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I always find it remarkable how much the hard left take their "facts" and language from the Tory Eurosceptic right.

Although I am far from being "hard left" (and thus cannot give an answer from that perspective), I have no problems in using Tory (or whatever) words if they seem to be an accurate description of reality.

I would actually invert the argument altogether: do you have any problems in using other people's keywords just because those people are "far away" from you? So casual agreement with the "other side" is a substantial (negative) argument for you?

by t-------------- on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 at 10:24:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I have no problems using any words which describe reality as accurately as I can.  My point was that I believe the hard left in Ireland and the Tory right in the UK have a lot in common - including a shared belief in the primacy of the nation state above all else.

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 at 10:28:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Personally, I do have a problem with that. Political buzzwords carry connotations built up with lots of propaganda. Especially when coming from the right, they don't describe reality; and even if there is a real problem, they shift focus on something else. "EU bureaucracy" is a perfect example.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 at 10:36:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]
(For full disclosure: myself, I am a hard-leftist who is strongly pro-EU -as-principle but also strongly critical of the EU as it exists, and I do have some symphathy for fellow hard-leftists on a No-Lisbon platform.)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 at 10:39:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]
It's all about the narratives.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 at 10:41:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Agree. That would be an interesting discussion altogether.

But, from an intellectual perspective, I would argue that people sometimes refuse an argument just because it is made from the "other side". That doesn't seem healthy.

From a media/narrative perspective I see your point.

by t-------------- on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 at 11:00:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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