and spend them on speedboats. When you try and collect they declare bankruptcy and demand the government pays. There's a trick on trains in the Riviera where a homeless woman dumps a baby in you lap. Whilst you wrestle in a concerned manner to return the child, her colleagues rifle your pockets and steal your wallet. This is why the insurance industry is demonising the EU over Insolvency II, they're hoping that they can stir up anti-European sentiment as a misdirection whislt they arse rape you, shit in your pocket, rob you blind and steal food from your children's mouths. The question over whether this should be local or international law is an attempt by the industry to divide and conquer. They know that if it's down to local regulators that it won't take place, for fear that your next door neighbour has more flexible laws that give them a competitive edge. So you can blame this on the 'EU' if you like (and regurgitate your corporate position without further analysis), but I'd prefer that people weren't suckered by this. I despise the industry for stirring up hatred of the EU and lying through their yellow stained teeth.

You should talk to Quids about his degree in International Relations.

Going to see Duran Duran on Saturday. You might not have heard of them because I don't do commercial music, these guy are part of an underground movement called New Ryematic (I think I heard that right). We try not to have fun, there seems to be an awful lot of time committed to snide comments and insider jokes told with a slight curl to the lip. To be honest, they're all a bit like Adrian Mole. This will be the view from John Taylor's hair... http://www1.sk-static.com/images/media/img/col6/20110415-194420-099048.jpg

Do you mean the Euro or the EU went to far? If you mean the Euro, then you do need to be aware that the fiscal compact us an agreement on the amount that can be borrowed, not financial union. If you mean the EU, then what part went too far?

Sorry to distract, but about that recipe...?

I'm pretty confident that no-one else in the world has a sense of humour. The Irish clearly don't or they wouldn't be so uptight about it ;-)

Hee hee, I knew you wouldn't be able to keep away from a thread like this one Quids :)) I agree with you in some ways: international travel and communications mean that people have to work harder to create a sense of identity. If you were born in France, lived in France, didn't travel overseas, and only watched or read French news about French issues there was never any need to establish a French identity, it was just what you were. However, I think it's a big jump to go from symbols and identity to nationalism and terrorism. Sense of humour could be a good gauge of being British. I miss the pork pies and cornish pasties the most. The rest of the world may consider our cuisine to be appalling, but I reckon it's great!

:)) For the most part it appears that describing yourself as 'British' is a habit mainly of the English (the Scots, Irish and Welsh preferring to stick to their roots). But describing yourself as either British or English apparently reveals a lot more about your approach to the world: "The president of the pollsters YouGov, Peter Kellner, recently noticed this: "When we compared the attitudes of 'English' compared with 'British' respondents, we found something odd. 'English' voters want to leave the EU by a margin of 58-26% - but 'British' voters favour remaining members by 46-37%." "And while 'English' voters overwhelmingly prefer an isolationist foreign policy, 'British' voters divide fairly evenly between going it alone and doing compromise deals to tackle world problems." Mr Kellner concludes that "what distinguishes people who call themselves 'English' is a passion for keeping other countries at arm's length"."

You didn't say it Atticus, it was in the opening frames of the video as a rather teutonic 'skum'.

I'm absolutely insulted that he suggests that Britain is a less decent and tolerant place than the Netherlands!

How intriguing? What about the Old Waiting Room at Peckham Rye Station? It's not some kind of swingers' convention is it?

"trainee teachers were told at the time was that if you were a woman teacher trying to discipline a black lad it will have no effect because they are used to being told what to do by their mothers all the time" No uncleglen, if that was taught then you need to challenge this. I do not believe that was ever taught. It's simply racism, and I'm not sure what teacher training course would accept this.

Oh well, I know what you're saying BNG, I'm sure he was an uncooperative shouty bastard.

I thought this was quite fun, and it reminded my of my good friend Mockney who when startled by his father's insistence that he couldn't trust me explained that you should never try and grasp any idea too tightly, for fear that it escapes between the fingers of your outstretched hand... Who are the British...

Never really bought the bullying either. He'd be obnoxious, bigotted and obstinate. I doubt he'd be openly cooperative. It wouldn't wash well with Generation X,Y or Z but he's a generation that I'm not so far from and not lacking merit. The double tap was genius, and I'm not willing to accept that modern office staff are browbeaten into sexual submission. RosieH is just about to take me to task ;-)

Is this the same years of empirical evidence that tells you black men are criminals, the Irish are terrorists and the chinese are untrustworthy? Way to go, uncleglen.

Excellent - could they tell that from the colour of your skin?

She'll never bear children with hips like those.

Well you can hardly claim she wears comfortable shoes?