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Brexit: Think Again

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bainbrig | 09:03 Sun 05th Aug 2018 | News
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Michael Morpurgo argues it's time to think again over Brexit.

"It is surely time to accept that we have made a mistake", he writes, "that whichever way we voted, things are not turning out the way we expected".

"Or are we too proud?" he asks.

Listen, if you're not one of the shouty brigade, to Morpurgo's reasoned argument on BBC4's Point of View

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bclyj3

It's only ten minutes long, and will give you cause/pause for thought.

BillB
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Sir Michael Andrew Bridge Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL, FKC, DL is an English book author, poet, playwright, and librettist who is known best for children's novels such as War Horse. Although aimed primarily at young people, these can be read by people of all ages. I have heard him talk and it was one of the most enjoyable talks I have been to. Will listen to his argument...
09:23 Sun 05th Aug 2018
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Gone on, danny, I'm intrigued: (bainbrig- use italics.)

//Stating options doesn't mean contratiction, just that you have a choice. //

It does in a binary referendum.
italics
Krom, more Newspeak from you, but no change there.

//It’s a very simple question on the ballot paper. You either remain in the European Union or you leave the European Union. It’s a single decision, it’s a final decision.”// Prime Minister David Cameron, February 2016.

Remainers managing Brexit - which they are - isn’t even a bad joke!
Question Author
No, danny, I wasn't asking what italics were (as a typographer for 35 + years I still remember a few details), more like how you get italics on Safari/Answerbank...

BB
Bainbrig- [i] before and after word or phrase.
Question Author
I've selected a word, used the totally un-Mac "left click" (shudder), and got 'Font', then 'Show fonts', but nothing happens! My Mac is trying to keep me away from contamination by Windows-stuff.

BB
When did we aquire the arrogance to presume that we are right and everyone else is wrong? Cameron gave May the loaded gun-she didn't have to fire it!
Question Author
Okay, let's try that.... italicised.... and Answer Now...

BB
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danny, we might disagree on things, but that's taught me something! Thanks.

BillB
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How about [b]bold[b] or even [sc]small caps[sc] (shouting quietly)? Let's try it.
Question Author
Nah, just stuck with italics then...

Oh, sorry, distrupting original theme, something about Brexit wasn't it?
//something about Brexit wasn't it?//
Yes, and bainbrig, would you mind answering a question?
If the UK was not a member of the UE, would you recommend joining and if so, why?
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Because (as Morpurgo implies in his talk) joining together with other nations is a natural upward progression, away from tribalism, crass nationalism, towards a union of similarly-minded peoples to whom war is unthinkable.

Together we can get rid of all the bureaucracy - but if we’re not together, you reduce Europe to a multi-lingual Answerbank. Very noisy, lots of shouting, and always the potential for a punch-up.

BB
what a load of old pony, I thought all the sour grapes had been consumed by now.
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Good argument, tora. Extremely well put.
Even Austria’s young and allegedly Eurosceptic chancellor Kurz spoke out very forcefully in defence of the EU when he met the British PM recently, saying that the prospect of Brexit had hade his country at least more pro-EU, and stressing the importance to him of the Union despite their serious disagreements over immigration. That really ought to make people think.
ok, listened to it, 1) he talks about our great democracy then proposes ignoring it! 2) "Trading club of friendly democratic nations" - like the common market we originally joined? 3) " a club that is not demonstrably democratically managed, with absurd rules....." - he's bang on there! more ROB pining for their old club.
-- answer removed --
"Together we can get rid of all the bureaucracy..."

Ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Not whilst we're in the EU we cannot. That wretched organisation is the largest producer of "bureaucracy" the world has ever known or is ever likely to know. The amount of edicts (which have to be complied with by every company in every member nation, whether they have dealings with other EU countries or not) that spew forth from its bowels is unimaginable. If you're making an argument in favour of the EU I think you need to steer clear of the topic of bureaucracy.

"...towards a union of similarly-minded peoples..."

Do you honestly believe that the peasant farmers and smallholders in Bulgaria and Romania, or the organised crime bosses in Albania (an EU candidate nation) are "similarly minded" to you?

"Anyway, Mr Morpurgo [who dat den?] argues it's time to think again over Brexit. He writes that whichever way we voted, things are not turning out the way we expected".

His argument is specious because we (especially Leavers) are constantly told we voted without knowing what to expect.

I'd never heard of Mr Morpurgo until today. I understand he is some sort of children's storyteller. His Wiki entry mentions that his work is noted for its "magical storytelling". Best he sticks to his day job, I fancy.

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