Coronavirus - Covid-19 - Boris Johnson falling down on the job - Page 6

You wont learn will you Mathew, your comments are totally out of order and a reference using " herr" disgraceful, come on moderators this guy needs banning now. Best bit is at least the brits were willing to fight for europe unlike some who prefferred neutrality.

James

A proud brit and vey pleased to be leaving the EU, could add more but wont

Hi JTP890. 

1. If I were you I wouldn't get involved in a discussion regarding Ireland's neutrality during WW2. The Irish losses in WW1 were far greater per head than any part of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England. Prior to WW2 the Brits didn't acquit themselves well in Ireland and I suggest we leave that discussion for another day.

2. I haven't even mentioned the Great Famine in Ireland nearly a 100 years before WW2. But in fairness to Queen Victoria, she signed a cheque for Irish Famine Relief for the same amount as she contributed to some Dogs Home on the same day. Incidentally, over one million Irish people died during that famine.

3. So now you want me banned from the Forum. Tell that to your grandchildren; I'm sure they'll be proud of you in the fight against Covid-19 when you got a cocky Paddy banned from expressing his opinions on a forum.

I originally typed out a message expressing exactly what I thought of “proud Brits”, but I realised it had too many three syllable words and was therefore likely beyond your comprehension (4 syllable word that means to understand ... which is itself a 3 syllable word meaning to, you know “get it”)

Keep going the way your going and you’ll merely get the thread deleted.  Who are YOU to decide whose voice is valid and who should be on the forum? That’s right. No one. A nothing. Unimportant. Insignificant.

#BrejoinEU

Hi Matthew, 

It's not all black and white.      Have a family (7 generations)  farm in Ireland with 3000 plus famine graves 250 yards from the house.    Had a farm on the Fens, where we had roman graves.   Took the Queens shilling and was in Irish States version of the Territorials, The FCA.. (  not to be confused with the terrorist IRA).  Have a European passport and relish the freedom that comes with it.  Worship old Jags and Holland and Hollands ( though don't like to shoot defenseless birds). Grandfather was presented with the Founder's Medal for exploration..but great grand father was catholic Judge. Dad served in the Irish Army during the War.  He attended  UK Public School and had an Oxford degree.  Had an uncle that dealt with the 3rd Reich. Same man took huge risks on humanitarian causes.  

I  started with nothing but a poor education  because I couldn't  connect (.. very thick!) with the system.   

Now I owe both Ireland and The UK so much.   I hope I have contributed more than just taxes.  

In Spain I don't refer to their  civil war, because I know that in Ireland we are still not quite past ours , and this happened  a generation years earlier than the Spanish.

I  see it as all a great mix.   One can appreciate and cherish traditions . One can identify with and support one's country.   But does this mean that we should be unkind to others.

I have dined with Prime-ministers , Commanders,  beggars and convicts.   I saw in myself, their strengths and their failings, while I was being made welcome.

If we keep on with the tit for tat, the only place it will end is with drones and missiles.

If we moderate our words.. we can make so much progress reaching out and being made welcome at the tables of people we might otherwise see as enemies .  This is why I am truly delighted  to receive your coffee invitation.. though I worry you might not find me much company.

( If any works out my family name.. do please keep it off the post.  Contact me privately through the site, should you care to)

Do wish you all so much strength and courage for what lies ahead..  look after yourselves.

Signing off the thread for now.. but will read any replies.

God speed.   Mike

Thank You Dario and Bill. I was concerned that my posts might be taken as anti British. I hasten to point out, I am in no way anti-British. I worked in the UK and enjoyed my time there and I always felt welcome. For the record my mothers's brother fought during WW2 in Burma. He was an infantry officer in the British army who survived the war and lived into the 1970's. Both my grandfathers were in the British army during WW1; neither was killed or wounded in action. Both thanked their low height and dexterity of avoiding German shrapnel. One of them was a sharpshooting baker lethal from 100 metres with a sten-bun. I have spoken of aforementioned occurrences (above) with my Brit neighbours in Mojacar anytime neutrality was spoken about during WW2. Strangely, it was a period not covered in school history books in the UK.

But, now my knees are knocking together as I await JTP's court-martial. I am pleading Not Guilty in advance and can conduct my own defence (I'm inspired by my books of Rumpole of the Bailey and am compiling many of his quotes). I hope I don't have to call any witnesses from Badger's as (Irish for Mister) An T-Uasal JTP possibly socialises there. I presume even Badgers will remain closed during the lock-down.

Hi James, read the following and google the Irish in WW2, it all makes for interesting reading,

Fear not Matthew, I understood the point of your post.  I have myself been accused of being “Anti Brit” .... I find it amusing considering I gave many years of my life in service to Her Majesty.

Quaver not at any response that may arise Matthew; just remember, you can’t have a battle of wits with an unarmed person ....

I never thought I'd be agreeing with Andy, but he is right. It does make interesting reading. 

Mario 

I have no objection to free debate and discussion, but as I stated to address Johnson as Herr, is unacceptable to most. 

James 

You have a point there - fascinating reading - especially about Ireland’s “phony” neutrality