In the "Conclusions" Pujol quotes an unnamed European Commissioner as saying that an independent Catalonia would not run into economic impediments. "The difficulty, this Commissioner added, would be political. Radical Spanish opposition, reluctance on the part of the European Union (as [the EU] showed with Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia and will have with Scotland, once the case presents itself) [...]."
One understands that this point is about the recognition of the independence of Catalonia by the EU; and that what stands in brackets are Pujol's observations, not those of the Commissioner. Throwing Slovakia and Slovenia/Croatia into the same pot is plainly, almost hilariously wrong. Velvet Divorce, anyone?
The case of Scotland would be comparable to that of Slovakia: an agreed separation from the UK, and thus no opposition by the EU either.
Catalonia's most overrated politician gets 3 Godós. Only 3. He is not trying to manipulate, he just does not know what he is talking about.
On the other hand, one remembers that Pujol has voted for the independence of Greater Catalonia, not the Catalonia he is talking about here. This should earn him the other two Godós, but I pass.
What do you think about a self-named left-wing party's insistence on naming a street in Barcelona after well-known racist and xenophobe Heribert Barrera (a pal of Pujol's in his later years, by the way)?
ReplyDeleteSign o' the times, Mr Estrany. Sign o' the times.
ReplyDeleteI guess you're right, but for some reason that doesn't make me feel better!
ReplyDeleteMe neither. But good company makes it easier to bear.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely true.
ReplyDeleteHave you read this piece by one of the most notorious Cataloonies, Víctor Alexandre?
http://opinio.e-noticies.cat/la-punteta/la-collaboracionista-sanchez-camacho-60595.html
I have to admit I haven't (I find this man's prose exasperatingly manichean and repetitive), but the title, with its implicit and not-too-original comparison between present-day Spain and Nazi Germany, is enough to make one's hair stand on end, as much as I dislike Sánchez Camacho.
Thank you, read it.
ReplyDeletein dubio pro reo, I find "collaborator" less offensive (for more general in meaning that a Nazi reference allows) than "traitor".
The whole of this article -and many of its details- is, I agree, totally Alexandre, and, I agree again, he is who he is.
I have too much in the pipeline myself. If you feel compelled to reply, if you feel you have some good words to put against this idiocy, I again offer you space. Not only comment space, have a guest-entry of your own.
This time or any other you want.
Ah, and I subscribe your words about Camacho, too.
Bear in mind that in Spanish and Catalan, "colaboracionista" or "col·laboracionista" is a word that refers strictly to natives of an occupied country who help the occupiers. It's not an ambiguous word as I think "collaborator" is in English. And it is mostly used to refer to French collaborators during German occupation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind offer of a guest-entry, but as you already know, I'm a lazy twit :P (no, really, if I have something important to say one day, I'll let you know, but I don't think Alexandre deserves it). I already tried to post a reply to his piece at e-notícies, but of course, they didn't publish it. So I give up.
Bearing in mind, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou did read this entry, didn't you? http://cataloniawatch.blogspot.com/2011/07/spanification-of-eduard-punset.html
Oh, yes, and a darn good entry it is! Have you ever thought of writing a book about all this, or at least publishing your entries as a book? I know, you probably wouldn't receive a cent from the Generalitat, but just like these people strive to "internationalize" the conflict, you should internationalize a more rational view about it! Plus, you are a good writer, and your entries are never cumbersome or dense.
ReplyDeleteStop enabling me, I'd get crucified. And who would pay a cent if it's all for free here?
ReplyDeleteOK, OK, but you shouldn't be afraid, people would respect your point of view as a foreigner from a (presumably) respectable country.
ReplyDeleteMan, I don't know if there's a fool moon or something, but it's a busy day, Cataloonie-wise.
Take a look at this headline that literally says Catalan Police Unions are "attacking" Catalan language... just because they're choosing to use Spanish when speaking to journalists.
http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/3971001/20120113/sindicats-mossos-ataquen-catala-pressionar-govern.html
Sorry, I meant to write "full moon", not "fool moon". What a revealing slip of the key.
ReplyDeleteI took "fool moon" for a good shot.
ReplyDeleteWow, man. Catalan policemen using Spanish to protest against the Catalan government's attitude to give preference to ideology over professionalism is quite a move. Has made them headlines. And if they're not given the necessary body armour they're damn right to protest. Good luck to them.
There's a debate over at La Vanguardia.
http://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20120113/54244888823/los-mossos-se-pasan-al-castellano.html
Keep the links coming. I've lodged comments at the site you mentioned before.
Éh, I just thought about what will Rahola say tomorrow. She's always made a point of backing the Mossos, but what now, with the language issue?
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting.
She'll probably blame it on the union bureacrats. Some people are doing that already.
ReplyDeleteI saw your comments to Alexandre's column. Nice. Too bad nobody'll answer your question about what they intend to do with fifth-columnists. They never do. I guess they think it creates a more ominous effect.
Just this once I won't be the usual tattletale and instead I'll give you a link to an article I found to be quite refreshing:
http://www.eldebat.cat/cat/notices/2012/01/soc_espanyol__malgre_moi_94700.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
I don't know if you know this website, but I have the impression that its views regarding nationalism are quite balanced in general.
After replying so speedily before I've kept you waiting for the pedestrian reason that once a day I watch my favourite TV series.
ReplyDeleteFrom the above I've learned some things about you. One is that you are very analytical. I've just brought Rahola up for fun, your answer reveals insight, observation and a quick mind. I agree, that reaction of hers would fit both her profile and the circumstances.
I'll be reading your new link now.
Oh, I've indeed thought of writing a book just as you said. But it has to be more than just a rehash of this stuff. More twisted.
Yep, that article is quite fine. Got a great ending.
ReplyDeleteI did mention eldebat.cat some weeks ago:
http://cataloniawatch.blogspot.com/2011/11/national-dignity-no-thanks.html
Hi Candid
ReplyDeleteOff Topic Comment (Apologies)
First time i have visited your blog. I must commend you as it is a refreshing sight for sore eyes. Looking at Catalonia from an external point of view, i find that the rhetoric of Catalan nationalism borders on nothing less than fascism. The immersion policy in schools and the linguistic normalisation policies are clearly discriminatory. As you are resident in Barcelona, please can you help shed some light on the following questions
How come you have 'New Catalans'appear psychologically unstable in that they suffer from self hate and a marked inferiority complex? For example, its ironic to see that they have Castilian surnames (Andalusians, Extremadurans, Murcians share surnames with Castille) yet they are virulent in their criticism of anything Spanish when they clearly are of non Catalan origin. I assume it must be due to being victimised from a young age or that they seek a to belong or maybe it is the result of growing up in a Catalan dominated environment. I think its worse among the more upwardly New Catalans who maybe feel more pressure because of the dominance of ethnic Catalans in the professional classes. The you are with us or against us mindset. With us meaning you cannot have a dual identity and must hate Spain to be Catalan and to prove you are not a xarnego.
2. Whats the general opinion of the common man on the street. I am sure that not all ethnic Catalans can be tarred with the same brush just like all New Catalans cannot be stereotyped as silent and passive in voicing their opinions. Do most people in Catalonia even care about the independence argument.
3. How come the media in Catalonia is not impartial and is biased in its political coverage. It appears partial to the cause of Catalan nationalists.
4. What is the hope of having a progressive billingual teaching model whereby the rights of both native catalans and non native catalans are respected in regards to the use of Spanish in Catalan schools.
Happy to oblige:
ReplyDelete1. There is no other conflict except the one stirred and cooked by the local oligarchy against the people. Extremist groups and opinions have little footing among the people and are basically being instrumentalised by the oligarchs. We will see more of this as disaster capitalism progresses.
2. see 1. With the addition that, as usual, the common man is not aware enough and can be mislead.
3. The private media in Spain is highly partisan and very often journalists are made to work for peanuts. Public media is not independent enough from the respective governments, be them local, region or national.
4. Spanish will be progressively reintroduced at Catalan schools starting in the next years. It's the law. The courts are on it, but they're slow.
That's some rough orientation. You got this blog for details, and you can follow the links too.