What tugs at your heartstrings?

[garinda]

The little smile on my much loved young relative's face, that he couldn't help but do.

When I made him laugh, by being rude.

After I'd earlier told him off too sharply, and upset him.

[mobertol]

Have got a grip (hopefully) - there are many bad things going on in Europe at the moment which are out of our control seemingly - but to imagine that changing one set of elected politicians for another will make a significant and immediate difference is a fallacy.

So the UK has been denied a referendum -Ireland's was refused as the aswer it gave was not the required one, Greece pretended it wanted one to shake up the status quo there.. Italy's somewhat dubious leader has been ousted - not internally- but in order to satisfy the requirements of the leaders of Germany and France so that the Eurozone may be again sustained....Where will this all end -who knows.

Let us not be spooked into extreme actions that may be regretted in the long run and remember that some of what Europe represents is in the common good ie the original idea of a common market - while the Labour Party is apparently against immediate change in it's pro-European stance- by putting pressure on your Labour MP and pressing for reasoned change your voice will eventually have a hearing. The economic markets also need a degree of consumer faith in order to calm down and for some sort of stability to be re-asserted. Panic is not the answer...

[garinda]

Originally Posted by mobertol

Thought i'd resurrect this thread as it was probably one of the best posted on here in a long time...

When i arrived in Oxford in Oct. 1985 as a Graduate student -one of the first evenings we were invited by one of the second years for a drink and a " get to know each other" chat. We were a mixed bunch from all over the world. We got into a discussion and i remember my room "neighbour" a white South African called Bronek Masojada ended up defending his country as everyone railed against Apartheid -breaking down at the time -he was a progressive and against apartheid totally but in a situation where everyone was talking against his home country he felt duty bound to defend it -even though it went against his principles...he told me later that he had felt personally affected by the comments.

I have lived in Europe for half my life - and when I see you all attacking it, it makes me feel exactly the same way even though i feel that i am nothing but British at heart. I will stop here as i can't get any more words out at the moment...may pick up the thread later....sorry.

Excuse me, Maudlin Saturday's been cancelled.

Come back for longer than a week's visit next time.

The rose tinted vision, caused by being far from where your roots will always be, will soon be cured, and you'll soon be cussing, and moaning with the rest of us, like the good Lancashire lass you really are.

[Taggy]

Originally Posted by mobertol

Thought i'd resurrect this thread as it was probably one of the best posted on here in a long time...

When i arrived in Oxford in Oct. 1985 as a Graduate student -one of the first evenings we were invited by one of the second years for a drink and a " get to know each other" chat. We were a mixed bunch from all over the world. We got into a discussion and i remember my room "neighbour" a white South African called Bronek Masojada ended up defending his country as everyone railed against Apartheid -breaking down at the time -he was a progressive and against apartheid totally but in a situation where everyone was talking against his home country he felt duty bound to defend it -even though it went against his principles...he told me later that he had felt personally affected by the comments.

I have lived in Europe for half my life - and when I see you all attacking it, it makes me feel exactly the same way even though i feel that i am nothing but British at heart. I will stop here as i can't get any more words out at the moment...may pick up the thread later....sorry.

I know what you mean & feel..but Race, religon & Colour ...it matters not on here....basically we just like nice people!. I've probably said more about myself than i should have previously..but so what, this is a great thread that Gary has started..and shows what proper forums should be about!..Its not all shops n politics!

PS.....I don't really think anyone is anti-europe....we are (some of us) just pro - british..it's not the same thing!..Take Care.

Best Regards - Taggy

[mobertol]

Back on thread-what really tugs at my heartstrings is being here and not there

[mobertol]

Originally Posted by Taggy

I know what you mean & feel..but Race, religon & Colour ...it matters not on here....basically we just like nice people!. I've probably said more about myself than i should have previously..but so what, this is a great thread that Gary has started..and shows what proper forums should be about!..Its not all shops n politics!

PS.....I don't really think anyone is anti-europe....we are (some of us) just pro - british..it's not the same thing!..Take Care.

Best Regards - Taggy

Thank you for your kind words- appreciated!

[cashman]

Originally Posted by mobertol

Have got a grip (hopefully) - there are many bad things going on in Europe at the moment which are out of our control seemingly - but to imagine that changing one set of elected politicians for another will make a significant and immediate difference is a fallacy.

So the UK has been denied a referendum -Ireland's was refused as the aswer it gave was not the required one, Greece pretended it wanted one to shake up the status quo there.. Italy's somewhat dubious leader has been ousted - not internally- but in order to satisfy the requirements of the leaders of Germany and France so that the Eurozone may be again sustained....Where will this all end -who knows.

Let us not be spooked into extreme actions that may be regretted in the long run and remember that some of what Europe represents is in the common good ie the original idea of a common market - while the Labour Party is apparently against immediate change in it's pro-European stance- by putting pressure on your Labour MP and pressing for reasoned change your voice will eventually have a hearing. The economic markets also need a degree of consumer faith in order to calm down and for some sort of stability to be re-asserted. Panic is not the answer...

Dont think fer a min,its panic, this has been building steadily up fer quite a few years, in britain anyway, yeh can only push people so far n do nowt,

[mobertol]

Originally Posted by garinda

Excuse me, Maudlin Saturday's been cancelled.

Come back for longer than a week's visit next time.

The rose tinted vision, caused by being far from where your roots will always be, will soon be cured, and you'll soon be cussing, and moaning with the rest of us, like the good Lancashire lass you really are.

Wanted to change my status to "Rose-tinted glow member" but can't do it yet...

Will be over for longer next time - so watch out you Accy webbers...!

I never Cuss -Garinda -we Paddock House girls are far too well-bred.

Lancashire lass-definitely -"Good" is up for discussion.

Whinge hopefully over for now -virtual hugs accepted from all those available to send them

[garinda]

It's the ability to have a little moan, that makes us so friendly.

Stand in any bus stop, or sit on a bench...if you can find one (), for more than two minutes, and someone will start to chat with you.

'Fine, but a bit nippy now though, isn't it?'

'Soon be here, Christmas. All that money being spent, we can't afford.'

'Look at that, never used to be like that, did it?'

It's what we do.

Moaning's just a way of making new friends.

[cashman]

Hey i,m a great fan of europeans having lived yon meself,on a couple of occasions in different countries, but seems to me the "Club" is unworkable fer many reasons,

[mobertol]

You are both so right -

Don't know if moaning endears you to people though or helps make friends in the long run...

Time to put my "Giddy" cap back on me-thinks....

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Taggy

I've probably said more about myself than i should have previously

Rubbish.

Shows we're human.

Sharing something isn't wrong.

What you said last weekend, is something I'll now remember for the rest of my days.

That's something good, that came from you, and your Dad.

I thank you.

[MargaretR]

Being a member of an Italian family (who rally round in emergencies even when they don't like each other), and living on a farm in a decent climate is the best prospect for survival of a revolution. Be thankful!

[mobertol]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

Being a member of an Italian family (who rally round in emergencies even when they don't like each other), and living on a farm in a decent climate is the best prospect for survival of a revolution. Be thankful!

That Italian family myth needs dispelling i'm afraid....

As to the climate....not what I prefer.

[Taggy]

Originally Posted by garinda

Rubbish.

Shows we're human.

Sharing something isn't wrong.

What you said last weekend, is something I'll now remember for the rest of my days.

That's something good, that came from you, and your Dad.

I thank you.

Thanks Gary!

Best Regards - Taggy