Why I am a European

[abaris]

Podex sordidus seems like an apt reply.

[Little lunch]

I'm German, and even though we went mad and killed everyone, I found myself born a mere 34 years later, and somehow, almost everyone was friends with us, quite astonishing. France was just a 20 minutes drive away, and going there to get baguettes and such not an unusual thing to do. When I was 5 or so, my parents or someone told me that somewhere there was a border where they'd shoot if you try to cross. I was afraid when we crossed into france, I think they laughed when I asked whether there would be shooting. The fact that there wasn't is remarkable if you think about it. A few years later I watched the wall fall on TV in my pajamas. Now that I've receny lived longer than the time that has passed between my birth and the liberation of Auschwitz, I finally realize how short a time that is and how remarkable it is that the relationship between the European countries is what it is.

Some of my best friends at school were South Sea Islanders.
Many of their great grandfathers were my great grandfather's slaves.

[Whateverist]

I am a citizen of the world. (where have I heard this before?)
I know I won't see it in my lifetime, but I'd like to see all the world's regional governments getting together and sorting things out as one.

Until then, we must contend with smaller groups like the EU, the US, China, etc...

I agree.  There is a little otherness in those who don't live in my city.  The same with those who live in other states.  Other nations is just the same, with the otherness increasing in some ways the further you radiate out from where you live.  But at the same time you can find kindred spirits you feel closer to among strangers than you do sometimes in your own family.  Likewise for people from other cultures.  Improved media and transportation is melting out some of the surface otherness.

Personally I've always felt that nationalism and patriotism are basically provincialism on a larger scale.  I don't celebrate or identify that strongly with the differences which are mine by accident of birth.  That doesn't mean I can't enjoy common interest and affection for certain things with those who share them with me.  But there is no reason to trumpet those things as being superior to the things around which others share their own interests and affection.  Otherness in some regard or other is one of the things we all share in common.

[Homeless Nutter]

I'm a European, because otherwise - I'd just be a Polack. And f*ck that.

[Edwardo Piet]

I am a citizen of the world. (where have I heard this before?)

I often say I am a citizen of the world.

Oh, and it's by the original Cynic, the ancient Greek Diogenes who Alexander the Great looked up to. It's often misquoted as Socrates though.

It is said that Alexander the Great once asked if there was anything that he, a ruler of the world could do for Diogenes:

According to legend, Alexander the Great came to visit the Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope. Alexander wanted to fulfill a wish for Diogenes and asked him what he desired. According to the version recounted by Diogenes Laërtius, Diogenes replied "Stand out of my light." Plutarch provides a longer version of the story:

Thereupon many statesmen and philosophers came to Alexander with their congratulations, and he expected that Diogenes of Sinope also, who was tarrying in Corinth, would do likewise. But since that philosopher took not the slightest notice of Alexander, and continued to enjoy his leisure in the suburb Craneion, Alexander went in person to see him; and he found him lying in the sun. Diogenes raised himself up a little when he saw so many people coming towards him, and fixed his eyes upon Alexander. And when that monarch addressed him with greetings, and asked if he wanted anything, "Yes," said Diogenes, "stand a little out of my sun." It is said that Alexander was so struck by this, and admired so much the haughtiness and grandeur of the man who had nothing but scorn for him, that he said to his followers, who were laughing and jesting about the philosopher as they went away, "But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes."

From the Wikipedia article about Alexander and Diogenes.

Europe Endless:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqGsi9k6ra0

My favorite Kraftwerk song.

ETA:

Diogenes of Sinope was a controversial figure. His father minted coins for a living, and when Diogenes took to debasement of currency, he was banished from Sinope. After being exiled, he moved to Athens and criticized many cultural conventions of the city. Diogenes modelled himself on the example of Heracles. He believed that virtue was better revealed in action than in theory. He used his simple lifestyle and behaviour to criticize the social values and institutions of what he saw as a corrupt or at least confused society. In a highly non-traditional fashion, he had a reputation of sleeping and eating wherever he chose and took to toughening himself against nature. He declared himself a cosmopolitan and a citizen of the world rather than claiming allegiance to just one place.

From the Wikipedia article on Diogenes of Sinope

[abaris]

I'm a European, because otherwise - I'd just be a Polack. And f*ck that.

A very good reason for a united Europe. Since the slur points to very dark times.

[Edwardo Piet]

Fuck bigotry in the ass with a gigantic screwdriver.

[Whateverist]

Why I'm not a european, short version: accident of birth with insufficient funds to easily change that.