Off Topic The Politics Thread

[Turkish" Premier" Hoops]

I see that the opening of the EU. Parliament was marked by all the Brexit Party MEPs turning their backs on the EU hymn. A childish, futile gesture considering that recognising a national hymn is simply a mark of respect which footballers, and fans, do the World over, and which does not necessarily imply acceptance of the regime in question. It is high time that the EU had a constitution and demanded that those who sit in such an official function are signed up to it - as is the case in most national parliaments. Apparently the electorate were prepared to vote for representatives who have no intention of doing anything other than simply to knock up their expenses, and drag the name of Britain further through the dirt than it is already.

I beg to differ, but the EU hymn is NOT A NATIONAL HYMN, secondly they stood up as protocol demanded, they turned their backs in protest at the fact that an organisation for trade and co-operation should not have what is in fact a “NATIONAL ANTHEM”, The EU is not a nation it is a corrupt group of people trying to force a nation superstate on individual sovereign states.

 

[sb_73]

One of my biggest regrets in life was my attitude towards learning French at school. I've been practicing a lot recently on Duolingo, a great language learning app for anyone interested. However, as you say Sb, very hard to learn properly without being immersed in the language.

I was using duolingo for spanish. Its a great little ap

I’ve just downloaded it and am having a play, it’s rather good. Only downside is that you don’t actually get to speak any of the language, but it’s a painless way to practice and correct ingrained mistakes. Good fun.

 

[colognehornet]

I beg to differ, but the EU hymn is NOT A NATIONAL HYMN, secondly they stood up as protocol demanded, they turned their backs in protest at the fact that an organisation for trade and co-operation should not have what is in fact a “NATIONAL ANTHEM”, The EU is not a nation it is a corrupt group of people trying to force a nation superstate on individual sovereign states.

To be honest it does not matter much whether it is a national hymn or not, the EU is their employer. There is no point whatsoever in having people in a Parliament of any description if they are not signed up to the values and constitution of that Parliament. Would you accept the delegates from Sinn Fein in Westminster ? At least they are honest enough in their convictions to stay away from the place. I am not saying that I would stand for all national anthems - I don't for the British one because I am not a Monarchist, and do not want her, and her family, to rule over us - but then, I am not in their employ either. The EU was never intended to be only an organisation for trade and cooperation - that must have been clear when Britain joined. At the same time nobody has tried to force Britain to join any of the measures for deeper alignment - the country already has enough opt outs to prevent ever being a member of what you call a 'nation superstate'.

 

[colognehornet]

Nice one, that’s a good thing to do.

A surprising number of educated Americans speak at least some Spanish, but in general they are the most monoglot nation out there. In my company though, if you speak a foreign language and have some talent and ambition (I lack both) it ups your chances of a senior level job in a country affiliate, because you can talk with local government officials in their own language (and understand what they are saying to each other if they don’t know you speak their language).

English isn’t really owned by native English speakers (whether us, the Irish, Yanks, Aussies or Kiwis) anymore, it’s just the default international language. Soon our version of it will be a dialect. I’m sure the EU will continue using English because of this. Interesting to remember though that many Eastern Europeans, especially those in education before and until the mid 90s, speak Russian. I’ve heard Polish and Hungarian work colleagues chatting to each other in a mix of Russian and English, which was bizarre.

Actually the most spoken form of English is currently Indian English - could this become the 'norm' in future Most East Europeans have a grasp of Russian - because their languages are so related to each other - if you speak Polish you will be able to understand Serbo Croat, Czech or Russian without great difficulty. Also just under a quarter of the German population (of 40 plus) had Russian at school. Whilst Europeans may continue to learn English at school there is every indication that French and German businessmen will use each others languages more and more in future, without the medium of English. Nearly all German children have English and French at school, with one of those taking over for the last 2 years - in the future French could have the advantage.

 

[bobmid]

Actually the most spoken form of English is currently Indian English - could this become the 'norm' in future Most East Europeans have a grasp of Russian - because their languages are so related to each other - if you speak Polish you will be able to understand Serbo Croat, Czech or Russian without great difficulty. Also just under a quarter of the German population (of 40 plus) had Russian at school. Whilst Europeans may continue to learn English at school there is every indication that French and German businessmen will use each others languages more and more in future, without the medium of English. Nearly all German children have English and French at school, with one of those taking over for the last 2 years - in the future French could have the advantage.

I must correct you. The most common form of English is 'gangsta English' innit blood

 

[Quite Possibly Raving]

I’ve just downloaded it and am having a play, it’s rather good. Only downside is that you don’t actually get to speak any of the language, but it’s a painless way to practice and correct ingrained mistakes. Good fun.

You do eventually have to speak. You feel a bit like a plonker speaking into your phone, but it's a very good app otherwise.

 

[kiwiqpr]

EU CRISIS: Parliament set to REVOLT against 'backroom stitch-up' to replace Juncker
EUROPEAN Union chiefs could soon find themselves in hot water as parliamentary opposition grows against their plans to replace Jean-Claude Juncker.
By Joe Barnes, Brussels Correspondent Joe Barnes
PUBLISHED: 08:49, Wed, Jul 3, 2019 | UPDATED: 14:53, Wed, Jul 3, 2019
/
MEPs, who have a casting vote on the next European Commission president, have rounded on German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen’s nomination for the role. EU leaders have been accused of ignoring democracy by facilitating a backroom stitch-up for the bloc’s top jobs package in Brussels yesterday afternoon. A growing list of members of the European Parliament are insisting they will find it incredibly tough to support the European Council’s desired appointments.
Much of the criticism centred around the abandonment of the so-called lead candidate (spitzenkandidat) process, which is designed to give a democratic mandate to the Commission presidency.
Instead, leaders held a series of closed-door meetings across three days as they frantically scrambled to fill Mr Juncker’s role before he is scheduled to step down at the end of October.
MEPs are expected to vote on Ms von der Leyen’s appointment in two weeks time, which could prove a tricky process for the German.
She requires an absolute majority, according to the Parliament's rules, and if she fails EU leaders must propose another candidate "within a month's time".

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Ursula von der Leyen was nominated by EU leaders to head the next European Commisison (Image: GETTY)
The European Greens have voiced anger at the selection, and their 74 MEPs are set to vote against the package, according to group sources.
Greens were concerned that the European Council had made part the Parliament’s presidency part of its overall package.
Ska Keller, the Greens co-president, said: “This backroom stitch-up after days of talks is grotesque, it satisfies no one but party power games. After such a high turnout in the European elections and a real mandate for change, this is not what European citizens deserve

 

[DT’s Socks]

Two rather depressing news stories this morning.

Big decline in pupils taking languages, especially French and German, at schools. Some rises in other languages but the total numbers studying how foreigners talk to each other way down. Teachers report some parents telling them that with Brexit no one needs a second language. Now, before people get all upset, these parents aren’t necessarily Brexit voters.*

Cancer Research has a press campaign going on how big a factor obesity is in many forms of cancer, a bigger factor than smoking in bowel, liber, kidney, ovarian etc. They have been accused of ‘fat shaming’ for pointing out that if you don’t manage your weight, which is totally within your own control, you could die as a result. Obviously much better to have a painful and expensive for the taxpayer death than have your feelings hurt because you are embarrassed about your weight.



*I should add that I think it is extremely difficult to learn a language, even to a basic level, in a classroom setting, especially if your motivation isn’t strong.

Agree you can’t learn a language in a classroom
Not many of the new generation English can speak our own language anyway?

Cancer looks ok on fat people and a lot worse on thin people imo
I have always believed that Cancer is a completely natural process and that comes from me a current survivor and mine is back for a second go at the moment ... no biggy imo get the mindset right it’s acceptable

Never agreed with the stigma attached

Keep going until the end of the game

 

[Staines R's]

Cancer looks ok on fat people and a lot worse on thin people imo
I have always believed that Cancer is a completely natural process and that comes from me a current survivor and mine is back for a second go at the moment ... no biggy imo get the mindset right it’s acceptable

Never agreed with the stigma attached

Keep going until the end of the game

Keep strong mate......

 

[Staines R's]

Can I ask how this democratic EU council election works ??
How many candidates are there for each position that the MEPs can vote for ?
For example, how many candidates are there for President of the European Commission ? So far I’ve only found one.

 

[sb_73]

Can I ask how this democratic EU council election works ??
How many candidates are there for each position that the MEPs can vote for ?
For example, how many candidates are there for President of the European Commission ? So far I’ve only found one.

This is the way it works mate. There is a democratic system which is ignored. Like how the British choose their Prime Minister

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[Woodyhoopleson]

Agree you can’t learn a language in a classroom
Not many of the new generation English can speak our own language anyway?

Cancer looks ok on fat people and a lot worse on thin people imo
I have always believed that Cancer is a completely natural process and that comes from me a current survivor and mine is back for a second go at the moment ... no biggy imo get the mindset right it’s acceptable

Never agreed with the stigma attached

Keep going until the end of the game

Gypsy throat punch the **** out of it mate.

 

[daverangers]

One of my biggest regrets in life was my attitude towards learning French at school. I've been practicing a lot recently on Duolingo, a great language learning app for anyone interested. However, as you say Sb, very hard to learn properly without being immersed in the language.

You're telling me...how the words, 'this class is a waste of my time, I will never need French when I am older...' have haunted me in the 9 years since moving to Paris.

 

[sb_73]

Agree you can’t learn a language in a classroom
Not many of the new generation English can speak our own language anyway?

Cancer looks ok on fat people and a lot worse on thin people imo
I have always believed that Cancer is a completely natural process and that comes from me a current survivor and mine is back for a second go at the moment ... no biggy imo get the mindset right it’s acceptable

Never agreed with the stigma attached

Keep going until the end of the game

Full Shepherds Bush style Paul. Including proper Parka.

 

[Staines R's]

This is the way it works mate. There is a democratic system which is ignored. Like how the British choose their Prime Minister

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We, the enlightened ones are best out of it mate

改變只來自槍管

 

[sb_73]

We, the enlightened ones are best out of it mate

改變只來自槍管

As long as the barrel contains fine English bitter, I’m with you.

 

[rangercol]

I hope a representative of the awful Liberal Democrats comes knocking on my door at some point.
"Bollocks to Brexit"?
Bollocks to 17.4 million people who voted leave, including myself, more like.
If I get one of these idiots on my doorstep, they will regret it.

 

[sb_73]

I hope a representative of the awful Liberal Democrats comes knocking on my door at some point.
"Bollocks to Brexit"?
Bollocks to 17.4 million people who voted leave, including myself, more like.
If I get one of these idiots on my doorstep, they will regret it.

Can you get Mrs Rangercol to film it, then post it on here? Incendiary Col in full eruption, summer blockbuster.

Actually I’d quite enjoy that myself. ‘I voted Remain, and although I now couldn’t care less, I think that was the right call. But I also know what a ****ing vote is. What’s your problem?’

 

[Stroller]

I hope a representative of the awful Liberal Democrats comes knocking on my door at some point.
"Bollocks to Brexit"?
Bollocks to 17.4 million people who voted leave, including myself, more like.
If I get one of these idiots on my doorstep, they will regret it.

There are 67 million people in this country, 50 million of whom didn't vote for Brexit.

Bollocks to it.

 

[sb_73]

There are 67 million people in this country, 50 million of whom didn't vote for Brexit.

Bollocks to it.

34 million of that 50 million didn't vote against it. That’s a crap argument Strolls.