It begins

[Drago]

As if the Scottish interdependence referendum wasn't enough, we now have an EU vote coming up. Several months of nothing on telly except people arguing in ever more strident tones. It's already begun tho morning on BBC News...

Can we distract ourselves from this, hide from it, make it go away? What do you do to blank rubbish like this out of your life?

 

[BrumJim]

On one hand, it is the single most important issue in our generation that will determine the future of this country. We only vote in parties for 5 years and hence there is limited ability for them to make a lasting influence one way or another without cross-party consensus, but the last EU referendum was in 1975, and a regular in/out vote will not be acceptable to anyone. Hence it is our democratic responsibility to engage in this process, to demand the highest standards of public discussion, to hear the views of political leaders, democratic experts, informed social and business commentators, and decide for ourselves which is the best way forward.

On the other hand, I can see the debate being dominated by people with an exaggerated view of their own importance, and scaremongering from both sides determined to underestimate the intelligence of the population as much as they can.

 

[Jefferson Meriwether]

I'll be following it as much as possible. With a chance to vote on 'in or out', essentially on who governs us*, I want to be as informed as possible.

* Even if we come out of the EU a part of me wouldn't be surprised if the EU finds a way to meddle in our affairs.

 

[Drago]

I must reiterate I intended is thread as a retreat from the tv and media blitz that's being unleashed, not a debate about the EU -theres a few of those already.

In the interests of accuracy there wasn't an EU vote in '75. The populace were asked to vote on a reciprocal trading arrangement, not what we're looking at now.

That's it's an important matter I do not dispute. My concern is for the banality it's going to bring to the media, who aren't content with just reporting on such matters but like to influence things and give them a prod. Already this morning BBC News had a group arguing, quite noisily it must be said, about who was right or wrong. Adults being rude to one another on tv does nothing to either inform the public or advance the debate, and we've got months of it ahead - it's what passes for serious current affairs to the Jeremy Kyle generation.

 

[Paulus]

I heard Boris Johnson's dad on the radio this morning saying how silly Boris was to go for the leave campaign as it would stop him from getting a job in the next cabinet reshuffle by Cameron. Nothing like throwing your ideals and principles away for a top job then, is it?

 

[Drago]

Team, team I fear I've been misunderstood.

This isn't a discussion about the EU, hence me starting it in here and not the other place where people fight a lot.

We're here to decry the several months of bad tv that the whole affair has kicked off.

 

[Cuchilo]

In one hand i have a cup of coffee and in the other a slice of marmite on toast . I think tea goes better with marmite on toast so i'm voting for tea .

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Can we distract ourselves from this, hide from it, make it go away? What do you do to blank rubbish like this out of your life?

Well I'm off out on my bike . I'll probably be doing a fair bit of gardening too. And then there is my on going project in the garage for the wet weather. Also there will be EU free channels on TV for those brain dead moments. Plus CC of course

 

[Drago]

I think I might up my reading levels to avoid it. Even radio 4 is unlikely to be a retreat from such nonsense. Classic FM often declare themselves an XYZ free zone, so I may move there temporarily.

 

[winjim]

I shall over the next few months be imagining myself beating to a bloody pulp anyone who uses the term Brexit.

Apart from that I've got a baby daughter to play with and a potential house move to think about so that's nice. Except now I need to think about house prices and mortgages and school catchment areas and all that stuff, so an EU referendum might actually provide a bit of light relief.

 

[Oldbloke]

I'll stop watching UK TV news and stick with the French offering. The unmentionable subject will get coverage but I won't understand a lot due to my appalling French

 

[classic33]

There's a chance of snow this week. Possibly even a decent summer!!

 

[MontyVeda]

Yesterday IDS (Irritable Duncan Someone) claimed that staying in the EU would leave us open to "Paris style attacks"... what a fecking nobber.

 

[classic33]

 

[classic33]

That's one that just had to ignore what it said and press it!