Have You Ever Seen A News Story That's Literally Made You Screech To A Shuddering Halt?!

[sp1814]

I literally never thought I'd ever see this.

In fact, I had to read it through carefully because at first I thought it was a joke.

But...apparently not.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-announces-he-wants-britain-to-stay-in-the-eu-to-create-a-united-states-of-europe-a6928556.html

I'm now carefully study the sky, to check to signs of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

[Gladeian]

I think he has lost it !

[Buenchico]

Well I almost agree with him but I don't want to see a 'United States of Europe', with a federal system. I believe that ALL national parliaments should be abolished and Europe should be a SINGLE unified country with just ONE government.

[Canary42]

Why stop at Europe, why not the WORLD ?

[Prudie]

I assume it was who said it, not what he said that's the shocker. I must admit i'd have thought he's have wanted a definite out and f... europe. How wrong we are.

[jim360]

Yeah, that one had a similar effect on me too.

[Peter Pedant]

no the only articles that make me go 'whaaaaa ...' are ones where there are people I know and they go and do something like .... be dead.

[Old_Geezer]

Whilst we all are from different cultures, different beliefs, that's just a recipe for discontent and conflict. As a concept it sounds nice, all humanity as one. In practice it'd be disastrous.

Sometimes I think Jeremy must like extracting the urine. Either that or he's had a breakdown.

[AB Editor]

From the article:

This is not the first time Clarkson has revealed his Europhile tendencies - he also praised the European project in a Sunday Times column in June of 2014.

“I long for a time when I think of myself as a European first and an Englishman second. I crave a United States of Europe with one currency, one army and one type of plug," he wrote.

I think the plug is the bit that everyone likes about the EU. Let's make the number of things you need to think about between countries smaller.

Naturally the continent should switch to three prongs like us...

[hc4361]

And everyone should speak English....

[sp1814]

Actually, not only am I surprised at his stance, but also the extent of his stance.

I lean slightly toward the 'In' camp, but even so - the idea of a federal state is not something I support.

As I read the story, I was looking for some kind of punchline.

But none came.

It's like turning up to a Tinie Tempah gig and seeing Anne Widdecombe and Norman Tebbit at the bar.

It's just...unexpected.

[Peter Pedant]

Yeah I said to my brother the moral of the Jerremy Clarkson saga is not to swear at your production assistant ....

and he replied 'and then smack him in the gob '

I dont think JC has much else to say to us besides summit like:
" after great thought my conclusion is: Peace Brother."

[Old_Geezer]

When we joined the Common Market plugs were supposed to be standardised but never were. As we had aready gone from 2 pin to 3, and then from round pin to "square" to reach the optimum design, clearly the rest should have changed to our system. I can only assume it never happened because Europe expected to inconvenience us and it was unthinkable that they should use our superior design.

[Peter Pedant]

// And everyone should speak English....//

wot wiv dat you, hc innit yeah ?

you know it is impossible for a lot of us hc

[hc4361]

"We must build a kind of United States of Europe.

In this way only will hundreds of millions of toilers be able to regain the simple joys and hopes which make life worth living.

The process is simple.

All that is needed is the resolve of hundreds of millions of men and women to do right instead of wrong, and gain as their reward, blessing instead of cursing."

Winston Churchill, 1946

[Peter Pedant]

something unexpected - Enoch Powell in a brotherl /

No he is was in the house of commons which is near enough ter daah !

[Peter Pedant]

hc - as a matter of history
( so zillions of Abers are gonna post: " wot wiv dat churchill - you mean churchie the insurance dog yeah innit ? )


Churchill made many speeches on the Common Market and thanks for looking one out - and then when he was in power 1952-55 ( and ga-ga as everyone knew apparently ) did diddly squat about joining the Treaty of Rome

[hc4361]

Mr Churchill was full of contradictions, PP, much like Clarkson

[Peter Pedant]

hc what a slip up !
Churchill in the same sentence as the dimwit Clarkson !

as a Indian Army officer retd: I say this is outraaaaaaaaageous ( flaps paper furiously )

OR .... Churchill by contrast knew he had to negotiate with the irish rather than smack them in the gob ....

[ToraToraTora]

As much as I hate the EU I see where Jezza is coming from. We have in effect put the cart before the horse. If we must merge do it properly. If we did a proper job of establishing borders, merging the central banks, economies and governments then it wouldn't be so bad but what we basically have is 27 way scrap all the time with nepotism and corruption ruling from ivory towers.

[sp1814]

TTT

Merging of central banks?

I assume that would be an extremely difficult goal, as each central bank has responsibility for setting rates that impact on financial instruments (ie. Interest rates).

Not sure that's workable.