What exactly is "questionable" identification? And how are the Poles the bad guys in *this* situation (not bringing up their incredibly corrupt & ineffective govt)? They work in customs and were inspecting merchandise. A paranoid captain than tries to bolt out of dodge and warning shots are fired since he did so with two Polish officials on board. If anything from that obviously German-biased article, the captain sounds like a drug smuggler.

Britain : we had A LOT of this on this forum, way too much, I would say 90% of the UK posters. That explains the abrupt reaction of Slarti or Feb, both of them great Austrian patriots.

This is not true. You can be both : a "national patriot" and "EU-patriot". The reference to Germany is therefore not accurate. They are usually both. Your comment makes it obvious that you do not know what it means to be a "Euro-patriot".

The problem with nationalism is the egoistic tendencies. Sometimes,. you need to do things for the "common good". And sorry, but I have to agree with the other posters, Poland is one of these nationalistic countries.

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______________________Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.”___________________Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Your piece about the UK posters doesn't surprise me one bit. I'm ashamed to say that those people typify modern Britain- an embarrassment. Incidentally, my username alludes more towards domestic politics and social/cultural decline in the UK than it does the EU- just so you know.

But I would just like to offer the views of a socially conservative (note the small 'C') Brit who isn't xenophobic or prejudiced, if I may. The behaviour of most of my countrymen could never be described as conservative.

Of course I do not know what it means to be a Euro-patriot. The idea has never caught on, most Brits actually know nothing about the EU (again, blame the politicians). But our culture is completely different, if we are talking traditionally. An island nation is an island nation, even if some do not want it that way. This is not a good or a bad thing, it just is.

The EU has a terrible press (admittedly the media is biased, but not that much) more becuase of things like the erosion of traditional measures, (completely unnecessary) the 'regions' which have replaced traditional counties (very important here) and the lies of domestic politicians in relation to it. These things breed defensive behaviour and xenophobia.

We agree that Poland is a 'nationalistic' country, although the term still hasn't been defined. But why is this a bad thing?

First, sorry, before I answer anything : what is "conservative socialism" ?

Well, yes, that's it with Europe - It is made of different kind of nations with different languages, traditions, diverse geography ... And yet, on this board for instance, you find a certain understanding of current affairs which is common to all Europeans - more "socially" oriented, less religious, obsessed with their national culture. And it is normal since Europeans share a common heritage, a common history. "Euro-patriotism" is simply finding the common things instead of insisting on the differences. No great secret.

Yes, the media in the UK hit very hard on the EU and not everything that is written is wrong. However, to be honest, if you compare Europe after the war and Europe now, it is much better, closer and stronger now. All these countries in Europe would be nothing without the EU - and that because they are aware of it that they are part of it, including the UK, and that there are too many candidates.

It is not the criticism which is a problem, it is the non-contructive criticism.

Well I think I said - not thinking of the "common good" but only of one own pitty interests. That's why it is bad thing. Also, sorry, but by being too much nationalistic - thinking about your own interests with never trying to understand the needs of the neighbours - you end up by being xenophobic.

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______________________Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.”___________________Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Well, in Britain 'social conservatism' refers mainly to traditionalists, as opposed to neo-cons or economic liberalists. Such people would not vote Conservative because of their love of money and big business, which we think is harming the culture of the country. And we would not support the neo-cons as we don't regard them as being particularly conservative in many of their beliefs (i.e environment, foreign policy). Needless to say, the likes of the BNP are not socially conservative, they are far-right radicals.
But we are also against such things as rampant political correctness and the hedonistic binge-drinking casual sex culture that has enveloped modern Britain. There aren't really many of us, and we have nobody to vote for Hope this helps.

I used a correct and also common (also in places that have very little to do with the EU btw) definition of "nationalism". If you prefer to use a different your busieness. But I puzzle what you aim is, words are there to transport a meaning. As it seems you found out all by yourself which of those possible meanings I pointed at without any problems I dont see the point of your argumentation...


A government that strongly defends a jew hating so called "catholic" Radio station that is even condemned by the Pope due to its dirty and immoral hate propganda against minorities and wrong values. Furthermore, the head of state of Poland, showed many times allready that he does not let go any chance unused to show how little he respects neigboring countries, and how much he and his party defies them. He warmed up many prejudies only extreme nationalists would use.

If you call the Polnish government "nationalist" it seems you use the same definition for nationalist as I do. Because they do further extreme nationalism and nothing else. And extreme nationalism has much todo with hate.

Hating the EU as you do, might be rather harmless, but they hate other countries. They further exactly those feelings, no matter how you like to label them, that led Europe allready 1914 into the desaster.

Minorities and pariahs command over the majority, broadcast and project their rules and values through the total corporate finance control of "independent" media, set their standards. It's plain as a stick. The black is white, and there are lots of stamp-definitions for those outsiders opposing it. As you say "there aren't really many of us", you just echo the so called average opinion fabricated in that very media-forge. They want you to think that way.