The New York Times is only fit to wrap The Guardian in before you bin them both

Look, let me be honest, there is no way that I can nick paraphrase Ed West's superb piece in The Daily Telegraph and do it justice, so you would save time and do yourself a favour by skipping the rest of this and going straight to source.

Have a few doubts about this European lark, do you?  Feel it might not be quite what it's cracked up to be?  Think on the whole that perhaps we might muddle along better on our own?  Well, in that case, you are probably “the pinstriped effluence of an ex-imperial nation” and a member of "a bunch of insular snobs who seem to have a hard time restraining their inner-fascist" and your "heart beats the spirit of Britain’s ‘finest hour’ and the United Kingdom (with a little help from the Yanks) holding out against the Luftwaffe."  Well, that's what Roger Cohen reckons you are and he should know because he writes for The New York Times so he must be right, mustn't he? 

Well, no, he's not right at all.  Even with a degree in history from Oxford he does not appear to realise that when, single-handedly, the RAF were holding off the Luftwaffe the only help we were getting from the Yanks was some fiercely hard-nosed bargaining about what they wanted in return for some old destroyers and the use of our West Indian ports.  Still, I expect his history degree was in something like working class life in the 19th century!

As for the fascism charge, Ed West deals with it beautifully: 

The irony is that, as with so much of the Eurofederalist character assassination against sceptics, there is a large amount of projection in these debates. Much of the pro-federalist position down the years has been motivated by snobbery towards those frightful lower-middle class non-metropolitan types who still cling to their primitive patriotism (haven't they even heard of Eric Hobsbawm?). And rather than Eurosceptics being imperial throwbacks, one of the arguments always made for a united Europe was that together the European states could become a superpower to rival the United States, Russia or China. Eurosceptics, on the other hand, would most like Britain to emulate Switzerland – a wealthy, stable, peaceful and democratic country with strong borders. What a bunch of fascists we are!

Indeed,  and if that's fascism give me more of it!

 

Comments

[JK]

The Wiki guys called and told me they needed some help. Just a little "cleaning-up" they said.

Pressed for time I replied, "Can't myself but I know a limerick-ridden gasbag from the UK, would that be acceptable?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Squadrons

[Dom]

Uh, David? You're carrying an ad for Alan Grayson? Did you know how hard it was to get this guy OUT of office?

[Dom]

I didn't know Cohen was British. I always assumed he was American. That makes his gaffe ("with a little help from the Yanks") that much more unforgivable.

[David Duff]

From the Wiki gurs, JK:

"The first Eagle Squadron (No. 71) was formed in September 1940,[1] and became operational for defensive duties on 5 February 1941"

Splendid fellows, all of them, and some time ago I wrote a eulogy in their honour but the squadrons did not take part in the B of B.

Dom, really? Sorry about that. What the hell was he advertsing? Whatever, personally I prefer the Oriental Single ladies!

[JK]

Noted at the time. As well as the Navy Yanks.

Only reason I've persuaded myself to think there's hope for you despite SoD, Andra and the "good folk" at hemDeltorrhoids pretty(?) good reasons to doubt - I'm figuring this blog is the best place to form reasonable doubts when tempted to wager actual money.

And "Gosh & Golly" - D&N has, with far as I can tell, been as good a barometer as any Arkie politician.

When Clinton said "Down Girl" I bet up. When Huckabee said, "I'm rising!" I bet down.

I'm just happy we didn't make our wagers in Euro-denominated stuff - way I look at it, we both won. I just hope SoD enjoys a "decrepit and dribbling" clause.

Everybody would then be a winner. SoD might not realize it, but the US has what's known as the NBA.

[Andra]

JK - you're taking my name in vain again.

Upwind of the stills, man, upwind.

[David Duff]

It's no good, Andra, he just loves steppin' out doors and fillin' his lungs - well, it's cheaper than drinking the stuff!!