To BONG or not to BONG, that is the question
Discussion
Brooking10 said:
gooner1 said:
Re Greece, how did it manage to pass Goldman Sachs pre EU joining accountancy?
Greece’s entry in 1981 was likely swung by strategic as opposed to economic factors given its proximity to the Balkans. Brooking10 said:
It’s a fascinating place
I spent three years working there as an advisor to the Central Bank when a Russian Oligarch plundered the largest indigenous bank which he had been using as a personal piggy bank and fled, ultimately, and with suspected state support, to Moscow defying a UK extradition order and international AW.
The country was on the verge of economic collapse as a result. As my pal Stongle will tell you such events don’t come along that often but when they do they are truly “stare into the abyss moments”. The EU and ECB played a pivotal role in ensuring many ordinary Lithuanian citizens (more than 1 in 3) didn’t lose their money and in putting the economy back on the rails.
None of that is a reason to say “oh ok then we shouldn’t leave the EU” but it is, in my experience, a strong reason as to why those states are best off distancing themselves from Soviet/former influence and why the EU proved a safe(r) haven.
I'm sure it is fascinating. One day.I spent three years working there as an advisor to the Central Bank when a Russian Oligarch plundered the largest indigenous bank which he had been using as a personal piggy bank and fled, ultimately, and with suspected state support, to Moscow defying a UK extradition order and international AW.
The country was on the verge of economic collapse as a result. As my pal Stongle will tell you such events don’t come along that often but when they do they are truly “stare into the abyss moments”. The EU and ECB played a pivotal role in ensuring many ordinary Lithuanian citizens (more than 1 in 3) didn’t lose their money and in putting the economy back on the rails.
None of that is a reason to say “oh ok then we shouldn’t leave the EU” but it is, in my experience, a strong reason as to why those states are best off distancing themselves from Soviet/former influence and why the EU proved a safe(r) haven.
Edited by Brooking10 on Sunday 19th January 20:02
I don't think bailing out a bank puts the EU beyond unfavourable comparison. The actual USSR kicked the Nazis out of Lithuania. They then went on to be pretty vile themselves.
Although the term was surely intended to grab attention the point (as I understand it) is that the EU has a centralised and inflexible approach to implementing its vision.
Digga said:
Brooking10 said:
gooner1 said:
Re Greece, how did it manage to pass Goldman Sachs pre EU joining accountancy?
Greece’s entry in 1981 was likely swung by strategic as opposed to economic factors given its proximity to the Balkans. JuanCarlosFandango said:
I'm sure it is fascinating. One day.
I don't think bailing out a bank puts the EU beyond unfavourable comparison. The actual USSR kicked the Nazis out of Lithuania. They then went on to be pretty vile themselves.
Although the term was surely intended to grab attention the point (as I understand it) is that the EU has a centralised and inflexible approach to implementing its vision.
Your para two is exactly my point I don't think bailing out a bank puts the EU beyond unfavourable comparison. The actual USSR kicked the Nazis out of Lithuania. They then went on to be pretty vile themselves.
Although the term was surely intended to grab attention the point (as I understand it) is that the EU has a centralised and inflexible approach to implementing its vision.
The USSR exacted a terrible price upon almost all of the countries it annexed. A price which when compared to the EUSSR claim is at best hyperbole.
The EU does indeed exhibit a degree of inflexibility and yet we, and others, managed for years to cut side deals and pick and choose certain aspects. Now of course we are going our own and way and others may follow in time.
It’s a comparison I understand but don’t endorse.
Lastly my Lithuania story was in direct rebuttal to the suggestion that that country specifically, and others more generally, might have been better remaining under the control of a post Glasnost / Perestroika Russia as opposed to the EU.
Brooking10 said:
Digga said:
Brooking10 said:
gooner1 said:
Re Greece, how did it manage to pass Goldman Sachs pre EU joining accountancy?
Greece’s entry in 1981 was likely swung by strategic as opposed to economic factors given its proximity to the Balkans. 
Brooking10 said:
Dont like rolls said:
It is the EU "political structure" that is close to the Soviet style. Concentrate power at the top, diminish national government to increasingly minor choices etc etc.
What meaningful examples would you give ?Any with specific reference to how they have curtailed your own freedoms, beliefs or opportunity ?
See the above#
It was a primary reason (the only one maybe ?) for me to vote the way I did, but hey....we ARE leaving soon so happy days ahead with the British responsible to ourselves.
Stay in Bed Instead said:
Cranked is having a knees up. You could gate crash. Two mins of fireworks followed by a mug of coco.
10.59 pm sharp.
Clock projection onto Downing Street and a speech by Boris.10.59 pm sharp.
An honest and brave thing to do, he is publicly taking responsibility (and the governments) for the job ahead.
Well done Boris.
Dont like rolls said:
The very simple fact that a national Government is subservient to the EU (largest block) with that control increasing massively (and will keep doing so).
See the above#
It was a primary reason (the only one maybe ?) for me to vote the way I did, but hey....we ARE leaving soon so happy days ahead with the British responsible to ourselves.
Ok so no examples then just a repetition of the same rhetoric.See the above#
It was a primary reason (the only one maybe ?) for me to vote the way I did, but hey....we ARE leaving soon so happy days ahead with the British responsible to ourselves.
Still as you say we are off on our merry way now.
It’s going to be interesting for the next few years.
Dont like rolls said:
Clock projection onto Downing Street and a speech by Boris.
An honest and brave thing to do, he is publicly taking responsibility (and the governments) for the job ahead.
Well done Boris.
Also in the news: Trump creates Space Force wearing woodland camouflage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-5116054...An honest and brave thing to do, he is publicly taking responsibility (and the governments) for the job ahead.
Well done Boris.
Well done Donald.
GetCarter said:
Dont like rolls said:
Clock projection onto Downing Street and a speech by Boris.
An honest and brave thing to do, he is publicly taking responsibility (and the governments) for the job ahead.
Well done Boris.
Also in the news: Trump creates Space Force wearing woodland camouflage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-5116054...An honest and brave thing to do, he is publicly taking responsibility (and the governments) for the job ahead.
Well done Boris.
Well done Donald.
Can't quite believe it either, but obviously it is true.
Brooking10 said:
Ok so no examples then just a repetition of the same rhetoric.
Still as you say we are off on our merry way now.
It’s going to be interesting for the next few years.
No examples ? they are endless.Still as you say we are off on our merry way now.
It’s going to be interesting for the next few years.
So, just for you............... every action/treaty on EU structure from Maastricht (really from day one) on has delivered more and more integration.
You must be blind if you think my comments are "rhetoric" as more integration is a primary aim for the future.
Drip snip Drip snip Drip snip Drip snip
Edited by Dont like rolls on Monday 20th January 16:08
Stay in Bed Instead said:
MDMetal said:
So whats happening? I assume there's no bell and we'll just all quietly grumble, how sad.
Cranked is having a knees up. You could gate crash. Two mins of fireworks followed by a mug of coco.10.59 pm sharp.
Fireworks, short time display but packed with colour and explosions, start 10.59pm, party ends when drinks run out.
Coco is pre order only.
Dont like rolls said:
Brooking10 said:
Ok so no examples then just a repetition of the same rhetoric.
Still as you say we are off on our merry way now.
It’s going to be interesting for the next few years.
No examples they are endless, So, just for you every action/treaty on EU structure from Maastricht (really from day one) on has delivered more and more integration. You must be blind if you think my comments are "rhetoric" as more integration is a primary aim for the future.Still as you say we are off on our merry way now.
It’s going to be interesting for the next few years.
Drip snip Drip snip Drip snip Drip snip
The interpretations of integration vs commonality have similarly been debated ad infinitum
Some are scared of the supposed supra-nationalism and some don’t recognise it as quite so draconian
Some think the UK was on a path to subservience and others confident in an ability to maintain a status who
In amongst this there are but two certainties
1 - we are now leaving and will face the consequences/ shape our future accordingly
And
2 - You know all this already because you’ve seen it all written down here before in your previous guises
crankedup said:
Bring a bottle, remainers are not welcome, unless they promise not to moan
Fireworks, short time display but packed with colour and explosions, start 10.59pm, party ends when drinks run out.
Coco is pre order only.
I’m going disguised as Don’t Like Rolls - you’ll recognise me as I’ll change outfits and ask you to call me by a different name on several occasions throughout the evening”s festivities - but only because I want a look at Crankie’s very nice Fiat Coupe Fireworks, short time display but packed with colour and explosions, start 10.59pm, party ends when drinks run out.
Coco is pre order only.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 20th January 16:20
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