I'm only going to answer to the first sentence here. Do you think for one minute that the purpose of the EU was to finish what Hitler started ? Or that Germany has not changed somewhat in 70 years ? For God sake grow up !
I really don't understand your comments about YES spinning. The whole thrust of the YES has been to try to present truths in the face of a hostile media. What bulls**t have I peddled? The figures I have used have come from UK gov sources or I have made clear who I am quoting. You have also said that you have not read a word said by Better Together or YES so how are you able to come up with this comment? I can see you waving your Union Jack now LOL.
In economic terms yes. Domination of Europe economically for its own needs. Of course I'm not referring to the rest of what both the Kaiser and Hitler were up to. As for growing up I'd much rather get back to my youth thanks. I'm just as entitled to my opinion as you are in this respect, I happen to believe we did wrong in joining the EU in the first place as we would have done much better further developing the commonwealth which really suffered as a result of our EU choice.
I'm sorry Aberdeen but I sort of agree with Cologne. No need for the jackboot reference in my opinion.
Your sentence implied that the same motivating force (ie. domination) was behind both. Do you think that Germany has built up its industry over the last 70 years with the sole aim of dominating Europe ? If so you are living in a fantasy World. Normally on these threads we avoid insults directed at groups of people, races nationalities or whole nations - and I'm sorry but Germany is also covered by this rule.
There is clearly different perspectives of what the EU has been about depending on where you live. It has often been said that the French were the main ones to benefit because of the common agricultural policy. Now that is being cut back our farmers are feeling the squeeze and are complaining that the EU is becoming too dominated by Germany. Maybe because we have a totally incompetent government who cannot stop spending what they don't have, the difference between the two countries has been brought into sharp relief. The FN are making the most of the situation and it does resonate with some of the population. Stronger links with the UK are being suggested to balance the running of the EU as I stated the other day. What I see from here is that politicians such as Alex Salmond, Nigel Farage and Marine le Penn all come out of the same mold. They are exploiting the sentiments of the population to their own ends. None of them have credible economic policies as to how they would run a country. We want change, but we will not be honest about what it will actually mean for the population is their way forward. Hitler used similar tactics dare I say, and although because of the EU we are unlikely to have a single person lead us into another conflict of that nature we could move further apart, when I believe that acting together is a far better way to live. The EU is an organization that functions on compromise. No one state can have it all it's own way, but has to accept what is best for the whole community. Seems very strange that Scotland Yes campaigners cannot agree to discuss things with the UK but think they would do better putting forward their case to a much larger grouping of countries. Makes little sense from rural France.
Germany is dominating the whole of Europe financially. By and large the current policies employed by the ECB are tailored to suit the wishes and needs of Germany primarily. Of course having partners that are clueless (French - spend more) or some of the basket case southern European countries (spend even more!!), makes any competition easy meat. You have to hand it to the Germans, having experienced raging inflation in the past they fully understand the need to keep unit labour costs competitive compared to their opponents. I'm sure if Hitler and his cronies could see how things turned out they would accept there are more ways than one to skin a cat.
should have said "there's more than one way to skin a cat" Perhaps it's all the excitement coming out of Vic Rd at the moment?
Germany has a population of 80 million and a relatively successfull economy, and also pays , by far the largest individual share into the European Budget. Is it not reasonable that they want influence to go with their role as the largest payer ? Would Britain not demand the same in Germany's position ? Most Germans would rather that their country was not in the position of being called 'dominant' in any sense - and it is not a position which they have worked to achieve. I'm sorry but for me, living here and having a German wife, these parallels to Hitler or to Jackboots are sick in the extreme. My own father was blinded in one eye in World War 2 and my grandfather was gassed at the Somme - but that was history. Most other European people can forgive and forget these episodes in history - but , apparently not the British.
It would be a very strange mold! YES people will be delighted to discuss things with the UK as an Independent country. I remind you that the UK is not a country. Scotland just wants the same as all the other countries in the EU the right to make it's own decisions.
He does not speak for ALL the British. These debates tend to bring out the prejudices that sadly exist in our societies in all countries. To make anti German remarks in the 21st century about one of the most peaceful nations in Europe is just plain prejudice.
I think you are getting a little worked up over nothing. No one is suggesting that the average modern day German has views similar to their ancestors. Incidentally some of my best friends happen to be German. Your playing down the dominant role that they have carved out for themselves is a bit akin to the 'don't dare describe the perpetrators of the Rotherham abuse as "Pakistanis". - crazy.
Cologne, you are clearly very right about Germany being the largest contributor to the EU. What is reported here is that the Germans are trying to dictate to the French government how they should run their economy. Probably if they had taken notice a couple of years ago they would not be in quite such a large mess as they are now. It doesn't go down too well with the French when Merkal says that Hollande is a fool and doesn't know what he is doing no matter how unpopular he is. I might agree with her, but it does show a certain arrogance on her part to make the statement that gets reported. I also have family members who suffered in the wars, but that as you say is history. Here we have regular visits to war memorials to remember such suffering and loss of life, but it is used as a lesson to teach the young that such things should never be allowed to happen again.
Typical of your methods, only reply to part of a comment. As you keep telling us, you are such a rich country. What would you contribute to the EU budget when you are allowed in?
It is very close to bedtime scully. Promised the doctor that I didn't drink spirits, so will not be helping out on Scottish exports. At one time Hornette would make me a nice cup of Horlicks as you cannot buy that out here.
When I lived in France my french friends would have told me to change my doctor if given similar advice!! bon nuit.
She did tell me that beer didn't count to my total intake, so I am happy to stick with her. Bon nuit!
Sorry if the jackboot reference offends, certainly wasn't meant to. It is not an insult to Germany to state its motives are economic domination which I believe is a motive indeed one shared by the UK, we all want economic success in government. I didn't mention Hitler that was your good self..... If an item of clothing offends you I can't comment...
