Cameron Shaming the Country

I have no idea Merlotgran, I expect most countries have their share of NIMBY's, but I cannot see what little englander has to do with this discussion , England is one country in the UK it is not the UK

Oh - just substitute little englandersandirishersandwelshers. If you must.

However, just as much as Christianity may have influence us so have those of Little Englander mind set which is often influenced by the saddest part of our media.

Neither do I, Anniebach but I wasn't the one who introduced it to the discussion.

Ask Gracesgran

Did anyone see the BBC news last night?

Syrians frolicking in the sea, having fun, spending money in their coastal resorts, whilst refugees from their own country struggle in the same area!!

However much I have learnt and continue to learn about the Syrian crisis over the past couple of years, there is always something new to astonish me.

Perhaps we really need to grow up and see the world and our fellow human beings as a whole

That statEment has astonished me as well!!

How high up the list for contributions to overseas aid is GB.

Is there a French, German, Spanish equivalent of Little Englander?
There must be merlotgran, otherwise why would an elderly Frenchman have spat at me just because he found out I was English?
(despite being a descendant of Huguenots!)

I saw that comment too, and was lost for words. I'm presuming its author wasn't actually including herself in the sentiment, just sending a message to those who don't agree with her views.

I presume I must be a Little Englander - born in England and only 5' 4" (on my tiptoes)

However, I live in Wales, so am probably excused.

I am not the only one who mentioned "Little Englander" but, for clarification I used it as per this definition.

Little Englander" is an epithet applied in criticisms of English people who are regarded as xenophobic and/or overly nationalistic and are often accused of being "ignorant" and "boorish.

It has obviously been around for a long time as another definition says:
an English person who believes the best interests of Britain are served by attention to Britain itself, rather than to the concerns of the empire.

There has always been a section of British society which met this description and has been pandered to by the worst of the red top press.

I think we all know what the phrase means, Gracesgran.

I am sure you do Ana but there seemed to be some questioning.

Only about its relevance to this thread.

I was far more taken aback by your assertion that 'perhaps we really need to grow up and see the world and our fellow human beings as a whole.'

The 'little Englander' is always used as an insult, if somebody doesn't like your opinion.I think to use it on this thread is pathetic.

I've just read the whole of this thread and give three cheers for Jackthelad, who has put the argument so succinctly. (I hope I've spelt that right.)

We could do with a 'like' button on GN.

www.change.org/p/david-cameron-mp-include-the-269-syrians-in-calais-in-uk-refugee-plan

There are 269 Syrians in Calais who could be granted asylum now.
Here's a petition to get them out of there as soon as possible.
Of course, I think he could get all the asylum seekers here from Calais, but he only seems to be interested in Syrians.

There is a good reason for that Djen.

Only about its relevance to this thread.

There was a claim by another poster that we are a Christian country. I had agreed that a brand of Christianity had influence us historically but commented that other things - in this case the "Little Englander" tendency among some and encouraged by certain threads of the press - also had an influence .

I am sure, if you had actually read it, this was clear Ana

rosesarered I did not use the "Little Englander" comment about any remarks made on this thread but about an influence within the press and certain groups. The comment was thought out and not in any way "pathetic" unless you believe this tendency does not exist. Maybe you do. I do not.

The idea that we are influenced by the Christianity which is our history would assume that we would all be asking, as the lawyer did of Jesus, how we could inherit eternal life. He did not like the answer and, as the it says in Luke "But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" This was followed by the story of the good Samaritan. My view is those we might call, as a group, "Little Englanders" have a very narrow and, if we refer to this Christian teaching, un-Christian view of who our neighbours are. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but this group and the press that shouts their view somewhat belie the idea that we are a Christian country which was the premise used by a previous poster.

Your contribution of "pathetic" really is not an argument at all just another attempt to be personal - very sad.

I am sure, if you had actually read it, this was clear Ana

I've read every post on this thread, Gracesgran. So it obviously wasn't clear, not only to me either.

I am sorry you didn't understand it Ana. It is obviously my fault for not communicating my argument clearly so that you could. I will try harder next time.

Well said Jackthelad! My sentiment exactly, DC is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

That would be helpful, Gracesgran. Plain speech is always the best plan when lecturing the ignorant and uninformed.

GG... Once again you have missed the point.You have used the little englander phrase before now, on other threads, it seems to be one you like.it adds nothing to the debate.you also like the word 'sad' as you seem also to like using that.You also seem to like lecturing people.

There you go again Ana getting personal and accusing me of lecturing - very much a no, no for GN as I understand it. I was balancing a point someone else had put forward and so far no one has challenged what I said just, in your case, the way I say it. Yet again resorting to the personal rather than true arguments. As I said before - very sad. Do you actually have any opinion about what influences our population or do you just want to have a go at me.

roses I suggest you read what I wrote to Ana about getting personal.

We all use words like "Tory", "Labour Party", "left of centre", "right of centre" "far left", and "far right" as they sum up something we can all (usually) understand. If I have used the word before it will also have been to sum up a group who behave and believe in a particular way - as I did here.

Usually I don't need to say I find personal remarks rather than points of discussion "sad" because I don't bother to reply; there is no point. How many other people have you taken it upon yourself to criticise for the way they write or is it just me? I was replying to someone else's point or have you taken it upon yourself to ban me from doing that?

It does appear that you don't like sarcasm being directed back at you, although you're quite happy to dish it out Gracesgran. How sad.