Nationalism. Is there an up side?

[Red Celt]

What is the "Little Englander" reference?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Englander

"Little Englander is also, colloquially speaking, an epithet applied in criticisms of English people who are regarded as xenophobic and/or overly nationalistic and are often accused of being "ignorant" and "boorish". It is applied to opponents of globalism; for instance those who are against membership of the European Union. English people who mistakenly refer to the whole of the UK or Great Britain as "England", or who routinely fail to give the opinions of non-English British citizens any importance, may also be called "Little Englanders".[citation needed] Both of these usages are controversial."

[mistermack]

I would say that you're way off the mark, labelling Rum a little Englander. Especially given the OP of this thread.
Unless you have some inside knowledge that when he writes black, he somehow means white.

I would say that "Little Englander", according to the definition above, is the English version of "Scottish Nationalist" to a T.

[Red Celt]

I would say that you're way off the mark, labelling Rum a little Englander. Especially given the OP of this thread.
Unless you have some inside knowledge that when he writes black, he somehow means white.

I would say that "Little Englander", according to the definition above, is the English version of "Scottish Nationalist" to a T.

One Little Englander defending another Little Englander. Shock, horror. We just need Huxley here, so that all 3 of Rationalia's (vocal) Little Englander sub-set are here. Bless.

As for this thread and the OP. Why was it created when it was? Have a look at Rum's posts immediately preceding this one. It isn't about black meaning white; it is about a chain of events. Pay attention to Nov 6th:-

10:10pm
10:32pm
10:42pm
10:59pm

Y'welcome.

[mistermack]

One Little Englander defending another Little Englander. Shock, horror. We just need Huxley here, so that all 3 of Rationalia's (vocal) Little Englander sub-set are here. Bless.

As for this thread and the OP. Why was it created when it was? Have a look at Rum's posts immediately preceding this one. It isn't about black meaning white; it is about a chain of events. Pay attention to Nov 6th:-

10:10pm
10:32pm
10:42pm
10:59pm

Y'welcome.

Welcome to what? Rum posted nothing between 6:24 and 11:10pm on 6th. I just checked.
I thought you were paranoid. Now I know.

[Rum]

Sad. He thinks I would go to all that trouble.

[amused]

Back to the OP -

Yes, in the world of today I think nationalism is fine. It's very tribal, but we're a tribal animal. Plus, I like being a part of the baddest tribe on the planet, at the moment, so there's that.

I would not like to see borders dissolved and end up with a blended government/society that incorporates the evil insanity from the Middle East or certain African countries. I think they need to come into the modern world before that happens.

[Red Celt]

Welcome to what? Rum posted nothing between 6:24 and 11:10pm on 6th. I just checked.
I thought you were paranoid. Now I know.

[Robert_S]

Rum, didn't you post somewhere that Scotland being in the Union was a good thing politically, that it kept the English conservatives from getting too much power or something like that?

[mistermack]

Welcome to what? Rum posted nothing between 6:24 and 11:10pm on 6th. I just checked.
I thought you were paranoid. Now I know.

[img]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u48 ... lander.jpg

Must be on different clocks then. That's not what mine shows.

[Rum]

Rum, didn't you post somewhere that Scotland being in the Union was a good thing politically, that it kept the English conservatives from getting too much power or something like that?

Yep. Hardly anyone votes Conservative in Scotland. If Scotland leaves the Union (which I'm betting it won't, but who knows) if the rest of the country wanted a true multi-party democracy we would have to look again. As things stand the Conservatives would get an easy majority without even trying. We would be lumbered with them for god knows how long. Its small and the colours speak for themselves but you can get an idea here:

[Robert_S]

Rum, didn't you post somewhere that Scotland being in the Union was a good thing politically, that it kept the English conservatives from getting too much power or something like that?

Yep. Hardly anyone votes Conservative in Scotland. If Scotland leaves the Union (which I'm betting it won't, but who knows) if the rest of the country wanted a true multi-party democracy we would have to look again. As things stand the Conservatives would get an easy majority without even trying. We would be lumbered with them for god knows how long. Its small and the colours speak for themselves but you can get an idea here:

I don't see how that jibes with a description of you as a Little Englander.

I say let them go though, not for any politics or principles, but so that England and Wales might have a hat, like the US does with Canada.

[mistermack]

How are my times showing different to RCs?
I take it back about paranoia, by the way. Now I'm back to just not sure.

:

[Red Celt]

Rum, didn't you post somewhere that Scotland being in the Union was a good thing politically, that it kept the English conservatives from getting too much power or something like that?

Yep. Hardly anyone votes Conservative in Scotland. If Scotland leaves the Union (which I'm betting it won't, but who knows) if the rest of the country wanted a true multi-party democracy we would have to look again. As things stand the Conservatives would get an easy majority without even trying. We would be lumbered with them for god knows how long. Its small and the colours speak for themselves but you can get an idea here:

Ronmcd, do you ever get the feeling that no matter how many times you say something, some brains just aren't capable of absorbing your words?

[ronmcd]

Rum, didn't you post somewhere that Scotland being in the Union was a good thing politically, that it kept the English conservatives from getting too much power or something like that?

Yep. Hardly anyone votes Conservative in Scotland. If Scotland leaves the Union (which I'm betting it won't, but who knows) if the rest of the country wanted a true multi-party democracy we would have to look again. As things stand the Conservatives would get an easy majority without even trying. We would be lumbered with them for god knows how long. Its small and the colours speak for themselves but you can get an idea here:

But England voted for "new" Labour during between 1997 and 2005. Otherwise Labour wouldnt have won convincingly as Scotland has few MPS relatively.

But frankly without Scotland I strongly suspect the political landscape would change in England & Wales, as much as it would in Scotland. The left to right range is probably wider with Scotland in it than without, so the left/right balance within Westminister would move, the parties repositioned. And the left (which wouldnt be AS left) would have a better chance.

But regardless, it would be up to the parties in rUK to offer policies people want. It's not up to Scotland to abandon it's own desire for fair representation just so you dont get a Tory government.

[ronmcd]

Ronmcd, do you ever get the feeling that no matter how many times you say something, some brains just aren't capable of absorbing your words?

I suspect I was seen to sigh and slump ever so slightly at my desk as I read this thread today ...