Xenophobia - 'an intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries'
You could add... a fear or dislike of people who are different to one-self
How ironic!. How interesting!. [click]
The European Union - now increasingly dominated by Euro sceptics and anti EU MEPs
Is this a joke?!
So with this seemingly lack of faith in the EU... can it last? or is it about to implode?
Seriously ..It’s like having a grass lawn, with a soil allergy!
With the National Front doing very well for France in the European Elections, and other Far right groups across Europe also gaining seats, is it time to admit that people take what they consider to be their 'Identity' very seriously?.
..That immigration, may actually make some people feel insecure if they sense a loss of their Identity?.. thier 'being-ness'?... thier nationhood?
So…is nationalism now openly on the political agenda?
Cool, It's a topic I find interesting
What's confusing is this.
Who do 'Europeans', want to keep out of their European countries. Exactly which Europeans are causing Europe discomfort?;)
You just can't get wholegrain without the grain people
As Marvin said.. 'What's going on?'
I met a guy last week on one of my walkabouts.
He was a black African born guy.
In short, he was upset because according to him, despite his qualifications, he couldn't get a job because UK employers preferred to hire 'white' Europeans. He said the EU was racist.
Another (also black) guy last week complained to me that whenever a potential client (he runs his own business) hears his voice, he can sense the disappointment as they quickly excuse themselves from doing business with an African sounding man. Said he needs someone who sounds English to make and answer phone calls..
Now Europe..
Has a problem with racism...
and is clearly, increasingly xenophobic. ( but yes, I'm aware..this is not new)
Black people, for example, still, have to deal with overt racism across many of the European countries that I’m familiar with. Here in the UK, ironically,it's not so bad. It exists, but somehow I feel, we're ahead of the game by a nose, if the feedback I receive is true.
So, EU member States are anti-Immigration?.
Here, non EU countries (predominantly the countries where many black and brown people hail from) are subject to tough (er) immigration laws. There is no cap for EU migrants. (That’s part of the UKIP argument).
UKIPs other 'credible' argument is that the majority of UK laws are not made in the UK but and are 'handed down' by the EU parliament, the result being that EU member states lose thier ability to fully govern their own countries.
The suggestion being that what we actually have... is a government by proxy.
In truth, I understand the European Union... I do, in theory anyway... just as I understand the African Union.
I'm not European, I don’t really see myself as a European... and by the looks of things neither do ‘they’
But, as if to complicate things further I am British.. and very much so to be honest
But again... I sense the political classes, will need to re-define, or better yet 'make peace' with what 'being British' actually means, in this New World Order.
Whichever party does that well.. may just win the 2015 election.. or at least come very close
So.. was it Norman Tebbit (former Conservative MP) that came up with the cricket match test back in the day? [click]
Okay..well.. let’s play the World Cup test.
Personally, I always support England at the World Cup...Olympics etc.
So for the World Cup in Brazil.. I will be supporting England.
Now...after their two games ( lol!) I’ll switch to Nigeria, then Ghana maybe.
If they get knocked out.. I'll support whichever African country is still in, yes, they will get my vote.
If Germany are in the final against another European country I’ll support the Germans!? (don't ask) well..maybe .. not quite sure yet.
It may simply come down to whichever team has a cute footballer I like in the end. Yes, I'm technical like that.
So, I wonder what Mr Tebbit would say about that?.
...Is this black African Caribbean British girl loyal enough :)
You bet cha
**
I also wanted to add that perhaps.. before any of us get carried away with ideas of who we think we are.. or overly nationalistic tendencies.. we may want to stop and check out.. the contents of our shopping baskets.. the contents of our wardrobes.. and in some cases... our beds.. then assess the situation again
**
THE EUROPEAN UINION
Why was it set up?
For Peace.
The EU was set up to secure and protect the interests of Europe and Europeans in Europe.
Beginning with creating long term allies and securing a commitment to peace.
1945 - 1959 - A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of cooperation
The European Union was set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community begin to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace. The six founders are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The 1950s are dominated by a cold war between east and west. Protests in Hungary against the Communist regime are put down by Soviet tanks in 1956; while the following year, 1957, the Soviet Union takes the lead in the space race, when it launches the first man-made space satellite, Sputnik 1. Also in 1957, the Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community (EEC), or ‘Common Market’.
Trade
In the 1960's EU countries stop charging custom duties when they trade with each other. They also agree joint control over food production, so that everybody now has enough to eat - and soon there is even surplus agricultural produce.
In 1970 - 79
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member states to nine.
The EU regional policy starts to transfer huge sums to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The European Parliament increases its influence in EU affairs and in 1979 all citizens can, for the first time, elect their members directly.
1990 - 1999
With the collapse of communism across central and Eastern Europe, Europeans become closer neighbours. In 1993 the Single Market is completed with the 'four freedoms' of: movement of goods, services, people and money. The 1990s is also the decade of two treaties, the ‘Maastricht’ Treaty on European Union in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. People are concerned about how to protect the environment and also how Europeans can act together when it comes to security and defence matters. In 1995 the EU gains three more new members, Austria, Finland and Sweden. A small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the ‘Schengen’ agreements that gradually allow people to travel without having their passports checked at the borders. Millions of young people study in other countries with EU support. Communication is made easier as more and more people start using mobile phones and the internet.
Source [click]
List of EU member states
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